JP2003187016A - Information processor and method, recording medium, program and content selling system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To buy and sell content data via a network allowing easy operation of a user. <P>SOLUTION: A user terminal unit requires supply of buying information on buying content data to a content distributing server in Step S2. The user terminal unit allows the user to select whether or not to buy the buying content data in Step S3. The user terminal unit makes access to URL of a subordinate hierarchy of the content distributing server capable of downloading the buying content data on the basis of previously held buying information, and requires the buying content data in Step S4. The user terminal unit requires supply of information on the right to use of the acquired buying content data to the content distributing server in Step S5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, a program, and a content sales system. For example, after distributing trial content data in advance, a network represented by the Internet is used. Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, program suitable for use when selling content data
And the content sales system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a service for selling content data via the Internet (hereinafter referred to as a conventional content sales service). In the conventional content sales service, on the condition that the user pays the usage fee, for example, the usage right information including the encrypted content data and the decryption key for decrypting the encryption is downloaded to the user side via the Internet. To be done. here,
The content data refers to, for example, music data, still image data, moving image data, text data, program data, and the like.

Further, in the conventional content sales service, a site that sells purchase content data for the purpose of letting the user consider purchasing content data (hereinafter referred to as purchase content data) as a product. In the prior art, the user is allowed to download trial content data (hereinafter referred to as trial content data) free of charge before buying and selling the purchase content data.

[0004] The trial content data is, for example, only a part of the purchase content data, or the quality is lower than that of the purchase content data. Are often provided.

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional content sales service, when a user who has tried the trial content data likes it and wants to purchase the purchase content data, the purchase content data is sold. It is necessary to access the existing site again and perform operations such as selecting the purchase content data to purchase, and there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

[0006] Further, other purchasing content data by the same author as the already purchasing purchasing content data (hereinafter referred to as related purchasing content data).
Even if you want to purchase, you need to access the site that sells the related purchase content data again, search for the related purchase content data, and perform operations such as selection, which is troublesome. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and by adding the information used for purchasing the purchase content data to the trial content data, the user only needs to perform an easy operation. The purpose is to enable purchase of purchase content data.

[0008]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content sales system in which a user terminal device connects to a server via a network based on connection information added to input sample data. Means, requesting means for requesting the usage right information of the content data from the server based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected by the connecting means, and acquiring means for acquiring the encrypted content data. And a reproducing unit that decrypts and reproduces the encrypted content data acquired by the acquiring unit using the usage right information supplied from the server, and the server uses the content ID notified from the user terminal device. Transmission means for transmitting the corresponding purchase information to the user terminal device via the network, and a user based on the purchase information. In response to a request from the terminal apparatus, the usage right information of the content data, characterized in that it comprises a supply means for supplying to the user terminal via the network.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising a connecting means for connecting to a server via a network and a server connected by the connecting means based on connection information added to the input sample data. Based on the purchase information transmitted, the request means for requesting the usage right information of the content data from the server, the acquisition means for acquiring the encrypted content data, and the usage right information supplied from the server are used. And a reproducing means for decoding and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired by the acquiring means.

The acquisition means may download the content data from the server based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected by the connection means.

The acquisition means can read the content data recorded on the information recording medium.

According to the information processing method of claim 8, based on the connection information added to the input sample data, the connection step of connecting to the server via the network and the connection step are performed. Based on the purchase information transmitted from the server, a request step for requesting content server usage right information from the server, an acquisition step for acquiring encrypted content data, and usage right information supplied from the server And a reproducing step of decoding and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired in the processing of the acquiring step.

The program of the recording medium according to claim 9 is connected in a connection step of connecting to a server via a network based on the connection information added to the input sample data, and in the processing of the connection step. Based on the purchase information transmitted from the server, a request step for requesting content server usage right information from the server, an acquisition step for acquiring encrypted content data, and a usage right supplied from the server Using information,
And a reproducing step of decoding and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired in the processing of the acquiring step.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program according to a connection step of connecting to a server via a network based on connection information added to the input sample data, and a server connected in the processing of the connection step. Based on the transmitted purchase information, a request step for requesting content data usage right information from the server, an acquisition step for acquiring encrypted content data, and a usage right information supplied from the server are used. And a reproducing step of decoding and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired in the processing of the acquiring step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, which is based on the transmitting means for transmitting the purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the user terminal apparatus to the user terminal apparatus via the network, and the purchase information. It is characterized by including a supply means for supplying the usage right information of the content data to the user terminal device via the network in response to a request from the user terminal device.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 further comprises a providing means for providing a list of related content data to the user terminal device via the network based on the content ID notified from the user terminal device. You can

The supply means may supply the content data in response to a request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information.

The information processing method according to the fifteenth aspect is based on a transmitting step of transmitting the purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the user terminal device to the user terminal device via the network, and the purchase information. In response to a request from the user terminal device, a supply step of supplying the usage right information of the content data to the user terminal device via the network.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium program comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting purchase information corresponding to a content ID notified from the user terminal device to the user terminal device via a network; And a supply step of supplying the usage right information of the content data to the user terminal device via the network in response to the request from the user terminal device.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program, wherein a transmitting step of transmitting the purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the user terminal device to the user terminal device via the network, and the user terminal based on the purchase information. In response to a request from the device, a step of supplying the usage right information of the content data to the user terminal device via the network is executed by the computer.

In the content sales system according to the first aspect, the user terminal device connects to the server via the network based on the connection information added to the input sample data, and the connected server Content server usage right information is requested from the server based on the purchase information transmitted, and the acquired encrypted content data is decrypted and played back using the usage right information supplied from the server. It Further, the content I notified from the user terminal device by the server
Purchase information corresponding to D is transmitted to the user terminal device via the network, and in response to the request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information, the usage right information of the content data is sent to the user terminal device via the network. Supplied.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, claim 8
In the information processing method according to claim 9, the recording medium program according to claim 9, and the program according to claim 10, a server is connected via a network based on connection information added to the input sample data. The content server is requested to use the content data usage right information based on the purchase information sent from the connected server, and is encrypted using the usage right information supplied from the server. The content data stored is decrypted and played back.

In the information processing apparatus according to claim 11, the information processing method according to claim 15, the program of the recording medium according to claim 16, and the program according to claim 17, notification from the user terminal device is made. The purchase information corresponding to the content ID is transmitted to the user terminal device via the network, and the usage right information of the content data is sent to the user via the network in response to the request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information. It is supplied to the terminal device.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A configuration example of a content distribution system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
The user terminal device 1 accesses the content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2 based on information (details will be described later) included in the trial content data distributed by a predetermined distribution method, and purchases from the content distribution server 3. Download and play content data.

As a method of distributing the trial content data to the user terminal device 1, a method of downloading the trial content data from a predetermined server on the Internet 2, a method of attaching the trial content data to an electronic mail and transmitting it, a CD-ROM (Compa
A method of storing it in an information recording medium such as a ct Disc-Read Only Memory) and distributing it as an appendix of a magazine is considered.
The trial content data is encrypted, and the period and the number of times that it can be decrypted are limited.
However, the trial content data may not be encrypted. For details of the trial content data, see FIG.
Will be described later with reference to.

The content distribution server 3 responds to a request from the user terminal device 1 connected via the Internet 2 in response to a request from a content database (hereinafter referred to as content D).
Purchase content data read from B) 4), usage right information read from license information database (hereinafter referred to as license information DB) 5, or content purchase information database (hereinafter referred to as content purchase information DB) 6 The purchase information of the content data read from is supplied.

Encrypted purchase content data is recorded in the content DB 4. The license information DB 5 includes usage right information (decryption key for decrypting the encryption key, or information for accessing the decryption key) corresponding to the encrypted purchase content data and trial content data recorded in the content DB 4. , Including copyright information) is recorded. The usage right information includes, in addition to copyright information, a decryption key for decrypting the encryption, or information for accessing the decryption key).

In the content purchase information DB 6, the purchase information of the purchase content data recorded in the content DB 4 (URL of the lower layer of the content distribution server 3 which can download each purchase content data)
(Uniform Resource Locator) etc. are recorded.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the user terminal device 1. The control unit 21 uses a GUI (Graphical User Interface).
e) The data acquisition unit 23 to the content reproduction unit 25 are controlled according to the operation information corresponding to the user's operation input from the unit 22. The GUI unit 22 displays the operation screen to the user, receives the user's operation on the operation screen, and outputs corresponding operation information to the control unit 21.

The data acquisition unit 23 acquires trial content data by a predetermined method, and the content reproduction unit 25
Output to. The data acquisition unit 23 also accesses the content distribution server via the Internet 2 to acquire and store the purchase content data, the usage right information, or the purchase information of the purchase content data. Further, the data acquisition unit 23 reads out the stored purchase content data and the usage right information corresponding to the user's operation, and outputs them to the content reproduction unit 25 or the usage right information, respectively.

The license information management unit 24 extracts the decryption key from the usage right information input from the data acquisition unit 23 (or decrypts it using the information included in the usage right information for accessing the decryption key). The key is obtained and output to the content reproducing unit 25. The content reproducing unit 25 uses the decryption key to decrypt and reproduce the encrypted trial content data and purchase content data.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a general-purpose personal computer that functions as the user terminal device 1 by executing a predetermined application program.

This personal computer has a CPU (Cent
Ral Processing Unit) 31 is built in. An input / output interface 35 is connected to the CPU 31 via a bus 34. The bus 34 has a ROM 32 and a RAM (Random
Access Memory) 33 is connected.

The input / output interface 35 is connected to a speaker (not shown) for outputting a voice and a microphone (not shown) for inputting a voice, a voice input / output unit 36, a keyboard for a user to input an operation command, a mouse, etc. Input unit 37 including an input device of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying an operation screen and contents video
8. Storage unit 3 including a hard disk drive for storing downloaded trial content data, purchase content data, application programs, etc.
9, a communication unit 40 for communicating data via the Internet 2 in accordance with a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and a drive 41 for reading / writing data from / on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk 42 to a semiconductor memory 45 are connected.

The application program that causes this personal computer to function as the user terminal device 1 is a magnetic disk 42 (including a floppy disk), an optical disk 43 (CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)).
Hard disk drive that is supplied to the personal computer in the state of being stored in the magneto-optical disk 44 (including MD (Mini Disc)) or the semiconductor memory 45, read by the drive 41, and built in the storage unit 39. Installed on. The application program installed in the storage unit 39 is loaded from the storage unit 39 into the RAM 33 and executed by a command from the CPU 31 corresponding to a command from the user input to the operation input unit 37.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of trial content data. The trial content data is the content I
D, reproduction restriction information, content distribution server information, and reproduction restricted data.

The content ID is identification information uniquely given to the content data. The reproduction restriction information is information indicating the period and the number of times that reproduction of the trial content data is permitted (that is, decryption of encrypted reproduction restricted data is permitted). The content distribution server information is information (for example, URL) for accessing the content distribution server 3. The reproduction-restricted data is mainly the trial content data, and is, for example, data obtained by encrypting only a part of the corresponding purchase content data or data whose quality or function is lower than that of the purchase content data. is there.

However, the reproduction-restricted data may not be encrypted. In that case, since it is not possible to set a limit on the reproducible period or the number of times, the reproduction limitation information is unnecessary.

Next, regarding the processing of the content distribution system when the user acquires the purchase content data,
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As a premise, it is assumed that the encrypted trial content data has already been taken into the user terminal device 1 and that the trial content data can be reproduced (does not violate the reproduction restriction information). This process is started in response to the user's operation for instructing the reproduction of the trial content data.

In step S1, the user terminal device 1
The data acquisition unit 23 of the Internet 2 based on the content distribution server information included in the trial content data.
The content distribution server 3 is accessed via the, the content ID included in the trial content data is transmitted, and the supply of the usage right information of the trial content data is requested.

In response to this supply request, step S11
In, the content distribution server 3 reads the usage right information corresponding to the trial content data of the transmitted content ID from the license information DB 5, and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The usage right information corresponding to the supplied trial content data is received by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

In step S2, the data acquisition unit 23
Outputs the usage right information to the license information management unit 24. The license information management unit 24 extracts the decryption key from the usage right information (or acquires the decryption key by using the information for accessing the decryption key included in the usage right information) and causes the content reproduction unit 25 to perform the operation. Output. The content reproducing unit 25 uses the decryption key to decrypt and reproduce the encrypted reproduction-restricted data included in the trial content data.

When the user likes the reproduced trial content data and executes a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of pressing the “access to the purchase site” button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), the operation Information is GUI part 22
Is output to the control unit 21. And the data acquisition unit 2
Under the control of the control unit 21, 3 accesses the content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2 based on the content distribution server information included in the trial content data, transmits the content ID included in the trial content data, and Request supply of purchase information for purchase content data.

In response to the purchase information supply request for the purchase content data, the content distribution server 3 acquires the purchase information of the purchase content data corresponding to the transmitted content ID from the content purchase information DB 6 in step S12. It is read and supplied to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The purchase information corresponding to the supplied purchase content data is received and held by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

In step S3, the GUI unit 22 displays an operation screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to purchase the purchase content data, and the control unit 21 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation for purchase. To judge. When it is determined that the user has performed an operation for purchasing (for example, an operation of pressing the “purchase” button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the data acquisition unit 23
Under the control of the control unit 21, accesses the URL of the lower layer of the content distribution server 3 that can download the purchase content data based on the purchase information held previously, and requests the purchase content data.

In response to this request, in step S13, the content distribution server 3 reads the purchase content data corresponding to the request from the content DB 4 and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The supplied purchase content data is the user terminal device 1
The data acquisition unit 23 receives and saves the data.

In step S5, the data acquisition unit 23
Accesses the content distribution server 3 and requests supply of usage right information of the acquired purchase content data.

In response to this supply request, step S14
In the content distribution server 3, the license information DB stores the usage right information of the requested purchase content data.
5, and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The usage right information of the supplied purchase content data is received and stored by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

After that, the purchase content data stored by the data acquisition section 23 is read and reproduced in response to an operation instructing reproduction by the user.

When it is determined in step S3 that the user has performed an operation for not purchasing (for example, an operation of pressing a "not purchase" button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), step S4 , S5 is skipped.

Further, as a matter of course, before requesting the usage right information of the purchase content data in step S5, the user operates to pay the price for purchasing the usage right of the purchase content data (for example, a credit card). You must perform the operation such as inputting the number.

If the trial content data already captured in the user terminal device 1 can be reproduced due to the reproduction restriction information, this processing is performed in step S
2, the data acquisition unit 23 accesses the content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2 based on the content distribution server information included in the trial content data, transmits the content ID included in the trial content data, and purchases it. The process may be started after the process of requesting the supply of the purchase information of the content data.

The description of the processing by the content distribution system when the user acquires the purchase content data has been completed.

Next, the processing by the content distribution system when the user acquires the purchase content data when the trial content data is not encrypted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As a premise, it is assumed that the user terminal device 1 has already loaded the trial content data. This process is performed while the trial content data is being reproduced, and the user likes the reproduced trial content data and performs a predetermined operation (for example, the “access to purchase site” button (not displayed on the operation screen). It is started when the operation of pressing (shown) is executed.

In step S21, the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1 accesses the content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2 based on the content distribution server information included in the trial content data and includes it in the trial content data. The content ID is transmitted and the purchase information of the purchase content data is requested to be supplied.

In response to the purchase information supply request for the purchase content data, the content distribution server 3 obtains the purchase information of the purchase content data corresponding to the transmitted content ID from the content purchase information DB 6 in step S31. It is read and supplied to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The purchase information corresponding to the supplied purchase content data is received and held by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

In step S22, the GUI unit 22
An operation screen that allows the user to select whether or not to purchase the purchase content data is displayed, and the control unit 21 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation for purchasing. When it is determined that the user has performed an operation for purchasing (for example, an operation of pressing the “purchase” button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the data acquisition unit 2
Under the control of the control unit 21, 3 is the URL of the lower layer of the content distribution server 3 that can download the content data for purchase based on the purchase information held previously.
To request content data for purchase.

In response to this request, in step S32, the content distribution server 3 reads the purchase content data corresponding to the request from the content DB 4 and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The supplied purchase content data is the user terminal device 1
The data acquisition unit 23 receives and saves the data.

In step S24, the data acquisition unit 2
3 accesses the content distribution server 3 and requests supply of usage right information of the acquired purchase content data.

In response to this supply request, step S33
In the content distribution server 3, the license information DB stores the usage right information of the requested purchase content data.
5, and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The usage right information of the supplied purchase content data is received and stored by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

After that, the purchase content data stored by the data acquisition unit 23 is read and reproduced in response to an operation instructing reproduction by the user.

When it is determined in step S22 that the user has performed an operation for not purchasing (for example, an operation of pressing the "not purchase" button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), step S23 , S24 is skipped.

Further, as a matter of course, before requesting the usage right information of the purchase content data in step S24, the user operates to pay the purchase right for the usage right of the purchase content data (for example, a credit card). You must perform the operation such as inputting the number. The description of the processing by the content distribution system when the user acquires the purchase content data when the trial content data has not been encrypted is completed.

Next, the processing by the content distribution system when the user acquires the trial content data or the purchase content data related to the purchase content data that has already been acquired will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. . Here, the related purchase content data is, for example, a work by the same artist,
Refers to works that are classified in the same genre.

In this process, the already acquired trial content data or purchase content data is selected,
It is started when a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of pressing an “access related purchasing site” button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen) is executed.

In step S41, the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1 accesses the content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2 based on the content distribution server information included in the trial content data, and includes it in the trial content data. The content ID is transmitted and the purchase information of the related purchase content data is requested to be supplied.

In response to the purchase information supply request for the related purchase content data, the content distribution server 3 searches the content DB 4 for the related purchase content data based on the transmitted content ID in step S51. The purchase content data list as the search result is supplied to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The supplied list of related purchase content data is stored in the data acquisition unit 2 of the user terminal device 1.
3, and is supplied to the GUI unit 22 via the control unit 21.

In step S42, the GUI unit 22
The supplied list of related purchase content data is displayed on the operation screen, the user is urged to select the purchase content data for which the purchase information is to be acquired from the list, and the user waits for selection. When it is determined that the user has selected the purchase content data for which the purchase information is acquired from the list, the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the data acquisition unit 2
3 is a content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2.
To request supply of purchase information for the selected purchase content data.

In response to the supply request of the purchase information of the purchase content data, the content distribution server 3 reads out the purchase information of the requested purchase content data from the content purchase information DB 6 in step S52, and then, via the Internet 2. To the user terminal device 1. The purchase information corresponding to the supplied purchase content data is received and held by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

In step S44, the GUI unit 22
The control unit 21 displays an operation screen that allows the user to select whether or not to purchase the purchase content data selected earlier.
It is determined whether the user has performed an operation for purchasing. When it is determined that the user has performed an operation for purchasing (for example, an operation of pressing the “purchase” button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), the process is step S4.
Go to 5.

In step S45, the data acquisition unit 2
Under the control of the control unit 21, 3 is the URL of the lower layer of the content distribution server 3 that can download the content data for purchase based on the purchase information held previously.
To request content data for purchase.

In response to this request, in step S53, the content distribution server 3 reads out the purchase content data corresponding to the request from the content DB 4 and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The supplied purchase content data is the user terminal device 1
The data acquisition unit 23 receives and saves the data.

In step S46, the data acquisition unit 2
3 accesses the content distribution server 3 and requests supply of usage right information of the acquired purchase content data.

In response to this supply request, step S54
In the content distribution server 3, the license information DB stores the usage right information of the requested purchase content data.
5, and supplies it to the user terminal device 1 via the Internet 2. The usage right information of the supplied purchase content data is received and stored by the data acquisition unit 23 of the user terminal device 1.

After that, the purchase content data stored by the data acquisition section 23 is read and reproduced in response to an operation instructing reproduction by the user.

When it is determined in step S44 that the user has performed an operation for not purchasing (for example, an operation of pressing a "not purchase" button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen), step S45 , S46 is skipped.

Further, as a matter of course, before requesting the usage right information of the purchase content data in step S46, the user performs an operation for paying the price for purchasing the usage right of the purchase content data (for example, a credit card). You must perform the operation such as inputting the number. The description of the processing by the content distribution system when acquiring the purchase content data related to the trial content data or the purchase content data that the user has already acquired is completed.

By the way, in the above-described content distribution system, the method of causing the user terminal device 1 to acquire the trial content data is arbitrary, and the method of causing the user terminal device 1 to acquire the purchase content data is the content distribution server 3 However, the method of causing the user terminal device 1 to acquire the trial content data may be arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a method of storing purchase content data in an information recording medium 61 such as a CD-ROM which is an appendix of a magazine and distributing it, a method of attaching trial content data to an e-mail, and transmitting the same. Can be considered.

Even in this case, if the usage right of the purchase content data is supplied (sold) from the content distribution server 3 via the Internet 2, the purchase content data is illegally used. Can be prevented.

Further, in this case, the content DB 4 can be deleted from the content distribution system. Furthermore, since it is sufficient to communicate the usage right having a relatively small data amount without communicating the purchase content data having a relatively large data amount, the communication between the content distribution server 3 and the user terminal device 1 is quickly terminated. be able to.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the content distribution server 1 reads each information from the content DB 4 to the content purchase information DB 6 and supplies it to the user terminal device 1. However, instead of the content distribution server 1, 3 Content distribution server 1
The functions of may be shared.

As described above, according to the content distribution system to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to guide a user who has already acquired the trial content data to purchase the purchase content data. Further, it becomes possible to easily provide the information of the purchase content data related to the purchased purchase content data to the user who has already purchased the purchase content data.

In the present specification, the steps for writing the program recorded on the recording medium are not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the order described, but may be performed in parallel even if the processing is not necessarily performed in time series. Alternatively, it also includes processes that are individually executed.

In this specification, the system means
It represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices.

[0088]

As described above, according to the content sales system of the first aspect, the user terminal device is connected to the server via the network based on the connection information added to the input sample data. Encrypted content obtained by connecting and requesting the usage right information of the content data from the server based on the purchasing information transmitted from the connected server and using the usage right information supplied from the server Content ID notified from the user terminal device so that the server decrypts and reproduces the data
The purchase information corresponding to the above is transmitted to the user terminal device via the network, and in response to the request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information, the usage right information of the content data is supplied to the user terminal device via the network. By doing so, it becomes possible to sell and sell the content data via the network in response to the user's easy operation.

According to the information processing apparatus described in claim 2, the information processing method described in claim 8, the program of the recording medium described in claim 9, and the program described in claim 10, the input is made. Based on the connection information added to the sample data, connect to the server via the network, and based on the purchase information transmitted from the connected server, request the content data usage right information to the server, Since the acquired encrypted content data is decrypted and reproduced using the usage right information supplied from the server, the content data can be purchased through the network in response to the user's easy operation. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, according to the information processing apparatus of claim 11, the information processing method of claim 15, the program of the recording medium of claim 16, and the program of claim 17, the user terminal The purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the device is transmitted to the user terminal device via the network, and the usage right information of the content data is transmitted to the network in response to the request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information. Since it is supplied to the user terminal device via the
It becomes possible to sell the content data via the network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a content distribution system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a user terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a general-purpose personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of trial content data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the content distribution system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the content distribution system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the content distribution system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of a content distribution system to which the present invention has been applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 user terminal device, 2 internet, 3 content distribution server, 4 content DB, 5 license information DB, 6 content purchase information DB, 21
Control unit, 22 GUI unit, 23 data acquisition unit,
24 license information management unit, 25 content reproducing unit, 31 CPU, 42 magnetic disk, 43 optical disk, 44 magneto-optical disk, 45 semiconductor memory

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Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A content sales system comprising a server for selling content data via a network, and a user terminal device connected to the server via the network, wherein the user terminal device is an input sample. Based on the connection information added to the data, the connection means for connecting to the server via the network, and to the server based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected by the connection means Request means for requesting usage right information of the content data; acquisition means for acquiring the encrypted content data; and encryption acquired by the acquisition means using the usage right information supplied from the server. Reproduction means for decoding and reproducing the encrypted content data. From the user terminal device based on the purchase information, the server transmits the purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the user terminal device to the user terminal device via the network. In response to the request, the content sales system includes a supply unit that supplies the usage right information of the content data to the user terminal device via the network. 2. An information processing apparatus for purchasing content data from a server connected via a network, wherein the server is connected via the network based on connection information added to the input sample data. Connection means for requesting, and requesting means for requesting usage right information of the content data to the server based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected by the connecting means, the encrypted content An acquisition unit for acquiring data, and a reproduction unit for decoding and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired by the acquisition unit using the usage right information supplied from the server. Information processing device. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is a user terminal device. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connection information is a URL of the server. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the purchase information is a URL of a lower layer of the server. 6. The information according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit downloads the content data from the server based on purchase information transmitted from the server connected by the connection unit. Processing equipment. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit reads the content data recorded on an information recording medium. 8. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus for purchasing content data from a server connected via a network, wherein the information is added via the network based on the connection information added to the input sample data. A connection step of connecting to the server; a request step of requesting the server for usage right information of the content data based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected in the processing of the connection step; Using the acquisition step of acquiring the encrypted content data and the usage right information supplied from the server, the encrypted content data acquired in the processing of the acquisition step is decrypted and reproduced. An information processing method comprising a reproducing step. 9. A program for purchasing content data from a server connected via a network, wherein the program connects to the server via the network based on connection information added to the input sample data. And a request step for requesting usage right information of the content data from the server based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected in the processing of the connection step, which is encrypted. An acquisition step of acquiring the content data, and a reproduction step of decrypting and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired in the processing of the acquisition step using the usage right information supplied from the server. A computer-readable program characterized by including is recorded Recording media. 10. A connection for connecting to the server via the network based on connection information added to sample data input to a computer for purchasing content data from a server connected via the network And a request step for requesting usage right information of the content data to the server based on the purchase information transmitted from the server connected in the processing of the connection step, the encrypted content Performing an acquisition step of acquiring data and a reproduction step of decrypting and reproducing the encrypted content data acquired in the processing of the acquisition step using the usage right information supplied from the server program. 11. An information processing device for selling content data to a user terminal device connected via a network, wherein purchase information corresponding to a content ID notified from the user terminal device is sent via the network. And transmitting the content data usage right information to the user terminal device via the network in response to a request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information. An information processing device, comprising: 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus is a server. 13. The method further comprising: providing means for providing a list of the related content data to the user terminal device via the network, based on the content ID notified from the user terminal device. Item 11. The information processing device according to item 11. 14. The supply means also supplies the content data in response to a request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information.
The information processing device according to 1. 15. An information processing method of an information processing device for selling content data to a user terminal device connected via a network, comprising: purchasing information corresponding to a content ID notified from the user terminal device; A transmission step of transmitting to the user terminal device via the network; and, in response to a request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information, usage right information of the content data, via the network, to the user. An information processing method comprising: a supplying step of supplying the terminal device. 16. A program for selling content data to a user terminal device connected via a network, the purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the user terminal device via the network. And transmitting the content data usage right information to the user terminal device via the network in response to a request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information. A recording medium having a computer-readable program recorded thereon. 17. A computer for selling content data to a user terminal device connected via a network, and purchase information corresponding to the content ID notified from the user terminal device, via the network. A step of transmitting to the user terminal device, and a supply of the usage right information of the content data to the user terminal device via the network in response to a request from the user terminal device based on the purchase information A program that causes steps and to be executed.