JP2002259607A - Device and method for information processor, contents distribution system, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To register the contents of contents providers that user evaluate highly one after another. SOLUTION: The investment target amount of contents are read in in a step S81, the investment amount of the contents is read in in a step S52, and it is judged in a step S52 whether there are contents reaching the investment target amount. When there are the contents reaching the investment target amount, the contents provider of the contents reaching the investment target amount is retrieved in a step S54. When not, on the other hand, the processing is returned to the step S51. In a step S55, notice that the target amount is reached and a request to register the contents are sent to the retrieved contents provider. In a step S56, the contents provider receives the notice that the target amount is reached and the request to register the new contents and the processing is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, a content distribution system, a recording medium,
In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, a content distribution system, a recording medium, and a program suitable for use in a system for widely distributing content.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Content such as moving images (so-called movies, etc.) accompanied by music and audio data are, for example, CDs, DVs, and the like.
D or recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape.

In recent years, a service has been started which not only sells a recording medium on which these contents are recorded to a user but also distributes the contents data directly to the user via a wide area network such as the Internet. In a conventional content distribution system, in order to protect the copyright of the content, the process of embedding the copyright in the content data itself (so-called electronic watermarking) is performed, and the encryption technology is used to prevent illegal duplication of the data. Or the downloaded content data can be reproduced only by dedicated hardware.

[0004]

However, in order to protect the copyright of the content by using a method such as digital watermarking, encryption, and hardware limitation, complicated control is required, and the distribution of the content is difficult. Increased intermediate costs.

[0005] In addition, complicated processing and dedicated hardware are required for the use of the content, which is very inconvenient for the user of the content. Was the cause of hindrance. Furthermore, even if these methods are used, at present, it is hard to say that the copyright of the content is properly protected, and the measures for preventing illegal duplication are insufficient.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and allows a user of the content to easily use the content, and furthermore, does not perform a process required for copyright protection. This also allows the content creator to be given a legitimate price.

[0007]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus; Recording means for recording information about the user and the content user, second recording means for recording the content inputted from the first information processing device by the input / output means, and second information by the input / output means Based on information input from the processing device, a first search unit for searching for a content desired by a content user among contents recorded by the second recording unit, and a search performed by the first search unit A distribution unit that distributes the content to the content user without performing a process for copyright protection, and a payment application input from the second information processing apparatus by the input / output unit. And payment requesting means for requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a payment and withdrawal process on the basis of the information indicating the incorporation of the content. Receiving the information indicating the application for deposit of the amount of money, the deposit and withdrawal requesting means, based on the information on the content provider and the content user recorded in the first recording means,
It is characterized in that the financial institution designated by the content user requests processing to withdraw an arbitrary amount of money, and the financial institution designated by the content provider requests processing to deposit a corresponding reward amount.

[0008] A third recording means for recording information indicating a payment application input from the second information processing apparatus, and a fourth recording means for recording a target amount of money to be paid for the content.
The total amount of the deposit application corresponding to the content is calculated based on the recording unit and the information indicating the deposit application recorded by the third recording unit, and the target amount recorded in the fourth recording unit is calculated. A comparison means for comparing, a second search means for searching for a content which has achieved the target amount and a content provider which has provided the content which has achieved the target amount, based on a comparison result by the comparison means;
And a creating means for creating a new content registration request for the content provider searched by the searching means. The registration request can be output to the first information processing device of the content provider searched by the second search unit.

[0009] The distribution of the content by the distribution means may be a stream distribution.

[0010] The distribution of the content by the distribution means may be download distribution.

[0011] The distribution of the contents by the distribution means can be performed by recording the contents on a predetermined package medium and distributing the package medium.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, an input / output control step of controlling input / output of information between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and an input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A first recording control step of controlling the recording of information on the content provider and the content user, and a second step of controlling the recording of the content whose input from the first information processing apparatus is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. Of the content whose recording is controlled by the processing of the second recording control step, based on the information whose input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing of the recording control step 2 and the input / output control step. A search step for searching for the content desired by the content user, and the content searched by the processing of the search step are used for copyright protection. A distribution step of distributing to the content user without performing the processing, and a processing of the input / output control step, based on the information indicating the deposit application in which the input from the second information processing apparatus is controlled, to a predetermined financial institution. And a deposit / withdrawal requesting step for requesting a deposit / withdrawal process. In the input / output control step, the process of inputting / outputting an arbitrary amount of deposit from the second information processing apparatus to an arbitrary content or an arbitrary content provider is performed. In the processing of the deposit and withdrawal requesting step receiving the input, the financial institution designated by the content user receives a request from the financial institution designated by the content user based on information on the content provider and the content user whose recording is controlled by the processing of the first recording control step. Request the process of withdrawing an arbitrary amount, and deposit the corresponding remuneration amount to the financial institution designated by the content provider Characterized in that it ask the.

[0013] The program recorded on the recording medium of the present invention includes an input / output control step for controlling input / output of information between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and a processing of the input / output control step. A first recording control step for controlling the recording of information about the content provider and the content user whose input is controlled by the first and second input / output control steps, and a process of the input / output control step for the content of which the input from the first information processing apparatus is controlled. The recording is controlled by the processing of the second recording control step based on the information in which the input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing of the second recording control step for controlling the recording and the input / output control step. A search step for searching the content desired by the content user from the searched content, and a content searched by the search step. And a distribution step of distributing the content user without performing the processing for copyright protection,
A deposit / withdrawal requesting step of requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a deposit / withdrawal process based on the information indicating the deposit application in which the input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step; In the processing of the output control step, information indicating an application for payment of an arbitrary amount of money to an arbitrary content or an arbitrary content provider is received from the second information processing apparatus. Based on the information on the content provider and the content user whose recording is controlled by the process of the recording control step, a request is made from the financial institution designated by the content user for a process of withdrawing an arbitrary amount, and the content provider Is requested to deposit the corresponding remuneration amount to the designated financial institution.

[0014] A program according to the present invention includes an input / output control step for controlling input / output of information between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and a content whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A first recording control step for controlling recording of information relating to a provider and a content user, and a second recording control step for controlling recording of content whose input from the first information processing apparatus is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step Based on the information whose input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing of the recording control step and the input / output control step, of the contents whose recording is controlled by the processing of the second recording control step, A search step for searching for content desired by the user,
By the distribution step of distributing the content retrieved by the processing of the retrieval step to the content user without performing the processing for copyright protection, and the processing of the input / output control step, the input from the second information processing apparatus is performed. A deposit / withdrawal requesting step of requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a deposit / withdrawal process based on the information indicating the controlled deposit application, and in the input / output control step, any content or Upon receiving input of an application for depositing an arbitrary amount of money to an arbitrary content provider, in the processing of the deposit and withdrawal requesting step, the content provider and the content use whose recording is controlled by the processing of the first recording control step Based on the information about the user, a request is made from the financial institution designated by the content To financial institutions Ceiling provider has specified, characterized in that it requests a process to deposit the corresponding reward amount of money.

[0015] The distribution system of the present invention comprises a first information processing apparatus owned by a content provider, a second information processing apparatus owned by a content user, a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus. A third information processing device to be connected, the first information processing device includes first input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from the third information processing device, and the first input / output means includes: The third information processing device outputs the content to be recorded, the second information processing device outputs second information to and from the third information processing device, and the second information processing device records the content to the third information processing device. Input means for receiving an input of a signal designating the content desired by the content user, and information indicating an application for payment of an arbitrary amount to any content or any content provider. Entering And second input means for receiving a force, wherein the second input / output means receives a signal designating the content input by the first input means and an application for a deposit input by the second input means. The third information processing device outputs the designated information to the third information processing device, receives the input of the designated content from the third information processing device,
A third input / output means for inputting / outputting information to / from the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and a third input / output means for recording information on the content provider and the content user input by the third input / output means. First recording means, second recording means for recording the content input from the first information processing device by the third input / output means, and input from the second information processing apparatus by the third input / output means. Searching means for searching the content desired by the content user among the contents recorded by the second recording means on the basis of the signal designating the specified content; Means for distributing to the content user without performing the process for the information processing, and information indicating the deposit application input from the second information processing apparatus by the third input / output means. And a deposit / withdrawal requesting unit for requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a deposit / withdrawal process, and the third input / output unit is configured to allow the second information processing apparatus to provide any content or any content to any content provider. Upon receiving the information indicating the application for deposit of the amount, the deposit / withdrawal request means,
Based on the information on the content provider and the content user recorded in the first recording means, a request is made from the financial institution specified by the content user to withdraw an arbitrary amount, and the content provider specifies the processing. Financial institutions that
It is characterized by requesting processing for depositing a corresponding reward amount.

In the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the program according to the present invention, information is input and output to and from the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and the content provider and the content user who have input the information. The information is recorded, the content input from the first information processing device is recorded, and based on the information input from the second information processing device, the content desired by the content user among the recorded contents is The searched content is distributed to the content user without performing the process for copyright protection, and based on the information indicating the deposit application input from the second information processing device, a predetermined financial institution. Is requested to deposit and withdraw money from the second information processing device, and an arbitrary amount for an arbitrary content or an arbitrary content provider. Information indicating the application for payment is input, and based on the recorded information on the content provider and the content user, a request is made from the financial institution designated by the content user to withdraw an arbitrary amount, and the content is requested. The financial institution designated by the provider is requested to perform processing for depositing the corresponding remuneration amount.

In the distribution system according to the present invention, the first information processing device inputs / outputs information to / from the third information processing device, outputs the content to be recorded in the third information processing device, and outputs the second information. A processing device inputs and outputs information to and from a third information processing device, and inputs a signal designating a content desired by a content user among contents recorded in the third information processing device, and outputs an arbitrary content. Alternatively, information indicating an application for deposit of an arbitrary amount to an arbitrary content provider is input, a signal designating the content, and information indicating the application for deposit are output to the third information processing apparatus, and the third information is output. The designated content is input from the processing device, and the
Information is input and output to and from the information processing device and the second information processing device, information about the input content provider and content user is recorded, the content input from the first information processing device is recorded, In the recorded content, the content desired by the content user is searched based on the signal designating the content input from the information processing device 2 and the searched content is processed for copyright protection. It is distributed to the content user without performing, and based on the information indicating the deposit application input from the second information processing device, a deposit / withdrawal process is requested to a predetermined financial institution, and an arbitrary Information indicating an application for deposit of an arbitrary amount to the content or an arbitrary content provider is input, and the content provider and the On the basis of the information about the Ntsu user,
The financial institution designated by the content user requests processing to withdraw an arbitrary amount, and requests the financial institution designated by the content provider to deposit the corresponding remuneration amount.

[0018]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a content distribution system to which the present invention is applied and a content distribution system between a content provider and a content user.

A content delivery system 1 managed by a content delivery company includes a data input / output management server 11, a user management server 12, a content management server 13, an investment management server 14, a content database 15, an investment management database 16, and a user management database. 17 and a log management database 18.

The personal computers 21-1 owned by the content providers 2-1 to 2-n
To 21-n are connected to the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 so that data can be exchanged. Content users 4-1 to 4-
personal computers 22-1 to 22 owned by m
−m is connected to the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 via the communication line 3 such as the Internet or a telephone line, for example, so that data can be exchanged.

Here, the personal computer 21-
Although 1 to 21-n are shown as being directly connected to the data input / output management server 11 without passing through the communication line 3, the personal computers 21-1 to 21-n
1-n indicates the data input / output management server 11 and the communication line 3
May be connected via a.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the content providers 2-1 to 2-n, they are simply referred to as the content providers 2 and the personal computers 21-1 to 21-n are individually distinguished. If there is no need to perform this operation, the user is simply referred to as a personal computer 21. If there is no need to individually distinguish the content users 4-1 to 4-m, the user is simply referred to as the content user 4 and referred to as the personal computers 22-1 to 22. When it is not necessary to distinguish −m individually, they are simply referred to as personal computers 22.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 21. Note that the personal computer 22 has basically the same configuration as the personal computer 21 of FIG.

CPU (central processing unit) 31
Are various application programs and basic OS
(Operating system) is actually executed. ROM (read
The only memory 32 generally stores fixed data of programs used by the CPU 31 and calculation parameters. RAM (random access memo
ry) 33 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 31 and parameters that change as appropriate in the execution. CP
U31, ROM32, and RAM33 are connected to the internal bus 3
4 are interconnected.

The internal bus 34 is also connected to an input / output interface 35. The input unit 36 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated by a user when various commands are input to the CPU 31. The output unit 37
For example, it is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and displays various information as text or images, or outputs it as voice. An HDD (hard disk drive) 38 drives a hard disk and records or reproduces a program or information executed by the CPU 31 on the hard disk.

A magnetic disk 41, an optical disk 42, a magneto-optical disk 43, and a semiconductor memory 44 are mounted on the drive 39 as necessary to exchange data.
The network interface 40 is connected to the content distribution system 1 via a predetermined cable.

The input unit 36 to the network interface 40 are connected to the CPU 31 via the input / output interface 35 and the internal bus 34.

The data input / output management server 11 includes a personal computer 21 owned by the content provider 2,
In addition, it is connected to a personal computer 22 owned by the content user 4 via a communication line 3 such as the Internet or a telephone line so that information can be exchanged.

The user management server 12 issues a content provider ID and receives a content provider ID from an unregistered user via the data input / output management server 11, and issues a content provider ID. Notifying the user who has applied for registration, the user management database 1 together with the personal information of the user who has applied for registration
Register to 7. In addition, the user management server 12 receives data from an unregistered user through the data input / output management server 11.
If you receive an entry for a content user registration,
A content user ID is issued to notify the user who has applied for registration of the content user, and is registered in the user management database 17 together with the personal information of the user who has applied for registration.

The content management server 13 receives an input of a content profile corresponding to the content to be registered from the personal computer 21 owned by the content provider 2 via the data input / output management server 11,
Register in the content database 15. Further, the content management server 13 creates content selection auxiliary information indicating the content that can be downloaded by the content user 4 and transmits the information to the personal computer 22 owned by the content user 4 or the personal computer 22-1. To any of the personal computers 22-1 to 22-m that have received the transmission request of the content distribution request, searched for the specified content, and transmitted the content distribution request from any of the personal computers 22-1 to 22-m. Send.

The investment management server 14 receives information related to investment from the personal computer 22 owned by the content user 4 via the data input / output management server 11 and registers the information in the investment management database 16, Based on the information registered in the investment management database 16 and the investment management database 16, the total investment amount of each registered content is calculated, and the content that has reached the target investment amount is extracted.

The data input / output management server 11 to the investment management server 14 output a log of the executed process to the log management database 18 and register it after the respective processes are completed.

In the content database 15, a content profile corresponding to the content transmitted from the personal computer 21 held by the content provider 2 via the data input / output management server 11 is stored in the content provider of the registered content provider. The ID is registered together with the ID and the content registration date. The content profile includes information on an investment target amount set for the content.

The investment management database 16 stores the content user ID indicating the content user 4 who made the investment, the content ID indicating the content to be invested, and the corresponding content provider 2 by the processing of the investment management server 14. The content provider ID, the investment amount, the investment date and time, and the like are recorded.

The user management database 17 stores the content provider ID of the registered content provider, the content user ID of the content user, and the corresponding personal information (for example, electronic Email address, financial institution account number,
Card company and card number, address, name, etc.)
Is recorded.

The log of the processing executed by the data input / output management server 11 to the investment management server 14 is input and stored in the log management database 18.

Here, the content distribution system is configured by a plurality of servers and databases. However, a single device (for example, a personal computer having the same configuration as the personal computer 21 described with reference to FIG. 2). , Etc.), the same processing may be executed.

In the content distribution system of the present invention, first, the content is registered in the content distribution system 1 from the content provider 2 which has been registered in advance and has been issued a content provider ID. The content registration processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S 1, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 21 of the content provider 2 uses the input / output interface 35 and the internal bus 34 to
Based on the operation of the content provider 2 input from the input unit 36, a content profile corresponding to the content to be registered is created. In step S2, the created content profile and the content provider ID are transmitted to the internal bus 34 The data is transmitted to the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 via the interface 35 and the network interface 40.

In step S3, the data input / output server 11 of the content distribution system 1 receives the content profile and the content provider ID from the personal computer 21 of the content provider 2, and outputs the content profile and the content provider ID to the content management server 13.

In step S4, the content management server 13 of the content distribution system 1 issues a content ID corresponding to the received content profile, and in step S5, converts the input content profile into a content provider ID and a content ID.
D is recorded in the content database 15 together with D.

In step S6, the content management server 13 outputs the content ID to the data input / output management server 11 so as to be transmitted to the personal computer 21 of the content provider 2. The data input / output management server 11 transmits the content ID to the personal computer 21 of the corresponding content provider 2.

In step S7, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 21 of the content provider 2 sends the content from the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 via the network interface 40, the input / output interface 35, and the internal bus 34. Upon receiving the ID, the content ID is output to the HDD 38 via the internal bus 34 and the input / output interface 35 for storage, and the process is terminated.

By the processing described with reference to FIG. 3, the content is registered in the content database 15 of the content distribution system 1. The registered content is registered in advance and is distributed free of charge when the content user 4 who has been issued the content user ID desires.
The content distribution processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S11, the content management server 13 of the content distribution system 1 presents the content as information to assist the content user 4 to select a content based on the content profile registered in the content database 15. For this purpose, content selection auxiliary information is created. Content auxiliary information includes
For example, information such as a title of the content, an introduction of the content of the content, information of the content provider 2, and a data capacity of the content are included.

In step S12, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 (FIG. 2)
Is also referred to as a diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 22 as well as the personal computer 21). The data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 has an internal bus 34, an input / output interface 35, and a network interface 40. , And via the communication line 3 to request transmission of the content selection auxiliary information.

In step S13, the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 outputs the transmission request for the content selection auxiliary information transmitted in step S12 to the content management server 13. The content management server 13 transmits the content selection auxiliary information created in step S11 to the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 via the data input / output management server 11 and the communication line 3. The content selection assisting information may be transmitted to the content user 4 using, for example, an e-mail, or by accessing the predetermined web page using the web browser. Reference may be made.

In step S14, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 outputs the content selection auxiliary information to the output unit 37, causes the display to display it, and presents it to the content user 4.
The content user 4 determines the desired content with reference to the content auxiliary information, and uses the input unit 36 to
Indicate desired content. The CPU 31 of the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 allows the content user 4 to make a request based on the signal indicating the operation of the content user 4 input from the input unit 36 via the input / output interface 35 and the internal bus 34. A content distribution request is generated and transmitted to the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 via the communication line 3.

In step S15, the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 outputs the content distribution request transmitted in step S14 to the user management server 12 and the content management server 13. The user management server 12 generates a signal for requesting transmission of the content user information to the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 that has transmitted the content distribution request, and transmits the signal via the data input / output management server 11 and the communication line 3. I do.

In step S16, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 receives a signal requesting transmission of the content user information, and generates content user information (information including a content user ID and the like). Via the communication line 3 to the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1.

In step S17, the content management server 13 searches the content database 15 for the specified content based on the content distribution request input in step S15, and
2 searches the user management database 17 for the content user 4 who has requested the content, based on the content user information input from the data input / output management server 11. The content management server 13 and the user management server 12 output search results to the data input / output management server 11.

In step S18, the data input / output management server 11 transmits the content searched in step S17 to the personal computer 22 owned by the searched content user 4 via the communication line 3, and in step S19 In, the transmission history of the content is registered in the log management database.

The content transmission method may be stream distribution or download distribution. Also,
The content may not only be distributed online, but also be recorded on a predetermined package medium, and may be transmitted using, for example, mail.

In step S20, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 receives the content transmitted from the data input / output management server 11 in step S18, stores the content in the HDD 38, and ends the processing.

By the processing described with reference to FIG. 4, the content user 4 can enjoy the content registered in the content distribution system 1 free of charge. If the content user 4 is satisfied with the content and wants to register new content following the content, or wants to register a new content created by the same content provider 2, the content user 4 Invest in the predetermined content or the content provider 2 that created the content. The investment process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S 31, the investment management server 14 of the content distribution system 1 checks the content profile registered in the content database 15
Then, investment information is created based on the content provider ID registered in the user management database 17. The investment information includes, for example, a content provider 2 currently accepting an investment, a list of contents, and the like.

When the content user 4 wants to invest in the content provider 2 or the content,
The investment management server 14 is accessed via the communication line 3 and the data input / output management server 11 to refer to investment information. In step S32, the content user 4
CPU 31 of personal computer 22 communicates with communication line 3 and data input / output management server 11 based on a signal indicating operation of content user 4 input from input unit 36 via input / output interface 35 and internal bus 34. To access the investment management server 14 via.

In step S33, the investment management server 14 of the content distribution system 1 transmits the investment information generated in step S31 to the personal computer 22 owned by the content user 4 in order to present it to the content user 4. I do. The investment information may be transmitted to the content user 4 using, for example, an e-mail, or may be transmitted using a web browser.
The content user 4 may be made to be able to refer to by accessing a predetermined web page.

The content user 4 selects an investment target (the content provider 2 or the content itself) with reference to the investment information.
4, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 22 of the content user 4 sets the input / output interface 35
And an investment instruction information including information indicating an investment target and an investment amount based on a signal indicating a user operation input from the input unit 36 via the internal bus 34 and the communication unit 3. The content is transmitted to the content distribution system 1.

In step S35, the data input / output management server 11 of the content distribution system 1 transmits the investment instruction information received via the communication line 3 to the investment management server 1
4 is output. The investment management server 14 executes a deposit processing of the investment based on the received investment instruction information.

The processing for depositing the investment is performed, for example, by searching the user management database 17 for the financial institution and account number registered in advance by the content user 4 who has applied for the investment, and searching for the financial institution and account number. To search the credit card company name and the credit card number registered in advance by the content user 4 who applied for the corresponding financial institution or applied for the investment so as to execute the process of deducting the specified investment amount. This is a process of requesting a corresponding credit card company to perform a payment process. The deposit processing may be performed online, but may be performed by other methods.

In step S36, the investment management server 14 registers the IDs of the content users who have received the investment and the invested content users in the investment management database 16, and in step S37, registers the investment content specification. Created and transmitted to the personal computer 2 of the content provider 2 via the data input / output management server 11.
Send to 1.

In step S 38, the investment management server 14 performs a payment process to the content provider 2 that has provided the investment content or the content provider 2 that is the direct investment destination based on the investment instruction information. Execute The payment process is, for example, searching for a financial institution registered in advance by the corresponding content provider 2 from the user management database 17,
This is processing for transferring a corresponding investment amount or an amount obtained by subtracting a predetermined commission from the investment amount. Payment processing may be performed online, but may be performed by other methods.

In step S39, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 21 of the content provider 2 receives the statement of the investment content transmitted from the content distribution system 1 in step S37, saves it in the HDD 38, and ends the processing. You.

According to the processing described with reference to FIG. 5, an investment is made from the content user 4 to the content provider 2, and a reward corresponding to the investment is paid to the content provider 2. In the case where the content registered by the content provider 2 in the content distribution system 1 by the processing described with reference to FIG. 3 has an investment target amount set in advance, and the total investment amount exceeds the investment target amount. , The next content is registered. The investment target amount achievement confirmation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S51, the investment management server 14 of the content distribution system 1 reads the investment target amount of each content registered in the content database 15, and in step S52, reads the investment target amount of each content from the investment management database 16. Read the investment amount.

In step S53, the investment management server 14 compares the investment target amount of each content read in step S51 with the investment amount of each content read in step S52, thereby achieving the investment target amount. It is determined whether there is content.

If it is determined in step S53 that there is content that has achieved the investment target amount, in step S54, the investment management server 14 searches for the content provider 2 of the content that has achieved the investment target amount. A signal for causing the user management server 12 is generated and output to the user management server 12. The user management server 12 is the investment management server 1
In accordance with the signal input from 4, a search is made for the content provider 2 of the content that has achieved the investment target amount, and the search result is output to the data input / output management server 11. If it is determined in step S53 that there is no content that has achieved the investment target amount, the process returns to step S51, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

In step S 55, the data input / output management server 11 transmits a target amount achievement notification and a new content registration request to the searched personal computer 21 of the content provider 2 via the communication line 3. .

In step S56, the CPU 31 of the personal computer 21 of the content provider 2 transmits the target amount achievement notification and the new content registration request transmitted by the data input / output management server 11 in step S55 to the communication line 3 and the network. Interface 40,
The data is received via the input / output interface 35 and the internal bus 34, and the process is terminated.

According to the processing described with reference to FIG. 6, when there is a content that has reached the investment target amount, the corresponding content provider 2 is notified that the investment target amount has been reached, and new content is registered. Since the request is transmitted, new contents of the content provider 2 that have created the content widely supported (highly evaluated) by the content user 4 are registered one after another. Therefore, the quality of the entire contents distributed using the present system is improved.

As described above, the content provider 2
Is registered in the content distribution system 1,
By making it possible to distribute the contents to the content users 4 free of charge, it is not necessary to perform various processes for the purpose of preventing illegal duplication, and it is possible to greatly reduce the man-hours and costs for system construction and system management. . Also, since the content user 4 can obtain the content free of charge, the number of users of the system increases, and the distribution of the content becomes active.

In the content distribution system of the present invention, the content provider 2
Received a direct evaluation in the form of investment amount. Therefore, in order for the content provider 2 to obtain a sufficient reward,
Since it is necessary to provide high-quality content, it is possible to promote the improvement of the quality of the content handled by this system. If the content user 4 wants to provide the next content to the content provider 2 who provided the content that he / she liked, the content provider 4 will actively make an investment. A legitimate reward corresponding to the evaluation received from the content user 2 can be obtained.

The above-described series of processing can be executed by software. The software is a computer in which a program constituting the software is built in dedicated hardware, or a general-purpose personal computer that can execute various functions by installing various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium.

As shown in FIG. 2, this recording medium is a magnetic disk 41 (including a floppy (registered trademark) disk) on which a program is recorded, which is distributed separately from a computer to provide the user with the program. ), Optical disk 42 (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memor
y), a DVD (including a Digital Versatile Disk), a magneto-optical disk 43 (including an MD (Mini-Disk)), or a package medium including a semiconductor memory 44 or the like.

In this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium may be performed in a chronological order according to the described order. This also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

In this specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0079]

According to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the program of the present invention, information is input / output to / from the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, and the input content provider and content are input. It records information about the user, records the content input from the first information processing device, and, based on the information input from the second information processing device, among the recorded contents, Content, and distributes the searched content to the content user without performing a process for copyright protection. Based on the information indicating the deposit application input from the second information processing apparatus, a predetermined content is determined. Requesting a deposit or withdrawal process from a financial institution, and requesting payment of an arbitrary amount from the second information processing device to an arbitrary content or an arbitrary content provider. Requesting a process to withdraw an arbitrary amount from a financial institution designated by the content user based on the recorded information about the content provider and the content user, and providing the content. Requests the financial institution designated by the user to deposit the corresponding amount of remuneration, so that the content user can easily use the content, and furthermore, the processing required for copyright protection. The content creator can be given a legitimate price without performing the above.

According to the distribution system of the present invention, the first information processing device inputs and outputs information to and from the third information processing device,
The content to be recorded in the third information processing device is output, the second information processing device inputs and outputs information to and from the third information processing device, and among the contents recorded in the third information processing device, The content user receives a signal designating desired content, receives information indicating an application for payment of an arbitrary amount of money to any content or an arbitrary content provider, receives a signal designating the content, and receives a signal. Is output to the third information processing apparatus, the input of the designated content is received from the third information processing apparatus, and the third information processing apparatus uses the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus. It inputs and outputs information to and from the information processing device, records information about the input content provider and content user, and stores the content input from the first information processing device. Of the recorded content, searching for the content desired by the content user based on the signal specifying the content input from the second information processing apparatus. To the content user without performing any processing for the payment, and based on the information indicating the payment application input from the second information processing apparatus, requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a payment processing and a second processing. Upon receiving information from the device indicating an application for depositing an arbitrary amount of money to an arbitrary content or an arbitrary content provider, based on information regarding the content provider and the content user, from a financial institution designated by the content user, Request the process to withdraw any amount, and to the financial institution designated by the content provider,
Since the request for depositing the corresponding reward amount has been requested, the content user can easily use the content, and the content can be used without performing the necessary processing for copyright protection. Producers can be given a fair price.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a content distribution system to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a content distribution system with a content provider and a content user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the personal computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a content registration process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a content distribution process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining investment processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an investment target amount achievement confirmation process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 content distribution system, 2 content provider, 3 communication line, 4 content user, 11
Data input / output management server, 12 user management server,
13 content management server, 14 investment management server, 15 content database, 16 investment management database, 17 user management database,
18 Log management database, 21, 22 Personal computer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 332 G06F 17/60 332 13/00 560 13/00 560A 17/30 110 17/30 110F 230 230Z H04N 7/16 H04N 7/16 C

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus connected to a first information processing apparatus of a content provider and a second information processing apparatus of a content user, wherein the first information processing apparatus and the second information An input / output unit for inputting / outputting information to / from a processing device; a first recording unit for recording information on the content provider and the content user input by the input / output unit; A second recording unit for recording the content input from the information processing device, and the second recording unit recording the content based on the information input from the second information processing device by the input / output unit. A first search unit that searches the content desired by the content user among the contents, and a first search unit that searches for the content. Distribution means for distributing the content to the content user without performing a process for copyright protection, and the input / output means based on information indicating a payment application input from the second information processing apparatus. And a deposit / withdrawal requesting unit for requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a deposit / withdrawal process, wherein the input / output unit is configured to provide an arbitrary amount of money to the arbitrary content or arbitrary content provider from the second information processing apparatus. Receiving the information indicating the application for the deposit, the deposit / withdrawal requesting means, based on the information on the content provider and the content user recorded in the first recording means, From the financial institution specified by the content provider, requesting the processing of withdrawing the arbitrary amount, and providing the corresponding financial institution to the financial institution specified by the content provider. The information processing apparatus characterized by requesting a process to deposit. 2. A third recording means for recording information indicating the application for payment input from the second information processing apparatus, and a fourth means for recording a target amount of money to be paid for the content. Recording means for calculating the total amount of the deposit application corresponding to the content based on the information indicating the deposit application recorded by the third recording means, which is recorded in the fourth recording means. Comparing means for comparing with the target amount; and searching for the content that has achieved the target amount and the content provider that has provided the content that has achieved the target amount, based on the comparison result by the comparing unit. A second search unit; and a creation unit that creates a new content registration request for the content provider searched by the second search unit. The output means, the first of the registration request of the new content created by said creation means, the content provider that has been retrieved by said second search means comprises
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is output to the information processing apparatus. 3. The distribution of the content by the distribution means is a stream distribution.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the content by the distribution unit is a download distribution. 5. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the content by the distribution unit is performed by recording the content on a predetermined package medium and distributing the package medium. apparatus. 6. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a first information processing apparatus of a content provider and a second information processing apparatus of a content user, wherein the first information processing apparatus and the An input / output control step of controlling input / output of information with the second information processing apparatus; and controlling recording of information on the content provider and the content user whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A first recording control step, a second recording control step of controlling the recording of the content whose input from the first information processing device is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step, Based on the information whose input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing, the information is recorded by the processing of the second recording control step. A search step of searching for the content desired by the content user among the controlled content, and the content searched by the processing of the search step without performing a process for copyright protection. A distributing step of distributing to a content user; and a deposit / withdrawal process to a predetermined financial institution based on information indicating a deposit application in which input from the second information processing apparatus is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. The input / output control step indicates the application of the deposit of an arbitrary amount from the second information processing device to an arbitrary content or an arbitrary amount of the content provider. Receiving the input of information, in the processing of the deposit / withdrawal request step, the processing of the first recording control step is performed. Based on information on the content provider and the content user whose recording is controlled, a request is made from the financial institution designated by the content user for a process of withdrawing the arbitrary amount, and the content provider An information processing method comprising requesting a designated financial institution to deposit a corresponding remuneration amount. 7. A program for an information processing device connected to a first information processing device possessed by a content provider and a second information processing device possessed by a content user, the program comprising: An input / output control step of controlling input / output of information with the second information processing apparatus; and control of recording of information on the content provider and the content user whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A first recording control step of controlling the recording of content whose input from the first information processing apparatus is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step; Based on the information that the input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing of the above, the information is recorded by the processing of the second recording control step. A search step of searching for the content desired by the content user among the controlled content, and the content searched by the processing of the search step without performing a process for copyright protection. A distributing step of distributing to a content user; and a deposit / withdrawal process to a predetermined financial institution based on information indicating a deposit application in which input from the second information processing device is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. The input / output control step indicates the application of the deposit of an arbitrary amount from the second information processing device to an arbitrary content or an arbitrary amount of the content provider. Receiving the input of information, in the processing of the deposit / withdrawal request step, the processing of the first recording control step is performed. Based on information on the content provider and the content user whose recording is controlled, a request is made from the financial institution designated by the content user for a process of withdrawing the arbitrary amount, and the content provider A recording medium storing a computer-readable program, which requests a designated financial institution to deposit a corresponding remuneration amount. 8. A computer-executable program that controls an information processing device connected to a first information processing device of a content provider and a second information processing device of a content user, the program being executable by the computer. An input / output control step of controlling input / output of information with the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus; and the content provider and the content user whose inputs are controlled by the processing of the input / output control step A first recording control step of controlling recording of information related to the first information processing apparatus; a second recording control step of controlling recording of content whose input from the first information processing apparatus is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step; Based on the information on the input from the second information processing device being controlled by the processing of the input / output control step, A search step of searching for the content desired by the content user among the contents whose recording has been controlled by the processing of the recording control step; and A distribution step of distributing to the content user without performing the above-mentioned processing; and a processing of the input / output control step, based on information indicating a deposit application in which input from the second information processing apparatus is controlled, and And a deposit / withdrawal requesting step of requesting a financial institution to perform a deposit / withdrawal process. In the process of the input / output control step, an arbitrary amount of money for the content or the content provider from the second information processing device Receiving input of information indicating the application for payment of the deposit, Requesting a process of withdrawing the arbitrary amount from the financial institution designated by the content user based on information on the content provider and the content user whose recording is controlled by the process of the recording control step of A program for requesting a financial institution designated by the content provider to deposit a corresponding remuneration amount. 9. A first information processing device of a content provider, a second information processing device of a content user, and connected to the first information processing device and the second information processing device. In the content distribution system including: a third information processing device, the first information processing device includes a first input / output unit configured to input and output information to and from the third information processing device; An output unit that outputs a content to be recorded in the third information processing device; a second input / output unit that inputs and outputs information to and from the third information processing device; First input means for receiving a signal designating the content desired by the content user among the contents recorded in the third information processing apparatus; And second input means for receiving information indicating an application for depositing an arbitrary amount of money to the content provider, wherein the second input / output means converts the content input by the first input means A signal to be designated and information indicating the application for payment input by the second input means are output to the third information processing device,
Receiving the input of the content designated from the information processing device, the third information processing device, a third input / output for inputting / outputting information to / from the first information processing device and the second information processing device Means, first recording means for recording information on the content provider and the content user inputted by the third input / output means, and the first information processing apparatus by means of the third input / output means A second recording unit that records the content input from the second information processing device, and a second recording unit that inputs the content from the second information processing device by the third input / output unit based on a signal that specifies the content. Search means for searching the content desired by the content user among the contents recorded by the means, and the content searched by the search means Distribution means for distributing to the content user without performing a process for copyright protection, and the third input / output means outputs information indicating the deposit application input from the second information processing device. And a deposit and withdrawal requesting unit for requesting a predetermined financial institution to perform a deposit and withdrawal process, wherein the third input / output unit is configured to output any of the contents or any of the content providers from the second information processing apparatus. Receiving input of information indicating the application of the deposit of an arbitrary amount to the depositing / dispensing request unit, based on the information regarding the content provider and the content user recorded in the first recording unit. Requesting a process of withdrawing the arbitrary amount from the financial institution designated by the content user, and providing a corresponding reward to the financial institution designated by the content provider. Content distribution system, characterized in that a request for processing to deposit the amount.