JP2003030460A - Distribution management system for information recording medium, distribution management server, device for managing distribution stages, reproducing device and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the opportunity losses to users while protecting both a distribution route via dealer and a distribution route via rental store, to efficiently collect a contents compensation value, also to appropriately collect copyright royalty and to reduce user's unnecessary compensation value payment. SOLUTION: The distribution management system for distributing information recording medium 8 (9) with contents composed of video and sound, character data, a program or the like recorded thereon to the user 4 via the dealer 2, the rental store 3, etc., has a distribution stage managing means 21 (22) installed in the dealer 2 and for recording a dealer ID on the information recording medium 8 (9), a player 41 (42) for playing contents and also transmitting a player ID and the dealer ID in playing the contents, and a distribution management server 6 for receiving the transmitted ID and player ID and returning key information for controlling the operation of the player 41 (42) to the player 41 (42) in accordance with the dealer ID and the player ID.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording medium on which contents such as video, audio, character data, programs, etc. are recorded, and in particular, the information recording medium is provided to users through one or more distribution stages. The present invention relates to a distribution management system for distribution, a distribution management server, a distribution stage management device, and a reproduction device used in this system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are CDs and DVDs as information recording media on which contents such as video, audio, character data, programs, etc. are recorded, and high quality music and video are sold by these CDs and DVDs. .

Usually, such an information recording medium is sold to a user from a content providing company such as a record company and a distribution company after the distribution stage such as a store, and the content providing company pays a price from the user at the time of the sale. Obtainable.

In recent years, the information recording medium is often used by users via rental stores. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional information recording medium and the flow of consideration. As shown in the figure, the information recording medium is supplied from the content providing company 1 to the rental shop 3, and the price for this is paid from the rental shop 3 to the content supplying company 1. On the other hand, the rental shop 3 rents the information recording medium to the user 4 and obtains a rental fee.

[0005]

However, as described above, the content supply company 1 is paid the price once for the price of the information recording medium, but the sales outlet 2 is out of the distribution channel, so No income can be obtained at store 2. Therefore, from the point of view of the store 2, the spread of rental stores leads to a decrease in sales volume,
This will result in pressure on management.

[0006] Since the retail store usually sells the information recording medium at a fixed price, it is an important distribution channel for the content providing company 1 and there is a demand for protection. Therefore, the content providing company 1 adjusts the balance between the shipment amount to the sales store 2 and the shipment amount to the rental store 3 so that the contents are not concentrated on the distribution route via the rental store. On the other hand, since the sales of contents are concentrated within a few months after the release, even at rental shops, there is a demand to concentrate the contents in the short term immediately after the start of sales, but the amount provided by the contents provider 1 As a result, there is a loss of lending opportunities for users.

Further, as another problem, the spread of rental stores increases the chances that the user 4 will copy the content acquired by using the rental store 3, so that it is appropriate from the viewpoint of copyright protection. It has become difficult to manage such copyright fees.

Further, although the user 4 does not always use all of the information recorded on the information recording medium, if unnecessary content is recorded, whether the user 4 went through a store or a rental store. Regardless, I had to pay for all the content.

The present invention solves such a problem, and protects both the distribution route via the store and the distribution route via the rental store, reduces the opportunity loss for the user, and efficiently contents. The distribution management system, distribution management server, distribution stage management device, and reproduction of the information recording medium that can collect the consideration of the copyright, and at the same time, can appropriately collect the copyright fee and reduce unnecessary payment by the user. An object is to provide an apparatus and an information recording medium.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides one or a plurality of information recording media in which contents such as video, audio, character data and programs are recorded. When the content is distributed to users after the steps, in the distribution step, a distribution step identifier for identifying the distribution step is recorded on the information recording medium, and when reproducing the content, a reproduction apparatus identifier for identifying the reproduction apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium. The distribution stage identifier recorded on the information recording medium, and the acquired reproduction device identifier and the read distribution stage identifier are transmitted to the distribution management server. Upon receiving the device identifier, the distribution management server controls the operation of the reproducing device according to the reception of the distribution stage identifier and the reproducing device identifier. The key information for reply to the playback apparatus, the playback apparatus receives the key information, and controls the playback device using the received key information and reproduces the content.

In the present invention, it is preferable to generate billing information for the user who transmitted the key information in response to the transmission of the key information.

According to the present invention as described above, in order to reproduce the content, the user transmits the distribution stage identifier for specifying each distribution stage and the reproducing device identifier for specifying the reproducing device to the distribution management server, and transmits this. The key information for reproducing the content is obtained by. By acquiring the identifier, the distribution management server can grasp the user of the content and the distribution route to the user. Further, if the billing information is generated in response to the transmission of the key information, it is possible to properly request the user for the usage of the content and appropriately distribute the payment for each distribution stage.

As a result, it is possible to balance the profit at each distribution stage in a complicated distribution route. For example,
Even if the amount of content shipped to the rental store is increased, the price according to the use of the content can be distributed to the retail store, and the profit loss of the retail store can be protected while reducing the opportunity loss at the rental store. .

Further, since the key information can be distributed at the time of reproduction to grasp the usage frequency of the content of the user, the price can be requested only for the content actually used, and the user can pay the price. Does not have to pay unnecessary fees for unused content.

Further, since the content cannot be used without the key information, the frequency of use of the content can be accurately grasped by managing the key information, and an appropriate copyright fee can be imposed on the content creator. Can be protected.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Overall Configuration of Distribution Management System)
An embodiment of the distribution management system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a distribution management system according to this embodiment.

The distribution management system manages the distribution of information recording media such as CDs and DVDs from the content providing company 1 to the user 4 through each distribution stage such as the sales store 2 and the rental store 3, and Include an identifier recording means 21 installed in the store 2 for recording a store ID (distribution stage identifier) for identifying the store 2 on the disc 8 or 9, and a player 41 or 42 for reproducing the information recording medium 8 or 9.
And a distribution management server 6 that provides key information 5 for controlling the operation of the player 41 or 42 and charges the usage of the user 4.

The content providing company 1 is a record company, a distribution company, etc., and the produced information recording medium 8
The item (9) is sold to the store 2. The store 2
The price of the purchased information recording medium 8 (9) is paid to the content providing company 1.

The store 2 is a retail store that sells the information recording medium 8 (9) purchased from the content providing company 1.
The rental store 3 pays the price to the store 2 to purchase the information recording medium 8 (9) from the store 2, and the user 4
Is a person who rents out the information recording medium 8 (9). Each time the user 4 borrows the information recording medium 8 (9) from the rental store 3, the user 4 pays the rental price to the rental store 3, and returns the information recording medium 8 (9) borrowed within the lending period.

The user 4 is a person who reproduces and views the information recording medium 8 or 9 borrowed from the rental shop 3 with the player 41 or 42. At this time, the user 4 selects and reproduces only the content desired to be viewed from the content recorded on the information recording medium 8 or 9. The player 41 or 42 requests the distribution management server 6 for the key information necessary to reproduce the selected content by transmitting the title and various IDs of the selected content.

The distribution management server 6 is connected to the player 41 or 42 used by the user 4 via a communication network such as the Internet, and through the network,
The key information 5 is provided to the player 41 or 42, and the charging information is managed for each user.
Further, the distribution management server 6 is affiliated with the fee collection company 7, and collects the fee from the fee collection company 7 according to the charging information of the user 4. The fee collection company 7 is, for example, a card company or a bank, and is an organization capable of collecting the content price from the user 4.

The distribution management server 6 is, in this embodiment, the content providing company 1 through the communication network.
It is connected to the key information 5 from the content provider company 1.
It is possible to receive the delivery of. Further, the distribution management server 6 has a function of paying a part of the content price collected by charging the user 4 to the content providing company 1 and the store 2.

(Structure of Information Recording Medium) In the present embodiment, the information recording medium 8 or 9 is used for recording contents such as video, audio, character data, programs, etc. Data can be recorded by a light beam such as a DVD. 2 and 3 are external views showing the configuration of the information recording medium according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the information recording media 8 and 9 according to the present embodiment both have a content recording section 82 or 92 for recording content and a management data recording section for recording management data. 81 or 91. The content recording units 81 and 91 are known C
Similar to D and DVD, it is a region where data can be read by a light beam, and may be a read-only configuration.
It may have a writable structure.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the information recording medium 8 includes a management data recording section 81 and a content recording area 8 which are concentrically provided on a disc-shaped disc body.
2 and. The management data recording unit 81 is a CD-
This is an area in which data can be written by a light beam, such as R, CD-RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RW, and management data to be described later is recorded in this management data recording area 81.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the management data recording section 91 of the information recording medium 9 is composed of an IC chip 91a provided near the center of the disc body and an antenna 91b. Is a data storage unit configured by a storage element such as a memory, a data input / output unit that inputs / outputs management data to / from the data storage unit, and transmits / receives management data input / output by the data input / output unit via radio waves. And a data transmission / reception unit for performing the same.

In the present embodiment, the antenna 91b is a coil wired around the opening 9a in the center of the disk body, and the IC chip 91a is formed on the circumference of the antenna 91b.
Are arranged. When an electromagnetic wave is input, the antenna 91a generates a current by electromagnetic induction, and records management data in a storage unit in the IC chip 91a by an electric signal due to this current.

(Structure of Distribution Management Server) In this embodiment, the distribution management server 6 has a user database 61, a key information transmitting means 62, an identifier receiving means 63, and an encryption means, as shown in FIG. 64 and key information acquisition means 6
5, user management means 66, and charge management means 67. The distribution management server 6 may be a single server computer, or each of the above means 61 to
67 may be a separate server, and may be composed of a plurality of server groups.

The user database 61 stores management information for managing each user, and stores key information, player ID (playback device identifier), and store ID for each user. In the present embodiment, the user database 61 also stores communication history, personal information, billing information, etc. for each user.

The key information transmitting means 62 is connected to a player used by each user via a communication network, and sends the key information 5 to the player 41 by packet communication or the like.
Alternatively, it is delivered to 42. Here, the key information 5 is
It controls the operation of the player, and in the present embodiment, it is set for each content, and only the reproduction of the set content is permitted.

The identifier receiving means 63 is connected to each player 41 or 42 through a communication network,
It receives the store ID and the player ID transmitted from the player 41 or 42. Each ID received by the identifier receiving means 63 is stored in the user database 61 via the user management means 66.

The encryption means 64 is for encrypting the key information 5 distributed to the user. In this embodiment, the key information 5 acquired from the content providing company 1 and the key information 5 received from the player 41 or 42 are received. Encryption is performed by fusing the player ID. As a result, only the player 41 or 42 that has transmitted the player ID can decrypt the encrypted key information 5.

The key information acquisition unit 65 is connected to each content providing company 1 through a communication line or the like, and requests the content providing company 1 to provide the key information 5 based on an instruction from the user management means 66. , And obtains the key information 5 distributed in response to this request. The key information 5 acquired by the key information acquisition unit 65 is accumulated in the user database 61 through the user management means 66 and transmitted to the player 41 or 42 through the key information transmission means 62.

The user management means 66 includes the means 63-6.
The control unit 5 controls the operation of No. 5 and analyzes the identifier received by the identifier receiving unit 63 and issues a key information acquisition instruction to the key information acquisition unit 65. The user management means 66 also manages the input / output of data to / from the user database 61.

The billing management means 67 bills the user for the content fee in accordance with the quantity of the key information 5 provided to the user, and responds to the transmission of the key information 5 by the key information transmitting means 62. Then, the billing information for the user is generated and stored in the user database 61. Further, the billing management means 67 collates billing information in the user database 61 every predetermined period to total the content price for each user, and pays the fee to the fee collection company 7 according to the result of the totalization. Request. Charge collection company 7
Pays the price in response to this request and requests the user to pay the fee.

(Structure of Player (Playback Device)) The player 41 or 42 is a playback device for the information recording medium 8 or 9, and a content arbitrarily selected from the contents recorded on the information recording medium 8 or 9. Only play. Players according to the present embodiment include players 41 and 42 depending on the type of recording medium. The player 41 shown in FIG. 5 is for reproducing the information recording medium 8 described above.

This player 41 is specifically shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a management data transmitting / receiving circuit 41a, a management data reproducing circuit 41b, and a recording / reproducing pickup 41c.
And a signal reproduction circuit 41d.

The management data transmission / reception circuit 41a is connected to the distribution management server 6 through a communication line and receives the key information 5 from the distribution management server 6 and the distribution management server 6
Management data (including a store ID and a player ID) is transmitted to the. In the present embodiment, the management data transmission / reception circuit 41a has a memory unit for storing and holding a player ID for identifying the reproducing device, and the store I
When D is transmitted, it has a function of adding a player ID to the management data and transmitting it. Further, the management data transmission / reception circuit 41a has a function of decrypting the encrypted key information 5. In this embodiment, the player ID of the player
Is used as a decryption key to decrypt the encrypted key information 5.

The management data reproducing circuit 41b reproduces the management data recorded on the information recording medium 8, acquires the management data read by the recording / reproducing pickup 41c, and manages the store ID included in the management data. The data is transmitted to the data transmitting / receiving circuit 41a, or the key information 5 included in the management data is transmitted to the signal reproducing circuit 41d.

The recording / reproducing pickup 41c reads out data from the information recording medium 8 with a light beam,
And means for writing. Specifically, data is read from the content recording section 82 of the information recording medium 8, and data is read from and written into the management data recording section 81.

The signal reproducing circuit 41d is a reproducing means for reproducing the content read by the recording / reproducing pickup 41c as video or audio. In the present embodiment, the signal reproduction circuit 41d also has a function of a control unit that controls the reproduction operation of the content according to the key information 5, and permits reproduction of only the content for which the key information 5 is acquired. It has a function to do.

Further, the reproducing apparatus can be realized by the player 42 as shown in FIG. The player 42 is for reproducing the information recording medium 9 described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a management data transmitting / receiving circuit 42a, a management data reproducing circuit 42b,
Management data recording / reproducing circuit 42c and reproducing pickup 4
2d and a signal reproduction circuit 42e.

The management data transmission / reception circuit 42a receives the key information 5 from the distribution management server 6 and / or the distribution management server 6
The management data is transmitted to. In the present embodiment, the management data transmission / reception circuit 42a has a memory unit for storing and holding a player ID for identifying the reproducing apparatus, and when transmitting the store ID, adds the player ID to the management data and transmits the management data. Have the function to

The management data reproducing circuit 42b reproduces the management data recorded on the information recording medium 8. The management data reproducing circuit 42c acquires the management data read by the management data recording / reproducing circuit 42c, and stores the store ID included in the management data. Is sent to the management data transmitting / receiving circuit 42a, and the key information 5 included in the management data is sent to the signal reproducing circuit 42e.

The management data recording / reproducing circuit 42c reads / writes data from / to the management data recording section 81. Specifically, the management data recording / reproducing circuit 42c records the management data in a contactless manner on the management data recording unit 91 of the information recording medium 9 by transmitting and receiving the management data via radio waves. That is, the management data recording / reproducing circuit 42c generates an electromagnetic wave to generate a current due to electromagnetic induction in the antenna 91b of the information recording medium 9 to supply power to the IC chip 91a, and at the same time, to the IC chip 91a by an electric signal. Input / output data to / from.

The reproducing pickup 42d is a means for reading data from the information recording medium 8 with a light beam. Specifically, the data is read from the content recording section 82 of the information recording medium 8.

The signal reproducing circuit 42e is a reproducing means for reproducing the content read by the recording / reproducing pickup 42c as video or audio. In the present embodiment, the signal reproduction circuit 42e also has a function of a control unit that controls the reproduction operation of the content according to the key information 5, and permits reproduction of only the content for which the key information 5 is acquired. It has a function to do.

(Structure of Distribution Stage Management Device) The distribution stage management device 21 manages the distribution of the information recording medium at each distribution stage (the store 2 in this embodiment).
For example, it is used in the store of the store 2. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 7, the distribution stage management apparatus 21 stores a memory 21a for storing a store ID, a store ID in the information recording medium 8, a title name recorded in the information recording medium 8, and the like. The recording / reproducing pickup 21b for reading and reading and the title name holding and recording means 22c for recording and holding the read title name and the like are provided. The player 41 shown in FIG. 7 is for reproducing the information recording medium 8 described above.

The recording / reproducing pickup 21b is means for reading and writing management data such as a store ID with respect to the management data recording section 81 of the information recording medium 8 by a light beam. Note that the recording according to the present embodiment
The reproduction pickup 21b also erases the data already recorded in the management data recording unit 81, if necessary.

Further, the distribution stage management device can be realized by the configuration as shown in FIG. The player 22 shown in the figure is for managing the above-mentioned information recording medium 9. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a memory 22a for storing a store ID and a store ID are stored as information. A management data recording / reproducing circuit 22b for recording on the recording medium 8 and reading a title name etc. recorded on the information recording medium 8 and a title name etc. holding and recording means 22c for recording and holding the read title name etc. are provided. ing.

The management data recording / reproducing circuit 22c reads / writes data from / to the management data recording section 81. Specifically, the management data recording / reproducing circuit 22c records and reads the management data in a contactless manner with respect to the management data recording unit 91 of the information recording medium 9 by transmitting and receiving the management data via radio waves.
That is, the management data recording / reproducing circuit 42c generates an electromagnetic wave to generate a current due to electromagnetic induction in the antenna 91b of the information recording medium 9 to supply power to the IC chip 91a, and at the same time, to the IC chip 91 by an electric signal.
Input / output data to / from a.

(Distribution management method by distribution management system)
A distribution management method using the distribution management system having the above configuration is performed according to the following procedure. Here, the information recording medium is the information recording medium 9 capable of writing / reading the management data without contact as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the content providing company 1
The information recording medium 9 manufactured in 1. is shipped to the store 2 while being housed in a case or the like and wrapped with vinyl or the like.
At this time, the content providing company 1
It is assumed that the provider company ID that identifies

At the store 2, a store ID for identifying the store 2 is recorded on the delivered information recording medium 9. Since the management data recording unit 91 of the information recording medium 9 can write the management data in a contactless manner via radio waves, it is possible to write the management data from the outside without opening the packaging of the information recording medium 9. it can.

Next, the information recording medium 9 is sold from the retail store 2 to the rental store 3, and the sold information recording medium 9 is rented to the user 4. At the time of this lending, the user pays the rental price.

The user 4 who borrowed the information recording medium 9 inserts the information recording medium 9 into the player 42. At this time,
The player 42 records and reproduces the store ID and the provider ID written in the information recording medium 9 with the pickup 42.
Read by c, read store ID, provider I
Along with D, the player ID for identifying the player 41 or 42 is transmitted to the distribution management server 6 via the management data transmission / reception circuit 42a.

In the distribution management server 6, from the received management data, the provider company ID, the half beer shop ID and the player I
D is extracted and registered in the user database 61, and the key information acquisition unit 65 acquires the key information 5 from the content providing company 1. The acquired key information 5 is registered in the user database 61, and the encryption means 6 is also used.
4 is encrypted and sent back to the player 42 via the key information transmission unit 62.

At the player 42, the received key information 5
To decrypt the key information 5 using your player ID,
The decrypted key information 5 is sent to the signal reproduction circuit 42e. The signal reproduction circuit 42e reproduces the content using the key information 5. The received key information 5 is the information recording medium 9
When the same content is recorded for the second time and thereafter, the recorded key information 5 is used and it is not necessary to connect to the distribution management server 6 again.

The distribution management server 6 charges the user 4 by using the management data of the user 4 stored in the user database 61. Billing management unit 67
Requests the fee collection company 7 to pay the price based on the charging information accumulated in the user database 61. After that, the distribution management server 6 pays a part of the content price paid from the fee collection company 7 to the content providing company 1 and the store 2.

The information recording medium 9 that has been viewed is returned to the rental shop 3. Information recording medium 9 returned
However, even if it is rented to a user other than the user 4, it cannot be played back unless it has a player ID unique to the player 42. , Can not be played. Therefore, even if another user borrows the information recording medium 9, the other user must obtain the appropriate key information for the other player used by him / herself, whereby the copyright management can be properly performed. Will be seen.

(Effects of Distribution Management System and Distribution Management Method) According to the distribution management system and distribution management method of the present embodiment, the user can reproduce the content by using the content providing company 1 or the store 2, The ID for specifying the rental shop 3 and the player ID for specifying the player 41 are transmitted to the distribution management server 6, and the key information 5 for reproducing the content is acquired by this transmission. Thus each I
By obtaining D, the distribution management server 6 can grasp the user 4 and the distribution route leading to the user 4.

Further, since the user 4 is charged according to the transmission of the key information 5, it is possible to appropriately request the user 4 for the usage of the contents and appropriately distribute the payment for each distribution stage. . As a result, it is possible to balance the profits of each sales shop 2 and rental shop 3 placed in a complicated distribution route. For example, even if the amount of content shipped to the rental store 3 is increased, the price according to the use of the content can be distributed to the retail store 2, and the profit loss of the retail store 2 can be reduced while reducing the opportunity loss at the rental store 3. Can be protected.

Further, since the key information 5 can be distributed at the time of reproduction to grasp the usage frequency of the contents of the user 4, it is possible to request the price only for the contents actually used, and No. 4 does not need to pay an unnecessary consideration for the content that is not used.

Further, since the content cannot be used without the key information 5, it is possible to accurately grasp the frequency of use of the content by managing the key information 5, and to charge an appropriate copyright fee to produce the content. It is possible to protect persons.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the store ID of the store 2 is written to the information recording medium 9 in a non-contact manner, it is not necessary to open the packaging of the information recording medium 9 and the information recording medium 9 Distribution management can be performed without delaying distribution.

(Modification) In the above embodiment, the distribution stage management device is installed only in the sales shop 2, but as shown in FIG. 9, it is installed in the rental shop 3 as well. The ID may be recorded in the information recording medium 8 or 9.

In this case, the distribution management server 6 generates billing information using the rental shop ID, and distributes a part of the consideration collected from the user 4 to the rental shop 3 as well. As a result, the price can be distributed to the rental store 3 according to the frequency of use of the content by the user 4.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, user 4
Pays a rental fee when renting the information recording medium 8 or 9 at the rental store 3, and further pays a fee to the fee collection company 7 according to the frequency of use of the content.

As a modification to this, the information recording medium 8 or 9 for the user 4 in the rental shop 3 is given.
May be distributed free of charge. In this case, the user 4 does not need to pay the price when renting the information recording medium 8 or 9 at the rental store 3, and when using the content, the content fee including the rental fee is collected by the fee collection company. You will have to pay 7. This eliminates the need for user 4 to pay twice
The convenience of the user 4 can be improved.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
While protecting both the distribution channel via the retail store and the distribution channel via the rental store, while reducing the opportunity loss for the user and efficiently recovering the content price,
At the same time, proper collection of copyright fees and unnecessary payment of consideration by the user can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a distribution management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of an information recording medium used in the embodiment, in which data is written by a light beam.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an information recording medium used in the embodiment, showing an example of writing data in a non-contact manner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a distribution management server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a playback device used in the embodiment,
It is a block diagram showing an example of writing data by a light beam.

FIG. 6 is a reproduction device used in the embodiment,
It is a block diagram showing an example of writing data by a light beam.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example in which data is written by a light beam, which is a distribution stage device used in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a distribution stage device used in the embodiment, in which data is written by a light beam.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a distribution management system according to a modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a distribution channel of a conventional information recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Content providing company, 2 ... Sales store, 3 ... Rental store, 4 ... User 5 ... Key information, 6 ... Distribution management server, 7 ... Fee collection company,
8 ... Information recording medium (light beam writing type), 9 ... Information recording medium (non-contact writing type) 21, 31 ... Distribution stage management device (light beam writing type), 22, 32 ... Distribution stage management device (non-contact writing type) Type), 41 ... Reproducing device (light beam writing type), 42 ...
Playback device (non-contact writing type)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 12/14 G06F 12/14 320F G11B 20/10 G11B 20/10 DH 23/30 23/30 B H04L 9/08 H04N 5/91 Z H04N 5/91 H04L 9/00 601B H04N 5/91 P F Term (reference) 5B017 AA07 BA07 BB10 CA09 5C053 FA23 JA21 LA06 LA11 LA14 5D044 AB02 AB05 AB07 BC02 CC06 DE49 DE50 DE53 FG18 HL11 5J104 AA16 EA04 NA02 PA10

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A distribution management system that distributes an information recording medium, on which contents such as video, audio, character data, and programs are recorded, to a user through one or more distribution stages, wherein the distribution stage An identifier recording unit that is installed and records a distribution stage identifier for identifying the distribution stage on the information recording medium, a reproduction device that reproduces the content, and a reproduction device identifier that identifies the reproduction device when reproducing the content. , And identifier transmitting means for transmitting the distribution stage identifier recorded on the information recording medium, identifier receiving means for receiving the transmitted distribution stage identifier and the reproducing device identifier, the distribution stage identifier and the reproducing device Key information transmitting means for returning key information for controlling the operation of the reproducing device in response to the reception of the identifier; And a key information receiving means for receiving the key information stored in the information recording medium. 2. The information according to claim 1, further comprising: billing information generating means for generating billing information for a user who has transmitted the key information in response to the transmission of the key information by the key information transmitting means. Distribution medium distribution management system. 3. A distribution management server that manages the distribution of an information recording medium on which contents such as video, audio, character data, and programs are recorded, wherein the distribution step identifies the distribution step through which the information recording medium has passed. An identifier and a reproducing device identifier for identifying a reproducing device for reproducing the information recording medium from the reproducing device; an identifier receiving means for receiving the distribution stage identifier and the reproducing device identifier; A distribution management server for an information recording medium, comprising: key information transmitting means for transmitting key information for controlling an operation. 4. The charging information generating means for generating charging information for a user to whom the key information is transmitted, in response to the transmission of the key information by the key information transmitting means. Distribution management server for information recording media. 5. A distribution stage management device for managing distribution of an information recording medium in which contents such as video, audio, character data, and programs are recorded at each distribution stage, wherein the distribution stage identifier identifies the distribution stage. An information recording medium distribution stage management device comprising: an identifier recording means for recording the information recording medium on the information recording medium. 6. The information recording medium includes a content recording unit for recording the content, and a management data recording unit for recording management data including the distribution stage identifier, wherein the identifier recording unit includes the management data. The distribution stage management device for an information recording medium according to claim 5, wherein management data is recorded in the recording unit. 7. The management data recording section, a data storage section for storing the management data, a data input / output section for inputting / outputting management data to / from the data storage section, and input / output by the data input / output section. Management data, and a data transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives via radio waves, the identifier recording means, with respect to the data transmission and reception unit,
7. The distribution stage management device for an information recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the recording is performed by transmitting and receiving the management data via radio waves. 8. A reproducing device for an information recording medium in which contents such as video, audio, character data, programs, etc. are recorded, and reproducing means for reproducing the contents, and the information recording medium recorded in the information recording medium. An identifier reading unit that reads a distribution stage identifier that identifies a distribution stage that has passed through, and a reproduction device identifier that identifies the reproduction device, and transmits the distribution stage identifier and the reproduction device identifier when reproducing the content. Identifier transmitting means; key information receiving means that receives key information for controlling the operation of the reproducing device, which is returned in response to the transmission of the distribution stage identifier and the reproducing device identifier; and the reproducing means according to the key information. And a control unit that controls the operation of the information recording medium. 9. The reproducing apparatus for an information recording medium according to claim 8, further comprising management data writing means for writing the key information as management data in the information recording medium. 10. An information recording medium in which content such as video, audio, character data, programs, etc. is recorded, and a distribution step for identifying a content recording section for recording the content and a distribution step through which the information recording medium has passed. An information recording medium, comprising: a management data recording section for recording management data including an identifier. 11. The information recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the management data recording section is a data recording area in which data can be written by the light beam. 12. The management data recording unit, a data storage unit for storing the management data, a data input / output unit for inputting / outputting management data to / from the data storage unit, and input / output by the data input / output unit. 11. The information recording medium according to claim 10, further comprising: a data transmitting / receiving unit that transmits / receives management data according to a radio wave.