JP4451212B2 - Content usage right management device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content usage right management apparatus that is applied to a content sales apparatus that sells digital content via a computer network and that is suitable for selling content as a set.

With the spread of the Internet, an environment for purchasing digital contents (hereinafter simply referred to as “contents”) such as video, images, sounds, documents, and software converted into digital data has been prepared. When selling content, the content sales right and amount are presented in association with the content to be provided in the content sales apparatus, and a charging method is incorporated.
Usually, the content usage right includes a key for decrypting the encrypted content and a description of a range / condition in which the user can use the corresponding content. The user can use the corresponding content within the range described in the content usage right. As the conditions included in the content usage right, for example, the number of times that the content can be viewed, viewed, and printed, a period, a copy, and whether or not transfer is possible are assumed.

By the way, in general, a content usage right and an amount are set for each content to be sold, and the content usage right is managed only in a form associated with each content. When the content is purchased or the use of the content is permitted, the user is issued a content usage right from the copyright owner of the content or an organization commissioned by the copyright owner. When a user purchases multiple contents, the user pays the total amount of each purchased content, acquires the content usage right associated with each content, and purchases within the scope of the content usage right Each content can be used.
Recently, a set sale that combines a plurality of contents into one product has been considered, but the right to use and the amount of money for this set sale are also set in association with each set sale. The method is taken (for example, refer patent document 1 and patent document 2).

JP 2003-216828 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-187017

  The conventional content usage right management device issues a content usage right that is advantageous to the user or reduces the price when a plurality of sets of content are sold, that is, when a plurality of contents are simultaneously sold. There was a problem that it was difficult to deal with.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in the case of selling a plurality of contents as a set, the contents can provide a sales method that is advantageous for the user based on a preset rule. The purpose is to obtain a usage right management device.

  The content usage right management device according to the present invention is a content usage right management device applied to a content sales device that sells content to a user via a computer network, and each content held directly or externally by the content sales device. Content usage right information for which content usage rights have been set, and set sales usage right information for which set usage rights have been set for one or a plurality of sets of content. , Specifying the content received from the user terminal and the storage means that holds the hierarchical structure of the data having the usage rights information of the set sales as a parent node and the usage rights information of the content incorporated in the set sales as a child node Refer to the hierarchical structure based on the content information, and A set sales establishment determination step for determining that the set sale is established when all the content information included in the sale exists, and referring to the use right information of the set sale based on the content information of the set sale establishment The set usage right of the corresponding set sale is determined as the usage right of the corresponding content, while the content usage right information is referred to the content usage right information for the content not included in the hierarchical structure. A set sales processing means that executes a usage right determination step for determining a charge when a charge is changed by discounting when a set sale is established, and a purchase request for the determined use right of the content is determined. And a right-of-use issuing means for transmitting to the user terminal.

  According to the present invention, by performing set sales processing by providing a characteristic hierarchical data structure, when the set sales are established, the usage rights set in advance for the individual contents constituting the set sales and It is possible to issue different usage rights and use different charges, and there is an effect that a usage right advantageous to the user can be issued at the time of set sales. In addition, content distributors can perform set sales of content at the same time as existing individual content sales simply by adding functions and usage rights for set sales without the need to modify existing data structures. There is.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a hierarchical structure of content and usage right information used in the content usage right management apparatus according to the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention. In the figure, the hierarchical structure 70 includes a data area 10 for holding set sales use right information, each content 30 and a data area 20 for holding content use right information set in advance for each content. Although the tree structure is shown in FIG. 1 for easy understanding, it is possible to include a case where one content (and the right to use it) is handled by a plurality of set sales. In that case, not a 1: n tree structure but an m: n hierarchical structure.
FIG. 2 shows a data configuration example of a data area (hereinafter referred to as “set sales use right information”) 10 that holds set sales use right information. It consists of a set ID 50 and a set usage right 60. The set ID 50 is an identifier for uniquely identifying the set sale. The set usage right 60 is a usage right issued to the entire content included in the purchased set sales when the set sales corresponding to the set ID is established.
FIG. 3 illustrates a hierarchical structure including usage rights information for set sales and usage rights information for contents incorporated in the set sales. Here, a hierarchical structure is configured from the set ID 50 and the content ID 80 corresponding thereto. The content ID 80 is an identifier for uniquely identifying each content.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of content usage right information. This configuration includes individual content IDs 80, titles 100 of the respective contents, content usage rights 65 and amounts 110 set for the respective contents. The content usage right 65 is a condition (period) in which content can be used individually when the user purchases the content, and the content can be used within the range of the condition. The amount 110 is a fee set when the user purchases the corresponding content.

  In FIG. 4, the content ID 80 is used as a key of the content usage right information 20, and the content ID is treated as a key in the following description. However, in practice, a plurality of usage rights and different charges may be set for a certain content so that the user can select them. For example, as shown in the content usage right information in FIG. 22, the title “XXX” is set to ¥ 400 for one week and ¥ 550 for one month, and the user selects a favorite one at the time of purchase. It is a sales form. In this case, the usage right ID 40 is a key of the table. When it is based on the table in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the content ID is used as a key. However, if the usage right ID is used as a key, the “content ID” is used as the “use right ID” in the following description. "".

  The table shown in FIG. 4 can also be used in a sales system that sells existing individual contents. Conversely, if there is an existing table, it may be used in the present invention. In FIG. 4, the “title” column is shown for easy understanding, but this is not essential in the present invention. Moreover, in this invention, the example which preserve | saves all data by a table format supposing handling with a database is shown, However, The format to record is not necessarily prescribed | regulated in a table format. For example, you may preserve | save in formats other than a table format like XML.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content sales system according to each embodiment of the present invention, and shows how the user purchases and uses the content. The content sales system basically includes a content sales apparatus 120, a network 130, and a user terminal 140.
The content sales apparatus 120 is incorporated in a server, and the set sales use right information 10 and the content use right information 20 are formed in a hierarchical structure and held in a storage unit. Further, the content 30 is held in the storage means. Further, the content sales apparatus 120 generates a content sales screen and transmits it to the user terminal 140. The content sales device 120 determines whether set sales are established based on the information transmitted from the user terminal 140. A set sales processing unit 170 for determining the usage right and the charge thereof, and a usage right issuing unit 160 for transmitting the determined usage right to the user terminal 140. Here, the content usage right management apparatus according to the present invention basically includes the usage right information 10, the content usage right information 20, the storage means holding the hierarchical structure 70, the usage right issuing means 160, and the set sales processing means 170. As prepared. Note that the storage device for the content 30 is not necessarily provided directly in the server in which the content sales device 120 is incorporated, and can be managed externally as long as the usage right information 20 is associated. It ’s good.
A plurality of user terminals 140 are connected to the content sales apparatus 120 through a computer network 130. The computer network 130 may be a wired or wireless network. For example, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, or a WAN is assumed.

  The user terminal 140 has a monitor that displays a screen transmitted from the content sales apparatus 120, an interface that accepts input from the user (such as a keyboard, a mouse, a remote control, and an operation button), and a usage right that is transmitted from the content sales apparatus 120. Storage means for recording, storage means for recording content, and means for decrypting, displaying, reproducing, and using the purchased content according to the contents described in the given usage right are provided. Therefore, as the user terminal 140, for example, a personal computer, a set top box, a portable terminal, an in-vehicle terminal, and the like are assumed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the content sales system according to Embodiments 1, 3 to 7 of the present invention. The operation of the content sales system will be described according to this flowchart.
First, when the content sales apparatus 120 is accessed from the user terminal 140, the screen generated by the sales screen generation means 150 is transmitted to the user terminal 140 (step ST100). The user terminal 140 displays the received screen (step ST200). The screen includes, for example, a list of contents that can be purchased (used) by the user, and there is an interface that allows each content to be selected. The user selects one or a plurality of contents to be purchased, and executes an operation of transmitting information on the selected contents. Then, the selected one or more pieces of content information (contents can be specified, for example, a content ID) are transmitted to the content sales apparatus 120 via the network (step ST300).

  Next, in the content sales apparatus 120, the set sales processing means 170 determines whether set sales are established based on the content information transmitted from the user terminal 140 as described later (step ST400). Usage rights are determined as described later for all contents input based on the determination result (step ST500). Further, when the charge is changed by discount or the like when the set sale is established, the charge is determined based on the determination result of step ST400 (step ST600). Next, the usage right issuing means 160 transmits the usage right determined in step ST500 to the user terminal 140 that requested the purchase via the network (step ST700). The corresponding user terminal 140 stores the acquired usage right in the terminal, and the user uses the content within the range of the acquired usage right (step ST800).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the set sales establishment determination operation (step ST400) according to the first embodiment.
First, the content ID (content information) of one or more contents transmitted from the user terminal 140 is input (step ST410a). Next, when all the set sales set in advance are referred to the hierarchical structure (70 in FIG. 3) and all content IDs 80 included in the set sales 50 are input in step ST410a. It is determined that the corresponding set sale is completed. It is determined that other set sales are not established (step ST430a).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the usage right determining operation (step ST500) according to the first embodiment. As a premise, if it is determined whether or not set sales have been established for all content IDs in the previous set sale establishment determination operation (step ST400), for all input content IDs Then:
First, it is determined from the hierarchical structure (70 in FIG. 3) whether or not the corresponding content ID is included in the set sales (step ST510a). If it is included, the use right information (FIG. 2) of the set sale is referred to based on the set ID, and the set use right (60 in FIG. 2) of the corresponding set sale is determined as the use right of the corresponding content (step ST520a). On the other hand, if not included, the content usage right information (FIG. 4) set separately based on the content ID is referred to, and the corresponding content usage right (65 in FIG. 4) is set as the usage right of the corresponding content. Determine (step ST530a). These procedures are performed for all content IDs, and the usage rights to be issued for all the content selected by the user are determined.

  In the present invention, it is assumed that the usage right and the content are physically separated, and the order of acquiring the usage right and the content is not specified. That is, the usage right and the content may be acquired at the same time, or either one may be acquired first. Therefore, the content format included in the set sales need not be the same. For example, it is also possible to sell a Windows (registered trademark) Media format video from Microsoft and a PDF format document from Adobe Systems as a set. Also, the form in which the user acquires content is not particularly specified. As a form in which the user obtains the content, for example, download, streaming, FTP, mail attachment, a medium such as CD / DVD / FD, broadcast reception, and the like are conceivable.

  In an ordinary content sales system, the content is provided to the user in an encrypted form and is used after being decrypted with the decryption key included in the usage right at the user terminal. However, in the present invention, the content is not necessarily encrypted. It is not necessary. In the case where the content is encrypted, the content sales apparatus 120 uses a function of encrypting the content and recording the encryption key and the decryption key (usually using a common key encryption which is advantageous in terms of performance) in addition to the one shown in FIG. Therefore, the encryption key and the decryption key are the same), and a function for transmitting the decryption key to the user terminal simultaneously with the usage right is required. On the other hand, the user terminal 140 requires a function for storing the received decryption key in association with the content and a function for decrypting the corresponding content using the decryption key.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, portions relating to user authentication and settlement are not essential to the present invention and will be omitted. In normal content sales, etc., a user authentication function for confirming that the relevant user is a legitimate user who has the right to use the relevant content, and a payment for accurately collecting the charged amount from the user in some way Function becomes essential. Therefore, in this case, the content sales apparatus 120 requires a user authentication function, a payment function, and a user information database (including user ID, password, payment information, and the like).

  Although the content sales apparatus 120 is shown as one computer in the example of FIG. 5, the content sales apparatus in the present invention is not particularly limited to one, and is installed separately on a separate computer for each function. It is also possible. In that case, each computer is connected by a network, and each function or means installed in each computer is executed by communicating with the related one of another computer.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, content usage right information in which content usage rights are set for individual content held directly or externally by the content sales apparatus, and one or more contents The usage rights information of the set sales for which the set usage rights are set for the set sales configured in advance is stored in advance, and the usage rights information of the contents to be incorporated into the set sales is set as the parent node. Is stored as a child node, and the set sales processing means refers to the hierarchical structure based on the content information specifying each of one or more contents received from the user terminal, When all the content information included in the set sale exists, it is determined that the set sale is successful, and the set sale Based on the established content information, the usage rights information of the set sales is referred to, and the set usage rights of the corresponding set sales are determined as the usage rights of the corresponding contents. On the other hand, for the contents not included in the hierarchical structure Refer to the content usage right information, determine the corresponding content usage right as the usage right for the corresponding content, and determine the fee when changing the fee by discount etc. when the set sale is established, the usage right issuing means The determined use right of the content is transmitted to the user terminal that requested the purchase. Therefore, when a set sale is established, there is an effect that a use right for set sale different from the use right set for each content (for example, advantageous for the user) can be issued for the target content. It is done. In addition, content distributors can implement set sales of content at the same time as existing individual content sales by simply adding functions and usage rights for set sales without the need to modify existing data structures. Is obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the information transmitted from the user terminal 140 is information for specifying content. In the second embodiment, information for specifying set sales is sent from the user terminal 140. Assuming that Here, “set sales” refers to items including one or more contents.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the content sales apparatus according to the second embodiment. This figure is almost the same as FIG. 6, except that the input at step ST300 is the content ID and the set ID is changed to step ST300b, and the set sale establishment determination process at step ST400 is different. This is the point that was removed. The operation of the second embodiment will be described below according to this flowchart.
First, when accessed from the user terminal 140, the screen generated by the sales screen generation means 150 is transmitted to the user terminal 140 (step ST100). The user terminal 140 displays the received screen (step ST200). The screen includes, for example, a list of set sales (consisting of one or a plurality of set sales) that can be purchased (used) by the user, and there is an interface that allows each set sales to be selected. The user selects one or a plurality of set sales to be purchased, and executes an operation of transmitting information on the selected set sales. Then, the selected one or a plurality of set sales information (which can specify a set sales, for example, a set ID) is transmitted to the content sales apparatus 120 via the network (step ST300b).

  Next, in the content sales apparatus 120, in the set sales processing means 170, the set sales processing means 170 determines a usage right for all the set sales that have been input as described later (step ST500b). Further, when the charge is changed by discount or the like when the set sale is established, the charge is determined (step ST600). Next, the usage right issuing means 160 transmits the usage right determined in step ST500b to the user terminal 140 that requested the purchase via the network (step ST700). The corresponding user terminal 140 stores the acquired usage right in the terminal, and the user uses the content within the range of the acquired usage right (step ST800).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the usage right determination process (step ST500b) performed by the set sales processing means 170.
First, all content IDs included in the set sale are picked up by referring to the hierarchical structure (70 in FIG. 3) based on the set ID (set sale information) of the set sale (step ST510b). Next, for all the content IDs picked up, the corresponding set usage right is determined and stored as the usage right for the corresponding content (step ST520b).
Although the description has been given here assuming that the information transmitted from the user terminal 140 is only the set ID, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. The information transmitted from the user terminal 140 may be information specifying one or a plurality of contents, may be information specifying one or a plurality of set sales, and includes both of them. It may be information. However, in that case, the set sales processing unit 170 performs processing for specifying whether the transmitted information specifies content or sets sales.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the set sales processing means refers to the hierarchical structure on the basis of all input set sales information, and all the content IDs (content information) included in the corresponding set sales. ) And the set usage right corresponding to the picked-up content ID (content information) is determined as the usage right of the corresponding content. That is, when set sales information specifying set sales is received from the user terminal, it is determined that the set sales have been established unconditionally. Then, if the price is changed by discounting when the set sale is established, the price is determined, and the usage right issuing means transmits the determined usage right of the content to the user terminal that requested the purchase. . Therefore, when a set sale is established, there is an effect that a use right for set sale different from the use right set for each content (for example, advantageous for the user) can be issued for the target content. It is done.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the right to use a set sale can be issued without any particular restriction. However, in this third embodiment, for example, if the set sale period is predetermined, an error may occur. The prohibition of a set sale will be described.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the data structure of a data area for holding set sales use right information according to the third embodiment, but a use right issuance condition 66 is newly added as compared with that in FIG. The usage right issuance condition 66 includes a condition for determining whether or not a set sale can be issued, that is, a condition for establishing a set sale. For example, when the price is lowered only during the campaign period, the period is described in the usage right issue condition. In addition, when the use right is favored only for women, the gender is described in the use right issuance condition.

The operation of the third embodiment is almost the same as the operation shown in the first embodiment, except that an operation for confirming the value of the usage right issuance condition 66 is added. In the set sales processing means 170, it is determined whether or not the set sales usage right may be issued with reference to the usage right issuing condition 66. In the confirmation operation for the determination, the date and time when the confirmation operation is performed, the usage Confirm that the attributes of the user and the attributes of the selected content are within the scope of the usage right issuance conditions. If it is out of range, set sales are not possible. It should be noted that here, how to use conditions and how to compare both condition ranges are not described.
In the overall operation flow shown in FIG. 6, the place where this operation is performed is not particularly defined, but it is performed as an additional operation of the set sales establishment determination operation (step ST400) of the set sales processing unit 170. It ’s fine.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the usage right issuance condition for establishing the set sale is set in the data area holding the use right information of the set sale, and the set sale processing means When determining whether to sell a set, the usage right issuance condition is determined because it is determined whether the right to issue a set sale can be issued with reference to the usage right issuance conditions set for the set sale. By confirming, it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing the occurrence of set sales by mistake.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, in order for a certain set sale to be established, all the contents included in the set sale must be selected (or purchased) by the user. Will be established as a set sale even when more than the set number of contents are selected.
FIG. 12 exemplifies the data structure of the data area that holds the right-of-use information for set sales according to the fourth embodiment. Compared with that in FIG. 2, the establishment number 85 is newly added. The number of content purchases necessary for the establishment of set sales is set as the number of establishments 85. In other words, a condition is described for how many users select from among the contents included in the corresponding set sale to establish the set sale. For example, it is possible to make a sales form in which a discount is given when three of the eight director films are purchased at the same time.

The operation of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the operation shown in the first embodiment, except for the set sales establishment determination operation (step ST400) in the flow of FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the set sales establishment determination method according to the fourth embodiment. The set sales processing means 170 determines the establishment of the set sales based on the establishment number 85 set in the data area holding the usage right information of the set sales.
First, content IDs of one or more contents selected by the user are input (step ST410b). A hierarchical structure (70 in FIG. 3) is searched for all input content IDs (step ST430b), and a counter (a variable for calculating the number of included contents) exists for the hit set ID. Whether or not (step ST440b). If it exists, the counter value is increased by “1” (step ST460b). If not, a counter for the corresponding set ID is generated and the value is set to “1” (step ST450b). Next, the counter value is compared with the number of established set IDs (85 in FIG. 12), and if the counter value is equal to or greater than the established number, it is determined that the set sale is established (step ST490b). On the other hand, if the value of the counter is less than the established number, it is determined that set sales are not established (step ST480b).
In order to implement a sales model such as 600 yen when purchasing 2 from a group and 3 yen when purchasing 3, the same set ID is used to implement a sales model such as 800 yen. 2. Two records in which the number of established items is set to 3 are entered in the set sales use right information (10 in FIG. 12), and in the set sale establishment determining operation (step ST470b), the larger number of established items It can be realized by comparing in order.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the number of established contents necessary for establishing a set sale is set in the usage rights information for the set sale, and the set sale establishment determining step is based on the content information. The number of contents that apply to set sales is counted by referring to the hierarchical structure, and if the counted value is equal to or greater than the number established, it is determined that the set sale is established. Even when X items are selected (purchased) from the set, it is possible to establish a set sale and to obtain an effect of enabling a sales form with a higher degree of freedom.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, the usage right issued when the set sale is established is fixed to the set usage right 60. However, in this embodiment 5, the set usage right issued when the set sale is established is set. This section describes how to make various usage rights available by setting rules to be determined.
FIG. 14 exemplifies the data structure of the data area that holds the usage right information of the set sales according to the fifth embodiment, but the usage right determination rule 90 is newly compared with those in FIGS. 2, 11, and 12. Have been added. The usage right determination rule 90 describes a rule that determines which usage right is applied to the content included in the set sale when the set sale is established.

As the contents of the usage right determination rule 90, for example, the following settings can be considered.
(A) A set usage right 60 is set as set sales, and all contents purchased as a set are subject to the usage right.
(B) The usage right (65 in FIG. 4) for each content set in advance is used.
(C) The usage right newly set for each content as a set (individual usage right 68 at the time of sale of the set in FIG. 15) is used.
(D) The usage right with the widest range is used among the usage rights (65 in FIG. 4) for each content set in advance.
(E) Only specific usage conditions (for example, period) are fixed, and other usage conditions use the usage rights (65 in FIG. 4) for each content set in advance.
(F) Only a specific usage condition (for example, usage permission condition) uses the usage right for each content set in advance, and other usage conditions use separately set usage rights.

  FIG. 15 shows the hierarchical structure of the set sales use right information and the content use right information required when setting the above-mentioned (c) as the use right determination rule. An individual usage right 68 at the time of establishment is newly added. When (c) is set as a usage right determination rule when a set sale is established, the usage right set for the individual usage right 68 is used as the usage right for the content included in the set sale.

The operation of the fifth embodiment is almost the same as that of the previous embodiments, except for the usage right determination operation (step ST500) in the flow of FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation procedure of the usage right determination according to the fifth embodiment. As a premise, it is assumed that the previous set sale has been determined (step ST400). The following is performed for all input content IDs.
First, it is determined whether or not the corresponding content ID is included in the set sales of the hierarchical structure established in step ST400 (step ST510b). If not included, the content usage right (65 in FIG. 4) is determined as the usage right of the corresponding content. On the other hand, if it is included, the value of the usage right determination rule 90 is referred to (step ST520b), and the usage right is determined according to any one of the rules (a) to (f).

  For example, in the case of (a), the set usage right 60 is set as the usage right of the corresponding content. In the case of (b), the content usage right 65 is set as the usage right of the corresponding content. In the case of (c), the individual usage right 68 at the time when the set sale is established is used as the usage right of the corresponding content. In the case of (d), the usage right having the widest range is set as the usage right of the corresponding content among the usage rights of the individual contents selected when the corresponding set sale is established. In the case of (e), a combination of a fixed usage condition (described later) and a content usage right 65 is used as the usage right for the corresponding content. In the case of (f), a combination of a specific condition (described later) of the content usage right 65 and usage rights 60 and 68 other than the content usage right 65 is used as the usage right for the corresponding content.

Here, when (e) is selected, there are some variations on how to determine a fixed use condition. As fixed usage conditions, a method using the set usage right 60, a method using the widest range of content usage rights 65 of the selected individual contents included in the corresponding set sales, and a selected usage included in the corresponding set sales. There is a method of using the sum of the content usage rights 65 of the individual contents.
In addition, when (f) is selected, a combination of a specific condition (for example, usage permission condition) and a usage right (for example, 60, 68) other than the content usage right 65 among the content usage rights 65 for each content. Is the right to use the content. The usage permission condition is a range of usage rights that the content holder grants to the content provider and may be issued to the user. In particular, although not described so far, the use permission condition is usually described as a part of the use right (that is, included in the use right). If the usage permission conditions are held in a plurality of locations, there is a risk that consistency may not be obtained when they are changed, which causes operational problems. Therefore, only one of these properties should be described for the content, and it is most efficient to hold it in the content usage right information (20 in FIG. 4). (F) should be used in such a case, and is a rule of combining a part of the content usage right 65 set for the content and other usage rights (for example, 60, 68).

  By performing the above operation for all content IDs, the right to use each content is determined. As a result, for example, even when it is not desired to change the set usage right for set sales (when only the charge is to be changed), the existing set usage right description can be used as it is. For example, a usage right can be newly set for each content. Of course, as in the case of the first embodiment, a set use right for set sales can be used, and the use right can be determined by various other methods. For example, the content to be set for each content can use the description of the content usage right 65 set for the individual content, and the other content can be set to the usage right (60, 68) set separately.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the usage right determination rule for determining which usage right is applied is set in the usage right information for set sales, and the set sales processing means determines the usage right. In the step, it is determined whether or not it is included in the set sales of the hierarchical structure based on the content information of the set sales, and if it is included, the usage right of the corresponding content is determined according to the usage right determination rule of the corresponding set sales On the other hand, for content that is not included in the hierarchical structure, the content usage right in the content usage right information is determined as the usage right of the corresponding content. The effect that the right to use each content included in the set sale can be determined is obtained.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In each of the above-described embodiments, a method has been described in which a set sales right can be changed by various methods when a set sale is established. A method for changing the charge to be charged is described.
FIG. 17 exemplifies the data structure of the data area holding the set sales use right information according to the sixth and seventh embodiments. In this figure, compared to the set sales use right information 10 shown so far, A charge determination rule 95 and a set-related amount 98 are newly added. The set-related amount 98 may be used to represent a set sale fee that has been established, or may be used to calculate the fee. As the charge determination rule 95, for example, the following conditions are set.
(A) As a set sale, a new charge is set for all the contents purchased in a set.
(B) The set fee is discounted from the total fee set for each content.

The operation of the sixth embodiment is almost the same as that of the previous embodiments, except for the set charge determination operation (step ST600) of the flow of FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation procedure for performing set fee determination according to the sixth embodiment. As a premise, it is assumed in step ST400 that it is determined whether set sales have been established for all content IDs. The set sales processing means 170 determines a set fee for set sales as follows.
First, a variable total for calculating a charge is created and the value is set to 0 (step ST610a). Among the input content IDs, one or a plurality of content IDs included in the set sales established in step ST400 are replaced with the corresponding set IDs. At that time, the replaced original content ID is saved separately (step ST620a). With this operation, the content ID for which set sales have not been established and the established set ID exist in the same row in the memory.

Next, the following is executed for all content IDs and set IDs existing in the same row in the memory.
It is determined whether the input value is a content ID or a set ID (step ST630a). If it is a content ID, the charge for the corresponding content (110 in FIG. 4) is added to the total (step ST640a). On the other hand, if it is a set ID, it is determined by referring to the value of the charge determination rule 95 of the corresponding set ID (step ST650a). When the charge determination rule is (b) above, the set related amount 98 of the corresponding set ID is added to the total. On the other hand, when the charge determination rule is (b) above, the set-related amount 98 of the corresponding set ID is calculated from the sum of the charges (110 in FIG. 4) of the content (retracted in step ST620a) included in the corresponding set ID. Is added to the total (step ST660a). In the operation of step ST660a, discounting is performed.
These operations are executed for all content IDs and set IDs, and the total value at the end of the operation becomes a charge charged to the user. Therefore, the charge can be changed by various methods when the set sale is established. Specifically, it is possible to realize a sales form in which a plurality of contents are individually purchased at ¥ 800, but can be purchased at ¥ 500 when purchased as a set sale.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the charge determination rule and the set related amount are set in the usage right information of the set sale, and the set sales processing means uses the set related amount based on the charge determination rule. As a result, the set sales charge that is the target when the set sales are established is determined, so that it is possible to change the charge in various ways when the set sales are established.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, a set sale is established when a plurality of individual contents are purchased at the same time, and the method of changing the usage right or changing the charge by various methods has been described. Section 7 describes a method for performing composite set sales configured by appropriately combining contents included in a plurality of set sales. The composite set sales referred to here are, for example, sets that are established when there are two content groups that constitute two set sales, and three contents are selected from one of them and two contents are selected from the other and purchased at the same time. Means sales. Then, when this combined set sale is established, usage rights and fees advantageous to the user are applied.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a hierarchical structure of content and each usage right information in the content usage right management apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. Compared with the one shown in FIG. The hierarchy of information 10 has a two-tier structure. FIG. 20 exemplifies the data structure of the data area holding the right to use set sales according to the seventh embodiment, which is the same as that shown in FIG. It shows about the data. FIG. 21 exemplifies the hierarchical structure of the usage right information for set sales, the usage right information for other set sales and the content usage right information incorporated in the set sales, and is the same as that shown in FIG. However, the difference is that the content IDs SID001 and SID002 are input as child nodes for the set ID SID003. Therefore, the content ID is positioned at the grandchild node.

  The operation of the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment in many respects, but the set sales establishment determination operation (step ST400), the usage right determination operation (step ST500) and the set fee determination of the flow of FIG. The operation (step ST600) is performed in order from the lower set sales (SID001, SID002) in the usage right information 10 of the three set sales shown in FIG. Further, in step ST400, it is determined whether or not the set sale of SID003 is established after performing the set sale establishment decision for the set IDs SID001 and SID002.

Next, as an operation example, a description will be given of whether or not the set sale of SID003 is established when the set sale of SID001 and SID002 is established.
First, since the set sales of SID001 and SID002 have been established, the set IDs SID001 and SID002 are newly input in the same row as the input content ID. Next (in step ST400), since there are SID001 and SID002 as content IDs included in SID003 from the hierarchical structure 70 of FIG. When it is counted (actually a set sale is completed), it becomes “2”. The establishment number 85 corresponding to SID003 in FIG. 20 is “2”, and the count number = establishment number when compared with the number “2” counted in the previous operation. Therefore, it is determined that the combined sale of the set sale SID003 has been established. Is done. Similarly, the usage right determination operation (step ST500) and the set fee determination operation (step ST600) are processed in order from the lower set sales. At that time, as a matter requiring attention, the usage right and set fee are determined using the usage right (65 in FIG. 4) and the amount (110 in FIG. 4) set for each content in the lower set sales. When the set usage right (60 in FIG. 17) and the set-related amount (98 in FIG. 17) are used in the higher-level set sales, the usage rights and set fees determined in the lower-level set sales are the same as those in the higher-level set sales. It will be overwritten with something.
By processing as described above, it is possible to perform composite set sales configured by appropriately combining contents included in each of a plurality of set sales.

  As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, set sales use right information is a parent node, and other set sales use right information incorporated in the set sale of the child node is a child node. A set sales establishment determination step, a usage right determination step, and a set that are performed by the set sales determination means by forming a hierarchical structure of data having the usage right information of the contents incorporated in the set sales as grandchild nodes and holding them in the storage device Since each of the fee determination steps is performed first from the set sales of the child nodes, it is possible to perform composite set sales that are configured by appropriately combining the contents included in each set from multiple set sales. The effect of applying advantageous usage rights and fees can be obtained.

It is explanatory drawing which displays the hierarchical structure used with the content use right management apparatus by Embodiment 1 to 6 of this invention by a tree display. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the usage right information of set sales which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hierarchical structure of the usage-right information of set sales and the usage-right information of a content based on Embodiment 1-5 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the utilization right information of the content which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. It is a block shown about the structure of the content sales system which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the content sales system which concerns on Embodiment 1, 3 to 7 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the determination operation | movement of set sales establishment based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the usage right determination operation | movement which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the content sales system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the utilization right determination operation | movement which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the usage right information of set sale which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the usage right information of set sales which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the set sales establishment determination method which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the usage right information of set sale which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hierarchical structure of the usage-right information of set sales and the usage-right information of content based on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed operation | movement procedure of the usage right determination which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the usage right information of set sales which concerns on Embodiment 6, 7 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed operation | movement procedure which determines the charge of the set sale which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hierarchical structure of the content and each usage right information in the content usage right management apparatus concerning Embodiment 7 of this invention with a tree. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the data structure of the usage right information of set sale which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hierarchical structure of the usage-right information of set sales and the usage-right information of content based on Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a data structure of the utilization right information of the content which concerns on each embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  Usage rights information for 10 sets sales, usage rights information for 20 contents, 30 contents, 40 usage rights ID, 50 set IDs, 60 sets usage rights, 65 contents usage rights, 66 usage rights issuance conditions, 68 sets of sales rights Individual usage rights, 70 hierarchical structures, 80 content IDs, 85 number of establishments, 90 usage rights determination rules, 95 fee determination rules, 98 set-related amounts, 100 content titles, 110 content amounts, 120 content sales devices, 130 computer networks , 140 user terminal, 150 sales screen generation means, 160 usage right issuing means, 170 set sales processing means.

Claims (6)

In a content usage right management device applied to a content sales device that sells content to a user via a computer network,
Content usage right information for which content usage rights are set for individual content held directly or externally by the content sales apparatus, and set usage rights are set for set sales consisting of one or more contents Storage means for preliminarily storing the use right information of the set sale that has been made, holding the use right information of the set sale as a parent node, and using the use right information of the content incorporated in the set sale as a child node When,
A set that refers to the hierarchical structure based on content information that identifies content received from a user terminal and determines that set sales are established when all the content information included in the corresponding set sales exists. Based on the sale establishment determination step and the content information of the set sale establishment, the set sale usage right information is referred to, and the set use right of the corresponding set sale is determined as the use right of the corresponding content. For content that is not included in the content, refer to the content usage right information, determine that the content usage right is the usage right for the content, and change the price by discounting when a set sale is established Is a set sales processing means for executing a usage right determining step for determining a fee;
A content usage right management apparatus, comprising: usage right issuing means for transmitting the determined usage right of content to a user terminal that has requested purchase. Set usage rights issuance conditions for set sales to be established in the usage rights information for set sales,
The set sales processing means determines whether or not the right to use the set sales may be issued with reference to the use right issuance condition for the corresponding set sales in the set sales establishment determination step. The content usage right management apparatus according to claim 1 . In the usage rights information for set sales, set the number of established contents necessary for the set sales to be completed,
The set sales processing means counts the number of contents existing in the set sales by referring to the hierarchical structure based on the content information in the set sales establishment determination step, and if the counted value is equal to or more than the established number 3. The content usage right management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the content usage right management apparatus determines that the sale is successful. Set usage rights decision rules that determine which usage rights to apply to the usage rights information for set sales,
In the usage right determination step, the set sales processing means determines whether the set sales are included in the hierarchical set sales based on the content information of the set sales, and if included, the usage rights of the corresponding set sales are included. The right to use the corresponding content is determined according to the determination rule. On the other hand, for the content not included in the hierarchical structure, the right to use the content is determined by referring to the content usage right information. 4. The content usage right management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Set price determination rules and set-related amounts to determine set sales charges in the usage rights information for set sales,
Set sales processing means, wherein claim 1, wherein the performing the set charge determination step of determining a price for a package deal of interest at the time of sale in a set established by using a set relevant amount based on the charge determination rule Item 5. The content usage right management device according to any one of Items 4 to 4 . The storage means uses the set sales use right information as a parent node, uses other set sales use right information incorporated in the set sale as a child node, and uses the content use right information incorporated in the child set sale. Holds the hierarchical structure of the data whose grandchild node is
Set sales processing means sets sales establishment determining step, each of the usage right decision step and sets charge determination step, among of claims 1 to 5 which comprises carrying out first from the package deal of child nodes The content usage right management device according to any one of the above.

Images