JP2004362434A - Storage medium, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and rapidly perform the purchase of a content and the payment for the price by electronic money. <P>SOLUTION: An application for managing the download of a predetermined content and an electronic money used for payment for the price when the content is downloaded are stored in a removable medium 12. When the removable medium 12 is inserted to a slot 31, the application is executed by a personal computer 11, and a content selected by a user is downloaded from a content management device 41. The downloaded content is stored in the removable medium 12, and the payment of the price is performed by the electronic money. This invention is applicable to an information processor for downloading contents or a storage medium for storing the downloaded contents. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage medium, an information processing method, and a program, and in particular, to a storage medium and an information processing method capable of easily and promptly purchasing content and paying the price by electronic money. Methods and programs.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, distribution of contents via a network has been in full swing along with the spread of a broadband environment.
[0003]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional content purchase system.
[0004]
For example, a user inserts a removable medium 2 with a built-in flash memory into a slot 1A of a store terminal 1 installed in a convenience store or a station yard, and stores music data or a moving image from the store terminal 1. Select desired contents such as data or applications.
[0005]
At this time, a download request for the content selected by the user is transmitted from the shop terminal 1 to the content server 3 connected to the shop terminal 1 via the network (arrow {circle around (1)} in FIG. 1). Then, the content is downloaded (arrow 2). The downloaded content, that is, the content selected by the user, is written to the removable medium 2 by the store terminal 1 and provided to the user.
[0006]
By the way, since the payment for the content is requested by the store terminal 1 immediately after the user selects the content to be downloaded, the user inserts a predetermined amount of coins according to the request, or As described in Patent Document 1, the price is paid using electronic money.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-256318 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional content purchasing system, the user must individually perform an operation of selecting the content to be purchased and an operation (operation) of paying the price, and the operation until purchasing the content is complicated. There was a problem that was.
[0009]
In particular, as described in Patent Document 1, when paying for content using electronic money, the user needs to store a predetermined amount of electronic money in his or her terminal in advance, Purchasing content is even more complicated.
[0010]
This problem prevents an increase in the number of users using the content purchase system, which in turn prevents sales of not only the content but also the store terminal 1 and the removable media 2 itself.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to easily and quickly purchase content and pay for the content with electronic money.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first storage medium according to the present invention includes a content storage unit that stores content that can be processed by an information processing apparatus, an electronic money storage unit that stores electronic money, and an amount of electronic money that is stored by the electronic money storage unit. And control means for controlling processing based on the content by the information processing apparatus so that usage conditions set for the content can be used within the range of the content and the content permitted by the set usage condition can be used. And
[0013]
The control means can set the use condition selected by the user in the content.
[0014]
The first storage medium of the present invention communicates with a management device that manages electronic money, and further includes a management unit that increases the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit, and the control unit increases the amount of money by the management unit. Within the range of the amount of the electronic money, usage conditions can be further set for the content.
[0015]
According to the first information processing method of the present invention, usage conditions are set for contents within the range of the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means, and use of the contents permitted by the set usage conditions is possible. And a control step of controlling processing based on the content by the information processing apparatus.
[0016]
The first program of the present invention sets usage conditions for contents within the range of the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means, and enables the use of contents permitted by the set usage conditions. As described above, the method includes a control step of controlling a process based on the content by the information processing apparatus.
[0017]
The second storage medium of the present invention is an electronic money storage unit that stores electronic money, a content storage unit that stores predetermined content obtained from a content management device that manages content, and a storage unit that is stored by the electronic money storage unit. Management means for paying for predetermined content by using electronic money.
[0018]
The management unit communicates with an electronic money management device that manages electronic money, and increases the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit.
[0019]
According to a second information processing method of the present invention, a content storing step of storing a predetermined content obtained from a content management device that manages a content, and the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit store the predetermined content. Management step of paying the price.
[0020]
According to a second program of the present invention, a content storage step of storing predetermined content obtained from a content management device that manages content, and electronic money stored by electronic money storage means, for charging the predetermined content. Paying management step.
[0021]
A third storage medium of the present invention includes: an electronic money storage unit that stores electronic money; a content storage unit that stores a plurality of contents; Control means for enabling use of a predetermined content selected from a plurality of contents stored by the content storage means.
[0022]
The third storage medium of the present invention further includes a management unit that communicates with a management device that manages electronic money and increases the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit, and the control unit increases the amount of money by the management unit. Within the range of the amount of the electronic money, the content can be made more usable.
[0023]
According to a third information processing method of the present invention, a predetermined content selected from a plurality of contents stored by the content storage means within a range of the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means. And a control step for enabling
[0024]
The third program of the present invention uses a predetermined content selected from a plurality of contents stored by the content storage means within a range of the amount of electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means. It is characterized by including a control step for enabling.
[0025]
In the first storage medium, the information processing method, and the program of the present invention, content that can be processed by the notification processing device is stored, and electronic money is stored. In addition, processing based on the content by the information processing device is performed so that usage conditions are set for the content within the range of the stored amount of electronic money, and the content permitted by the set usage condition can be used. Is controlled.
[0026]
In the second storage medium, the information processing method, and the program of the present invention, electronic money is stored, and predetermined content obtained from a content management device that manages the content is stored. The stored electronic money is used to pay for predetermined contents.
[0027]
In the third storage medium, the information processing method, and the program of the present invention, electronic money is stored, and a plurality of contents are stored. Also, predetermined contents selected from a plurality of contents are made available within the range of the stored amount of electronic money.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content purchasing system to which the present invention has been applied.
[0029]
The content purchase system of FIG. 2 mainly includes a personal computer (PC) 11, a network 13, a content management device 41 managed by a system management company 14, a software management device 51 managed by a software maker 15, an electronic money It comprises an electronic money management device 61 managed by the management company 16. The personal computer 11, the content management device 41, and the electronic money management device 61 are mutually connected via the network 13 such as the Internet.
[0030]
The personal computer 11 executes, for example, an application stored in the removable medium 12 (storage medium) inserted into the slot 31. The personal computer 11 may be a personal computer, or may be a computer installed in a store such as a convenience store.
[0031]
The content management device 41 stores the application (the application provided by the software maker 15) supplied from the software management device 51 in a predetermined area of the removable medium 12.
[0032]
The electronic money management device 61 uses information relating to the amount of electronic money (value information) stored in each chip (such as an electronic money management chip 113 in FIG. 7 described later) that stores electronic money, and uses electronic money. It manages a money amount database (money amount DB) 62 in which information on each user's bank account and the like is stored, and performs, for example, processing for issuing electronic money.
[0033]
Here, the content refers to various data that can be transmitted and received via a network. For example, the content includes not only music data, still image data, or moving image data, but also software provided by the software maker 15 and the like, which can be used in game software, the personal computer 11, and the like.
[0034]
In the content purchase system of FIG. 2, the user of the personal computer 11 can, for example, remove the removable media 12 sold by the system management company 14 (the removable media 12 storing the application provided by the software maker 15 by the content management device 41). ) Is purchased and inserted into a slot 31 formed in the personal computer 11 to use an application stored in the removable medium 12.
[0035]
The removable medium 12 stores, for example, various data as shown in FIG.
[0036]
The removable medium 12 includes a flash memory 71 for electronic money and a flash memory 72 for content. The flash memory 71 for electronic money stores electronic money (electronic money data), and the flash memory 72 for content stores content. , Respectively.
[0037]
In the example of FIG. 3, the electronic money flash memory 71 stores the electronic money M issued by the electronic money management company 16 of FIG. ₁ (Amount "M ₁ "Minutes of electronic money) are stored. In the content area 81 of the content flash memory 72, for example, a purchase application 81A provided by the software maker 15 and executable on the personal computer 11 is stored. In the application area 82, usage conditions of the purchase application 81A are stored. Is stored.
[0038]
As described above, the removable media 12 sold by the system management company 14 includes, in advance, a predetermined amount of electronic money issued by the electronic money management device 61, the purchase application 81A provided by the software maker 15, and the purchase application 81A. For example, a content management application 82A prepared by the system management company 14 for managing the content management application 81A is stored.
[0039]
The purchase application 81A is an application that provides various functions such as, for example, a word processing function, a spreadsheet function, an image processing function, and a Web site browsing function.
[0040]
In the content purchase system of FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the user converts the purchase application 81A purchased in the form stored in the removable medium 12 into the electronic money stored in the removable medium 12 together with the purchase application 81A. Use conditions can be set within the range of the amount of money. Accordingly, by providing the removable media 12, not only the electronic money and the purchase application 81A but also a place (such as a store) where the electronic money is used is provided.
[0041]
The use conditions include, for example, a condition relating to a usable function of the purchase application 81A, a condition relating to a usable period and the number of times, a condition relating to a user, and the user appropriately uses the condition according to his / her use situation. Set conditions.
[0042]
The use conditions are set by the user purchasing rights corresponding to each use condition. That is, when a predetermined right is purchased by the user using the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71, a condition corresponding to the purchased right is set as a use condition of the purchase application 81A. . Thereafter, the user can use the purchase application 81A within the range of the set use conditions.
[0043]
That is, in the content purchase system of FIG. 2, the electronic money is used to control the use conditions of the purchase application 81A.
[0044]
For example, in FIG. 3, among the functions # 1 and # 2, which are the functions of the purchase application 81A, only the right to set a condition for enabling the function # 1 is stored in the electronic money flash memory 71. Electronic money M stored ₁ It is a right that can be purchased using. In FIG. 3, functions corresponding to rights that can be purchased using electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 are indicated by solid lines, and correspond to rights that cannot be purchased. The functions are indicated by dashed lines.
[0045]
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the removable medium 12 is inserted into the personal computer 11, the user accesses the electronic money management device 61 from the personal computer 11 and the electronic money flash memory 71. Is requested (arrow {circle around (1)}) to add (charge {circle around (1)}) the electronic money stored in (1), the user can purchase the right in accordance with the added amount. Is added.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the removable media 12 to which electronic money has been added.
[0047]
In the example of FIG. 5, the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic ₁ More money M ₂ Has been increased to the electronic money M ₂ Accordingly, it is possible to purchase the right to enable not only the function # 1 but also the function # 2. That is, in this example, the amount required to purchase the right to enable function # 2 is set higher than the amount required to purchase the right to enable function # 1.
[0048]
When the user adds electronic money, the amount of the additional money is withdrawn from the user's bank account by the electronic money management device 61.
[0049]
Further, for example, when the function # 1 made available by purchasing the right is a function in which electronic money is reduced by a predetermined amount every predetermined period of use, the content management application 82A The electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is gradually reduced according to the usage period. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the balance becomes “0”, the content management application 82A disables the function # 1 of the purchase application 81A.
[0050]
As described above, it is also possible to set various usage conditions in the content management application 82A such that the electronic money is reduced according to the usage period and becomes unavailable when the balance is exhausted.
[0051]
The operation of the content purchase system of FIG. 1 will be described later in detail with reference to a flowchart.
[0052]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the removable medium 12. As shown in FIG.
[0053]
The interface 111 controls transmission and reception of data with the personal computer 11 when the removable medium 12 is inserted into the slot 31 of the personal computer 11.
[0054]
The controller 112 controls the entire operation of the removable medium 12. For example, the controller 112 receives information related to electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 of the electronic money management chip 113 from the control unit 121, and receives the content flash memory 72. Is performed for setting the use condition for the content (the purchase application 81A in the case of the example in FIG. 3) stored in.
[0055]
The control unit 121 of the electronic money management chip 113 manages electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71. For example, the control unit 121 communicates with the interface 111, the drive 140 of the personal computer 11, the input / output interface 135, the communication unit 139, and the electronic money management device 61 via the network 13. In accordance with an instruction from the electronic money 61, processing such as increasing or decreasing electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is performed.
[0056]
Note that the electronic money management chip 113 that configures the control unit 121 and the electronic money flash memory 71 that stores electronic money managed by the control unit 121 as one chip includes, for example, a Felica (registered trademark) chip.
[0057]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the personal computer 11.
[0058]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 132 or a program loaded from a storage unit 138 into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 133. The RAM 133 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 131 to execute various processes.
[0059]
The CPU 131, the ROM 132, and the RAM 133 are mutually connected via a bus 134. The input / output interface 135 is also connected to the bus 134.
[0060]
The input / output interface 135 includes an input unit 136 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a display including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an output unit 137 including a speaker, a storage unit 138 including a hard disk, and wired or wireless communication. Communication unit 139 is connected. The communication unit 139 performs communication via the network 13.
[0061]
The drive 140 is also connected to the input / output interface 135. The drive 140 reads and writes data from and to the removable medium 12 inserted into the slot 31 based on an instruction from the CPU 131. For example, the drive 140 performs processing such as reading an application stored in the removable medium 12 and writing electronic money transmitted from the electronic money management device 61 and received by the communication unit 139 to the removable medium 12.
[0062]
When the electronic money management chip 113 incorporated in the removable medium 12 also has a function of short-range wireless communication using electromagnetic induction, for example, a reader / writer provided at a predetermined position of the personal computer 11 Thus, the electronic money stored in the removable medium 12 may be rewritten via the short-range wireless communication.
[0063]
Next, the operation of the content purchase system will be described.
[0064]
First, a series of processes for setting use conditions for the purchase application 81A will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0065]
This processing is started, for example, when the removable medium 12 is inserted into the slot 31 and the user instructs the personal computer 11 to set the use conditions of the purchase application 81A stored in the removable medium 12. Is done.
[0066]
In step S1, the CPU 131 of the personal computer 11 requests the controller 112 of the removable medium 12 to read the content management application 82A. This request is output to the controller 112 via the bus 134, the input / output interface 135, the drive 140, and the interface 111 of the removable medium 12.
[0067]
The controller 112 that has received the request from the CPU 131 reads the content management application 82A stored in the application area 82 of the content flash memory 72 in step S21, and outputs it to the CPU 131.
[0068]
The CPU 131 activates the content management application 82A supplied from the controller 112 in step S2.
[0069]
In step S22, the controller 112 requests the control unit 121 of the electronic money management chip 113 to notify the amount of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71.
[0070]
In response to a request from the controller 112, in step S41, the control unit 121 reads the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 and notifies the controller 112 of the amount (outputs information indicating the amount). ). At this time, the controller 112 has obtained information on use conditions that can be set in the purchase application 81A and information on the right to set each use condition.
[0071]
In step S23, the controller 112 selects a right that can be purchased by the user based on the amount notified from the control unit 121, and proceeds to step S24, where the CPU 131 displays that only the selected right is displayed on the purchase screen. To instruct.
[0072]
In step S3, the CPU 131 that has received the instruction from the controller 112 causes the display (output unit 137) to display a right purchase screen for setting use conditions.
[0073]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of each function as a use condition that can be set in the purchase application 81A and an amount of money required to purchase a right to enable the function.
[0074]
In the example of FIG. 11, the use conditions that can be set in the purchase application 81A include functions # 0 to # 10, and among these functions, the function # 0 is a default function (even if the user does not purchase the right with electronic money, the user can remove the right. (A function that can be used when the media 12 is purchased).
[0075]
In the example of FIG. 11, the user needs to purchase rights # 1 to # 10 in order to use functions # 1 to # 10. Of these rights # 1 to # 10, rights # 1 to # 5 are rights that the user can purchase with 3000 yen of electronic money, and rights # 6 to # 8 are rights of 5000 yen. It is a right that can be purchased with electronic money. Further, rights # 9 and # 10 are rights that can be purchased with 10,000 yen of electronic money.
[0076]
Therefore, when the purchase application 81A shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the content flash memory 72, and as shown in FIG. 12, 5000 yen of electronic money is stored in the electronic money flash memory 71, Only the rights # 1 to # 8 that can be purchased with 5000 yen of electronic money are selected by the controller 112 as the rights that can be purchased by the user (step S23 in FIG. 10).
[0077]
In addition, the rights # 1 to # 8 selected by the controller 112 are displayed on the purchase screen as rights that can be purchased by the user using the balance of the electronic money at that time (step S3).
[0078]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchase screen displayed on the display.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the purchase application 81A in FIG. 11 is stored in the content flash memory 72 and the electronic money in FIG. 12 is stored in the electronic money flash memory 71, the purchase screen shows the user A list of rights # 1 to # 8, which are purchaseable rights, is displayed.
[0080]
Further, below the purchase screen, a purchase button 137A operated when purchasing the right selected with the cursor 137C, and an operation performed when charging the electronic money to the electronic money flash memory 71 and adding the amount. The charge button 137B is displayed.
[0081]
The user selects a desired right from the rights displayed on the purchase screen and purchases the function, thereby changing the function corresponding to the purchased right to the default function # 0 as an available function. Can be added.
[0082]
Returning to the description of FIG. 9, when the input unit 136 is operated by the user and a predetermined right is selected, the CPU 131 outputs information representing the selected right to the controller 112 in step S4.
[0083]
In step S25, the controller 112 outputs, to the control unit 121, debit amount information on the price of the right selected by the user and purchase information on the right purchased by the user, and requests for settlement of the right. The purchase information includes identification information of a seller (for example, the software maker 15) of the purchase application 81A, a product code set in the purchase application 81A, and information such as a purchase date and time of a user right.
[0084]
In step S42, the control unit 121 transmits the debit amount information and the purchase information together with the identification information of the electronic money management chip 113 and the like from the communication unit 139 of the personal computer 11 to the electronic money management device 61, and requests settlement based on the information. . As described above, the rewriting of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is performed by the control unit 121 under the control of the electronic money management device 61.
[0085]
When receiving the request from the control unit 121, in step S61, the electronic money management device 61 authenticates the control unit 121 (electronic money management chip 113). If the authentication performed here is successful, rewriting of electronic money thereafter is performed.
[0086]
When the authentication of the electronic money management chip 113 is successful, the electronic money management device 61 proceeds to step S62, and based on the debit information and the purchase information transmitted from the control unit 121, is stored in the amount database 62. The amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is updated.
[0087]
Further, in step S63, the electronic money management device 61 transmits update information for instructing to update the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 to the control unit 121. Based on this update information, the electronic money management device 61 reduces the price of the right purchased by the user from the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71.
[0088]
In step S43, the control unit 121 updates (reduces) the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 based on the update information transmitted from the electronic money management device 61. Further, in step S44, the control unit 121 notifies the controller 112 that the amount has been updated.
[0089]
In step S26, when the controller 112 is notified that the amount of electronic money has been updated, the controller 112 enables a function corresponding to the right purchased by the user.
[0090]
For example, when the user instructs to purchase the right # 1 on the purchase screen in FIG. 13, the price of the right # 1 is 3000 yen (FIG. 11). The amount of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is reduced from the remaining balance of 5000 yen to 2000 yen. Further, the use condition is set so that the function # 1 of the purchase application 81A corresponding to the right # 1 can be used as well as the default function # 0.
[0091]
In step S5, the CPU 131 performs a process based on the purchase application 81A corresponding to the user's operation according to the use condition set by the controller 121 (in the above example, a process within the range of the functions # 0 and # 1). Execute
[0092]
As described above, the user can set use conditions within the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 and customize the purchase application 81A according to his / her own use situation.
[0093]
In the above description, the case of setting the use condition relating to the function has been mainly described. For example, “use condition that can be used only for 30 days from January 1”, “can be used only 10 times” Various usage conditions may be set by purchasing a predetermined right, such as "usage conditions" and "usage conditions that only user A can use".
[0094]
Next, processing performed when the charge button 137B in FIG. 13 is pressed will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.
[0095]
When the charge button 137B is pressed and charging (addition) of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is requested, the CPU 131 requests the controller 112 to read the charging application in step S71. I do. For example, the charging application is included in the content management application 82A.
[0096]
In response to a request from the CPU 131, the controller 112 reads the charging application from the application area 82 of the content flash memory 72, and outputs it to the CPU 131 in step S91.
[0097]
The CPU 131 activates the charging application supplied from the controller 112 in step S72.
[0098]
In step S92, the controller 112 requests the control unit 121 of the electronic money management chip 113 to notify the amount of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71.
[0099]
In response to this request, the control unit 121 reads the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71, and outputs information representing the amount to the CPU 131 in step S101.
[0100]
When the information indicating the amount of the electronic money is supplied, the CPU 131 causes the display to display an input screen of the charge amount (addition amount) in step S73. For example, on the input screen, the balance of the electronic money is displayed, and an input field for inputting the amount to be added thereto is displayed. The user inputs a predetermined amount in an input field displayed on the input screen, and instructs charging of electronic money.
[0101]
When the charge of the predetermined amount is instructed, the CPU 131 instructs the control unit 121 to charge the amount specified by the user in step S74.
[0102]
In step S102, the control unit 121 accesses the electronic money management device 61 from the communication unit 139 of the personal computer 11 via the network 13 as described with reference to FIG. Request money charge. The request from the control unit 121 also includes identification information of the electronic money management chip 113 and the like.
[0103]
The subsequent processing of steps S111 to S113 by the electronic money management device 61 and the processing of steps S103 and S104 by the control unit 121 are the same as the processing described with reference to FIG.
[0104]
That is, the electronic money management device 61 authenticates the electronic money management chip 113 in step S111, and when the authentication is established, proceeds to step S112, and updates the information in the amount database 62 according to the user's request. At this time, the amount of the charge requested is deducted from the balance in the user's bank account.
[0105]
In step S113, the electronic money management device 61 transmits, to the control unit 121, update information for updating the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 to the charged amount.
[0106]
In step S103, the control unit 121 updates the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 based on the update information transmitted from the electronic money management device 61. Thereby, only the amount requested by the user is charged, and the amount of electronic money is increased.
[0107]
In step S104, the control unit 121 outputs information indicating the charged amount to the controller 112, and notifies that the amount of the electronic money has been updated.
[0108]
In step S93, based on the charged amount notified from the control unit 121, the controller 112 selects a right that can be purchased with electronic money of the amount. Therefore, depending on the amount after the charge, a right that could not be purchased with the amount before the charge is additionally selected, and the additionally selected right is displayed on the purchase screen as a purchaseable right.
[0109]
The controller 112 instructs the CPU 131 to display the selected right in step S94, and the CPU 131 updates the purchase screen based on the instruction from the controller 112 in step S75.
[0110]
Therefore, when the user instructs to add the electronic money of 10,000 yen from the state of FIG. 12 in which the electronic money of 5,000 yen is stored, as shown in FIG. In an area 71, electronic money for 15,000 yen is stored as an added amount.
[0111]
At this time, the controller 112 selects a right that can be purchased in the range of 15,000 yen, and all the rights of the purchase application 81A in FIG. 11 are displayed on the purchase screen as the right that can be purchased.
[0112]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the updated purchase screen.
[0113]
For example, when electronic money for 15,000 yen is stored in the electronic money flash memory 71, as shown in FIG. 17, the right # 1 corresponding to the functions # 1 to # 10 of the content management application 82A in FIG. To # 10 are listed on the purchase screen as purchaseable rights. In this case, the user can add any of the functions # 1 to # 10 to the function # 0 and set the usage conditions of the purchase application 81A.
[0114]
The processing after the purchase screen is updated is the same as the processing after the purchase screen is displayed, which has been described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. That is, when an instruction to purchase a predetermined right is given from the updated purchase screen, the price of the right is reduced from the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71. Further, the function of the purchase application 81A corresponding to the right purchased by the user can be used.
[0115]
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18, the processing of the controller 112 and the CPU 131 that control the purchase application 81A based on the usage conditions will be described.
[0116]
This processing is performed, for example, when an operation of activating the purchase application 81A is performed on the personal computer 11, or during the execution of the purchase application 81A, and an operation for performing a predetermined processing is performed. It is performed at a predetermined timing such as when.
[0117]
When the input unit 136 is operated and, for example, an operation to activate the purchase application 81A is performed, the CPU 131 notifies the controller 112 of the content of the operation performed by the user in step S121. (Outputs information indicating the content of the operation).
[0118]
In step S131, the controller 112 determines based on the information supplied from the CPU 131 whether or not the user's operation is an operation that can be used according to the usage conditions set in the purchase application 81A. .
[0119]
Therefore, for example, when the user instructs to use a predetermined function of the purchase application 81A, it is determined whether or not the function is a function that can be used according to use conditions. In addition, as a use condition, a condition is set such that the purchase application 81A can be used only for a predetermined period, and when the activation of the purchase application 81A is instructed, the instructed timing is set within the usable period. Is determined. Further, when the number of uses (the number of starts) of the purchase application 81A is set according to the use condition, it is determined whether or not the activation at that time is within the number set as the use condition.
[0120]
If the controller 112 determines in step S131 that the user operation is an operation that can be used, the controller 112 permits the CPU 131 to execute a process corresponding to the operation. The CPU 131 executes a process corresponding to a user operation in step S122 in response to the controller 112 being permitted to execute the process.
[0121]
Therefore, at this time, processing by a predetermined function of the purchase application 81A, activation processing of the purchase application 81A, and the like are performed according to the operation of the user.
[0122]
On the other hand, in step S131, the controller 112 responds to the user operation because the operation input by the user is not an operation that can be used, that is, because the user has not purchased the right or the right has expired. If it is determined that the process cannot be executed, the process proceeds to step S132, and the CPU 131 is notified that the execution of the process corresponding to the operation is prohibited.
[0123]
In step S123, the CPU 131 causes the display to display a screen for notifying the user that the process corresponding to the input operation cannot be executed.
[0124]
After the predetermined process is executed in step S122, or after a screen notifying that the process cannot be executed is displayed in step S123, the process ends. Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation again, the above-described processing is repeatedly executed.
[0125]
As described above, the use condition is set based on the right purchased by the user, and the purchase application 81A can be used within the range of the use condition. Therefore, the user can customize the purchase application 81A stored in advance in the removable medium 12 according to his / her preference. Thus, for example, a function that is required only for a specific user is not provided to a user who does not need it.
[0126]
The software maker 15 can also sell the purchase application 81A (request sales to the system management company 14) in a state where only the default function is available, so that the price of the purchase application 81A is reduced. Can be set lower.
[0127]
Further, the electronic money required for setting the conditions in the purchase application 81A is prepared in advance in the removable media 12 together with the purchase application 81A in a predetermined amount, so that it may be used within the range of the amount. For example, the user does not need to register information such as a bank account with the electronic money management company 16 so that the user can prepare the electronic money himself.
[0128]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of money in the content purchase system of FIG.
[0129]
For example, the system management company 14 can obtain the sales from the user by selling the purchase application 81A and the removable media 12 storing the predetermined amount of electronic money and the like. A part of this sales is paid to the software maker 15 as sales of the purchase application 81A itself.
[0130]
Further, the system management company 14 can obtain a license fee for the removable media 12 from the software maker 15 including a fee for managing the purchase application 81A by the content management application 82A and for receiving a sales request. it can. In addition, by selling the removable media 12, the number of places where electronic money can be used is increased, and the cost of increasing the number of users of electronic money is paid from the electronic money management company 16 to the system management company 14. Good.
[0131]
The software maker 15 can obtain the sales of the purchase application 81A from the system management company 14, and obtains the price from the user every time the right to set the use conditions for the purchase application 81A is purchased. Can be. When the right is purchased, the electronic money management company 16 debits the money from the user's bank account and pays the software maker 15 as described above.
[0132]
The electronic money management company 16 can receive a license fee for the electronic money system from the system management company 14 and the software maker 15.
[0133]
In the above description, the purchase application 81A is provided from the software maker 15 to the system management company 14, and the purchase application 81A is stored in the removable medium 12 and sold by the system management company 14. The software maker 15 that has purchased the removable media 12 from 14 may store the purchase application 81A in the removable media 12 and sell the removable media 12 by itself.
[0134]
In this case, the flow of money in FIG. 19 is as shown in FIG.
[0135]
In other words, the system management company 14 sells, for example, only the predetermined amount of electronic money and the content management application 82A to the software maker 15, that is, the removable media 12 that does not store the purchase application 81A. Is paid from the software maker 15 to the system management company 14.
[0136]
In addition, the purchase price of the removable media 12 in which the purchase application 81A is stored and the price generated each time the user purchases the right are paid by the user to the software maker 15 (the price deducted from the user's bank account is used). Is remitted to the software maker 15).
[0137]
The other money flows in FIG. 20 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
[0138]
In the above description, the electronic money management device 61 rewrites the electronic money stored in the removable medium 12. However, the rewriting is performed, for example, on the removable medium 12 itself or on the personal media into which the removable medium 12 is inserted. The processing may be performed by the computer 11. That is, the electronic money and the closed place (closed place) using the electronic money may be provided to the user by the removable media 12.
[0139]
Thus, even when the personal computer 11 is not in an environment where it can be connected to the network 12, the user can set the use conditions in the purchase application 81A.
[0140]
Next, a series of processing for setting use conditions in the purchase application 81A when electronic money is rewritten by the removable medium 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0141]
That is, the process in FIG. 21 is the same as the process described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 except that the electronic money is not rewritten by the electronic money management device 61.
[0142]
For example, when it is instructed to set the use conditions of the purchase application 81A stored in the removable medium 12, the CPU 131 of the personal computer 11 sends the content management application to the controller 112 of the removable medium 12 in step S141. A request is made to read 82A, and the content management application 82A transmitted in response to the request is activated in step S142.
[0143]
In step S161, the controller 112 reads the content management application 82A stored in the application area 82 of the content flash memory 72, outputs the content management application 82A to the CPU 131, and proceeds to step S162, where the controller 112 of the electronic money management chip 113 A request for notification of the amount of electronic money is made to 121.
[0144]
When the controller 112 receives information indicating the amount of electronic money output in step S181 from the control unit 121, in step S163, the controller 112 selects a right that can be purchased by the user based on the amount, and proceeds to step S164. Then, the CPU 131 instructs the CPU 131 to display the selected right.
[0145]
In response to this instruction, the CPU 131 displays a right purchase screen on the display in step S143. Here, for example, the purchase screen of FIG. 13 is displayed. When the predetermined right is selected from the purchase screen, the CPU 131 proceeds to step S144, and notifies the controller 112 of the right selected by the user.
[0146]
In step S165, the controller 112 notifies the control unit 121 of the price of the right selected by the user and requests the settlement thereof. Further, in step S166, the controller 112 enables a function corresponding to the right purchased by the user. Thus, in step S145, a predetermined process is executed by the CPU 131 in accordance with the use conditions set by the controller 121.
[0147]
On the other hand, in step S182, the control unit 121 reduces the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 by the amount of the right purchased by the user in response to a request from the controller 112.
[0148]
As described above, even when the removable medium 12 itself rewrites the electronic money, the user sets the use condition within the amount of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 and sets the purchase application 81A. Can be customized.
[0149]
In addition, as described above, by charging the electronic money by the electronic money management device 61, even if the user has run out of the electronic money prepared in advance in the removable medium 12, the user can take charge of the electronic money as needed. You can purchase new rights by recharging.
[0150]
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the content purchase system to which the present invention is applied.
[0151]
The content purchase system in FIG. 22 is different from the system in FIG. 2 in that a software management device 51 managed by the software maker 15 is omitted. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the above-described configuration will be appropriately omitted.
[0152]
In the content purchase system shown in FIG. 22, when a download of a predetermined content is requested from the personal computer 11, the content management device 41 transmits the content to the personal computer 11 via the network 13 in response to the request. The content transmitted to the personal computer 11 is stored in the removable medium 12 inserted in the slot 31.
[0153]
For example, in the default state of being sold from the system management company 14, no content is stored in the removable media 12.
[0154]
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the removable medium 12 of FIG. 22 in a default state.
[0155]
The electronic money M is stored in the electronic money flash memory 71. The content area 81 of the content flash memory 72 is a free area in which no content is stored, and the application area 82 stores a content management application 82A.
[0156]
When the removable medium 12 of FIG. 23 is inserted into the slot 31 and the content management application 82A stored in the application area 82 is started, the content management application 82A automatically accesses the content management device 41. . That is, the content management application 82A also has address information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the content management device 41.
[0157]
When the access to the content management device 41 is performed, a content purchase screen is displayed on the display of the personal computer 11.
[0158]
Then, when predetermined content is selected on the purchase screen, as shown in FIG. 24, the personal computer 11 requests the content management device 41 to download the content (arrow {circle around (1)}). In response to this, the content is downloaded from the content management device 41 (arrow {circle around (2)}). In the example of FIG. 24, the content downloaded in response to the request is referred to as “content C”.
[0159]
The content C downloaded from the content management device 41 is written to the removable medium 12 by the personal computer 11. For example, when the writing is completed, the content money is charged by the electronic money M stored in the removable medium 12 in advance. Paid.
[0160]
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content purchase system in which payment for content is performed by the electronic money management device 61.
[0161]
For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the personal computer 11 (the control unit 121 of the removable media 12) requests the electronic money management device 61 to settle the amount m, which is the price of the content C (arrow {circle around (1)}). Under the control of the electronic money management device 61, the amount of the electronic money M stored in the removable medium 12 is reduced (arrow {circle around (2)}).
[0162]
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the removable medium 12 after the settlement is performed.
[0163]
In FIG. 26, as compared with FIG. 23, the balance of the electronic money is reduced from the amount M prepared in advance by the amount m which is the price of the content, and becomes “M ′ (M−m)”. Have been. The content area 81 stores the downloaded content C.
[0164]
The user can use the content downloaded to the removable medium 12 as described above in each device including the personal computer 11 provided with a slot for storing the content.
[0165]
As described above, since the removable media 12 is sold in a state where the electronic money is stored in advance, the user who purchased the removable media 12 downloads the desired content using the electronic money and stores the content in the removable media 12. Can be done.
[0166]
Therefore, the removable media 12 can be used as a cash voucher such as a book voucher or various gift certificates, and can be transferred to another person, and the use form of the removable media 12 can be expanded. As a result, it is expected that the number of removable media 12 sold and the number of electronic money users will be improved.
[0167]
Further, in order to download the content, the user only has to select the desired content from the purchase screen automatically displayed when the content is inserted into the slot 31, that is, an operation such as paying for the price. Therefore, the content can be downloaded easily and quickly.
[0168]
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the content management device 41 of FIG. The configuration of the content management device 41 in FIG. 27 is basically the same as the configuration of the personal computer 11 in FIG.
[0169]
The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the content management device 41 according to a program stored in the ROM 202 and a program loaded from the storage unit 208 to the RAM 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are mutually connected via a bus 204. The bus 204 is also connected to an input / output interface 205.
[0170]
An input unit 206, an output unit 207, a storage unit 208, and a communication unit 209 are connected to the input / output interface 205. In the storage unit 208, a content database 208A that stores a plurality of contents provided to the personal computer 11 that has accessed the content database 208A is constructed.
[0171]
The content read from the database 208A is transmitted from the communication unit 209 to the personal computer 11 via the network 13.
[0172]
A drive 210 is connected to the input / output interface 205 as necessary, and a magnetic disk 211, an optical disk 212, a magneto-optical disk 213, a semiconductor memory 214, or the like is appropriately mounted. Are installed in the storage unit 208 as necessary.
[0173]
Next, the operation of the content purchase system in FIG. 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0174]
For example, when the purchase of content is instructed with the removable medium 12 of FIG. 23 inserted in the slot 31, the CPU 131 of the personal computer 11 instructs the controller 112 of the removable medium 12 to perform content management in step S 211. A request is made to read the application 82A, and the content management application 82A transmitted in response to the request is activated in step S212.
[0175]
In step S231, the controller 112 reads the content management application 82A stored in the application area 82 of the content flash memory 72, outputs the content management application 82A to the CPU 131, and proceeds to step S232, where the controller 112 of the electronic money management chip 113 A request for notification of the amount of electronic money is made to 121.
[0176]
In step S241, the control unit 121 notifies the CPU 131 of the amount of the electronic money.
[0177]
When there is a balance in the electronic money, the CPU 131 controls the communication unit 139 in step S213 to access the content management device 41 (a predetermined site managed by the content management device 41), and proceeds to step S214. Display the content purchase screen.
[0178]
On the purchase screen, a list of downloadable contents such as music data, moving image data, game software, and applications executable on the personal computer 11 is displayed. The amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 may be notified to the content management device 41, and a list of only contents that can be purchased with the amount may be displayed on the purchase screen. .
[0179]
When the predetermined content is selected by the user, the CPU 131 requests the content management device 41 to download the content selected by the user in step S215. The download request made here includes content identification information and the like.
[0180]
The request from the CPU 131 is transmitted from the communication unit 139 of the personal computer 11, received by the communication unit 209 of the content management device 41 via the network 13, and supplied to the CPU 201. In step S201, the CPU 201 reads a predetermined content from the content database 208A based on the identification information included in the request transmitted from the personal computer 11, and starts downloading the content.
[0181]
The downloaded content is received by the communication unit 139 of the personal computer 11 and output to the controller 112 via the input / output interface 135, the drive 140, and the interface 111 of the removable medium 12. In step S233, the controller 112 stores the downloaded content in the content area 81 of the content flash memory 72, and proceeds to step S234 to request the control unit 121 to settle the price.
[0182]
Since the request from the controller 112 also includes information indicating the price of the content (the amount to be reduced), the control unit 121 transmits the debit amount information to the electronic money chip 113 together with the identification information of the electronic money chip 113 in step S242. The payment is transmitted to the money management apparatus 61, and a payment based on the transmission is requested.
[0183]
When receiving the request from the control unit 121, in step 251, the electronic money management device 61 authenticates the electronic money management chip 113, and when the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S 252 and is transmitted from the control unit 121. The amount of electronic money in the electronic money flash memory 71 stored in the amount database 62 is updated based on the debit information.
[0184]
Further, in step S253, the electronic money management device 61 transmits the above-described update information to the control unit 121, and calculates the price of the content downloaded by the user from the amount of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71. Reduce the amount.
[0185]
In step S243, the control unit 121 updates the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 based on the update information transmitted from the electronic money management device 61, and proceeds to step S244. Is notified to the controller 112.
[0186]
When the controller 112 is notified by the control unit 121 that the amount has been updated, the controller 112 makes the content downloaded and stored in the content area 81 of the content flash memory 72 available in step S235. Thereafter, for example, based on an instruction from the CPU 131, the content stored in the content area 81 is read and used by the CPU 131.
[0187]
Through the above processing, the user can easily and quickly download the content including the payment of the price.
[0188]
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of charges in the content purchase system of FIG.
[0189]
For example, the system management company 14 can obtain the sales from the user by selling the content management application 82A and the removable media 12 storing the predetermined amount of electronic money.
[0190]
In addition, the system management company 14 obtains a license fee for the removable media 12 from the content holder (content provider), including provision for providing the content management application 82A and promoting sales of the content. be able to.
[0191]
The content holder can obtain the sales from the system management company 14 as the content is downloaded.
[0192]
The electronic money management company 16 can receive a license fee for the electronic money system from the system management company 14 and the software maker 15.
[0193]
In the processing described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the electronic money management device 61 rewrites the electronic money stored in the removable medium 12, but as described above, the electronic money is rewritten. However, the processing may be performed by the removable medium 12 itself or the personal computer 11 into which the removable medium 12 is inserted.
[0194]
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 31, the processing of the content purchase system of FIG. 22 in the case where the electronic money is rewritten by, for example, the removable media 12 itself will be described.
[0195]
The processing of the content management device 41 in step S261 in FIG. 31 is the same as the processing in step S201 in FIG. 28, and the processing by the CPU 131 in steps S271 to S275 in FIG. 31 is the same as the processing in steps S211 to S215 in FIG. The same is true. Also, the processing of the controller 112 in steps S281 to S283 in FIG. 31 is the same as the processing in steps S231 to S233 in FIG. 28, and the processing of the control unit 121 in step S291 in FIG. 31 is the same as the processing in step S241 in FIG. Is the same as
[0196]
That is, when the content management application 82A is activated by the CPU 131 of the personal computer 11 (step S272), the content management apparatus 41 is accessed (step S273), and a content purchase screen is displayed (step S274). When a predetermined content is selected by the user on the purchase screen, the content is downloaded (step S261), and the downloaded content is stored in the content area 81 of the content flash memory 72 (step S283). ).
[0197]
When the content is stored, the controller 112 requests the control unit 121 to settle the price of the downloaded content in step S284.
[0198]
In step S292, the control unit 121 reduces the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 by the amount of the content, and updates the balance.
[0199]
As described above, the payment for the content may be performed by the removable media 12 itself.
[0200]
FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the removable media 12 used in still another content purchasing system to which the present invention is applied.
[0201]
In FIG. 32, electronic money M is stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 in advance. A plurality of contents (contents A, B,...) Are stored in a content area 81 of the content flash memory 72, and a content management application 82A and a purchase screen display file 82B are stored in an application area 82. Have been.
[0202]
The content stored in the content area 81 is, for example, the content stored by the content management device 41 in FIG. Before the content is made usable by the controller 112, it is made unusable by performing predetermined encryption or the like.
[0203]
The removable medium 12 storing such data is sold to the user by, for example, a system management company 14.
[0204]
When the content management application 82A is executed by the CPU 131 of the personal computer 11, a content purchase screen is displayed on the display based on the purchase screen display file 82B stored in the application area 82.
[0205]
The purchase screen display file 82B is, for example, a file described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and a list of contents stored in the content area 81 is displayed on the purchase screen displayed thereby. You.
[0206]
Then, when the user selects a predetermined content from the purchase screen displayed on the display, the selected content stored in the content area 81 is made usable by the controller 112. When the content is selected, the amount of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 is reduced by the price.
[0207]
Therefore, in this case, since there is no need to download the content from the content management device 41, even when the personal computer 11 is not connected to the network 13, the user can select a desired content from a plurality of contents and use it. can do.
[0208]
In addition, the removable media 12 can be transferred to a person who is not in an environment connected to the network 13 as various kinds of cash vouchers such as a book voucher or a gift certificate. Can be further expanded.
[0209]
Next, processing performed in the personal computer 11 in which the removable medium 12 of FIG. 32 is inserted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0210]
For example, when the user instructs to select a content, in step S301, the CPU 131 of the personal computer 11 requests the controller 112 of the removable medium 12 to read the content management application 82A.
[0211]
The controller 112 that has received the request from the CPU 131 reads the purchase screen display file 82B together with the content management application 82A stored in the application area 82 of the content flash memory 72 in step S311, and outputs them to the CPU 131. .
[0212]
In step S302, the CPU 131 activates the content management application 82A supplied from the controller 112, and proceeds to step S303 to display a content purchase screen on the display based on the purchase screen display file 82B. As described above, the content stored in the content area 81 of the content flash memory 72 is displayed on the purchase screen displayed here.
[0213]
When the predetermined content is selected from the purchase screen, in step S304, the CPU 131 outputs information related to the content, including the identification information of the content selected by the user and the price, to the controller 112.
[0214]
In step S312, the controller 112 notifies the control unit 121 of the price of the content, and requests the control unit 121 to reduce the balance of the electronic money stored in the electronic money flash memory 71 by the amount of the price and perform settlement. I do.
[0215]
In step S321, the control unit 121 reduces and updates the amount of electronic money in response to a request from the controller 112.
[0216]
After performing the settlement of the content, the controller 112 proceeds to step S313, makes the content selected by the user and stored in the content area 81 usable, and ends the process.
[0219]
Thereafter, the user can use the content made available here on various devices.
[0218]
As described above, the electronic money and the place where the electronic money is used can be provided to the user by the removable media 12, and the purchase (selection) of the content can be performed within the range of the provided electronic money. Thereby, since there is no need to connect to the content management device 41 or perform an operation of paying a predetermined price in order to make the content usable, the user can easily select only the desired content and select it. Can be used.
[0219]
Naturally, even when the balance of the electronic money becomes “0” and the content stored in the content area 81 cannot be purchased, the user can charge the electronic money as described above. In addition, content can be purchased.
[0220]
As described above, since the electronic money is stored in advance in the removable media 12 and can be used to set use conditions or purchase content, the electronic money is configured to be paid. For example, it is not necessary that a device for downloading contents such as a non-contact type or contact type IC card reader in which a coin slot and electronic money are stored is provided. Therefore, when downloading the content from the personal computer 11 at home, for example, the user does not need to separately prepare a reader / writer for paying the price.
[0221]
In the above description, the case where the information processing device operated by the user to set use conditions or purchase contents is a personal computer has been described. However, a slot in which a removable medium can be inserted is provided. Any device can be used as long as the device is compatible. For example, the above-described processing may be performed by various information processing apparatuses such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a mobile phone, an audio player, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and a game machine.
[0222]
In the above, the case where the removable medium 12 is a storage medium having a built-in flash memory has been described, but the storage medium may be, for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic disk. For example, a storage medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic disk, which simply stores electronic money or content, that is, a controller 112 that controls content based on electronic money, In the case of a storage medium that does not have the control unit 121 that manages rewriting of money and the like, the processing of the controller 112 and the control unit 121 described above is executed by a personal computer or the like to which the storage medium is attached.
[0223]
Furthermore, in the above description, for convenience of explanation, electronic money is used as the right to set the use conditions of the content and the price of the content. However, any electronic money that can be used as the price is used. Such data may be used.
[0224]
In the above, the content management device 41 managed by the system management company 14, the software management device 51 managed by the software maker 15, and the electronic money management device 61 managed by the electronic money management company 16 are respectively Although the devices are different, the above-described processing may be performed by one device in which those functions are integrally formed.
[0225]
The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.
[0226]
When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer built into dedicated hardware or installing various programs. It is installed in a possible, for example, a general-purpose personal computer from a network or a recording medium.
[0227]
As shown in FIG. 27, this recording medium is a magnetic disk 211 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded and an optical disk 212 (distributed separately for providing the program to the user) separately from the apparatus main body. Package media including CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk), magneto-optical disk 213 (including MD (registered trademark) (Mini-Disk)), or semiconductor memory 214 And a hard disk included in the storage unit 208 and the like, which is provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance, and in which the program is recorded.
[0228]
In this specification, a step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium is not limited to processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. This includes the processing to be executed.
[0229]
Also, in this specification, a system represents the entire device including a plurality of devices.
[0230]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a user can easily and quickly store content in a storage medium.
[0231]
Further, according to the present invention, the user can customize the content according to his / her preference.
[0232]
Further, according to the present invention, electronic money and a place to use it can be provided via a storage medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional content purchase system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content purchase system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a removable medium.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing charging of electronic money in the content purchasing system of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of data stored in a removable medium.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another example of data stored in a removable medium.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a removable medium.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a personal computer.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing for setting use conditions in a purchase application.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart, subsequent to FIG. 9, for explaining a series of processing for setting use conditions for a purchase application.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchase application.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of electronic money.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchase screen.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating electronic money charging processing.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the charge processing of electronic money, continued from FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of electronic money.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of a purchase screen.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing for controlling a purchase application based on usage conditions.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of money in the content purchase system of FIG. 2;
20 is a diagram showing another example of the flow of money in the content purchase system of FIG.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a series of other processes for setting use conditions in a purchase application.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of another content purchase system to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a removable medium.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing downloading of content in the content purchasing system of FIG. 22;
25 is a diagram showing settlement of the price of the content in the content purchase system of FIG. 22.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another example of data stored in a removable medium.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a content management device in FIG. 22.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing for downloading content.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart for describing a series of processes for downloading content, following FIG. 28;
30 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of money in the content purchase system of FIG. 22.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a series of other processes for downloading content.
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a removable medium.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a series of still other processes for downloading content.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 personal computer, 12 removable media, 71 electronic money flash memory, 72 content flash memory, 81 content area, 82 application area

Claims (13)

In a storage medium detachable from a predetermined information processing device,
Content storage means for storing content that can be processed by the information processing apparatus;
Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money;
A use condition is set for the content within a range of the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means, and the information is set so that the use of the content permitted by the set use condition is enabled. Control means for controlling processing based on the content by the processing device. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a use condition selected by a user in the content. The apparatus further includes a management unit that communicates with a management device that manages the electronic money and increases the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit.
2. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further sets usage conditions for the content within a range of the amount of the electronic money increased by the management unit. Content storage means for storing content that can be processed by a predetermined information processing device;
Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money,
In an information processing method using a storage medium detachable from the information processing apparatus,
A use condition is set for the content within a range of the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means, and the information is set so that the use of the content permitted by the set use condition is enabled. An information processing method comprising a control step of controlling a process based on the content by a processing device. Content storage means for storing content that can be processed by a predetermined information processing device;
Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money,
In a program that causes a computer to execute information processing using a storage medium that is removable from the information processing apparatus,
A use condition is set for the content within a range of the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means, and the information is set so that the use of the content permitted by the set use condition is enabled. A program comprising a control step of controlling processing based on the content by a processing device. In a storage medium detachable from a predetermined information processing device,
Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money;
Content storage means for storing predetermined content obtained from a content management device for managing content,
A storage medium comprising: management means for paying for the predetermined content by using the electronic money stored in the electronic money storage means. 7. The storage medium according to claim 6, wherein the management unit communicates with an electronic money management device that manages the electronic money, and increases the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit. Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money,
In an information processing method using a storage medium detachable from a predetermined information processing apparatus,
A content storage step of storing predetermined content obtained from a content management device that manages the content,
A management step of paying for the predetermined content using the electronic money stored in the electronic money storage means. Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money,
In a program that causes a computer to execute information processing using a storage medium that is removable from a predetermined information processing apparatus,
A content storage step of storing predetermined content obtained from a content management device that manages the content,
A management step of paying for the predetermined content by using the electronic money stored in the electronic money storage means. In a storage medium detachable from a predetermined information processing device,
Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money;
Content storage means for storing a plurality of contents;
Control means for enabling a predetermined content selected from the plurality of contents stored by the content storage means within a range of the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means And a storage medium comprising: The apparatus further includes a management unit that communicates with a management device that manages the electronic money and increases the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage unit.
11. The storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the control unit further enables the use of the content within a range of the amount of the electronic money increased by the management unit. Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money;
Content storage means for storing a plurality of contents,
In an information processing method using a storage medium detachable from a predetermined information processing apparatus,
A control step of enabling a predetermined content selected from the plurality of contents stored by the content storage means within a range of the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means An information processing method comprising: Electronic money storage means for storing electronic money;
Content storage means for storing a plurality of contents,
In a program that causes a computer to execute information processing using a storage medium that is removable from a predetermined information processing apparatus,
A control step of enabling a predetermined content selected from the plurality of contents stored by the content storage means within a range of the amount of the electronic money stored by the electronic money storage means A program characterized by including:

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