JP2003288295A - Delivery program, delivery server, portable terminal, delivery system and delivery method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a delivery system capable of automatically downloading a content and storing it in removable media. <P>SOLUTION: This delivery system comprises a delivery server 10 for delivering the content to a terminal 30. The delivery server 10 has a delivery part 135 for transmitting the content to the terminal through a network in a preset time band, a receiving part 315 for receiving the content from the delivery server 109 in a set time band, and a storage part 335 for storing at least part of the content to the removable media 70. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a distribution program,
The present invention relates to a delivery server, a mobile terminal, a delivery system, and a delivery method. In particular, the present invention relates to a distribution program, a distribution server, a mobile terminal, a distribution system, and a distribution method for storing contents in removable media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In some cases, a data file such as an MP3 file downloaded from the Internet is stored in a removable medium and the data file stored in the removable medium is output as content on a mobile terminal.

[0003]

In such a case, the user selects a desired content from a plurality of contents in advance, downloads the data file of the selected content, and stores it in the removable medium.
The user has to perform such a troublesome process every time the content is changed, which is difficult.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a distribution program, a distribution server, a mobile terminal, a distribution system, and a distribution method that can solve the above problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in independent claims of the invention. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

[0005]

That is, according to an aspect of the present invention, a distribution program that causes a computer to store contents in a removable medium is transmitted to a computer via a network at a preset time zone. , A receiving function of receiving content from the outside and a storing function of storing at least a part of the content in a removable medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a distribution program for causing a computer to store contents in a removable medium has a reception function of allowing a computer to receive contents from the outside via a network and at least a part of the contents. A storage function to store in removable media, a detection function to detect that the user has completed the output of the content using the information in the removable media, and a detection function to detect that the output of the content has been completed, and connect to the network On the condition that
A request function for externally requesting content related to the content is realized.

The content has a plurality of completion states, and the reception function may externally receive the content selected based on the completion state. The computer is further provided with a connection time period specifying function for specifying the connection time period in which the removable medium is connected to the computer and a delivery schedule function for setting the time period according to the connection time period, and the receiving function is The contents may be received during the time period set by the distribution schedule function. The computer may be further provided with a delivery schedule function of setting a time zone using information in the removable medium, and the receiving function may receive the content in the time zone set by the delivery schedule function.

The receiving function receives the encrypted content, further causes the computer to realize a decrypting function of decrypting the encrypted content by using at least a part of the unique information of the removable medium, and the storing function. May store at least part of the decrypted content. The computer may further have a distribution function of transmitting the content received by the reception function to another computer. When distributing to a computer with multiple distribution destinations using a distribution function, select an encryption key that is less than the number of distribution destinations and use the encryption function to encrypt the content using the selected encryption key. Further realized, the distribution function may transmit the content encrypted by the encryption function.

[0009] When the user uses the information in the removable medium to identify the content opened by the user and the other content is received by the receiving function, the content identified by the available content identifying function You may further implement | achieve the utilization content notification function which transmits the identification information which identify | isolates outside through a network. The reception function may receive a plurality of contents, the storage function may cause a single removable medium to store the plurality of contents, and the usage content identification function may identify the content opened by the user from the plurality of contents. . The receiving function receives a plurality of contents, and the storing function stores the content selected by the user from the plurality of contents in the removable medium and the computer identifies the content stored in the removable medium. May be further implemented by a storage content notification function of transmitting the stored content to the outside via a network.

The computer is further provided with a usage content specifying function for specifying the content opened by the user using the information in the removable medium and a usage restriction function for prohibiting the reuse of the content specified by the usage content specifying function. May be realized. When the content received by the reception function is used on the computer, the storage function may further realize a usage restriction function of prohibiting the storage of the content in the removable medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a distribution server that distributes content to a terminal indicates a content-related portion that associates a plurality of content-related content items with each other and output completion of previously distributed content. On condition that the request receiving unit that receives the information from the user terminal and the information that the request receiving unit has completed the output are received,
A distribution unit that transmits the content associated with the content that has been output by the content-related unit to the terminal via the network in a preset time period.

Distributing connection time information that specifies the time zone in which the removable medium is connected to the user's terminal, using the connection time receiving unit for receiving from the terminal and the connection time information received by the connection time receiving unit. The unit may further include a time period setting unit that sets a time period for transmitting the content to the terminal. Using the usage status receiving unit that receives information indicating the usage status of the user's terminal from the terminal, and the information indicating the usage status received by the usage status receiving unit, the time period during which the distribution unit transmits the content to the terminal is set. A time zone setting unit for setting may be further provided. The distribution server further includes an encryption unit that selects an encryption key that is less than the total number of users who distribute the predetermined content, and encrypts the content using the selected encryption key. Content encrypted with less than the total number of encryption keys may be sent to all users. The distribution unit further includes an encryption unit that encrypts the content by using the encryption key corresponding to the unique information of the removable medium of the user, and the distribution unit includes the content encrypted by the encryption key corresponding to the unique information of the user. May be sent to.

When the distribution unit transmits the predetermined content to the terminal, the usage status receiving unit receives the usage information indicating the usage status of the previously transmitted content by the user, and the usage information received by the usage status receiving unit. May be further provided with a charge setting unit for setting a charge amount for the user. The distribution unit transmits a plurality of contents to the terminal in the same transmission process, and the usage status reception unit receives, as the usage information, identification information that identifies the content used by the user from the plurality of previously transmitted contents. However, the charge setting unit may set the charge amount using the identification information. By using the upper limit storage unit that stores the upper limit of the usage amount of each user in association with the user and the charge amount set by the charge setting unit from the upper limit of the usage amount corresponding to the user, the usage amount of the user can be used. A balance management unit that calculates a balance may be further provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable terminal for outputting content is connected to a medium holding unit to / from which a removable medium for storing the content is attachable / detachable in a housing of the portable terminal. An output unit that outputs the content in the removable medium, and an output information storage unit that, when the output unit outputs the content, stores the fact that the content is output in the removable medium.

The removable medium stores one of a plurality of contents associated with each other, and the output information storage section outputs information specifying the completion state of the output when the output section completes the output of the content. It may be stored in the removable medium as a message indicating that it has been done.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distribution system including a distribution server for distributing content to a terminal, wherein the distribution server delivers the content to the terminal via a network at a preset time zone. The terminal has a distribution unit for transmitting, and the terminal has a reception unit for receiving the content from the distribution server and a storage unit for storing at least a part of the content in the removable medium in the time zone.

The terminal further has a connection unit for making a connection request to the distribution server via the network at an arbitrary timing in a preset time zone, and the distribution server responds to the connection request from the terminal, The distribution unit further includes a connection management unit that establishes a network connection and maintains the network connection state, and the distribution unit uses the network connection maintained by the connection management unit by a preset time point included in the time zone. , The content may be transmitted. The terminal further includes a capacity notifying unit that transmits information specifying the storage capacity of the removable medium to the distribution server, and the distribution server has a capacity information receiving unit that receives information specifying the storage capacity from the terminal, and a storage capacity. Using the information for identifying the content, a dividing unit for dividing the content according to the content so that the data amount is equal to or less than the storage capacity, and the distribution unit divides the content divided by the dividing unit into It may be transmitted to the terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distribution system including a terminal for distributing content to a mobile terminal, wherein the terminal receives content from outside via a network at a preset time zone. A receiving unit, a storage unit that stores at least a part of the content in the removable medium, and a usage content specifying unit that specifies the content output on the mobile terminal by using the information in the removable medium. In the case where the terminal outputs to the housing of the mobile terminal, a medium holding unit that allows the removable medium to be attached and detached, an output unit that outputs the content in the removable medium connected to the medium holding unit, and the output unit outputs the content. And an output information storage unit for storing in the removable medium that the content has been output.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a delivery method in which a server delivers content to a removable medium via a computer on a network is a method of delivering the content to a computer via the network at a preset time zone. To the computer, the computer receives the content from the server during the time of day, and the computer stores at least a portion of the content on removable media. Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and the features described in the embodiments Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the entire distribution system.
The distribution system includes a distribution server 10 and a fixed terminal 30. In the present embodiment, the distribution system includes fixed terminals 30a to 30f as an example of the plurality of fixed terminals 30. The distribution server 10 is a server terminal that transmits and receives information, and transmits contents to the fixed terminals 30a to 30d. Further, the fixed terminal 30d
It transmits to the fixed terminals 30e and 30f. Distribution server 10
Further, according to the usage status of the transmitted content, the charging management for the user of the fixed terminal 30 is performed. The fixed terminals 30a to 30f receive the content directly from the distribution server 10 or via the fixed terminal 30d and store the content in the removable medium connected to the fixed terminal 30a. The user attaches the removable medium storing the content to the mobile terminal and plays the content.
The distribution server 10 and the fixed terminal 30 are connected to each other via a network. For example, the connection is made via networks 20, 40 typified by the Internet, public telephone lines, and LANs within companies / organizations. The fixed terminal of this embodiment is an example of the terminal according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, as an example of the terminal, a fixed terminal 30 which is a computer fixedly installed in a home, an office or the like will be described. However, the terminal may be a mobile terminal such as a laptop computer or PDA, or a network. It may be a dedicated device connected. In addition, when distributing a large amount of content with the same content, regarding the distribution (downlink), terrestrial,
A wireless broadcast represented by a satellite or a distribution by a communication system may be used.

FIG. 2 shows the fixed terminal 3 in the distribution system.
0 and the appearance of the portable terminal 50 are shown. The delivery system is
Further, the mobile terminal 50 and the removable medium 70 are provided. When the fixed terminal 30 stores the content in the removable medium 70 according to the user's selection, the user removes the removable medium 70 from the fixed terminal 30 and attaches it to the mobile terminal 50. The mobile terminal 50 outputs the content stored in the removable medium 70 in response to the user's input. Here, the content is characters, still images, sounds, moving images, binary data, or a combination thereof, and, for example, newspaper information including images and characters, music, promotional videos, movies,
For example, a game. In particular, as the content, information providing content corresponding to a periodical publication, continuous, drama with audio or video, a novel, a role-playing game, a simulation game, or the like,
It is suitable for taking advantage of the particulars of this distribution system. Also,
Removable media that stores these contents is
It is a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the fixed terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 50, and is, for example, smart media or CompactFlash (registered trademark). Alternatively, the fixed terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 50 may be directly connected without interposing the removable medium 70, and the content may be directly stored in a recording medium (for example, a memory or the like) incorporated in the mobile terminal 50.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the distribution server 10. The distribution server 10 includes a connection management unit 105, a request receiving unit 110, a dividing unit 115, and a content related unit 12.
0, the content storage unit 125, the encryption unit 130,
Distribution unit 135, connection time reception unit 140, time zone setting unit 145, usage status reception unit 150, and charge setting unit 15
5, an upper limit storage unit 160, and a balance management unit 165.

Upon receiving the connection request from the fixed terminal 30, the connection management unit 105 establishes the connection with the fixed terminal 30. Furthermore, the connection management unit 105 maintains the connection established with the fixed terminal 30 as a maximum value until a predetermined period. That is, the connection management unit 105 establishes a network connection and maintains the network connection in response to a connection request from the fixed terminal 30. The connection in this case is realized by, for example, a TCP connection.
The connection management unit 105 maintains the connection by, for example, periodically receiving or transmitting a signal for maintaining the connection from the fixed terminal 30. Furthermore, the connection management unit 105
When receiving from the distribution unit 135 that the content distribution has been completed, disconnects the maintained connection. The connection does not necessarily indicate the maintenance of the TCP session, and the fixed terminal 3 that can immediately deliver the content from the delivery server 10.
It may be a virtual one held as a list of 0s.

The request receiving unit 110 receives the information indicating the output completion of the content on the fixed terminal 30 from the fixed terminal 30 by using the connection maintained by the connection management unit 105, and outputs the information to the content storage unit 125. To do. That is, the request receiving unit 110 receives, from the fixed terminal 30 of the user, information indicating that the output of the previously distributed content is completed. For example, when a part of the novel is delivered as content, the request receiving unit 110 receives information indicating that the user has finished displaying the part of the novel. In this case, the request receiving unit 110 may receive the information designating the content to be delivered next, as the information indicating the output completion. Further, there are a plurality of content completion states, and the distribution server 10
When the content subsequently delivers the content corresponding to the plurality of completion states, the request receiving unit 110 receives the information specifying the completion state. For example, when the distribution server 10 divides the role playing game into a plurality of contents and distributes the contents, the completion state of one content changes depending on the user's play. In such a case, the request receiving unit 110
By receiving the information specifying the completion state, the distribution server 10 can distribute the continuation of the game. The request receiving unit 110 further outputs information specifying the completion state to the dividing unit 115.

The capacity information receiving unit 113 is connected to the connection management unit 10.
Information that specifies the storage capacity of the removable medium 70 connected to the fixed terminal 30 is received from the fixed terminal 30 using the connection maintained by 5, and is output to the dividing unit 115. That is, the capacity information receiving unit 113 is
From the information specifying the storage capacity of the removable medium.

When the dividing unit 115 receives the information for specifying the recording capacity from the fixed terminal 30, the dividing unit 115 divides the content so that the data amount is equal to or less than the storage capacity, and outputs the divided content to the content related unit 120. that time. The dividing unit 115 divides the content into at least executable units. More preferably, the dividing unit 115 divides the content according to the content of the content. That is, the dividing unit 11
5 uses information for identifying the storage capacity of the removable medium 70, and divides the content according to the content so that the data amount is equal to or less than the storage capacity. For example, when the content is a novel, the dividing unit 115
Divides the novel content into chapters. In the present embodiment, the dividing unit 115 uses the predetermined data amount (32
A mode in which the content is divided into M bytes, 64 M bytes, etc. and stored in the content storage unit 125 will be described. for that reason,
The dividing unit 115 according to the present embodiment divides the content only when the content storage unit 125 does not have the content having an appropriate data amount.

The content-related section 120 has a dividing section 115.
Upon receiving the plurality of divided contents from the contents storage unit 12, the plurality of contents are associated with each other.
Output to 5. That is, the content-related section 120
A plurality of contents related to each other are associated with each other. For example, the content related unit 120 associates the contents of periodical publications with the order of publication of the publications. By associating in this way, the distribution server 10 can regularly distribute related contents.

FIG. 4 is an example of a table stored in the content-related section 120. In this example, the content association unit 120 stores identification information of a predetermined content and identification information of content related to the content in association with each other. Furthermore, in this example, the content-related section 12
0 associates the completion state of one content with the content corresponding to the one content. For example, when the distribution server 10 divides and distributes a role playing game, the content related unit 120 associates different contents with a plurality of completion states of one content. By relating in this way. The distribution server 10 can distribute the next game content according to the play situation of the user.

Returning to FIG. The content storage unit 125
Store multiple contents. Content storage unit 125
When receiving the information indicating that the output of the content is completed from the request receiving unit 110, the unit outputs the content following the content to the encryption unit 130. That is, when the content storage unit 125 receives from the fixed terminal 30 that the output of the predetermined content is completed, the content storage unit 125 outputs to the encryption unit 130 the content to be delivered subsequent to the content whose output is completed. For example, the content storage unit 125 is the request receiving unit 1
When the information identifying the completion state of the content is received from 10, the content corresponding to the completion state is output to the encryption unit 130.

The encryption unit 130 is used by the content storage unit 12.
When the content is received from 5, the content is encrypted and output to the distribution unit 135. At that time, the encryption unit 1
30 encrypts the content using an encryption key less than the total number of distribution destinations. That is, the encryption unit 130
In the above, the distribution server 10 selects an encryption key less than the total number of users who distribute a predetermined content, and encrypts the content using the selected encryption key. In addition, in order to improve processing efficiency, the content may be encrypted and stored in the content storage unit 125 in advance. The decryption key for decrypting the content on the user side is directly in the fixed terminal 30 or the mobile terminal 50 in a state where the user cannot retrieve it.
It is desirable to be delivered to. In addition, the encryption unit 130
The content is encrypted using the encryption key corresponding to the unique information of the removable medium 70 of the user. The unique information of the removable medium 70 is, for example, an ID number or a manufacturing number given to the removable medium 70. The encryption unit 130 encrypts using, for example, an encryption key corresponding to a part of the ID number given to the removable medium 70.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a table stored in the encryption unit 130. In this example, the encryption unit 130 assigns one encryption key to a plurality of users and stores the encryption key in association with the user. Thus, the encryption unit 130
By using an encryption key less than the total number of users, can be distributed to a plurality of users with one encryption process, and the load of the encryption process can be reduced. On the other hand, it is desirable that the encryption unit 130 perform encryption using two or more encryption keys. Encryption unit 130
Is encrypted with a single encryption key, the user
This is because the content distributed to other users can be easily used with the encryption key.

Returning to FIG. The distribution unit 135 is the encryption unit 1.
When the content is received from 30, the content is transmitted to the fixed terminal 30 using the connection with the fixed terminal 30 maintained by the connection management unit 105. At that time, the distribution unit 135 transmits the content in the time zone set by the time zone setting unit 145. That is, the distribution unit 135 transmits the content to the fixed terminal 30 via the network in a preset time zone.

The connection time receiving unit 140 is connected to the connection management unit 10.
5 is used to receive connection time information that specifies the time zone in which the removable medium 70 is connected to the fixed terminal 30, using the connection with the fixed terminal 30, and the time zone setting unit 14
Output to 5. That is, the connection time receiving unit 140 receives, from the fixed terminal 30, the connection time information that specifies the time zone in which the removable medium 70 is connected to the fixed terminal 30 of the user. The connection time information in this case is, for example, history information of the time zone in which the removable medium 70 was connected to the fixed terminal 30. Connection time receiver 1
40 may receive the connection time information together with the reception confirmation signal from the fixed terminal 30 when the distribution unit 135 transmits the content.

The time zone setting unit 145 is connected to the connection time receiving unit 1
When the connection time information is received from 40, the distribution unit 135 sets the time zone in which the content is transmitted to the fixed terminal 30 using the connection time information. By setting the distribution time zone in this way, the distribution server 10 can distribute the content in the time zone in which the removable medium 70 storing the content is connected to the fixed terminal 30.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the time zone set by the time zone setting unit 145. In the present example, when the distribution server 10 distributes content to a plurality of users, the time zone setting unit 145 allows the plurality of users to select from among the time zones in which the removable media 70 specified for each user was connected. Select and set time zones that do not overlap as much as possible. As in this example, "Jiro Kawakami" is the removable media 70
When the time zone connected to the fixed terminal 30 is from 23:00 to 3:00, the time zone setting unit 145 causes the time zone of “Taichi Yamada” and the time zone of “Hanako Yamashita” to be the least overlapped. Is preferentially assigned to delivery to "Jiro Kawakami". The time zone setting unit 145 may set the delivery time zone according to the data transfer rate up to the user.

Returning to FIG. The usage status receiving unit 150 receives the usage information indicating the usage status of the distributed content by the user from the fixed terminal 30 using the connection with the fixed terminal 30 maintained by the connection management unit 105, and the charge setting unit 15
Output to 5. That is, the usage status receiving unit 150, when the distribution unit 135 sends the predetermined content to the fixed terminal 30, receives the usage information indicating the usage status of the previously transmitted content by the user. For example, the usage status receiving unit 150 receives, as usage information, identification information that identifies the content stored in the removable medium 70 among the content previously distributed to the fixed terminal 30.

The charge setting unit 155 is the usage status receiving unit 15
When the usage information is received from 0, the usage information is used to set the charge amount for the user of the fixed terminal 30 and output it to the balance management unit 165. That is, the charge setting unit 155 uses the usage information received by the usage status receiving unit 150 to set the charging amount for the user. In this case, the charge setting unit 1
55 may set a different charging amount depending on the content. For example, when the usage status receiving unit 150 receives the identification information of the content, the fee setting unit 155 sets the billing amount using the identification information.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a table stored in the charge setting section 155. In this example, the charge setting unit 155 stores the charge amount in association with the content. The content in this case is, for example, the content after being divided by the dividing unit 115.

Returning to FIG. The upper limit storage unit 160 stores the upper limit of the usage amount of money for each user in association with the user. For example, the user may charge the usage fee in advance to the distribution server 10.
Pay the operator. The user may purchase a prepaid card and send information specifying the prepaid card to the distribution server 10. In such a case, the upper limit storage unit 160 updates the predetermined amount of money in addition to the upper limit of the usage amount of money for the user. Alternatively, the usage amount paid in advance (prepaid) may be encrypted and then directly written to the removable medium 70.

When the balance management unit 165 receives the charge amount for a predetermined user from the charge setting unit 155, the balance management unit 165 subtracts the charge amount from the upper limit corresponding to the user in the upper limit storage unit 160, and then the upper limit storage unit 160. Update information on. That is, the balance management unit 165 calculates the available balance of the user by subtracting the charge amount set by the charge setting unit 155 from the upper limit of the usage amount corresponding to the user. The balance management unit 165 may notify the fixed terminal 30 of the available balance and billing amount by using the connection with the fixed terminal 30 maintained by the connection management unit 105.

In FIG. 8, the balance management unit 165 has the upper limit storage unit 1
An example of the table stored in 60 is shown. In this example, the balance management unit 165 changes the available balance corresponding to the user by using the deposit by the user and the billing amount set by the charge setting unit 155 according to the content usage of the user.

FIG. 9 shows functional blocks of the fixed terminal 30. In this example, the fixed terminal 30d, which is one of the plurality of fixed terminals 30, will be particularly described. The fixed terminal 30d includes a capacity notification unit 305, a connection unit 310, a reception unit 315, a delivery schedule unit 320, an output device 325, a usage restriction unit 330, a decryption unit 332, and a storage unit 335.
A stored content notification unit 340, a media driver 345, a connection time period identification unit 350, and a detection unit 355.
, Request unit 360, encryption unit 365, and distribution unit 370.
Have and.

The capacity notification unit 305 transmits information specifying the storage capacity of the removable medium 70 mounted on the fixed terminal 30 to the distribution server 10. For example, the capacity notification unit 305 is the distribution server 1 established by the connection unit 310.
The connection to 0 is used to send information identifying the storage capacity.

The connection unit 310 makes a connection request to the distribution server 10 via the network at an arbitrary timing in a preset time zone, and establishes a connection with the distribution server 10. For example, the connection unit 310, at the first timing of the time zone set by the delivery schedule unit 320,
Make a connection request. As described above, the fact that the connection unit 310 automatically makes a connection request at a predetermined timing means that the fixed terminal 3
0 connects to the network by dialing up,
In the case where the fixed terminal 30 is not assigned a global IP address, it is effective because the distribution server 10 cannot make a connection request to the fixed terminal 30.

The reception unit 315 receives the content from the distribution server 10 using the connection established by the connection unit 310 and outputs the content to the storage unit 335 and the encryption unit 365. That is, the receiving unit 315 receives the content from the distribution server 10 via the network. Receiver 315
May output the content to the output device 325 in response to the user's request.

The delivery schedule section 320 determines the connection time zone of the removable medium 70 as the connection time zone specifying section 35.
When it is received from 0, the receiving unit 315 receives it according to the connection time zone.
Sets the time zone in which the content is received, and the receiving unit 315
Output to. The connection time slot in this case is the time slot in which the removable medium 70 was connected to the fixed terminal 30. The delivery scheduling unit 320 averages the start points and end points of the connection time zones for the past several days, for example, and sets the time zone between the averaged start points and end points as the time zone in which the receiving unit 315 receives the content. In this case, the receiving unit 31
5 is in the time zone set by the delivery schedule unit 320,
Receive content. In addition, the delivery schedule unit 32
0 may specify only the time when the distribution must be ended. In this case, the distribution server 10 responds to a rule such as the connection order with the goal of ending the distribution to the fixed terminals 30 corresponding to all the connections pooled in the connection management unit 105 by the designated time. You may plan to distribute the content to each fixed terminal 30 in order.

When the output device 325 receives the content from the receiving unit 315 in response to the user's request, the output device 325 outputs the content and outputs the output to the use restricting unit 330. The output device 325 has, for example, a monitor and a speaker, and outputs a moving image, music, and the like. Also, the output device 325 may have a master key, and when the content is encrypted, the output device 325 may decrypt the encrypted content with the master key and output the decrypted content.

The use restricting section 330 has the output device 325.
Upon receiving the output of the content from the storage unit 335, the storage unit 335 outputs a signal for prohibiting the storage of the content in the removable medium 70. That is, when the content received by the receiving unit 315 is used on the fixed terminal 30, the use limiting unit 330 stores the content in the storage unit 33.
5 prohibits the content from being stored in the removable medium 70. In this way, the usage restriction unit 33
0 limits the reproduction of the received content to only one of the fixed terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 50. However, this function makes it possible to select whether or not to use according to the content. For example, in the case where a user does not set a limit for copying content such as an advertisement, it is allowed.

When the decryption unit 332 detects that the storage unit 335 has received the content, the decryption unit 332 cooperates with the storage unit 335 and the media driver 345 to acquire the unique information of the removable medium 70. Then, the decryption unit 33
2 uses at least a part of the unique information acquired from the removable medium 70 to generate a decryption key. Then, the decryption unit 332 decrypts the content received by the storage unit 335 using the generated decryption key.
That is, the decryption unit 332 uses the removable media 7
At least a part of the unique information of 0 is used to decrypt the encrypted content. When the distribution server 10 encrypts the content with the encryption key corresponding to the unique information of the removable medium 70, the fixed terminal 30 can decrypt using the unique information of the connected removable medium 70. On the other hand, when another removable medium is connected to the fixed terminal 30 to store the content, the content cannot be decrypted. This can prevent unnecessary leakage of the content.

When the storage unit 335 receives the content from the reception unit 315, the storage unit 335 temporarily stores the content in the hard disk or the like, outputs the content to the media driver 345, and instructs the removable medium 70 to store the content. That is, the storage unit 335 stores at least a part of the content in the removable medium 70. Storage 335
Causes the removable medium 70 to store the content selected by the user from the plurality of contents received by the receiving unit 315. The storage unit 335 may automatically store the content in the removable medium 70 when the receiving unit 315 receives the content. Storage unit 33
The storage content notification unit 5 further includes identification information for identifying the content stored in the removable medium 70.
Output to 40.

The stored content notification unit 340 is the storage unit 3
When the identification information of the content is received from 35, the connection unit 3
The identification information of the content is transmitted to the distribution server 10 using the connection established by the server 10. That is, the stored content notification unit 340 transmits the identification information for identifying the content stored in the removable medium 70 to the distribution server 10 via the network as necessary.

The media driver 345 is included in the storage unit 335.
When you receive content from Removable Media 7
Store in 0. Further, the media driver 345 outputs predetermined information stored in the removable medium 70 to the detection unit 355 in response to a request from the detection unit 355.
In this case, the information stored in the removable medium 70 is, for example, content browsing history, user information such as ID, questionnaire results, game progress, and the like. Further, the media driver 345 detects whether or not the removable medium 70 is connected to the fixed terminal 30 and outputs it to the connection time period specifying unit 350.

Upon receiving from the media driver 345 whether or not the removable medium 70 is connected, the connection time zone identification unit 350 identifies the connection time zone of the removable medium 70 and outputs it to the delivery schedule unit 320.

The detecting unit 355 has a media driver 345.
In cooperation with, the information indicating the usage status of the content in the removable medium 70 is extracted, the completion of the output of the content is detected, and the information is output to the request unit 360. That is,
The detection unit 355 detects that the user has completed the output of the content, using the information in the removable medium 70. If the content has multiple completion states,
The detection unit 355 identifies the completion state of the content by using the information in the removable medium 70, and the request unit 360.
Output to.

Upon receiving the information indicating that the output of the content is completed from the detection unit 355, the request unit 360 prepares to request the distribution server 10 for the content related to the content. When the request unit 360 further detects that the connection unit 310 has established a connection with the distribution server 10, the request unit 360 performs the prepared request process. That is, the request unit 360
Detects that the output of the content has been completed, and requests that the content related to the content be delivered to the distribution server 10 on condition that the content is connected to the network.
When the detecting unit 355 identifies the completion state of the content, the requesting unit 360 requests the distribution server 10 for the content according to the completion state. In this case, the receiving unit 315
Receives from the distribution server 10 the content selected based on the completion status.

The encryption unit 365 has substantially the same function as the encryption unit 130 of the distribution server 10 and performs the same operation. That is, the encryption unit 365 decrypts / re-encrypts the content received by the reception unit 315, and outputs the content to the distribution unit 370. When the distribution unit 370 distributes (i.e., re-distributes) to a plurality of distribution destinations, the encryption unit 365 selects an encryption key smaller than the number of distribution destinations, and uses the selected encryption key to download the content. Encrypt. In addition, the fixed terminal 3
0d to another fixed terminal (for example, fixed terminals 30e, 30
In re-delivery of content to f), not all of the delivered content needs to be encrypted.
For example, there are cases in which no restrictions are set on the copying of content such as advertisements by the user. In the redistribution, for example, the fixed terminal 30d and the fixed terminal 30e,
When the content 30f is permitted to be decrypted using the same decryption key, the fixed terminal 30d performs the decryption / re-encryption processing on the encrypted content delivered from the delivery server 10. Instead, the content may be delivered to the fixed terminals 30e and 30f as it is.

The distribution unit 370 has the same function as the distribution unit 135 of the distribution server 10 and performs the same operation. That is, when the distribution unit 370 receives the content from the encryption unit 365, the distribution unit 370 transmits the content to the other fixed terminals 30 (the fixed terminal 30e and the fixed terminal 30f). In the case of the fixed terminal 30e and the fixed terminal 30f, since there is no distribution destination to further distribute the received content, the encryption unit 3
65 and distribution unit 370 are not essential. In the case where a plurality of users targeted for content distribution are connected to the same LAN in a company / organization, for example, one of the users is selected and the content is distributed from the distribution server 10, and the same LAN is selected. By making the fixed terminal 30 of the one user perform distribution to the other users, it is possible to reduce the server processing load and the communication cost.

FIG. 10 shows functional blocks of the portable terminal 50. The mobile terminal 50 includes a media holding unit 510, a removable media driver 520, an output unit 530, and
And an output information storage unit 540. Media holding unit 51
0 holds the removable medium 70 and enables the removable medium 70 to be attached and detached.

The removable media driver 520 is
The content is acquired from the removable medium 70 held by the medium holding unit 510 and output to the output unit 530. Further, when the removable media driver 520 receives the output of the content from the output information storage unit 540, the removable media driver 520 stores the content in the removable medium 70. Similarly, the information input by the input unit 550 is temporarily stored in the input information storage unit 560 and stored in the removable medium 70 by the removable media driver 520.

The output unit 530 has, for example, a monitor and a speaker, and outputs the content. When the removable media 70 stores audio and moving images, the output unit 530 displays the moving images using a monitor,
Outputs audio using a speaker. As the output format of the content, in addition to the display (monitor) and the speaker, an expression device (for example, a Braille expression device, a robot, etc.) that changes the outer shape by an LED, a vibration, an actuator, a printer, or the like may be used.

When the output unit 530 detects that the content has been output, the output information storage unit 540 outputs the content to the removable media drive 520. When the content has a plurality of completion states, the output information storage unit 5
40 indicates the completion status of the removable media drive 5
20 and stores it in the removable medium 70. In this way, the completion state is indicated by the removable medium 70.
By storing the content in the distribution server 10, the distribution server 10 can know the usage status of the distributed content via the fixed terminal 30, the distribution of the content according to the usage status, the charging according to the usage of the content, and the It is possible to limit the number of uses.

The input section 550 collects information such as a touch pad, a touch pad and a stylus pen installed on the display, a keyboard, a mouse and other pointing devices, a microphone, a moving image and still image camera, temperature and latitude / longitude. Information is input by various sensors or other information input devices. For example, the question of the questionnaire can be displayed on the display device of the output unit 530 and the user can input the answer from the input device such as the touch panel. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 50 mounted on the vehicle can collect and input position information such as latitude and longitude altitude at fixed intervals.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the flow in which the distribution server 10 distributes the content to the fixed terminal 30. The user removes the removable medium 70 from the mobile terminal 50 and mounts it on the fixed terminal 30. Delivery schedule unit 32
0 is based on the mounting history of the removable media 70,
The time zone for downloading the content is set in advance. When the download time comes, the connection unit 310 makes a network connection request to the distribution server 10 (S100). Connection management unit 10 of distribution server 10
Upon receiving the connection request from the fixed terminal 30, the device 5 transmits a connection permission to the fixed terminal 30 and establishes a network connection (S105).

When the network connection is established, the distribution schedule unit 320 of the fixed terminal 30 transmits information specifying the connection time zone of the removable medium 70 to the distribution server 10 (S110). Furthermore, the capacity notification unit 305
Notifies the distribution server 10 of the storage capacity of the mounted removable medium 70 (S115). And
When the detection unit 355 detects the content completion state using the information in the removable medium 70, the request unit 360.
Transmits the information specifying the completion state to the distribution server 10 and requests the next content (S120).

Upon receiving the information specifying the completion state from the fixed terminal 30, the request receiving unit 110 of the distribution server 10 outputs it to the content storage unit 125. Further, when the capacity information receiving unit 113 receives the information specifying the storage capacity from the fixed terminal 30, the capacity information receiving unit 113 outputs the information to the dividing unit 115. When the dividing unit 115 receives the information for specifying the storage capacity, the dividing unit 115 outputs information for outputting the content having the storage capacity to the content related unit 120. On the other hand, the dividing unit 115
If it is determined that there is no content corresponding to the storage capacity,
The content is divided so that the amount of data is equal to or less than the storage capacity and stored in the content storage unit 125. When the content storage unit 130 receives the information specifying the completion state, the content storage unit 130 uses the content association unit 120 to select the content corresponding to the completion state, and outputs the content to the encryption unit 130 (S125). The encryption unit 130 encrypts the content using the encryption key that is less than that of the transmission / delivery destination, and outputs the content to the delivery unit 135. When the connection time receiving unit 140 receives the information specifying the connection time period from the fixed terminal 30, the time period setting unit 145 sets the distribution time period for distributing the content according to the connection time period, and outputs it to the distribution unit 135. Do (S
135).

The connection management unit 105 has a time zone setting unit 145.
A signal for maintaining the network connection with the fixed terminal 30 is transmitted until the delivery time set by (S14).
0). When the delivery time zone set by the time zone setting unit 145 comes (S145: Yes), the delivery unit 135 transmits the content to the fixed terminal 30 (S150). Fixed terminal 30
The receiving unit 315 receives the content, decrypts the content, and outputs the content to the storage unit 335. Further, the stored content notifying unit 340, together with the reception confirmation information when the receiving unit 315 receives the content, stores the content stored in the removable medium 70 from the plurality of previously distributed contents, that is, the used content. The identification information for identification is transmitted to the distribution server 10 (S155).

When the usage status receiving unit 150 receives the identification information of the content used from the fixed terminal 30, the fee setting unit 155 of the distribution server 10 sets the billing amount corresponding to the identification information, and the balance management unit 165. Output. The balance management unit 165 updates the corresponding balance in the upper limit storage unit 160. When the content distribution is completed (S145: Y
es), the balance management unit 165 transmits the updated balance to the fixed terminal 30. Finally, the connection management unit 105 disconnects the network connection with the fixed terminal 30 (S165).
Upon receiving the content from the receiving unit 315, the storage unit 335 of the fixed terminal 30 cooperates with the media driver 345 to transfer the received content to the removable medium 70.
To be stored (S175).

When the fixed terminal 30 needs to deliver to another fixed terminal 30, the delivery unit 370 of the fixed terminal 30
In cooperation with the encryption unit 365, the content received by the reception unit 315 is distributed to another fixed terminal 30 (S175).
The operation in this case is almost the same as when the distribution server 10 distributes the content.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the flow when the content received by the fixed terminal 30 is used on the portable terminal 50. The receiving unit 315 of the fixed terminal 30 is the delivery server 10
Upon receiving content from, depending on the user's choice,
The data is output to the output device 325 or the storage unit 335. When the user selects output by the output device 325, the output device 325 outputs the content (S
200: Yes). In this case, the usage restriction unit 330 outputs information that restricts usage of the content to the storage unit 335 (S205). On the other hand, when the user selects to output on the mobile terminal 50, the storage unit 335 cooperates with the media driver 345 to store the content received by the reception unit 315 in the removable medium 70. In this case, the storage unit 335 stores the identification information of the content stored in the removable medium 70 in the stored content notification unit 34.
Output to 0.

When the user removes the removable medium 70 attached to the fixed terminal 30, the connection time zone specifying unit 35
0 detects that the removable medium 70 is removed (S210). Further, when the user inserts the removable medium 70 into the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminal 5
The 0 medium holding unit 510 holds the removable medium 70 (S215). When the user inputs a content output instruction, the output unit 530 outputs the content acquired from the removable media 70 in cooperation with the removable media driver 520 (S22).
0). When the output unit 530 outputs the content, the output information storage unit 530 stores the output status (S225).
When the output unit 530 completes the output of all contents (S2
30: Yes), the output information storage unit 540 detects the completion state of the content and stores it in the removable medium 70 (S225). When the output of the content is completed, the user sets the removable medium 70 to the portable terminal 50.
(S240). Furthermore, the user receives the next content to receive the removable content 7 from the removable media 7.
0 is attached to the fixed terminal 30 (S245). Fixed terminal 3
The detection unit 355 of 0 extracts the completion state stored in the removable medium 70 and outputs it to the request unit 360 (S2).
50). After that, the fixed terminal 30 receives the next content and stores it in the removable medium 70 by the method described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the distribution server 10. Distribution server 10 is CP
The U600, the ROM 602, the RAM 604, and the communication interface 606 are provided. CPU600 is R
It operates based on the programs stored in the OM 602 and the RAM 604. The communication interface 606 communicates with the outside via the Internet. A hard disk drive 610, which is an example of a storage device, stores setting information and a program on which the CPU 600 operates.

The flexible disk drive 612 reads data or a program from the flexible disk 614 and provides it to the CPU 600. The CD-ROM drive 616 reads data or programs from the CD-ROM 618 and provides them to the CPU 600. The communication interface 606 connects to the Internet to send and receive data.

The software executed by the CPU 600 is
Flexible disk 614 or CD-ROM 618
Etc. and is provided to the user. The software stored in the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed in the hard disk drive 610 from the recording medium, and the RAM 60
4 and is executed by the CPU 600.

The software stored in the recording medium and provided, that is, the software installed in the hard disk drive 610, has a functional configuration including a connection management module, a request reception module, a capacity information reception module, a division module, and a content. Related module, content storage module, encryption module, distribution module, connection time reception module, time zone setting module, usage status reception module, charge setting module, upper limit storage module, balance management module Equipped with. The processing that each of these modules causes the computer to cause the CPU 600 to perform is as follows.
In the distribution server 10 according to the present embodiment,
Since the function and operation of the corresponding members are the same, description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the fixed terminal 30. The fixed terminal 30 is the CPU 7
00, ROM 702, RAM 704, communication interface 706, input device 720, monitor 7
And 22. The CPU 700 has a ROM 702 and an R
It operates based on the program stored in AM 704. The communication interface 706 communicates with the outside via the Internet. The hard disk drive 710, which is an example of a storage device, includes the setting information and the CPU 700.
Stores the program that runs. Input device 720
Is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and receives input from the user. The monitor 722 has the output device 32.
5 is an example, and outputs a content such as a still image or a moving image.

The flexible disk drive 712 reads data or a program from the flexible disk 714 and provides it to the CPU 700. The CD-ROM drive 716 reads data or programs from the CD-ROM 718 and provides them to the CPU 700. The communication interface 706 connects to the Internet to send and receive data.

The software executed by the CPU 700 is
Flexible disk 714 or CD-ROM 718
Etc. and is provided to the user. The software stored in the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed in the hard disk drive 710 from the recording medium, and the RAM 70
4 and is executed by the CPU 700.

The software stored in the recording medium and provided, that is, the software installed in the hard disk drive 710, has, as functional configurations, a capacity notification module, a connection module, a reception module, a distribution schedule module, and a usage restriction module. When,
A storage module, a storage content notification module,
A connection time zone specifying module, a detection module, a request module, an encryption module, and a distribution module are provided. The processing performed by each of these modules for the computer to cause the CPU 700 to perform the same is the same as the function and operation of the corresponding member in the fixed terminal 30 in the present embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the flexible disks 618 and 7 as examples of the recording medium shown in FIGS.
18 or CD-ROMs 618 and 718 include distribution server 10 in all of the embodiments described in this application.
And, some or all of the functions of the fixed terminal 30 can be stored.

These programs are read directly from the recording medium.
It may be read out to the AM and executed, or once installed in the hard disk drive and then read out to the RAM and executed. Further, the program may be stored in a single recording medium or a plurality of recording media. Further, the modules stored in the recording medium may provide each function in cooperation with the operating system. For example, the operating system may be requested to perform some or all of the functions, and the functions may be provided based on the response from the operating system.

As the recording medium, in addition to a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, an optical recording medium such as a DVD,
A magnetic recording medium such as MD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as PD, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card or a miniature card, and the like can be used. or,
A storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a recording medium to provide the program to the distribution server 10 and the fixed terminal 30 via the communication network.

FIG. 15 shows a portable terminal 5 according to this embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of 0. Here, the configuration of a mobile terminal (generally called a mobile phone) having a mobile phone function is shown, but a portable PC (personal computer), PDA (personal digital
Assistant) or the like may be used as a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal 50 of this example includes an antenna 800 and a transmission / reception amplification unit 8
28, a radio unit 802, and a baseband signal processing unit 80
4, the storage unit 806, the control unit 812, and the voice processing unit 8
14, LED 816, ringer 818, and display unit 82.
0, the input unit 822, the speaker 824, and the microphone 82.
6 and a recording media drive 830.

The antenna 800 transmits the upstream RF signal amplified by the transmission amplifier, receives the high band downstream RF signal, and sends it to the low noise amplifier. The transmission / reception amplification unit 828 includes a transmission amplifier that amplifies the transmission RF signal and a low noise amplifier that amplifies the reception RF signal, and demultiplexes the RF transmission signal and the RF reception signal.

Radio section 802 performs pure synchronous detection of the reception signal received from transmission / reception amplification section 828, A / D converts it, and sends it to baseband signal processing section 804. In addition, the wireless unit 802
Is D / A converted by the baseband signal processing section 804 to the baseband-spread transmission signal and converted into an RF signal by quadrature modulation. The baseband signal processing unit 804 performs baseband signal processing on the transmission signal and the reception signal. The baseband signal processing unit 804 performs processing such as despreading, path recognition, chip synchronization, error correction compounding, data demultiplexing, and diversity handover combining on the received signal transmitted from the wireless unit 802, and transmits the received signal. The data is subjected to processing such as error correction coding, framing, data modulation and spread modulation.

The storage unit 806 stores data, program codes and the like. The storage unit 806 is, for example, a RAM.
It has an 808 and a ROM 810. The RAM 808 stores various data such as key-input setting conditions, telephone directory data, character data, and image data. ROM810 is
A program code for operating the mobile terminal 50 and telephone number data unique to the mobile terminal 50 are stored. The storage unit 806 includes a plurality of RAMs 808 and a plurality of ROMs 81.
It may have zero.

The display section 820 displays the contents stored in the recording medium 832. The display unit 820 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 822 receives various data inputs, processing instructions, and the like from the user. The voice processing unit 814 converts the voice received through the microphone 826 into a voice electric signal. The voice processing unit 814 converts the voice electric signal to generate a voice from the speaker 824.

The LED 816 is a light emitting diode (LE).
D: Light Emitting Diode). The ringer 818 produces a ring tone when an incoming signal is received. The control unit 812 controls the entire device and electric circuit based on a program stored in the ROM 810.

Recording medium 83 as an example of recording medium
2 stores content, content output completion, content completion status, terminal usage status, and the like. The recording medium 832 is the removable medium 70.
Is an example. The recording medium 832 may also store user information regarding the user. A recording medium drive 830, which is an example of a recording medium reading unit, reads data such as information regarding the mobile terminal 50 from the recording medium 832 and sends the data to the control unit 812. In this way, the portable terminal 5 is attached to the recording medium 832 that can be replaced with the portable terminal 50.
By storing the information about 0 and the like, the user can easily replace the information about the mobile terminal 50 even when the mobile terminal 50 such as a mobile phone is replaced.

As described above, by using the distribution system of this embodiment, the removable medium 70
The content can be automatically delivered and stored in the removable medium 70 only by connecting the fixed terminal 30 to the fixed terminal 30. In particular, since the distribution server 10 distributes the content while avoiding the time zone when the user is using the removable medium 70, the user does not need to prepare a plurality of removable media 70. Further, since the removable medium 70 stores the completion status of the content, the distribution server 10 can distribute the content according to the completion status. This is particularly effective when delivering a game or the like having a large amount of data. That is, the distribution server 10 can distribute the continuation of the game according to the play state of the user. in this case,
Since it is not necessary to distribute the entire game software, the amount of data transferred can be reduced, and further, the resale of the game software can be prevented. Further, the distribution server 10 can use the completion status in the removable medium 70 to charge for the content actually used. Further, the distribution server 10 can reduce the load of distribution by requesting the fixed terminal 30 to distribute the content.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is also possible to include such modifications or improvements in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

The following can be considered as examples of changes or improvements. That is, in the above embodiment, the distribution server 10 charges the content stored in the removable medium 70 assuming that the content is used, but in the present modification, the distribution server 10 stores the content in the removable medium 70. The information may be used to detect the usage status of the content and charge. Further, by storing various information regarding the fixed terminal 30 or the mobile terminal 50 in the removable medium 70, the distribution system may provide a service according to the circumstances of the user.

FIG. 16 shows functional blocks in a modification of the fixed terminal 30. The fixed terminal 30 has a capacity notification unit 30.
5, a connection unit 310, a reception unit 315, a delivery schedule unit 320, an output device 325, and a usage restriction unit 3
30, a storage unit 335, a media driver 345,
A detection unit 355, a request unit 360, an encryption unit 365,
It has a distribution unit 370, a used content specifying unit 375, and a used content notification unit 380. Capacity notification unit 30
5, connection unit 310, reception unit 315, output device 32
5, storage unit 335, media driver 345, detection unit 3
55, request unit 360, encryption unit 365, and distribution unit 3
Since 70 has substantially the same function and operation as the corresponding members of the fixed terminal 30 in the above-described embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the delivery schedule section 320 sets the time zone in which the receiving section 315 receives the content based on the connection time zone in which the removable medium 70 is connected, but the removable media 70 stores the content. The information may be used to set the time zone in which the receiving unit 315 receives the content. For example, the removable medium 70 specifies the time when the content is stored on the fixed terminal 30 and the time period when the removable medium 70 is connected to the fixed terminal 30, in addition to the identification information for identifying the content used by the user. Information, information identifying the time zone during which the fixed terminal 30 was downloading the content, information identifying the time zone during which the fixed terminal 30 failed to download the content, and the time during which the removable media 70 was connected to the mobile terminal 50. The usage status of the terminal is indicated by information specifying a band, information specifying a time period when the content is used on the mobile terminal 50, information specifying a time when the output of the content is completed on the mobile terminal 50, or the like. Store as information.

When the usage restriction unit 330 receives the identification information for identifying the content output from the usage content identification unit 375, the usage restriction unit 330 outputs information for making the content unusable to the output device 325 and the media driver 345. To do. In this case, the output device 325 is
It becomes impossible to output the content. Also,
The media driver 345 stores information for making it unusable in the removable medium 70. Therefore,
Corresponding contents in the removable medium 70 are also unavailable. That is, the usage restriction unit 330 prohibits the reuse of the content identified by the usage content identification unit 375. When the media driver 345 receives the information to make it unusable from the usage restriction unit 330, it may be made unusable by deleting the corresponding content in the removable medium 70.

The used content identifying section 375 uses the identification information of the content in the removable medium 70 to
The content used by the user is specified, and the usage restriction unit 33
0 and output to the used content notification unit 380. That is, the used content identification unit 375 identifies the content opened by the user using the information in the removable medium 70. The usage content specifying unit 375 further
The usage status of the terminal is specified by using the information in the removable medium 70. For example, the usage content specifying unit 37
5 specifies the time zone in which the portable terminal 50 was connected to the removable medium 70 as the usage status to the terminal. Further, the usage content identifying unit 375 may identify the time zone in which the fixed terminal 30 stores the content in the removable medium 70, as the usage status of the terminal.

Upon receiving the content identification information from the use content specifying section 375, the use content notifying section 380 sends the identification information to the distribution server 10 using the connection established by the connecting section 310. That is, the used content notification unit 380 transmits the identification information for identifying the content specified by the used content specifying unit 375 to the distribution server 10 via the network when receiving the other content by the reception function. The usage content notification unit 380 further includes a usage content identification unit 375.
The information indicating the usage status specified by is transmitted to the distribution server 10. In this way, the usage content notification unit 380
When the actually used content is transmitted to the distribution server 10, the distribution server 10 can perform charging management according to the used content.

FIG. 17 shows a distribution server 1 according to this modification.
A functional block of 0 is shown. Distribution server 10 of this modification
Is a connection management unit 105, a request receiving unit 110, a dividing unit 115, a content relating unit 120, a content storing unit 125, an encrypting unit 130, a distributing unit 135, a time zone setting unit 145, and a use. The status receiving unit 150, the charge setting unit 155, the upper limit storage unit 160, and the balance management unit 165 are included. In this case, the connection management unit 105, the request receiving unit 110, the dividing unit 115, the content related unit 120, the content storage unit 125, the encryption unit 130, the distribution unit 135,
The charge setting unit 155, the upper limit storage unit 160, and the balance management unit 165 have the same functions and operations as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

The time zone setting unit 145 is used by the utilization status receiving unit 1
When the information indicating the usage status of the terminal is received from 50, the distribution unit 135 sets the time zone in which the content is distributed according to the usage status. That is, the time zone setting unit 145
Uses the information indicating the usage status received by the usage status receiving unit 150 to set the time zone in which the distribution unit 135 transmits the content to the fixed terminal 30. For example, the time zone setting unit 1
When the information for specifying the time zone in which the content download has failed is received as the information indicating the usage status, the 45 sets the time zone in which the content is transmitted, avoiding the time zone in which the download fails.

The utilization status receiving section 150 is connected to the connection management section 10
Using the connection maintained by 5, the identification information of the used content is received from the fixed terminal 10 and output to the time zone setting unit 145 and the charge setting unit 155. That is, the usage status receiving unit 150 receives the identification information of the content opened by the user. Furthermore, the usage status receiving unit 150 receives information indicating the usage status of the user's terminal (that is, the fixed terminal 30 or the mobile terminal 50) from the fixed terminal 30, and outputs the information to the time zone setting unit 145.

As described above, by storing various information indicating the usage status of the fixed terminal 30 or the mobile terminal 50 in the removable medium 70, the distribution server 10 transmits the content in a time zone suitable for the user's circumstances. can do. In addition, for example, when the information indicating the usage time and the usage location of the content is stored in the removable medium 70, the charge setting unit 155 may set the charge amount according to the type of the content, the usage time, or the usage location. . For example, when the user browses the content of the advertisement at a predetermined place at a predetermined time, the distribution server 10 gives the user an incentive such as increasing the available balance. In this way, the distribution system can distribute the sales promotion advertisement efficiently.

[0102]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, contents can be automatically downloaded and stored in a removable medium.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an entire distribution system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing appearances of a fixed terminal 30 and a mobile terminal 50 in the distribution system.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a distribution server 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored by a content related unit 120.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in the encryption unit 130. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a time zone set by a time zone setting unit 145.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in a charge setting unit 155.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in an upper limit storage unit 160 by a balance management unit 165.

9 is a functional block diagram of a fixed terminal 30. FIG.

10 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 50. FIG.

FIG. 11 shows that the distribution server 10 has a fixed terminal 30 for contents.
It is an example of a flowchart to be distributed to.

FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart when the content received by the fixed terminal 30 is used on the mobile terminal 50.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a distribution server 10.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a fixed terminal 30.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal 50 according to the present embodiment.

16 is a functional block diagram of a modified example of the fixed terminal 30. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of distribution server 10 in the present modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 distribution server 20, 40 network 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f fixed terminal 50 mobile terminal 70 removable medium 105 connection management unit 110 request receiving unit 113 capacity information receiving unit 115 dividing unit 120 content related unit 125 content storing unit 130 Encryption unit 135 Distribution unit 140 Connection time reception unit 145 Time zone setting unit 150 Usage status reception unit 155 Charge setting unit 160 Upper limit storage unit 165 Balance management unit 305 Capacity notification unit 310 Connection unit 315 Reception unit 320 Distribution schedule unit 325 Output Device 330 Usage restricting unit 332 Decoding unit 335 Storage unit 340 Storage content notification unit 345 Media driver 350 Storage time period specifying unit 355 Detection unit 360 Requesting unit 365 Encryption unit 370 Distributing unit 375 Use content specifying unit 380 Use content notifying unit 510 medium holding portion 520 removable media driver 530 output unit 540 outputs information storage unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 17/60 510 G06F 17/60 510 (72) Inventor Akiki Nishimura 2-6, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 1 In stock company CSK (72) Inventor Noriko Nezu 2-6-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo In-house company CSK (72) Inventor Tomoko Ishiguro 2-6-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo F-term in CSC Inc. (reference) 5B017 AA07 BA07 CA16

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A distribution program for causing a computer to store a content in a removable medium, the receiving program receiving the content from the outside via a network in a preset time zone in the computer. And a distribution program for realizing a storage function of storing at least a part of the content in the removable medium. 2. A distribution program for causing a computer to store contents in a removable medium, the receiving function of causing the computer to receive the contents from outside via a network, and at least a part of the contents in the removable medium. A storage function for storing in a medium and a detection function for detecting that the user has completed the output of the content by using the information in the removable medium, and a detection function for detecting the completion of the output of the content, and further the network A distribution program for realizing a request function of requesting content related to the content to the outside on condition that the content is connected to the content distribution program. 3. The distribution according to claim 2, wherein the content has a plurality of completion states, and the reception function receives the content selected based on the completion state from the outside. program. 4. A connection time zone specifying function for specifying, in the computer, a connection time zone in which the removable medium was connected to the computer, and a delivery schedule function for setting the time zone in accordance with the connection time zone. The distribution program according to claim 1, wherein the receiving function further receives the content during the time period set by the distribution schedule function. 5. The computer further realizes a delivery schedule function for setting the time zone by using the information in the removable medium, and the receiving function is configured to receive the content in the time zone set by the delivery schedule function. The distribution program according to claim 1, wherein the distribution program is received. 6. The decryption function of the reception function, which receives encrypted content, and decrypts the encrypted content in the computer, using at least part of unique information of the removable medium. The distribution program according to claim 1, further realized, wherein the storage function stores at least a part of the decrypted content. 7. The computer is further made to realize a distribution function of transmitting the content received by the reception function to another computer.
The delivery program described in. 8. When delivering to the computer by the delivery function to a plurality of delivery destinations, an encryption key smaller than the number of the delivery destinations is selected, and the selected encryption key is used. The distribution program according to claim 7, further comprising an encryption function for encrypting content, wherein the distribution function transmits the content encrypted by the encryption function. 9. The usage content when the computer uses the information in the removable medium to specify the usage content identifying function for identifying the content opened by the user and the other content by the receiving function. The distribution program according to claim 1, further comprising a utilization content notification function of transmitting identification information for identifying the content identified by the identification function to the outside via the network. 10. The reception function receives a plurality of contents, the storage function causes the one removable medium to store the plurality of contents, and the usage content specifying function selects from among the plurality of contents. The distribution program according to claim 9, wherein the content opened by the user is specified. 11. The receiving function receives a plurality of contents, and the storing function causes a content selected by a user from the plurality of contents to be stored in the removable medium, and causes the computer to store the removable content. The distribution program according to claim 1, further comprising a stored content notification function of transmitting identification information for identifying content stored in a medium to the outside via the network. 12. The use content specifying function for specifying the content opened by a user to the computer by using the information in the removable medium, and the reuse of the content specified by the use content specifying function are prohibited. The distribution program according to claim 1, further comprising: 13. The use restriction function for prohibiting the computer from storing the content in the removable medium by the storage function when the content received by the reception function is used on the computer. The distribution program according to claim 1, which is realized. 14. A distribution server for distributing contents to a terminal, comprising: a content-related section that associates a plurality of the contents related to each other with each other; A request receiving unit received from the user's terminal, and corresponding to the content output completed by the content related unit in a preset time period, on condition that the request receiving unit receives the information indicating the output completion A distribution server, comprising: a distribution unit that transmits the attached content to the terminal via a network. 15. A connection time receiving unit that receives connection time information that specifies a time period in which a removable medium is connected to the user's terminal from the terminal, and the connection time information received by the connection time receiving unit. 15. The distribution server according to claim 14, further comprising: a time zone setting unit that sets the time zone in which the content is transmitted to the terminal by using the. 16. The distribution unit is configured to use the usage status receiving unit that receives information indicating the usage status of the user's terminal from the terminal and the information indicating the usage status received by the usage status receiving unit. The distribution server according to claim 14, further comprising: a time zone setting unit configured to set the time zone in which the content is transmitted to the terminal. 17. The encryption unit, wherein the distribution server selects an encryption key less than the total number of the users who distribute a predetermined content, and encrypts the content using the selected encryption key. 15. The distribution server according to claim 14, wherein the distribution unit transmits the content encrypted with an encryption key smaller than the total number of the users, to all the users. 18. The encryption key corresponding to the unique information of the removable medium of the user is further used to further include an encryption unit for encrypting the content, and the distribution unit includes an encryption key corresponding to the unique information. The distribution server according to claim 14, wherein the content encrypted by is transmitted to the user. 19. The usage status receiving section, wherein the distribution section receives usage information indicating a usage status of the previously transmitted content by the user when transmitting the predetermined content to the terminal, and the usage status receiving section. Using the usage information received by the department,
The distribution server according to claim 14, further comprising: a charge setting unit that sets a charge amount for the user. 20. The distribution unit transmits a plurality of contents to the terminal by the same transmission processing, and the usage status reception unit selects a content used by the user from the plurality of contents previously transmitted. 20. The distribution server according to claim 19, wherein identification information for identification is received as the usage information, and the fee setting unit sets the billing amount using the identification information. 21. An upper limit storage unit for storing the upper limit of the usage amount of money for each user in association with the user; By subtracting from
The distribution server according to claim 19, further comprising a balance management unit that calculates an available balance of the user. 22. A portable terminal for outputting contents, wherein a removable medium for storing the contents is detachably attached to a housing of the portable terminal, and the removable medium is connected to the medium retaining section. An output unit that outputs the content in the medium, and an output information storage unit that stores, when the output unit outputs the content, the fact that the content is output in the removable medium. A mobile terminal that does. 23. The removable medium stores one of a plurality of contents related to each other, and the output information storage unit indicates a completion state of the output when the output unit completes the output of the content. The mobile terminal according to claim 22, wherein the specifying information is stored in the removable medium as the output. 24. A distribution system comprising a distribution server for distributing content to a terminal, wherein the distribution server transmits the content to the terminal via a network in a preset time zone. The terminal has a receiving unit that receives the content from the distribution server during the time period, and a storage unit that stores at least a part of the content in the removable medium. system. 25. The terminal further includes a connection unit that makes a connection request to the distribution server via the network at an arbitrary timing in the preset time zone, and the distribution server includes the terminal. In response to the connection request from, to further establish a network connection, further comprising a connection management unit for maintaining the network connection state, the delivery unit, by using the network connection maintained by the connection management unit, 25. The distribution system according to claim 24, wherein the content is transmitted by a preset time point included in the time zone. 26. The terminal further comprises a capacity notification unit for transmitting information specifying the storage capacity of the removable medium to the distribution server, and the distribution server, from the terminal, information specifying the storage capacity. And a division unit that divides the content according to the content so that the data amount is equal to or less than the storage capacity by using the information for specifying the storage capacity. The distribution system according to claim 24, wherein the distribution unit transmits the content divided by the division unit to the terminal. 27. A distribution system comprising a terminal for distributing content to a mobile terminal, the terminal comprising: a receiving unit for externally receiving the content via a network in a preset time zone; A storage unit that stores at least a part of the content in a removable medium; and a usage content identification unit that identifies the content output on the mobile terminal using information in the removable medium, the mobile terminal Includes a medium holding unit that allows the removable medium to be attached to and detached from the housing of the portable terminal, an output unit that outputs the content in the removable medium connected to the medium holding unit, and the output unit When the content is output, the fact that the content has been output is displayed on the removable medium. Distribution system and having an output information storage unit to pay. 28. A distribution method in which a server distributes content to a removable medium via a computer on a network, the content being transmitted to the computer via the network at a preset time zone. A distribution method comprising: a step of: the computer receiving the content from the server during the time period; and a step of causing the computer to store at least a part of the content in a removable medium.