JP2006163556A - Content distribution system and content data downloading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution system for utilizing music (content) distributed, for example from a network. <P>SOLUTION: The content distribution system comprises a communication terminal for downloading prescribed content data by communicating with a content distribution site or a content providing terminal on the network; and a reproducing device that is connected to the communication terminal, acquires the content data downloaded by the communication terminal from the communication terminal, and stores them so that they can be reproduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system and a content data download method for downloading content distributed to a playback device that reproduces content such as music.

  In recent years, a means for downloading content data distributed from a music distribution site on a network such as the Internet, for example, music data, to a personal computer (PC) and reproducing the music on the PC is becoming widespread. In addition, downloading content such as music from a content providing terminal such as a digital kiosk device to a mobile terminal is becoming widespread. Downloaded music can be played on the PC where the music data is recorded, but transfer to other playback devices is prohibited or restricted from the viewpoint of copyright protection to prevent illegal copying. Yes. In addition, since downloading music from a network is generally charged, payment with a credit card or the like is required before downloading. Settlement is also usually performed in communication with a network. Therefore, in order to download music from the network and play it back, the playback device itself needs to have a communication function with the network.

For this reason, for example, an audio device that does not have a communication function, such as an audio device (car audio) or home audio equipped in a mobile body (automobile), cannot use music distributed from a network.
JP 2002-261743 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an audio system that can use music distributed from a network and a music data download method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, the configuration of the content distribution system of the present invention includes a communication terminal that downloads predetermined content data from the content distribution site by communication with a content distribution site or a content providing terminal on the network, and the communication And a playback device that is connected to a terminal, acquires the content data downloaded by the communication terminal from the communication terminal, and stores the content data in a playable manner.

  In the above configuration, for example, the communication terminal has a payment function using electronic money, and pays the price for downloading the content data using the electronic money.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the playback device has received payment information indicating that content identification information for identifying the content data and a price for downloading the content data have been paid from the communication terminal. And get and store. Further, the playback device deletes the stored content data, generates deletion information indicating that the content has been deleted, and includes the deletion information, the stored content identification information, and the settlement information. The communication terminal accesses the content distribution site or the content providing terminal, and notifies the content distribution site or the content providing terminal of the deletion information, the content identification information, and the payment information. Thus, the content data can be downloaded again.

In order to achieve the above object, a content data downloading method of the present invention uses a communication terminal to access a content distribution site or a content providing terminal on a network and download predetermined content data from the content distribution site to the communication terminal. The content data downloaded by the communication terminal is acquired from the communication terminal by a playback device connected to the communication terminal, and is stored so as to be playable.

  In the above method, for example, the communication terminal has a payment function using electronic money, and pays the price for downloading the content data using the electronic money.

  In the above method, it is preferable that the playback device has received payment information indicating that the content identification information for identifying the content data and the price for downloading the content data have been paid from the communication terminal. And get and store. Further, the playback device deletes the stored content data, generates deletion information indicating that the content has been deleted, and includes the deletion information, the stored content identification information, and the settlement information. The communication terminal accesses the content distribution site or the content providing terminal, and notifies the content distribution site or the content providing terminal of the deletion information, the content identification information, and the payment information. By doing so, the content data can be downloaded again.

  According to the present invention, a content downloaded from a content distribution site or a content providing terminal on a network can be used in a playback device that does not have a communication function.

  In addition, the content data once downloaded to the playback device can be moved to another playback device without making a digital copy that violates the copyright.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the following embodiment, content data to be downloaded is music data as an example, and an audio system that reproduces it will be described as an example. However, the content data is not limited to music data.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an audio system 1 includes a communication terminal 10 that can be connected to a music distribution site via a network, and an audio device 20 that is connected to the communication terminal 10 by wire or wirelessly.

  The communication terminal 10 is a mobile phone, for example, and can access a music distribution site via a network such as the Internet and download music data. Further, the communication terminal 10 preferably has an electronic money function and can be settled by electronic money. Of course, the credit card settlement by inputting the credit card number may be possible by setting on the music distribution site side.

The audio apparatus 20 includes a predetermined standard interface (I / F) 21 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication terminal 10, an operation panel 22 that is an external interface with the user, a system microcomputer 23 that controls the entire audio apparatus, An audio DSP 24 that reproduces music data and generates an audio signal, a speaker 25 that outputs the audio signal to the outside, and a recording medium 26 are provided. The interface 21 is a connector when connected to the communication terminal 10 by wire, and is a wireless device when connected wirelessly. Wireless communication is, for example, infrared communication at a short distance (several meters). The storage device 26 is a hard disk device, a memory card, or the like, and is means for storing music data.

  In the present embodiment, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 10 downloads predetermined music data from a music distribution site and stores it in the storage device 26 of the audio device 20. Thus, the downloaded music data can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of music data download processing in the audio system according to the present embodiment. 2, first, the communication terminal 10 accesses a music distribution site (a server on the network) by a user operation (S10). Furthermore, the music to be downloaded is selected from the music provided by the music distribution site by the user's operation (S11). In the settlement, the electronic money held by the communication terminal 10 is used. In order to prevent unauthorized use of the electronic money by other than the owner of the communication terminal 10 such as picking up and theft, it is preferable that a predetermined password ( User authentication is performed using a password (S12). The personal identification number may be input using a key of the communication terminal 10 or may be input from the operation panel 22 of the audio device 20. If the authentication is correctly performed, payment by electronic money is performed, and the settlement ends (S13). Although credit card settlement may be used, in that case, an operation for inputting a credit card number is required, and the electronic money settlement that does not require such an operation is simpler. In particular, when using a rental car, a simple operation is desired for the payment at the place of going out, and the payment by electronic money is preferable. When the settlement ends normally, the music data of the designated music is downloaded from the music distribution site (S14). Then, the communication terminal 10 transfers the downloaded music data to the audio device 20 side without storing it in the storage means such as its own internal memory (S15).

  The audio DSP 24 of the audio device 20 receives the music data via the interface 21 (S16), and the storage device 26 stores it (S17). Since music data is not recorded in the communication terminal 10, recording music data in the audio device 20 is not a digital copy that is restricted from the viewpoint of copyright protection. Then, the audio DSP 24 reproduces the stored music data (S18), and the downloaded music is output from the speaker 25.

  In this way, by connecting the communication terminal 10 to the audio device 20, downloading the music data from the music distribution site by the communication terminal 10, and transferring it to the audio device 20, the audio device does not have a communication function. However, the music provided by the music distribution site can be used and played.

  In addition to the music data, the audio device 20 acquires from the communication terminal 10 music identification information for identifying the music data and settlement information indicating that the price for downloading the music data has been paid. It is stored in the storage device 26. The music identification information may be a number that uniquely identifies the music, or information that includes the title of the music, the performer, and the like. When the audio device 20 accumulates these pieces of information, when the music data is downloaded again in the music data movement process described below, the music is played on a communication terminal different from the communication terminal used when the music data was first downloaded. Even when accessing the distribution site, the music data can be re-downloaded by another communication terminal by transmitting the music identification information and the payment information to the other communication terminal.

  Next, a method for moving music data once stored in an audio device to another storage device by the above-described method will be described.

  For example, if you connect your own communication terminal to an audio device installed in a rental car and download music data from a music distribution site using the method described above, the audio device of the rental car is not owned by you, but downloaded In order to enjoy the music data in the rental car, it must be recorded on the audio device of the rental car. However, if the rental car is returned, the music data cannot be used.

  On the other hand, digital copying of music data is restricted from the viewpoint of copyright protection, and is permitted only to the first generation according to the current standard SCMS (Serial Copy Management System). That is, once music data from a music distribution site is recorded on an audio device, the music data cannot be digitally copied again.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the music data is moved from the audio device while observing the digital copy restriction. Specifically, the audio device deletes the music data and notifies the communication terminal of the deletion information. Then, the communication terminal accesses the music distribution site again and notifies the deletion information, so that the music distribution site permits the download of the same music data. Since the music data has already been deleted from the audio device and the price has been paid, there is no inconvenience even if the download is permitted again. This is because there is only one copy of music data for the payment of the price, and virtually no digital copy exceeding the prohibited first generation has been made.

  When the storage device 26 of the audio device 20 is a removable memory, the storage device 26 is taken out from the audio device 20 and attached to another audio device, so that music playback on the other audio device is possible. However, a memory mounting slot that can be attached to and detached from another audio device is not always mounted. For example, when another audio device is an apparatus having an internal storage device (hard disk device) capable of storing music data, the music data cannot be moved by the removable memory. Of course, even when the storage device 26 of the audio device 20 that initially stores the downloaded music data is not detachable, the music data cannot be moved to another audio device by the audio device 20 alone. In the present embodiment, as will be described below, another audio device has a communication function with the communication terminal 10 to enable movement of music data.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of moving processing of downloaded music data in the audio system according to the present embodiment. First, in FIG. 3A, the audio device 20 is set to the music data movement mode by the operation of the operation panel 22 of the audio device 20 by the user. The music data to be moved is selected by input from the operation panel 22 (S20). The system microcomputer 23 extracts the music information for identifying the music of the selected music data and the payment information indicating that the music data has already been settled, and transmits it to the communication terminal 10 (S21). When receiving the music information and the settlement information, the communication terminal 10 records them in the internal memory (S22). Then, a normal recording notification indicating normal recording is transmitted to the audio device 20 side (S23). When receiving the normal recording notification (S24), the system microcomputer 23 of the audio apparatus 20 deletes the selected music data stored in the recording medium 26 (S25). As a result, the music data cannot be reproduced by the audio device 20. When erasing the music data, the system microcomputer 23 generates erasure information indicating the erasure and transmits it to the communication terminal 10 (S26). The communication terminal 10 stores the deletion information in association with the music information and the payment information (S27).

  At this stage, the music data is erased from the audio device 20, and the data recorded by the communication terminal 10 is music information for identifying the music data and its settlement information and erase information, and the music data itself is stored. Therefore, the communication terminal 10 cannot reproduce the music data.

  Here, the communication terminal 10 is connected to another audio device 20 ′ that newly stores the music data deleted from the audio device 20 in the above process. The configuration of another audio device 20 'is the same as that of the audio device 20 shown in FIG.

  For example, when the user rents a car, the music data downloaded to the car rental audio device is erased by the above process, and the music data is transferred to the home audio device. Another audio device 20 'has the same configuration as the audio device 20 shown in FIG. The transfer is realized by re-downloading from the music distribution site, and the download process in the case of transfer is processed as shown in FIG.

  That is, the communication terminal 10 accesses the music distribution site by the user's operation (S30), and the music information, settlement information, and erasure information acquired from the communication terminal 10 in the process shown in FIG. Notification is made (S31). Thereby, the music distribution site recognizes that the payment for the music data corresponding to the music information has been completed, and that the music data has been deleted, and permits re-downloading of the music data.

  The communication terminal 10 downloads the music data permitted to be downloaded (S32), and transfers the downloaded music data to another audio device 20 'without storing it in the internal memory (S33).

  Another audio device 20 'receives the music data transmitted from the communication terminal 10 (S34) and stores it in the storage device 26 (S35). Accordingly, the music data can be moved to another audio device 20 ', and the music data can be reproduced and used by the other audio device 20'.

  By re-downloading music data from the music distribution site when moving music data, there is no need to temporarily store music data in the communication terminal 10, and only small data (music information, settlement information, deletion information) is stored. Therefore, the music data can be moved without imposing a heavy burden on the internal memory of the communication terminal 10.

  In this way, once downloaded music can be used in another audio device, the range of use of downloaded music data is expanded.

  In the above embodiment, the audio device 20 is not limited to a stationary audio device (music playback device) such as car audio or home audio, but may be a portable music playback device. The communication terminal 10 is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook computer, or the like.

  The download destination is not limited to the music distribution site on the network, and may be a content vending machine (content providing terminal) such as a digital kiosk device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the audio system in embodiment of this invention. It is a music data download process flowchart in the audio system of the present embodiment. It is a movement process flowchart of the downloaded music data in the audio system of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10: Communication terminal, 20 (20 '): Audio device, 21: Interface, 22: Operation panel, 23: System microcomputer, 24: Audio DSP, 25: Speaker, 26: Storage device

Claims (8)

A communication terminal that downloads predetermined content data from the content distribution site through communication with a content distribution site or a content providing terminal on the network;
A content distribution system comprising: a playback device that is connected to the communication terminal, acquires the content data downloaded by the communication terminal from the communication terminal, and stores the content data in a playable manner. In claim 1,
The content distribution system, wherein the communication terminal has a payment function using electronic money, and pays for the download of the content data using electronic money. In claim 1 or 2,
The playback device acquires and stores content identification information for identifying the content data and payment information indicating that the price for downloading the content data has been paid from the communication terminal. A featured content distribution system. In claim 3,
The playback device deletes the stored content data, generates deletion information indicating that the content has been deleted, and communicates the deletion information, the stored content identification information, and the settlement information. Send it to your device,
The communication terminal accesses the content distribution site or the content providing terminal, and notifies the content distribution site or the content providing terminal of the deletion information, the content identification information, and the payment information, thereby the content data. The content distribution system is characterized in that it can be downloaded again. A communication terminal accesses a content distribution site or content providing terminal on the network, downloads predetermined content data from the content distribution site to the communication terminal,
A content data download method, wherein the content data downloaded by the communication terminal is acquired from the communication terminal by a playback device connected to the communication terminal and stored so as to be playable. In claim 5,
The content data download method, wherein the communication terminal has a payment function using electronic money, and pays for the download of the content data using electronic money. In claim 5 or 6,
The playback device acquires and stores content identification information for identifying the content data and payment information indicating that the price for downloading the content data has been paid from the communication terminal. A content data download method as a feature. In claim 7,
The playback device deletes the stored content data, generates deletion information indicating that the content has been deleted, and communicates the deletion information, the stored content identification information, and the settlement information. Send it to your device,
The communication terminal accesses the content distribution site or the content providing terminal, and notifies the content distribution site or the content providing terminal of the deletion information, the content identification information, and the payment information, thereby the content data. The content data download method is characterized in that it can be downloaded again.

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