JP2016154027A - Electronic book management method, server device, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic book management method enabling easy borrowing of a newly purchased electronic book within a limited range such as between close friends, a server device, and a computer program.SOLUTION: An electronic book management method includes a first stage where a content purchaser instructs a lending target content and browsing of the lending target electronic book content on the browsing device of the content purchaser is inhibited for a given period of time, a second stage where a management server device which has received a lending procedure request including data proving the fixed-period browsing inhibition of the lending target electronic book content creates one lending management record capable of specifying the content purchaser, the target content and a borrowing user, and a third stage where the management server device creates lending procedure data based on the lending management record to transmit the data to the browsing device of the content purchaser.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for managing browsing display on a user terminal for digital content distributed to a network or the like, and a computer program therefor.

  Along with the widespread use of dedicated browsing terminals and highly functional portable information terminals, an environment for services in which books, magazines, comics, etc. are digitized and distributed as digital contents has been established.

  In order to browse digital content, a browsing application program (viewer) corresponding to the data format of the content file is required. The viewer usually does not have an editing function such as rewriting or a function of creating a copy, but exclusively plays a role of rendering content data in a form visible to the viewer.

  On the other hand, since digital data is inherently easy to copy, when distributing digital content, it is desired from the content providing side to distribute it in such a form that it is not copied unnecessarily. The technology and mechanism for this purpose are generally called DRM (Digital Rights Management). A typical DRM is a method in which digital content is encrypted and distributed, while a key for decrypting the content is distributed as a license for a fee. If the license (content decryption key) is encrypted and distributed with the public key of the content purchaser, it can be controlled so that only the content purchaser himself can extract the content decryption key and use it.

  However, strict DRM is usually not compatible with the convenience of the user who uses the content, and it is not possible to lend purchased content to friends like analog content, There is a risk that the digital content purchaser may be impressed with the ease of use, such as being unable to browse immediately on the desired terminal. Therefore, a system has been proposed that ensures a certain degree of user convenience while maintaining the DRM mechanism. The system allows a plurality of terminals designated by the user to view purchased content or use paid software.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a content distribution mechanism including a DRM that enables viewing (playback display) of a single purchased content on a plurality of terminals. Patent Document 1 contemplates a content distribution apparatus and a content distribution method that allow not only a terminal that purchases content but also a limited, at least one designated terminal to view the content. For this purpose, purchase data and terminal limited information are registered in association with each other in the management database provided in the content distribution apparatus. The terminal limitation information is designated from the purchasing terminal at the time of content purchase or before a content decryption key request by the viewing terminal (different from the purchasing terminal), and is stored in the management database of the content distribution apparatus.

  Further, although it is not the distribution management of electronic contents, Patent Document 2 whose theme is management of distribution software discloses an identifier management device that manages user information and terminal information in association with each other. The identifier management device disclosed in Patent Document 2 manages all terminal information owned by a user for each user.

Patent Document 3 discloses a content management system that enables a user who desires to purchase content to directly copy and obtain the content from a user who has already purchased the content.

And a content management method. Therefore, in the first invention, instead of permitting content copying between the terminal holding the content and the other terminal, on condition that the right to copy from the management system side is obtained in advance, It is said that unauthorized copying between terminals can be prevented in advance. Also, in the second invention, the content holding terminal can legally copy the content to another terminal on the condition that the right to copy the content to the other terminal is obtained from the content supplier. To do. In addition, in the third invention, instead of permitting content copying between the terminal holding the content and another terminal, the terminal that is the copy destination has the right to use the content before using it. It must be obtained from the management system. However, the invention of Patent Document 3 is a management system for acquiring content at a price through another user who has already purchased instead of purchasing it from an authorized distributor of the content, and a method / system for selling the content This is a variation of

  Patent Document 4 is an invention of a content distribution mechanism equipped with a DRM that enables browsing with a plurality of terminals for one purchased content. Although it is the same as the invention of patent document 1 regarding enabling browsing with a plurality of terminals for one purchased content, the terminal limitation information that the invention of patent document 1 can browse in advance for each purchase data However, the invention of Patent Document 4 does not necessarily need to report information for limiting the terminal in advance. What is necessary is just to register terminal information each time necessity arises. In addition, after the terminal has been registered up to the limit number, it is possible to browse the content on another terminal. In this case, a new terminal that is desired to be used on the spot can be used on condition that any one of terminals that are already permitted to be used within a predetermined time is disabled. A management method that takes such user convenience into consideration is adopted. However, since it is merely a mechanism that takes into account the convenience of the purchaser of the content, it is not possible to lend the content read by the purchaser to a close friend.

  In this way, several mechanisms have been proposed that allow the use of paid content and purchased software on multiple user terminals in consideration of user convenience, while preventing unnecessary duplication of digital data. However, they are not enough to consider the convenience of content purchasers and consumers because they pay attention to the content selling side and the copyright owner of the content. Actually, purchased electronic books cannot be easily lent or borrowed between friends like magazines and paperbacks printed on paper.

JP 2004-48557 A Japanese Patent No. 3366143 JP 2002-358387 A JP 2011-221999 A

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic book management method and a server that can easily lend and borrow purchased electronic books within a limited range of purchasers such as close friends like paper books and magazines. It is to provide a device and a computer program.

The first invention for solving the problem is:
The reproduction display of the electronic book is controlled by the content management data including the association information with the content data of one electronic book and the setting information for controlling the reproduction display of the content data.

A browsing device equipped with electronic book management means;
A management server device that stores device management data in which a user identifier is associated with a device identifier that identifies a browsing device registered for use by the user;
Is an electronic book management method in a system that is logically connected via a network,
The electronic book management means includes:
A device identifier record (d1) for identifying a browsing device that is permitted to execute the electronic book browsing function and a user identifier record (u1) are stored in a predetermined storage area.
When one electronic book is purchased, the management server device is content management data including a descriptor associated with the content data of the electronic book, and is used by the purchaser's user identifier (uk) and the purchaser. Distributing the content management data that records the combination with the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device to the browsing device of the purchaser,
The electronic book management means on the browsing device of the purchaser who has received an instruction to select the electronic book to be browsed corresponds to the record of the built-in device identifier (d1) and user identifier (u1) and the electronic book to be browsed. The content data of the target electronic book is reproduced and displayed only when the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device used by the purchaser included in the content management data and the user identifier (uk) of the purchaser are matched and matched. And
Moreover,
A first stage in which an electronic book purchaser designates an electronic book to be rented and the electronic book purchaser cannot view the loaned electronic book on a browsing device for a predetermined period;
One lending management record that enables the management server device that has accepted a lending procedure request including data proving that the lending electronic book cannot be browsed for a predetermined period of time to identify the purchaser, the target electronic book, and the debit user The second stage of creating
A third stage in which the management server device creates lending procedure data based on the lending management record and transmits it to the purchaser's browsing device;
A fourth stage in which lending procedure data is transferred from the purchaser's viewing device to the debit user's viewing device;
A fifth stage in which the management server device that has accepted the borrowed book request based on the lending procedure data creates borrowed book browsing content management data for enabling the borrowed electronic book to be browsed for a certain period of time and returns it to the request source;
A sixth stage in which the borrower's browsing device that has acquired the borrowed book browsing content management data obtains the borrowed electronic book content data and can browse it;
An electronic book management method that enables an electronic book purchaser to purchase an electronic book for a certain period of time.

  In the following description, the side that lends the electronic book may be referred to as a credit or credit user, and the side that borrows may be referred to as a debit or debit user. According to this electronic book management method, since the debit user borrows the loan target electronic book after the credit user cannot browse the loan target electronic book, the pay electronic book is viewed simultaneously between the purchaser and the person who is not the purchaser. It is possible to rent out books that you have purchased for a certain period of time, which is possible with paper books, and the usability that is a weakness of electronic books with respect to paper books. Can be eliminated.

  In the first invention, in the first stage, the management server device that has received the lending preparation request including the lending target electronic book identifier from the lending-side browsing device reproduces the content management data related to the lending target electronic book. It may include a procedure of returning browsing impossible setting procedure data for rewriting setting information for controlling display to the lending-side browsing device. This simplifies the credit user operation procedure.

In the first invention, the loan procedure data in the third stage is debit user identification.

Child, debit user authentication information, loaned electronic book identifier, and loan period may be included.

In the first invention, the loan procedure data in the third stage includes a debit temporary user identifier, debit user authentication information, a loan target electronic book identifier, a loan period,
After the fourth stage and before the fifth stage, the management server apparatus that has received the device registration request based on the lending procedure data associates the identifier of the browsing apparatus used by the debit user with the identifier of the debit user. Including the step of enabling the electronic book browsing function of the electronic book management means on the browsing device of the request source by creating and recording the attached device management data and returning a device registration completion notification to the request source. Good. As a result, even when the debit user is an unregistered user, the electronic book can be lent or borrowed.

The second invention for solving the problem is:
A browsing device equipped with electronic book management means for controlling reproduction display of an electronic book by content management data including association information with content data of one electronic book and setting information for controlling reproduction display of the content data; ,
A management server device that stores device management data in which a user identifier is associated with a device identifier that identifies a browsing device registered for use by the user, up to a predetermined number (m) per user identifier;
Is an electronic book management method in a system that is logically connected via a network,
The electronic book management means includes:
A device identifier record (d1) for identifying a browsing device that is permitted to execute the electronic book browsing function and a user identifier record (u1) are stored in a predetermined storage area.
The management server device is content management data including a descriptor associated with the content data of the electronic book in the electronic book that is properly purchased, and the user identifier (uk) of the purchaser and the browsing used by the purchaser. Distributing content management data including a combination with the device identifier (dk) of the device to the viewing device of the purchaser,
The electronic book management means on the browsing device of the purchaser who has received an instruction to select the electronic book to be browsed corresponds to the record of the built-in device identifier (d1) and user identifier (u1) and the electronic book to be browsed. The content data of the target electronic book is reproduced and displayed only when the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device used by the purchaser included in the content management data and the user identifier (uk) of the purchaser are matched and matched. And
A first stage in which an electronic book purchaser designates an electronic book to be rented and the electronic book purchaser cannot view the loaned electronic book on a browsing device of the electronic book purchase for a first predetermined period;
A management server device that has accepted a lending procedure request that includes data proving that the electronic book to be rented cannot be viewed for a first predetermined period of time can identify the purchaser, the target electronic book, and the debit user, and A second stage of creating a single lending management record including a record indicating that the lending target electronic book has been set to be non-viewable with respect to one browsing device registered as a terminal used by the purchaser;
A third stage in which the management server device creates lending procedure data based on the lending management record and transmits it to the one browsing device of the purchaser;
A fourth stage in which the lending procedure data is transferred from the electronic book purchaser's viewing device to the debit user's viewing device;
The management server device that has accepted the borrowed book request based on the loan procedure data creates borrowed book browsing content management data for enabling the borrowed electronic book to be browsed for a second predetermined period shorter than the first predetermined period. The fifth stage of replying to the request source
A sixth stage in which the debit user's browsing device that has acquired the borrowed book browsing content management data obtains and browses the borrowed electronic book content data,
Other than the one browsing device, the rental target computer in the browsing device usable by the electronic book purchaser.

A seventh stage in which the content is not viewable for a first predetermined period;
A management server device that has received a lending procedure request including data proving that the borrowed electronic book has not been browsed for a first predetermined period from a browsing device usable by the purchaser other than the one browsing device. Is added to the lending management record created in the second stage, adding the record of the browsing device that has been set so that the electronic book to be lent cannot be viewed,
After the second predetermined period has elapsed, the management server device that has received the inquiry from the debit user's viewing device refers to the lending management record, and the electronic book to be rented is not viewed on all viewing devices. A ninth stage to check whether it is possible,
Borrowing for allowing the management server device that has confirmed that the electronic book to be rented is in a state in which it cannot be browsed in all the browsing devices registered by the credit user so that the borrowed electronic book can be browsed for a first predetermined period. Tenth stage of creating electronic book browsing content management data and returning it to the request source,
An eleventh stage in which the electronic book management means on the debit user's browsing device updates the borrowed content browsing content management data;
An electronic book management method that enables an electronic book purchaser to purchase an electronic book for a certain period of time.

According to the content management method of the second invention, in a system that allows registration of browsing devices up to a predetermined number per registered user,
You can lend an e-book to a debit user if you do not set the browsing prohibition setting for one e-book reader on all the registered terminals on the credit user side. In addition, the creditor user will not be able to view the electronic book for loan on all other registered devices within a certain period of time. The situation in which the target content can be viewed by both the creditor and the debiter can be substantially avoided. It is desirable that the second predetermined period is determined in accordance with the time required for the credit user to perform the browsing prohibition setting for all other registered terminals.

  In the second invention, in the first stage, the management server device that has received the lending preparation request including the lending target electronic book identifier from the lending-side browsing device reproduces the content management data related to the lending target electronic book. It may include a procedure of returning browsing impossible setting procedure data for rewriting setting information for controlling display to the lending-side browsing device. This simplifies the credit user operation procedure.

  In the second invention, the loan procedure data in the third stage may include a debit user identifier, debit user authentication information, a loan target electronic book identifier, and a loan period.

In the second invention, the loan procedure data in the third stage includes a debit temporary user identifier, debit user authentication information, a loan electronic book identifier, a loan period,
After the fourth stage and before the fifth stage, the management server apparatus that has received the device registration request based on the lending procedure data associates the identifier of the browsing apparatus used by the debit user with the identifier of the debit user. Including the step of enabling the electronic book browsing function of the electronic book management means on the browsing device of the request source by creating and recording the attached device management data and returning a device registration completion notification to the request source. Good. As a result, even when the debit user is an unregistered user, the electronic book can be lent or borrowed.

  The inquiry from the viewing device of the debit user in the ninth stage can be inquired at any time until the first predetermined period has passed, but cannot be inquired after the first predetermined period has passed. It is desirable to do. In this way, the debit user can make inquiries as many times as possible before reaching the time limit based on the second predetermined period.

The third invention for solving the problem is:
In a browsing apparatus equipped with electronic book management means for controlling reproduction display of an electronic book by content management data including association information with content data of one electronic book and setting information for controlling reproduction display of the content data On the other hand, a server device that provides purchased electronic books and manages the rental of purchased electronic books by electronic book purchasers,
Registered user data that includes at least user authentication data of the registered user specified by the user identifier, device management data that associates the user identifier with the device identifier that specifies the browsing device used by the user, and at least the electronic book identifier Storage means for storing content bibliographic data including a record of a download request destination of the electronic book to be downloaded;
In response to the management application registration request from the browsing device, create one device management data and record it in the storage means, and device management registration means for returning a registration completion notification to the request source;
In response to a purchase content request from the browsing device, electronic book distribution means for generating content management data including a user identifier of the purchase user, a device identifier of the browsing device, and a download request destination address of the purchased electronic book and returning it to the request source When,
An inaccessible setting for performing a setting that makes it impossible to view the content management data of the rental target electronic book for a predetermined period in response to a loan preparation request that specifies an electronic book identifier that identifies the target electronic book from the browsing device Lending preparation means for creating procedure data and returning the created non-viewable setting procedure data to the request source,
A credit user identifier, a debit for a loan procedure request that includes data certifying that the electronic book to be loaned cannot be browsed for a predetermined period on the browsing device from the browsing device and that specifies a debit user identifier Electronic book lending means that creates a lending management data set with a user identifier, a content identifier, and a lending deadline, records the lending management data in the storage means, and returns a number for identifying the lending management data to the requester as lending procedure data When,
Borrowed content in which the borrowing time for the borrower to browse the borrowed content is set as the viewable deadline in response to the borrowed content request specifying the number for specifying the loan management data from the browsing device different from the viewing device E-book borrowing means to create content management data corresponding to and return to the request source,
A server device characterized by comprising:

A fourth invention for solving the problem is the server device according to the third invention, further comprising:
The electronic book borrowing means corresponds to a second period shorter than the predetermined period in which the credit user sets the loan target electronic book to be unviewable as a loan deadline for the borrower user to browse the borrowed electronic book Creates content management data corresponding to the borrowed e-book with the deadline set as the viewable deadline and sends it back to the request source,
further,
Browsing disabling setting procedure data for performing setting for disabling browsing of the content management data of the electronic book to be rented for a predetermined period in response to a lending addition request specifying a number for specifying lending management data from the browsing device Create and return the created non-viewable setting procedure data to the request source,
In response to a lending procedure addition request that includes data proving that the electronic book to be lent cannot be viewed on the browsing device from the browsing device for the predetermined period, and that specifies a number that identifies the loan management data Lending addition means for writing a record of a device identifier that identifies the browsing device to lending management data identified by a designated number;
In response to a lending status inquiry specifying a number for specifying lending management data from a browsing device different from the browsing device, the lending management data specified by the specified number is registered as a browsing device used by the credit user. If there is a record of all device identifiers, if there is a record of all device identifiers, the borrowable electronic book can be viewed based on the predetermined period from the browse period based on the second period Borrowing extension means to create content management data corresponding to the viewing deadline and reset borrowed e-book and return to the request source,
The server device is characterized by comprising:

In the system that allows registration of browsing devices up to a predetermined number per registered user by providing the electronic book borrowing means, loan adding means, borrowing extension means,
You can lend an e-book to a debit user if you do not set the browsing prohibition setting for one e-book reader on all the registered terminals on the credit user side. In addition, the creditor user will not be able to view the electronic book for loan on all other registered devices within a certain period of time. A situation in which the target electronic book can be browsed by both the creditor and the debiter can be substantially avoided.

  A fifth invention for solving the problem is a computer program including a series of instructions that operate as a server device according to either the third invention or the fourth invention by being interpreted and executed by a computer.

According to the present invention,
It is possible to realize an electronic book management method, a server device, and a computer program that allow a purchased electronic book to be easily lent and borrowed like a paper book or magazine.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an overview of an electronic content distribution system 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the utilization procedure outline | summary of the electronic content delivery system. It is a figure explaining the utilization procedure outline | summary of the electronic content delivery system. It is a figure explaining the mechanism of the content data protection of the electronic content delivery system. It is a figure explaining the device management data 392. It is a figure explaining the content management data 394. It is a figure explaining the data 395 for user authentication. It is a figure explaining one record 396 of license management data. It is a figure explaining the lending management record 398. FIG. It is a sequence diagram explaining an electronic book rental process. It is a sequence diagram explaining an electronic book borrowing process. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a browsing terminal 100 and a storage unit 109. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a management server device 300 and a storage unit 309. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of loan (borrowing) procedure data. It is a block diagram explaining the content management method of this invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the deformation | transformation process of an electronic book rental. It is a sequence diagram explaining the deformation | transformation process of an electronic book borrowing. It is a sequence diagram explaining the process of electronic book rental addition. It is a sequence diagram explaining a process of an electronic book lending state inquiry. It is a figure explaining the content management data produced by S234.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an electronic content distribution system 1 using a content management method in a system for managing electronic book content according to the first invention of the present application. The electronic content distribution system 1 is configured by connecting a browsing terminal 100 and a management server device 300 used by a user to a network 2. The network 2 is typically the Internet. The browsing terminal 100 is a mobile phone device, a smartphone, or the like, and is equipped with a Web browser and a dedicated program described later. The browsing terminal 100 is wirelessly connected to the base station 600 through 3G line connection, and is logically connected to the management server device 300 on the network 2 via the gateway 610. The management server device 300 is a server computer equipped with a known database management program and a dedicated program described later.

  2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining an outline of a use procedure of the electronic content distribution system 1. Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an outline of a use procedure of the electronic content distribution system 1 and a mechanism of content protection will be described. 2, 3, and 4 are the same as those disclosed in Patent Document 4 by the same applicant as the present applicant.

  First, a user browses an installation file of an electronic book management program (hereinafter referred to as an electronic book management application, or management application for short) necessary for browsing electronic book content distributed by the electronic content distribution system 1 on the user terminal. The program is downloaded to 100 and the program is installed (“1” in FIG. 2). It is assumed that the installation file of the management application is placed on a predetermined site where the URL on the Internet is made public, and anyone can download it for free. Prior to this download, it is assumed that the user has registered as a user at the management site of the electronic content distribution system 1 and has obtained a user name (user identifier) and authentication password to be used by the user. The management application is a function that manages purchased electronic book content, a list display for display selection, a function that provides a graphical user interface such as a bookshelf display, and the selected electronic book content is decrypted (encrypted) A program that executes each function of calling a viewer program that matches the format of the decrypted electronic book content data and browsing and displaying the content, and several viewer programs.

  Immediately after the management application is installed, the function for browsing the content is not yet effective (this is called the management application is inactive), and it is necessary to perform a procedure for activating the management application. Therefore, the user activates the management application, designates a user identifier (user ID) and password from the initial activation screen, and pre-designates an Internet address (address of the management site of the electronic content distribution system 1) in the management application. The management application registration request is transmitted to (2 in FIG. 2).

The management application registration request is sent to the management server device 300 associated with the management site address of the electronic content distribution system 1 with information (for example, IMSI-HYPERLINK "http: // en. wikipedia.org/wiki/International#Mobile#Subscriber#Identity "\ o" International Mobile Subscriber Identity "International Mobile Subscriber Identity, etc., used later as device identifier (device ID))
Received with. Note that all requests (inquiries) transmitted from the browsing terminal 100 to the management server apparatus include information for specifying the transmission source, and the management server apparatus 300 can acquire this information. The management server device 300 performs user authentication by comparing the user identifier (user ID) and password with the account data of the registered user (“3” in FIG. 2). If the user authentication is successful, the management server apparatus 300 generates one piece of device management data from the combination of the user ID and the device ID, and records and holds this (4 in FIG. 2). After the new registration of the device management data is completed, the management server device 300 returns a “registration complete” notification to the viewing terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the management application registration request (“5” in FIG. 2). Upon receiving the “registration complete” notification, the management application of the viewing terminal 100 writes the user ID and device ID in a predetermined storage area in the management application (“6” in FIG. 2). As a result, the function of browsing and displaying the content when the content is selected by the subsequent user operation is enabled (a state where the management application is activated).
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the device management data 392 generated in FIG. 2 “4”. The device management data 392 is a record in which a user ID 192 and a device ID 191 that identifies a browsing terminal used by the user are paired. When the electronic content distribution system 1 allows up to a plurality of terminals to browse electronic books purchased, device management data 392 in which different device IDs are associated with the same user ID 192 can be generated up to the allowable number. There is sex. The management server apparatus 300 holds and manages all the generated device management data 392 in the storage area.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the purchase of content and the browsing operation of purchased content by the registered (activated) management application will be described. When the management application is activated on the viewing terminal 100, the management application reads the device ID written in a predetermined storage area in the management application and the device ID fixed to the viewing terminal 100 (in the case of IMSI, SIM If the identification information recorded in the card is collated and they match, the functions other than the initial registration screen are enabled ("1" in FIG. 3). The user purchases an electronic book at the management site of the electronic content distribution system 1 (or a bookstore site different from the management site). A purchase content request including information indicating that the price of the electronic book content to be purchased has been confirmed to be paid (paid) by the user by the payment processing function (not shown) together with the identification information of the purchase target content, The data is received by the management server device 300 (“2” in FIG. 3). The information is information returned from a credit company, for example, in the case of credit payment. In the case of electronic money settlement, the information represents that payment has been normally completed with electronic money.

The management server device 300 obtains the bibliographic information of the content from the purchase target content identifier (the content identifier is synonymous with the electronic book identifier), and further creates content management data including the user ID of the purchase user and the device ID of the user terminal. (FIG. 3, “3”). The management server device 300 returns the content management file having the content management data as a file and the content data itself to the browsing terminal 100 (“4” and “5” in FIG. 3).
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the content management data 394 generated in FIG. 3 “3”. The content management data 394 includes a purchaser's user ID 3941, a device ID 3942 used by the purchaser, bibliographic information 3944 including the title and author information of the purchased electronic book, browsing restriction information 3944, and the like. As will be described later, lending / borrowing of purchased electronic books is realized by manipulating the value of the browsing restriction information 3944.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the browsing terminal 100 has purchased and downloaded one electronic book content. In the non-volatile storage area of the browsing terminal 100, in addition to the management application, content data (content itself) of the purchased electronic book and a content management file paired with the content data are held. In this state, when the user activates the management application, displays a list of purchase contents, and gives a selection instruction for browsing, the management application has a device ID (d1) written in a predetermined storage area in the management application. And the user ID (u1) are set to the device ID (d) set in the content management file associated with the selected content.
k) and the user ID (uk) are collated, and the viewer program corresponding to the content format of the electronic book is called only when both match. If any one does not match, the process is stopped without calling the viewer program. In this way, control is performed so that the electronic book cannot be browsed except by the registered terminal of the authorized purchase user. In practice, the management application also verifies whether the combination of content data (contents itself) and the content management file paired with the content data is valid, and takes measures against illegal forgery of the content management file. For that purpose, immediately after acquiring the content management file, the management application creates information to be used for “content consistency check” using a part of the content data in the file, and the content is used as the consistency check information. It also performs processing to write to the management file.

Next, a procedure for lending purchased content to another person close to the electronic book purchaser, such as a family or a friend, in such an electronic content distribution system 1 will be described. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the procedure for lending purchased content in the simplest manner. The outline procedure for lending purchased content / borrowing content is performed through the following six stages.
First stage: Preparation for lending is performed at the terminal A on the lending side.
Second stage: The management server apparatus 300 creates a rental management record.
Third stage: A creditor obtains lending (borrowing) procedure data.
Fourth stage: Lending (borrowing) procedure data is transferred from credit to debit.
Fifth stage: The management server device 300 creates content management data for borrowed content.
Sixth stage: The borrower terminal B obtains and browses the borrowed content.
From now on, these six steps will be described in detail. In the case of renting content, when the renting user (debit user) is already a registered user of the electronic content distribution system 1 or not registered, The fine processing is different. First, a case where the debit user, which is a simpler procedure, is a registered user will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Basic lending / borrowing procedure: When debit is a registered user)
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining in detail the first to fourth stages. The lending user operates the management application on the user terminal A to be used, and issues a lending preparation request from the terminal A by giving an instruction to start a procedure for lending purchased content (S101). In the lending preparation request, the user identifier (UID) of the credit user and the content ID (CID) of the target electronic book are specified. Upon receiving this request (S200), the management server device 300 verifies the credit user by comparing it with the user account information (S202), and if the existence can be confirmed (user authentication pass), the browsing impossible setting procedure data Is created (S203). The browsing disabling setting procedure data is data including an instruction to replace the content management data of the rental target content specified by the CID with content management data having contents that cannot be browsed for a certain period of time. The management server device 300 returns the browsing disabling setting procedure data to the user terminal A (S204). The management application of the user terminal A updates the content management data (browsing restriction information 3944) of the target content according to the received browsing prohibition setting procedure data. As a result, the target content cannot be browsed on the terminal A for a certain period (S105). However, since the presence of the target content is recognized on the terminal A, it is displayed on the list display and the bookshelf display of the purchased content together with the status display being lent out. Further, at this time, a browsing prohibition certificate, which is data that proves that the rental target content specified by the CID is not browseable for a predetermined period by the browsing prohibition setting procedure data, is temporarily stored in the management application. The browsing impossible certificate includes information on the CID and the browsing disabled period.

  In the above description, if the user authentication pass, the preparation process for unconditionally lending the target content is entered. However, in another embodiment, the permitted number of lending specified in advance by the issuer for each electronic book. (This information is set in the bibliographic information.) On the other hand, the number of loans is counted every time an electronic book is purchased, and in S203, it is checked whether the number is within the allowable number of loans. Therefore, when the allowable number of times has been reached, the operation is performed so as not to lend (return an error to the lending preparation request). In this case, for example, the upper limit of the permitted number of lending and the number of lending may be kept in the content management data. Alternatively, license management data 396 for managing the number of loans as shown in FIG. 8 may be managed separately from the content management data for each purchased electronic book.

  Next, the lending-side user operates the management application, designates the credit user identifier (UID), the browsing impossible proof, and the debit user identifier (KID), and issues a lending procedure request (S107). When the management server device 300 receives this request (S206), it verifies whether or not the browsing prohibition certificate is correct data by a predetermined procedure, and if it is confirmed that it is a legitimate browsing prohibition certificate, One lending management record for managing lending of the content purchased by the registered user is created with reference to the information included in the browsing impossible certificate (S208). As a procedure for verifying the browsing impossible certificate, for example, the following procedure can be used. The browsing impossible certificate is obtained by encrypting a copy of the content management data updated in S105 with a predetermined encryption key. On the server side, the received non-viewable certificate is decrypted, and if the decrypted data is such that the rental target content cannot be viewed for a certain period of time, it is assumed that the non-viewable certificate has been successfully verified.

  In addition, as a method of verifying on the server side that the user terminal A cannot view the rental target content for a certain period, the following mode is also possible. That is, when making a lending preparation request in S101, the user terminal A sends a copy of the content management data of the contents to be lent to the management server device 300, and the non-browsing setting procedure data created in S203 includes Based on the copy of the content management data of the content, “content management data to be replaced” in which the portion of the browsing restriction information 3944 cannot be browsed for a predetermined period is created, and this is set as browsing impossible setting procedure data. In S105, the received non-viewable setting procedure data is replaced (overwritten) as new content management data of the lent object content, and as the non-viewable certificate, a hash value obtained by processing the non-viewable setting procedure data with a predetermined hash function is used. We will use it. In this case, the verification of the non-browsing certificate is normally performed when the management server apparatus 300 takes the hash value of the non-browsing setting procedure data created in S203 and matches this with the non-browsing certificate. Suppose that it was done.

FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining the data structure of one rental management record. One lending management record includes a lending management record serial number 3980 (KKNo), a lending user identifier 3981 (credit UID), an electronic book ID 3982, a borrowing user identifier 3983 (debit UID), and when the borrowing user makes a borrowing request Lending password 3984 (lending Pwd) that is the authentication information to be used, date and time 3985 (lending time limit) that becomes the lending time limit, device ID 3986 (debit DID) of the terminal used by the debit user, and lending DID (lending lending that the non-viewable certificate has been verified) Each item of “acquired credit DID) 3987” is included. Debit DID 3986 is blank because it is not fixed at this point. In the lent credit DID 3987, the device ID of the user terminal A that has transmitted the loan procedure request is set.
Subsequently, the management server device 300 creates lending procedure data 399 and returns it to the user terminal A as a response to the lending procedure request (S210). The lending procedure data 399 is later transferred to the borrower's user terminal (user terminal B). It is used as procedure data used when borrowing from the borrower. FIG. 14A is a diagram for explaining the data structure of one lending (borrowing) procedure data. A serial number 3991 and a rental password 3992 are included. These are a copy of the serial number 3980 and the rental password 3984 of the corresponding rental management record 398.

  The lending user who holds the user terminal A (S109) that has received the lending procedure data 399 as a response to the lending procedure request operates the management application in a situation where the borrowing user is in close proximity with the terminal B. After enabling the proximity communication (for example, BlueTooth (registered trademark)) function and confirming the connection of the proximity communication between the terminals AB, the terminal A transmits the lending (borrowing) procedure data 399 to the terminal B (reception) (S111, S112). At this time, the terminal B also uses the proximity communication function through the management application in a state where the management application is activated. In S112, immediately after receiving the lending procedure data 399, the management application of the terminal B adds a mark (data created according to a predetermined rule) indicating that the data is received by proximity communication to the end of the data 399. In the subsequent processing, the management server 300 may distinguish whether or not the lending procedure data 399 has been exchanged by proximity communication.

  The procedure of the fifth stage and the sixth stage will be described with reference to FIG. The left side of FIG. 11 shows processing on the terminal B handled by the borrowing user. The debit user who holds the terminal B that has acquired the borrowing procedure data 399 transmits a borrowing content request including the borrowing procedure data 399 to the management server device 300 by operating the management application (S125). Upon receiving this request (S228), the management server device 300 searches whether there is a lending management record with a serial number that matches the serial number 3991 of the borrowing procedure data 399, and if so, the lending management record 398. It is checked whether the loan password 3984 included in the password matches the loan password 3992 included in the borrowing procedure data 399 (S230). If the match can be confirmed, the borrowed user is authenticated, and the device ID included in the borrowed content request (included in the header information of the request packet when IMSI is used as the device ID) is debited in the loan management record 398. Registration is made to the device ID 3986 (S232). In S228, whether or not the lending procedure data 399 has been exchanged by proximity communication is checked by checking whether or not the data 399 has a mark indicating that, and if there is no mark, the lending preparation request is not accepted ( Return an error). In this case, the lending / borrowing of electronic books is limited to only those with whom close communication is possible.

  Subsequently, the management server apparatus 300 creates content management data for the borrowed content so that the borrowed user can browse the borrowed content later (S234). FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the content management data created at this time. The content management data 394k is created based on the contents of the lending management record 398 corresponding to the borrowing procedure data 399. The user ID 3983 of the borrowing user is used for the user ID 3941k of the purchaser, the debit DID 3986 is used for the device ID 3942k used by the purchaser, and the bibliographic information 3943k including the title and author information of the purchased electronic book is the identifier of the target electronic book. Based on 3982, the corresponding bibliographic information is extracted from the database and written. In the browsing restriction information 3944k, restriction information based on the lending time limit 3985 is recorded. (If the registration terminal of the credit user is one terminal A, the browsing restriction information 3944k may be the date indicated by the loan deadline 3985 = the end date / time of the time when browsing cannot be performed on the terminal A. However, as will be described later, When there are a plurality of credit user registration terminals, the viewing restriction information 3944k designates a date and time that is much earlier than the end date and time of the time when the credit terminal A cannot browse. Details will be described later.) Depending on the mode, it includes a download request destination URL 3945k for the content data of the target electronic book. The management server device 300 returns the created content management data to the user terminal B as a response to the borrowed content request (S236).

  Receiving the content management data (S127), the user terminal B reads the download destination URL of the content data of the target electronic book, accesses this address, and downloads the content data of the target electronic book (S129). Thereafter, the target electronic book can be browsed on the terminal B until the expiration date specified by the browsing restriction information 3944k of the content management data.

(Basic lending / borrowing procedure: When the debit is an unregistered user)
Next, a procedure when the borrowing user is not a registered user of the electronic content distribution system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 10, and the same steps (processes) as in FIG. Only the different procedures (processes) will be described without overlapping description of the process procedures assigned the same reference numerals.

  First, after S101-> S200-S204-> S103-S105, the renting user designates the user identifier (UID) of the renting-side user and the inaccessible proof by operating the management application of the user terminal A, and issues a lending procedure request. Make a call (S307). This loan procedure request cannot specify the user identifier (KID) of the borrowing user (since it is not registered). When the management server device 300 receives this request (S406), it verifies whether or not the browsing prohibition certificate is correct data by a predetermined procedure, and if it is confirmed that it is a legitimate browsing prohibition certificate, One lending management record for managing lending of the content purchased by the registered user is created with reference to the information included in the browsing impossible certificate (S408). The lending management record created at this time is basically the same as the lending management record created in S208 of FIG. 10, but a temporary UID is newly generated and recorded in the debit UID 3983.

  Subsequently, the management server apparatus 300 creates lending procedure data 399 and returns it to the user terminal A as a response to the lending procedure request (S410). The lending procedure data 399 is later transferred to the borrower's user terminal (user terminal B). It is used as procedure data used when borrowing from the borrower. FIG. 14B is a diagram for explaining the data structure of one lending (borrowing) procedure data created and sent in S410. It includes a serial number 3991, a rental password 3992, and a debit UID 3993. These are a copy of the corresponding loan management record 398 serial number 3980, loan password 3984, and debit UID 3983. Subsequent S109 to S112 are the same as those in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 17, the user registration stage (S321 → S420 to S426 → S323) of the borrowing user will be described. The borrower user operates the initial registration screen of the management application on the terminal B and sends a device registration request to the management server apparatus 300 (S321). In the device registration request, the serial number 3991 of the lending management record, the temporary debit UID 3993, and the borrowing password 3992 designated in the borrowing procedure data 399 are designated. The management server apparatus 300 that has received the device registration request authenticates the borrowing user by the same processing procedure as S230 (S422). Next, device management data in which the device ID of terminal B and temporary debit UID 3993 are paired is created (however, this device management data may not be created depending on the embodiment).

  The management server apparatus 300 returns a device registration completion notification to the terminal B as a response to the device registration request (S426). The terminal B that has received the device registration completion notification activates the management application by writing the temporary debit UID 3993 and the device ID in a predetermined storage area of the management application by the operation of the management application (S323). As a result, the management application of the terminal B can operate the borrowed content request. Since S125 and subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG.

(Lending / borrowing procedure 2: All registered terminals of credit users are not viewable)
The above-described procedure is a reasonable procedure when there is one credit user registration terminal, but if there are two or more credit user registration terminals, the rented contents are displayed on all the credit user registration terminals. Should not be viewable. In the following description, S107 in FIG. 10 (or FIG.
The case where the user terminal that made the lending procedure request in step S307) is the user terminal A, and the credit user owns the terminals A2 and A3 as registered terminals other than the terminal A will be described. In the following description, the terminals A2 and A3 may be referred to as additional terminals.

Also in this case, the operation procedure at the terminal A and the operation procedure at the terminal B are the procedures described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 and are the same as those described so far. However, since the credit user does not process the rental content (= content rental processing) at all the registered terminals, the procedure that the content cannot be borrowed and browsed on the terminal B is not convenient. It is preferable that the content borrowing process (the process after S125) can be performed as soon as the target content lending process (the process from S101 to S109) is completed at the terminal A. Therefore, when creating the content management data 394 for borrowed content in S234, the management server device 300 designates a date and time far before the end date and time of the time that cannot be viewed on the credit terminal A in the viewing restriction information 3944k. To do. For example, when the lending start date is April 16, 2012 and the original lending time limit (= the lending time limit 3985 value of the lending management record 398 = the first predetermined period) is May 15 of the same year, the viewing restriction information 3944 Is set to April 18 of the same year. April 18, the same year is an example of a second predetermined period shorter than the first predetermined period. This is intended to give the debit user a provisional viewing qualification for a very short period of time initially, and to give the original browsing period after it is confirmed that the crediting user has completed the lending process on all registered terminals. doing. In this very short provisional viewing period, even if the creditor has neglected the lending process on the additional terminal, it is not possible to view the content on the debit after the third day. Is substantially avoided from being in a viewable state. This initially set provisional browsing period is for convenience, but is set in accordance with the time required for the credit user to complete the lending process at the additional terminal. (An unnecessarily long period will cause copyright problems.)

  FIG. 18 shows a processing procedure performed by an additional terminal that can be performed after user terminal A receives the lending procedure data (after S109 in FIGS. 10 and 16) when there are two or more credit user registration terminals. It is a sequence diagram to explain.

  The credit user who has received the serial number 3980 and password 3984 of the lending management record in S109 is rented to the management server apparatus 300 by inputting the serial number 3980 and password 3984 in the management application activated on the additional terminal. An additional request is transmitted (S340). Upon receiving the lending addition request (S440), the management server device 300 uses the serial number 3980, the password 3984, and the device ID of the additional terminal as a key for the presence of the lending management record 398 of the serial number 3980 and the device ID of the additional terminal as keys. The management data 392 is searched to verify that the registered user identifier of the additional terminal matches the credit user 3981 of the lending management record 398 (S442). If the verification is successful, the management server apparatus 300 refers to the contents of the lending management record 398 with the serial number 3980 to acquire the target content ID (CID), and creates the browsing impossible setting procedure data as in S203. (S443). Next, the browsing prohibition setting procedure data is returned to the additional terminal as a response to the rental addition request (S444). An error is returned if the loan management record cannot be verified in S442.

  When the additional terminal receives the browsing disabling setting procedure data (S342), the target content is made incapable of browsing on the additional terminal by the same process as S105 (S344). Then, in addition to the serial number 3980 and the password 3984 of the lending management record, a browsing impossible certificate is added and a lending procedure request is issued (S346). When the management server device 300 receives this lending procedure request (S450), the device ID of the additional terminal is recorded at the end of the lending management record of the serial number 3980, and the target content cannot be browsed for this terminal. Is recorded (S452). FIG. 9B is a diagram schematically showing the lending management record 398 in the state where the processing of S452 has been completed for two additional terminals in addition to the user terminal A. Items 3988 and 3989 indicating that the browsing prohibition setting has been completed for the additional terminals A2 and A3 are added.

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation procedure after S130 of the debit user terminal B. At the time of S130 in FIG. 11, the borrowed user terminal B has downloaded the content data of the borrowed content and the content management data 394 of the borrowed content. In the content management data 394, the initial browsing deadline date (second predetermined period shorter than the first predetermined period) set in S208 (or S408) is recorded in the browsing restriction information 3944. Therefore, the borrowed content cannot be viewed on the user terminal B after the expiration date and time of browsing (S350).

At this time, if the current date and time is before the deadline (= original deadline) set in the loan deadline 3985 of the loan management record 398, the debit user operates the management application of the terminal B to manage the loan status inquiry. It can be transmitted to the server apparatus 300 (S352). It is assumed that a lending management record serial number 3980 and a password 3984 are added to the lending status inquiry. Upon receiving the lending status inquiry (S460), the management server device reads the designated lending management record 398 from the storage means (S462), and checks the status of the lending terminal (S464). Specifically, all items of “lending setting DID” of the lending management record 398 are read, and all devices registered by the credit user are searched and checked. At this time, if there is no record for all of the viewing terminals registered by the credit user in the lending management record 398, “lending end” is set as response information (S466). On the other hand, if there are records of all viewing terminals registered by the credit user in the lending management record 398, the management server apparatus 300 extends the lending date / time 3985 from the original date / time (original date = lending management record 398). The content management data is newly created according to the rewritten rental management record 398 (the time limit set in the lending time limit 3985) (S468). The method of creating content management data from the lending management record 398 is the same as S234. As a result, content management data in which the extended date and time is recorded in the browsing restriction information 3944 is created. The newly generated content management data is set as response information to the lending status inquiry (S440). Response information is returned to terminal B (S472).

  Terminal B receives the response information (S360). If the response information is data indicating “end of lending”, nothing is done. Therefore, the browsing deadline is the same as the browsing deadline date and time set first, and when the deadline has already passed, the terminal B can no longer browse the borrowed content. If the response information is the updated content management data, the content management data is updated (S364). As a result, the terminal B can browse the content by borrowing until the extended time limit (original time limit).

According to the procedure described above, the debit user can first browse the borrowed content during the provisional period (second predetermined period) when the loan user cannot view the loan target content on the terminal A. After the credit user makes it impossible to view the content to be rented for all registered terminals, the debit user browses the borrowed content during the original lending period (first predetermined period) by making a lending status inquiry. be able to.
The procedure for lending purchased content by the content management method of the present invention to another person who is close to the content purchaser, such as a family member or friend, has been described using the processing sequence between the terminal and the server device of the electronic content distribution system 1. Next, the browsing terminal device 100 and the server device 300 that realize the described processing sequence will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the browsing terminal device 100 of the electronic content distribution system 1 and the contents of the storage unit. The browsing terminal device 100 includes at least a CPU 101, a display unit 103, an input detection unit 102, an electronic camera 104, a speaker 106, a power supply unit 107, a storage unit 109, and a dedicated program. The CPU 101, the display unit 103, the input detection unit 102, the electronic camera 104, the microphone 105, the speaker 106, and the storage unit 109 are connected by a BUS199.

The CPU 101 is a central processing unit. The display unit 103 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The input detection unit 102 is a touch sensor. The input detection unit 102 detects a position when a finger of an input operator touches the screen, and outputs coordinate information.
The display unit 103 and the touch sensor constitute a touch panel. The input detection unit 102 may be a key button. The power supply unit 107 is a secondary battery. The power supply unit 107 supplies power to other circuits.

The browsing terminal device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 108. The wireless communication unit 108 has a W-CDMA wireless communication function. The W-CDMA system is a wireless communication format of a third generation mobile communication system that complies with the communication standard “IMT-2000” defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The wireless communication unit 108 is a wireless oscillation circuit (RF circuit) connected with an antenna coil. The radio oscillation circuit includes a reception circuit that converts a radio signal into data, a transmission circuit that converts data into a radio signal, and the like. The radio signal is transmitted / received to / from the base station 600 via the antenna coil. Alternatively, the wireless communication unit 108 may have a wireless communication (WI-FI communication) function compliant with the IEEE 802.11 / g / b / n standard. In the former case, it is possible to connect to the Internet network through a gateway installed on the third generation mobile communication network. In the latter case, it is directly connected to the Internet network through an appropriate access point.
The wireless communication unit 108 further includes a proximity communication function such as BlueTooth (registered trademark).

  The storage unit 109 is a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit 109 stores an operating system 185 (= OS), a WEB browser 184, a device ID storage area 1091, an electronic book management application storage area 1093, a content storage area 1095, and a dedicated program.

  The operating system 185 manages and controls hardware of the browsing terminal device 100 (for example, the CPU 101, the display unit 103, the input detection unit 102, the network communication unit 108, the storage unit 109, and the like) It is basic software that provides a service that can use these hardware for application software (for example, WEB browser 184, electronic book management application 193, dedicated program, etc.).

  The WEB browser 184 is a program for displaying and browsing resources (for example, texts and images written in HTML) obtained through communication with an access destination Web server on the Internet. Further, the WEB browser 184 accepts an input operation (text input, hyperlink selection, etc.) for the displayed text and images.

The device ID storage area 1091 stores device ID data 191 in a non-rewritable manner. When the IMSI is used as the device ID, the SIM card serves as the device ID storage area 1091.
The electronic book management application storage area 1093 stores an electronic book management application 193 having a built-in record of a device ID (d1) and a user ID (u1). The viewer storage area 1092 stores a viewer program for rendering content contents in accordance with various electronic book formats. The content storage area 1095 stores an electronic book 393 (content data file of electronic book content) and content management data 394.

The electronic book management application 193 is a collection of computer program modules that exhibit various functions. These program modules are
Upon receiving the information required for the management application activation procedure such as the user ID and password entered by the user on the initial startup screen of the management application immediately after installation, a management application registration request is sent to the Internet address specified in advance in the management application. (Processing in FIG. 2 “2”), a registration setting function module that receives the registration completion notification returned from the management server apparatus 300 as a response to the management application activation processing (described as “6” in FIG. 2),
An intention to purchase a specific electronic book is transmitted to the management server device 300 (the process described in “2” in FIG. 3), a process of receiving a content management file as a response thereto, and a check of the received content management file When the download request destination address of the electronic book content file is acquired, the download request is made, and the electronic book content file is finally received, the content management file and the content file are stored in the content storage area 1095 (FIG. 3 “ 4 ”and“ 5 ”) content acquisition function module
The processing on the viewing terminal 100 side described in FIG. 10 and FIG. 16, that is, the content lending function module for executing S101 to S112,
The processing of the debit user viewing terminal B described in FIG. 11 and FIG. 17, that is, the content borrowing function module for executing S125 to S127,
Verification by device ID at start-up (the processing described in FIG. 3 “1”), list display of electronic books purchased by the user, display of bookshelves, user ID and device ID recorded in device management data of the selected electronic book Is a management function module that performs collation with the user ID and device ID recorded internally and the device ID (processing described in FIG. 4 “6”), calling a viewer suitable for the selected electronic book, and other processing. .

  FIG. 13 is a detailed configuration diagram of the management server device 300. The management server device 300 includes a CPU 301, a display unit 303, an input unit 302, a network communication unit 304, a storage unit 309, and a dedicated program. The CPU 301, the display unit 303, the input unit 302, the network communication unit 304, and the storage unit (storage unit) 309 are connected by a BUS 399.

  The CPU 301 is a central processing unit. The display unit 303 is a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input unit 302 is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The network communication unit 304 is a LAN adapter.

The storage unit 309 is a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit 309 receives an operating system 385 (= OS), a known database management program 383, and a resource (HTML file, image file, server program execution result) required upon receiving a request message by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) A known Web server program 384 that returns a response, etc., and some dedicated programs are stored in the storage unit 309. The storage unit 309 includes a content storage area 3091, a registered user storage area 3094, a device management storage area 3095, and a viewer. A storage area (not shown).

The content storage area 3091 includes a bibliographic information database and electronic book file (including download request destination information of the content data file of the electronic book specified by the content ID).
Content data). In some embodiments, the management server device 300 handles only the bibliographic information database.

The viewer storage area 3093 stores viewers. The registered user storage area 3094 stores a registered user record for recording user account information including user authentication data 395. The device management storage area 3095 stores records of all registered devices with the device management data 392 as one record.
FIG. 7 shows user authentication data 395. User-ID 3951, authentication information 3952, and other information are included.

  The operating system 385 manages and controls the hardware of the management server device 300, and provides a service that can use these hardware for application software (for example, the database management program 383 and the dedicated program). Basic software.

  The database management program 383 is a known program that performs operations (for example, search / read / update / delete, etc.), maintenance, and management of files constituting the database and data (= records) in the files. In the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned bibliographic information database, the registered user record, device management record, and viewer installation data 391 are converted into a database as a management database by the function of the database management program 383, and can be searched from a dedicated program. Referenced.

  In addition, the device management registration unit 320, the electronic book distribution unit 330, the lending preparation unit 340, the e-book lending unit 310, the e-book borrowing unit 350, the lending addition unit 360, and the borrowing extension unit are interpreted and executed by the CPU 301. A dedicated program functioning as 370 is provided. In the following description, these dedicated programs simply use “XX means” in the sense of “a program that functions as XX means by being interpreted and executed by the CPU 301”. These dedicated programs are called with the Web server program 384 as an intermediary when the management server apparatus 300 receives an HTTP request.

  The device management registration unit 320 is activated when the management server device 300 receives a management application registration request transmitted from the browsing terminal 100. Device management data in which user authentication of the registered user ID specified in the management application registration request (FIG. 2 “3”), the authenticated user ID, and the device ID of the received viewer request are associated with each other. A process of creating and registering the created device management data in the management database ("4" in FIG. 2) and a process of returning a registration completion notification to the viewing terminal 100 that is the viewer request source ("5" in FIG. 2) And execute.

  The electronic book distribution unit 330 is activated when the management server apparatus 300 receives a purchase content request transmitted from the browsing terminal 100. Content bibliographic information is obtained from the purchase target content identifier, content management data including the user ID of the purchase user and the device ID of the user terminal is created ("3" in FIG. 3), and the content management data as a file The management file and the content data itself are returned to the browsing terminal 100 ("4" and "5" in FIG. 3). Alternatively, in one embodiment, the content management data is created by including the download request destination address of the content content data in the content management data, and only the content management file is returned.

  The lending preparation unit 340 is activated when the management server apparatus 300 receives a lending preparation request transmitted from the browsing terminal 100. Creditor user authentication (S202), creation of non-viewable setting procedure data, and reply to request source (S203, 204). Further, when the management server device 300 receives the lending procedure request transmitted from the browsing terminal 100, the electronic book lending unit 310 creates and records a lending management record (S208, 408), creates lending procedure data, and the request source. Reply to (S210, S408).

  The electronic book borrowing means 350 is activated when the management server apparatus 300 receives a borrowed content request transmitted from the browsing terminal 100. The borrowing user is authenticated by checking whether or not there is a lending management record having a serial number that matches the serial number 3991 of the borrowing procedure data 399 (S230). If the borrowing user is authenticated, the device ID ( When IMSI is used as a device ID, it is registered in the debit device ID 3986 of the lending management record 398 (included in the header information of the request packet) (S232), and the debit user corresponds to the borrowed content for viewing the borrowed content. Content management data is created (S234), and a response to the request source is made (S236).

  The lending addition unit 360 is activated when the management server apparatus 300 receives a lending addition request transmitted from the browsing terminal 100 (S440). It is checked whether or not there is a lending management record with the designated number, and if the existence is confirmed, the setting information indicating that the target content cannot be browsed is returned to the request source (the processing of S440 to S444 described in FIG. 18). The lending adding unit 360 is also activated when the management server apparatus 300 receives a lending procedure request transmitted in the step S346 by the browsing terminal 100 (S450). Check if there is a loan management record with the specified number, and if it is confirmed, verify the validity of the non-viewable proof data included in the request by processing based on the specified algorithm, If it can be verified, the lending management record of the designated number is updated. When the update of the lending management record is normally completed, the normal termination is returned to the request source (the processing of S450 to S452 described in FIG. 18).

  The borrowing extension means 370 is activated when the management server apparatus 300 receives a lending status inquiry transmitted from the browsing terminal 100. When the lending management record with the number specified in the lending status inquiry is read to check the status of the lending user's registered terminal, if all of the lending user registration terminals are set to disable viewing of the target content Create content management data with the browsing deadline extended to the original deadline and reply to the request source as response information. Otherwise, reply to the request source with the content that means the end of lending as response information ( Processing in S460 to S72 described in FIG.

  If the electronic content distribution system 1 limits the number of browsing terminals that can be registered by one registered user to one, or if the extension of the debit lending period after the end of the lending period of the initial period is not permitted, the lending adding means 360 The management server device 300 having a configuration in which the lending extension unit 370 is omitted is also possible.

  In FIG. 13, the content storage area 3091 is provided in the storage unit 309, but the server device can have various configurations, and the electronic book file and the viewer program are not on the management server device 300 but on the Internet. It may be stored in the location. In addition, since the contents described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely specific descriptions of the technical idea of the present invention so as to be easily understood, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the matters described in the section of the embodiments. I don't mean. For example, although the management server apparatus 300 is described as being configured by one server computer, the function of the management server apparatus may be configured by a plurality of server computers. The browsing terminal device 100 may be connected to the network 2 by a high-speed mobile communication technology after the third generation. Further, the browsing terminal 100 may be connected to the network 2 by wired communication.

1 Electronic Content Distribution System 2 Network 100 Browsing Terminal 101 CPU
102 Input Detection Unit 103 Display Unit 104 Camera 105 Microphone 106 Speaker 108 Wireless Communication Unit 109 Storage Unit 193 Management Application 300 Management Server Device 301 CPU
302 Input unit 303 Display unit 304 Network communication unit 309 Storage unit 310 Electronic book lending unit 320 Device management registration unit 330 Electronic book distribution unit 340 Lending preparation unit 350 Electronic book borrowing unit 360 Lending addition unit 370 Borrow extension unit 392 Device management data 394 Content management data 395 User authentication data 396 License management data 398 Lending management record 600 Base station 610 Gateway

The first invention for solving the problem is:
A browsing device equipped with electronic book management means for controlling reproduction display of an electronic book by content management data including association information with content data of one electronic book and setting information for controlling reproduction display of the content data; ,
A management server device that stores device management data in which a user identifier is associated with a device identifier that identifies a browsing device registered for use by the user;
Is an electronic book management method in a system that is logically connected via a network,
The electronic book management means includes:
A device identifier record (d1) for identifying a browsing device that is permitted to execute the electronic book browsing function and a user identifier record (u1) are stored in a predetermined storage area.
When one electronic book is purchased, the management server device is content management data including a descriptor associated with the content data of the electronic book, and is used by the purchaser's user identifier (uk) and the purchaser. Distributing the content management data that records the combination with the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device to the browsing device of the purchaser,
The electronic book management means on the browsing device of the purchaser who has received an instruction to select an electronic book to be browsed records the device identifier (d1) and user identifier (u1) held in the predetermined storage area, and the browse target The content data of the target electronic book only when the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device used by the purchaser and the user identifier (uk) of the purchaser used by the purchaser included in the content management data corresponding to the electronic book are matched. Is a playback display,
Moreover,
A first stage in which an electronic book purchaser designates an electronic book to be rented and the electronic book purchaser cannot view the loaned electronic book on a browsing device for a predetermined period;
One lending management record that enables the management server device that has accepted a lending procedure request including data proving that the lending electronic book cannot be browsed for a predetermined period of time to identify the purchaser, the target electronic book, and the debit user The second stage of creating
A third stage in which the management server device creates lending procedure data based on the lending management record and transmits it to the purchaser's browsing device;
A fourth stage in which lending procedure data is transferred from the purchaser's viewing device to the debit user's viewing device;
A fifth stage in which the management server device that has accepted the borrowed book request based on the lending procedure data creates borrowed book browsing content management data for enabling the borrowed electronic book to be browsed for a certain period of time and returns it to the request source;
A sixth stage in which the borrower's browsing device that has acquired the borrowed book browsing content management data obtains the borrowed electronic book content data and can browse it;
An electronic book management method that enables an electronic book purchaser to purchase an electronic book for a certain period of time.

In the fourth stage in which the lending procedure data is transferred, the lending procedure data is transferred by proximity communication after the purchaser's browsing device and the debit user's browsing device confirm the connection of proximity communication with each other. It may be.

The second invention for solving the problem is:
In a browsing apparatus equipped with electronic book management means for controlling reproduction display of an electronic book by content management data including association information with content data of one electronic book and setting information for controlling reproduction display of the content data On the other hand, a server device that provides purchased electronic books and manages the rental of purchased electronic books by electronic book purchasers,
Registered user data that includes at least user authentication data of the registered user specified by the user identifier, device management data that associates the user identifier with the device identifier that specifies the browsing device used by the user, and at least the electronic book identifier Storage means for storing content bibliographic data including a record of a download request destination of the electronic book to be downloaded;
In response to the management application registration request from the browsing device, create one device management data and record it in the storage means, and device management registration means for returning a registration completion notification to the request source;
In response to a purchase content request from the browsing device, electronic book distribution means for generating content management data including a user identifier of the purchase user, a device identifier of the browsing device, and a download request destination address of the purchased electronic book and returning it to the request source When,
An inaccessible setting for performing a setting that makes it impossible to view the content management data of the rental target electronic book for a predetermined period in response to a loan preparation request that specifies an electronic book identifier that identifies the target electronic book from the browsing device Lending preparation means for creating procedure data and returning the created non-viewable setting procedure data to the request source,
A credit user identifier, a debit for a loan procedure request that includes data certifying that the electronic book to be loaned cannot be browsed for a predetermined period on the browsing device from the browsing device and that specifies a debit user identifier Electronic book lending means that creates a lending management data set with a user identifier, a content identifier, and a lending deadline, records the lending management data in the storage means, and returns a number for identifying the lending management data to the requester as lending procedure data When,
Borrowed content in which the borrowing time for the borrower to browse the borrowed content is set as the viewable deadline in response to the borrowed content request specifying the number for specifying the loan management data from the browsing device different from the viewing device E-book borrowing means to create content management data corresponding to and return to the request source,
A server device characterized by comprising:

A third invention for solving the problem is a computer program including a series of instructions that operate as a server device according to the second invention by being interpreted and executed by a computer.

Claims (8)

A browsing device equipped with electronic book management means for controlling reproduction display of an electronic book by content management data including association information with content data of one electronic book and setting information for controlling reproduction display of the content data; ,
A management server device that stores device management data in which a user identifier is associated with a device identifier that identifies a browsing device registered for use by the user;
Is an electronic book management method in a system that is logically connected via a network,
The electronic book management means includes:
A device identifier record (d1) for identifying a browsing device that is permitted to execute the electronic book browsing function and a user identifier record (u1) are stored in a predetermined storage area.
When one electronic book is purchased, the management server device is content management data including a descriptor associated with the content data of the electronic book, and is used by the purchaser's user identifier (uk) and the purchaser. Distributing the content management data that records the combination with the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device to the browsing device of the purchaser,
The electronic book management means on the browsing device of the purchaser who has received an instruction to select an electronic book to be browsed records the device identifier (d1) and user identifier (u1) held in the predetermined storage area, and the browse target The content data of the target electronic book only when the device identifier (dk) of the browsing device used by the purchaser and the user identifier (uk) of the purchaser used by the purchaser included in the content management data corresponding to the electronic book are matched. Is a playback display,
Moreover,
A first stage in which an electronic book purchaser designates an electronic book to be rented and the electronic book purchaser cannot view the loaned electronic book on a browsing device for a predetermined period;
One lending management record that enables the management server device that has accepted a lending procedure request including data proving that the lending electronic book cannot be browsed for a predetermined period of time to identify the purchaser, the target electronic book, and the debit user The second stage of creating
A third stage in which the management server device creates lending procedure data based on the lending management record and transmits it to the purchaser's browsing device;
A fourth stage in which lending procedure data is transferred from the purchaser's viewing device to the debit user's viewing device;
A fifth stage in which the management server device that has accepted the borrowed book request based on the lending procedure data creates borrowed book browsing content management data for enabling the borrowed electronic book to be browsed for a predetermined period and returns it to the request source;
A sixth stage in which the borrower's browsing device that has acquired the borrowed book browsing content management data obtains the borrowed electronic book content data and can browse it;
The electronic book management method which makes it possible to lend the electronic book which the electronic book purchaser purchased to the other user for a fixed period by the procedure including this. In the first stage, the management server device that has received the lending preparation request including the lending target electronic book identifier from the lending-side browsing device controls the setting information for controlling the reproduction display of the content management data related to the lending target electronic book. 2. The electronic book management method according to claim 1, comprising a procedure of returning browsing impossible setting procedure data for rewriting to the lending-side browsing device. 3. The electronic book management method according to claim 1, wherein the loan procedure data in the third stage includes a debit user identifier, debit user authentication information, a loan target electronic book identifier, and a loan period. The lending procedure data in the third stage includes a debit temporary user identifier, debit user authentication information, a loan target electronic book identifier, a lending period,
After the fourth stage and before the fifth stage, the management server apparatus that has received the device registration request based on the lending procedure data associates the identifier of the browsing apparatus used by the debit user with the identifier of the debit user. The method includes the step of enabling the electronic book browsing function of the electronic book management means on the browsing device of the request source by creating and recording the attached device management data and returning a device registration completion notification to the request source. Or the electronic book management method of Claim 2. In the fourth stage in which the lending procedure data is transferred, the lending procedure data is transferred by proximity communication after the purchaser's browsing device and the debit user's browsing device confirm the connection of proximity communication with each other. The electronic book management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: In a browsing apparatus equipped with electronic book management means for controlling reproduction display of an electronic book by content management data including association information with content data of one electronic book and setting information for controlling reproduction display of the content data On the other hand, a server device that provides purchased electronic books and manages the rental of purchased electronic books by electronic book purchasers,
Registered user data that includes at least user authentication data of the registered user specified by the user identifier, device management data that associates the user identifier with the device identifier that specifies the browsing device used by the user, and at least the electronic book identifier Storage means for storing content bibliographic data including a record of a download request destination of the electronic book to be downloaded;
In response to the management application registration request from the browsing device, create one device management data and record it in the storage means, and device management registration means for returning a registration completion notification to the request source;
In response to a purchase content request from the browsing device, electronic book distribution means for generating content management data including a user identifier of the purchase user, a device identifier of the browsing device, and a download request destination address of the purchased electronic book and returning it to the request source And browsing for performing setting for making the content management data of the loaned electronic book unviewable for a predetermined period in response to a loan preparation request specifying an electronic book identifier for identifying the loaned electronic book from the browsing device Lending preparation means for creating impossible setting procedure data and returning the created non-viewable setting procedure data to the request source,
A credit user identifier, a debit for a loan procedure request that includes data certifying that the electronic book to be loaned cannot be browsed for a predetermined period on the browsing device from the browsing device and that specifies a debit user identifier Electronic book lending means that creates a lending management data set with a user identifier, a content identifier, and a lending deadline, records the lending management data in the storage means, and returns a number for identifying the lending management data to the requester as lending procedure data When,
Borrowed content in which the borrowing time for the borrower to browse the borrowed content is set as the viewable deadline in response to the borrowed content request specifying the number for specifying the loan management data from the browsing device different from the viewing device E-book borrowing means to create content management data corresponding to and return to the request source,
A server device comprising: When the debit user identifier is not specified in the lending procedure request from the browsing device, the electronic book lending means generates a temporary debit user identifier, and stores one lending management data set as the debit user identifier. 7. The server device according to claim 6, wherein the server device is created and recorded in the storage means, and the provisional debit user identifier and a number for specifying the loan management data are returned to the request source as loan procedure data. A computer program comprising a series of instructions that operate as a server device according to claim 6 by being interpreted and executed by a computer.