JP2003044689A - Option function sale method of digital equipment and option function sale system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an option function sale method of digital equipment and an option function sale system thereof which is small in burden on maker and can make a digital equipment immediately used as equipment adding an option function even when the equipment is not taken over for a client. SOLUTION: The digital equipment 1 (for instance, an up-converter converting a digital component signal into HDTV) previously mounting a full option function is sold to a user C through a factory A (maker) and a sale shop B (sale corporation and agency), when the user needs some option (version up), a package 2 (built-in manual with authentication code for starting the option) sold from the factory A through the sale shop B is purchased, a license key ki obtained by transmitting the authentication code to a server which the maker indicates is input to the digital equipment 1 to be operated as a version up machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a small burden on a maker, and an optional function sale of a digital device which can be immediately used as a device to which an optional function is added without requiring a customer to pick up the device. The present invention relates to a method and a system for selling optional functions of digital equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital devices such as a satellite broadcast receiving television and encoders / decoders have been adopted in place of analog electronic devices.

Some digital devices of this type are equipped with software as digital contents for operating the devices, and various electronic copyrighted data, etc., in full specifications as complex digital contents parts. .

[0004] In addition, there is also a digital device in which some of the digital content parts which the customer side does not request as an optional function are omitted in the software which follows the basic function.

In such a device, when there is an optional function as a specification that can be added, conventionally, there are mainly two selling methods.

(1) Models are categorized into a plurality of models depending on the presence or absence of an optional function, inventory management is performed, and a device having an appropriate function is selected and sold when ordering a device or material.

(2) When the shipped or sold device does not have the optional function, if the optional function is to be added, the sold or shipped device is pulled up to a manufacturing plant or a service base, and the optional function requested by the customer ( I was doing additional work such as adding content and upgrading versions.

[0008]

However, according to the conventional method, the manufacturer stores a large number of types of equipment such as equipment equipped with optional functions, equipment with optional full specifications, and equipment without optional functions in the warehouse. There is a problem that inventory adjustment is difficult because it needs to be stored.

Further, since many kinds of equipment must be stored in a warehouse, there is a problem in that a large number of storage areas are required, resulting in an increase in storage costs.

When a customer purchases a device that does not have an optional function, in order to provide a new optional function (version upgrade), the maker or service base will pick up the device and provide the optional function. It will take time and effort because it will be added. In other words, there is a problem that the addition of functions is a heavy burden on both customers and manufacturers.

Further, in recent years, personal computers have become widespread also on the customer side, and it is conceivable to request the addition of functions via the Internet to perform the device pickup, delivery, and settlement, but centrally manage distribution and settlement. However, there is a problem in that the maker side needs to construct a system for distribution and settlement, which is extremely burdensome for the maker side.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the burden on the manufacturer is small, and even if the customer does not have to take over the device, it can be immediately used as a device to which an optional function is added. (EN) A method for selling an optional function of a digital device and a system for selling an optional function of a digital device which can perform

[0013]

According to the method for selling an optional function of a digital device of the present invention, a manufacturer ships a digital device having a plurality of kinds of optional functions for operating the device in a desired mode. A method of selling a digital device, in which the user purchases the digital device, then sells the optional function, and operates the digital device in the mode of the optional function.

The manufacturer, for each of the optional functions,
An authentication code indicating that the product has been purchased and a manual on which operating information is printed are stored in a small and lightweight medium and shipped to the store, and the user is prompted to purchase the optional function; and the user via the network. When the authentication code and the unique ID of the digital device are transmitted,
When the authentication code matches the authentication code stored in advance, a license key for activating the optional function of the authentication code is generated using the authentication code and the unique ID and transmitted to the terminal of the user. The point is to have the steps and.

In addition, the method of selling an optional function of a digital device is such that the manufacturer ships a digital device having various optional functions for operating the device in a desired mode, and purchases the digital device to a user. After selling the optional function, the method is a method of selling a digital device in which the optional device is operated and the digital device is operated in the mode of the optional function.

The manufacturer generates a random number, adds the type of the optional function to the random number, generates and stores an authentication code for indicating that the optional function has been purchased, and stores the authentication code and the authentication code. A manual in which a code and operation information is printed is stored in a small and lightweight medium and shipped to the store to prompt the user to purchase the optional function, and the server of the manufacturer and the terminal of the user. Is a system constructed by connecting to a network according to the operation information in the manual.

The server prompts the terminal of the user to transmit an authentication code indicating purchase of the optional function and a unique ID of the digital device of the user, and the user transmits the authentication code and the unique ID via a network. ID
When the received authentication code matches the pre-stored authentication code, it is determined that the authentication code has been purchased, and the authentication code from the user and the unique ID are stored in association with each other. When it is judged as an authentication code,
A license key for activating an optional function corresponding to the authentication code from the user is generated using the type of the optional function and the unique ID added to the associated authentication code, and is generated in the terminal of the user. The point is that it consists of the step of sending.

Further, the manufacturer ships a digital device having a plurality of types of optional functions for operating the device in a desired mode, and after the user purchases the digital device, It is a system for selling optional functions of digital equipment, which comprises a distribution system for promoting purchase and a system in which a server of the manufacturer and a terminal of the user are connected via a network.

It is purchased through the distribution system,
For each of the digital devices, a small and lightweight medium in which an authentication code for indicating that an optional function of the digital device has been purchased and a manual in which operation information using the authentication code is printed are stored; The manufacturer's server matches the authentication code indicating purchase of the optional function and the unique ID of the user's digital device by accessing the user's terminal, and the authentication code matches the authentication code stored in advance. Then, it is determined that the optional function of the authentication code has been purchased, and a license key for activating the optional function indicated by the authentication code is generated for the terminal of the user and is transmitted to the terminal of the user. The gist is to have means.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optional function sales system for digital equipment according to the first embodiment.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, a digital device 1 (for example, an up-converter for converting a digital component signal into HDTV) equipped with a full option function in advance is factory A (maker), store B (sales corporation, agency). ), And when user C needs any option (upgrade), package 2 sold from factory A via store B (for activating the option) By inputting the license key ki obtained by purchasing a manual with an authentication code) and transmitting the authentication code to the server of the maker described later by the user C, the digital device 1 (also referred to as the main body). Operate as a version upgrade machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned digital device 1 is provided with a display section 1a and a setting input section 1b, and the factory A
Worker operates the setting input section 1b to operate the digital device 1
When the unique serial number Ai of is input, the serial number Ai is stored in the memory 1d (nonvolatile memory). This serial number Ai is stored at the factory.

Further, the digital device 1 according to the first embodiment
Is turned on, the serial number Ai exists in the memory 1d, and the license key hp (the license key input by the user is hp. Hi: license key A, B, ...) Is stored in the memory 1d by the user. When stored, each function Hi for starting each option using this serial number Ai (Hi: function A,
B) ...) to obtain a license key fi (fi: license keys Ap, Bp, ...), and these license keys fi
When the license key hp matching with the above is present in the memory 1d, the option A indicated by the license key hp,
Start B, ...

The above-mentioned license key hp by the user is made by using the setting input section 1b shown in FIG.
Is displayed in.

That is, the digital device 1 has the configuration shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, an up converter for converting a digital component signal into HDTV will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital device 1 includes a signal input section 101 for converting a serial digital interface (SDI) signal into a parallel signal, an IP conversion section 102 for converting an interlace signal into a progressive signal, and an image processing section. 103 and a magnifying unit 104 that magnifies the image signal
And a signal output unit 105 for outputting as an HD-SDI signal
It has and.

In the first embodiment, the image processing unit 103 is assumed to have two types of options (options A and B) in advance.

The option A 103c is a color correction, and performs a color correction function, a level adjustment of a high luminance part, an adjustment of a low luminance part, a hue adjustment and the like.

Option B103e is an enhancement, which is used to set an enhancement amount, frequency setting of an input signal to be enhanced, band limitation, and the like.

The image processing section 103 is also provided with basic processing 103 such as conversion into color signals corresponding to HD, and switching means 103b and 103d. This switching means 1
03b is provided between the basic processing 103a and the option A, and selects the option A by inputting a switching signal from the microcomputer 106.

The switching means 103d is the switching means 10
3b and option B, the microcomputer 106
The option B is selected by inputting the switching signal from.

That is, when the switching signal is not sent to the switching means 103b and 103d, the option is not activated and only the basic process is activated.

Further, the digital device 1 includes the microcomputer 10
6 and a non-volatile memory 1d.

The microcomputer 106 includes at least the function activation processing unit 106a and the license key calculation processing unit 106b.
And an option activation selection unit 106c.

The function activation processing unit 106a determines whether or not the license key hp is stored in the memory 1d when the power is turned on, and when the license key hp is stored, it corresponds to the type of the license key. The license key fi (Ap or Bp ...) Is calculated using the function.

The license key calculation processing unit 106b includes functions A, B, ... For obtaining the license key fi (license keys Ap, Bp, ...) And the function activation processing unit 10 is provided.
6a activates one of the functions corresponding to the license key Hp (license key A, B, ... Entered by the user) notified by the license key fi (license key A).
p, Bp, ...).

Every time the license key fi (license keys Ap, Bp, ...) Is requested, the option activation selection processing unit 106c creates a copy of the license key fi and the license key hp stored in the non-volatile memory 1d. It is determined whether or not they match, and if they match, the option indicated by the license key hp is activated.

For example, when the license key A is stored in the memory 1d and the function A is activated to obtain the license key Ap, when the license key Ap and the license key A in the memory 1d match, the switching means 103b.
A switching signal is sent to and the option A is connected.

That is, the option start-up selection unit 106c
When the license key A is stored in the memory 1d and the license key calculation processing unit 106 obtains the license key Ap, this license key Ap and the license key input and stored by the user in the non-volatile memory 1d are stored. It has a process S1 of activating the option A when compared with A and if they match.

When the license key B is stored in the memory 1d and the license key calculation processing unit 106b obtains the license key Bp, the license key Bp and the nonvolatile memory 1d are input and stored by the user. It is provided with a process S2 of comparing the license key B and activating the option B when they match.

Further, the microcomputer 106 uses the input button 1b
It has a function S4 of storing the license key hp inputted by using the non-volatile memory 1d, a function S3 of displaying the inputted serial number Ai and the license key hp on the LCD display unit 1a.

Further, the nonvolatile memory 1d described above is
An area for storing the license key hp (license keys A, B, ...) Input by the user is provided for each license key, and the microcomputer 106 is programmed so that the license key can be known from the address number of the area. Has been done.

On the other hand, the option package (box) 2 is
Authentication code gi to show that you have purchased the option
As shown in Fig. 4, the manual 8 for starting the option
The manual 8 is put in an envelope 9 and placed in the package 2.

The authentication code gi is generated by the license issuing server 5 provided in the factory (maker) and stored in the database 7. The URL of the server 5 is printed on the manual 8.

The optional package 8 is shipped from the factory and sold to the store B. At the store B, the user C
Let me purchase this optional package 8.

The present system is also a computer system including a license issuing server 5, a personal computer 10 of the user C and the Internet 11 on the maker side as shown in FIG.

The license issuing server 5 generates an authentication code gi (g1, g2, ...) For each option. This authentication code gi is "A3
95782 "is generated. In other words, the random number "3
95782 ”is generated, and the symbol“ A ”indicating the option type is added to the head of this numerical value sequence.

Further, the authentication code gp from the user C is authenticated via the Internet 11, the license key ki (license key A, B ...) Is generated after the authentication, and the personal computer 10 of the user C is transferred via the Internet 11. Send to mailer 10a. The generation of the license key ki includes functions A, B, ... For generating a license key for each option, and is a function to be activated with a symbol indicating the option type added to the authentication code gp sent from the user. Is generated, and this function is generated by setting the serial number ai from the user.

The operation of the system configured as described above will be described below with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, in the factory A, when the digital device 1 (with full option built-in) is shipped, a serial number A unique to the device is set.
Enter i. The serial number Ai is stored in the nonvolatile memory 1d by the microcomputer 106 of the digital device.

Then, the digital device 1 is shipped to the store C (also receiving payment) (d1). At the store B, the digital device 1 from the maker is displayed in the store and the user C is made to purchase it (d2).

On the other hand, in the factory (manufacturer) A, the license issuing server 5 generates an authentication code gi indicating that the options have been collectively purchased at the time of package generation (d3), prints this on the manual 8, and prints each. It is put in the optional package 2 and shipped to the store B (d4).

That is, the package 2 containing the authentication code gi necessary to activate the option without the user having to inform the serial number Ai of the purchased digital device.
Would buy.

That is, at the store, the package 2 containing the authentication code can be stocked without depending on the serial number of the digital device.

Then, the user C goes to the store B (d5) and purchases the option package 2 of the desired option (d6).

The user C opens the option package 2 and, as shown in FIG.
The home page of the license issuing server 8 is requested using the L code (d10). The license issuing server 5 of Maker A transmits the home page via the Internet 11 (d11). The personal computer 10 has a browser function and displays it on the screen.

Next, the user C inputs the mail address and the serial number ai of the purchased digital device 1 into the personal computer 10 according to the guide screen of the home page, and at the same time, it is written in the manual 8 of the purchased license package 2. Input the authentication code gi (given by the user is distinguished as gp) and send it to the license issuing server 8 via the Internet 11 (d1
2). These serial number, authentication code, and mail address are collectively referred to as authentication code information.

The license issuing server 5 temporarily stores these transmitted data and then confirms that the authentication code has been issued and that it has not been used (d1).
3) The license key ki is generated (d14).

This license key ki is an authentication code g
It is calculated by activating a function corresponding to the option type added to i and setting the serial number ai from the user in this function. That is, when the option type of the authentication code gi indicates the option A, the serial number Ai
The license key is a number for activating only option A of. Also, the authentication code registered once will be used.

Then, the license issuing server 5 uses the mailer to send the generated license key ki to the mailer of the personal computer 10 of the user C via the Internet 11 (d15).

That is, the license key issuing server 5
Displays the serial number Ai, the authentication code gp, the mail address, etc. on the screen, and the operator, as shown in FIG.
The serial number ai, the authentication code gp, the mail address, etc. are input to the server 5 (S701).

In the server 5, the inputted authentication code gp is the authentication code gi in which the database 7 is stored in advance.
It is determined whether or not a record of (random number + option type) (whether the authentication code has been shipped) exists (S70).
2).

In step S702, the authentication code gi that matches the authentication code gp entered in the database.
If there is no record for (shipped authentication code gi
If not, an error message is displayed to notify the other party that the license key cannot be issued (S
703).

If it is determined in step S702 that a record with the matching authentication code gi exists (that is, the shipping authentication code gi), it is an unused authentication code (the serial number of the record is blank). Is determined (S704).

When it is determined in step S704 that the authentication code is not an unused one (when the record has a serial number), the flow returns to step S703 to notify that the license key cannot be issued. That is, when the serial number and the authentication code are stored in association with each other, the authentication code gp transmitted from the user has already been registered or used, so that a user who has a plurality of digital devices can Purchase one package 2,
The option of multiple digital devices cannot be activated.

Therefore, it is possible to purchase a package for each digital device and each optional function. If you buy one digital device and you have four options, you will buy four packages.

When it is determined in step S704 that the authentication code gp from the user is an unused authentication code gp (the serial number of the record is blank), it is added to the authentication code gp as a new purchase. The serial number ai is set in the function corresponding to the option type to generate the license key ki (S705).

Next, the authentication code gi and the serial number A
i and the license key ki are combined and stored in the database as a used license key (S70
6) The license key ki is issued to the user by mail (S707).

On the other hand, when the user C obtains the license key ki, the user C inputs this license key ki into the digital device 1 (the license key inputted by the user is distinguished as hp) in accordance with the operating procedure of the manual 8 (d).
16).

That is, when the option package 2 of the option A is purchased after the digital device 1 is purchased, the digital device operates with the option A.

Therefore, it is possible to make the digital device having the optional function desired by the user by only allowing the user to purchase the optional package. Therefore, the manufacturer and the retailer can purchase the device equipped with the optional function and the optional full spec. There is no need to store many types of equipment such as equipment in the warehouse.

Since it is not necessary for the manufacturer to pick up the digital equipment purchased by the user, it is possible to sell the option desired by the user in a short time.

Further, since it is only necessary for the user to purchase the option package at a store or the like, the maker does not need to construct a system for payment.

<Second Preferred Embodiment> The second preferred embodiment enables a trial use of a digital device by issuing a trial license key.

As shown in FIG. 8, the digital device 20 includes a trial activation determination processing unit 201a and a function activation processing unit 20.
1b, an option activation selection processing unit 201c, and a permanent license key calculation processing unit 106b are preferably provided.

The digital device 20 used in the second embodiment is the same up-converter as in the first embodiment, but only the main part is shown in FIG.

The non-volatile memory 201e of the digital device 20 is provided with a number of area groups 203 for storing the license key hp (referred to as a permanent license key hp in the second embodiment) by the number corresponding to the option. ing.

.. are provided with a number of regions 202 for storing trial license keys mp used for trialing the options A, B, ... For a fixed period.

Further, it has a trial time counter area 204 for storing the count value of the trial time, and also stores the serial number Ai.

The above-mentioned trial start-judgment processing section 201a is provided in the area group 2 of the nonvolatile memory 201e when the power is turned on.
02, and when data is stored in any of the area groups 202, the trial license key mp (trial license keys Am, Bm,
Cm, ...) Is stored, it is determined whether or not it matches the trial license key mi (trial license keys Ami, Bmi, Cmi, ...) Prestored in the memory. The corresponding option is activated using the activation selection processing unit 201c.
The trial license key mi described above is stored in advance at the factory.

Then, the predetermined time ti set in advance is set.
Then, the option is stopped by using the option activation selection processing unit 106c.

If the function activation processing unit 106a stores the permanent license key hp by the user when the power is turned on, this permanent license key h
Stop reading the trial license key corresponding to p. That is, when the permanent license key A is stored in the memory 1d and matches the license key Ap obtained by the function A, the reading of the trial license key Am is stopped. That is, since the option A has been purchased, the activation for the test of the option A is stopped.

Digital device 20 configured as described above
The overall operation using is the sequence shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the factory A, the serial number Ai is input at the time of shipment of the digital device 20 (with full option built-in), and the trial license key m is input.
Input i (license key Am, Bm, ...). In addition, the manual 2 which describes the authentication code gk for trial
5 is also attached and shipped.

Then, the digital device 20 is sold at the store C.
The product is shipped (and payment is received) to (d20). In the store B, the digital device 20 from the manufacturer is displayed in the store and the user C is made to purchase it (d21).

If the user who purchased the digital device 20 wants to try the optional function, he opens the manual 25 and requests the home page of the license issuing server 8 using the URL code of the maker A of the manual 25 (d).
22). The license issuing server 5 of maker A transmits it via the Internet 11 (d23). PC 10
Has a browser function and displays it on the screen.

Next, the user C inputs the mail address, the serial number ai of the purchased digital device 1 and the trial authentication code gm (user-entered gk) according to the guide screen of the home page of the personal computer 10. And transmits it to the license issuing server 8 via the Internet 11 (d24).

The license issuing server 5 temporarily stores these transmitted data, and then authenticates whether the trial authentication code gm has been issued once (d2).
5). Next, when the trial authentication code gm matches the trial authentication code gk stored in the database 7, it is determined that the trial has already been made for the digital device 20 already sold, and the trial license is acquired. The key mi is generated (d26).

This license key mi is calculated by setting the serial number ai in the function corresponding to the option type added to the trial authentication code gk, and the type of the trial authentication code gk indicates option A. In this case, the license key mi for activating only option A
Becomes Also, the trial license key mi generated once is already used.

Then, the license issuing server 5 uses the mailer to send the generated trial license key mi to the mailer of the personal computer 10 of the user C via the Internet 11 (d26). The user inputs this license key mi into the digital device 15 (license key mp) (d28) and tries the optional function.

As described above, when the trial authentication code gm is transmitted and the trial license key is issued, the user is most interested in what option from the statistics of the type of trial authentication code from the user. Since it will be possible to know if there are any, it will be possible for the retailers to keep the number of packages in inventory in order of popularity.

That is, the trial activation determination processing unit 201a, the function activation processing unit 106a, and the option activation processing unit 106c of the microcomputer 200 perform the processing shown in FIG.

The trial activation determination processing unit 201a determines what the trial license key mp stored in the area group 202 of the non-volatile memory 201e is by the user (S2).
0). In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the trial license key Am is transmitted to the server and input by the user.

At step S20, the trial license key A
When it is determined that m has been input, the trial time counter is activated to count up (S21), and it is determined whether the count-up value has reached the specified time (S22). In step S22, if the specified time ti has not been reached, the option activation selection processing unit 10
Option A is activated using 6c (S25).

Then, in step S22, when the value of the trial time counter reaches the specified time, the activation of the option A is stopped by using the option activation selection processing unit 106c.

On the other hand, after the option is tried, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the user goes to the store B and purchases the option package 2 of the desired option (d30).

The user C opens the option package 2 and, as shown in FIG.
The home page of the license issuing server 8 is requested using the RL code (d31). The license issuing server 5 of maker A transmits via the Internet 11 (d3
1). The personal computer 10 displays it on the screen by the browser function.

Next, the user C inputs the e-mail address and the serial number ai of the purchased digital device 20 in accordance with the guide screen of the home page, and at the same time, the authentication code described in the manual 8 of the purchased license package 2. gi is input and transmitted to the license issuing server 8 via the Internet 11 (d33).

The license issuing server 5 temporarily stores these transmitted data, and then authenticates whether the authentication code gp has been issued once (d34).

Next, when the authentication code gp matches the authentication code gi stored in the database 7,
It is determined that the digital device 20 that has already been sold has been purchased and the option has been purchased, and the license key ki is generated (d35).

This license key ki is the authentication code g
The license key is calculated when the function corresponding to the option type of i is activated and the serial number ai is set, and when the authentication code gi indicates the purchase of option A, it is the number for activating only option A. . Also,
Once registered, the authentication code will be used.

Then, the license issuing server 5 uses the mailer to send the generated license key ki to the mailer of the personal computer 10 of the user C via the Internet 11 (d36).

Then, the user inputs this license key ki into the digital device 20 (license key hp). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the function activation processing unit 106a of the microcomputer 200 of the digital device 20 determines that the permanent license key A is input, and the function A of the permanent license key calculation processing unit 106b determines the license key Ap. , This license key Ap is the memory 20
When the license key A stored in the area 203 of 1d matches, the option activation selection processing unit 106c activates the option A.

Therefore, after allowing the user to try the option once, the user can purchase only the desired package,
After that, the option can be permanently used as in the first embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the nonvolatile memory 1d is provided with an area for storing a license key (trial license key) for each option in advance, and an option for activating any option at the address of this area is provided. Although it is determined whether the license key is used, for example, a code indicating an option type may be assigned to a predetermined bit area of the license key itself so that the microcomputer can determine which option license key only from this code. .

Further, although the security is improved by using a function to calculate the license key by the microcomputer, in an environment where the license key cannot be stolen, the license for each option is previously stored in the digital device. A key may be stored and a match between this key and the license key entered by the user may be determined.

Although the option package is made to be purchased by the user through the store in the above embodiment, the manufacturer may directly sell the optional package to the user at the request of the user.

[0108]

As described above, according to the present invention, after the manufacturer makes the user purchase the digital device in which the full option is built in advance, the authentication code indicating the purchase of the optional function is used as the small and lightweight medium. Built-in and shipped to retailers.

Then, the user purchases the medium and accesses the manufacturer by an operation based on the manual to access the authentication code,
The unique ID of the digital device is transmitted from the terminal.

When the authentication code matches the pre-stored authentication code, the server of the manufacturer distributes the license key for activating the optional function corresponding to the authentication code. This license key is input to the digital device by the user, and the option of the license key built in the digital device is activated.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain a digital device having an optional function desired by the user by only allowing the user to purchase a medium (optional package). The effect is that it is not necessary to store many types of equipment such as equipment with optional full-spec equipment in a warehouse.

Further, since it is not necessary for the manufacturer to pick up the digital equipment purchased by the user, it is possible to sell the option desired by the user in a short time.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary for the user to purchase the optional package at a store or the like, the maker does not have to construct a system for payment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optional function sales system for a digital device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an optional package.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the license issuing server.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital equipment 2 packages 5 license issuing server 8 Manual Ai serial number gi authentication code

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kei Hirabayashi             3-12 Moriya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa             Local Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A manufacturer ships a digital device in which a plurality of types of option functions for operating the device in a desired mode are shipped, and after the user purchases the digital device, the option function is set. A method of selling a digital device that is sold and operates the digital device in the mode of the optional function, wherein the manufacturer miniaturizes a manual printed with an authentication code indicating that the optional function has been purchased and operation information. Storing the product in a lightweight medium and shipping it to the store to prompt the user to purchase the optional function; and when the user sends the authentication code and the unique ID of the digital device via a network, When the authentication code matches the previously stored authentication code, the optional function of the authentication code is activated. The authentication code of the license key, unique ID and optional features sales method for a digital device that is produced by and a step of transmitting to the terminal of the user using a. 2. The manufacturer ships a digital device having various optional functions for operating the device in a desired mode, sells the optional function after the user purchases the digital device. And a method of selling a digital device in which the digital device is operated in the mode of the optional function, wherein the manufacturer purchases the optional function by generating a random number, adding the type of the optional function to the random number. Generate and store an authentication code to indicate that the user has printed a manual printed with the authentication code and the operation information using the authentication code in a small and lightweight medium and shipping it to the store, The step of prompting the user to purchase the optional function, and the server of the manufacturer and the terminal of the user according to the operation information of the manual. The server builds a system by connecting with, and the server prompts the terminal of the user to transmit an authentication code indicating purchase of the optional function and a unique ID of the digital device of the user; When the authentication code and the unique ID are transmitted via the authentication code and when the authentication code matches a pre-stored authentication code, it is determined that the authentication code has been purchased, and the authentication code from the user is associated with the unique ID. A step of storing, and a license key for activating an optional function corresponding to the authentication code from the user when it is determined that the purchased authentication code is the optional function added to the associated authentication code. Type and unique ID
A method of selling an optional function of a digital device, the method comprising: 3. The server, when generating the license key, uses the unique ID for a function corresponding to the type of the optional function added to the authentication code stored in the association transmitted from the user. 3. The method for selling an optional function of a digital device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method is set and generated. 4. The manufacturer ships a digital device having a plurality of types of optional functions for operating the device in a desired mode, and after the user purchases the digital device, An optional function sales system for a digital device, which comprises a distribution system for urging purchase, and a system in which the server of the manufacturer and the terminal of the user are connected by a network, which is purchased through the distribution system, For each digital device, a small and lightweight medium containing an authentication code for indicating that an optional function of the digital device has been purchased and a manual in which operation information using the authentication code is printed, and a manufacturer of the system. The server of the user has an authentication code indicating the purchase of the optional function by accessing the terminal of the user and the user's terminal. When the authentication code matches a pre-stored authentication code, it is determined that the optional function of the authentication code has been purchased, and the terminal of the user, An optional function sales system for digital equipment, comprising: a means for generating a license key for activating an optional function indicated by the authentication code and transmitting the license key to the user's terminal. 5. The server of the manufacturer generates a random number, adds the type of the optional function to the random number, generates and stores the authentication code, prints it on the manual, and stores it in the medium. 5. The system for selling optional functions of a digital device according to claim 4, wherein. 6. The server stores the authentication code from the user and a unique ID in association with each other when the server determines that the authentication code has been purchased, and transmits the license key from the user when generating the license key. The digital device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the unique ID is set and generated in a function corresponding to the type of the optional function added to the associated and stored authentication code. Optional function sales system. 7. The option of the digital device according to claim 4, wherein the license key is transmitted by using a means for transmitting the license key to the user terminal by using an email address from the user. Function sales system.