JP2002229960A - Content management method and system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely specify an intermediary agent who takes charge of content distribution and a user. SOLUTION: In this invention, if a server 310 that manages license keys is requested for the issue of a license key from a n+1th user terminal 350, on condition that the server 310 has acquired (step 121), from the n+1th user terminal 350, the distribution record information for identifying the distribution channel for the content, the server 310 issues the license key (step 124) to the n+1th user terminal 350.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and a system for managing contents distributed in a market.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-90148 discloses that use authentication and use management are performed by using management data stored in a storage medium and management data in a license management center. It describes a license management method and the like for preventing unauthorized use of reproduction programs and content copying.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional technology, the license management center can manage the license, but does not consider the management of the contents distributed in the market. Further, in the above-described conventional technology, unauthorized use can be prevented, but no consideration is given to promoting the distribution of contents. That is, for the intermediary and the user on the content transmission side, only the digital content transmission work is time-consuming, and a legitimate price for the time is not obtained. Therefore, the content is introduced and transmitted to other users. It lacks motivation and does not lead to promoting the distribution of digital content from intermediaries to users or between users.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a content management method and system capable of accurately specifying an intermediary and a user responsible for content distribution. Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution method and a system for promoting the distribution of content from an intermediary responsible for content distribution to users or between users.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, when a server for managing a license key is requested by a user terminal to issue a license key, the server specifies a content distribution route from the user terminal. A license key is issued from the server to the use terminal device on condition that the distribution history information is obtained.

[0006] Alternatively, the present invention provides a method in which, when a server that issues a license key is requested to issue a license key from a user terminal device used by a user or an intermediary agent, the server uses the content distributed from the user terminal device. Obtain distribution history information for specifying the terminal device, issue a license key from the server to the use terminal device, specify the user or intermediary that distributed the content based on the distribution history information, and specify the user. To the user or intermediary who paid.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. According to the present invention, the license management server 310 distributes digital content and a license key to the digital content primary use terminal 340, and receives digital content from the nth order use terminal 340 (where n is a natural number). The next usage terminal 350 transmits the digital content and distribution history information for specifying the distribution history of the digital content (at least one of the server that issued the digital content and the usage terminal that has distributed the digital content) to the n-th usage terminal. 350 (step 1
11) Write information indicating that digital content has been distributed from the n-th use terminal 340 to the distribution history information (step 112), and issue a license key request together with the terminal-specific information and the distribution history information of the (n + 1) -th use terminal. Is transmitted to the license management server 310 (step 11).
3) The license management server 310 receives a license key request from the (n + 1) th primary terminal 350 together with the terminal-specific information and the distribution history information of the digital content (step 121), and distributes the digital content from the received distribution history information. The n-th use terminal 340 corresponding to the route is specified (step 122), and the user corresponding to the n-th use terminal is provided with a price for the distribution of the digital content (step 123). The license key that can be used by the next usage terminal 350 is issued (step 124), and the (n + 1) th usage terminal 350 receives the license key from the license management server 310 (step 114).

According to the present invention, as described above, the distribution history is tracked and managed as information in accordance with the distribution of digital contents between use terminals. Since it is possible to provide a reasonable distribution consideration, it is possible to promote the distribution of contents from an intermediary agent to users or between users.
Note that the digital content and the license key can be stored on separate servers (even if the user or administrator is the same person,
You may be another person. ) May be distributed. For example, a first license management server distributes a license key, and a second license management server distributes digital contents. In this case, for example, the primary usage terminal obtains the digital content from the second license management server, obtains the license key from the first license management server, and the secondary usage terminal obtains the digital content from the primary usage terminal. The content is obtained, and a license key is obtained from the first license management server. The content is not limited to digital but may be analog.

FIG. 2 shows the processing flow of the present embodiment in FIG.
Shows an overall configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an overall configuration diagram of a license management server 310 and a digital content primary use terminal 3.
30, an n-th use terminal 340 for digital contents, an n + 1-th use terminal 350 for digital contents, an n + -second use terminal 360 for digital contents, and a communication network 320 connecting them.

The license management server 310 includes a calculation processing device 311, a storage device 314, and a communication device 315. The device configuration for implementing the present invention may be any device that is generally called a computer or a computer system. The calculation processing device 311 includes the license management unit 3
12 and a distribution consideration management means 313. The license management server 310 manages the distribution history and the license key. Then, the license management server 310 issues a license key on condition that the distribution history is acquired.

[0012] Digital content n + 1 primary use terminal 3
50 includes a calculation processing device 351, an input device 352, an output device 353, a storage device 354, and a communication device 355. The calculation processing device 351 includes a content management unit 356, a distribution history management unit 357, and a license management unit 358. The digital content use terminals 330 to 360 have basically the same functions as the (n + 1) th use terminal 350. However, the device configuration may be any device that has functional functions of calculation processing, input, output, storage, and communication, such as a mobile terminal or a personal computer, or a home that has a broadcast receiving function, a recording / reproducing function, or the like. It does not matter what form it is, such as a set-top box.

The communication network 320 is connected between the license management server 310 and the terminal using the Internet,
Wireless or wired communication can be used as long as it can transmit information such as digital content such as digital broadcasting and license keys. Alternatively, the communication may be performed via an in-store terminal such as a kiosk terminal connected to the communication network 320.

Digital content usage terminals 330-3
Communication between the devices 60 may be directly connected by a cable such as USB or serial. Alternatively, wireless communication such as infrared communication may be used. In addition, a storage medium such as a memory card may be used instead of the communication network as long as digital media can be transmitted and received.

Each process executed by the license management server 310, the n-th use terminal 340, the (n + 1) -th use terminal 350, and the (n + 2) -th use terminal is executed by a program (software). This program is used for recording media (floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, MO,
Hard disk or the like). This program can be transmitted via a communication medium (telephone line, the Internet, a local area network, a wireless line, etc.) or a broadcast medium (broadcast radio waves, etc.).

Next, the processing flow of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 16 in accordance with the processing flow of FIG. In the present embodiment, an n + 1 primary usage terminal 350 is transmitted from a primary usage terminal 330 via an n th usage terminal 340.
Specific example in which the license management server 310 issues a license key to the (n + 1) th primary use terminal 350 based on the distribution history information while giving a distribution consideration to the use terminal corresponding to the distribution route when the digital content is distributed It is.

<Step 201> License Management Server: License Key Issuing Process The license management server 310 sends a request to the primary usage terminal 330, which is the first usage terminal of digital content, to the primary usage terminal 330. Issue a license key that permits the use of digital content. The primary usage terminal may be used by a user of digital content, or may be used by a company that mediates distribution of digital content.

The digital content itself is stored in this step 2
It is preferable that the primary use terminal 330 obtains the information before 01. However, the primary usage terminal 330 may acquire the digital content simultaneously with the acquisition of the license key, or may acquire the license key after acquiring the digital content. The digital content itself may be distributed by the license management server 310 to the primary usage terminal 330, or may be distributed by another content management server. FIG. 4 shows a detailed processing flow of the license key issuance processing 201. Hereinafter, the details will be described according to the flow of FIG.

<Step 401> License Key Creation Processing The license management server 310 determines the use of the target digital content based on the terminal-specific information such as the hardware serial number of the primary terminal 330.
A license key that allows only 30 is generated. That is,
The license key has no effect on use terminals other than the primary use terminal 330. It is preferable that the license key is, for example, a compound key that enables the use of the encrypted digital content, or a password that releases the restriction on the digital content whose use is restricted.

The result of creating a license key is recorded as license management information 500 and stored in the storage device 314. FIG. 5 shows an example of the license management information 500. The license management information 500 includes a terminal ID field 501 indicating the terminal on which the license key has been created, a content type ID field 502 indicating the type of the content for which the license key has been created, a license issuance status (whether the license has been issued or not). ), And a license date field 504 indicating the date of license issuance. The terminal ID field 501 stores the terminal ID of the primary usage terminal 330 and the like.

<Step 402> License Key Transmission Processing The license key generated in step 401 is transmitted to the primary usage terminal 330 using the communication device 315 via the communication network 320.

<Step 403> Charge of Digital Content Usage Fee In step 402, the license key is transmitted, and the usage fee of the digital content is charged to the user of the primary usage terminal 330 who has been permitted to use the digital content.
You may charge according to the type of digital content,
The charge may be made according to the number of uses of the digital content (the number of issued license keys) or the charge may be made according to the capacity of the digital content.

Based on the digital content information 600,
The usage fee of the content whose usage is permitted is specified, and information such as the amount charged for the user to be charged is recorded in the charging information 700.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the digital content information 600. The digital content information 600 includes a digital content type field 601 and a content price field 602 for storing a usage fee for the digital content.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the billing information 700. The charging information 700 includes a terminal ID field 701 for specifying a terminal whose use is permitted to be charged, and a content type ID field 70 for specifying a content type whose use is permitted.
2, charge amount field 703, charge date field 70
4 The terminal ID field 701 contains the terminal ID of the primary usage terminal 330,
Stores the value of the content price field 602 corresponding to the digital content whose use is permitted.

Here, the method of collecting the billing fee from the user corresponding to the terminal ID may be a withdrawal from a credit card or a bank account obtained in advance, a collection using a prepaid card, or a method previously input. Any method such as payment based on sending a bill to an address may be used. The present invention is not limited by the method of collecting the charge.

<Step 202> License Management Server: Issuance of Distribution History Information The license management server 310 sends a distribution history indicating the terminal through which the digital content has been distributed to the primary usage terminal 330 that has issued the license key in step 201. Information 8
Issue 00. Note that the primary usage terminal 330 may create the distribution history information 300.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the distribution history information 800.
The distribution history information 800 includes a digital content distribution number field 801 for specifying a digital content distribution process.
And a digital content type ID 802 for specifying the type of distributed content, and a usage terminal ID field group 803 for storing terminal IDs of primary to nth order in which the content is distributed. Digital Content Type I
D802 specifies a song in the case of music, and the digital content distribution number field 801 includes:
This number is used by the primary usage terminal to identify different contents in order to identify the content distribution process. Therefore, even if the same song is distributed by different use terminals,
A different digital content distribution number is assigned. The terminal ID field group 803 stores only the terminal ID of the primary terminal 330 because the terminal through which the digital content is distributed is only the primary terminal at the time of processing in this step. Becomes

<Step 111> n + 1 Primary Usage Terminal: Receiving Process of Digital Content and Distribution History Information The n + 1 primary usage terminal 350 receives the digital content 370 and the distribution history information 800 from the n th usage terminal 340. Here, the n-th use terminal is a primary use terminal when n = 1, and the (n + 1) th use terminal is a secondary use terminal.
In this case, the distribution history information 800 is the same as that issued from the license management center 310 in step 202, and the n + 1 (= 2) secondary usage terminal receives the digital content 370 and the distribution history information 800 from the primary usage terminal. I do. If n> 1, all the terminals from the secondary usage terminal through which the digital content 370 is distributed to the n-th usage terminal perform the same processing as the (n + 1) -th usage terminal described in step 111 and thereafter. Then, the digital content 370 and the distribution history information 800 are repeatedly transmitted and received from the secondary usage terminal to the tertiary,..., Nth usage terminal, and the (n + 1) th usage terminal 350 receives the digital content from the nth usage terminal 340. 370 and distribution history information 8
00 is received and stored in the storage device 354.

Here, the distribution history information 800 is integrated so as to be always transmitted and received as a pair with the digital content 370, and has a structure that a user cannot separate from the digital content 370. Is desirable, but may be one that can be separated from the digital content 370.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a digital content reception screen 900 on the (n + 1) -th primary use terminal 350. The digital content reception screen 900 includes an area 901 for displaying a content list and selecting content to be received, an area 902 for displaying terminal information of a transmission source, a button 903 for inputting a command to start reception, and a progress status of reception processing. And an area 904 for displaying.

Area 902 for displaying terminal information of the transmission source
Displays the n-th use terminal. n + 1 primary use terminal 3
The content selection area 9 using the 50 input devices 355
The content is received by selecting and inputting the content to be received from 01 and inputting an instruction on the reception start button 903. Distribution history information 800 corresponding to the selected digital content is also received.

<Step 112> n + 1 Primary Usage Terminal: Processing for Writing Distribution Information to Distribution History Information The n + 1 primary usage terminal 350 that has received the digital content 370 and the distribution history information 800 in step 111
The distribution information indicating that the digital content 370 has been obtained from the n-th use terminal 340 is written in the distribution history information 800. Specifically, the n-th use terminal I of the distribution history information 800
In the D field 803, the terminal ID of the n-th use terminal 340 that is the transmission source of the digital content is written.

This processing is performed in the (n + 1) th primary use terminal 350
Before transmitting the digital content 370 and the distribution history information 800 in the n-th use terminal 340 before the step 112 of the
70 is transmitted as distribution history information 8
After that, the distribution history information 800 may be transmitted to the (n + 1) -th primary use terminal 350.

In addition, when the n-th use terminal 340 requests a license key to the license management server 310 or issues a license key, the n-th use terminal 340 sends the distribution history information to the license management server 310. 800 and the license management server 310
Then, after writing distribution information indicating that a license key has been requested from the n-th use terminal 340 or that a license key has been issued to the n-th use terminal 340 in the distribution history information 800, the license is transmitted to the n-th use terminal 340. The distribution history information 800 may be transmitted together with the key.

<Step 113> n + 1 Primary Usage Terminal: License Key Request and Distribution History Information Transmission Process The n + 1 primary usage terminal 350 uses n + 1 to use the digital content 370 received from the n th usage terminal 340 in step 111. Along with the terminal specific information of the next use terminal 350 and the distribution history information 800 of the digital content,
A request for a license key is transmitted to the license management server 310 via the communication network 320.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a license key request screen 1000 on the (n + 1) th primary use terminal 350. The license key request screen 1000 includes an area 1001 for selecting digital content for which a license key is to be requested, an area 1002 for displaying a license key request destination content management server, and billing information for displaying a fee required for obtaining a license key. An area 1003 includes an input button 1004 for instructing transmission of a license key request.
Here, the distribution history information 800 to be transmitted is based on Step 11
Instead of writing in 2, the input may be newly input from the input device 352. In that case, it is necessary to correctly input the n-th use terminal ID as the distribution history information.

<Step 121> License Management Server: Processing for Receiving License Key Request and Distribution History Information The license management server 310
0, the license key issuance request is received from the (n + 1) th primary terminal 350 transmitted in step 113 together with the terminal unique information and the digital content distribution history information 800. That is, it is determined that the distribution history information 800 has been received.

<Step 122> License Management Server: Processing for Specifying Digital Content Distribution Consideration Grant The license management server 310 uses the distribution history information 800 received in step 121 to distribute the digital content for which a license key has been requested. To identify. FIG. 11 shows a detailed processing flow of the digital content distribution channel identification processing 122. Hereinafter, the details will be described according to the flow of FIG.

<Step 1101> All Distribution Terminal Use Identification Process Using distribution history information 800 received in step 121, the distribution route of the digital content for which a license key request has been made is identified. Here, the distribution history information 800 received in step 121 may hold information on all distribution routes, or may only hold information on the distribution route one stage before, that is, the n-th use terminal. . In the case where the information of the distribution route one stage before, that is, the information of the n-th use terminal is stored, the server stores the history every time the distribution history information 800 is received, and searches for the information using the content distribution number as a key. Thus, all use terminals of the distribution channel can be specified. On the use terminal side, it is only necessary to hold the distribution channel one step before, and information management on the terminal side becomes simple.

<Step 1102> Processing to Delete Unauthorized Use Terminal from Distribution Consideration Granting Apparatus It is checked whether there is any unauthorized terminal using the user management information 1200 for all the use terminals of the distribution route specified in step 1101. . An unauthorized terminal is a terminal for which unauthorized use of content has been approved due to forgery of a license key or the like.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the user management information 1200. The user management information 1200 includes a user ID field 1201, a terminal ID field 1202 for identifying a terminal held by the user, a fraud flag field 1203 indicating whether the terminal is a fraudulent terminal, and a license charge of the terminal so far. A field 1204 indicating the amount;
A field 120 indicating the current distribution consideration of the terminal.
5 is provided. If there is a value indicating fraud in the corresponding record of the fraud flag field 1203 among the use terminals specified in step 1101, the use terminal is deleted from the distribution consideration grant target.

<Step 1103> Deleting Unlicensed Terminals from Distribution Consideration Grant Targets Among the used terminals that have not been deleted in step 1102,
Using the license management information 500, it is checked whether or not the terminal using the distribution channel has purchased a license key for the digital content. Distribution history information 800
The value of the license status field 503 of the terminal is searched for the content type ID field of the license management information 500, which is the same as the content type ID corresponding to the content type ID field 802. Delete from distribution consideration target.

<Step 123> License Management Server: Process of Granting Distribution Consideration to Digital Content Distribution Consideration Terminal The distribution consideration is granted to the distribution consideration provision terminal of the digital content specified in step 122. Here, the distribution consideration is an incentive paid to a user who has contributed to the distribution of the digital content, such as money, a receivable, a product, a service, and a so-called point that can be exchanged for a product or service at a fixed price. . In addition, as a method of payment of the consideration, means such as account transfer is used for money, and is accumulated as user management information for points,
For example, a method is used in which points are consumed based on an application for exchange with a product or service from a user. The price may be determined according to the number of distributed digital contents (the larger the number of distributed digital contents, the larger the price; the smaller the number of distributed digital contents, the smaller the price), or the price of the digital contents. (The higher the fee for the digital content, the higher the fee, and the lower the fee for the digital content, the lower the fee). Further, it is preferable that the consideration is determined according to the usage fee of the content, or according to the total sales or profit of the usage fee of the content.

The detailed processing flow of the distribution consideration granting process 123 to the digital content distribution consideration grant target terminal is as follows.
As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the details will be described according to the flow of FIG.

<Step 1301> Distribution price setting processing for each distribution channel Content price information 600 and distribution price rate information 14
00 and the distribution price for each distribution channel is set. FIG. 14 shows an example of the distribution consideration rate information 1400. The distribution consideration rate information 1400 includes a distribution stage field 140.
1. A distribution consideration rate field 1402 indicating a distribution consideration rate for each distribution stage.

The distribution stage 1401 corresponds to the order of the digital content usage terminal. The distribution consideration rate field 1402 indicates the percentage of the content price.
Is given as the distribution price, and the distribution price is calculated by multiplying the distribution price rate field 1402 by the content price 602 of the content price information 600. The distribution consideration rate information 1400 is
Instead of the distribution consideration rate field 1402, a distribution consideration field which holds the value of the direct distribution consideration may be used.

It is preferable that the distribution consideration be given most to the user terminal one stage before distribution, and that the distribution consideration given to the upstream of the distribution route be small. Here, the distribution consideration may be given not to the terminals of all distribution routes but only to the terminal one stage before or to the terminal up to m (where n ≧ m) stages. In this case, 0 is set in the value of the distribution consideration rate field 1402 at the distribution stage to which the distribution consideration is not given.

<Step 1302> Distribution consideration granting process for each use terminal The distribution consideration set in step 1301 is used in step 1
22 and is stored in the storage device 314 as distribution consideration information 1500.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the distribution consideration information 1500. The distribution consideration information 1500 includes a user ID field 1501 holding a distribution consideration granting terminal, an ID field 1502 of a distribution consideration granting target terminal, and a distribution number field 150 of the distribution consideration granting target content.
3, a distribution consideration grant date 1504, and a distribution consideration field 1505 indicating the distribution consideration given. Terminal ID
In the field 1502, the ID of the user terminal specified in step 122 is recorded.
5, the value of the distribution consideration set in step 1301 is recorded for each use terminal.

<Step 124> License Management Server: License Key Issuing Process In order to respond to the license key request received from the (n + 1) -th primary use terminal 350 in step 121, a license key issuance process is performed. Is charged, and a license key is generated and transmitted. This processing is based on the primary use terminal 330 already described.
Since this is the same as the license key issuing process 201, the detailed description is omitted. In addition, this step 124 specifies the digital content distribution consideration grant target in step 122,
The provision of the distribution consideration to the digital content distribution consideration provision terminal in step 123 may be performed beforehand, and the order of processing is not particularly limited.

<Step 114> n + 1 Primary Usage Terminal: License Key Receiving Process The n + 1 primary usage terminal 340 receives the license key transmitted from the license management server in step 124 via the communication network 320.

<Step 115> n + 1 Primary Usage Terminal: Content Usage Processing The n + 1 primary usage terminal 340 decrypts the digital content 370 received from the n th usage terminal in step 111 using the license key received in step 114. For example, the digital content is made available by using the output device 355 or the like.

<Step 116> n + 1 primary use terminal: transmission processing of digital content and distribution history information After using the content in step 115, the user transmits the content in order to introduce the content to other users. In this case, the digital content 370 and the distribution history information 800 are stored in the same manner as the processing performed by the n-th use terminal.
The data is transmitted from the + 1st use terminal 350 to the (n + 2nd) use terminal 360.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the content transmission screen 1600 of the (n + 1) th primary use terminal 350. The content transmission screen 1600 includes a transmission content selection list 1601, a destination terminal information area 1602, and a transmission start button 160.
And 3, a transmission processing status display area 1604. Transmission content selection list 1601 using input device 354
Select and input content from
By pressing and input, the content is transmitted to the (n + 2) secondary usage terminal 360.

The above-described content reception 111 to content transmission 116 in the (n + 1) th primary use terminal 360
The above processing is the same for other use terminals.

Thus, according to the present embodiment,
In copy distribution between digital content users, the digital content management server ensures that the content usage fee is collected from the users, and that the users responsible for the distribution of the digital contents receive a fair distribution fee. And can promote the distribution of content from the broker to the user or between the users.

The present embodiment can be used for digital content distribution between individuals using a computer such as a portable terminal or a personal computer. In addition, a so-called distributor can use a computer or the Internet to distribute digital content. The present invention can also be applied to a method of distributing digital content through an intermediary site, such as providing an intermediary site, and publishing a list of owned digital contents and downloading digital content from a user terminal via a communication network.

[0059]

According to the present invention, since the distribution history of the content can be acquired when the license key is requested, the mediator and the user responsible for the distribution of the content can be specified accurately. This has the effect.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, it is possible to promote the distribution of contents from the broker to the users or between the users by giving consideration to the intermediaries and users who were responsible for the distribution of the contents. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a content management method in a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall processing flowchart of a content management method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a content management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a license key issuing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a file configuration example of license management information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a file configuration example of content price information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a file configuration example of charging information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a file configuration example of distribution history information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration example of a digital content reception screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration example of a license key request screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for specifying a distribution consideration grant target in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a file configuration example of user management information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a distribution consideration provision process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a file configuration example of distribution consideration rate information in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a file configuration example of distribution consideration information by terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration example of a content reception screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

310 ... License management server, 311,351 ... Calculation processing device, 314,354 ... Storage device, 315,355
... Communication device, 320 ... Communication network, 330 ... Primary use terminal, 340 ... Nth use terminal, 350 ... N + 1st use terminal, 352 ... Input device, 353 ... Output device, 360
... n + secondary use terminal.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court II (Reference) G06F 17/60 332 G06F 17/60 332 (72) Inventor Hiromi Ukai 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuro Arai 890 Kashimada, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-Term (Information Service Division, Hitachi, Ltd.) 5B085 AC14 AE13 BG07

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A content management method for managing a content distribution channel, wherein a server for managing a license key for using the content is requested to issue the license key from a user terminal device using the content. A content management method for issuing the license key from the server to the use terminal device, on condition that the server acquires distribution history information for specifying the distribution route from the use terminal device. 2. The content management method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution history information is created or updated by the user terminal device when the content is provided from another user terminal device to the user terminal device. 3. The content management system according to claim 1, wherein said distribution history information is created or updated by said another usage terminal device when said content is provided from another usage terminal device to said usage terminal device. Method. 4. The distribution history information is provided from the other usage terminal device to the usage terminal device when the content is provided from another usage terminal device to the usage terminal device, and the server uses the distribution history information. The request is updated by the server and provided from the server to the use terminal device when the terminal device requests issuance of the license key or when the server issues the license key to the use terminal device. Item 2. The content management method according to Item 1. 5. The server according to claim 1, wherein when the server issues the license key to the use terminal device, the server charges a content use fee to a user or an intermediary who uses the use terminal device. Content management methods. 6. The content management method according to claim 1, wherein the license key is valid only by the use terminal device. 7. A content management system for managing a distribution channel of a content, wherein a request for issuing a license key for using the content from a user terminal using the content, distribution history information for specifying the distribution channel, and A content management system comprising: a reception processing unit that receives the distribution history information; and an issuance processing unit that determines that the distribution history information has been received and issues the license key to the use terminal device. 8. The content management system according to claim 7, further comprising a specification processing unit for specifying an unauthorized use terminal device based on said distribution history information. 9. A content use method for using contents by a use terminal device, wherein the contents and distribution history information for specifying the use terminal device from which the contents were obtained are obtained from another use terminal device. Requesting the server that manages a license key for using the content to issue the license key and providing the distribution history information; obtaining the license key from the server; and using the license key. And a content utilization method for utilizing the content. 10. A content receiving process for receiving a content from another usage terminal device and distribution history information for specifying the usage terminal device from which the content was obtained, in a usage terminal device for using the content. A transmission processing unit that requests the server that manages a license key for using the content to issue the license key and transmits the distribution history information; and a reception that receives the license key from the server. A use terminal device comprising a processing unit. 11. The use terminal device according to claim 10, wherein said distribution history information is created or updated by said another use terminal device. 12. A program for causing a user terminal device using a content to execute a predetermined process, wherein the predetermined process includes the step of recognizing the content and the user terminal device from which the content has been acquired from another user terminal device. Content reception processing for receiving distribution history information for specifying, and transmission processing for requesting a server that manages a license key for using the content to issue the license key and transmitting the distribution history information And a receiving process for receiving the license key from the server. 13. A content use method for using content by a use terminal device, wherein a distribution history for acquiring the content from another use terminal device and specifying the other use terminal device that provided the content. Creating or updating information, requesting the server to manage the license key for using the content, requesting issuance of the license key and providing the distribution history information, acquiring the license key from the server, A method of using the content using the license key. 14. A usage terminal device for using content, wherein a content reception processing unit for receiving the content from another usage terminal and distribution history information for specifying the other usage terminal are created or updated. A creation / update processing unit; a transmission processing unit that requests the server that manages the license key for using the content to issue the license key and transmits the distribution history information; and transmits the license key from the server. A use terminal device comprising a license key reception processing unit for receiving. 15. A program for causing a user terminal device using a content to execute a predetermined process, wherein the predetermined process includes: a content receiving process of receiving the content from another user terminal; and providing the content. Creating / updating processing for creating or updating the distribution history information for identifying the other use terminal, and requesting the server that manages the license key for using the content to issue the license key, A program comprising: a transmission process of transmitting distribution history information; and a license key receiving process of receiving the license key from the server. 16. In a content distribution method for giving a value to a user or an intermediary who has distributed the content, a server that issues a license key for using the content is used by the user or the intermediary. When requesting issuance of the license key from the device, the server obtains distribution history information for specifying the usage terminal device through which the content has been distributed from the usage terminal device, and transmits the usage history information from the server to the usage terminal device. Issuing the license key, the server specifies the user or intermediary that has distributed the content based on the distribution history information, and provides content to the specified user or intermediary. Method. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the content or the rate of the consideration given to the user or intermediary of the use terminal device located on the upstream side of the content distribution channel is downstream of the content distribution channel. The amount or rate of consideration given to the user or intermediary of the user terminal device is
The content distribution method according to claim 16, which is large. 18. The content distribution method according to claim 16, wherein the amount or rate of the consideration is determined by the server in accordance with a usage fee of the content. 19. The content distribution method according to claim 16, wherein said consideration is transferred to a financial institution account of said user or intermediary company. 20. A content distribution system for providing a fee to a user or an intermediary who distributes content, wherein the user or the intermediary is associated with a user terminal device used by the user or the intermediary. Receiving a license key issuance request from a user terminal device used by the user or an intermediary, and distribution history information for identifying the user terminal device through which the content has been distributed. A processing unit, based on the distribution history information and the management information of the management device, a specific processing unit that specifies the user or intermediary that distributed the content, and a processing unit that is specified based on the distribution history information. And a calculation processing unit for calculating the amount or rate of consideration given to the user or the broker.