JP2005322171A - Content distribution system, distribution method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resolve the troublesomeness in processing for each of persons engaged in contents distribution business and expand contents distribution business. <P>SOLUTION: A system main body 2 collectively stores contents which a contents writer 1 creates, converts the contents to formats by which end users 3 want to view and registers the contents as "Commodity" and "Course". The "Commodity" is a format where the contents can be sold and provided every time end users want to view the contents, and the "Course" is a format where the contents can be sold as the end users can view the content in units of certain periods. A very convenient contents sales management method can offer one content in accordance with the formats by which the end users want to view the content by registering one content as "Commodity" or "Course". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system and distribution method for distributing a large number of contents provided by a content creator to end users (content viewers), and more particularly to registration / sales management of distribution contents.

  The content distribution business market is expected to expand further in the future. There are a wide range of content distribution targets such as video, still images, documents, and music. Among them, the ratio of video content distribution is expected to be high.

  Content distribution involves a wide variety of tasks such as content registration / management, content information management, sales management / copyright protection, customer information management, billing / settlement, and content distribution is established as a paid content distribution business. In order to provide a detailed content distribution service to end users, in the flow from content registration to distribution, an excessive amount of registration is required for each content creator and each end user who is a registered content user. In addition, it is desired that registration and viewing can be performed without causing a burden on the viewing request processing.

  Conventionally, contents are registered in units of files (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and when an end user wants to view a plurality of contents, there has been a trouble that viewing request processing must be performed for each content.

  In addition, even if the content creator wants to provide a plurality of contents, the plurality of contents are registered only in units of files, and therefore, there has been a case where the business opportunity of allowing the end user to view the contents collectively is lost.

Furthermore, the content service provider registers each content in units of files and allows the end user to view and loses the business opportunity of planning and selling a plurality of content in combination.
JP 2004-015343 A

  The content distribution business is composed of a content creator, an end user who views the content, and a content service provider who registers the content and provides it to the desired viewer.

  Content creators expect to increase business opportunities by having multiple end users view by registering multiple content, but avoid the hassle of registering each content individually I can't.

  When an end user desires to view a plurality of contents, the end user has to make a request for viewing a plurality of times for each content.

  Even if a content service provider plans an increase in sales by viewing a combination of a plurality of contents, there is a problem that it is necessary to manage each content.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the complexity of the processes related to the content distribution business and to expand the content distribution business, a content distribution system, a content distribution method, a program for this method, and a recording To provide a medium.

  In the present invention, a plurality of contents are separately sold and distributed to a content distribution system that has been conventionally registered for each content to be distributed and distributed after receiving a viewing request for each content. Content distribution system, distribution method, and content distribution system, which can be sold and viewed together when there is a viewing request, and can be sold and distributed so that multiple contents can be viewed freely for a certain period of time. By doing so, the convenience of content creators, end users and content service providers is enhanced.

  As means and methods for realizing this, (a) content registration / authentication is performed not only on a file basis but also on a directory basis, and (b) a content distribution system can be sold each time it is viewed. Manage content in units of "Products" and units of "Courses" that allow multiple contents to be viewed repeatedly during the contract period by subscribing for a certain period of time. The function like this is realized.

  -A plurality of different contents are managed by registering and authenticating contents in directory units.

  -Content authentication is performed on a directory basis.

  An end user who intends to receive content distribution performs user registration by inputting user information including a user ID and a user password on the Web screen.

  User information is used for content distribution processing by the content distribution system management server and user authentication by the authentication server.

  A content creator who provides content registers the provided content in the management server of the distribution system, and performs copyright processing on the content to protect the content.

  -Viewing of content by an end user is enabled only after the system issues a license after user authentication by the system.

  ・ When viewing as a “product”, the content distribution procedure is for the end user to apply for viewing the “product”, charge the end user, charge the end user, and complete the payment process. In response to the request, the content distribution system issues a license, and the end user can decompress and view the desired content only after receiving the license. Further, when contract viewing as a “course”, the end user contracts with the content service provider, and after the contract processing is completed, the content viewing condition is established. When the end user actually wants to view the content, the content distribution system Is requested to issue a license, and the desired content can be viewed only after the license is issued.

  From the above, the present invention is characterized by the following content distribution system, content distribution method, program of the method, and recording medium.

(1) A large number of contents provided by the content creator are registered in the content distribution system main body, and the content distribution system main body authenticates the end user who requests viewing and distributes the content to the end user who has been authenticated. A content distribution system that
The content distribution system main body is:
Content storage means for centrally storing a large number of contents provided by the content creator;
Content registration / authentication means for registering and authenticating each content in file units and group units,
Content management means for managing the content as a “product” in file units or group units, and managing it as a “course” contracted with an end user for a limited time;
Each time an end user desires to view the registered content, the content is distributed as the “product”, and is distributed so that it can be viewed repeatedly as the “course” during the contract period for which the end user contracts for a limited time. Content distribution means to
A content distribution system comprising:

  (2) In Claim 1, the content distribution means, for the content managed in the group unit, can distribute any content in the content group by one distribution of the content group. A content distribution system characterized in that it can be distributed as many times as there are viewing requests.

  (3) In Claim 1, the content distribution means may manage any content in the content group, regardless of the content in the content group, depending on the contract period of the content group. A content distribution system characterized in that it can be distributed as many times as there are viewing requests.

  (4) The content according to claim 1, wherein the content registration / authentication means registers one content provided by the content creator as an original content in duplicate in a plurality of sets of content. Distribution system.

  (5) The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content management unit protects the content by copyright processing of the registered content.

(6) In Claim 1, the content distribution means and the authentication means are:
When distributing content in units of the “product”, after the end user has applied for viewing the “product”, billed the end user, and settled the payment, the end user is requested to request a license to decompress the content. The end user can decompress and view the desired content only after receiving the license.
When distributing content in units of the “course”, the end user contracts with the content service provider, establishes content viewing conditions after the contract processing is completed, and the end user issues a license when actually viewing the content. Requesting and viewing the desired content only after receiving a license,
A content distribution system characterized by that.

(7) A large number of contents provided by the content creator are registered in the content distribution system main body, and the content distribution system main body authenticates the end user who requests viewing and distributes the content to the end user who has been authenticated. Content delivery method to
The content distribution system main body is:
A content storage procedure for centrally storing a large number of content provided by the content creator,
Content registration / authentication procedure for registering and authenticating each content in file units and group units,
A content management procedure for managing the content as a "product" in units of files or groups, and managing as a "course" for a limited time contract with an end user;
Each time an end user wants to view the registered content, the content is distributed as the “product”, and is distributed so that it can be viewed repeatedly as the “course” during a contract period in which the end user contracts for a limited time. Content delivery procedures to
A content distribution method comprising:

  (8) A content distribution program characterized in that the processing procedure in the content distribution method according to claim 7 can be executed by a computer.

  (9) A recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing procedure in the content distribution method according to claim 7 is recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer.

  As described above, the content distribution system according to the present invention is characterized in that it can distribute a plurality of different contents and the contents of a plurality of content creators in an integrated manner, and provides end users and contents that want to view the contents. This has the effect of improving the convenience of each content creator and content service provider that distributes content using the content distribution system.

  In addition, when viewed from an end user who wants to view content, it is possible to easily access a plurality of video contents and content of a plurality of content creators by simply accessing one content distribution system via the Web. There is an effect that it can be planned.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution system for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a content creator computer (hereinafter referred to as a content creator) that provides content, and 2 is a content service provider. A content distribution system main body for installing and registering content and distributing the registered content to an end user, 3 is an end user computer (hereinafter referred to as an end user) for viewing the content.

  The content distribution system main body 2 includes at least a management server 21, a content distribution server 22, an authentication server 23, and a web server 24.

  The content creator 1 and the end user 3 are respectively connected to the content distribution system main body 2 via a communication line, but the type of the communication line is not particularly specified in the implementation of the present invention. The content creator 1 has an environment for creating content in a format (format) suitable for the content to be provided, but the specific configuration is not particularly defined in the present invention. The end user 3 registers the desire to view through the Web, selects the content desired to view, downloads the content from the content distribution system main body 2 when viewing authorization is obtained, and views the content. The configuration of the end user 3 is only required to provide an environment where the Web can be used, and it is sufficient that an environment for opening and viewing the downloaded content is prepared.

FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the original contents according to the present invention and “products” and “courses” to be sold to end users as distribution contents. That is, with respect to a content distribution system that has been conventionally registered for each content to be distributed and has received a viewing request for each content,
・ As shown in “Product” A, selling and distributing multiple contents separately,
・ As shown in “Product” B, multiple contents can be sold and viewed together when there is a viewing request.
・ As shown in “Course” P, selling and distributing multiple contents so that they can be viewed freely for a certain period of time.
Enable.

  As means for realizing this, (a) content registration and authentication are performed not only on a file basis but also on a directory basis, and (b) a “product that can be sold each time it is viewed in the content distribution system. And a unit called “course” that allows a plurality of contents to be freely viewed repeatedly during the contract period by making a viewing contract for a certain period of time.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a management table characterizing the content registration management method in the content distribution system main body 2. As shown in (a) of FIG. 3, the management table includes a management table for each original file that manages each registered original of content, and a registered content as shown in (b) of FIG. It consists of a sales file management table for managing sales for viewing as “product” or “course”.

  When the original content to be provided is registered in the management table for each original file by the content creator, DRM processing for copyright protection, watermark processing for preventing falsification, and DCD for content identification are added to the original content The result of processing such as is recorded. Further, an index indicating which file is registered as a sales file is also recorded.

  In the management table by sales file, in addition to the “product” name or “course” name that is the unit of sales, the “product” and the original content name constituting the “course”, the attributes of the original content (video, still image, Document, music, etc.), registration period, viewable period, number of accesses, etc. are recorded.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow of a content distribution process based on a viewing request for “product” from the end user 3. With reference to FIG. 4, processing for viewing “product” according to the present invention will be described.

  The end user 3 who wishes to view content connects to the content distribution system main body 2 via the network, and after viewing the content provided by the content service provider on the Web screen, issues a content viewing request.

  First, user registration for content viewing is performed for the content service provider. In user registration, when a registration request is transmitted on the login screen, the management server 21 requests the authentication server 23 to give the ID and password of the end user 3.

  The authentication server 23 generates an ID and a password for the end user 3 and notifies the end user 3 that has issued the viewing registration request via the management server 21. The end user 3 given the ID and password transmits a distribution request for content viewing to the management server 21 from the login screen.

  The management server 21 transmits the ID and password of the end user 3 to the authentication server 23, and requests whether content distribution is possible. When the authentication server 23 confirms that distribution is possible, the management server 21 confirms the viewing application for the end user 3. In this confirmation, a predetermined viewing fee, payment method, viewable period, etc., for the content that the end user 3 desires to view are displayed on the end user 3.

  When the end user 3 accepts these viewing conditions, the management server 21 performs a fee settlement process for viewing the “product”. When the management server 21 confirms the completion of the approval, the authentication server 23 issues a license necessary for viewing the requested content to the end user.

  A route between the end user 3 that has received the license and the content distribution server 22 that stores the actual content is set, and the content is distributed for the first time, and the end user 3 views the desired content. Will be able to.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of a “course” viewing request from the end user 3 and a content distribution process based on the request. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing in the case of “course” viewing, but the contract conditions such as the viewing fee payment method and the viewable period differ from the case of “product” viewing. In other words, if you subscribe to “Course” viewing, you can view the multiple content included in the “Course” without incurring a new viewing fee each time you want to view the content. Is possible.

  The registration process of the end user 3 who desires viewing to the content distribution system main body is the same as the registration process of the end user 3 in the case of “product” viewing, but the process leading to content viewing after end user registration is performed. Different. That is, after receiving the ID and password of the end user from the authentication server 23, on the login screen from the Web server 24, select the content desired to be viewed from the content included in the contracted “course”. Therefore, a viewing request is issued. After transmitting the ID and password, the authentication server 23 determines whether or not distribution is possible, and then the end user 3 confirms the viewing application, receives a license for viewing the content from the authentication server 23, and distributes the desired content. Can receive the content for the first time.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of content registration processing to the content distribution system main body 2 by the content creator 1 who provides the content. Content creator 1 who wants to create and provide content also provides appropriate content, pays content usage fees that accompany content viewing, provides usage information such as content viewing status, etc. In order for the service provider to perform, the content creator ID and password are issued and managed so that a good content service can be continued.

  The registered contents are content, “product” and “course”, such as content provision period, copyright protection processing for preventing unauthorized copying, watermark processing for preventing falsification, DCD processing such as content ID, etc. After processing that can be managed as a content management table is performed, the content entity is stored in the content distribution server 22.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of content registration processing in the content management server 21 of the content distribution system main body 2. FIG. 7 shows processing performed by the management server 21 when the provided content is registered for distribution from the content creator 1 to the content distribution system main body 2 of the content service provider, as shown in FIG. In the process flow, the contents shown as the content registration process are shown.

  For each content to be provided, a content basic information database such as content creator, output format, content identification information, registration year, registration period, provision fee, provision method, etc. is constructed at the time of content registration, and the content after registration Collection of variable data such as access log information is performed by the management server 21.

  During the content provision period, the management server 21 manages each content according to the sales format as “product” and “course” by the content management table, and after the content provision period ends, the content deletion process is performed. The content is deleted from the content distribution system main body 2.

  When the viewing period expires in the sales file management table shown in FIG. 3, the content is deleted by deleting the registration of the “product” or “course” and the counter value in the original management table shown in FIG. If it is zero), the original content itself is deleted from the distribution system.

  Therefore, content whose counter value on the original file management table is not 0 (zero) can be newly registered in the sales file management table as “product” or “course” and viewed.

  The present invention is realized by using a computer by configuring a part or all of the processing functions of the method shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 or the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as a program, or FIGS. Can be configured as a program and executed by a computer. In addition, a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, MO, ROM, or memory card can be used to store a program for realizing the processing functions of each unit by the computer or a program for causing the computer to execute the processing procedure. It can be recorded on a CD, DVD, removable disk, etc., stored, provided, and distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The block diagram of the content delivery system explaining embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the correspondence of the "product" and "course" which are the content delivery forms by this invention, and the content which can actually be viewed. The figure which shows the structure of the management table which characterizes the registration management method of a content in the content delivery system main body by this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the content delivery process based on the "product" viewing-and-listening request from the end user in this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the content delivery process based on the "course" viewing request from the end user in this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the registration process of the provision content by the content creator in this invention. The figure which shows the flow of registration content management by a content service provider.

Explanation of symbols

1 Content creator,
2 Content service providers,
3 Content distribution system,
21 management server,
22 content distribution server,
23 authentication server,
24 Web server,
4 is the end user.

Claims (9)

A number of contents provided by the content creator are registered in the content distribution system main body, and the content distribution system main body authenticates the end user who requests viewing and distributes the content to the end user who has been authenticated. A system,
The content distribution system main body is:
Content storage means for centrally storing a large number of contents provided by the content creator;
Content registration / authentication means for registering and authenticating each content in file units and group units,
Content management means for managing the content as a “product” in file units or group units, and managing it as a “course” contracted with an end user for a limited time;
Each time an end user desires to view the registered content, the content is distributed as the “product”, and is distributed so that it can be viewed repeatedly as the “course” during the contract period for which the end user contracts for a limited time. Content distribution means to
A content distribution system comprising:   2. The content distribution unit according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution unit is configured to request a viewing of the content, regardless of the content in the content group, by distributing the content group once. A content distribution system characterized in that it can be distributed as many times as possible.   2. The content distribution unit according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution unit issues a request for viewing the content regardless of the content in the content group, depending on the contract period of the content group. A content distribution system characterized by being able to distribute as many times as possible.   2. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content registration / authentication unit registers one content provided by a content creator as an original content in duplicate in a plurality of sets of content groups.   2. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content management means protects the content by copyright processing of the registered content. The content distribution unit and the authentication unit according to claim 1,
When distributing content in units of the “product”, after the end user has applied for viewing the “product”, billed the end user, and settled the payment, the end user is requested to request a license to decompress the content. The end user can decompress and view the desired content only after receiving the license.
When distributing content in units of the “course”, the end user contracts with the content service provider, establishes content viewing conditions after the contract processing is completed, and the end user issues a license when actually viewing the content. Requesting and viewing the desired content only after receiving a license,
A content distribution system characterized by that. A number of contents provided by the content creator are registered in the content distribution system main body, and the content distribution system main body authenticates the end user who requests viewing and distributes the content to the end user who has been authenticated. A method,
The content distribution system main body is:
A content storage procedure for centrally storing a large number of content provided by the content creator,
Content registration / authentication procedure for registering and authenticating each content in file units and group units,
A content management procedure for managing the content as a "product" in units of files or groups, and managing as a "course" for a limited time contract with an end user;
Each time an end user wants to view the registered content, the content is distributed as the “product”, and is distributed so that it can be viewed repeatedly as the “course” during a contract period in which the end user contracts for a limited time. Content delivery procedures to
A content distribution method comprising:   8. A content distribution program configured to execute a processing procedure in the content distribution method according to claim 7 on a computer.   8. A recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute a processing procedure in the content distribution method according to claim 7 is recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer.

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