JP2002222344A - Digital contents distribution system and information recording medium used for this system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to use digital contents which the user has purchased from a server on a network system at any time in any place and any number of times. SOLUTION: A digital contents database and client information database are stored in the server on the network, and the user becomes a client by registering digital contents, which he or she has purchased, in the client information database, and the client uses a database, which clients on the server can preserve, edit, and manage, to access the network for required digital contents when necessary, and thus the client can use the digital contents at any time in any place and any number of times whether or not he or she has an information recording medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for storing, editing, managing, and distributing various digital contents by utilizing a server on a network (for example, the Internet), and information recording to assist them. It is about media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to obtain digital contents (for example, images, videos, sounds, music, games, sentences, etc.), known information recording media (for example, CD-ROM,
Hereafter, it is called a medium such as a DVD-ROM. ) Was purchased in the form of a package (package). Or
Digital content alone has been purchased by means such as downloading from a network or copying from a dedicated housing at a store or the like. In addition, when these digital contents are to be used in a plurality of places, they need to be copied to another medium. Digital content on these media relied on the media for purchase, transfer, and storage. On the other hand, digital contents using these media depend on the media, so that there are some problems in using a copyrighted work. That is, when digital content is purchased, if it is used repeatedly, it has the disadvantage of having to go through a process of copying which is originally prohibited. (Copying is permitted for personal use, but it cannot be strictly distinguished from piracy.)

[0003] In the conventional media-dependent digital content acquisition and usage storage method, the subject is merely placed on the media, which is a physical element, even though the content itself is digitized. Of course, what the user needs and buys is the digital content itself, not the packaged media itself.

When digital contents are purchased on a medium, the user has to carry the main body of the medium or copy the medium to a moving medium when moving. Further, even in the case of purchasing digital content alone (downloading from the Internet, etc.), it is necessary to carry the digital content after copying it to various known media. Further, when digital content is used without using media, it is necessary to pay a usage fee each time and purchase the content from the network each time. Compared to conventional media, for example, music CDs, when purchasing a music CD, there is no need to pay a usage fee and use the music that one wants to listen to every time.

An information recording medium (CD-R) utilizing the present invention
OM, etc.), the purchaser registers the server via the network to become a customer, and the customer does not need to carry media or copy media and uses the digital content purchased “anytime, anywhere, any number of times” can do.

[0006]

The problem to be solved is that digital content that can be used in a network and a server system cannot be used "anytime, anywhere, any number of times" without copying or paying a usage fee each time. Is a point.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a digital content database and a customer information / database are stored in a server on a network, and the digital content purchased by the user is stored in the server by the user. By registering with a customer, you can become a customer, and by using a database on the server that the customer can store and edit, you can access the network with the digital content you need when you need it, However, the most important feature is that it can be used with or without an information recording medium.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The spread and evolution of network technology in recent years is remarkable not only in hardware but also in infrastructure, and the problem of transfer speed, which has been a major concern, is being solved by optical fibers, ADSL, various types of broadband, and the like. Finally, digital content and the inherent convenience of networks have emerged, meaning that users are not bound by substantial physical elements such as media. Therefore, the present inventor, once a user purchases various digital contents, along with owning the digital contents, "anytime, anywhere, any number of times" via a network,
A system to realize the right to use the digital contents has been developed.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a digital content distribution system according to the present invention. 1 is a server, 2 is a user interface (home page, etc.) on the server 1, 3 is a digital content database stored in the server 1, 4 is a customer information database stored in the server 1, 5 is a customer management Database, 6
Is a network (Internet or the like), 7 is a user, and becomes a customer by registering in the customer information / database 4. 8 is an information input / output device such as a personal computer of the user (customer) 7. The user 7 can access the server 1 via the network 6 using the information input / output device 8 such as a personal computer, search for digital contents by the user interface 2 on the server 1, and purchase digital contents. The user 7 becomes a customer 7 by registering the purchased digital content in the customer information / database 4, and becomes a customer 7.
Has a database 5 that can be stored and edited.
Known database software is used to construct the database 5.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart in the case where a user purchases digital content alone from the network 6 by downloading. FIG. 3 is a flowchart in the case where a user purchases digital content through a medium. Since the subject of the present invention resides in the entire digital content distribution system, description of the server 1, the user interface (homepage, etc.) 2, the network (Internet, etc.) 5, and the databases 3, 4 will be omitted.

[0011] The first object of the present invention is to provide a method for transmitting digital content purchased by a user at any time.
It is about realizing a system that can be used anywhere, anytime. In this regard, the above-mentioned known network and server technologies including wired and wireless are utilized. In other words, the user who purchased the digital content as a package and the above alone becomes a customer by accessing the server on the network and registering the user, and the customer can read the same digital content on the server "anytime, anywhere, any number of times" It is a mechanism that can be used. Of course, the management of the purchase use history can be easily managed by the log of the customer information / database.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an information recording medium (C
Assigning a right code to an information recording medium so that a user who has purchased the D-ROM can use the purchased digital content via a network with or without the information recording medium. It is. Elements that make up the right code are “identification code” and “user registration information”.

[0013]

[Identification Code] The following “identification code” is given to the digital content purchased by the user and the same digital content stored on the server. A. B. Identification code of the content itself B. Product code (serial number, etc.) to which title if sold in a package Attributes for determining what kind of content (work code) Copyright holder information indicating who created it. In addition to the above, information such as information on the place of purchase, shipping time, and time of creation (version) can be added if necessary. Incidentally, it is desirable that information that may be used illegally be invisible to the user. In addition, the above-mentioned known database software is used for giving the information.

[0014]

[User Registration] In order to extract the same digital content purchased by a user from a server on the network, it is necessary to register user information in order to recognize who purchased which digital content. The user information is various identification information such as a purchaser's name, address, and affiliation. In addition, when the main registration is performed, an identification code given to the digital content in advance is also transmitted. The technique is as follows. E. FIG. If purchased as a package, a network connection application startup program (known as .exe) or a file (.html) stored in the same media
The information is transmitted using a known method. F. When digital content is purchased alone via the Internet, the information can be automatically registered because it is a procedure on the network. G. FIG. When purchasing digital content by copying from a dedicated housing to a medium or the like, or when the housing is connected to a network, the above F.1 is used. Is the same as If it is not on the network, you can use various known means (for example, postcard for registration) for server registration at the time of purchase,
Instead of a known method such as a postcard, an application start program for network connection (a well-known one such as .exe) or a file (a well-known one such as .html) is also copied to a user's media, thereby registering quickly. It is also possible. The user whose registration is completed becomes a customer, and the customer is given a unique key (ID, password, etc.) for using the owned digital content on the server, and subsequent access can be made based on the key. In other words, the right information of "who can use which content" on the server can be managed up to this point.

[0015]

[Registration of additional purchase] If you purchase additional digital content, access the server in the same way and enter a unique key (ID, password, etc.) to automatically add the identification code of the digital content. Registration is completed.

[0016]

[Data Extraction] In the present invention, when a customer uses digital content on a server by using an identification code and a unique key (ID, password, etc.), the present invention discloses a method of handling digital content storage and editing management. Use an extraction program. At this time, if an area (such as a folder) of the possessed digital content is set on the server for each customer, the area used by the server increases as the number of customers and the number of digital contents increase, and the burden increases. However, in the case of the present invention, the use area of the server does not increase and the burden is minimized with respect to the total number of customers and digital contents that endlessly increase because a program for extracting digital contents that is used only when the customer accesses is used. Can be limited. That is, in principle, only one digital content is prepared (data for backup for trouble occurrence is not included). By the way, this program utilizes a well-known program (.asp format) to allow customers to arbitrarily group, etc., beyond predetermined categories such as titles of digital contents purchased on media. Accordingly, it becomes possible for the customer to organize, arrange, edit and manage the digital contents possessed by the customer.

[0017]

[Example 1] A professional designer having various clients with different tastes will provide a photograph of a material for them on a CD-
Although multiple copies are purchased from ROM, there are several photos in each title that suit each client's preference, and they are all scattered apart, so that professional designers can use them easily, for example, only the images required for each client I want to re-edit and use it. Therefore, in the case of the present invention, the purchased CD-ROM is the same as purchasing all the photos one by one on the server, so that a database that can be edited and managed by the customer can be edited as necessary. Arbitrary grouping is possible by a professional designer. As the user interface, a segment for each client is created on the customer database, and the necessary photos are indexed. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image of the first embodiment.

[0018]

[Embodiment 2] A jazz music CD was purchased, but the title is released for each musician. Users have quite a few musician titles, but want to store them in an omnibus format that suits their hobbies, such as ballads only. By using the present invention, for example, not only at home, but also from a device that has a playback function and can be connected to a network, such as a company or friend's house, or even in a car, not only can music be drawn out and enjoyed, You can efficiently enjoy your own content that has been edited to your liking in advance. The method is the same as in the first embodiment.

In each of the first and second embodiments,
To the customer, his digital content appears to be in his storage location, but in reality the extraction program only edits the identification code and the digital content itself does not move, so when the customer accesses it, Allows instant grouping and has little physical load on the server.

[0020]

[Handling of usage fee] Conventionally, when purchasing and using a copyrighted work, there are the following formats for handling the usage fee.

[0021]

[One-time billing format] For music CDs, MDs, videos and DVDs containing videos such as movies, game software and computer applications using various recording media, etc. These copies can be obtained and used, in principle, as many times as necessary after purchase. In addition, copies can be made and used only for personal use in order to move them without limitation. However, copying of some contents, such as movies, games, and applications, is prohibited. However, even then, there is no restriction on the repeated use of purchased copies. In other words, a user who has purchased a one-time-charged copyrighted work can permanently possess the copy and use it repeatedly.

[0022]

[Every time billing format] When using a copyrighted work in a conventional karaoke, TV game (arcade version), or other music distribution system on the Internet, the user pays a fee every time.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a music distribution system or the like on the Internet in which a customer always accesses and uses a copy of a copyrighted work stored in a server on a network from a client device. In the present invention, the customer purchases a copy of the work in a one-time billing format, so that the customer has the right to permanently own a copy of the same work stored on the server, You have the right to use it repeatedly. In view of the above, the present invention provides a system that enables a customer who has purchased a copy of a copyrighted work and registered in a customer information / database to use those rights possessed by the customer. In this respect, the service provided by the company entrusted with the sale of the copyrighted work by the copyright holder is new.

[0024]

As described above, in the digital content distribution system of the present invention, a customer who has purchased a digital copy of a copyrighted work stored in a server on a network and registered in the customer information / database has the same Permanent ownership and digital content of
In order to obtain the right to use repeatedly, the following four effects are obtained. 1. There is no need to create a physical copy or carry a physical copy. 2. Eliminates the need for space for storing media such as copyrighted and physical copies. 3. A database of purchased digital contents can be created on a server on the network, helping to store and edit digital contents that continue to grow. 4. If a user registers a copy of a purchased work in the system of the present invention, the user becomes a customer and can extend the range of exercise of his / her right in using the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire digital content distribution system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process in which a user purchases digital content alone from a network by downloading.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process in which a user purchases digital content through media.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an image of the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server 2 user interface (homepage etc.) on server 1 3 digital contents database stored in server 1 customer information / database stored in server 1 5 database that customers can edit and manage 6 network (Internet etc.) 7 It is a user and becomes a customer by registering in the customer information and database. 8 Information input / output device such as personal computer of user 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A server connected to a network,
In the server, a digital content database and a customer information database are stored. Further, in a digital content distribution system having a user interface used by a user, the customer information and the customer information are stored in a server.
The database has a system that can store and edit digital contents for customers in addition to basic information of customers, and becomes a customer by registering digital contents purchased by the user in the customer information and database, A digital content distribution system that allows customers to use their purchased digital content anytime, anywhere, and anytime via a network. 2. A server connected to a network,
In the server, a digital content database and a customer information database are stored, and further, in a digital content distribution system including a user interface used by a user, digital content is stored on an information recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In the case of selling, the user who purchased the information recording medium becomes a customer by registering the customer information and the digital content information in the customer information / database via a network, and the customer becomes the customer by purchasing the purchased digital content. , Anytime, anywhere, anytime, over the network,
An information recording medium provided with a right code that can be used regardless of the presence or absence of the information recording medium. 3. The digital content distribution system according to claim 1 and the information recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the copyright holder of the digital content is entrusted to sell a copy of the copyrighted work via a network. A digital content distribution system that allows a customer who has purchased a copy of the copyrighted work to use the digital content anytime, anywhere and anytime via a network.