JP3998545B2 - Digital data distribution system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital data distribution system for distributing digital contents such as digitized music data, video data, game software, application software, or multimedia data in which these are combined, and in particular, a number of sales offices (stores). The digital data distribution system distributes digital contents to terminal devices distributed in a manner such that a user (consumer) can obtain desired digital contents at each terminal device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digitalization of contents such as music, video, and books to be distributed and distributed has progressed. For example, the distribution medium of music content has been switched from a conventional analog LP record to a CD (Compact Disk). Conventionally, analog video has been the mainstream distribution medium for video content, but now it is DVD (Digital Versatile). Disk) has also been put to practical use. In addition, books that have been printed on paper have started to be distributed on CD-ROMs. On the other hand, game software for home computer game machines and application software for personal computers have been distributed as digital data from the beginning. So-called multimedia data assumes that all different types of content are in digital form. In online database services and the like, information is individually distributed via a digital network.
[0003]
In this specification, contents in a digital format to be distributed and distributed are collectively referred to as digital contents. Any digital content can be used as long as the data format is digital. Music, movies (moving images), still images, documents, game programs, database data, application software, and the like correspond to digital contents if the form of recording, distribution, and distribution is digital. Even if the original recording method is analog, it is digital content if it is finally digitized. For example, an analog recording of a music performance is digital content if distributed as a CD.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When selling music, video, game software, or multimedia digital content that combines these, the freshness of information is often emphasized, so it is necessary to deliver new content to consumers as soon as possible. . However, in order to store digital content on a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or CD-ROM and distribute it, it takes a certain amount of time to create a medium such as a CD and distribute it to the end, and promptly deliver the content. There is a problem in terms. Also, media such as CDs are premised on mass production, and if there is a small number that can surely be expected to be demanded, or a small number that can be sold continuously and can sell a considerable amount in the long term, manufacture It is disadvantageous in terms of cost and inventory cost.
[0005]
It is conceivable that digital content is accumulated in one center and distributed individually to consumers using an existing public telephone network, but the amount of data per digital content typically starts from several hundred megabytes. Since it is enormous as several gigabytes, it is not realistic considering communication time and communication cost. In addition, when access from many consumers scattered throughout the country overlaps, the amount of information may be enormous, resulting in congestion problems and the network may not be able to withstand capability. Furthermore, there are still problems to be solved due to the problem of collection of digital contents sales and billing processing.
[0006]
By the way, when considering the sale of digital content such as music, video, or game software, information presentation to consumers (specifically, the release of promotional videos and the release of music content hit charts at retail stores) It plays a major role in sales promotion. For example, in the case of music content, consumers can obtain the latest numbering (hit chart) of popular songs, new work information, information about content that will be released in the future, etc. It is possible to go to the store in anticipation of new information and upcoming information, and the effect of attracting customers is expected to increase. And it is highly possible that consumers are inspired by this information presented there and lead to purchasing behavior. Digital content producers and sellers, on the other hand, get real-time, regional data on what consumers are currently selling and how consumers respond to promotional videos. There is a demand to do.
[0007]
Furthermore, recently, even in stores that handle similar digital contents, it is often seen that there are differences in sales and the customer base changes depending on which sales line (franchise chain) the store belongs to. Such a trend can be important information for planning a sales strategy and distributing digital contents efficiently. For this reason, it is required to collect detailed information such as not only how much a certain product is sold but also what kind of product is sold in which chain.
[0008]
The present invention has been made based on the background as described above, and can provide digital contents with a large amount of data to terminal consumers promptly and at a low distribution cost, and is the latest information that is useful for purchasing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital data distribution system that can present information to consumers and can promptly feed back information such as consumer purchasing behavior and sales information.
[0009]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital data distribution system capable of collecting detailed marketing information useful for planning sales strategies and efficient distribution than conventional systems.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The digital data distribution system of the present invention has a digital content including a control code. Tsu, satellite Function to transmit to terminal device via line or ground line And a function of transmitting downstream marketing information to the terminal device via the ground line, A central management device with a digital content containing control codes via satellite or terrestrial links Receive Function to A function of receiving downstream marketing information via the ground line; Received via a star line or the ground line Included in the digital content Based on the destination code in the control code , Up marketing information, A terminal device having a function of transmitting to a predetermined auxiliary management device, and receiving upstream marketing information transmitted from the terminal device based on the transmission destination code; , Tally , And an auxiliary management device having a function of transmitting to the central management device.
[0011]
2. The digital data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the central management device further has a function of determining digital contents to be stored in the storage means of the terminal device in accordance with the total information received from the auxiliary management device. ing.
[0012]
The digital data distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the downstream marketing information includes at least one of preview data, best-selling information, and new product information, and the upstream marketing information corresponds to at least preview data. It includes one of user response, degree of user interest, sales information, and questionnaire results.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014]
The digital data distribution system includes a central management device 1 that is a digital data distribution source and serves as a center device that controls the entire system, and a plurality of terminal devices 3 that are arranged in a wide area (for example, the whole country). Between the central management device 1 and the terminal device 3 and mediating the exchange of information between them, and assisting the central management device 1 by performing predetermined information processing on the information obtained from the terminal device 3 having jurisdiction And the auxiliary management device 2 that plays the role of Although there may be a single auxiliary management device 2, it is generally efficient to provide a plurality of auxiliary management devices 2 for each region, each sales channel, and each type of digital content to be handled.
[0015]
By distributing digital content from the central management device 1 to each terminal device 3, the digital content is sold to users (consumers) in each terminal device 3. Furthermore, marketing information such as sales promotion data (one of sales information) can be exchanged between the central management device 1, auxiliary management device 2, and each terminal device 3. Digital contents are sold to users in the terminal device 3 using optical recording media and magnetic recording media such as magneto-optical discs, phase change optical discs, rewritable DVDs, recordable compact discs (CD-R), removable hard discs. The digital content data is recorded on a removable recording medium 9 such as the user, and the user uses the digital content purchased by bringing the recording medium 9 on which the digital content has been recorded back home.
[0016]
The central management device 1 and each terminal device 3 are connected by a satellite line that passes through a communication satellite (CS) 5. Further, the central management device 1, each auxiliary management device 2, and each terminal device 3 are connected by a terrestrial digital network 7 composed of a digital line laid on the ground.
[0017]
The central management apparatus 1 accumulates a large amount of digital content and is typically provided at one place. The terminal device 3 accumulates some digital contents distributed from the central management device 1, and is arranged in, for example, a video software shop, a game software shop, a record store, a game center, a convenience store, and the like.
[0018]
The auxiliary management device 2 includes, for example, the auxiliary management device 2 for the record chain A in the Kanto region, the auxiliary management device 2 for the record chain B in the Kanto region, and the auxiliary management device 2 for the convenience store chain C in the Kinki region. As in the auxiliary management device 2 for the game software shop chain D in the Kyushu area, it is provided for each region, for each type of digital content, for each sales channel, or for a certain set of combinations of these. Each auxiliary management device 2 has jurisdiction over a plurality of predetermined terminal devices 3.
[0019]
The satellite line has a data bandwidth of, for example, 1.5 Mbit / s, and is used to simultaneously distribute digital content from the central management device 1 to each terminal device 3, that is, in a form close to broadcasting. A satellite line can also be used to individually distribute digital contents to the terminal device 3. For this reason, the central management device 1 is provided with a transmission facility for the satellite, and each terminal device 3 is provided with a reception facility for receiving radio waves from the satellite.
[0020]
However, the receiving facility is not necessary for all the terminal devices 3. For example, in the case of a large-scale store where a plurality of stores that handle different digital contents enter as tenants, a single receiving facility can be provided as a common infrastructure, and each individual store can share this receiving facility. In relation to this, in this embodiment, as will be described later, a control code is added as a header to digital data sent from the central management apparatus 1 to each terminal apparatus 3. Each terminal device 3 refers to a predetermined part of this control code, so that it can determine whether or not the digital data currently sent is what it needs. Unnecessary digital data is not captured. If reception facilities can be shared in this way, capital investment when introducing the present system can be reduced.
[0021]
Since the distribution of digital contents using the communication satellite 5 is performed at night, for example, the channel of the communication satellite can be used for other purposes in a time zone other than this distribution. On the other hand, the terrestrial digital network 7 mainly transmits marketing information (including sales data) described later between each terminal device 3 and the auxiliary management device 2 or between the auxiliary management device 2 and the central management device 1. Used to communicate. The terrestrial digital network 7 is also used as a backup of the satellite line, and is also used for individually distributing specific digital contents to the specific terminal device 3. As the terrestrial digital network, for example, an ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) that transfers data at a rate of 64 kbit / second per line is used. Of course, a dedicated line connection or the like may be used.
[0022]
As described above, in the digital data distribution system according to the present embodiment, the data amount is large and the digital content data to be unidirectionally transmitted is sent through the satellite line. In principle, information is transmitted through the terrestrial digital network 7. By using satellite links, regional differences in distribution costs and distribution timing can be eliminated.
[0023]
In this specification, as the direction of data and information flow, the direction from the central management device 1 to the auxiliary management device 2 and the direction from the central management device 1 or the auxiliary management device 2 to the terminal device 3 are referred to as “down”. The direction from the terminal device 3 toward the auxiliary management device 2 and the direction from the auxiliary management device 2 toward the central management device 1 are referred to as “up”.
[0024]
Next, the configuration of the central management device 1 will be described. A large amount of digital data is stored in the first storage means 11 which is a huge server. A content transmission unit 12 is provided for taking out the digital content stored in the first storage unit 11 to be distributed to the terminal device 3 side and transmitting it to the terminal device 3. The line and the terrestrial digital network 7 are connected via the interface unit 13. The interface unit 13 includes a satellite transmission unit 14 that is a transmission facility for the communication satellite 5 and a terrestrial line connection unit 15 that serves as an interface with the terrestrial digital network 7.
[0025]
When digital contents are distributed all at once to each terminal device 3, in principle, it is assumed to be via the communication satellite 5, but when for some reason the satellite line cannot be used, it will be routed via the terrestrial digital network 7. Send. Further, when digital contents are individually distributed to the terminal device 3 or when urgent necessity is required, the terrestrial digital network 7 is used, and when it is possible to wait until the communication satellite 5 is idle, a satellite line is used. As in the case of general pay satellite television broadcasting, it is desirable that the satellite transmitter 14 has a scramble function.
[0026]
Further, the central management device 1 includes a first marketing information transmitting means 16 for transmitting downstream marketing information sent from the central management device 1 to the auxiliary management device 2, and the central management device 1 from the auxiliary management device 2. The first marketing information receiving means 17 for receiving the upstream marketing information sent to, the marketing information storage means 18 for storing the received upstream marketing information, and the sales data sent from the auxiliary management device 2 ( Account information calculation means 19 for receiving and calculating the account information (one of the sales information), account information storage means 20 for storing the calculated account information as data calculated for each auxiliary management device 2, A control unit 21 that performs control is provided. Among these, the first marketing information transmitting unit 16, the first marketing information receiving unit 17, and the bill information calculating unit 19 are all connected to the terrestrial digital network 7 via the terrestrial line connection unit 15.
[0027]
Next, the configuration of each terminal device 3 will be described. The terminal device 3 is connected to the satellite line and the terrestrial digital network 7 by the interface unit 31. The interface unit 31 includes a satellite reception unit 32 that is a reception facility for the communication satellite 5 and a terrestrial line connection unit 33 that serves as an interface with the terrestrial digital network 7. However, as described above, when a plurality of terminal devices 3 share the receiving equipment, only one satellite receiving unit 32 is required for the terminal devices 3.
[0028]
Further, the terminal device 3 has a content receiving means 34 for receiving digital content sent from the central management device 1 via the satellite line or the terrestrial digital network 7, and a second content storage for storing the received digital content. Means 35; second marketing information receiving means 36 for receiving the downstream marketing information transmitted from the central management apparatus; and the received downstream marketing information and the digital data stored in the second content storage means 35. Presenting means 37 for presenting a part of the content to the user, and recording means 38 for reading the digital content selected by the user from the second content storage means 35 and recording it on the writable recording medium 9 Upstream marketing information sent from the terminal device 3 to the auxiliary management device 2 A second marketing information transmitting means 39 for transmitting created is provided.
[0029]
The second content storage unit 35 is a server device that has a smaller capacity than the first content storage unit 11 in the central management apparatus 1, and stores a large amount of digital content stored in the first content storage unit 11. It is for accumulating contents that are frequently used at that time.
[0030]
The presentation means 37 is composed of, for example, a display, a speaker, an input pad, etc., and displays downstream marketing information including selling information (hit charts and new work information), upcoming information, digital content catalog data, etc. on the display. Play preview data for sales promotion and present it to the user. Preview data is data related to digital content, promotional videos, etc., and may be distributed to each terminal device 3 separately from the digital content as downstream marketing information, or distributed in combination with the digital content. You may make it accumulate | store in the 2nd content storage means 35. FIG. Alternatively, the digital content itself may be presented to the user as preview data. The input pad of the presenting means 37 can be used not only for selecting information to be presented, for example, selecting a preview target, but also as an input means for conducting, for example, a storefront questionnaire for a user. In addition, the recording means 38 can be used in common with the input means for selecting the digital content to be purchased.
[0031]
The upstream marketing information created by the second marketing information transmission means 39 is used for information relating to which digital content has been sold by the recording means 38 (recorded on the recording medium 9) and for the presentation means 37. Contains information about the actions taken by the person. “Information related to actions taken by the user with respect to the presenting means 37” means, for example, how long the user has viewed the preview data of the contents by the presenting means 37 and how many users have been viewed in total. Information. Such information is considered to be information indicating the degree of interest of the user with respect to the content. Therefore, if such information is collected by the auxiliary management device 2 or the central management device 1 and analyzed by an appropriate method, it is considered that hints that are extremely effective for business development and creation of new digital contents can be obtained. Moreover, these pieces of information can be acquired from each terminal device 3 in almost real time.
[0032]
Furthermore, the terminal device 3 includes sales data creation means 40 for creating information (sales data) relating to sales when digital content is recorded on the recording medium 9 by the recording means 38 (that is, sales of digital content). The sales data transmitting means 41 for transmitting the sales data to the account information calculating means 59 (described later) of the auxiliary management apparatus 2 and the control unit 42 for controlling the entire terminal device 3 are provided. The second marketing information receiving unit 36, the second marketing information transmitting unit 39, and the sales data transmitting unit 41 are connected to the terrestrial digital network 7 via the terrestrial line connection unit 33. In addition, when digital content sales occur, the fact that the sales have occurred is reflected in the upstream marketing information and the sales data is generated. This is because the system data is handled separately.
[0033]
As a method of charging the user for sales, a method of processing each terminal device 3 individually using a prepaid card, a method of using a credit card, a method of collecting cash at a store where the terminal device 3 is installed, or a membership system There is a method of subtracting the sales price equivalent from the amount deposited in advance by the user. Even if the charging process for the user is completed on the terminal device 3 side, it is considered that sales management for each terminal device 3 is often performed on the auxiliary management device 2 or the central management device 1 side. It is set as the structure which transmits to the auxiliary management apparatus 2, the central management apparatus 1, or both.
[0034]
Next, the configuration of the auxiliary management device 2 will be described. The auxiliary management apparatus 2 includes a third marketing information transmission unit 56, a third marketing information reception unit 57, a marketing information storage unit 58, an account information calculation unit 59, an account information storage unit 60, and a terrestrial line connection serving as an interface unit. The control means 61 which controls the part 55 and the auxiliary | assistant management apparatus 2 whole is provided. Among these, the third marketing information transmitting unit 56, the third marketing information receiving unit 57, and the bill information calculating unit 59 are all connected to the terrestrial digital network 7 through the terrestrial line connection unit 55.
[0035]
The third marketing information transmitting means 56 transmits the downstream marketing information to the terminal device 3 having jurisdiction, and transmits the upstream marketing information to the central management device 1. The third marketing information receiving unit receives the downstream marketing information from the central management device 1 and also receives the upstream marketing information from the terminal device 3.
[0036]
Downstream marketing information to be transmitted to the terminal device 3 receives what is sent from the central management device 1 and transmits it as it is, for example, an auxiliary management device 2 is provided for each sales channel. If it is, the marketing information peculiar to the sales channel is created by the auxiliary management device 2 and transmitted.
[0037]
On the other hand, the upstream marketing information sent from the terminal device 3 to the auxiliary management device 2 is so-called raw data, and this data is primarily collected in the auxiliary management device 2, and the result is further centrally managed as upstream marketing information. The data is sent to the device 1 and finally collected in the central management device 1. The contents of the primary aggregation are, for example, sales for each content, sales for each store, date and time of sale, and the time when the preview was executed. The amount of data is large, but the content of the aggregation is relatively simple. . On the other hand, the contents of the final tabulation are mainly advanced ones that are directly related to the planning of the sales strategy, such as making a sales forecast for each content based on the contents of the primary tabulation.
[0038]
Conventionally, upstream marketing information from each terminal device has been processed only by a single central management device, but this places a heavy burden on the central management device, especially the number of terminal devices increases. Data processing takes time, and it may affect the transmission of digital data, which is an inherently important role. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, one or more auxiliary management devices 2 are provided in addition to the central management device 1, and a part of the processing (mainly primary aggregation) conventionally performed by the central management device 1 is assisted. By causing the management apparatus 2 to execute, the burden on the central management apparatus 1 is reduced, and the transmission of digital data, which is an important role of the central management apparatus 1, is prevented from being affected. Advanced processing (final aggregation) such as information aggregation and analysis can be executed with a sufficient margin. In addition, by dividing the primary aggregation and the final aggregation in this way, it is possible to perform detailed data processing. However, the allocation of the primary aggregation and the final aggregation and the specific contents thereof can be designed flexibly according to each embodiment.
[0039]
The role of the account information calculation means 59 in the auxiliary management device 2 is almost the same as that of the account information calculation means 19 of the central management device 1, but the account information calculation means 59 is a terminal device that the auxiliary management device 2 has jurisdiction over. While the sales data sent from 3 is calculated, the account information calculation means 19 calculates the sales data sent from each auxiliary management device 2. The calculation result obtained by the account information calculation means 59 is temporarily stored in the account information storage means 60, read out as necessary, and sent to the central management apparatus 1.
[0040]
Next, a data structure of digital data (downstream data) distributed from the central management device 1 to the terminal device 3 via the communication satellite 5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the downstream data.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 2, downstream data 70 mainly includes an ID code area 71, a control code area 72, and a content actual data area 73. Among these, the ID code area 71 and the control code area 72 are header parts of digital data distributed to the terminal device 3 via the communication satellite, and the data in the content actual data area 73 is transmitted to the user ( It is recorded (that is, sold) on the recording medium 9 of the consumer. Here, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the downstream marketing information such as the preview sent via the satellite line is included in the content actual data area 73, but this marketing information is recorded in the recording medium 9 of the user. Not.
[0042]
In FIG. 2, the ID data in the ID code area 71 is a code for uniquely specifying the content included in the content actual data area 73. For this ID data, a specific code system can be adopted for each embodiment to which the present system is applied, or an existing code system already in practical use can be adopted. As an example of an existing code system, for example, a JASRAC code is used if the content is music, and an ISBN code is used if the content is a book. However, the format of the code system is basically arbitrary as long as the contents can be uniquely specified, and may be text data or the like.
[0043]
The data included in the control code area 72 is added in advance to distribute this digital data to the terminal device 3, to suck up marketing information from the terminal device 3, or to analyze and effectively use the downloaded marketing information. It is data. As shown in FIG. 2, the data included in the control code area 72 includes a type code 80, a district code 81, a sales channel code 82, a transmission destination code 83, a theft countermeasure code 84, and a delivery confirmation code 85. These codes may be text data.
[0044]
The type code 80 is a code representing the type of content. That is, it represents whether the content is music, a still image, a moving image, a book, karaoke software, or game software. The district code 81 is a code representing a region where this digital data is distributed. The sales channel code 82 is, for example, a code for specifying a chain name of various convenience stores and a chain name of a record shop. The transmission destination code 83 is a code for specifying the auxiliary management device 2 to which the terminal device 3 that has received the data distribution should transmit the upstream marketing information, sales data, and the like. The anti-theft code 84 is a code for coping when the terminal device 3 is stolen as will be described later. As will be described later, the delivery confirmation code 85 is a code for confirming whether or not the digital data has been reliably delivered to the predetermined terminal device 3.
[0045]
By including data of various codes as described above in the control code area 72, the following becomes possible. First, by assigning the type code 80, for example, when the terminal device 3 of the store handling the game software receives the digital data via the satellite line, the type code 80 is seen, and this is the karaoke software. If the terminal device 3 knows that the data is to be distributed, the terminal device 3 takes measures such as stopping the reception operation. Thereby, useless consumption of the second content storage means 35 can be suppressed.
[0046]
In addition, even if a convenience store exists in the same region, if the franchise chain or sales channel is different, even if the type code of the digital content handled there is the same, the content of the specific content will differ. It is done. Even in such a case, each terminal device 3 refers to the district code 81 and the sales channel code 82 to reliably grasp and receive the digital data that the terminal device 3 should receive. It is possible to avoid unnecessary reception by skipping reliably at the stage of knowledge.
[0047]
On the other hand, when viewed from the central management device 1 side, it is possible to finely select the terminal device 3 to which a certain digital content is to be transmitted, and by reflecting the selection result on the district code 81 and the sales channel code 82, the terminal to be distributed There is an advantage that it can be reliably delivered only to the device 3. In addition, even when a store that has joined a franchise chain joins another franchise chain, when viewed from the central management device 1 side, digital data is erroneously distributed to stores that have left the franchise chain. In addition, when viewed from the terminal device 3, it is possible to immediately receive digital data of a newly joined franchise chain.
[0048]
Furthermore, by including the transmission destination code 83, the central management device 1 can set the upstream marketing information and sales information created in the terminal device 3 to be sent to any auxiliary management device 2. it can. Further, since the terminal device 3 knows the destination to which the created marketing information and sales information should be sent simply by looking at the transmission destination code 83, the burden on the terminal device 3 is reduced. Furthermore, when the auxiliary management device 2 is provided for each franchise chain, even if a store that has joined a franchise chain joins another franchise chain, marketing information created in that store, It can be transmitted to the auxiliary management device 2 dedicated to the newly added franchise chain.
[0049]
If the district code 81, the sales channel code 82, and the transmission destination code 83 are provided, the upstream management information created by the terminal device 3 is received and analyzed by the auxiliary management device 2, or further by the central management device 1. By analyzing in detail, there is a possibility that valuable information that could not be obtained in the past can be obtained. For example, even in record shops selling the same CD, there are often situations where the franchise chain A is strong in Japanese music genres, the franchise chain B is strong in western music genres, and the franchise chain C is strong in classic music. . Consumers also purchase such knowledge in specialized magazines and so on, so they fully know where to go and where they are likely to have the music of their genre. For this reason, even if it is the same record shop, the customer base is slightly different for each franchise chain. In such a case, if detailed marketing information for each franchise chain can be sucked up, it can be analyzed to find out what kind of digital content is put into which chain, distribution costs and terminal device 3 This also contributes to the reduction of data storage costs.
[0050]
Next, the antitheft code 84 will be described. When a large number of terminal devices 3 are widely spread throughout the country, the anti-theft measures for the terminal devices 3 cannot be avoided. However, as described above, if the satellite line is used for the distribution of the downstream digital data, the central management apparatus 1 cannot grasp and distribute the individual terminal apparatuses 3, so that the response via the terrestrial digital network 7 is possible. Therefore, it is impossible to select only the data that has been received, and the digital data is also distributed to the stolen terminal device 3. In addition, the stolen terminal device 3 is not always connected to the terrestrial digital network 7, and when the terrestrial digital network is a general public network, the terrestrial digital network 7 is used for theft. It is difficult to find the terminal device 3.
[0051]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the anti-theft code 84 is embedded in the control code area 72. On the other hand, the anti-theft using the anti-theft code is used for the terminal device 3. Is programmed in advance to execute the processing (FIG. 3). Assuming that a certain terminal device 3 is stolen and a notification to that effect enters a communication company that manages the central management device 1, the communication company uniquely identifies the stolen terminal device 3 when distributing digital data next time. Is transmitted as a theft countermeasure code 84. On the other hand, if no theft has occurred, the anti-theft code 84 is blank or a flag indicating that no theft has occurred.
[0052]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing for antitheft using the above antitheft code. When receiving the digital data (step 101), the terminal device 3 always recognizes the theft countermeasure code 84 in the control code area 72 (step 102). Then, it is determined whether or not a code for identifying itself is included in the anti-theft code 84 (step 104). If it is not included, it is determined that the user has not been stolen and the second is performed as usual. The content actual data 73 is stored in the content storage means 35.
[0053]
On the other hand, if the anti-theft code 84 includes a code for identifying itself, it is determined that the user has been stolen and predetermined anti-theft measures are executed (step 105). The first thing to do as this anti-theft measure is to stop the subsequent reception when it is found that the anti-theft code 84 includes a code identifying itself. Then, information to that effect is recorded in any location in the terminal device 3. This information is analyzed when the terminal device 3 is discovered at a later date. When the terminal device is connected to the terrestrial digital network 7, information indicating that the terminal device has been stolen is sent to an arbitrary auxiliary management device 2. Further, in some cases, a program (self-destructing program) for destroying software is prepared in advance, and when the anti-theft code 84 includes a code for identifying itself, this self-destructing program May be executed. Such measures are considered to have a significant effect on deterring theft.
[0054]
Next, the delivery confirmation code 85 will be described. When data distribution is performed using a satellite line, there are cases where data cannot be distributed well due to the influence of the weather or a problem with the antenna on the terminal device 3 side. In such a case, conventionally, the terminal device side determines whether the reception is successful, and if the reception is not successful, analyzes which part was not received, and based on the result, a retransmission request is made. The data was created, sent to the central management device, and the content data that could not be received successfully was sent again. However, if this is done, the burden on the terminal device 3 side will increase due to the creation of retransmission request data.
[0055]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the distribution confirmation code 85 is embedded in the control code area 72 of the digital data sent by the central management apparatus 1. The delivery confirmation code 85 may be given in units of packets, for example. When each terminal device 3 receives the digital data, it sends a delivery confirmation code 85 attached to the received packet together with a predetermined code for identifying itself to the auxiliary management device 2 or the central management via the terrestrial digital network 7. Send back to device 1. In the auxiliary management device 2 or the central management device 1, the returned delivery confirmation code is compared with the sent delivery confirmation code, and if there is a delivery confirmation code that is not sent back, the terminal device side receives it. It is determined that there is a problem, and the predetermined content is transmitted again. For example, if it is known that reception by a terminal device in a specific area is impossible due to the influence of the weather or the like, the area can be designated as the previous area code when retransmitting.
[0056]
Although not shown in FIG. 2, the data distributed to each terminal device 3 includes a content index. This includes data indicating the relationship between the ID data of the ID code area 71 that uniquely identifies each content and the title name of the content, and the storage location of each content in the content actual data area 73 Information is included. Further, the content actual data area 73 may be accompanied by marketing preview data which is preview data presented by the presenting means 37.
[0057]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of upstream marketing information. The header 92 of the marketing information 91 includes the district code, the store code, and the sales channel code of the terminal device 3 that is the transmission source of the marketing information 91. Thereby, the location, the store name, and the chain name of the store where the terminal device 3 is placed can be specified. Further, following the header 92, a content code field and an information part field are arranged. The content code is, for example, for specifying which digital content has been subject to preview and which digital content has been sold with the above-described content code. When the digital content is sold, data indicating sales is written in the information section column. On the other hand, in the case of the preview, information including the accumulated preview time and how many users have tried the preview is included. In addition, when a questionnaire is conducted for content, the questionnaire result is entered in the information section column.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the digital data distribution system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing on the terminal device 3 side.
[0059]
In the second content storage means 35 of each terminal device 3, a predetermined number of digital contents are stored in advance by simultaneously releasing from the central management device 1 via the satellite line. When the user starts access to the terminal device 3, the user first selects whether to perform a preview on the presentation means 37 or purchase digital content (step 201). In the case of purchase, the user is inquired whether to select content including the meaning of reconfirmation (step 202). If the answer is not selected, the process returns to step 201; 203. In step 203, the content to be purchased is selected by the user, and then the digital content is recorded on the recording medium 9 by the recording means 38 (step 204).
[0060]
If the content selected by the user is not stored in the second content storage means 35, it is not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, but whether or not the user wants the digital content immediately. And the digital content is received from the first content storage means of the central management apparatus 1 via the terrestrial digital network 7 and recorded on the recording medium. If it is not necessary now, the digital content is transferred from the central management device 1 via the satellite line at night or the like, and the user visits the store again the next day or later. To ask.
[0061]
When the recording on the recording medium 9 in step 204 is completed, it is checked (verified) whether or not the recording is correctly performed on the recording medium 9 (step 205). Then, the user is charged, and sales data is stored / transmitted (step 206). Whether sales data is sent to the auxiliary management device 2 in real time for each sale or whether sales data for one day is aggregated and sent once a day can be arbitrarily set, and sent in real time If not, sales data is accumulated in step 206. Simultaneously with the creation of sales data, upstream marketing information about the sale of the digital content is created. If upstream marketing information is to be transmitted in real time, the created upstream marketing information is also transmitted. When the process in step 206 is completed, all the processes related to user access to the terminal device 3 are terminated.
[0062]
On the other hand, when the preview is selected in step 201, as in the case of step 202 described above, the user is inquired whether to select content (step 207), and when the answer is not to be selected. Returns to step 201 and proceeds to step 208 if a child is obtained when selected. In step 208, a preview target is selected by the user, and a preview by the presenting means 37 is performed. The preview target here includes information such as promotional video data, as well as information such as hit charts transmitted as downstream marketing information.
[0063]
When the selection of the preview target in step 208 is completed, the presentation means 37 starts presenting the contents of the preview (presentation). At that time, the preview time is accumulated in order to use what the user has watched the preview for as long as the marketing information of the upstream (step 209). When the user finishes presenting a preview target, the user is inquired whether to preview other content (step 210). If it is answered that another content is to be previewed, the process returns to step 208. If not, the upstream marketing information is accumulated / transmitted based on the preview history information by the user (step 211). If the marketing information is to be transmitted in real time, it is transmitted together with the creation. Otherwise, the upstream marketing information is stored and transmitted to the auxiliary management device 2 at a predetermined timing. In the case of accumulation, information on how many users have previewed the content is also included in the upstream marketing information.
[0064]
After the upstream marketing information is created, the user is inquired whether or not to purchase digital content. If the user answers that the digital content is to be purchased, the process proceeds to step 203; otherwise, the process ends.
[0065]
Next, processing on the central management apparatus 1 side will be described. The processing of the central management device 1 can be broadly divided into distribution of digital contents to each terminal device 3, transmission of downstream marketing information to each terminal device 3, and siphoning of information on the primary aggregation result from each auxiliary management device 2. , And final calculation and management of account information.
[0066]
Since the capacity of the second content storage means 35 provided in each terminal device 3 is smaller than the capacity of the first content storage means 11 provided in the central management apparatus 1, the second content storage means 35 is provided. We have to consider what the digital content stored in In the digital data distribution system of this embodiment, the user's reaction to the preview data, the degree of interest of the user, the sales status of the digital content, etc. can be acquired as upstream marketing information (or sales data) in almost real time. . Therefore, the upstream marketing information is analyzed, and the digital content to be stored in the second content storage means 35 is determined based on the analysis result.
[0067]
Since a method for analyzing this kind of marketing information is almost established, the analysis of the upstream marketing information and the determination of the digital content to be distributed to the terminal device 3 can be automatically executed. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, when the auxiliary management device 2 is provided for each franchise chain and each sales channel, characteristic marketing information for each chain and each sales channel can be obtained. Then, the result of the primary analysis by the auxiliary management device 2 is further analyzed in detail by the central management device 1 to obtain valuable information for future sales strategies. Such information is not only important for content producers and data distributors, but also has high utility value for marketing research companies, etc., so there is sufficient demand even when considering selling such information to the outside. it is conceivable that.
[0068]
By the way, when it is determined which digital content is to be distributed, for example, at night, each terminal device 3 is simultaneously broadcast using a satellite line. Each terminal device 3 receives and records only the digital content necessary for itself with reference to the control code 72 described above. Further, based on the analysis result of the upstream marketing information, for example, every day, new digital content is distributed via the satellite line, and is stored in the second content storage means 35 of each terminal device 3. Part of the digital content can be replaced.
[0069]
Downstream marketing information includes best-selling information and new product information. In this embodiment, the central management device 1 can acquire upstream marketing information via the auxiliary management device 2 in almost real time. Based on the upstream marketing information, the content of the downstream marketing information transmitted from the central management device 1 to each terminal device 3 can be changed. For example, if the downstream marketing information is a hit chart, it is possible to transmit “Yesterday's hit chart” or “Current hit chart”, and each terminal device 3 presents such a hit chart to the user. As a result, it is expected that the participation awareness of users will be enhanced, leading to sales promotion.
[0070]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible within the range of the summary.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the digital data distribution system of the present invention, the terminal devices having the server function are distributed and distributed in various places, and the digital contents are distributed all at once from the central management device to each terminal device using the satellite line. Digital contents can be distributed to each terminal device without delay and at a low communication cost.
[0072]
In addition, since the terminal device does not need a transmission facility to the satellite and only the reception facility from the satellite is required, the communication cost can be reduced, and the congestion problem which is a concern when using the public network or the like can be solved. . In particular, in a large-scale store where a large number of stores are included as tenants, the receiving facilities can be shared as a common infrastructure, so that the capital investment of each store can be kept low.
[0073]
Further, an auxiliary management device is placed between the central management device and each terminal, and this is installed, for example, for each franchise chain, for each sales channel, for each region, or for each fixed unit. By performing the primary aggregation of the upstream marketing information and sales information, the burden on the central management device can be reduced. In addition, since marketing information can be exchanged at any time between the terminal device and the auxiliary management device, or between the auxiliary management device and the central management device, it is the latest for both users and businesses (sellers). Marketing information can be obtained and the information transmission function of the store form can be maximized. In addition, since the terminal device can be arranged at a location familiar to the user, the system is easy to use for the user.
[0074]
Further, in this system, since sales data can be acquired in real time, the charging process for the user is facilitated, and various payment methods can be adopted. Since the digital content selected by the user is recorded on the recording medium by each terminal device, the manufacturing cost and inventory cost for a recorded medium such as a compact disc can be reduced to zero.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of downstream distribution data.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing for antitheft measures.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of upstream marketing information.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for a user to purchase digital content on the terminal device side.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Central management device
2 Auxiliary management devices
3 Terminal equipment
5 Communication satellite
7 Terrestrial digital network
9 Recording media
11 First content storage means
12 Content transmission means
13, 31 Interface part
14 Satellite transmitter
15, 33, 55 Terrestrial line connection
16 First marketing information transmission means
17 First marketing information receiving means
18,58 Marketing information storage means
19, 59 Account information calculation means
20, 60 Account information storage means
21, 42, 61 control unit
32 Satellite receiver
34 Content receiving means
35 Second content storage means
36 Second marketing information receiving means
37 presentation means
38 Recording means
39 Second marketing information transmission means
40 Sales data creation means
41 Sales data transmission means
56 Third marketing information transmission means
57 Third marketing information receiving means
70 Downstream data
71 ID code area
72 Control code area
73 Content actual data area
80 Type code
81 district code
82 Market Code
83 Destination code
84 Anti-theft code
85 Delivery confirmation code

Claims (3)

Digital contency tool including a control code, a function of transmitting to the terminal device via the satellite line, or terrestrial,
A function of transmitting downstream marketing information to the terminal device via the ground line;
A central management device with
Digital contency tool including a control code via the satellite line, or terrestrial, a function of receiving,
A function of receiving downstream marketing information via the ground line;
The satellite line or based on the destination code within the control code included in the digital content received via the land line, having a function of transmitting the marketing information in the reverse, in a predetermined auxiliary manager terminal Equipment,
An auxiliary management device having a function of receiving , summing up , and transmitting upstream marketing information transmitted from the terminal device based on the transmission destination code to the central management device Data distribution system.  2. The digital data according to claim 1, wherein the central management device further comprises a function of determining digital contents to be stored in the storage means of the terminal device in accordance with the total information received from the auxiliary management device. Distribution system.  The downstream marketing information includes at least one of preview data, best-selling information, and new product information, and the upstream marketing information includes at least a user response to the preview data, a degree of user interest, sales information, The digital data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the digital data distribution system includes one of the questionnaire results.

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