JP2002215917A - Content delivering method, content delivering system, and content delivering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a sponsor to get an advertisement effect corresponding to the cost. SOLUTION: Preview digital contents serving as samples of delivery digital contents are transmitted to user terminals 3 from a content delivering device 1 in response to the requests of users. The access number which is the number of times of transmission of the preview digital content is counted, and the impressions of the users looking or listening the preview digital contents are received from the user terminals 3. The access number, the information of the users requesting the preview digital contents, and the impressions of the users looking or listening the preview digital contents are transmitted to a sponsor terminal 7 from the content delivering device 1 in response to the request of the sponsor.

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, a content distribution system, and a content distribution apparatus in which a sponsor pays for digital content provided by a content provider and distributes the digital content to a user. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as typified by television broadcasting, in the field of broadcasting, sponsors provide advertising services such as free user viewing fees instead of unilaterally delivering advertisements to users. Have been done. Further, as another example of the advertisement service, an advertisement service in which the sponsor pays the call charge to reduce the call charge or make the call charge free instead of advertising the advertisement during the telephone call is being studied. As described above, the advertisement service has advantages such as a reduction in the fee or free charge for the user, an advertisement effect for the information provider, and is an effective service for both.

On the other hand, with the development of information technology in recent years, a mobile phone or a personal computer accesses a network, particularly a server on the Internet, and obtains information from the server or enjoys a service provided by the server. Communication systems are becoming popular. Even in such a communication system, a content distribution system has been proposed in which, if a user satisfies a specific condition required by a sponsor, the sponsor bears a fee for digital content such as video / music data and software, and makes the fee free. I have.

[0004] Specific conditions required by the sponsor include:
For example, there is display of a banner advertisement on a user terminal screen, user access to a sponsor site, or input of user information (such as answering a questionnaire). When the user clicks on the banner advertisement, the user accesses the sponsor site by jumping to the sponsor site linked to the banner advertisement and by switching to the sponsor site Web.
The page b is displayed on the user terminal screen. According to the content distribution system as described above, the user can view the content free of charge instead of browsing the advertisement or answering the questionnaire, and the sponsor can perform the advertising activity without spending a large amount of money. Can be performed, and information input by the user can also be obtained.

[0005]

However, in the content distribution system for distributing digital contents free of charge, there is a possibility that the sponsor cannot obtain an advertising effect commensurate with the cost borne. Because the sponsor decides which digital content to sponsor by watching the digital content or a sample version thereof, the target audience may not always select the content that interests them, This is because, in some cases, the target user segment may select content that does not show any interest, and as a result, may perform meaningless advertising activities on the non-target user segment. In addition, since it is difficult to select the content to be sponsored in this way, it is conceivable that the sponsor may forego the sponsorship of the content, and the content provider may not be able to acquire the sponsor. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a content distribution method capable of obtaining an effect commensurate with a cost to be paid for a sponsor and increasing a possibility of acquiring a sponsor for a content provider, It is an object to provide a content distribution system and a content distribution device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a content distribution method for distributing digital content for distribution provided by a content provider to a user, the preview being a sample of the digital content for distribution in response to a request from the user. Preview access procedure (1) for transmitting digital content for use from the content distribution device (1) to the user terminal device (3) and counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the digital content for preview is transmitted
08) and a sponsor preview access procedure (110) for transmitting the number of accesses and information of a user who has requested the preview digital content from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device (7) in response to the request of the sponsor. It is intended to be executed. Also, the content distribution method of the present invention transmits a preview digital content, which is a sample of the distribution digital content, from a content distribution device to a user terminal device in response to a user request, and transmits the preview digital content. A user preview access procedure (108) for receiving the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content from the user terminal device while counting the number of accesses, and the number of accesses and the preview A sponsor preview access procedure (110) for transmitting the impression of the user who has viewed the digital content and the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device is executed. Further, the content distribution method of the present invention transmits the distribution digital content from a content distribution device to a user terminal device in response to a user request,
A download procedure for counting the number of downloads, which is the number of times the distribution digital content is transmitted (11)
5) and a sponsor preview access procedure for transmitting the number of downloads and information on the user who has requested the digital content for distribution from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device in response to the request of the sponsor (11)
0). Further, the content distribution method of the present invention transmits the digital content for distribution from a content distribution device to a user terminal device in response to a user request, and counts the number of downloads that is the number of times the digital content for distribution is transmitted. A download procedure (115) for receiving from the user terminal device the impression of the user who has viewed the distribution digital content, and the number of downloads and the impression of the user who has viewed the distribution digital content in response to a request from the sponsor. A sponsor preview access procedure (110) transmitted from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device is executed.

Further, the present invention provides a content distribution system for distributing distribution digital content provided by a content provider to a user, wherein the user terminal requests transmission of preview digital content which is a sample of the distribution digital content. A device (3), transmitting the preview digital content to the user terminal device in response to the request, and counting an access number that is the number of times the preview digital content is transmitted;
A content distribution device (1) that transmits the number of accesses and information of the user who has requested the preview digital content in response to a request from the sponsor, and requests the content distribution device for the number of accesses and the information of the user. And a sponsor terminal device (7).
Further, the content distribution system of the present invention includes a user terminal device for requesting transmission of preview digital content as a sample of the distribution digital content, and transmitting the preview digital content to the user terminal device in response to the request. And, while counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content is transmitted, receives the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content from the user terminal device, and according to the request of the sponsor, the access number and The content distribution apparatus transmits an impression of a user who has viewed the preview digital content, and a sponsor terminal apparatus which requests the content distribution apparatus for the number of accesses and the impression of the user. Further, the content distribution system of the present invention, a user terminal device that requests transmission of the distribution digital content, and transmits the distribution digital content to the user terminal device in response to the request, and transmits the distribution digital content. A content distribution device that counts the number of downloads, which is the number of transmissions, and transmits the number of downloads and information of the user who has requested the digital content for distribution in response to a request from the sponsor, and the number of downloads and the information of the user. And a sponsor terminal device requesting the content distribution device. Further, the content distribution system of the present invention, a user terminal device that requests transmission of the distribution digital content, and transmits the distribution digital content to the user terminal device in response to the request, and transmits the distribution digital content. While counting the number of downloads that are the number of times of transmission, the impression of the user who viewed the digital content for distribution was received from the user terminal device, and the number of downloads and the digital content for distribution were viewed in response to a request from the sponsor. The content distribution device transmits user impressions, and the sponsor terminal device requests the content distribution device for the number of downloads and the user impressions.

[0008] Further, a content distribution apparatus (1) of the present invention.
Transmits a preview digital content, which is a sample of the distribution digital content, to a user terminal device (3) in response to a user's request, counts the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content is transmitted, and In response to the request, the number of accesses and the information of the user who has requested the preview digital content are transmitted to the sponsor terminal device (7).
In addition, the content distribution device of the present invention transmits a preview digital content, which is a sample of the distribution digital content, to a user terminal device in response to a user's request, and the number of accesses is the number of times the preview digital content is transmitted. And the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content is received from the user terminal device, and the number of accesses and the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content are received in response to a request from the sponsor terminal. This is transmitted to the device. Further, the content distribution device of the present invention transmits the digital content for distribution to a user terminal device in response to a request of a user, counts the number of downloads that is the number of times the digital content for distribution is transmitted, and responds to the request of the sponsor. Accordingly, the number of downloads and the information of the user who has requested the digital content for distribution are transmitted to the sponsor terminal device. Further, the content distribution device of the present invention transmits the distribution digital content to a user terminal device in response to a user request, counts the number of downloads that is the number of times the distribution digital content is transmitted, and An impression of a user who has viewed the digital content is received from the user terminal device, and the number of downloads and an impression of the user who has viewed the distribution digital content are transmitted to the sponsor terminal device in response to a request from the sponsor.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A content distribution system according to the present embodiment is operated by an operator of the system, registers a digital content provided by a content provider, and distributes encrypted digital content and distributes a decryption key. 1, a content providing server 2 operated by a content provider, a user terminal device 3 owned by a user, a sponsor site server 4 operated by a sponsor and storing a sponsor site,
It comprises a network 5 such as the Internet, a provider terminal device 6 owned by the content provider, and a sponsor terminal device 7 owned by the sponsor. The content distribution device 1, the content providing server 2 (provider terminal device 6), the user terminal device 3, and the sponsor site server 4 (sponsor terminal device 7) are interconnected by a network 5.

The content distribution device 1 comprises a content storage server 11, a content processing server 12, a content distribution server 13, and a user information management server 14. The content storage server 11 accumulates digital content for distribution of binary data such as music content, video content, and software to be distributed to the user, and presents the digital content for distribution as a sample (sample version) to the sponsor or the user. The digital content for preview and the thumbnail still image generated for this purpose are accumulated.

The content processing server 12 provides an environment for uploading digital content to the content providing server 2 via the network 5, and based on the original digital content uploaded from the content providing server 2, digital content for distribution and preview for digital content. Generate digital content and thumbnail still images.

The content distribution server 13 distributes the preview digital content and the thumbnail still image to the sponsor terminal device 7 in response to the sponsor's request, and the preview digital content and the thumbnail still image or the distribution still image in response to the user's request. The digital content is distributed to the user terminal device 3, and a decryption key necessary for reproducing the digital content for distribution is provided to the user terminal device 3.
Deliver to. The user information management server 14 generates a decryption key.

The content providing server 2 and the provider terminal device 6 constitute a content provider device. Note that the content storage server 11, the content processing server 12,
Content distribution server 13, user information management server 1
4. Each of the content providing server 2, the user terminal device 3, the sponsor site server 4, the provider terminal device 6, and the sponsor terminal device 7 can be realized by a computer. This computer may have a known configuration including a central processing unit, a storage device, and an interface. The storage device stores a program for controlling these hardware resources.

Hereinafter, the operation of the content distribution system of FIG. 1 will be described in order. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the content distribution system of FIG. First, the content processing server 1 of the content distribution device 1
2 indicates, for example, WA to the content providing server 2.
Content providers are recruited by providing an environment for uploading digital contents in a file format such as V, MP3, AVI, MOV, and ASF.

In response to this recruitment, the content provider operates the content distribution system operator (content distribution device 1).
(The operator of FIG. 2) accesses the Web site (YES in step 101 in FIG. 2), uploads the digital content to the content distribution device 1 using the provided upload environment, and registers the digital content desired for paid distribution. Perform (Step 102).

That is, when the content provider operates the provider terminal device 6 to access the website of the operator of the content distribution system, the content processing server 12 stores the file of the web page for registering the digital content. The content is transmitted to the content providing server 2 via the content distribution server 13 and the network 5.
As a result, the web page of the operator is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 6 of the content provider.

The content provider operates the provider terminal device 6 while viewing the displayed Web page, and operates the provider terminal device 6 to provide a file name of the distribution digital content to be distributed to the user, a distribution method of the distribution digital content (download or download). Streaming), the file name of the preview digital content that is a sample of the digital content for distribution (sample version), the distribution method of the digital content for preview, and the file name of the thumbnail still image that is a sample when the digital content for distribution is a moving image , Distribution digital content categories (videos, still images, music, etc.),
Digital content genre (eg, movie or drama), sponsor conditions, content fee per user, digital content title, digital content creator name, creator contact information (URL)
Etc.), content-related information such as the name of the copyright holder of the digital content and a keyword for content search.

After inputting the content-related information, the content provider starts transmission of the original content.
Thus, the original content is transmitted from the content providing server 2 via the network 5 to the content distribution device 1.
The content related information corresponding to the original content is transmitted from the provider terminal device 6 to the content distribution device 1 via the content providing server 2 and the network 5 (step 102).

Upon receiving the data sent from the content providing server 2, the content processing server 12 converts the format of the received original content into a predetermined file format, and then generates digital content for distribution from the format-converted original content. At the same time, the preview digital content is generated by cutting out, for example, a part of the original content. Also,
When the original content is a moving image, the content processing server 12 extracts a thumbnail still image from the original content.

Then, the content processing server 12 sends the generated distribution digital content, preview digital content, thumbnail still image, and content-related information to the content storage server 11. The content storage server 11 stores the received distribution digital content, preview digital content, and thumbnail still image, and registers the received content-related information in a content database (hereinafter, referred to as a content DB) (step 103).

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the content DB. In the content DB, an identification number of a digital content (hereinafter, referred to as a content ID) and an identification number of a content provider (hereinafter, referred to as a provider ID) are registered along with the content-related information. These pieces of information are recorded when the content is registered.

Further, in the content DB, the number of accesses, which is the number of times the preview digital contents have been viewed by the sponsor or the user, the number of downloads, which is the number of times the distribution digital contents have been downloaded by the user, the number of preview digital contents or the number of distributions ID of the user who accessed the digital content for preview, the content written by the user who viewed the digital content for preview on an electronic bulletin board (Bulletin Board System, hereinafter referred to as BBS), and the user who viewed the digital content for distribution written on the BBS The content is registered. As will be described later, these pieces of information are recorded as needed in response to access from the user and writing to the BBS. A record of the content DB as shown in FIG. 3 is generated for each registered content. This completes the registration of the content. Hereinafter, the digital content for which registration has been completed is referred to as registered content.

Next, the content distribution server 13 provides a digital content download environment via the network 5 to the user terminal device 3. When a user who is not registered in the content distribution system operates the user terminal device 3 to access the operator's Web site (YES in steps 104 and 105), the content distribution server 13 performs a user registration process (step 106). ). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the user registration process.

In FIG. 4, "<" and ">" indicate the direction of processing. For example, step 201 indicates that processing is performed in the direction from the content distribution server 13 to the user terminal device 3. In the user registration process, the content distribution server 13 generates a user registration screen and transmits the generated user registration screen to the access source user terminal device 3 via the network 5 (Step 201 in FIG. 4).
The user registration screen is generated based on the settings of a user database (hereinafter, referred to as a user DB) stored in the user information management server 14.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the user DB.
In the user DB, an identification number (hereinafter, referred to as a user ID) unique to each user registered in the content distribution system, an e-mail address, gender, age group, and area of residence are registered. Furthermore, in the user DB, the genres that the user likes are registered, and for each genre, the identification number of the digital content that the user has downloaded in the past (hereinafter, referred to as
Content ID) is registered. A record in the user DB as shown in FIG. 5 is generated for each user.

According to the record structure of the user DB determined in advance, the content distribution server 13 gives a new user each registration item (e-mail address, gender, age group,
A user registration screen for prompting the user to input a residence area is generated. When the user views the user registration screen displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3 and inputs information of each registration item, the input user information is transmitted from the user terminal device 3 to the content distribution device 1 via the network 5. (Step 2
02).

The content distribution server 13 transfers the received user information to the user information management server 14, and the user information management server 14 transmits the received user information to the user D.
B is stored in a new record (step 203). Then, the content distribution server 13 determines the user ID according to the user ID of the user newly registered in the user DB.
Is generated, and the generated cookie information is transmitted to the access source user terminal device 3. The user terminal device 3 saves the received cookie information (Step 204). Thus, the user registration process ends.

Next, the content distribution server 13 provides the registered user with an environment for viewing a preview of the content under recruitment of sponsors (hereinafter referred to as sponsor waiting content) among the registered contents. That is, when a registered user who wishes to view the preview of the content waiting for the sponsor operates the user terminal device 3 to access the website of the operator (step 10 in FIG. 2).
7, YES), the content distribution server 13 performs a user preview access process (step 10).
8). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the user preview access process.

In the user preview access process,
The content distribution server 13 generates a sponsor waiting content list screen as shown in FIG. 7 for the user,
The generated sponsor waiting content list screen is transmitted to the access source user terminal device 3 via the network 5 (step 301 in FIG. 6). The sponsor waiting content list screen is generated based on the content DB stored in the content storage server 11.

In step 301, when generating the sponsor waiting content list screen, the content distribution server 13 sets the file name, creator name,
Content-related information such as the copyright holder name and the number of accesses is acquired from the content DB for each registered content, and the acquired content-related information is displayed at the corresponding content location on the sponsor waiting content list screen. When the registered content is a moving image, the corresponding thumbnail still image is displayed together with the content-related information.

Further, the content distribution server 13 has a button "Preview" for the user to request viewing of the preview digital content, and a button "BBS" for writing the impression that the user has viewed the preview digital content. Is displayed for each registered content. In this way, as shown in FIG. 7, a sponsor waiting content list screen with content related information and a thumbnail still image added for each content is displayed.

The sponsor waiting content list screen displays a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) or an ASP (Account).
tive Server Pages), each of which is dynamically generated and displayed in a list, is arranged and displayed in descending order of the number of accesses to previews, that is, in order of popularity. Therefore, if the number of accesses changes and the order of popularity changes, sorting is performed as needed.

Some of the contents waiting for the sponsor are already sponsored by the sponsor, but are recruiting additional sponsors. In the case of such content, download of the digital content for distribution to the registered user has already been performed, and the number of downloads may be one or more. The content distribution server 13 displays the number of downloads on the sponsor waiting content list screen together with the number of accesses for the content waiting for the sponsor having the number of downloads of 1 or more.

Next, the user operates the user terminal device 3 and inputs search conditions such as a keyword and a genre in order to search for desired content. The search condition is transmitted from the user terminal device 3 to the content distribution server 13 (Step 302). The content distribution server 13
A content DB is searched, and only contents in which conditions matching the received search conditions are registered are collected to re-create the sponsor-waiting content list screen, and the created search-ready sponsor-waiting content list screen is accessed by the user terminal device of the access source. 3 (step 303).

When the user looks at the sponsor waiting content list screen after the search displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3 and is interested in a certain content, the user operates the user terminal device 3 to display the corresponding content. Click on the area where "Preview" is displayed. As a result, a preview request including the content ID of the corresponding content is transmitted from the user terminal device 3 to the content distribution server 13 (Step 304).

When receiving the preview request from the user, the content distribution server 13 requests the content storage server 11 to transmit the preview digital content corresponding to the requested content (step 30).
5). The content storage server 11 stores the requested preview digital content in the content distribution server 13.
To the content distribution server 1 (step 306).
3 transfers the received preview digital content to the access source user terminal device 3 (step 30).
7). Thus, the user can view or listen to the preview digital content on the user terminal device 3.

Next, the content distribution server 13 transmits the access information to the user information management server 14 in order to record the access history of the user who issued the preview request in response to the generation of the preview request from the user. The user information management server 14 records the content ID of the content requested to be previewed in the record of the user in the user DB based on the received access information (step 308). In the access in step 107, the cookie information is transmitted from the user terminal device 3. Therefore, since the user information management server 14 can acquire the user ID corresponding to the cookie information, the user information management server 14 can search for a record of the user in the user DB based on the user ID.

Subsequently, the content distribution server 13 increases the number of accesses to the content requested to be previewed by one with the occurrence of the preview request from the user, and changes the user ID of the user who issued the preview request to the accessor ID. Content storage server 1
1 to the access information. Content storage server 1
1 is a content D based on the received access information.
The number of accesses recorded in the record of the corresponding content B is increased by one, and the user ID of the user who issued the preview request is recorded in this record (step 3).
09). Since a preview request including the content ID is transmitted from the user terminal device 3, the content storage server 11 can search for a record of the corresponding content in the content DB based on the content ID.

With the above, the user preview access processing ends. The sponsor waiting content list screen has a BBS function so that a user who has viewed the preview can write an impression of the content. That is, after the user views the preview and clicks on the portion of the viewed content list screen that is displayed as “BBS” of the viewed content, the content distribution server 13 sends the user terminal device 3
Provide BS function. The user looks at the BBS screen displayed on the user terminal device 3 and inputs the impression of viewing the content to the user terminal device 3. The content written in the BBS is transmitted from the user terminal device 3 to the content distribution server 13.

When the writing to the BBS has been performed, the content distribution server 13 adds the BB to the access information transmitted to the content storage server 11 in step 309 described above.
The content written in S is added. In response to this, the content storage server 11 associates the user ID of the user who issued the preview request with the content written in the BBS and records the content in the corresponding content record in the content DB.

Next, the content distribution server 13 recruits sponsors by providing the sponsor terminal device 7 with an environment for viewing the preview of the registered content. That is, if the sponsor is the sponsor terminal device 7
Is operated to access the web site of the operator (YES in step 109 in FIG. 2), the content distribution server 13 uses the cookie information and the identification number of the sponsor (hereinafter referred to as sponsor ID) to access the content from the sponsor. If it is determined that there is, a sponsor preview access process is performed (step 110). FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the sponsor preview access process.

In the sponsor preview access process, the content distribution server 13 generates a sponsor waiting content list screen as shown in FIG. 9 for the sponsor, and transmits the generated sponsor waiting content list screen to the access source via the network 5. This is transmitted to the sponsor terminal device 7 (step 401 in FIG. 8).

The sponsor-waiting content list screen at this time is also generated based on the information in the content DB, similarly to the above-described user-oriented screen. Is embedded in the screen with a button called “Detailed Information” for reference and a button called “Sponsor” for determining content sponsored by the sponsor. Thus, a sponsor waiting content list screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen of the sponsor terminal device 7. As described above, the contents on the list screen are arranged and displayed in descending order of the number of accesses.

Next, the sponsor operates the sponsor terminal device 7 to input search conditions such as a keyword, a genre, and a content fee per user in order to search for desired content. This search condition is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13 (step 402). The content distribution server 13 searches the content DB, collects only the contents in which the conditions that match the received search conditions are registered, re-creates the sponsor waiting content list screen, and displays the created sponsor waiting content list screen after the search. The data is transmitted to the sponsor terminal device 7 of the access source (step 403).

The sponsor looks at the sponsor waiting content list screen displayed on the screen of the sponsor terminal device 7 after the search, and, if interested in a certain content, operates the sponsor terminal device 7 to display the corresponding content. Click on the area where "Preview" is displayed. As a result, a preview request including the content ID of the corresponding content is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13 (step 404).

Upon receiving the preview request from the sponsor, the content distribution server 13 requests the content storage server 11 to transmit the preview digital content corresponding to the requested content (step 40).
5). The content storage server 11 stores the requested preview digital content in the content distribution server 13.
To the content distribution server 1 (step 406).
3 transfers the received preview digital content to the sponsor terminal device 7 of the access source (step 4).
07). Thus, the sponsor can view or listen to the preview digital content on the sponsor terminal device 7.

The sponsor looks at the sponsor-waiting content list screen displayed on the sponsor terminal device 7 and, when interested in a certain content, operates the sponsor terminal device 7 to obtain “detailed information” of the content. Click the point where is displayed. As a result, a detailed information request for requesting information of a user who has accessed the content is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13.

Upon receiving the detailed information request from the sponsor, the content distribution server 13 searches the content DB of the content storage server 11, acquires the user ID of the user who has accessed the corresponding content from the content DB, and obtains the acquired user ID. The user DB of the user information management server 14 is searched based on the ID, user information corresponding to the user ID is obtained, and a detailed information screen as shown in FIG. 10 is generated from the obtained user information, and the generated details are generated. The information screen is transmitted to the sponsor terminal device 7 of the access source.

On the detailed information screen, the result of classification of users according to classification conditions such as the sex, age group, residence area, etc. of the user who accessed the content is displayed. In this way, the sponsor can look at the information displayed on the detailed information screen to check the popularity of the content or determine whether the target user group is interested in the content.

In the example of FIG. 10, only the information of the user who has viewed the preview digital content is described. However, as described above, in the content waiting for the sponsor, the number of downloads is one or more. There is something. The content distribution server 13 determines that the number of downloads is one.
For the contents waiting for the sponsor, the result of classifying the user who has viewed the preview of the content according to the classification condition and the result of classifying the user who downloaded the digital content for distribution according to the classification condition are simultaneously displayed on the detailed information screen. I do.

The sponsor looks at the sponsor waiting content list screen displayed on the sponsor terminal device 7 and, when interested in a certain content, operates the sponsor terminal device 7 to display “BBS” of the content. Click the displayed part. As a result, the BBS result request, which is written in the BBS and requests the user's impression of the content, is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13.

Upon receiving the BBS result request from the sponsor, the content distribution server 13 searches the content DB of the content storage server 11 based on the content ID included in the BBS result request, and the user who has viewed the corresponding content receives The content written in the BBS is acquired from the content DB, and the acquired content is transmitted to the sponsor terminal device 7 that is the access source. In this way, the impression of the user who has viewed the content is displayed on the screen of the sponsor terminal device 7, so that the sponsor can check the popularity of the content.

The sponsor can access the content displayed on the sponsor waiting content list screen, the user information displayed on the detailed information screen, the content written in the BBS, the sponsor condition displayed on the sponsor waiting content list screen, and the user. If it is determined from the content fee per person and the viewing result of the preview content that the target user group is interested in the content and that the advertising effect corresponding to the cost to be paid is obtained, the sponsor The user operates the terminal device 7 and clicks on a portion of the content in which “Sponsor” is displayed. As a result, a sponsor right acquisition request for requesting the right to sponsor the content is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13 (step 408). Thus, the sponsor preview access process ends.

The content processing server 12 that has received the sponsorship acquisition request via the content distribution server 13
Generates encrypted digital content for distribution by encrypting the digital content for distribution approved by the sponsor and adding the URL of the Web site designated by the sponsor to the encrypted content (step 111 in FIG. 2). ). Then, the content processing server 12 notifies the provider of the content that has obtained the approval of the sponsor that the sponsor has been determined (step 1).
12). The content storage server 11 stores the encrypted digital content for distribution generated by the content processing server 12 (step 113).

Next, the content distribution server 13 provides the user terminal device 3 with an environment for downloading digital content for distribution via the network 5. That is, when the registered user operates the user terminal device 3 to access the operator's Web site (YES in step 114), the content distribution server 13 proceeds to FIG.
A distribution content list screen as shown in (1) is generated, and the generated distribution content list screen is transmitted to the access source user terminal device 3.

At this time, the distribution content list screen is also
Like the sponsor waiting content list screen described above, the content is generated based on the information in the content DB, but is different from the sponsor waiting content list screen in that “registered user” downloads content.
Is embedded in the screen.
Thus, a distribution content list screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3. Each content on the list screen is arranged and displayed in descending order of the number of downloads.

The user can search for the desired content while viewing the distribution content list screen, and can also view and listen to the preview content, similarly to the above-described user preview access processing. is there. Then, the user looks at the distribution content list screen, and clicks a portion of the content desired to be distributed, which is displayed as “download”. As a result, a distribution request including the content ID of the corresponding content is transmitted from the user terminal device 3 to the content distribution server 13.

Upon receiving a distribution request from the user, the content distribution server 13 requests the content storage server 11 for the distribution-encrypted digital content corresponding to the requested content, and receives the distribution digital content received from the content storage server 11. The encrypted digital content is transmitted to the user terminal device 3 via the network 5. The user terminal device 3 stores the received encrypted digital content for distribution (step 115).

The content distribution server 13 transmits the download information to the user information management server 14 in order to record the download history of the user who has issued the distribution request in response to the distribution request from the user. The user information management server 14 records the content ID of the requested content in the record of the user in the user DB based on the received download information. Step 1
In the access 14, the cookie information is transmitted from the user terminal device 3. Therefore, the user information management server 14 can acquire the user ID corresponding to the cookie information.
The user B's record can be searched.

Subsequently, the content distribution server 13 increases the number of downloads of the content requested to be distributed by one with the occurrence of the distribution request from the user, and changes the user ID of the user who issued the distribution request to the accessor ID. The download information is transmitted to the content storage server 11 in order to record the information as "." The content storage server 11 increases the number of downloads recorded in the record of the corresponding content in the content DB by one based on the received download information, and records the user ID of the user who has issued the distribution request in this record. Since a distribution request including the content ID is transmitted from the user terminal device 3,
The content storage server 11 can search for a record of the content in the content DB based on the content ID.

Next, the user terminal device 3 issues a playback request for the downloaded encrypted digital content for distribution from the user (YE in step 116).
S) Since the server does not have a decryption key necessary for decrypting the encrypted digital content for distribution, it transmits the encrypted digital content for distribution to the sponsor site server 4 based on the URL added to the encrypted digital content for distribution in accordance with a predetermined program. Access is performed (step 117). Thus, the Web page of the sponsor site is displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3.

At this time, with access to the sponsor site, terminal information unique to the terminal device 3 and stored in the user terminal device 3 is sent to the sponsor site server 4. Thereby, the sponsor site server 4
Can identify the user terminal device 3 (user) accessing the sponsor site.

The user looks at the Web page of the sponsor site displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3 and operates the user terminal device 3 according to the conditions (for example, responses to a questionnaire) set in the sponsor site. I do. If the user satisfies the required setting condition (YES in step 118), sponsor site server 4
Notifies the content distribution server 13 that the user has satisfied the setting conditions. This notification includes the terminal information.

Upon receiving the notification from the sponsor site server 4, the content distribution server 13 requests the user information management server 14 to generate a decryption key for the user identified by the terminal information. The user information management server 14 generates a decryption key by encrypting the secret key for encryption based on the terminal information, and returns the decryption key to the content distribution server 13.

The content distribution server 13 transmits the decryption key received from the user information management server 14 to the user terminal device 3 via the network 5 (Step 1)
19). The user terminal device 3 obtains a secret key by decoding the decryption key received from the content distribution device 1 using the terminal information of the user terminal device 3, and obtains the secret key obtained from the stored encrypted digital content for distribution. Then, reproduction of the digital content is started (step 120).
Thus, the user can view the distributed digital content.

The user who has watched the digital content for distribution clicks on the “BBS” of the viewed content in the content list screen for distribution, in the same manner as the user preview access process described above. It is possible to write the impression of viewing the content in the BBS. When writing to the BBS is performed after downloading the distribution digital content, the content distribution server 13 adds the content written to the BBS to the download information transmitted to the content storage server 11 in step 115. In response, the content storage server 11 transmits the user I of the user who has issued the distribution request.
D and the content written in the BBS are associated with each other and recorded in the record of the corresponding content in the content DB.

When the content distribution server 13 receives the BBS result request from the sponsor and searches the content DB of the content storage server 11 based on the content ID included in the BBS result request, the content distribution server 13 views the preview of the content. If the content written by the user who has written to the BBS and the content downloaded by the user who downloaded the digital content for distribution to the BBS are recorded in the content DB, both contents are transmitted to the sponsor terminal device 7. Therefore, if the content is a content waiting for the sponsor, the sponsor can also examine the impression of the user who downloaded the digital content for distribution.

According to the present embodiment, the user can view digital contents free of charge instead of browsing advertisements and answering questionnaires. Content providers are offered a place to publish their content for free, and can also get rewards according to the popularity of the user. Then, the sponsor can perform more efficient and reliable marketing by narrowing down the target.

[0069]

According to the present invention, the number of accesses, which is the number of times the preview digital content is transmitted from the content distribution device to the user terminal device, is counted, and the number of accesses and the preview digital content are requested in response to a sponsor's request. By transmitting the information of the user from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device, the sponsor can look at the number of accesses and the information of the user to check the popularity of the content at the time of the preview, or to determine the target user. And determine if the layer is content of interest. As a result, even if the sponsor cannot discriminate the content, it is possible to identify the content that is popular with the target user group, and it is possible to perform a sponsor activity with a higher advertising effect. In addition, since sponsors can easily determine content to be sponsored, it is possible for content providers to increase the possibility of acquiring sponsors. Also, the content provider can refer to the number of accesses as a reference for setting the advertisement fee for the content.

Also, the number of accesses, which is the number of times that the preview digital content has been transmitted from the content distribution device to the user terminal device, is counted, and the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content is received from the user terminal device. By transmitting the number of accesses and the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device in response to the request, the sponsor can see the number of accesses and the impression of the user and perform a preview. It is possible to check the popularity of the content at a point in time, and determine whether or not the target user group is interested. As a result, even if the sponsor cannot discriminate the content, it is possible to identify the content that is popular with the target user group, and it is possible to perform a sponsor activity with a higher advertising effect. In addition, since sponsors can easily determine content to be sponsored, it is possible for content providers to increase the possibility of acquiring sponsors. Further, the content provider can use the number of accesses as a reference for setting the advertisement fee of the content, and can further reflect the user's raw impression in the production of the content.

Also, the number of downloads, which is the number of times the digital content for distribution is transmitted from the content distribution device to the user terminal device, is counted, and the number of downloads and the information of the user who has requested the digital content for distribution are counted in response to the request of the sponsor. By transmitting the content from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device, the sponsor sees the number of downloads and the information of the user to check the popularity of the content after distribution, or the target user group is interested in the content. Can be determined. As a result, even if the sponsor cannot discriminate the content, it is possible to identify the content that is popular with the target user group, and it is possible to perform a sponsor activity with a higher advertising effect. In addition, since sponsors can easily determine content to be sponsored, it is possible for content providers to increase the possibility of acquiring sponsors.

Further, the number of downloads, which is the number of times the digital content for distribution is transmitted from the content distribution device to the user terminal device, is counted, and the impression of the user who has viewed the digital content for distribution is received from the user terminal device, and the sponsor's impression is received. By transmitting the number of downloads and the impression of the user who has viewed the distribution digital content from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device in response to the request, the sponsor can view the number of downloads and the impression of the user and distribute the contents. It is possible to check the popularity of the content later, and determine whether the target user group is interested in the content. As a result, even if the sponsor cannot discriminate the content, it is possible to identify the content that is popular with the target user group, and it is possible to perform a sponsor activity with a higher advertising effect. In addition, since sponsors can easily determine content to sponsor,
It is possible for the content provider to increase the possibility of acquiring a sponsor. In addition, the content provider
The user's raw impressions can be reflected in the production of the content.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the content distribution system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a content database of a content storage server.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user registration process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a user database of a user information management server.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a user preview access process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sponsor waiting content list screen for a user according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sponsor preview access process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sponsor waiting content list screen for sponsors according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed information screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution content list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Content distribution device 2. Content providing server
3: User terminal device, 4: Sponsor site server, 5
... Network, 6 ... Provider terminal device, 7 ... Sponsor terminal device, 11 ... Content storage server, 12 ... Content processing server, 13 ... Content distribution server, 14 ...
User information management server.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/173 610 H04N 7/173 610Z (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Omura 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. NTT Communications Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadashi Uchiyama Inside NTT Communications Co., Ltd. 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hiroaki Utaka F-term (reference) 5C064 BA01 BA07 BB07 BB10 BC07 BC16 BC18 BC20 BC23 BC27 BD02 BD07 BD08

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A content distribution method for distributing distribution digital content provided by a content provider to a user, comprising the steps of: transmitting a preview digital content, which is a sample of the distribution digital content, from a content distribution device in response to a user request A user preview access procedure for transmitting to the user terminal device and counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content has been transmitted; and information on the number of accesses and the user who has requested the preview digital content in response to a sponsor's request. And a sponsor preview access procedure for transmitting the content from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device. 2. A content distribution method for distributing a distribution digital content provided by a content provider to a user, wherein a preview digital content, which is a sample of the distribution digital content, is transmitted from a content distribution apparatus in response to a user request. A user preview access procedure for transmitting to the user terminal device, counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content has been transmitted, and receiving from the user terminal device the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content, Executing a sponsor preview access procedure of transmitting the number of accesses and the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device in response to a request from the sponsor. Content distribution method to. 3. A content distribution method for distributing digital content for distribution provided from a content provider to a user, wherein the digital content for distribution is transmitted from a content distribution device to a user terminal device in response to a user request, A download procedure for counting the number of downloads that is the number of times the digital content for distribution has been transmitted; and, in response to a request from the sponsor, the number of downloads and information on the user who has requested the digital content for distribution from the content distribution device to the sponsor terminal device. And a sponsor preview access procedure for transmitting the content to a sponsor. 4. A content distribution method for distributing digital content for distribution provided by a content provider to a user, wherein the digital content for distribution is transmitted from a content distribution device to a user terminal device in response to a user request, A download procedure for counting the number of downloads, which is the number of times the digital content for distribution has been transmitted, and receiving the impression of the user who has viewed the digital content for distribution from the user terminal device, and the number of downloads in response to a request from the sponsor. Executing a sponsor preview access procedure of transmitting an impression of a user who has viewed the digital content for distribution from the content distribution device to a sponsor terminal device. 5. A content distribution system for distributing distribution digital content provided by a content provider to a user, comprising: a user terminal device for requesting transmission of preview digital content as a sample of the distribution digital content; Transmitting the preview digital content to the user terminal device in response to a request, counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content is transmitted, and counting the number of accesses and the preview digital content in response to a sponsor request; A content distribution system comprising: a content distribution device that transmits information of a user who has requested the content distribution device; and a sponsor terminal device that requests the content distribution device to request the number of accesses and the user information. 6. A content distribution system for distributing digital content for distribution provided by a content provider to a user, a user terminal device for requesting transmission of preview digital content as a sample of the digital content for distribution, Transmitting the preview digital content to the user terminal device in response to the request, counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content has been transmitted, and expressing the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content to the user. A content distribution device that receives from the terminal device and transmits the number of accesses and the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content in response to a request from the sponsor; and the content distribution device transmits the number of accesses and the impression of the user. To A content distribution system comprising a requesting sponsor terminal device. 7. A content distribution system for distributing digital content for distribution provided from a content provider to a user, a user terminal device requesting transmission of the digital content for distribution, and the digital device for distribution in response to the request. Transmitting the content to the user terminal device, counting the number of downloads that is the number of times the digital content for distribution is transmitted,
A content distribution device that transmits the number of downloads and information of the user who has requested the digital content for distribution in response to a request from a sponsor, and a sponsor terminal device that requests the content distribution device for the number of downloads and the information of the user And a content distribution system. 8. A content distribution system for distributing digital content for distribution provided from a content provider to a user, a user terminal device requesting transmission of the digital content for distribution, and the digital terminal for distribution in response to the request. Transmitting the content to the user terminal device, counting the number of downloads that is the number of times the distribution digital content is transmitted, receiving the impression of the user who has viewed the distribution digital content from the user terminal device, A content distribution device that transmits the number of downloads and the impression of the user who has viewed the digital content for distribution in response to a request, and a sponsor terminal device that requests the content distribution device for the number of downloads and the impression of the user. Characterized by having Content distribution system. 9. A content distribution apparatus for distributing distribution digital content provided by a content provider to a user, wherein the content distribution apparatus is a preview digital serving as an example of the distribution digital content in response to a user request. Transmitting the content to the user terminal device, counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content has been transmitted, and sponsoring the number of accesses and information of the user who has requested the preview digital content in response to a sponsor request; A content distribution device for transmitting to a terminal device. 10. A content distribution device for distributing distribution digital content provided by a content provider to a user, wherein the content distribution device is a preview digital content sample of the distribution digital content in response to a user request. Transmitting the content to the user terminal device, counting the number of accesses that is the number of times the preview digital content has been transmitted, receiving the impression of the user who has viewed the preview digital content from the user terminal device, and requesting the sponsor. Transmitting the number of accesses and the impression of a user who has viewed the preview digital content to a sponsor terminal device in response to the request. 11. A content distribution device that distributes digital content for distribution provided from a content provider to a user, wherein the content distribution device transmits the digital content for distribution to a user terminal device in response to a request from the user. ,
Counting the number of downloads, which is the number of times the distribution digital content has been transmitted, and transmitting the number of downloads and information of a user who has requested the distribution digital content to a sponsor terminal device in response to a request from a sponsor. Content distribution device. 12. A content distribution device for distributing digital content for distribution provided by a content provider to a user, wherein the content distribution device transmits the digital content for distribution to a user terminal device in response to a request from the user. ,
While counting the number of downloads, which is the number of times the digital content for distribution has been transmitted, the impression of the user who has viewed the digital content for distribution is received from the user terminal device, and the number of downloads and the distribution in response to a sponsor's request. A content distribution apparatus for transmitting, to a sponsor terminal device, impressions of a user who has viewed digital content for a business.