JP2003157334A - Contents distributing system and device, method, program and program recording medium therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents distributing system capable of distributing contents in response to a required data format or capability of a used terminal, and resolving a sense of unfairness in contents distribution by a different data format by changing use conditions. SOLUTION: In the contents distributing device 1 during a contents purchasing process, right information regarding usage of contents purchased by a user is registered in a data base 20 for rights owned by the user on the basis of a user data base 18 and a data base 19 for contents rights. One piece or plural pieces of information regarding the contents usage including usage conditions due to a difference in contents usage form are precedently stored for every content in the data base 19. In a contents usage process, the contents distributing device 1 sends rights providing the usage conditions responding to the usage form of the required contents on the basis of the registered information of rights to a user terminal 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content distribution system and its apparatus, method, program and program recording medium, and more specifically, a user terminal connected to a content distribution apparatus via a network is a video or music device. A system that uses content such as, for example, a system that distributes usage conditions according to the data format of the requested content or the capability of the terminal used when using the content, the content distribution device used in the system, The present invention relates to a content distribution method performed by a system, a content distribution program for executing the method, and a medium recording the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, the connection environment to a network typified by the Internet tends to be broadband, and large-capacity contents such as video and music can be transferred to a terminal such as a personal computer (PC). Services for distribution are becoming popular. If this service spreads, it becomes possible for network users (users) to acquire various large-capacity contents easily and at high speed. On the other hand, in a paid content distribution service that charges content and provides content, contents should be protected so that service providers and copyright holders are not disadvantaged due to illegal copying or falsification of content as the service spreads. Management is very important.

An example of a copyright management system in consideration of illegal copying and falsification of this content is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-13.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 1452. In the management system described in this publication, the transmitting side (server or the like) transmits the encrypted content, its use condition and the encryption key to the receiving side (terminal or the like). The receiver receives these,
After tampering detection, conformity verification of usage conditions is performed, and only when all verifications are satisfied, content is decrypted and output. This makes it possible to deal with illegal copying and falsification of contents.

Here, the usage condition is information that restricts the usage of the content, and specifies the number of times of usage, the usage period, and the like. The content distribution service provider can use the rental method by designating the usage period or change the fee setting of the content according to the usage conditions, and can realize various services. Due to this advantage, usage conditions are often used in content distribution services.

On the other hand, with the development of the network infrastructure as described above, the terminals that can be connected to the network have been diversified. For example, devices such as a PC, a mobile phone, a car navigation system, and a satellite broadcast receiving system are used as terminals. Further, in the future, a system in which a home appliance is provided with a network connection function and content is delivered by the home appliance is also considered. For this reason, electric home appliances such as television sets and component stereos, which were conventionally only dedicated devices, can also serve as terminals. In this way, if the home network is advanced, the user can use the content distribution service by using a plurality of terminals.

[0006]

By the way, various devices that can be used as terminals have various contents display (output) capabilities. For example, a PC generally has sufficient processing capability and a large display screen, but a mobile phone is often limited in processing capability, display screen size, and used color as compared with the PC. Most component stereos do not have the function of displaying images.

Therefore, some content distribution services distribute content in a data format according to the capability of the terminal used. For example, when delivering moving image content, the content is delivered as it is to a user who uses a PC for a terminal (MPEG2 data format, etc.), and the image size is reduced or the number of frames is reduced for a user who uses a mobile phone as a terminal. For example, the thinned content is distributed (MPEG4 data format, etc.). Also,
Even if the terminal used is a PC, there may be a case where the data format of the delivered content may be changed depending on the time and the case. In such a content distribution service, since the contents are the same even if the data formats to be distributed are different, the amount charged for the contents is usually the same. However, from the user's point of view, it is unfair to charge a normal fee when the content is inferior in quality or quantity depending on the data format even if the content is the same.

In order to solve this unfair feeling, a method of providing a difference in billing amount depending on the data format of the requested content or the capability of the terminal used can be considered. For example,
The charge is 1000 yen for a PC, 500 yen for a mobile phone, and so on. However, these charges are fixed, and in many cases, as described above, a user who owns a plurality of terminals does not decide which terminal he / she desires for content distribution at the time of content purchase. Therefore, which distribution form (charge amount) is used by the user
In some cases, it may not be possible to decide whether or not to contract.

[0009] Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-270309 discloses a technique for changing the fee charged for the content according to the data format of the content actually distributed. In the technology described in this publication, the user is contracted at a basic data format fee set in advance when the content is purchased. Then, if the data format that the user actually used to distribute the content is qualitatively or quantitatively inferior to the basic data format, the distribution service provider refunds the predetermined difference to the user and returns the basic data. When the quality or quantity is superior to the format, a predetermined additional fee is collected to the user. However,
In this conventional solution, charge refunds or charge additions frequently occur, so that the distribution service provider side has a problem that the charging process is complicated, and it is difficult for the user side to grasp the actual amount paid. There is.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to be able to deliver contents in accordance with the required data format or the capability of the terminal used, and to change the charging fee to avoid an unfair feeling caused by content delivery in different data formats. Rather, it is to provide a content distribution system and its apparatus, method, program and program recording medium which are solved by changing the usage conditions.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first invention is a content distribution system in which a content distribution device distributes content to one or a plurality of user terminals. In response to a content usage request transmitted from a user terminal, based on information about content usage including predetermined usage conditions according to a plurality of usage patterns, the usage conditions according to the usage pattern of the requested content are set. The usage right to be given is dynamically created and transmitted to the user terminal.
It is characterized in that the use of the content is controlled according to the received use right.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the content distribution device on the content provider side dynamically changes the usage condition of the content according to the usage pattern of the requested content, and the user is allowed to do so. Can be provided to the side. Therefore, even if the charges for the contents are the same, it is possible to eliminate the unfair feeling that occurs in the contents distribution in different usage patterns.

A second invention is an invention according to the first invention, wherein the usage form is a data format of the content, and the content distribution apparatus uses in accordance with the data format instructed by the content usage request. It is characterized by creating usage rights that give conditions.

A third aspect of the present invention is an aspect according to the first aspect, wherein the usage pattern is the capability of the user terminal, and the content distribution device responds to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. It is characterized by creating a usage right that gives the usage conditions.

As described above, according to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide the user with the usage condition of the content according to the data format of the requested content or the capability of the terminal used. .

[0016] A fourth invention is an invention dependent on the first to third inventions, wherein the content distribution device has a user database for storing information about a user and a plurality of usage modes for each content. A content rights database that stores information about content usage including predetermined usage conditions, a user-owned rights database that stores the rights owned by the user, a content database that stores various contents, and information and content about the user Based on usage information and
A user right registration unit that registers the right to be owned by the user who purchased the content in the user-owned right database, and a usage condition defined in a corresponding usage form according to the content usage request transmitted from the user terminal. A user right creating unit that creates a usage right including a user right, a content management unit that manages / controls the content, and a communication unit that sends and receives the usage right, the content, and the content usage request to and from the user terminal. The terminal, to the content distribution device, a communication unit that sends and receives a content usage request, usage right, and content, a usage right database that stores the received usage right, and a content storage unit that stores the received content. According to the usage rights stored in the usage rights database, usage and usage of the corresponding content And a management unit for managing.

As described above, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the content is purchased, the right owned by the user is obtained based on the content right database and the user database in which the usage conditions corresponding to a plurality of usage patterns are stored in advance. Register in the user ownership database. As a result, when a content use request is transmitted from the user terminal, it is possible to refer to the registered content of the user-owned right database and provide the user with the content use condition corresponding to the request.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a content distribution method in which a content distribution device distributes content to one or a plurality of user terminals.
The user terminal notifies the content distribution device that one of the contents is to be purchased in any one of the usage forms, and the content distribution device registers the information about the user who purchased the content, and the content distribution device respectively registers the information according to the plurality of usage forms. The right to be owned by the user who purchased the content is registered based on the information about the content usage including the predetermined usage condition and the information about the user, and when the content is used, the user terminal provides information about the usage pattern of the content. A content usage request including the content usage request is transmitted to the content distribution apparatus, and the content distribution apparatus dynamically creates a usage right that gives usage conditions defined in a corresponding usage pattern in accordance with the content usage request transmitted from the user terminal. Created and sent to the user terminal, the user terminal from the content distribution device According Shin is the usage right, and performs utilization and management of the corresponding contents.

As described above, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in the content distribution device on the content provider side, the user uses the usage conditions stored in advance according to a plurality of usage patterns when the user purchases the content. Register the right to own.
As a result, it is possible to refer to the registered content of rights and dynamically change the usage condition of the content according to the usage pattern of the requested content and provide the content to the user side. Therefore, even if the charges for the contents are the same, it is possible to eliminate the unfair feeling that occurs in the contents distribution in different usage patterns.

A sixth invention is an invention according to the fifth invention, wherein the user terminal transmits a content purchase request to the content distribution device when the content is purchased, and the content distribution device displays the information on the content usage. It is characterized by transmitting to the user terminal.

As described above, according to the sixth aspect, the user terminal on the content user side confirms the usage conditions set for each content, and then purchases the content in any usage form. You can decide.

A seventh invention is an invention dependent on the fifth and sixth inventions, wherein the usage pattern is a data format of the content, and the content distribution device instructs the content data to be instructed by the content usage request. It is characterized by creating a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the format.

An eighth invention is an invention according to the fifth and sixth inventions, wherein the usage pattern is the capability of the user terminal, and the content distribution device is the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. It is characterized by creating a usage right that gives usage conditions according to ability.

As described above, according to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide the user with the usage condition of the content according to the data format of the requested content or the capability of the terminal used. .

A ninth invention is an invention dependent on the seventh and eighth inventions, wherein the content distribution apparatus receives one or more corresponding data formats or user terminals before receiving the content usage request. It is characterized in that the content corresponding to the capability is transmitted to the user terminal in advance.

[0026] A tenth invention is an invention dependent on the seventh and eighth inventions, wherein the content distribution apparatus responds to a corresponding data format or user terminal capability after a response to the received content usage request. The content is transmitted to the user terminal.

The eleventh and fifteenth inventions are a content distribution program executed by a content distribution device for distributing content to one or more user terminals and a medium recording the program, wherein the program stores the content. The user who purchases the content owns it based on the step of registering the information about the user who purchased the content and the information about the content usage and the information about the user including the predetermined usage conditions according to a plurality of usage patterns. A step of registering a right, a step of dynamically creating a usage right giving a usage condition defined in a corresponding usage form in response to a content usage request transmitted from a user terminal when using the content, and the created usage Sending the right to the user terminal.

[0028] The twelfth and sixteenth inventions are inventions subordinate to the eleventh and fifteenth inventions, and the creating step gives a usage condition according to a data format of the content instructed by the content usage request. It is characterized by creating usage rights.

The thirteenth and seventeenth inventions are inventions subordinate to the eleventh and fifteenth inventions, and the creating step gives usage conditions according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. It is characterized by creating usage rights.

The fourteenth and eighteenth aspects of the present invention are a content distribution program executed by one or a plurality of user terminals that receive distribution of content from a content distribution apparatus, and a medium recording the program.
A step of notifying the content distribution device that any content is purchased in any usage form at the time of content purchase, and a content usage request including information on the usage form of the content is transmitted to the content distribution device when the content is used. And a step of using and managing the corresponding content according to the usage right transmitted from the content distribution device.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a content distribution device for distributing content to one or a plurality of user terminals, and a user database for storing information about users and a plurality of usage modes for each content. Content rights database that stores information about content usage including predetermined usage conditions, a user-owned rights database that stores rights owned by the user, a content database that stores various contents, and information about the user. A user right registration unit that registers the right to be owned by the user who purchased the content in the user-owned-right database based on the information about the content use and the content use request transmitted from the user terminal. Terms of use stipulated in the usage pattern A user right creation unit that dynamically creates usage rights, including content, a content management unit that manages / controls content, and a communication unit that sends and receives usage rights, contents, and content usage requests to / from user terminals. Prepare

A twentieth aspect of the invention is an invention according to the nineteenth aspect of the invention, wherein the usage form is a data format of the content, and the user right creation part is in accordance with the data format instructed by the content usage request. It is characterized by creating a usage right that gives usage conditions.

A twenty-first invention is an invention subordinate to the nineteenth invention, wherein the utilization form is the capability of the user terminal,
The user right creation unit is characterized by creating a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted.

[0034]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a content distribution device 1 on the service provider side and a user terminal 3 on the user side are connected by a transmission line such as a network. is there. The content distribution device 1 includes a content purchase processing unit 11, a user registration unit 12, a user right registration unit 13, a user right creation unit 14, a content conversion / encryption unit 15, a content management unit 16, and a security management. / Communication unit 17, user database 18, content rights database 19, user-owned rights database 20, and content database 21. The user terminal 3 also includes a user instruction processing unit 31 and a terminal information storage unit 32.
A content storage unit 33, a usage right management unit 34,
A usage right database 35, a security management / communication unit 36, and an output unit 37 are provided. First, an outline of the content distribution device 1 and the user terminal 3 that form the content distribution system will be described below.

In the content distribution apparatus 1, the content purchase processing unit 11 transmits information such as the details of each content stored in the content right database 19, usage conditions, and charges to the user terminal 3 when executing the content purchase processing. And present it to the user. Further, the content purchase processing unit 11 receives user information (user I) from the user terminal 3 when the content is purchased by the user.
D, terminal ID, user name, telephone number, etc.) and perform necessary charging processing. The content right database 19 contains one or more pieces of information about the use of content for each content (movies such as movies and TV broadcasts, still images such as books and printed matter, voice and music such as radio broadcasts and readings, games, etc.). Is stored. The user registration unit 12
The user information acquired by the content purchase processing unit 11 is
It is stored in the user database 18 and registered. The user database 18 cumulatively stores information on users who have purchased contents. User rights registration section 1
3 stores, in the user-owned-right database 20, information about the content purchased by the user, which is given from the content purchase processing section 11 via the user registration section 12, as a right owned by the user. The user ownership right database 20 stores the usage right of the content purchased by the user.

The user right creation unit 14 generates a usage right (usage condition, content decryption key) to be transmitted to the user terminal 3 in response to a content usage request received from the user terminal 3. Various contents are stored in the contents database 21. In response to an instruction from the content management unit 16, the content conversion / encryption unit 15 sets the data format of the content stored in the content database 21 to a data that corresponds to the usage request as necessary or is suitable for the user terminal 3. A process of converting to a format is performed and a predetermined encryption is performed on the content. The content management unit 16 manages overall content processing such as content transmission to the user terminal 3. The security management / communication unit 17 authenticates the user terminal 3, and the content distribution device 1
And secret communication between the user terminal 3 and the user terminal 3. A well-known SSL protocol or the like may be applied to this secret communication.

In the user terminal 3, the user instruction processing unit 31 processes an instruction input by the user (instruction such as a content purchase request or a content use request). The above-mentioned user information is stored in the terminal information storage unit 32.
The content storage unit 33 stores the encrypted content acquired by the purchase. Rights Management Department 3
Reference numeral 4 receives the usage right transmitted from the content distribution device 1 in response to the content usage request, and executes processing of the corresponding content (decryption, reproduction based on usage conditions, etc.) according to the content. The usage right is stored and managed in the usage right database 35. Output part 3
Reference numeral 7 denotes a display device such as a display, which outputs contents in accordance with the processing executed by the usage right management unit 34. The security management / communication unit 36 authenticates the content distribution device 1 and performs secret communication between the content distribution device 1 and the user terminal 3. The SSL protocol may be similarly applied to this secret communication.

Next, a content distribution method performed in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates concretely with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process regarding content purchase performed in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of information about contents stored in the contents rights database 19. 4 and 8 show the user database 18
It is a figure which shows notionally an example of the user information stored in. FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of information on the rights owned by the user, which is stored in the user-owned rights database 20. FIG. 6 shows the content database 21.
It is a figure which shows notionally an example of the content information stored in. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to content usage performed in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(1) Content Purchase Process With reference to FIG. 2, a process performed by the content distribution system when the user purchases the content provided by the content distribution apparatus 1 will be described. In the user terminal 3, the user outputs an instruction regarding content purchase to the user instruction processing unit 31. The user instruction processing unit 31 issues a content purchase request according to the instruction to the content distribution device 1 via the security management / communication unit 36 (step S21). In the content distribution device 1, the user terminal 3
The content purchase processing unit 11 receives the content purchase request issued by the security management / communication unit 17. Upon receiving the content purchase request, the content purchase processing unit 11 receives the content right database 19
The information about all the stored contents is acquired from and is transmitted to the user terminal 3 via the security management / communication unit 17 (step S22).

Here, the content rights database 19
Stores information as shown in FIG. 3, for example.
In FIG. 3, the content name is the name of the content, and the content ID is a unique number assigned to identify the content. The usage conditions are the predetermined data format that is normally used (hereinafter referred to as the normal data format)
Shows specific conditions under which the content can be used. The special use condition indicates the content of condition change in which the content can be used in a data format different from the normal data format (hereinafter referred to as a special data format). In the example of FIG. 3, when the normal data format is qualitatively or quantitatively superior to the special data format, specifically, the former is MP.
It is assumed that the latter is MPEG4 in EG2.
The charge is a consideration (charge amount) necessary to execute the above-mentioned usage condition or special usage condition. The use condition, the special use condition and the amount of money set for each content may be one or plural. In this example, the usage condition based on the number of times of reproduction is set for the content of movie A, and if a fixed fee of 400 yen is paid, it is twice in the MPEG2 data format and four times (= 2 times) in the MPEG4 data format. X2), which means that the movie A can be watched. In the example of FIG. 3, the normal data format is qualitatively or quantitatively superior to the special data format, but if the usage conditions and the special usage conditions are appropriately set, the normal data format is better than the special data format. It may be qualitatively or quantitatively inferior. In addition, when there are a plurality of special data formats, special usage conditions corresponding to each may be provided. In addition to the number of times of use and the time of use described above, it is possible to use various conditions such as the period of use, availability of copying to a recording medium and printing on a document, as the usage conditions.

Referring again to FIG. 2, when the user terminal 3 confirms the information (FIG. 3) about the content transmitted from the content purchase processing unit 11 and the user decides to purchase any content (step S23,
Yes), the user instruction processing unit 31 sends the user information stored in the terminal information storage unit 32 to the security management / communication unit 36 together with the content purchase decision notification (including the information about the purchased content and the selected usage conditions). To the content distribution device 1 via the (step S2
4). In the content distribution device 1, the content purchase processing unit 11 receives the content purchase decision notification and the user information transmitted from the user terminal 3, via the security management / communication unit 17. Then, the content purchase processing unit 1
1 executes the necessary charging process and sends the purchased content information and user information to the user registration unit 12 (step S25). Since the billing process is not the main object of the present invention, the description is omitted.

The user registration unit 12 transfers the information about the purchased content and the user information sent from the content purchase processing unit 11 to the user right registration unit 13 and stores the user information in the user database 18 for registration. Yes (step S27). At this time, the same content as the user information sent from the content purchase processing unit 11 is
If already registered in the user database 18, the above-mentioned user registration is not performed (step S2).
6, Yes). The user database 18 stores information as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, the user ID is a unique number attached to identify the user. The user name is the name of the user. Terminal ID
Is a unique number assigned to identify the terminal,
It is used when one user owns a plurality of terminals. The telephone number is used to identify the user. In the example of FIG. 4, the content that "a user named" Ichiro "having an ID number" 0001 "uses a terminal having an ID number" 1234567 "" is registered as user information.

The user right registration unit 13 stores the right to use the content, which the user owns by the purchase, based on the information of the purchased content and the user information given from the user registration unit 12, the user-owned right database. It is stored in 20 and registered (step S28). The user-owned right database 20 stores information as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In FIG. 5, user I
D is information registered in the user database 18. Content ID, usage conditions and special usage conditions are
This is information registered in the content rights database 19. By the above processing, the purchase of the content and the registration of the ownership right of the user associated with the purchase are completed.

(2) Content Utilization Processing Referring to FIG. 7, after the user-owned right is registered in the user-owned-right database 20 by the above-described processing, when the user purchases the content, the content distribution system performs the operation. The processing that is performed will be described. In the user terminal 3, the user outputs an instruction regarding content use to the user instruction processing unit 31. At this time, the user gives an instruction as to how to use the content and in what data format the content is desired to be received. For the former, for example, if the usage condition of the purchased content is the number of times, how many times it is desired to be used, and if it is time, how many minutes are desired to be used. For the latter, for example,
It gives an instruction as to whether the requested data format is MPEG2 or MPEG4. The user instruction processing unit 31 issues a content usage request according to the instruction to the content distribution device 1 via the security management / communication unit 36 (step S71). The content use request is not necessarily created in accordance with the user's instruction, and may be created automatically in the user terminal 3. For example, if the usage conditions and data format of the content supported by the terminal are fixed, the content usage request can be created in the user terminal 3 without the user giving an instruction. Specifically, this is the case where the user terminal 3 is a terminal that can acquire and process only one usage right each time due to the limited storage capacity, a terminal that can only play back MPEG4, or the like. In this case, the content according to the terminal is used. The user request processing unit 31 automatically creates a usage request and issues it to the content distribution device 1. This content usage request includes the content of the above instruction, the user ID, the terminal ID, and the content ID.
Is included.

In the content distribution device 1, the user terminal 3
The content usage request issued by the user right creation unit 14 is received via the security management / communication unit 17. Upon receiving the content use request, the user right creation unit 14 confirms whether or not the content corresponding to the request is registered by referring to the user database 18 and the user-owned right database 20 (step S7).
2). Specifically, the user right creation unit 14 first checks whether or not the user ID and the terminal ID included in the content usage request are registered in the user database 18, and if it is determined that the user ID and the terminal ID are registered, then the user is created. It is confirmed whether or not the content ID included in the content usage request and the usage condition according to the instruction are registered in the user-owned-right database 20.

As a result of the confirmation in step S72,
When it is determined that the content corresponding to the content usage request is registered (Yes at step S73), the user right creation unit 14 creates a usage right according to the content usage request, and the security management / communication unit 17 is used. And transmits it to the user terminal 3 (step S74). In addition, the user right creation unit 14 notifies the content management unit 16 of the content ID and the data format included in the content usage request. The content management unit 16 retrieves the content corresponding to the content ID from the content database 21, converts it into a data format required by the content conversion / encryption unit 15 and encrypts it, and then performs security management / encryption. It transmits to the user terminal 3 via the communication part 17 (step S75). On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation in step S72, when it is determined that the content corresponding to the content use request is not registered (No in step S73), the user right creation unit 14 indicates that the content use request is rejected by security. Management / Communication Department 1
The user terminal 3 is notified via 7 (step S7).
7).

Here, the usage right is generated in the above step S74 as follows. As a premise, it is assumed that the user with the user ID “0001” has previously purchased the content with the registered content shown in the user-owned-right database 20 of FIG. Now, let us consider a case where the user has transmitted a content use request that the user wants to use the content with the content ID “112233” once in the MPEG2 data format. In this case, the normal data format to which the usage rule registered in the user-owned right database 20 is applied is M
Since it is PEG2, the user right creation unit 14 creates a usage right that includes the information that gives the number of reproduction = 1 as requested and the decryption key of the corresponding content. Further, the user right creation unit 14 sets the number of usage conditions registered in the user-owned-right database 20 to 1 at the same time when the usage right is created.
And update the registered content (in the example of FIG. 5, 2
→ 1). Conversely, if the user has the content ID “112
Consider a case where a content use request that the user wants to use the content of “233” in the MPEG4 data format once is transmitted. In this case, since the normal data format to which the usage condition is applied as described above is MPEG2, the user right creation unit 14 gives the number of times of reproduction = 2, which is twice the requested number (according to the special usage condition). Create a usage right that includes usage information and a decryption key for the corresponding content. Also,
At the same time as the creation of the usage right, the user right creation unit 14 reduces the number of usage conditions registered in the user-owned-rights database 20 by one, and updates the registered content.

Each time the usage right is issued to the user terminal 3, the contents registered in the user-owned right database 20 are updated. As a result, if the usage condition given by the purchase of the contents disappears, The corresponding user-owned right registered in the ownership right database 20 may be deleted or may be left as it is. In the case of leaving it, it becomes easy to deal with the process when the same user purchases the same content again, or when the user returns the acquired usage right without exercising it.

The transmission of the content performed in step S75 is performed as follows. As a premise, it is assumed that only the data format of MPEG2 is previously stored in the content database 21 for the content with the content ID “112233” as shown in FIG. Similar to the above, consider a case where the user has transmitted a content use request that the content with the content ID “112233” is to be used once in the data format of MPEG2. In this case, the content in the MPEG2 data format is retrieved from the content database 21 to the content conversion / encryption unit 15. The extracted content is subjected to predetermined encryption in the content conversion / encryption unit 15 and then transmitted from the content management unit 16 to the user terminal 3. vice versa,
Consider a case where the user has transmitted a content use request that the user wants to use the content with the content ID “112233” once in the MPEG4 data format. Also in this case, the content in the MPEG2 data format is retrieved from the content database 21 to the content conversion / encryption unit 15. The extracted content is processed by the content conversion / encryption unit 15 in MPEG4.
After being converted to the data format of No. 1 and subjected to predetermined encryption, the content is sent from the content management unit 16 to the user terminal 3.

The data format of the content stored in advance in the content database 21 is MPEG4.
It doesn't matter. Also, MPEG2 and MPEG4
When the contents in both data formats are stored in the content database 21 in advance, the content in the corresponding data format is extracted without performing the data format conversion in the content conversion / encryption unit 15. It may be transmitted to the user terminal 3 as it is. In that case, the content stored in the content database 21 may be encrypted in advance. If the content has been encrypted, the content conversion / encryption unit 15 does not perform the encryption process. Therefore, in this case, the configuration of the content conversion / encryption unit 15 can be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 7, in the user terminal 3, the encrypted content transmitted from the content distribution apparatus 1 is stored in the content storage unit 33, and the usage right is input to the usage right management unit 34. To be done. The usage right management unit 34 decrypts the code applied to the content using the decryption key included in the acquired usage right, and executes the reproduction processing of the decrypted content according to the usage conditions through the output unit 37 ( Step S76). The acquired usage right is stored in the usage right database 35, and is used for managing the number of times the content is reproduced, the cumulative time, and the like. By the above processing, the content according to the required data format can be distributed, and the usage condition of the content can be dynamically changed according to the data format and provided to the user side.

(3) Application to a user who owns a plurality of terminals In the above-mentioned content purchase processing and content use processing, it is assumed that one user uses one user terminal 3 to request content distribution. Although the case has been described, the process can also be applied to the case where one user uses a plurality of user terminals 3 to request content distribution. The contents will be described below.

Now, one user owns, as the user terminal 3, a PC that can use the content in the normal data format and a mobile phone that can use the content in the special data format. Suppose you want to deliver. In this case, the following process is performed in the content purchase process. When the user decides to purchase the content, the user transmits the user information stored in the terminal information storage unit 32 of the PC and the mobile phone to the content distribution device 1 via the security management / communication unit 36. In the content distribution device 1, the user registration unit 12 receives the information on the purchased content and the user information transmitted from the user terminal 3 via the security management / communication unit 17 and the content purchase processing unit 11. Here, the user registration unit 12 registers the user information as shown in FIG. 8 in the user database 18. In FIG. 8, for one user (Ichiro), the terminal IDs corresponding to the plurality of user terminals 3 to be used are set.

When the number of user terminals 3 owned by the user changes because the user owns a plurality of terminals later, not when the content is purchased, the user database 18 of the user database 18 is changed at each time. The registered content should be updated. In particular, when additionally registering the user terminal 3, in order to prevent unauthorized use by a third party, only the additional registration request transmitted from the already registered user terminal 3 is accepted, or The additional registration request transmitted from the new user terminal 3 may be confirmed or collated with the already registered user terminal 3.

Further, in the content use processing, the following processing is performed. From the user terminal 3 of the PC, a content usage request (for example, content ID = 11223)
3, content use = 1 time), the content distribution device 1 confirms whether the content corresponding to the content use request is registered as described above. Then, when the registration of the content is confirmed, the usage right is created in the user right creation unit 14. At this time, the user right creation unit 14 sends the content usage request P
It is determined that the content is issued from C (determined by the terminal ID), the content management unit 16 is notified of the transmission of the content having the data format of MPEG2, and the information including the reproduction count = 1 and the decryption key of the corresponding content are included. Create usage rights. On the other hand, a content usage request (for example, content ID = 11223) is issued from the user terminal 3 of the mobile phone.
3, content use = 1 time), the content distribution device 1 confirms whether the content corresponding to the content use request is registered as described above. Then, when the registration of the content is confirmed, the usage right is created in the user right creation unit 14. At this time, the user right creation unit 14 determines that the content use request is issued from the mobile phone (determined by the terminal ID), notifies the content management unit 16 of the transmission of the content of the MPEG4 data format, and Number of plays = 2
A usage right including information giving (= 1 × 2) and a decryption key of the corresponding content is created.

As described above, when the user who owns the plurality of user terminals 3 desires to use the content by two or more user terminals 3, the content distribution apparatus 1
User information is registered in the user database 18 for each user terminal 3. Then, when the content usage request is received, the content distribution device 1 transmits the content in the data format and the usage right according to the user terminal 3 that issued the request. Therefore, if the data format is defined for each user terminal 3 in advance, the user can always receive the desired content in the optimum data format without specifying the data format when requesting the use of the content. You can In this embodiment, the user terminal 3
The case where the information such as the data format of the content requested by the user and the processing capability of the user terminal 3 is determined by the terminal ID included in the content usage request has been described. However, as described above, if the user terminal 3 can automatically create a content usage request including a data format and usage conditions and issue it to the content distribution device 1, the data format and usage included in this content usage request. It is possible to determine the above information based on the conditions. If you do this,
The content distribution device 1 does not need to register the data format corresponding to each user terminal 3 in the database in advance.

As described above, according to the content distribution system and method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the usage conditions for content distribution in different data formats are predetermined for each content. As a result, the content can be distributed according to the required data format or the capability of the terminal used, and the usage condition of the content can be dynamically changed according to the data format and provided to the user side. Therefore, even if the charges for the contents are the same, it is possible to eliminate the unfair feeling that occurs in the contents distribution in different data formats.

In the above embodiment, the transmission of the content from the content distribution apparatus 1 to the user terminal 3, that is, the storage of the content in the content storage unit 33 is performed at the timing when a response is issued to the issuance of the content use request. Although the case has been described, it may be performed at a timing other than this. For example, the content may be stored at the timing when the content distribution device 1 receives the content purchase decision notification process from the user terminal 3. However, at this timing, the user terminal 3
When there are multiple data formats that can be used in, the content of each data format is stored in duplicate, or only one content of any data format is stored, and the data format is converted on the user terminal 3 side. Must have functionality.

In the above embodiment, the case where the content is encrypted and transmitted is described. However, when it is not necessary to encrypt the content, the content decryption key is added to the usage right created by the user right creation unit 14. The content may not be included, or the content conversion / encryption unit 15 may not encrypt the content. Further, in the above embodiment, the content purchase processing unit 11 is described as being included in the content distribution apparatus 1, but it may be provided separately as a content purchase apparatus. Further, in the above embodiment, the content distribution processing function (content database 21, content conversion / encryption unit 15, and content management unit 16).
And the user right processing function (other configurations) are included in one content distribution device 1.
However, the content distribution processing function portion may be provided independently of the user right processing function portion. In this case, the content distribution process with high processing load can be executed separately from the user right process.
The burden on the user right processing can be reduced. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the security management / communication units 17 and 36 are provided so that all communication between the content distribution device 1 and the user terminal 3 is performed by secret communication. However, it is not necessary to perform the confidential communication particularly for the content purchase request in the content purchase processing having no confidentiality or the encrypted content which is already confidential.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing relating to content purchase performed in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of information about contents stored in a contents right database 19.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of user information stored in a user database 18.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of information on the rights owned by the user, which is stored in the user owned rights database 20.

6 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of content information stored in a content database 21. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing relating to content usage, which is performed in the content distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of user information stored in a user database 18. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Content distribution device 3 ... User terminal 11 ... Content purchase processing unit 12 ... User registration section 13 ... User rights registration section 14 ... User Rights Creation Department 15 ... Content conversion / encryption unit 16 ... Content management section 17, 36 ... Security management / communication section 18 ... User database 19 ... Content rights database 20 ... User-owned rights database 21 ... Content database 31 ... User instruction processing unit 32 ... Terminal information storage unit 33 ... Content storage section 34 ... Usage Rights Management Department 35 ... Usage rights database 37 ... Output unit

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masahiro Oho             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C064 BA07 BB01 BB02 BC04 BC06                       BC17 BC18 BC22 BC23 BC25                       BD02 BD08 BD13

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A content distribution system in which a content distribution device distributes content to one or more user terminals, wherein the content distribution device responds to a content usage request transmitted from the user terminal. Based on the information about the content usage including predetermined usage conditions according to a plurality of usage forms, a usage right that gives the usage conditions according to the usage form of the requested content is dynamically created and the user concerned. A content distribution system, characterized in that the content is transmitted to a terminal, and the user terminal controls the use of the content according to the received usage right. 2. The usage form is a data format of content, and the content distribution device creates a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the data format instructed by the content usage request. The content distribution system according to claim 1. 3. The usage form is the capability of the user terminal, and the content distribution device creates a usage right that gives a usage condition according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. The content distribution system according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 4. The content distribution device stores a user database that stores information about users, and a content right that stores information about content usage including predetermined usage conditions according to a plurality of usage patterns for each content. Owned by the user who purchased the content based on the database, the user-owned rights database that stores the rights owned by the user, the content database that stores various contents, and the information about the user and the information about the content usage A user right registration unit that registers the different right in a user-owned right database, and creates a usage right including a usage rule defined in a corresponding usage form in accordance with a content usage request transmitted from the user terminal. User rights creation department A content management unit that manages / controls the content, and a communication unit that transmits / receives the usage right, the content, and the content usage request to / from the user terminal, the user terminal A communication unit that transmits and receives the content usage request, the usage right, and the content, a usage right database that stores the received usage right, a content storage unit that stores the received content, and a storage in the usage right database. The content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a management unit that uses and manages corresponding content according to the created usage right. 5. A content distribution method in which a content distribution device distributes content to one or more user terminals, wherein when the content is purchased, the user terminal uses any content in any one of usage modes. Information to the content distribution device, the content distribution device registers information about the user who purchased the content, and content usage information including predetermined usage conditions according to a plurality of usage patterns. And the right to be owned by the user who purchased the content is registered based on the information about the user, and at the time of using the content, the user terminal sends a content usage request including information about the usage mode of the content to the content distribution. To the device, and the content distribution device In response to the content usage request transmitted from the terminal, a usage right that gives a usage condition defined in a corresponding usage pattern is dynamically created and transmitted to the user terminal, and the user terminal distributes the content. A content distribution method, wherein the corresponding content is used and managed according to the usage right transmitted from the device. 6. When purchasing content, the user terminal transmits a content purchase request to the content distribution apparatus, and the content distribution apparatus transmits information regarding the content usage to the user terminal.
The content distribution method according to claim 5. 7. The usage form is a content data format, and the content distribution device creates a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the data format of the content instructed by the content usage request. The content distribution method according to claim 5 or 6. 8. The usage form is the capability of the user terminal, and the content distribution device creates a usage right that gives a usage condition according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. The content distribution method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that. 9. The content distribution apparatus, prior to receiving the content use request, selects content corresponding to one or more corresponding data formats or user terminal capabilities,
Characterized in that it is transmitted to the user terminal in advance,
The content distribution method according to claim 7 or 8. 10. The content distribution device, after a response to the received content usage request, provides content according to a corresponding data format or user terminal capability,
8. The data is transmitted to the user terminal.
Or the content distribution method described in 8. 11. A content distribution program executed by a content distribution device for distributing content to one or a plurality of user terminals, the method comprising: registering information about a user who purchased the content; A step of registering the right to be owned by the user who purchased the content based on the information on the content usage and the information on the user, each of which includes a predetermined usage condition, and transmitted from the user terminal when the content is used. According to the content usage request, dynamically creating a usage right giving a usage condition defined in a corresponding usage pattern, and transmitting the created usage right to the user terminal, program. 12. The program according to claim 11, wherein the creating step creates a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the data format of the content instructed by the content usage request. 13. The program according to claim 11, wherein the creating step creates a usage right that gives a usage condition according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. 14. A content distribution program executed by one or a plurality of user terminals that receive distribution of a content from a content distribution device, wherein any content is purchased in any one of usage forms. Is sent to the content distribution apparatus, a content usage request including information on a usage pattern of the content is transmitted to the content distribution apparatus when the content is used, and the usage right is transmitted from the content distribution apparatus. , A step of using and managing the corresponding content. 15. A recording medium for recording a content distribution program executed by a content distribution device for distributing content to one or more user terminals, the step comprising: registering information about a user who purchased the content; A step of registering the right to be owned by the user who purchased the content based on the information on the content usage and the information on the user, each of which includes a predetermined usage condition according to the usage pattern of Dynamically creating a usage right that gives a usage condition defined in a corresponding usage pattern in response to the content usage request sent from the user terminal; and sending the created usage right to the user terminal Records a program for performing at least steps and , Recording medium. 16. The recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the creating step creates a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the data format of the content instructed by the content usage request. 17. The recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the creating step creates a usage right that gives a usage condition according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. . 18. A recording medium having recorded therein a content distribution program executed by one or more user terminals receiving content distribution from a content distribution device, wherein any one of the contents is used when the content is purchased. A step of notifying the content distribution device that the content is to be purchased, a step of transmitting to the content distribution device a content usage request including information on the usage pattern of the content when the content is used, and the step of transmitting from the content distribution device. A recording medium recording a program for performing at least the step of using and managing corresponding content according to the usage right. 19. A content distribution device for distributing content to one or a plurality of user terminals, wherein the user database stores information about users, and the content is predetermined for each content according to a plurality of usage patterns. Content rights database that stores information about content usage including specified usage conditions, user-owned rights database that stores rights owned by a user, content database that stores various contents, information about the user, and the content usage Corresponding to a content usage request transmitted from the user terminal, which registers a right to be owned by the user who purchased the content in a user-owned-right database based on the information regarding Usage specified in the usage pattern A user right creation unit that dynamically creates usage rights including conditions, a content management unit that manages / controls content, and communication that sends and receives the usage rights, contents, and content usage requests to the user terminal. And a content distribution device. 20. The usage form is a data format of content, and the user right creation unit creates a usage right that gives usage conditions according to the data format instructed by the content usage request. The content distribution device according to claim 19, which is configured to: 21. The usage form is the capability of the user terminal, and the user right creation unit creates a usage right that gives a usage condition according to the capability of the user terminal to which the content usage request is transmitted. 20. The content distribution device according to claim 19, wherein: