JP2015102940A - Content providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a unified content distribution using a right of use separately and independently managed by a plurality of management devices.SOLUTION: A user Uj is configured to have access to right-of-use management devices 200(1), 200(2), ... run by business operators Z1, Z2, ... by using a terminal 400(j), and acquire a right of use of a desired content. Personal information on the user Uj or right-of-use acquisition information thereon is separately and independently managed by an individual right-of-use management device. A distribution control device 300 is configured to; receive access from the terminal 400(j); perform inquiry with respect to each right-of-use management device 200; acquire the right-of-use acquisition information about the user Uj; and, out of contents inside a distribution processing device 100, transmit a list of contents usable by the user Uj to the terminal 400(j). When the user Uj requests a desired content from the list, a content C according to the request is configured to be distributed to the terminal 400(j) from the distribution processing device 100.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content providing system, and more particularly to a system that distributes and provides content acquired by each user via the Internet.

  As a method for providing digital contents such as electronic books, music, and moving images, a form of distributing content data via the Internet has recently become mainstream. In order to perform such data distribution, a content providing system using a server computer is widespread, and each user receives a desired content from the content providing system in a download or streaming format, The form which utilizes this with user terminals, such as a personal computer, a smart phone, and an electronic tablet, has become common.

  Currently, various businesses are developing various digital content provision businesses using such content provision systems, and users provide content as appropriate from businesses that handle the desired content. Can receive. Provision of such content is normally performed after a usage right is granted to the user, and each user can use the content within the range of the usage right granted. The usage rights granted by commercial enterprises are usually paid, but for the purpose of letting users try the service, the usage rights for specific content are granted free of charge. There is also a case.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses a content providing system that manages content in groups and grants usage rights to individual users in groups. Patent Literature 2 discloses a content distribution destination. A content distribution system that gives different usage rights according to the capability of the user terminal is disclosed.

  Content to be provided by the content providing system is diverse, such as electronic books, music, and moving images, and a plurality of data formats are used for each. Of course, some standard data formats have been adopted by the industry, but they have not been fully standardized. In particular, with respect to electronic books, the data format that should be standardized is prosperous, and the current situation is that each business provider provides content in its own data format. Therefore, for example, the following Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose a content providing system having a function of performing format conversion at the time of content distribution.

JP 2007-206780 A JP 2003-157334 A JP 2004-139355 A JP 2011-1000032 A

  As described above, many businesses (for example, e-book bookstores) are currently developing their content provision businesses in their own way, and users apply for each business separately. The personal information necessary for receiving the content distribution is separately registered. For this reason, the conventional content providing system is based on the assumption that each business operator is used for the purpose of developing the content provision business while managing the personal information of each individual user independently. Yes.

  However, developing the content providing business independently for each business entity in this way is not necessarily an efficient operation form when viewed as infrastructure of the whole society. In particular, the number of contents of electronic books is enormous, and publishers that serve as publishers are diverse. Therefore, it is difficult for a single company to handle all kinds of electronic books. Therefore, a user obtains a usage right from a business dealing with a desired book and downloads the electronic book from the business, but the electronic book is in a data format unique to the business. Since it is described, it must be browsed using a dedicated browsing application program (viewer application) provided by the provider.

  Of course, if the technologies disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 3 and 4 are used, it is possible to convert the data format at the time of content distribution, but this is not a fundamental solution, and it can be applied to any format. It cannot be supported.

  Theoretically, if individual operators interact with each other and interact with each customer ’s personal information (for example, accounts, passwords, email addresses, etc.) and usage rights, It is possible to solve the above problem. For example, if a user can obtain a usage right from a certain company and receive a content distribution from another company using that usage right, a more flexible operation will be possible. It becomes possible. However, in reality, it is difficult to provide personal information to other companies from the viewpoint of security, and it is difficult to adopt an operation in which customer personal information is mutually interchanged. Moreover, it is difficult from the viewpoint of commerce to hand over member information (personal information), which should be said to be own property, to other companies.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a content providing system that can perform unified content distribution by using usage rights that are separately and independently managed by a plurality of management devices.

(1) A first aspect of the present invention is a content providing system for providing content corresponding to a user request to a user terminal within a range of usage rights acquired by the user.
A distribution processing device for distributing content to user terminals;
A plurality of n (n ≧ 2) usage right management devices for managing content usage rights for users;
A distribution control device that inquires to the usage right management device in response to a request from the user terminal, and controls distribution processing from the distribution processing device based on the inquiry result;
Provided,
The distribution processing device transmits a content storage unit that stores a plurality of contents, a bibliographic information storage unit that stores bibliographic information corresponding to each content, and a content in the content storage unit in response to a content request from a user terminal. A content transmission unit, and a bibliographic information transmission unit that transmits bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit in response to a bibliographic information request from the distribution control device,
Each of the plurality of n usage right management devices associates, for each user, a user identifier, a user authentication code, and usage right acquisition information indicating the content for which the user has acquired the usage right. Authentication by the user information storage unit that stores the user information, the user authentication unit that authenticates using the user authentication code when there is an external access, and the user authentication unit On the condition that the user information writing unit that writes or rewrites information to the user information storage unit in response to an external access and the authentication by the user authentication unit A user information reading unit that reads out and returns the usage right acquisition information from the user information storage unit according to
When the distribution control device receives a list request including a user identifier and a user authentication code or an alternative code stored in the i th (1 ≦ i ≦ n) usage right management device from the user terminal , Using the user authentication code or an alternative code to access the i-th use right management device to inquire the use right acquisition information corresponding to the user identifier included in the list request, Among the bibliographic information stored in the distribution processing device, the bibliographic information about the content corresponding to the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit is received. A list transmission unit that transmits information to the user terminal that has requested the list as list presentation information for presenting a list indicating available content,
The bibliographic information includes key information necessary for obtaining the corresponding content, and the content transmission unit transmits the content in response to a content request including the key information.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first aspect described above,
The bibliographic information transmission unit performs processing for transmitting bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit in response to the bibliographic information request from the distribution control device,
The list transmission unit selects the bibliographic information corresponding to the content whose usage right is indicated by the usage right acquisition information from the bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit, and selects Bibliographic information is transmitted to the user terminal as list presentation information.

(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first aspect described above,
The list transmission unit performs a process of giving a bibliographic information request including the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit to the bibliographic information transmission unit,
The bibliographic information transmission unit selects bibliographic information corresponding to the content for which the usage right has been acquired from the bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit, and the selected bibliographic information is selected. Perform processing to send to the list transmitter,
The list transmission unit transmits information including bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit to the user terminal as list presentation information.

(4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first aspect described above,
The bibliographic information transmission unit performs processing for transmitting bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit in response to the bibliographic information request from the distribution control device,
Of the bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit, the list transmission unit displays complete bibliographic information including key information for the content whose usage right is indicated by the usage right acquisition information. For other contents, incomplete bibliographic information that does not include key information is transmitted to the user terminal as list presentation information that can be presented separately.

(5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first aspect described above,
The list transmission unit performs a process of giving a bibliographic information request including the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit to the bibliographic information transmission unit,
For bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit, the bibliographic information transmission unit displays complete bibliographic information including key information for content whose usage right is indicated by usage right acquisition information, and other content For, perform the process of sending incomplete bibliographic information that does not include key information to the list sending unit,
The list transmission unit transmits the complete bibliographic information and the incomplete bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit to the user terminal as list presentation information that can be presented separately. .

(6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the fourth or fifth aspect described above,
The list transmission unit uses list presentation information that can present the first list on which content with complete bibliographic information is posted and the second list on which content with incomplete bibliographic information is presented in separate areas Is transmitted to the user terminal.

(7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the fourth or fifth aspect described above,
The bibliographic information storage unit stores at least bibliographic information including data indicating the title of each content,
Uses list presentation information that allows the list sending section to present an identification mark in the corresponding column for each content title, indicating whether the content has complete bibliographic information or incomplete bibliographic information Is transmitted to the user terminal.

(8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to seventh aspects described above,
As key information included in the bibliographic information, information including a URL indicating the location of the corresponding content in the content storage unit is used.
The content transmission unit transmits the content stored in the storage location indicated by the URL included in the content request from the user terminal to the user terminal.

(9) According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to eighth aspects described above,
As key information included in bibliographic information, use information that includes a permission code to permit transmission of the corresponding content,
The content transmission unit confirms that the permission code included in the content request from the user terminal is correct, and then transmits the content corresponding to the request to the user terminal.

(10) According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to ninth aspects described above,
In the content storage unit, content specified by a unique content identifier is stored,
In the bibliographic information storage unit, bibliographic information about each content is stored in association with the content identifier,
In the user information storage unit, a set of content identifiers of the content for which a specific user has acquired the usage right is stored as usage right acquisition information for the specific user,
The list transmission unit transmits information including bibliographic information associated with the content identifier included in the usage right acquisition information to the user terminal as list presentation information.

(11) An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the content providing system according to the first to tenth aspects described above,
In the user information storage unit in the plurality of n usage right management apparatuses, separate user identifiers and user authentication codes are stored for the same user.

(12) According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to eleventh aspects described above,
When the usage right inquiry unit receives a list request including a user identifier and a user authentication code stored in a plurality of usage right management devices from the user terminal, Access to the usage right acquisition information, and receive the usage right acquisition information returned from the plurality of usage right management devices,
The list sending unit sends information including bibliographic information about the content according to the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit from a plurality of usage right management devices to the user terminal as list presentation information. Is.

(13) According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to twelfth aspects described above,
When the user rights inquiry unit receives a list request including a terminal identifier for identifying the user terminal together with the user identifier and the user authentication code or an alternative code from the user terminal, the usage right management device Associate the terminal identifier with the returned right-of-use acquisition information, save these as inquiry history information,
The content transmission unit performs a process of transmitting content corresponding to the content request on the condition that there is a content request including a terminal identifier for identifying the user terminal from the user terminal, and the content When there is a request, the usage rights inquiry section is inquired about the combination of the content according to the content request and the terminal identifier included in the content request, and an answer indicating that the combination is valid is obtained. Process to send the content only when
When the usage right inquiry unit receives an inquiry about a combination of a specific terminal identifier and specific content from the content transmission unit, it is stored in association with the specific terminal identifier by referring to the inquiry history information. When the usage right acquisition information includes the usage right for the specific content, a reply indicating that it is a valid combination is made.

(14) According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to thirteenth aspects described above,
When the user authentication unit issues a preliminary authentication request including a user identifier and a user authentication code from the user terminal, it issues a temporary authentication code and determines the correspondence between the user identifier and the temporary authentication code. It has a function to perform a preliminary authentication process in which a temporary authentication code is returned to the user terminal while being temporarily stored for a predetermined time,
When the user right inquiry unit receives a list request including a user identifier and a temporary authentication code from the user terminal, the user right inquiry unit uses the temporary authentication code as an alternative code for the user authentication code to make an inquiry to the user right management device. Done
The user authentication unit performs authentication using a temporarily stored correspondence when an inquiry including a temporary authentication code is received from the usage right inquiry unit.

(15) According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to fourteenth aspects described above,
Content management with the function that the distribution processing device performs processing for adding new content and new bibliographic information and changing or deleting existing content and existing processing information for the content storage unit and bibliographic information storage unit It further has a part.

(16) According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the content providing system according to the first to fifteenth aspects described above,
A plurality of p distribution processing devices (p ≧ 2) are provided, and each of the p distribution processing devices has a unique p corresponding to a plurality of p browsing functions or reproduction functions incorporated in the user terminal. Contains content written in a format,
The bibliographic information transmission unit in each distribution processing device has a function of transmitting bibliographic information to which device specifying information for specifying the distribution processing device is added,
The list transmission unit in the distribution control device has a function of transmitting list presentation information to which device identification information is added,
The user terminal can identify the distribution processing device that is the target of the content request by referring to the device specifying information.

  (17) According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the content providing system according to the first to sixteenth aspects described above has a function of browsing or playing back content distributed from a distribution processing device of the content providing system. A content browsing / playback system is configured by adding a user terminal.

(18) According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the content browsing / playback system according to the seventeenth aspect described above,
User terminal
A list request unit that transmits a list request including a predetermined user identifier and a predetermined user authentication code or an alternative code thereof to the distribution control device;
A list presenting unit for presenting a list indicating available content based on the list presenting information transmitted from the distribution control device;
A content request unit that transmits a content request including key information to the content transmission unit for the selected content selected on the list by the user's operation;
A content storage unit for storing content transmitted from the content transmission unit;
A content usage unit for browsing or playing back content stored in the content storage unit;
It is made to have.

  (19) According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the distribution control apparatus in the content providing system according to the first to sixteenth aspects is configured by incorporating a program into a computer.

  (20) According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the user terminal in the content browsing / playback system according to the eighteenth aspect described above is configured by incorporating a program into a computer.

  According to the content providing system of the present invention, the content usage right is managed by a plurality of n usage right management devices, and when there is an access to the distribution control device from the user terminal, the usage right management device is used for each usage right management device. The usage rights acquired by the user are inquired. Then, the distribution control device performs distribution control such that the content is distributed within the range of the usage right acquired by the user based on the usage right acquisition information obtained as a result of the inquiry. For this reason, it is possible to perform unified content distribution by using usage rights that are managed separately and independently by a plurality of management devices.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content provision system which concerns on fundamental embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a part of the content providing system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the specific data group stored in the content storage part 110 and the bibliographic information storage part 120 which are shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the concrete data structure of the content C and the bibliographic information B. It is a figure which shows the specific data example of the content C and bibliographic information B with the data structure shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of data of the usage right acquisition information stored in the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific data example of the list presentation information L transmitted from the delivery control apparatus 300 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the content list displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 400 (j) based on the list presentation information L shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of data of complete bibliographic information and incomplete bibliographic information utilized for the 1st modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content list displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 400 based on the list presentation information containing complete bibliographic information and incomplete bibliographic information. It is a figure which shows another example of the content list displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 400 based on the list presentation information containing complete bibliographic information and incomplete bibliographic information. It is a block diagram which shows the one part detailed structure of the content provision system which concerns on the 2nd modification of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the processing function of the characteristic part of the 2nd modification of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the one part detailed structure of the content provision system which concerns on the 3rd modification of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the processing function of the characteristic part of the 3rd modification of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content provision system which concerns on the 4th modification of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the processing function of the characteristic part of the 4th modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

<<< §1. Basic embodiment of the present invention >>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content providing system according to a basic embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this content providing system includes a distribution processing apparatus 100, a plurality of n (n ≧ 2) usage right management apparatuses 200, and a distribution control apparatus 300. It fulfills the function of providing content to the user terminal 400 of m ≧ 2).

  Here, numbers such as 200 (1), 200 (2),... Are assigned to each of a plurality of n usage right management apparatuses 200, and 400 (1) is assigned to each of a plurality of m user terminals 400. ), 400 (2),... For example, the usage right management device 200 (i) is the i-th device (1 ≦ i ≦ n) of n devices, and the user terminal 400 (j) is the j-th device (m). 1 ≦ j ≦ m). Further, when referring to an arbitrary usage right management device or an arbitrary user terminal, it is simply referred to as the usage right management device 200 or the user terminal 400.

  Here, in order to exemplify a typical business form using this content providing system, maintenance operation of the distribution processing device 100 is performed by the business operator X, and maintenance operation of the distribution control device 300 is performed by the business operator Y. For example, a case in which maintenance operations of the usage right management devices 200 (1) to 200 (n) are performed by the operators Z1 to Zn, and contents using the user terminals 400 (1) to 400 (m) are further illustrated. An example will be described in which the use of is performed by users U1 to Um. The house symbol in FIG. 1 indicates these businesses, and the person symbol indicates these users.

  Of course, the business form shown here shows a typical example, and the usage form of the content providing system is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, in practice, the same business operator may concurrently serve the business operators X and Y shown in the figure, or the same business operator may concurrently serve the business operators X and Z1, and the business operators Y and Z1. The same company may also serve as the same. In short, maintenance and operation of individual devices may be performed by an arbitrary business operator according to business development in the real world.

  This content providing system fulfills a function of providing content corresponding to a user request to the user terminal 400 within the range of usage rights acquired by each individual user. The distribution processing device 100 stores a large number of contents, executes distribution processing for distributing user-desired content to the user terminal 400 via the Internet N, and the distribution control device 300 performs this distribution processing. Play a role in controlling. The distribution process is controlled based on the usage right acquisition information stored in the usage right management apparatus 200.

  That is, the usage right management apparatus 200 has a function of managing content usage rights for individual users, and the distribution control apparatus 300 responds to the usage right management apparatus 200 in response to a request from the user terminal 400. An inquiry is performed, and a process for controlling the distribution process from the distribution processing apparatus 100 is performed based on the inquiry result. Specifically, a process of transmitting a list of contents that can be used by a specific user among the contents prepared in the distribution processing apparatus 100 to the terminal 400 of the user is performed. When the user requests desired content from the list, content C corresponding to the request is distributed from the distribution processing device 100 to the terminal 400.

  Next, a more specific mechanism of such distribution control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a part of the content providing system shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, among the components shown in FIG. 1, the distribution processing device 100, the i-th usage right management device 200 (i), the distribution control device 300, and the j-th user terminal 400. (J) is shown. Actually, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of n usage right management devices 200 and a plurality of m user terminals 400 are connected to the Internet N. In FIG. A usage form using the right-of-use management apparatus 200 (i) and the jth user terminal 400 (j) will be described as a representative example. Arrows between the blocks indicate the data flow through the Internet N.

  The distribution processing apparatus 100 includes a content storage unit 110 that stores a plurality of contents C, a bibliographic information storage unit 120 that stores bibliographic information B corresponding to each content, and a content in response to a content request from the user terminal 400. A content transmitting unit 130 that transmits the content C in the storage unit 110, a bibliographic information transmitting unit 140 that transmits the bibliographic information B in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 in response to a bibliographic information request from the distribution control device 300, and a content storage Content management unit having a function of adding new content C and new bibliographic information B and changing or deleting existing content C and existing processing information B with respect to unit 110 and bibliographic information storage unit 120 150.

  An instruction to add, change, or delete content to the content management unit 150 is given by the operator X who performs maintenance operation of the distribution processing apparatus 100. Since transmission / reception of information in the distribution processing apparatus 100 is performed via the Internet N, the distribution processing apparatus 100 can actually be configured by a server computer connected to the Internet N.

  On the other hand, the i-th usage right management device 200 (i) includes a user information storage unit 210 (i), a user information reading unit 220 (i), a user authentication unit 230 (i), as shown in FIG. A user information writing unit 240 (i) is provided. The subscript (i) indicates a component of the i-th usage right management device 200 (i).

  Here, user information U about individual users is stored in the user information storage unit 210 (i). Each user information U corresponds to each user a user identifier ID, a user authentication code A, and usage right acquisition information R indicating the content for which the user has acquired the usage right. Information. For example, for the j-th user Uj, the user information U (i, j) stored in the user information storage unit 210 (i) includes a user identifier ID (i, j) as shown in the figure. The user authentication code A (i, j) is associated with the usage right acquisition information R (i, j). The subscript (j) indicates that the information is about the j-th user Uj.

  The user identifier ID (i, j) is data for specifying the j-th user Uj in the i-th usage right management device 200 (i), and is generally the user. A code indicating an account for Uj may be used. The user authentication code A (i, j) is data for authenticating the user Uj in the i-th usage right management device 200 (i). In general, the user Uj Use the set password. Further, the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is data for specifying the content for which the jth user Uj has acquired the usage right in the i-th usage right management device 200 (i). In general, a content identifier for the content may be used.

  Of course, the user information storage unit 210 (i) also stores user information about other users (not necessarily all users who use this content providing system). In the figure, a state in which user information U (i, j + 1) for the (j + 1) th user and user information U (i, j + 2) for the (j + 2) th user are stored is illustrated. Has been. Of course, the user information U (i, j + 1) about the (j + 1) th user includes the user identifier ID (i, j + 1), the user authentication code A (i, j + 1), and the usage right acquisition information R. The information is associated with (i, j + 1).

  The user authentication unit 230 (i) has a function of performing authentication using the user authentication code A when there is an external access, and the user information writing unit 240 (i) On the condition that the authentication by the user authentication unit 230 (i) is performed, it has a function of writing or rewriting information to the user information storage unit 210 (i) in response to an external access. In addition, the user information reading unit 220 (i) receives a usage right from the user information storage unit 210 (i) in response to an external access on the condition that the user authentication unit 230 (i) has performed authentication. It has a function of reading out the acquisition information R and returning it.

  Since the transmission / reception of information in the usage right management apparatus 200 is also performed via the Internet N, actually, the usage right management apparatus 200 can also be configured by a server computer connected to the Internet N.

  On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the distribution control apparatus 300 makes a use right inquiry to the use right management apparatus 200 and the list transmission unit 310 that performs the function of transmitting the list presentation information L to the user terminal 400. And a usage right inquiry unit 320.

  The usage right inquiry unit 320 receives the user identifier ID (i, j) and user authentication stored in the i-th usage right management device 200 (i) from the j-th user terminal 400 (j). When there is a list request including the code A (i, j), the user identifier ID (i, j) included in the list request is sent to the i-th usage right management device 200 (i). ) To access the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) corresponding to the user authentication code A (i, j), and the returned usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is used. Receive.

  The list transmission unit 310 stores the bibliographic information B about the content C according to the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) received by the usage right inquiry unit 320 among the bibliographic information B stored in the distribution processing device 100. A process of transmitting the included information as list presentation information L for presenting a list indicating available content to the user terminal 400 (j) that has made the list request is performed.

  Since transmission / reception of information in the distribution control device 300 is also performed via the Internet N, the distribution control device 300 can actually be configured by a server computer connected to the Internet N.

  On the other hand, the user terminal 400 browses the content C distributed from the distribution processing device 100 in the content providing system according to the present invention (when the content C is content such as an electronic book) or reproduces (the content C is It is a terminal device that has a function to perform music (such as music and video content), and is actually dedicated to terminal devices (computers) that can be used by connecting to the Internet, such as personal computers, smartphones, and electronic tablets. This can be realized by installing an application program (viewer program or the like).

  As described above, the content providing system according to the present invention is a system including the distribution processing device 100, a plurality of n (n ≧ 2) usage right management devices 200, and the distribution control device 300. In addition, a content browsing / playback system is configured by adding the user terminal 400 to the whole. The block diagram shown in FIG. 1 shows the entire contents browsing / playback system.

  The user terminal 400 (j) shown in FIG. 2 is the jth terminal device used by the jth user Uj, and as shown in the figure, a list presentation unit 410 (j), a list request unit 420 (j), a content request unit 430 (j), a content storage unit 440 (j), and a content use unit 450 (j).

  The list request unit 420 (j) functions to transmit a list request including the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) to the distribution control device 300. Here, the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) are registered in the i-th usage right management device 200 (i) for the j-th user Uj. The data is taken in by the list request unit 420 (j) by the operation input of the user Uj and transmitted to the distribution control apparatus 300 together with the list request.

  Therefore, when the list request unit 420 (j) transmits a list request to the distribution control device 300, the user identifier ID (i, j) and user authentication for the jth user Uj are already present. The code A (i, j) is pre-registered in the i-th usage right management device 200 (i) (that is, user information U (i, j) in the user information storage unit 210 (i)). It is assumed that the data is stored as data constituting a part of the data.

  A specific method of such pre-registration will be described in §2. In FIG. 2, arrows for external access for writing partially shown by broken lines indicate the flow of data when performing such pre-registration processing. This pre-registration is actually performed using a system different from the content providing system according to the present invention.

  When a list request including the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) is made from the user terminal 400 (j) to the distribution control device 300, the usage right inquiry unit 320 Makes an inquiry to the usage right management device 200 (i) using the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j), and obtains the usage right according to the inquiry. As described above, the information R (i, j) is returned. And the process which the list transmission part 310 transmits the information containing the bibliographic information B about the content C according to this usage right acquisition information R (i, j) to the user terminal 400 (j) as the list presentation information L As described above.

  Based on the list presentation information L thus transmitted from the distribution control device 300, the list presentation unit 410 (j) performs a process of presenting a list indicating available content on the screen of the user terminal 400 (j). Do. The user Uj selects a specific content desired to be used from the list, and inputs a request instruction for the content.

  The content requesting unit 430 (j) performs processing for transmitting a content request for the selected content selected on the list to the content transmitting unit 130 by the operation of the user Uj. The content transmission unit 130 retrieves the requested content C from the content storage unit 110 and transmits it to the user terminal 400 (j).

  As will be described later, the bibliographic information B includes key information K necessary to obtain the corresponding content C. Therefore, the content request unit 430 (j) may include the key information K in the bibliographic information B received as the list presentation information L by the list presentation unit 410 (j) and transmit it to the content transmission unit 130. it can. The content transmission unit 130 receives a content request including the key information K from the user terminal 400, and transmits the content C in response to the request.

  The content C transmitted from the distribution processing apparatus 100 to the user terminal 400 (j) in this way is received and stored by the content storage unit 440 (j). The figure shows a state where a plurality of contents C are stored in the content storage unit 440 (j) in this way.

  The content usage unit 450 (j) performs processing for browsing or playing back the predetermined content C stored in the content storage unit 440 (j) based on the usage instruction from the user Uj. Thus, the user Uj can download or view specific content for which usage rights have been acquired via the Internet N, and can view or play it. Here, an example in which content is downloaded and used will be described, but it is also possible to receive distribution in a so-called streaming form and use it. In this case, the content in the content storage unit 440 (j) is temporarily stored and then deleted.

  The basic configuration and basic operation of the i-th usage right management device 200 (i) have been described above with reference to FIG. 2, but the basic configuration and basic operation of all the n usage right management devices 200 are exactly the same. It is. In FIG. 2, the basic configuration and basic operation of the j-th user terminal 400 (j) are described, but the basic configuration and basic operation of all m user terminals 400 are exactly the same.

  Of course, in the n usage right management apparatuses 200, the usage rights and personal information of each user are managed independently. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the first usage right management device 200 (1) is maintained and operated by the operator Z1, and the second usage right management device 200 (2) is maintained and operated by the operator Z2. Has been. Each business operator Z1, Z2 assigns a user identifier to each user according to their own operation method, holds a user authentication code for each user, and uses the usage rights acquired by each user. Information is managed. Usually, such user information is registered in association with personal information such as the name, address, date of birth, e-mail address, and telephone number of each user.

  Therefore, even if the data is related to the same jth user Uj, the user identifier ID (1, j) registered in the usage right management device 200 (1) maintained and operated by the operator Z1 and User authentication code A (1, j), user identifier ID (2, j) and user authentication code A registered in the usage right management device 200 (2) maintained and operated by the operator Z2. (2, j) is independent and independent data, and there is no relationship between them. Of course, the number of characters and composition rules of the data constituting the user identifier ID (generally an account), the number of characters and composition rules of the data constituting the user authentication code A (generally a password), respectively. It is set separately and independently.

  In addition, information such as the user identifier ID and the user authentication code A is usually personal information that each business operator should keep secretly, and these are not disclosed to the outside. Accordingly, the business operator Z1 has the user identifier ID (1, j) and the user identifier ID (1, j) registered in the usage right management device 200 (1) managed by the business operator Z1 for the j-th user Uj registered as his customer. It is natural that the user authentication code A (1, j) is grasped, but in another usage right management apparatus 200, what user identifier ID and user authentication code A are set for the user Uj. There is no reason to know what is being done.

  In short, in the user information storage unit 210 in the plurality of n usage right management apparatuses 200, independent user identifiers and user authentication codes are stored for the same user. Still, in the content providing system according to the present invention, if the common data format determined in advance is used for the usage right acquisition information R, the usage right inquiry unit 320 can be assigned to any of the n usage right management devices 200. Even if the inquiry is made, the usage right acquisition information R described in a common data format can be obtained. Using the usage right acquisition information R, as described above, a list is obtained for the user terminal 400. The presentation information L can be transmitted.

  As described above, in the content providing system according to the present invention, unified content distribution is performed from the distribution processing device 100 using the usage rights that are separately and independently managed by the plurality of n usage right management devices 200. It becomes possible. Since the content distributed from the same distribution processing device 100 can be data described in the same standard format, the application program (viewer program dedicated to the user terminal 400 is used on a computer such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or an electronic tablet. Etc.), it is sufficient to install a single viewer program or the like.

<<< §2. Specific processing operations of the present invention >>>
Next, the processing operation of the content providing system according to the basic embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to specific data. The content that can be provided by the content providing system according to the present invention is various digital contents such as e-books, music, and moving images. Here, for convenience, an example of providing e-books will be described. To do.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific data group stored in the content storage unit 110 and the bibliographic information storage unit 120 illustrated in FIG. Here, the code C (x) indicates individual contents, and the code B (x) indicates bibliographic information corresponding to the contents C (x). In the example shown in the figure, x is expressed by a four-digit number, the contents storage unit 110 stores contents C (0101) to C (9861), and the bibliographic information storage unit 120 corresponds to this. Bibliographic information B (0101) to B (9861) is stored. The bibliographic information B (0101) is bibliographic information about the content C (0101).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of specific data structures of the content C and the bibliographic information B. In this example, the content C is composed of a content identifier CID and content data CD. The content data CD is main data of the content C. In the case of an electronic book, the content data CD is data indicating the content of the book described in a predetermined format. The content identifier CID is a unique code assigned to identify each content C. In order to distinguish individual content C from other content, at least in this content providing system, a unique code is assigned to each content C. In the case of electronic book content, for example, the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) of the book can be used as the content identifier CID.

  On the other hand, the bibliographic information B in the illustrated example includes a content identifier CID, bibliographic data BD, and key information K. The content identifier CID in the bibliographic information B corresponds to the content identifier CID in the content C, and the bibliographic information B is linked to the specific content C by this content identifier CID. The bibliographic data BD is main data of the bibliographic information B. In this example, the bibliographic data BD includes data indicating the title, author name, and publication year for the corresponding content C (electronic book). The key information K is information necessary for obtaining the corresponding content C, and the user terminal 400 uses the key information K to give a content request to the content transmission unit 130, and the content C You will get it.

  As the key information K, any data may be used as long as the information enables the content C to be obtained. In the example illustrated, the key information K indicates the location of the corresponding content C in the content storage unit 110. Information including a URL and a permission code for permitting transmission of the content C is used as the key information K. Of course, only one of the URL indicating the location and the permission code may be used as the key information K. As will be described later, the user terminal 400 downloads the content C based on the bibliographic information B including such key information K.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing specific data examples of the content C and the bibliographic information B having the data structure shown in FIG. 4, and the content indicated by the symbol C (0501) and the bibliography indicated by the symbol B (0501). Specific contents of the information are illustrated. That is, in this example, the content C (0501) is composed of the content identifier CID (0501) and the content data CD (0501), and the content data CD (0501) is an electronic of “Rinnosuke” by Ryunosuke Sasakawa. It is book data.

  On the other hand, the bibliographic information B (0501) is data (in this case, text data) for indicating the title of the electronic book “Yo no Ito”, the author name “Ryunosuke Sasakawa”, and the publication year “1918”. The content identifier CID (0501) is associated with the content C (0501). Of course, the bibliographic data is not necessarily text data, and image data and audio data may be used as the bibliographic data. The key information K (0501) is information necessary for obtaining the content C (0501), and in the case of the example shown here, indicates the location of the content C (0501) stored in the content storage unit 110. It includes information including a URL and a permission code for permitting transmission of the content C.

  Therefore, the user terminal 400 that has acquired the bibliographic information B (0501) as shown in FIG. 5 can make a content request to the distribution processing apparatus 100 using the key information K (0501). In the case of this example, the content request unit 430 in the user terminal 400 designates the URL included in the key information K (0501), and the content request is accompanied by the permission code included in the key information K (0501). Will do.

  Upon receiving such a content request, the content transmission unit 130 receives content C (stored in a storage location (a predetermined location in the content storage unit 110) indicated by the URL included in the content request from the user terminal 400. 0501) is read out and transmitted to the user terminal 400. At this time, after confirming that the permission code included in the content request from the user terminal 400 is correct, the content transmission unit 130 transmits the content C (0501) corresponding to the request to the user terminal 400. To do. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown here, the content C (0501) is transmitted to the user terminal 400 only when both the URL and the permission code included in the content request are correct.

  Next, a procedure in which the jth user Uj registers as a user with respect to the ith usage right management apparatus 200 (i) and acquires usage rights for some contents will be described. . As described above, in the embodiment shown here, the maintenance operation of the i-th usage right management apparatus 200 (i) is performed by the operator Zi. Here, the business operator Zi may be a person who mainly operates an electronic bookstore, or may be a person who operates a completely different main business.

  In the case of the former form, the business operator Zi can also serve as the business operator X that performs maintenance operation of the distribution processing apparatus 100. Of course, the business operator Zi and the business operator X may be completely different business operators. For example, a business operator Zi whose main business is an electronic bookstore uses a content providing system (hereinafter referred to as an “existing system”) that is completely different from the content providing system according to the present invention to develop its own content providing business. You can do it. In this case, the business operator Zi distributes the content using the distribution processing device in the existing system, but the customer information accumulated by the service is used as it is in the content providing system according to the present invention. This makes it possible to provide customers with a richer product lineup.

  For example, if the content provided by the operator Zi, which operates an e-bookstore, does not include the e-book “Rinnosuke” by Ryunosuke Ayukawa, it is directly from the existing system operated by this operator Zi. In particular, the electronic book cannot be distributed. Therefore, when the business is developed using only the existing system, the business operator Zi loses the business opportunity for the customer who desires to purchase “Kashiwa no Ito”.

  On the other hand, if this business operator Zi becomes a part of the content providing system according to the present invention, it is possible to indirectly provide e-books called “strings” to their customers. become able to. This means that even if the business operator Zi does not directly handle the “book of silk”, the right to use the “cloud” is sold using the content providing system according to the present invention. This is because the electronic book can be indirectly provided to the customer.

  In the case of the above example, the user information storage unit 210 (i), the user authentication unit 230 (i), and the user information writing unit 240 (i) in the usage right management device 200 (i) shown in FIG. It is possible to use a component that performs the same function in the existing system as it is. In other words, the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) shown in FIG. 2 can be configured by adding a user information reading unit 220 (i) to this existing system.

  In FIG. 2, an arrow (written external access) indicated by a partial broken line from the user terminal 400 (j) to the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) indicates the user information by the route using the existing system. It indicates that writing or rewriting is performed. Normally, when a user Uj is registered as a new customer, personal information such as the name, address, date of birth, e-mail address, and telephone number of the user Uj is captured by the user information writing unit 240 (i). (In the user information U (i, j) shown in FIG. 2, such personal information is not shown), a user identifier ID (i, j) and a user authentication code A ( i, j) is set.

  Thus, after the initial registration as a customer is completed, when the user Uj purchases a usage right for some content, the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) in the user information U (i, j) Will be updated. Of course, the writing or rewriting by the user information writing unit 240 (i) is performed on the condition that the user authentication unit 230 (i) has been authenticated. Therefore, the user Uj inputs account data that functions as the user identifier ID (i, j) and password data that functions as the user authentication code A (i, j) when performing external access for writing. Thus, the external access is performed.

  As described above, the process of authenticating the user with the account and password and selling the right to use the content is a well-known technique that has already been used in various electronic commerce systems. To do. In the content providing system according to the present invention, at least the user identifier ID (i, j), the user authentication code A (i, j), and the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) are stored in the user information storage unit 210. ) Including user information is sufficient for each individual user, and any specific means for storing such user information can be used. It doesn't matter.

  In the above example, the form of selling the right to use the content, that is, the form in which the user acquires the right to use for a fee has been described. However, the right to use does not necessarily have to be given for a fee. It doesn't matter. For example, a business operator Zi that operates an e-bookstore issues points according to past purchases to customers and grants the customer the right to use e-books desired by the customer in exchange for a predetermined amount of points. It is also possible to provide such a service.

  Such granting of usage rights for free is also effective when the business operator is a person who operates a completely different business from the electronic bookstore. For example, consider a case where a credit sales company has entered the business using the content providing system according to the present invention as the (i + 1) th operator Z (i + 1). Assume that the main business of the business operator Z (i + 1) is a credit sales business using a credit card, and is not involved in the business of providing electronic books at all. Even in such a situation, the business operator Z (i + 1) can indirectly participate in the business of providing the electronic book by performing the maintenance operation of the usage right management device 200 (i + 1).

  Since it is a credit sales company, since it has personal information including credit card information of each customer, the user identifier of the user information U (i + 1, j) about the jth user Uj As ID (i + 1, j) and user authentication code A (i + 1, j), those stored in the existing system can be used as they are. Therefore, the usage right management device 200 (i + 1) can be prepared by adding the usage right acquisition information to this information and adding the user information reading unit 220 (i + 1) to the existing system. .

  In this case, for example, it is possible to provide a service that grants the use right of the electronic book desired by the user free of charge in exchange for the use point of the credit card. Of course, if the usage rights are sold for a fee by charging the credit card, it is possible to enter the electronic bookstore business even though it is a credit sales company that does not have any facilities to operate the electronic bookstore.

  In this way, if a business using the content providing system according to the present invention is entered, a credit sales company, a financial company, an insurance company, a travel company, a logistics company, etc., which are originally unrelated to the content providing business are operated. Even business operators can enter the content provision business. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a facility for distributing content, and a usage right management device having a function of giving usage rights to individual customers and returning usage right acquisition information in response to an inquiry from the distribution control device 300 It is enough to prepare. Since this usage right management device can be realized simply by adding a function for managing usage right acquisition information and responding to inquiries to an existing system, even when a new entry is made, the burden on the operator is small.

  FIG. 6 shows the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) in the user information U (i, j) related to the jth user Uj stored in the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific data example. In the case of this example, the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is configured by a collection of content identifiers CID of contents (electronic books) currently acquired by the user Uj. FIG. 6 illustrates usage right acquisition information R (i, j) including content identifiers CID (0501) to CID (0510) for 10 sets of content. This indicates that the user Uj currently has the right to use the ten sets of contents C (0501) to C (0510) (here, for convenience of explanation, C (0501). ) To C (0510) are used as serial numbers, and ten sets of content usage rights are acquired. In practice, these numbers are generally discrete values.)

  As described above, any code may be used as the content identifier CID as long as it is a unique code that can identify each content C. In the case of an electronic book, ISBN or the like can be used as the content identifier CID. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the content storage unit 110 stores content C (0101) to C (9861) specified by a unique content identifier CID, and the bibliographic information storage unit 120 stores each content. Bibliographic information B (0101) to B (9861) for C (0101) to C (9861) is stored in association with the content identifier CID.

  Therefore, in the i-th user information storage unit 210 (i), as illustrated in FIG. 6, a collection of content identifiers CID of contents for which the j-th user Uj has obtained the usage right is stored. The usage right acquisition information R (i, j) for the jth user may be stored. As described above, the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is written or rewritten by the user information writing unit 240 (i) that has received external access for writing. As described above, the right to use each content can be acquired for a fee (by a user's purchase action) or can be acquired free of charge (by a service action of various operators).

  Here, for the user Uj, on the assumption that the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) as shown in FIG. 6 is set and stored in the user information storage unit 210 (i), The procedure in the case where the user Uj downloads and uses the desired content to the user terminal 400 (j) within the range of the acquired usage rights will be described below.

  In this case, the user Uj first gives the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) to the list request unit 420 (j) of the user terminal 400 (j). Enter and give instructions to make a list request. Here, the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) are data set in the initial registration when using the service of the business operator Zi, and usually as an account and a password. This is data notified from the operator Zi. Of course, the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) are stored as part of the user information U (i, j) in the user information storage unit 210 (i). Has been.

  The list requesting unit 420 (j) sends the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (() to the usage right inquiry unit 320 in the distribution control device 300 in response to the instruction from the user Uj. Make a list request with i, j). The usage right inquiry unit 320 that has received this list request, as described in §1, gives the user right ID (i, j) included in the list request to the usage right management apparatus 200 (i). Access for inquiring the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) corresponding to is performed using the user authentication code A (i, j).

  Actually, as shown in FIG. 1, since a total of n usage right management devices 200 are prepared, the list request given to the distribution control device 300 from the user terminal 400 (j) Information for designating which usage right management apparatus 200 is the request is included. In the case of the illustrated example, the list request includes information specifying that the request is for the i-th usage right management device 200 (i).

  In the usage right management device 200 (i) that has received the inquiry from the usage right inquiry unit 320, first, authentication by the user authentication unit 230 (i) is performed. The user information U (i, j) including the given user identifier ID (i, j) is identified by searching the user information storage unit 210 (i), and the user included therein It is confirmed that the authentication code A (i, j) matches the given user authentication code A (i, j). If the two match, the correct authentication result has been obtained. Therefore, the user information reading unit 220 (i) uses the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) in the user information U (i, j). Is read out and returned to the distribution control apparatus 300.

  The usage right inquiry unit 320 receives the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) returned in response to the inquiry, and delivers it to the list transmission unit 310. The list transmission unit 310 uses the information including the bibliographic information B linked to the content identifier CID included in the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) as the list presentation information L, and the user terminal 400 (j). Send to. Specifically, when the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) as illustrated in FIG. 6 is delivered, the list transmission unit 310 is stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 of the distribution processing device 100. Information including the bibliographic information B (0501) to B (0510) associated with the 10 sets of content identifiers CID (0501) to CID (0510) shown in FIG. As a result, a process of transmitting to the user terminal 400 (j) is performed.

  In other words, a part of the bibliographic information B stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 is selected by referring to the usage right acquisition information R (i, j), and the selected bibliography is selected. The list presentation information L including the information B is transmitted to the user terminal 400 (j). As specific methods for performing such selection processing, two methods will be described here.

  The first method is a method for causing the list transmission unit 310 in the distribution control apparatus 300 to perform the selection process. In this case, a bibliographic information request for transmitting all the bibliographic information B (B (all) in FIG. 3) stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 is sent from the list transmission unit 310 to the bibliographic information transmission unit 140. The bibliographic information transmission unit 140 performs processing for transmitting all the bibliographic information B (all) in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 in response to the bibliographic information request. Then, the list transmission unit 310 indicates that the usage right is acquired by the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) from the entire bibliographic information B (all) transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit 140. The bibliographic information B corresponding to the content C that has been selected may be selected, and the selected bibliographic information B may be transmitted as the list presentation information L to the user terminal 400 (j).

  When this first method is adopted, it is not necessary to perform content selection processing on the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 side, so the bibliographic information B (all) is transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 to the list transmission unit 310. When performing the above, the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is not necessary. Therefore, the bibliographic information request from the list transmission unit 310 to the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 and the transmission of the bibliographic information B (all) from the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 to the list transmission unit 310 performed in response to this request 320 can be performed without waiting for the inquiry (without waiting for the acquisition of the usage right acquisition information R (i, j)), and can be performed at an arbitrary timing.

  In other words, the bibliographic information B (all) stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 remains the same unless the content management unit 150 adds, changes, or deletes the content. In such a case, it is sufficient to transmit the bibliographic information B (all) from the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 to the list transmission unit 310 when the content is added / changed / deleted. In this case, the bibliographic information request given from the list transmission unit 310 to the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 is, for example, “Send all bibliographic information once a day” or “When the contents are changed, It is enough to send an instruction such as “send the information”.

  On the other hand, the second method is a method for causing the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 in the distribution processing apparatus 100 to perform the selection process. In this case, the list transmission unit 310 makes a bibliographic information request including the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) to the bibliographic information transmission unit 140. Then, the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 adds the usage right acquired from the bibliographic information B in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 by the usage right acquisition information R (i, j). The corresponding bibliographic information B is selected, and the selected bibliographic information B is transmitted to the list transmission unit 310. The list transmission unit 310 may perform processing for transmitting information including the bibliographic information B transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 to the user terminal 400 (j) as list presentation information L.

  Regardless of which method is used, the list presentation information L transmitted to the user terminal 400 (j) includes the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) among the bibliographic information B stored in the distribution processing device 100. The bibliographic information B for the content corresponding to the user) is selected, and information including the selected bibliographic information B is transmitted as the list presentation information L to the user terminal 400 (j). In other words, the bibliographic information B included in the list presentation information L is a logical content that can be provided by the distribution processing device 100 and content that the user Uj has acquired the right to use. This is bibliographic information about content that satisfies the product requirements. That is, the list presentation information L is information that can be used by the user Uj to present a list indicating the content that is currently available.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific data example of the list presentation information L transmitted from the distribution control device 300 shown in FIG. 2 to the user terminal 400 (j), and the usage right acquisition information shown in FIG. Data obtained by sorting based on R (i, j). That is, according to the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) shown in FIG. 6, the content that the user Uj currently acquires the usage right is specified by the content identifiers CID (0501) to CID (0510). That means 10 sets of content. Therefore, if there is bibliographic information B (0501) to B (0510) including content identifiers CID (0501) to CID (0510) among the bibliographic information B stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 120, these are selected. The information may be taken out and used as the list presentation information L.

  7 is not 10 sets of bibliographic information B (0501) to B (0510), but 6 sets of bibliographic information B (0501), B (0502), B (0505), and B (0506). ), B (0507), and B (0509). In the distribution processing apparatus 100, the contents C (0503), C (0504), C (0508), and C (0510) are not recorded at this time, and these are not recorded in the bibliographic information storage unit 120. This is because the bibliographic information B (0503), B (0504), B (0508), and B (0510) corresponding to the content are not stored.

  As described above, the content C in the content storage unit 110 and the bibliographic information B in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 are recorded in the distribution processing apparatus 100 to be added, changed, or deleted as appropriate by the content management unit 150. The content C and the bibliographic information B are fluid, but the list presentation information L presents a list of content that can be distributed by the distribution processing apparatus 100 at the present time and for which the user Uj has obtained the usage right. It will be created as information to do.

  When the list presentation unit 410 (j) of the user terminal 400 (j) receives the list presentation information L as illustrated in FIG. 7, the list presentation unit 410 (j) may present a content list as illustrated in FIG. 8 on the display screen. it can. This content list is a list showing contents that are currently available to the user Uj, and as shown in the figure, the titles, author names, and publication years of available electronic books are listed. As shown in FIG. 7, the list presentation information L is an aggregate of the bibliographic information B. In the embodiment shown here, each bibliographic information B has bibliographic data BD as shown in FIG. Therefore, the list presenting unit 410 (j) presents a content list as illustrated in FIG. 8 based on the bibliographic data BD in the six sets of bibliographic information B constituting the list presenting information L illustrated in FIG. Can do.

  In this content list, bibliographic information of six sets of usable contents is shown in the form of a table, along with a message that “the right to use the following contents has been acquired and can be used”. In addition, a “download” button is arranged in the right side column. The user Uj can input a request instruction for the content by performing an operation of pressing a “download” button for the desired content while viewing the content list.

  In the example shown in the figure, a “acquired” button is displayed instead of a “download” button in the “Takase boat” column. This is because the content “Takase boat” has already been downloaded. , It is stored in the content storage unit 440 (j). As described above, the list presenting unit 410 (j) confirms the storage state in the content storage unit 440 (j) as necessary, and for the already downloaded content, instead of the “download” button, “ Processing to display the “acquired” button can be performed. Of course, by pressing the “acquired” button for the “acquired” content again, the content stored in the content storage unit 440 (j) can be dealt with in the case where the data is defective. You may make it available for download.

  When the user Uj performs an operation of pressing a “download” button for desired content and inputs a request instruction, the content request unit 430 (j) makes a content request for the content to the distribution processing device 100. . This content request is made using the key information K included in the bibliographic information B as described in §1. For example, a description will be given of what processing is performed when the user Uj performs an operation of pressing the “download” button with respect to the content “claw string” displayed in the content list shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the bibliographic information B (0501) of the content “Kashiwa no Ito” includes key information K (0501). In the case of the embodiment shown here, the key information K (0501) includes the URL indicating the location of the content C (0501) “Scarlet thread” in the distribution processing apparatus 100 and the content as described with reference to FIG. And an authorization code for authorizing the transmission of. Therefore, the content request unit 430 (j) issues a content request for downloading the content stored in the URL to the content transmission unit 130. At this time, a permission code for permitting transmission of the content is also transmitted.

  After confirming that the transmitted permission code is a valid code, the content transmission unit 130 uses the content C (0501) “Scarlet thread” stored in the designated URL as the user terminal 400 ( The process of transmitting to j) is performed. The user terminal 400 (j) that has received the transmission performs processing of receiving this and storing it in the content storage unit 440 (j). Thus, the content “Kashiwa no Ito” is stored in the content storage unit 440 (j).

  The content use unit 450 (j) has a function of displaying a list of the contents C stored in the content storage unit 440 (j) (a list of the bibliographic information B) as necessary, from the user Uj. When a usage instruction for a specific content is given, processing for browsing / reproducing the content is performed. When the content is an electronic book, the content of the electronic book is displayed on the display screen so that the user Uj can view it.

  As described above, the distribution control device 300 makes an inquiry to the i-th usage right management device 200 (i), and the list presentation information L is obtained based on the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) obtained as a reply. Although the example of creating was described, when the user Uj has acquired the usage rights from a plurality of business operators, each of the usage right management devices 200 that the plurality of business operators perform maintenance operations inquires. You may make it perform.

  For example, when the user Uj obtains the usage right separately from both the business operator Zi and the business operator Z (i + 1), the user requesting the list request unit 420 (j) A list request may be made by inputting a user identifier and a user authentication code set for each company. Specifically, the user identifier ID (i, j) and user authentication code A (i, j) set for the operator Zi, and the user identifier ID (i + 1) set for the operator Z (i + 1). , J) and the user authentication code A (i + 1, j) may be input to the list request unit 420 (j).

  In this case, ID (i, j), A (i, j) and ID (i + 1, j), A (i + 1, j) are sent from the list request unit 420 (j) to the usage right inquiry unit 320. A list request with both will be made. In short, a list request including user identifiers and user authentication codes stored in a plurality of usage right management devices 200 (i) and 200 (i + 1) is made from the user terminal 400 (j). Become. When such a list request is made, the usage right inquiry unit 320 accesses all of the plurality of usage right management devices 200 (i) and 200 (i + 1) to inquire usage right acquisition information, The usage right acquisition information sent back from the plurality of usage right management devices may be received. In the above example, usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is returned from the usage right management device 200 (i), and usage right acquisition information R (i + 1, j) is returned from the usage right management device 200 (i + 1). Will be replied.

  Then, the list transmission unit 310 transmits the content according to the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) and R (i + 1, j) received from the plurality of usage right management devices 200 (i) and 200 (i + 1). Information including bibliographic information B may be transmitted as list presentation information L to user terminal 400 (j). For example, usage right acquisition information R (i, j) including 10 sets of content identifiers CID (0501) to CID (0510) as shown in FIG. 6 is returned from the usage right management device 200 (i), and usage right management is performed. When the usage right acquisition information R (i + 1, j) including eight sets of content identifiers CID (0551) to CID (0558) is returned from the device 200 (i + 1), the list transmission unit 310 adds these together. Bibliographic information B corresponding to 18 sets of content identifiers is selected from a large number of bibliographic information B stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 120, and this is selected as list presentation information L to the user terminal 400 (j). The transmission process may be performed.

  Then, the list presenting section 410 (j) presents a content list for a total of 18 sets of content C (0501) to C (0510) and content C (0551) to C (0558). Thus, the user Uj can download and use desired content from these.

  Of the 18 sets of contents that the user Uj has acquired the usage right, 10 sets of contents C (0501) to C (0510) are acquired by the business developed by the provider Zi. A set of contents C (0551) to C (0558) is obtained by a usage right by a business developed by the operator Z (i + 1). In addition, the business operator Zi and the business operator Z (i + 1) operate separately and independently, and use a separate and independent system for each user's user identifier, user authentication code, etc. Personal information is managed.

  Nevertheless, in the case of the above example, a total of 18 sets of contents will be distributed uniformly from the distribution processing apparatus 100, and the user Uj has a different usage right acquisition destination, Eighteen sets of content can be handled in a unified manner. That is, in the content list for download and the content list for browsing / playback, 18 sets of content are displayed in a list without being distinguished, and can be handled in a unified manner. As described above, the content providing system according to the present invention has a great merit in that unified content distribution can be performed using the usage rights managed separately and independently by a plurality of management devices.

<<< §3. Modification of the present invention >>
So far, the basic embodiment of the content providing system according to the present invention has been described with reference to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. Here, some modifications to this basic embodiment will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, individual modifications will be described individually. However, these modifications may be used in combination as necessary.

<3.1 First Modification: List Display of Content for which Usage Rights have not been Obtained>
In the case of the basic embodiment described above, the content posted in the content list presented by the list presentation unit 410 is content that can be used by the user Uj at that time, that is, distribution, as illustrated in FIG. Among the contents that can be distributed by the processing apparatus 100, only the contents for which the user Uj has acquired the right to use. Of course, the main purpose for the list presenter 410 to present the content list is to allow the user Uj to download the desired content. Therefore, in the basic embodiments described so far, the content that can be used at that time. It makes sense to only put it in the content list.

  However, in order to aim at the sales promotion effect for the user, it is also meaningful to introduce the content that the distribution processing device 100 can distribute and for which the user has not yet acquired the usage right. . From this point of view, the modification shown here is for performing an operation of placing content that the user has not yet acquired the usage right in the content list.

  In order to publish the bibliographic information B for the content C for which the right of use has not been acquired, the bibliographic information B for the content C is also included in the list presentation information L and transmitted to the user terminal 400. Good. However, it is necessary to prevent downloading of the content C for which the usage right has not been acquired until the usage right is acquired. For this purpose, the bibliographic information B of the content C for which the usage right has not been acquired may be transmitted to the user terminal 400 without the key information K. Here, the bibliographic information including the key information K described so far is referred to as “complete bibliographic information B”, and the bibliographic information without the key information K is referred to as “incomplete bibliographic information B ′”.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing specific data examples of the complete bibliographic information B and the incomplete bibliographic information B ′. The complete bibliographic information B (0501) shown in FIG. 9A is exactly the same as the bibliographic information B (0501) shown in FIG. As already described in §2, the complete bibliographic information B (0501) includes a content identifier CID (0501), bibliographic data BD (0501) indicating the title, author name, and publication year of the electronic book, and key information K ( The user terminal 400 can download the content C (0501) by a content request using the key information K (0501).

  In contrast, the incomplete bibliographic information B (0601) ′ shown in FIG. 9B includes a content identifier CID (0601), bibliographic data BD (0601) indicating the title, author name, and publication year of the electronic book. The bibliographic information does not include the key information K. Of course, complete bibliographic information B (0601) including key information K (0601) is originally prepared in the bibliographic information storage unit 120, and key information is intentionally selected from the complete bibliographic information B (0601). By deleting the portion of K (0601), incomplete bibliographic information B (0601) ′ is created.

  If the complete bibliographic information B (0501) shown in FIG. 9A is obtained, bibliographic data such as title, author name, and publication year can be displayed in the list, and the key information K (0501) can be used. Content C (0501) can be downloaded, but when incomplete bibliographic information B (0601) ′ shown in FIG. 9B is obtained, bibliographic data such as title, author name, and publication year are displayed in a list. Can download content C (0601).

  When implementing the first modification, the list presentation information L created by the distribution control device 300 includes the complete bibliographic information B including the key information K for the content for which usage rights have been acquired, (All content stored in the content storage unit 110 may be all content excluding content for which usage rights have been acquired, or some of the content (for example, recommended content)) May include incomplete bibliographic information B ′ that does not include key information K.

  Specifically, the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 performs processing of transmitting bibliographic information B in the bibliographic information storage unit 120 in response to a bibliographic information request from the distribution control device 300, and the list transmission unit 310 transmits the bibliographic information. Among the bibliographic information B transmitted from the unit 140, the content whose usage right has been acquired by the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is completely included in the form including the key information K. Bibliographic information B and incomplete bibliographic information B ′ that does not include key information K for other contents may be transmitted to user terminal 400 as list presentation information L that can be presented separately. .

  Alternatively, the list transmission unit 310 performs a process of giving a bibliographic information request including the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) to the bibliographic information transmission unit 140, and the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 stores the bibliographic information storage unit 120. Among the bibliographic information B, for the content whose usage right is indicated by the usage right acquisition information R (i, j), the complete bibliographic information B including the key information K is used for the other content. Performs a process of transmitting incomplete bibliographic information B ′ not including the key information K to the list transmitting unit 310, and the list transmitting unit 310 transmits the complete bibliographic information B and incomplete transmitted from the bibliographic information transmitting unit 140. The bibliographic information B ′ may be transmitted to the user terminal 400 as list presentation information L that can be presented separately.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a content list displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 400 based on the list presentation information L including the complete bibliographic information B and the incomplete bibliographic information B ′. In this example, the content list is displayed separately in the first display area A1 and the second display area A2. In the first display area A1, a list of currently available contents is displayed as indicated by the heading “Available contents”. As in the example described in §2, the user can select desired contents. The content can be downloaded by pressing the “Download” button in the column. That is, for these contents, since complete bibliographic information B has been transmitted, downloading using the key information K is possible.

  On the other hand, in the second display area A2, as indicated by the heading “Purchasable content”, content that can be purchased at the present time (for example, a recommended product out of the content for which usage rights have not yet been acquired). The list is displayed. These contents cannot be used at the present time because the usage rights have not been acquired. That is, since only incomplete bibliographic information B 'has been transmitted for these contents, the key information K is missing and cannot be downloaded.

  However, even the content displayed in the second display area A2 can be used if a procedure for acquiring the usage right is performed. When the user wants to acquire the right to use the specific content in the second display area A2, the process of acquiring the right to use the content by pressing the “reference” button in the content column (An example will be described later) is started. If the usage right is acquired in this way, the content is displayed in the first display area A1. Eventually, the second display area A2 fulfills a sales promotion function that prompts the user to purchase new content.

  In order to display the content list as shown in FIG. 10 on the user terminal 400, the list transmission unit 310 includes the first list in which the content having the complete bibliographic information B is posted and the content having the incomplete bibliographic information B ′. List presentation information L that can be presented in a separate area from the second list on which the information is posted is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 400.

  FIG. 11A is a diagram showing another example of the content list displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 400 based on the list presentation information L including the complete bibliographic information B and the incomplete bibliographic information B ′. In the case of this example, the usable content to which the complete bibliographic information B has been transmitted and the unusable content to which the incomplete bibliographic information B ′ has been transmitted are mixedly displayed in the same area. However, any one of a “download” button, a “acquired” button, and a “reference” button is displayed in the right side column of each content.

  For the content for which the complete bibliographic information B has been transmitted, a “download” button or an “acquired” button is displayed (“acquired” button is not stored for the content stored in the content storage unit 440) The content will have a “Download” button). On the other hand, a “reference” button is displayed for the content to which the incomplete bibliographic information B ′ has been transmitted. Similarly to the examples described so far, when the user presses the “download” button, the content is downloaded, and when the user presses the “acquired” button, the content is downloaded again.

  On the other hand, since only the incomplete bibliographic information B ′ has been transmitted for the content for which the “reference” button is displayed, the key information K is missing and cannot be downloaded. However, when the user presses the “reference” button, processing for acquiring the right to use the content is started. Specifically, when a “reference” button is pressed, for example, a predetermined Web page for acquiring a usage right is displayed.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of a Web page displayed when the “Reference” button for the content “Phantom Twenty Faces” is pressed in the content list shown in FIG. This Web page is a page established by a business that sells usage rights for the content “Phantom Twenty Faces”. For example, in the case of a Web page opened by a business operator Zi whose main business is an electronic bookstore, it is displayed by the “existing system” of the business operator Zi described in § 2 (a system different from the content providing system according to the present invention). It will be a page.

  When the user Uj acquires the usage right for the content “Phantom Twenty Faces” using the Web page (that is, when the user clicks the “Purchase” button on the screen shown in FIG. 11B), FIG. The external use for writing shown in FIG. 4 is performed, and the use of the content is used in the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) in the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) that is maintained by the operator Zi. Rights are added.

  Here, if the user Uj gives a list request instruction to the list request unit 420 (j) in order to display the content list again, the list presentation information L newly transmitted from the distribution control device 300 includes: The complete bibliographic information B about the content “Phantom Twenty Faces” is included. Therefore, a “download” button is displayed in place of the “reference” button on the right side of the “monster face 20 phase” in the content list shown in FIG.

  In order to display the content list as shown in FIG. 11A on the user terminal 400, the list transmission unit 310 determines whether the content has complete bibliographic information B in the corresponding column of the title of each content. What is necessary is just to transmit the list presentation information which can show the identification mark which shows the distinction of the content with complete bibliographic information B 'to a user terminal. In the illustrated example, a mark “download” or “acquired” button is used as an identification mark indicating content having complete bibliographic information B, and a “reference” button is used as an identification mark indicating content having incomplete bibliographic information B ′. This is an example using marks.

<3.2 Second Modification: Terminal Identification>
In the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 2, bibliographic information B including the key information K (complete bibliographic information B of the above-described modification) is transmitted to the user terminal 400 (j). When the content request unit 430 (j) makes a content request to the content transmission unit 130 using the key information K, it is possible to receive distribution of the desired content C. Of course, the basic embodiment adopting such a delivery mechanism has no problem in business development on the premise of a sensible user. However, the possibility of unauthorized use by some unauthorized users cannot be denied.

  The key information K included in the bibliographic information B transmitted to the user terminal 400 (j) is information used when downloading the specific content C from the distribution processing device 100. In other words, as long as this key information K can be obtained, even a user who has not obtained a usage right can download the content C. Therefore, if the key information K is copied to another user terminal, the content C can be downloaded to the other user terminal. If a copy of the key information K is illegally distributed via the Internet, the unauthorized use of content on the terminal of a user who has not acquired a usage right will spread.

  The second modified example described here realizes a content providing system that can sufficiently cope with such unauthorized use. The basic principle is that when a usage right is inquired, a history indicating which user terminal has made the inquiry based on a list request is left, and when content C is transmitted in response to a content request, By referring to the history, it is confirmed that the content request is correct.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a part of the content providing system according to the second modification. The configuration of the system according to the second modification is almost the same as the configuration of the system according to the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 2. For convenience of explanation, the distribution processing device 100 and the usage right management device 200 (i) The distribution control device 300 and the user terminal 400 (j) are indicated using the same reference numerals. However, some of the components in each of these devices are slightly changed. Only this change will be described below.

  First, for the distribution processing device 100, a content transmission unit 130 ′ to which a function for inquiring the distribution control device 300 is added is used instead of the content transmission unit 130 shown in FIG. When the content transmission unit 130 ′ distributes the content C to the user terminal 400 (j), the content transmission unit 130 ′ makes an inquiry to the distribution control device 300 and confirms that the distribution is in response to a valid content request. Send.

  Further, with respect to the distribution control device 300, a usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ having a slightly added function is used instead of the usage right inquiry unit 320 shown in FIG. In addition to the function of the usage right inquiry unit 320 described in §1, the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ further includes a processing function for storing the inquiry history information H (i, j), and a content transmission unit 130 ′. When a query is received, a processing function for adding a reply with reference to the query history information H (i, j) is added.

  On the other hand, for user terminal 400 (j), instead of list request unit 420 (j) and content request unit 430 (j) shown in FIG. The request unit 430 (j) ′ is used. Further, the terminal identifier T (j) is stored in any location inside. As the terminal identifier T (j), any identifier may be used as long as it can identify individual user terminals. For example, the CPU serial number incorporated in the user terminal 400 (j), the MAC address set in the network communication device, or the like can be used as the terminal identifier T (j).

  Next, in the content providing system according to the modified example shown in FIG. 12, a processing procedure until the specific content C desired by the user is downloaded to the user terminal 400 (j) will be described in order.

  First, the user Uj inputs a user identifier ID (i, j) and a user identification code A (i, j) to the list request unit 420 (j) ′ and instructs to make a list request. Is given, the list request unit 420 (j) ′ makes a list request to the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′. As described above, the list request unit 420 (j) ′ has a function of making a list request in the same manner as the list request unit 420 (j) shown in FIG. 2, but at this time, the user identifier ID (i, j) and a user identification code A (i, j), and a function of transmitting a terminal identifier T (j) stored in the user terminal 400 (j).

  Eventually, the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ identifies the user terminal 400 (j) together with the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) from the user terminal 400 (j). To receive a list request including a terminal identifier T (j). Similar to the usage right inquiry unit 320 shown in FIG. 2, the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ uses the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) to use the usage right management device 200. A query for (i) is made and a reply to the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) for the user Uj is received. The usage right acquisition information R (i, j) sent back from the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) is given to the list transmission unit 310. At this time, the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ uses the usage right acquisition information. The terminal identifier T (j) is associated with R (i, j), and these are stored as inquiry history information H (i, j).

  Subsequent procedures, that is, the list transmission unit 310 makes a bibliographic information request to the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 to obtain the bibliographic information B, and the list presentation information L corresponding to the usage right acquisition information R (i, j). Is transmitted to the user terminal 400 (j) in exactly the same manner as the basic embodiment described so far, and the content list is displayed by the list presenter 410 (j) in the user terminal 400 (j). The presentation is exactly the same as the basic embodiment described so far.

  When the user Uj gives a request instruction for specific content based on the content list, the content request unit 430 (j) ′ uses the key information K included in the bibliographic information B for the specific content. Thus, a content request is made to the content transmission unit 130 ', and at this time, the terminal identifier T (j) is also transmitted.

  On the other hand, the content transmission unit 130 'responds to the content request on the condition that there is a content request from the user terminal 400 (j) that includes the terminal identifier T (j) for specifying the user terminal. Process to send content. In addition, when there is such a content request, a combination of the specific content corresponding to the content request and the terminal identifier T (j) included in the content request is sent to the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′. The process of transmitting the specific content is performed only when a reply indicating that the combination is valid is obtained.

  As described above, since the inquiry history information H (i, j) is stored in the usage right inquiry unit 320 'when the inquiry is made, the usage right inquiry unit 320' When an inquiry about a combination of a specific terminal identifier T (j) and a specific content C is received, the specific terminal identifier T (j) is referred to by referring to the inquiry history information H (i, j). When the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) stored in association with the usage right for the specific content C is included, a reply indicating that the combination is valid is made.

  As described above, in the content distribution system according to the second modification, the usage right obtained by the inquiry based on the list request from the specific user terminal 400 (j) is obtained by the function of the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′. The information R (i, j) is associated with the terminal identifier T (j) of the specific user terminal 400 (j) and stored as inquiry history information H (i, j). When the content transmission unit 130 ′ transmits specific content in response to a content request from the specific user terminal 400 (j), the terminal identifier T (j) is set to the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′. The used inquiry will be made. For this reason, distribution from the distribution processing device 100 is performed only when the correct history is stored in the inquiry history information H (i, j), and the terminal of the user who has not acquired the usage right. Unauthorized use of content can be suppressed.

  As described above, the user terminal 400 (j) is actually used by a dedicated application program (contents) on a terminal device (computer) that can be connected to the Internet, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or an electronic tablet. In the case of an electronic book, it is realized by installing a viewer program), and the function of the content request unit 430 (j) ′ is also realized by this application program. That is, when there is a request instruction from the user Uj, this application program reads the terminal identifier T (j) from a predetermined storage location, and sends a content request with the terminal identifier T (j) to the content transmitting unit. Designed to perform processing for transmission to 130 '.

  Therefore, if the key information K about the specific content received by the user terminal 400 (j) as part of the list presentation information L is illegally copied and transferred to another user terminal 400 (x) However, the specific content cannot be illegally downloaded to the user terminal 400 (x). This is because the application program installed in the user terminal 400 (x) reads the terminal identifier T (x) of the user terminal 400 (x) from a predetermined storage location and makes a content request. Since there is no inquiry history information that associates the terminal identifier T (x) with the specific content in the right inquiry unit 320 ′, it is a valid combination when there is an inquiry from the content transmission unit 130 ′. This is because there is no response to that effect.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the processing function of the characteristic part of the second modification. As described above, in the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′, inquiry history information is stored every time an inquiry is made. The figure shows an example in which a plurality of inquiry history information is stored. Here, the inquiry history information H (i, j) is used as the user terminal 400 used by the jth user Uj. Based on the list request from (j), the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) obtained by the inquiry to the i-th usage right management apparatus 200 (i) is associated with the terminal identifier T (j). It has become information. In the case of the illustrated example, the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) is composed of ten content identifiers CID (0501) to CID (0510) as shown in FIG.

  Similarly, the inquiry history information H (i + 1, j) is stored in the (i + 1) th usage right management apparatus 200 based on a list request from the user terminal 400 (j) used by the jth user Uj. (I + 1) is information obtained by associating the usage right acquisition information R (i + 1, j) obtained by the inquiry to the terminal identifier T (j), and the inquiry history information H (i + 2, j) is the j-th Based on the list request from the user terminal 400 (j) used by the user Uj, the usage right acquisition information R (i + 2, j) obtained by the inquiry to the (i + 2) th usage right management device 200 (i + 2). ) And the terminal identifier T (j), and the inquiry history information H (i, j + 1) is the user terminal 400 (j + 1) used by the (j + 1) th user U (j + 1). Based on the list request from It comes to the i-th rights management device 200 usage right obtaining information obtained by the query against (i) R (i, j + 1) and the terminal identifier T (j + 1) and the association information to.

  Here, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 13, a case where a content request for downloading a specific content C (0501) is issued from the content request unit 430 (j) ′ to the content transmission unit 130 ′. let's think. In this example, a content request using a content identifier CID (0501), key information K (0501), and a terminal identifier T (j) for the content C (0501) to be downloaded is made. Here, the content identifier CID (0501) is used as information for specifying the content to be downloaded. The key information K (0501) is a URL indicating the location of the content and a permission code necessary for downloading, and the terminal identifier T (j) is a code for identifying the user terminal 400 (j).

  The content transmission unit 130 ′ uses the content C (0501) stored as data specified by the content identifier CID (0501) in the URL specified by the key information K (0501) on condition that the permission code matches. The process of reading and transmitting to the user terminal 400 (j) is executed. At that time, the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ is informed about the combination of the content identifier CID (0501) and the terminal identifier T (j). The content C (0501) is transmitted only when an inquiry is made and an answer indicating that the combination is valid is obtained.

  On the other hand, upon receiving an inquiry about the combination of the content identifier CID (0501) and the terminal identifier T (j), the usage right inquiry unit 320 ′ searches the inquiry history information including the terminal identifier T (j) and associates it. It is checked whether or not the content identifier CID (0501) is included in the stored usage right acquisition information. In the case of the illustrated example, the inquiry history information H (i, j), H (i + 1, j), and H (i + 2, j) are retrieved as information including the terminal identifier T (j). Among these, the content identifier CID (0501) is included in the usage right acquisition information R (i, j) stored in association with the terminal identifier T (j) in the inquiry history information H (i, j). Can be confirmed. Therefore, a reply indicating that the combination is valid is made to the content transmission unit 130 '.

  If a content request for the content C (0501) is made from another user terminal 400 (x) by an unauthorized method, the combination to be inquired is the content identifier CID (0501) and the terminal identifier. Since this is a combination with T (x), the corresponding inquiry history information is not searched, and a reply indicating that the combination is invalid is made.

<3.3 Third Modification: Authentication Using Temporary Authentication Code>
In the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a user request ID (i, j) and a user authentication code A (i, j) are included in a list request made from the user terminal 400 (j) to the distribution control device 300. j) is included, and the distribution control device 300 makes an inquiry to the usage right management device 200 (i) using the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j). ing.

  However, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the business operator Y that performs maintenance operation of the distribution control device 300 and the business operator Zi that performs maintenance operation of the usage right management device 200 (i) are completely different businesses. If the user is a user, it is not always preferable that the user authentication code A (i, j) is transmitted to the distribution control device 300.

  In the first place, the user authentication code A (i, j) indicates that, when the business operator Zi performs electronic commerce, when the access is made via the Internet, the access is a genuine access from the user Zi. This is a code used for authentication, and is generally a secret code handled as a password. It is not preferable from the viewpoint of security that such a secret code is delivered to the distribution control device 300 managed by the business operator Y completely different from the business operator Zi.

  The third modified example described here realizes a content providing system that can solve such a security problem. The basic principle is that the distribution is managed by the operator Y with the user Uj issuing a temporary authentication code α (generally a temporary valid code called a one-time password) from the operator Zi. The temporary authentication code α is delivered to the control device 300.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a part of the content providing system according to the third modification. The configuration of the system according to the third modification is almost the same as the configuration of the system according to the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and for convenience of explanation, the distribution processing device 100 and the usage right management device 200 (i) The distribution control device 300 and the user terminal 400 (j) are indicated using the same reference numerals. However, some of the components in each of these devices are slightly changed. Only this change will be described below.

  First, for the user terminal 400 (j), a list request unit 420 (j) ″ with a slight addition of functions is used instead of the list request unit 420 (j) shown in FIG. The list request unit 420 (j) ″ has a function of making a list request in the same manner as the list request unit 420 (j) shown in FIG. 2, but before that, the usage right management apparatus 200 (i) It has an additional function of making a preliminary authentication request and receiving a temporary authentication code α.

  That is, the user Uj inputs a user identifier ID (i, j) and a user identification code A (i, j) to the list request unit 420 (j) ″ to make a list request. When the instruction is given, first, the user ID ID (i, j) and the user identification code A (i, j) are sent from the list request unit 420 (j) ″ to the user authentication unit 230 (i) ′. A preliminary authentication request is made. Then, the list request unit 420 (j) ″ receives the temporary authentication code α issued by the preliminary authentication request, and uses the temporary authentication code α instead of the user identification code A (i, j). The requested list is sent to the usage right inquiry unit 320.

  Since the user identification code A (i, j) and the temporary authentication code α are the same in that they are codes composed of numbers and characters, the list request unit 420 (j) ″ sends the usage right inquiry unit 320 to the usage right inquiry unit 320. The list request processing performed for the list request unit 420 (j) shown in FIG. 2 is exactly the same as the list request processing performed by the usage right inquiry unit 320. Therefore, also in this third modification, the function of the usage right inquiry unit 320 is exactly the same as the function of the usage right inquiry unit 320 in the basic embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the usage right inquiry unit 320 includes a user identifier ID (i, j) and a temporary authentication code α (an alternative code for the user identification code A (i, j)) from the user terminal 400 (j). When there is a list request, this temporary authentication code α is used as a substitute code for the user authentication code A (i, j) to make an inquiry to the usage right management device, and as a result, usage right acquisition information R ( i, j).

  On the other hand, with respect to the usage right management apparatus 200 (i), a user authentication unit 230 (i) to which a temporary authentication code α issuance and authentication function is added instead of the user authentication unit 230 (i) shown in FIG. ) ′ Is used.

  The user authentication unit 230 (i) ′ receives the user identifier ID (i, j) and the user authentication code A (i, j) from the list request unit 420 (j) ″ of the user terminal 400 (j). Is issued, and a temporary authentication code α is issued, and the correspondence between the user identifier ID (i, j) and the temporary authentication code α is temporarily set for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). And a preliminary authentication process for returning the issued temporary authentication code α to the user terminal 400 (j). As described above, the user terminal 400 (j) makes a list request using the temporary authentication code α.

  Further, the user authenticating unit 230 (i) ′ performs authentication using the correspondence relationship temporarily stored when a query including the temporary authentication code α is received from the usage right query unit 320. It has a processing function. In addition, after the authentication is performed, processing for deleting the record of the correspondence relationship is performed. After all, the temporary authentication code α is a code that is valid only for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), and is a code that becomes invalid once authentication is performed. This authentication result is transmitted to the user information reading unit 220 (i). When correct authentication is performed, the user information reading unit 220 (i) sends the usage right acquisition information R to the usage right inquiry unit 320. (I, j) is returned.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the processing function of the characteristic part of the third modification. As described above, first, the user ID ID (i, j) and the user identification code A (i, j) are sent from the list request unit 420 (j) ″ to the user authentication unit 230 (i) ′. A preliminary authentication request is made. In response to the preliminary authentication request, the user authentication unit 230 (i) ′ issues a temporary authentication code α, and temporarily determines the correspondence between the user identifier ID (i, j) and the temporary authentication code α. And a temporary authentication code α is returned to the list request unit 420 (j) ″. The correspondence relationship temporarily stored in the user authenticating unit 230 (i) ′ is erased when a predetermined time elapses or once is authenticated.

  Subsequently, the list request unit 420 (j) ″ makes a list request to the usage right inquiry unit 320 by using the user identifier ID (i, j) and the temporary authentication code α (alternative code). Then, the usage right inquiry unit 320 uses the user identifier ID (i, j) and the temporary authentication code α (alternative code) to read the user information reading unit 220 (i) and the user authentication unit 230 (i ) ′. In response to the inquiry, the user authentication unit 230 (i) ′ confirms whether the correspondence between the user identifier ID (i, j) and the temporary authentication code α is stored, and the result is used by the user. The information is read to the information reading unit 220 (i). When the correct authentication result is obtained, the user information reading unit 220 (i) makes the usage right acquisition information R (i) read from the user information storage unit 210 (i) to the usage right inquiry unit 320. , J).

  As described above, in the content distribution system according to the third modified example, the user authentication code A (i, i, secretly managed by the operator Zi with respect to the distribution control device 300 that the operator Y performs maintenance operation. j) is never transmitted. Instead, the temporary authentication code α is transmitted to the distribution control device 300. However, since the code is a temporary code that is valid only temporarily, the security risk is extremely small. Thus, according to the third modification, the security problem related to the user authentication code A (i, j) can be solved.

<3.4 Fourth Modification: Multiple Distribution Processing Devices>
As shown in FIG. 1, the content providing system according to the present invention is premised on providing a plurality of usage right management devices 200 (n ≧ 2) for managing content usage rights for users. The present invention provides a system that enables unified content distribution from the distribution processing device 100 using the usage rights that are separately and independently managed by the usage right management device. Therefore, in the basic embodiments and the modifications described so far, only one distribution processing device 100 is used. In the fourth modification described here, a plurality of distribution processing apparatuses 100 are provided, and contents can be distributed from each of them.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content providing system according to the fourth modification. The difference from the system according to the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that a plurality of p (p ≧ 2) distribution processing devices 100 (1) to 100 (p) are provided. The illustrated distribution processing apparatus 100 (k) is the k-th (1 ≦ k ≦ p) apparatus among the p units. Here, the following explanation will be given by taking as an example the case where maintenance operations of the distribution processing devices 100 (1) to 100 (p) are performed by different operators X1, X2,..., Xk,. Do.

  In general, the format of digital content is arbitrarily determined by a provider that distributes the content. In particular, with respect to electronic books, the data format that should be used as a standard is rife, and the current situation is that each business provider provides content in its own data format. Therefore, also in the example shown in FIG. 16, each business operator X1, X2,..., Xk,... Is developing a business that distributes content having a unique data format. Try.

  In this way, when the content formats are different, it is necessary to prepare different application programs for browsing and playing the content on the user terminal 400 that has received the distribution. Therefore, for example, the j-th user Uj uses the j-th user terminal 400 (j) to view or play back content distributed from all the operators X1 to Xp. The user terminal 400 (j) may be installed with a total of p viewing / playback application programs. Of course, if there is a company that adopts the same format, some of the total of p sets of application programs will be the same program, but here, for convenience, such overlapping programs are counted as p sets. To.

  After all, in the case of the above example, the user terminal 400 (j) has a plurality of p browsing functions or playback functions built in, and p distribution processing apparatuses 100 (1) to 100 (p). Is stored with contents described in a peculiar format corresponding to each of the p browsing functions or playback functions. For example, the kth distribution processing device 100 (k) shown in FIG. 16 stores content described in the kth format, and browses the content distributed from the distribution processing device 100 (k). In order to reproduce, it is necessary to install the kth application program in the user terminal 400 (j).

  Therefore, bibliographic information to which device specifying information for specifying the distribution processing device is added to the bibliographic information transmitting units 140 (1) to 140 (p) in the individual distribution processing devices 100 (1) to 100 (p). A function for transmitting B is provided, and the list transmitting unit 310 in the distribution control apparatus 300 is provided with a function for transmitting list presentation information to which apparatus specifying information is added.

  For example, a function of transmitting bibliographic information B (k) to which device specifying information for specifying the distribution processing device is added to the bibliographic information transmitting unit 140 (k) in the kth distribution processing device 100 (k). The list transmitting unit 310 has a function of transmitting the list presentation information L (k) to which the device specifying information is added based on the bibliographic information B (k). Then, the user terminal 400 (j) can specify the distribution processing device that is the target of the content request by referring to the device specifying information.

  Next, a more specific processing function of the characteristic part of the fourth modification will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In this block diagram, as a characteristic part of the fourth modified example, the kth distribution processing device 100 (k), the distribution control device 300, and the user terminal 400 (j used by the jth user Uj ) And is shown. Further, in the user terminal 400 (j), the k-th browsing / playback application V (k), the (k + 1) th browsing / playback application V (k + 1), and the (k + 2) th browsing / playback. The state where the application V (k + 2) is installed is shown.

  Here, the kth browsing / playback application V (k) is distributed from the distribution processing device 100 (k) maintained and operated by the kth operator Xk shown in FIG. This is an application program for browsing / reproducing content having a format, and by installing the program in a computer constituting the user terminal 400 (j), as shown in FIG. 17, the list presentation unit 410 (j, k ), List request unit 420 (j, k), content request unit 430 (j, k), content storage unit 440 (j, k), and content use unit 450 (j, k).

  The k-th browsing / playback application V (k) is an application program that receives content distributed from the k-th distribution processing device 100 (k) and uses it for viewing and playback. When viewed from the application V (k), the distribution processing device 100 (k) is the only distribution processing device. Therefore, as far as the state in which the browsing / reproducing application V (k) is activated, the content distribution system according to the fourth modification is exactly the same as the content distribution system according to the basic embodiment shown in FIGS. The processing function will be fulfilled.

  That is, the distribution processing device 100 (k) shown in FIG. 17 performs exactly the same function as the distribution processing device 100 shown in FIG. 2, and is browsed / reproduced operating on the user terminal 400 (j) shown in FIG. 410 (j, k), 420 (j, k), 430 (j, k), 440 (j, k), and 450 (j, k) constructed by the application V (k) are shown in FIG. The same functions as 410 (j), 420 (j), 430 (j), 440 (j), and 450 (j) constituting the user terminal 400 (j) are performed.

  In addition, the (k + 1) th browsing / playback application V (k + 1) installed in the user terminal 400 (j) shown in FIG. 17 receives content from the (k + 1) th distribution processing device 100 (k + 1). It is an application program that receives the distribution and uses it, and when viewed from the browsing / reproducing application V (k + 1), the distribution processing device 100 (k + 1) is the only distribution processing device. Therefore, as far as the state in which the browsing / reproducing application V (k + 1) is activated, the content distribution system according to the fourth modification is exactly the same as the content distribution system according to the basic embodiment shown in FIGS. The processing function will be fulfilled.

  As described above, when a specific browsing / reproducing application V is activated on the user terminal 400 (j), when viewed from the activated application, any one of the p distribution processing devices is unique. This is a distribution processing apparatus. Therefore, in a state in which a specific browsing / reproducing application V is activated, the operation viewed from the activated application is exactly the same as the operation of the system according to the basic embodiment described so far.

  For example, when the user Uj gives a list request instruction to the list request unit 420 (j, k) in a state where the kth browsing / playback application V (k) is activated, the list request unit 420 (j, A list request is issued to the distribution control device 300 from k). Accordingly, the distribution control device 300 makes an inquiry to the usage right management device 200 (i) not shown in FIG. 17 based on the list request, and uses right acquisition information R (i,) for the user Uj. j) is obtained.

  Subsequently, the distribution control device 300 obtains the bibliographic information B about the content C according to the obtained usage right acquisition information R (i, j) among the bibliographic information B stored in the distribution processing device 100 (k). Processing to transmit the information including the information to the user terminal 400 (j) as the list presentation information L is performed.

  However, when the list presentation information L is transmitted from the distribution control device 300 to the user terminal 400 (j), it is necessary to specify which browsing / playback application V is the information to be handed over. Therefore, in the system according to the fourth modification, the bibliographic information transmission unit 140 (k) in the distribution processing device 100 (k) transmits the bibliographic information B in response to the bibliographic information request from the distribution control device 300. At this time, bibliographic information B (k) to which device specifying information for specifying the distribution processing device 100 (k) is added is transmitted.

  That is, the distribution control device 300 receives the bibliographic information B (k) to which the device specifying information for specifying the kth distribution processing device 100 (k) is added, so that the kth distribution processing device 100 ( The list presentation information L (k) to which the device specifying information specifying k) is added can be created and transmitted to the user terminal 400 (j). Then, the user terminal 400 (j) that has received the list presentation information L (k) makes a content request by referring to the device specifying information added to the list presentation information L (k). Since it is possible to specify that the target distribution processing device is the k-th distribution processing device 100 (k), processing suitable for making a content request to the distribution processing device 100 (k) It can be performed.

  More specifically, the user terminal 400 (j) that has received the list presentation information L (k) that specifies the k-th distribution processing device 100 (k) receives the list presentation information L (k) Processing may be performed by the k-th browsing / playback application V (k). That is, in FIG. 17, the list presentation information L (k) received by the user terminal 400 (j) is given to the list presentation unit 410 (j, k) constructed by the browsing / playback application V (k), A list is presented to the user Uj. When the user Uj gives a request instruction for a predetermined content based on the presented content list, the content request unit 430 (j, k) will in turn perform the k-th distribution processing device 100 (k). A content request is issued, and the distributed content is received and stored by the content storage unit 440 (j, k), and is browsed and reproduced by the content use unit 450 (j, k).

  As described above, even when a plurality of viewing / playback applications are installed in the user terminal 400 (j), each application program performs an independent operation independently from the corresponding distribution processing device. You can receive the content and browse / play it.

  The advantage of the content providing system according to the fourth modified example is that the product assortment is enriched when viewed from the user Uj. For example, in the case of the system according to the basic embodiment described in §2, the user Uj has obtained the right to use 10 pieces of content as shown in FIG. Nevertheless, the content list presented to the user Uj is as shown in FIG. 8, and only 6 contents are listed. This is because the distribution processing apparatus 100 has a problem of assortment. Specifically, as described in §2, the distribution processing apparatus 100 has four points of content C (0503), C (0504), C (0508), and C (0510) that are not recorded at that time. For this reason, the content list in which only six contents recorded in the distribution processing apparatus 100 among the ten contents for which the usage rights have been acquired is presented is presented.

  If the content providing system according to the fourth modification is used, the problem of assortment of the distribution processing apparatus as in the above example is solved to some extent. For example, even if it is not recorded in the kth distribution processing device 100 (k), there is content recorded in the (k + 1) th distribution processing device 100 (k + 1). . In this case, although the content is not listed in the content list displayed when the user Uj activates the kth browsing / playback application V (k), the (k + 1) th browsing / playback application The content is displayed in the content list displayed when V (k + 1) is activated. Therefore, in order to download the content, an instruction to request the content may be given to the (k + 1) th browsing / playback application V (k + 1).

100, 100 (1) to 100 (k): Distribution processing device 110: Content storage unit 120: Bibliographic information storage unit 130, 130 ': Content transmission unit 140: Bibliographic information transmission unit 150: Content management unit 200 (1)- 200 (i): Usage right management device 210 (i): User information storage unit 220 (i): User information reading unit 230 (i), 230 (i) ': User authentication unit 240 (i): Usage User information writing unit 300: distribution control device 310: list transmission unit 320, 320 ′: usage right inquiry unit 400 (1) to 400 (j): user terminal 410 (j), 410 (j, k): list Presentation unit 420 (j), 420 (j) ′, 420 (j) ″, 420 (j, k): List request unit 430 (j), 430 (j) ′, 430 (j, k): Content request Parts 440 (j), 440 (j, ): Content storage unit 450 (j), 450 (j, k): Content use unit A (i, j): User authentication code A1: First display area A2: Second display area B, B (0101) ) To B (9861): Bibliographic information BD, BD (0501): Bibliographic data C, C (0101) to C (9861): Content CD: Content data CID, CID (0501) to CID (0510): Content identifier H (I, j): Query history information i: Parameter ID indicating the number of the usage right management device (i, j): User identifier j: Parameter indicating the number of the user terminal K, K (0501): Key information k : Parameter indicating distribution processing device number L: List presentation information m: Total number of user terminals N: Internet n: Total number of usage right management devices p: Total number of distribution processing devices R (i, j): Usage rights Acquired information T (j): Terminal identifiers U1 to Uj: User U (i, j): User information V (browsing / reproducing application)
X, X1 to Xk, Y, Z1 to Zi: Operator α: Temporary authentication code

Claims (20)

A content providing system that provides content corresponding to a user's request to a user terminal within a range of usage rights acquired by the user,
A distribution processing device for distributing content to user terminals;
A plurality of n (n ≧ 2) usage right management devices for managing content usage rights for users;
A distribution control device that performs an inquiry to the usage right management device in response to a request from a user terminal, and that controls a distribution process from the distribution processing device based on a result of the inquiry;
With
The distribution processing device includes a content storage unit that stores a plurality of contents, a bibliographic information storage unit that stores bibliographic information corresponding to each content, and a content in the content storage unit in response to a content request from a user terminal And a bibliographic information transmission unit that transmits bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit in response to a bibliographic information request from the distribution control device,
Each of the plurality of n usage right management devices corresponds to each user with a user identifier, a user authentication code, and usage right acquisition information indicating the content for which the user has acquired the usage right. A user information storage unit for storing the attached user information, a user authentication unit for performing authentication using the user authentication code when there is an external access, and authentication by the user authentication unit. On the condition that the user information writing unit that writes or rewrites information to the user information storage unit in response to an external access and the authentication by the user authentication unit A user information reading unit that reads out and returns the usage right acquisition information from the user information storage unit in response to an external access;
When the distribution control apparatus receives a list request including a user identifier and a user authentication code or an alternative code stored in the i th (1 ≦ i ≦ n) usage right management apparatus from the user terminal In addition, access to the i-th usage right management device for inquiring usage right acquisition information corresponding to the user identifier included in the list request is made using the user authentication code or an alternative code thereof. The usage right inquiry unit that receives and returns the usage right acquisition information that is sent back, and the content according to the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit among the bibliographic information stored in the distribution processing device List transmission that transmits information including bibliographic information as list presentation information for presenting a list indicating available contents to the user terminal that has made the list request And, have,
The bibliographic information includes key information necessary for obtaining the corresponding content, and the content transmitting unit transmits the content in response to a content request including the key information. system. The content providing system according to claim 1,
The bibliographic information transmission unit performs processing for transmitting bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit in response to the bibliographic information request from the distribution control device,
The list transmission unit selects bibliographic information corresponding to the content indicating that the usage right is acquired by the usage right acquisition information from the bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit, A content providing system for transmitting selected bibliographic information to a user terminal as list presentation information. The content providing system according to claim 1,
The list transmission unit performs a process of giving a bibliographic information request including the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit to the bibliographic information transmission unit,
The bibliographic information transmission unit selects bibliographic information corresponding to the content indicating that the usage right is acquired by the usage right acquisition information from the bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit, and the selected bibliographic information Is transmitted to the list transmission unit,
The content transmission system, wherein the list transmission unit transmits information including bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit to a user terminal as list presentation information. The content providing system according to claim 1,
The bibliographic information transmission unit performs processing for transmitting bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit in response to the bibliographic information request from the distribution control device,
Of the bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit, the list transmission unit displays complete bibliographic information including key information for the content whose usage right is indicated by the usage right acquisition information. A content providing system that transmits incomplete bibliographic information that does not include key information to the user terminal as list presentation information that can be presented separately for each other content. The content providing system according to claim 1,
The list transmission unit performs a process of giving a bibliographic information request including the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit to the bibliographic information transmission unit,
The bibliographic information transmitting unit, for the bibliographic information in the bibliographic information storage unit, for the content for which the usage right has been acquired by the usage right acquisition information, complete bibliographic information including key information, For content, incomplete bibliographic information that does not include key information is transmitted to the list transmission unit,
The list transmission unit transmits the complete bibliographic information and the incomplete bibliographic information transmitted from the bibliographic information transmission unit to a user terminal as list presentation information that can be presented separately. Feature content providing system. The content providing system according to claim 4 or 5,
List presenting information capable of presenting the first list on which the content having complete bibliographic information is posted and the second list on which content having incomplete bibliographic information is presented in separate areas. A content providing system characterized by transmitting to a user terminal. The content providing system according to claim 4 or 5,
The bibliographic information storage unit stores at least bibliographic information including data indicating the title of each content,
Uses list presentation information that allows the list sending section to present an identification mark in the corresponding column for each content title, indicating whether the content has complete bibliographic information or incomplete bibliographic information A content providing system for transmitting to a user terminal. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-7,
As key information included in the bibliographic information, information including a URL indicating the location of the corresponding content in the content storage unit is used.
A content providing system, wherein a content transmitting unit transmits content stored in a storage location indicated by the URL included in a content request from a user terminal to the user terminal. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-8,
As key information included in bibliographic information, use information that includes a permission code to permit transmission of the corresponding content,
A content providing system, wherein a content transmitting unit transmits content corresponding to a request to the user terminal after confirming that the permission code included in the content request from the user terminal is correct . In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-9,
In the content storage unit, content specified by a unique content identifier is stored,
In the bibliographic information storage unit, bibliographic information about each content is stored in association with the content identifier,
In the user information storage unit, a set of content identifiers of the content for which a specific user has acquired the usage right is stored as usage right acquisition information for the specific user,
A content providing system in which a list transmitting unit transmits information including bibliographic information associated with a content identifier included in usage right acquisition information to a user terminal as list presentation information. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-10,
A content providing system in which a user information storage unit in a plurality of n right-of-use management devices stores a separate user identifier and user authentication code for the same user. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-11,
When the usage right inquiry unit receives a list request including a user identifier and a user authentication code stored in a plurality of usage right management devices from the user terminal, Access to the usage right acquisition information, and receive the usage right acquisition information returned from the plurality of usage right management devices,
The list transmission unit transmits information including bibliographic information about the content according to the usage right acquisition information received by the usage right inquiry unit from the plurality of usage right management devices to the user terminal as list presentation information. Feature content providing system. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-12,
When the user rights inquiry unit receives a list request including a terminal identifier for identifying the user terminal together with the user identifier and the user authentication code or an alternative code from the user terminal, the usage right management device Associate the terminal identifier with the returned usage right acquisition information, and perform processing for storing these as inquiry history information,
The content transmission unit performs a process of transmitting content corresponding to the content request on the condition that there is a content request including a terminal identifier for identifying the user terminal from the user terminal, and the content When there is a request, an inquiry about the combination of the content in response to the content request and the terminal identifier included in the content request is made to the usage right inquiry unit, and it is a valid combination. Process to send content only when answer is obtained,
When the usage right inquiry unit receives an inquiry about a combination of a specific terminal identifier and specific content from the content transmission unit, the usage right reference unit associates the specific terminal identifier with reference to the inquiry history information. When the usage right acquisition information stored in this way includes a usage right for the specific content, the content providing system replies that it is a valid combination. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-13,
When the user authentication unit receives a preliminary authentication request including a user identifier and a user authentication code from the user terminal, a temporary authentication code is issued, and the correspondence between the user identifier and the temporary authentication code A function for temporarily storing the relationship for a predetermined time and performing a preliminary authentication process for returning the temporary authentication code to the user terminal,
When a usage right inquiry unit receives a list request including a user identifier and the temporary authentication code from a user terminal, the temporary user authentication code is used as a substitute code for the user authentication code. Make an inquiry,
The content provision characterized in that the user authentication unit authenticates by using the correspondence stored temporarily when there is an inquiry including the temporary authentication code from the usage right inquiry unit system. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-14,
Content management with the function that the distribution processing device performs processing for adding new content and new bibliographic information and changing or deleting existing content and existing processing information for the content storage unit and bibliographic information storage unit The content providing system further comprising a section. In the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-15,
A plurality of p distribution processing devices (p ≧ 2) are provided, and each of the p distribution processing devices has a unique p corresponding to a plurality of p browsing functions or reproduction functions incorporated in the user terminal. Contains content written in a format,
The bibliographic information transmission unit in each distribution processing device has a function of transmitting bibliographic information to which device specifying information for specifying the distribution processing device is added,
The list transmission unit in the distribution control device has a function of transmitting list presentation information to which the device specifying information is added,
A content providing system characterized in that a user terminal can identify a distribution processing device to be a content request by referring to the device specifying information. The content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
A user terminal having a function of browsing or reproducing content distributed from the distribution processing device of the content providing system;
A content browsing / playback system comprising: The content browsing / playback system according to claim 17,
User terminal
A list request unit that transmits a list request including a predetermined user identifier and a predetermined user authentication code or an alternative code thereof to the distribution control device;
A list presenting unit for presenting a list indicating available content based on the list presenting information transmitted from the distribution control device;
A content request unit that transmits a content request including key information to the content transmission unit for the selected content selected on the list by the user's operation;
A content storage unit for storing the content transmitted from the content transmission unit;
A content use unit for browsing or playing back content stored in the content storage unit;
A content browsing / playback system characterized by comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as a delivery control apparatus in the content provision system in any one of Claims 1-16.   A program for causing a computer to function as a user terminal in the content browsing / playback system according to claim 18.

Images