JP2005242886A - Program distribution system, management server, server program, and method for permitting use of program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution system by which download of a content is possible regardless of holding points and by which use permission of a content is given according to ownership points. <P>SOLUTION: A content server (10) distributes to communication terminals (40) packed data including a plurality of programs. If a program from which protection is not released is executed, a use permission request is transmitted to the management server (10). The management server (10) compares the holding points of the user with points necessary to use, and transmits protection release data to the communication terminal (40) when the holding points are not less than the necessary points. Thereby, use of the programs becomes possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for distributing a program to a communication terminal, and a management server, a server program, and a method for permitting use of the program on the communication terminal in the system.

A system that distributes content from a content server to a mobile phone via a mobile packet communication network is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, in such a system, a service for distributing contents such as ringtones to mobile phones by consuming points given to registered users every month is also known.
JP 2003-333133 A

  In the service as described above, every time the user downloads content as necessary, the points owned by the user are consumed. The point consumption is determined in advance according to the content. If the user has consumed all the given points, the user cannot download the content until the next month. Recently, there has been a mechanism to carry over the remaining points of the previous month to the current month, but in this case as well, if all points are consumed, the content cannot be downloaded until the next month. Users can only download content when there are enough points left. Also, the user can only download content one by one. As a result, the frequency of data communication is increased, resulting in an increase in communication traffic. In addition, each time a user tries to acquire a piece of content, the user must perform a download operation, and the content server must execute content distribution processing, which places a heavy burden on both the user and the content server. .

  Therefore, the present invention provides a content distribution system, a server, a server program, and a method for permitting a communication terminal to download content regardless of a user's possession point and giving the communication terminal permission to use the content according to the possession point. The task is to do.

  One aspect of the present invention relates to a system for distributing a program to a user's communication terminal. This system includes a point database, a management server, a content server, and first to third storage devices. The point database stores user-owned points in association with user identification data. The management server can access the point database. The first storage device stores pack data including a plurality of protected programs. In response to a download request from the communication terminal, the content server reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal. The second storage device stores the necessary points to be consumed in order to use each program included in the pack data in association with the program identification data assigned to each program. The third storage device stores the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to the program. When the communication terminal executes the unprotected program included in the pack data, the communication terminal transmits a use permission request including the program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server. When the communication terminal receives the protection release data, the communication terminal uses the protection release data to release the protection of the program. When the management server receives the use permission request, the management server reads the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request from the point database and associates it with the program identification data included in the use permission request. Read the required point from the second storage device. The management server compares the owned point read from the point database with the necessary point read from the second storage device, and when the owned point is equal to or greater than the necessary point, the protection release associated with the program identification data is released. Data is read from the third storage device and transmitted to the communication terminal.

  When the possession point read from the point database is equal to or more than the necessary point read from the second storage device, the management server only reads the possession point stored in the point database from the second storage device. It may be reduced.

  When the communication terminal executes the program for the first time after the protection is canceled, the communication terminal may transmit a use notification including the program identification data and the user identification data assigned to the program to the management server. When the management server receives the usage notification, the management server reduces the owned points stored in the point database in association with the user identification data included in the usage notification by the necessary points corresponding to the program identification data included in the usage notification. May be.

  The communication terminal can initially execute only one of a plurality of programs included in the pack data, and can execute another program included in the pack data when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the execution of the program. It may be like this.

  The pack data transmitted by the content server in response to a download request from the communication terminal may contain a plurality of compressed programs.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a management server that gives a communication terminal permission to use a program in a system that distributes the program to a user's communication terminal. The system includes a point database, a content server, and first to third storage devices. The point database stores user-owned points in association with user identification data. The management server can access the point database. The first storage device stores pack data including a plurality of protected programs. In response to a download request from the communication terminal, the content server reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal. The second storage device stores the necessary points to be consumed in order to use each program included in the pack data in association with the program identification data assigned to each program. The third storage device stores the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to the program. When the communication terminal executes the unprotected program included in the pack data, the communication terminal transmits a use permission request including the program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server. When the communication terminal receives the protection release data, the communication terminal uses the protection release data to release the protection of the program. When the management server receives the use permission request, the management server reads the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request from the point database and is associated with the program identification data included in the use permission request. Reading the required point from the second storage device, comparing the owned point read from the point database with the required point read from the second storage device, and when the owned point is equal to or greater than the required point; The step of reading the protection release data associated with the program identification data from the third storage device and transmitting it to the communication terminal is executed.

  When the possession point read from the point database is equal to or more than the necessary point read from the second storage device, the management server only reads the possession point stored in the point database from the second storage device. The step of reducing may be further performed.

  When the communication terminal executes the program for the first time after the protection is canceled, the communication terminal may transmit a use notification including the program identification data and the user identification data assigned to the program to the management server. When the management server receives the usage notification, the management server reduces the possessed points stored in the point database in association with the user identification data included in the usage notification by the necessary points corresponding to the program identification data included in the usage notification. Further steps may be performed.

  The pack data transmitted by the content server in response to a download request from the communication terminal may contain a plurality of compressed programs.

  Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a server program that operates on a management server that gives a communication terminal permission to use a program in a system that distributes the program to a user communication terminal. The system includes a point database, a content server, and first to third storage devices. The point database stores user-owned points in association with user identification data. The management server can access the point database. The first storage device stores pack data including a plurality of protected programs. In response to a download request from the communication terminal, the content server reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal. The second storage device stores the necessary points to be consumed in order to use each program included in the pack data in association with the program identification data assigned to each program. The third storage device stores the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to the program. When the communication terminal executes the unprotected program included in the pack data, the communication terminal transmits a use permission request including the program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server. When the communication terminal receives the protection release data, the communication terminal uses the protection release data to release the protection of the program. The server program causes the management server to execute the following steps. That is, when the use permission request is received, the possessed point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request is read from the point database, and the necessary points associated with the program identification data included in the use permission request Reading from the second storage device, comparing the possessed point read from the point database with the necessary point read from the second storage device, and when the owned point is equal to or greater than the necessary point, the program In this step, the protection release data associated with the identification data is read from the third storage device and transmitted to the communication terminal.

  When the possessed point read from the point database is equal to or more than the necessary point read from the second storage device, the server program reads the owned point stored in the point database only from the necessary point read from the second storage device. You may make a management server perform further the step to reduce.

  When the communication terminal executes the program for the first time after the protection is canceled, the communication terminal may transmit a use notification including the program identification data and the user identification data assigned to the program to the management server. When the server program receives the use notification, the server program associates the possessed points stored in the point database in association with the user identification data included in the use notification with only the necessary points associated with the program identification data included in the use notification. You may make a management server perform further the step to reduce.

  The pack data transmitted by the content server in response to a download request from the communication terminal may contain a plurality of compressed programs.

  Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for permitting use of a program on a communication terminal in a system that distributes the program to a user's communication terminal. The system includes a point database, a content server, and first to third storage devices. The point database stores user-owned points in association with user identification data. The management server can access the point database. The first storage device stores pack data including a plurality of protected programs. In response to a download request from the communication terminal, the content server reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal. The second storage device stores the necessary points to be consumed in order to use each program included in the pack data in association with the program identification data assigned to each program. The third storage device stores the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to the program. In this method, when the communication terminal executes an unprotected program included in the pack data, a use permission request including the program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data is transmitted to the management server. And when the management server receives the use permission request, the management server reads the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request from the point database and also identifies the program included in the use permission request. Reading the necessary points associated with the data from the second storage device, the management server comparing the owned points read from the point database with the necessary points read from the second storage device, , The possession point is the required point When the above is true, the step of reading out the protection release data associated with the program identification data from the third storage device and transmitting it to the communication terminal, and when the communication terminal receives the protection release data, And releasing the protection of the program using the release data.

  In the present invention, a single server may operate as both the management server and the content server, and a single storage device may operate as two or all of the first to third storage devices.

  The present invention permits a communication terminal to download content regardless of the user's possession point, and gives the communication terminal permission to use the content according to the possession point. For this reason, the communication frequency of a client computer can be reduced and communication traffic can be reduced. In addition, since a plurality of contents are downloaded together as pack data, the total amount of communication data can be reduced compared to the case where individual contents are downloaded individually.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a content distribution system 100 of the present embodiment. The content distribution system 100 includes a content server 10, the Internet 20, a mobile packet communication network 30, and a mobile phone 40. The mobile packet communication network 30 includes a plurality of gateway servers 31 and a plurality of base stations 32. For the sake of simplicity, only one gateway server 31 and one base station 32 are depicted in FIG.

  The content server 10 can perform packet communication with the mobile phone 40 via the Internet 20 and the mobile packet communication network 30. The content server 10 includes a storage device (for example, a hard disk drive) 12 in which content data to be distributed to the mobile phone 40 is stored.

  The content server 10 can access the point database 14 and the authentication database 16 as necessary. The authentication database 16 stores data necessary for user authentication, that is, a user ID (identification data) and a password. The point database 14 stores points owned by registered users of the content distribution service in association with user IDs. A predetermined value is added to each user's point stored in the point database 14 every time the month changes. Therefore, the user receives a predetermined point every month.

  The mobile packet communication network 30 provides a packet communication service to the mobile phone 40. The gateway server 31 controls communication between the mobile packet communication network 30 and the Internet 20. The base station 32 is a non-moving radio station installed in various places to communicate directly with the mobile phone 40. The gateway server 31 and the base station 32 can communicate with each other.

  The mobile phone 40 is a client terminal that performs wireless communication with the content server 10 via the mobile packet communication network 30 and the Internet 20. The mobile phone 40 has various operation buttons and a display device. The display device has a liquid crystal screen. The mobile phone 40 also includes a storage device that stores content data downloaded from the content server 10.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the storage device 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage device 12 has a server program storage area 60, a pack data storage area 62, a necessary point table storage area 64, and a use permission flag storage area 66.

  The server program storage area 60 stores a server program that operates on the content server 10 and controls the content server 10. Under the control of this server program, the content server 10 executes various processes described later.

  In the pack data storage area 62, content data distributed by the content server 10 is stored. In the present embodiment, game pack data including a plurality of game programs operable on the mobile phone 40 is stored in the pack data storage area 62 as content data. The game pack data includes a launcher program that operates on the mobile phone 40. This launcher program provides the mobile phone 40 with a user interface for allowing the user to select and execute a plurality of game programs included in the game pack data. These games and launcher programs are compressed into one game pack data. If a general-purpose launcher program is incorporated in the mobile phone 40 in advance, the game pack data may not include the launcher program.

  In the necessary point table storage area 64, points to be consumed for using the game program included in the game pack data are stored in association with the ID of the game program.

  In the use permission flag storage area 66, a flag permitting use of the game program is stored in association with the ID of the game program. As will be described later, the game program in the game pack data is protected and cannot be used as it is. The use permission flag stored in the area 66 is protection release data used by the mobile phone 40 to release the protection and enable the game program.

  The registered user can access the content server 10 using the mobile phone 40 and download the game pack data stored in the storage device 12. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the mobile phone 40 and the content server 10 for downloading.

  Access to the content server 10 is performed using an Internet browser application running on the mobile phone 40. When the user operates the mobile phone 40 to select game pack data to be downloaded, a download request is transmitted from the mobile phone 40 to the content server 10 (step S902). This download request includes the user ID and the password.

  When receiving the download request (step S952), the content server 10 executes an authentication process using the user ID and the password (step S954). The content server 10 accesses the authentication database 16 and searches the authentication database 16 for a pair of user IDs and passwords received from the mobile phone 40. If the user ID / password code pair is found, it is determined that the authentication is successful.

  If the authentication fails (No in step S956), content server 10 transmits an authentication failure notification to mobile phone 40 (step S958). When receiving the authentication failure notification (step S904), the cellular phone 40 displays a message indicating the authentication failure on the screen (step S906).

  On the other hand, if the authentication is successful (Yes in step S956), the content server 10 reads the game pack data requested from the mobile phone 40 from the storage device 12, compresses it, and transmits it to the mobile phone 40 ( Step S960). As described above, the game pack data transmitted from the content server 10 to the mobile phone 40 contains a plurality of compressed programs. The amount of communication packets is reduced by this compression processing. Note that game pack data that has been previously compressed may be stored in the storage device 12.

  When the mobile phone 40 receives the game pack data (step S904), the mobile phone 40 decompresses (decompresses) the game pack data and stores it in the storage device in the mobile phone 40 (step S908).

  In this embodiment, the user's possession points are not consumed by downloading the game pack data. Therefore, even if the user's possession points stored in the point database 14 are 0, the game pack data can be downloaded. However, each game program included in the game pack data is protected and cannot be used in the initial state (that is, the game cannot be played). As will be described later, the user's possession points are consumed when obtaining permission to use the game program included in the game pack data.

  As described above, the mobile phone 40 receives the game pack data through the Internet 20 and the mobile packet communication network 30, and stores it in its storage device. A list of applications is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 40 by a specific operation. In this list, notations (for example, names and icons) of the downloaded game pack data are displayed. When the user designates notation of game pack data, the launcher program included in the game pack data is installed in the mobile phone 40 and executed. The launcher program displays the launcher screen 50 shown in FIG. On the launcher screen 50, a notation 52 indicating a predetermined one of the plurality of game programs included in the game pack data (hereinafter referred to as “game program 1”) is displayed. In this embodiment, the notation 52 is a clickable button image. The user can designate a game program corresponding to the button image by operating the mobile phone 40 and clicking the button image.

  If the launcher program is not included in the game pack data, a general-purpose launcher program incorporated in advance in the mobile phone 40 constructs the launcher screen 50. In this case, the launcher screen 50 displays notations of other programs stored in the mobile phone 40 in addition to the notations of the game program included in the game pack data.

  Thus, immediately after downloading the game pack data, the user can select only the game program 1. Further, the game program 1 is protected, and therefore the game program is in an unusable state. In order to execute the game program 1, it is necessary for the mobile phone 40 to obtain a use permission flag that is protection release data from the content server 10.

  In the following, a process for obtaining the use permission flag of the game program will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. FIG. 3 shows processing executed by the mobile phone 40, and FIG. 4 shows processing executed by the content server 10.

  As already described, according to the execution of the launcher program included in the game pack data, the launcher screen shown in FIG. 2A is displayed (step S302). When the user clicks the notation 52 of the game program 1 (step S304), the game program 1 is executed (step S306). The game program 1 first determines whether or not the game program 1 is usable, that is, whether or not the game can be played (step S308). Specifically, the use permission flag is searched in the storage device of the mobile phone 40. When the use permission flag is not found (No in step S308), the cellular phone 40 transmits a use permission request to the content server 10 (step S310). This use permission request includes the user ID, the password, and the game program 1 ID.

  Upon receiving these pieces of information (step S402), the content server 10 executes an authentication process using the user ID and password (step S404). Details of the authentication process are as described above. If the authentication fails (No in step S406), the content server 10 transmits an authentication failure notification to the mobile phone 40 (step S407). When receiving the authentication failure notification (step S312), the mobile phone 40 displays a message indicating the authentication failure on the screen (step S313). Thereafter, the launcher screen shown in FIG. 2A is displayed again (step S302).

  On the other hand, if the authentication is successful (Yes in step S406), the content server 10 compares the user's possession points with points necessary for using the game program 1 (step S408). Specifically, the content server 10 accesses the point database 14 and reads a point associated with the user ID included in the use permission request. This is a point owned by a user having that ID. Furthermore, the content server 10 reads from the storage device 12 the necessary points set in advance for the game program 1. As described above, necessary points for various game programs are stored in the area 66 of the storage device 12 in association with the IDs of the game programs. The content server 10 reads the necessary point associated with the ID of the game program 1 and compares it with the possessed point read from the point database 14.

  If the owned points are less than the necessary points (No in step S408), the content server 10 transmits a point shortage notification to the mobile phone 40 (step S409). When receiving the point shortage notification (step S312), the mobile phone 40 executes point purchase processing (step S314). In this process, a point purchase screen is displayed on the mobile phone 40. The user can purchase points by communicating with the content server 10 according to instructions on the screen. To purchase points, a user ID and password must be entered. The purchased points are added to the owned points stored in the point database 14. A billing process is also performed in accordance with the purchase of points. When the point purchase process is completed, the launcher screen shown in FIG. 2A is displayed again (step S302).

  On the other hand, when the owned points are equal to or more than the necessary points (Yes in step S408), the content server 10 transmits a use permission flag assigned in advance to the game program 1 to the mobile phone 40 (step S410). The use permission flag is stored in the storage device 12 in association with the ID of the game program. The content server 10 reads the use permission flag associated with the ID of the game program 1 from the storage device 12 and transmits it to the mobile phone 40. Thereafter, the content server 10 accesses the point database 14 and reduces the possessed points of the user stored in the point database 14 by the necessary points of the game program 1 (step S412). Note that the transmission of the use permission flag and the reduction of the possession points may be performed in the reverse order or in parallel.

  When the mobile phone 40 receives the use permission flag (step S312), it activates the game program 1 (step S315). The received use permission flag is stored in the storage device of the mobile phone 40 in association with the ID of the game program 1. By storing the use permission flag, the protection of the game program 1 is released, and the user can substantially use the game program 1 (that is, play the game).

  When the activation is completed, the game program 1 is terminated and the launcher screen is displayed again (step S302). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2B, the notation (button image) 52 of the game program 1 is updated. The user can understand from the change of the notation 52 that the game program 1 can be used.

  Thereafter, when the notation 52 is clicked and the game program 1 is designated (step S304), the game program 1 is executed (step S306), and a use permission flag is searched (step S308). Since the use permission flag of game program 1 is already stored in mobile phone 40, it is determined that game program 1 can be used (Yes in step S308). In response to this, the game process of the game program 1 is started, and the user can actually play the game (step S316). In this game process, the user may be able to purchase items using possession points.

  In the present embodiment, other game programs can be selected according to the progress of the game of the game program 1. For example, when the game of the game program 1 is completely cleared or cleared to a predetermined section, the display flag of another game program included in the game pack data is turned on. The display flag indicates that the notation of the game program is displayed on the launcher screen 50. The display flag is stored in the storage device of the mobile phone 40. Which game program display flag is turned on is set in advance on the game program 1. In the following, it is assumed that the display flag of the game program 2 is turned on in response to clearing of the game program 1.

  When the game process of the game program 1 is completed, the state of the display flag is confirmed (step S318). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not an end command has been input (step S320). If no end command is input, the launcher screen 50 is displayed again (step S302). As shown in FIG. 2 (c), in addition to the notation 52 of the game program 1, a notation 54 of the game program 2 with the display flag turned on is also displayed on the launcher screen 50. The notation 54 is a clickable button image similar to the notation 52. The user can specify and execute the game program 2 by clicking the notation 54.

  When the user finishes one of a plurality of divisions (scenario, plane, stage, etc.) provided in one game, the display flag of another division is turned on, and the notation corresponding to the division is displayed in the launcher. It may be displayed on the screen.

  As in the case of the game program 1, when the game program 2 is designated (step S304), the mobile phone 40 executes the processes in and after step S306 under the control of the game program 2. Since the use permission flag of the game program 2 has not been acquired yet (No in step S308), the processing after step S310 is executed. When the mobile phone 40 receives the use permission flag of the game program 2 (step S312), activation is performed and the game program 2 becomes usable (step S315). Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the notation 54 of the game program 2 is updated on the launcher screen 50. Thereafter, when the game program 2 is designated, the game process is started and the user can play the game (step S316).

  Below, the advantage of this embodiment is demonstrated. As described above, the content server 10 distributes a plurality of game programs to the mobile phone 40 as one pack. Therefore, the communication frequency of the user can be reduced as compared with the case where the individual game programs are distributed individually, and accordingly, the communication traffic of the Internet 20 and the mobile packet communication network 30 and the load on the content server can be reduced. For the user, the number of download operations is reduced as compared with the case of individually downloading the game program, so the work load is reduced. Furthermore, the total amount of packets communicated can be reduced as compared with the case where individual game programs are distributed individually. In particular, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of game programs are compressed and transmitted, the effect of reducing the amount of packets is high. The points that are the consideration of the game program are not consumed by the distribution of the game pack data, but are consumed when each game program is individually designated on the mobile phone 40. Thereby, a user's satisfaction can be raised. In addition, since a plurality of game programs are downloaded in a lump, the user can quickly move from one game program to another game program as compared with the case where game programs are downloaded one by one. From this point as well, user satisfaction can be increased.

  (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Similar to the first embodiment, the content providing service of the present embodiment is also implemented using the system 100 shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, points are consumed when the use permission of the game program included in the game pack data is obtained. In contrast, in the second embodiment, points are not consumed when the use permission of the game program is obtained, and thereafter points are consumed when the game program is actually used.

  Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows processing executed by the mobile phone 40, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show processing executed by the content server 10. Steps S502 to S520 in FIG. 5 and steps S602 to S610 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S302 to S320 in FIG. 3 and steps S402 to S410 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the content server 10 does not subtract the user's possession points after the transmission of the permission flag (step S610). As shown in FIG. 5, when a game program for which a permission flag has already been acquired is designated in step S504, the mobile phone 40 executes the designated game program (step S506) and controls the game program. The usage notification is transmitted to the content server 10 (step S522). The usage notification includes the user ID and the ID of the game program being executed. As shown in FIG. 7, when the content server 10 receives the usage notification (step S702), the content server 10 executes point subtraction processing (step S704). More specifically, the content server 10 reads from the storage device 12 the necessary points associated with the game program ID included in the use notification. Next, the content server 10 accesses the point database 14 and reduces the possessed points associated with the user ID included in the use notification by the necessary points associated with the game program ID.

  Below, the advantage of this embodiment is demonstrated. As in the first embodiment, since a plurality of game programs are delivered to the mobile phone 40 as a single pack, the communication frequency of the user can be reduced, and the communication traffic of the Internet 20 and the mobile packet communication network 30 accordingly. And content server load can be reduced. In addition, the work burden on the user is reduced. Furthermore, the total amount of packets communicated can be reduced. The points that are the consideration of the game program are not consumed by the distribution of the game pack data, but are consumed when the user actually uses each game program on the mobile phone 40, that is, when the game is played. Thereby, a user's satisfaction can be raised further. In addition, since a plurality of game programs are downloaded together, the user can quickly move from one game program to another game program.

  The present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

  For example, the plurality of programs included in the pack data may be other than the game program. In the above embodiment, the content server 10 executes the user authentication process. However, a server separate from the content server may execute the authentication process. In the above embodiment, pack data, a necessary point table, and a use permission flag are stored in a single storage device 12. However, some or all of the pack data, the necessary point table, and the use permission flag may be stored separately in separate storage devices. In the above embodiment, the mobile phone 40 which is a mobile terminal is used as the client of the content server 10, but instead, a fixed terminal such as a personal computer may be used as the client. Moreover, you may use mobile terminals other than a mobile telephone.

It is the schematic which shows a content delivery system. It is a figure which shows the screen of a mobile telephone. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a mobile telephone in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the content server in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a mobile telephone in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the content server in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the content server in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the memory | storage device of a server. It is a flowchart which shows the download process of a content.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Content server, 12 ... Storage device, 14 ... Point database, 16 ... Authentication database, 20 ... Internet, 30 ... Mobile packet communication network, 40 ... Mobile phone, 50 ... Launcher screen, 52 and 54 ... Game program notation.

Claims (14)

A system for distributing a program to a user communication terminal,
A point database for storing user-owned points in association with user identification data;
A management server accessible to the point database;
A first storage device for storing pack data including a plurality of protected programs;
A content server that reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal in response to a download request from the communication terminal;
A second storage device that stores necessary points to be consumed in order to use each of the programs in association with program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
A third storage device for storing the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
With
When the communication terminal executes an unprotected program included in the pack data, the communication terminal transmits a use permission request including the program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server. When the protection release data is received, the protection release of the program is canceled using the protection release data.
When the management server receives the use permission request, the management server reads the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request from the point database and includes the program identification data included in the use permission request. The necessary point associated with the second storage device is read from the second storage device, and the possessed point read from the point database is compared with the necessary point read from the second storage device. When there is a time, the protection release data associated with the program identification data is read from the third storage device and transmitted to the communication terminal.
Program distribution system. When the owned point read from the point database is equal to or more than the necessary point read from the second storage device, the management server retrieves the owned point stored in the point database from the second storage device. Reduce only the necessary points read,
The program distribution system according to claim 1. The communication terminal is configured to transmit a use notification including program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server when the program is first executed after the protection is released. ,
Upon receiving the use notification, the management server associates the possessed points stored in the point database in association with the user identification data included in the use notification with the program identification data included in the use notification. Reduce only the necessary points,
The program distribution system according to claim 1. The communication terminal can initially execute only one of a plurality of programs included in the pack data, and another program included in the pack data when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the execution of the program. Can be executed,
The program delivery system in any one of Claims 1-3.   The program distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pack data transmitted by the content server in response to a download request from the communication terminal contains the plurality of compressed programs. . A management server that gives the communication terminal permission to use the program in a system that distributes the program to a user's communication terminal;
The system
A point database for storing user-owned points in association with user identification data;
A first storage device for storing pack data including a plurality of protected programs;
A content server that reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal in response to a download request from the communication terminal;
A second storage device that stores necessary points to be consumed in order to use each of the programs in association with program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
A third storage device for storing the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
With
When the communication terminal executes an unprotected program included in the pack data, the communication terminal sends a use permission request including the program identification data and the user identification data assigned to the program to the management server. When sending and receiving the unprotect data, the protect protection data is used to cancel the protection of the program.
When the use permission request is received, the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request is read from the point database, and is associated with the program identification data included in the use permission request. Reading a necessary point from the second storage device;
Comparing the owned points read from the points database with the necessary points read from the second storage device;
When the possessed point is equal to or more than the necessary point, reading the protection release data associated with the program identification data from the third storage device and transmitting the data to the communication terminal;
Management server that executes   When the possessed point read from the point database is equal to or greater than the necessary point read from the second storage device, the necessary point stored in the point database is only the necessary point read from the second storage device. The management server according to claim 6, further performing the reducing step. The communication terminal is configured to transmit a use notification including program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server when the program is first executed after the protection is released. ,
When the use notification is received, the possessed points stored in the point database in association with the user identification data included in the use notification are only necessary points associated with the program identification data included in the use notification. The management server according to claim 6, further performing the reducing step.   The management server according to claim 6, wherein the pack data transmitted by the content server in response to a download request from the communication terminal contains the plurality of compressed programs. A server program that operates on a management server that gives the communication terminal permission to use the program in a system that distributes the program to a user's communication terminal;
The system
A point database for storing user-owned points in association with user identification data;
A first storage device for storing pack data including a plurality of protected programs;
A content server that reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal in response to a download request from the communication terminal;
A second storage device that stores necessary points to be consumed in order to use each of the programs in association with program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
A third storage device for storing the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
With
When the communication terminal executes an unprotected program included in the pack data, the communication terminal sends a use permission request including the program identification data and the user identification data assigned to the program to the management server. When sending and receiving the unprotect data, the protect protection data is used to cancel the protection of the program.
When the use permission request is received, the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request is read from the point database, and is associated with the program identification data included in the use permission request. Reading a necessary point from the second storage device;
Comparing the owned points read from the points database with the necessary points read from the second storage device;
When the possessed point is equal to or greater than the necessary point, reading the protection release data associated with the program identification data from the third storage device and transmitting the data to the communication terminal;
A server program for causing the management server to execute   When the possessed point read from the point database is equal to or greater than the necessary point read from the second storage device, the necessary point stored in the point database is only the necessary point read from the second storage device. The server program according to claim 10, further causing the management server to execute a step of reducing. The communication terminal is configured to transmit a use notification including program identification data assigned to the program and the user identification data to the management server when the program is first executed after the protection is released. ,
When the use notification is received, the possessed points stored in the point database in association with the user identification data included in the use notification are only necessary points associated with the program identification data included in the use notification. The server program according to claim 10, further causing the management server to execute a step of reducing.   The server program according to claim 10, wherein the pack data transmitted by the content server in response to a download request from the communication terminal contains the plurality of compressed programs. A method for permitting use of the program on the communication terminal in a system for distributing the program to a user communication terminal,
The system
A point database for storing user-owned points in association with user identification data;
A first storage device for storing pack data including a plurality of protected programs;
A content server that reads the pack data from the first storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal in response to a download request from the communication terminal;
A second storage device that stores necessary points to be consumed in order to use each of the programs in association with program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
A third storage device for storing the protection release data in association with the program identification data assigned to each of the programs;
With
When the communication terminal executes an unprotected program included in the pack data, a use permission request including the program identification data and the user identification data assigned to the program is sent to the management server. Sending, and
When the management server receives the use permission request, it reads from the point database the ownership point associated with the user identification data included in the use permission request, and also includes the program identification data included in the use permission request. Reading the necessary points associated with the second storage device;
The management server comparing the owned points read from the point database with the necessary points read from the second storage device;
When the management server reads the protection release data associated with the program identification data from the third storage device and transmits it to the communication terminal when the owned point is equal to or more than the necessary point;
When the communication terminal receives the unprotection data, using the unprotection data to cancel the protection of the program; and
A method comprising:

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