JP5129404B1 - Content usage management apparatus, content usage management method, and content usage management program - Google Patents

Abstract

A content usage management apparatus, a content usage management method, and a content usage management program capable of giving added value to the installation location of a wireless communication device represented by a wireless LAN access point.
A content use management apparatus according to an embodiment includes a terminal information storage unit, a terminal information acquisition unit, a license generation unit, and an information transmission unit. The terminal information storage means stores the radio field strength information of the wireless terminal existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point. The terminal information acquisition unit acquires the radio field strength information of the wireless terminal from the terminal information storage unit when there is a use request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal. The license generation means generates license information of content when the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The information transmission unit transmits the generated license information to the wireless terminal.
[Selection] Figure 1B

Description

  The present invention relates to a content usage management apparatus, a content usage management method, and a content usage management program.

  In recent years, public wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication has rapidly spread. Wireless LAN access points are installed in various places such as stations, airports, stores, etc., and wireless LAN communication functions are installed as standard in various mobile devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and portable game machines. It has become.

  A user of a mobile device, which is a wireless terminal, can secure a connection environment to a high-speed Internet by public wireless LAN communication, which is highly convenient for the user. For example, since content such as movies has a large data capacity, the content can be comfortably viewed by using high-speed public wireless LAN communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-277937 A

  However, the conventional wireless LAN access point mainly has a function of a wireless router for connecting to a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. In addition to being able to connect to the WAN, the wireless LAN access point has an added value in the installation location of the wireless LAN access point. Does not give.

  The present application has been made in view of the above, and a content usage management device, a content usage management method, and a content usage management program capable of giving added value to the installation location of a wireless communication device represented by a wireless LAN access point The purpose is to provide.

  The content use management apparatus according to the present application includes a wireless communication unit, an intensity information acquisition unit that acquires radio field intensity information of a wireless terminal that exists in a communication area of the wireless communication unit, and the intensity information acquisition unit. When the usage request is received by the terminal information storage means for storing the radio field strength information of the wireless terminal, the usage request receiving means for receiving the usage request for the content transmitted from the wireless terminal, and the usage request receiving means. The terminal information acquisition means for acquiring the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request from the terminal information storage means, and the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition means is a predetermined value or more, License generating means for generating license information of the content, and the license generated by the license generating means It comprises information transmitting means for transmitting a broadcast to the wireless terminal.

  According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a content usage management device, a content usage management method, and a content usage management program that can add value to the installation location of a wireless communication device represented by a wireless LAN access point. it can.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a content use management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a content usage management method according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless LAN access point according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of presence terminal data. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of recommendation information displayed on the wireless terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the content management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the terminal information table. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content information table. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content setting table. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a content page. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the license condition table. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of information processing in the wireless LAN access point according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of information processing in the content management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another content usage management method according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of another content usage management apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a mode for implementing a content usage management apparatus, a content usage management method, and a content usage management program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the content use management device, the content use management method, and the content use management program according to the present application are not limited to the embodiment.

[1. Content Usage Management Device Configuration]
First, the content usage management apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content use management apparatus according to the embodiment. In the following, a content usage management system in which a wireless local area network (LAN) access point and a content management device are connected to each other via a communication network will be described as an example of a content usage management device.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment includes wireless LAN access points 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ and a content management device 3. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the wireless LAN access points 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ , they are collectively referred to as “wireless LAN access point 2”. The number of wireless LAN access points 2 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

The wireless LAN access points 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ and the content management apparatus 3 are connected to each other via a communication network 4 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication network 4 is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet.

The wireless LAN access point 2 includes a wireless LAN communication unit, and can wirelessly communicate with the wireless terminals 5 _{1 to} 5 _n by the wireless LAN communication unit. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish the wireless terminals 5 _{1 to} 5 _n , they are collectively referred to as “wireless terminal 5”.

  The wireless LAN access point 2 can use a space for providing services such as commerce and medical services (hereinafter referred to as “commercial space”) as a communication area. Commercial spaces include, for example, stores such as retail stores, restaurants, hair salons / barbers, hospitals, hotels, complex leisure facilities, and event venues where concerts and sports are held.

  The content management device 3 stores a plurality of pieces of content information in the content DB, and when there is a content use request via the communication network 4, the content information and license information corresponding to the request are sent to the requesting device. Send. Note that the content information stored in the content DB is not local information unique to the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an installation space), but for example, movies, dramas, music, magazines Digital content such as books and games.

[2. (Content usage management method)
Here, an example of a content usage management method by the content usage management system 1 will be described. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a content usage management method according to the embodiment.

As shown in Figure 1B, the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ periodically transmits the terminal information to the content management apparatus 3 (step S1). Content management apparatus 3 stores the terminal information transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ periodically (step S2).

  The terminal information includes identification information (hereinafter referred to as terminal ID) and radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the wireless communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2. The terminal ID is, for example, the MAC address (Media Access Control address) of the wireless LAN communication unit of the wireless terminal 5, and the radio wave intensity information is, for example, the radio wave intensity of a radio signal received by the wireless LAN access point 2.

Next, the wireless terminal 5 ₁ entering the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ in a wireless communication area, and transmits a radio signal to the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ (step S3), and a wireless LAN access point 2 _1, the wireless terminal detecting a radio signal transmitted from the 5 ₁ (step S4).

Wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ performs recommendation of the content providing service to the wireless terminal 5 ₁ (step S5). Such a recommendation is performed, for example, by providing link information to the content management apparatus 3. Wireless terminal 5 ₁ user, by accessing the content management apparatus 3 from the wireless terminal 5 ₁ on the basis of the link information to obtain a list of content provided by the content management apparatus 3.

When the wireless terminal 5 ₁ user selects content from the list by operating the operation unit of the wireless terminal 5 ₁ (step S6), and content use request to the content management apparatus 3 and the destination from the radio terminal 5 ₁ Wireless LAN Access Point 2 ₁ (step S7). Such content use request is forwarded to the content management apparatus 3 by the wireless LAN access point 2 _1.

  When receiving the content use request, the content management device 3 determines whether or not the transfer source wireless LAN access point and the radio wave intensity information satisfy the content use condition (step S8). Specifically, the content management apparatus 3 determines whether or not the transfer source wireless LAN access point is a specific wireless LAN access point 2 and the radio field intensity information is a predetermined value or more.

  The transfer source wireless LAN access point is the wireless LAN access point 2 that transfers the content use request of the wireless terminal 5 to the content management apparatus 3. The specific wireless LAN access point 2 is a wireless LAN access point 2 set as a wireless LAN access point participating in the content providing service in the content management apparatus 3.

Content use request, when transferred by the wireless LAN access point 2 _1, the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ identification information (hereinafter referred to as AP-ID) is added. The content management device 3 determines the transfer source wireless LAN access point based on the AP-ID included in the content use request. Also, the content management apparatus 3, as described above, from the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ and receives the terminal information containing the radio wave intensity information periodically, such radio wave intensity information to or greater than a predetermined value judge.

When the transfer source wireless LAN access point and the radio wave intensity information satisfy the content usage condition, the content management apparatus 3 determines whether the license condition is satisfied. When the license condition is satisfied, the content management device 3 generates license information in response to the content use request (step S9). License terms and is, for example, a condition related to the staying time of the wireless terminal 5 of a wireless communication area, the staying time of the wireless terminal 5 ₁ of a wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ in a wireless communication area within a predetermined time if It is determined that the license condition is satisfied.

  On the other hand, when the content use condition and the license condition are not satisfied, the content management apparatus 3 notifies error information. The error information includes, for example, information on nearby stores that can provide the content providing service.

  The license information generated by the content management device 3 is information necessary for using the content corresponding to the content use request, and is encrypted with, for example, condition information that defines the use time limit and the available wireless terminal 5. And decryption key information for decrypting the content information.

Content management apparatus 3 transmits the content information and the license information corresponding to the content use request to the wireless terminal 5 ₁ (step S10). Such information is forwarded by the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ is received by the wireless terminal 5 _1.

The wireless terminal 5 ₁ are application software installation to use the content, the control unit of the wireless terminal 5 _1, based on the content information and the license information received from the content management apparatus 3, starts reproduction of the content (Step S11).

Wireless terminal 5 ₁ of the control unit, after starting the playback of the content, periodically transmits a content use confirmation request to the content management apparatus 3 (step S12). Such content use confirmation request is transferred by the wireless LAN access point 2 ₁ is received by the content management apparatus 3.

When receiving the content use confirmation request, the content management apparatus 3 determines the transfer source wireless LAN access point and the radio wave intensity information, similarly to step S8 (step S13). Content management apparatus 3 transmits the content use acknowledgments based on the determination result to the requesting wireless terminal 5 ₁ (step S14).

  For example, if the transfer source wireless LAN access point is a specific wireless LAN access point 2 and the radio wave intensity information is a predetermined value or more, the content management device 3 transmits a content usage confirmation response indicating permission for continuous use. To do. On the other hand, when the transfer source wireless LAN access point is not the specific wireless LAN access point 2 or when the radio wave intensity information is less than a predetermined value, the content management device 3 sends a content use confirmation response indicating prohibition of continuous use. Send.

Wireless terminal 5 ₁ of the control unit, based on the content usage confirmation response received from the content management apparatus 3 determines whether the continuous reproduction of the content (step S15). Wireless terminal 5 ₁ of the control unit, when receiving the content usage confirmation response indicating permission of continuous use, and continues the reproduction of the content. The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 _1, when receiving the content usage confirmation response indicating the prohibition of continuous use, to stop the playback of the content.

The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 _1, even when receiving the content usage confirmation response indicating permission for continuous use, based on the license information, if it is determined that the license has expired, stops playback of the content To do.

  As described above, in the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, the wireless terminal 5 makes a content usage request via the specific wireless LAN access point 2, and the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In this case, license information is generated.

  Therefore, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can use digital contents such as movies, dramas, music, magazines, comics, books, games, etc. in the space where the specific wireless LAN access point 2 is installed. Therefore, added value can be given to the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2, that is, the location that becomes the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2.

  For example, by installing a specific wireless LAN access point 2 in a space such as a hospital or a beauty salon, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can use the content during a waiting time and can kill the time. On the other hand, a store where a hospital or a beauty salon is installed does not need a place for placing a magazine or a book, and the purchase cost of a magazine or a book can be reduced.

  Further, the content management device 3 generates license information based on the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2. Therefore, for example, even when the wireless communication area of a specific wireless LAN access point 2 exceeds a desired space, license information is generated when the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 is a predetermined value or more. Therefore, the use of content can be permitted only for the wireless terminal 5 existing in a desired space.

  Furthermore, even if the content management apparatus 3 has not reached the expiration date specified by the license information, the content management apparatus 3 can obtain license information when the wireless terminal 5 moves outside the wireless communication area of the specific wireless LAN access point 2. Expire and stop using the content. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user of the wireless terminal 5 from dropping in the wireless communication area of the specific wireless LAN access point 2 only to acquire the license information.

[3. Configuration of wireless LAN access point]
Next, the configuration of the wireless LAN access point 2 will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless LAN access point 2 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless LAN access point 2 includes a wireless LAN communication unit 10, a WAN communication unit 11, a communication processing unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 10 (corresponding to an example of a wireless LAN communication unit) is installed so that, for example, a restaurant space (commercial space) of a restaurant is the communication area. The wireless LAN communication unit 10 is a communication interface that performs wireless LAN communication, and transmits and receives information to and from the wireless terminal 5 equipped with a wireless LAN communication function. Note that the wireless LAN includes, for example, a wireless LAN defined by IEEE 802.11, but is not limited to such a wireless LAN.

  The WAN communication unit 11 is connected to the communication network 4 and transmits / receives information to / from the content management apparatus 3 via the communication network 4. The WAN communication unit 11 performs connection with the communication network 4 by wire or wireless.

  The communication processing unit 12 transmits / receives data to / from the wireless LAN communication unit 10, the WAN communication unit 11, and the control unit 14. For example, the communication processing unit 12 has a function as a relay unit that interconnects a LAN side device and a WAN side device, and exchanges information between the wireless LAN communication unit 10 and the WAN communication unit 11. I do. The communication processing unit 12 also exchanges information between the wireless LAN communication unit 10 and the control unit 14 and exchanges information between the WAN communication unit 11 and the control unit 14.

  The storage unit 13 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, and stores presence terminal data described later.

  The control unit 14 is realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 14 is realized, for example, by executing a program stored in an internal storage unit by using a RAM as a work area by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like.

  The control unit 14 includes a terminal information acquisition unit 15, a terminal information transmission unit 16, and an information notification unit 17, and implements or executes information processing functions and operations described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 14 is not limited to this configuration, and may be another configuration as long as information processing described later is performed.

  The terminal information acquisition unit 15 acquires the terminal ID and the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area from the wireless LAN communication unit 10. The wireless LAN communication unit 10 acquires the terminal ID and the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 based on the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless terminal 5.

  The terminal ID is identification information unique to the wireless terminal 5 such as a MAC address (for example, the MAC address of the wireless LAN communication unit of the wireless terminal 5), and is added to the wireless signal by the wireless terminal 5 and transmitted from the wireless terminal 5. .

  The radio field intensity information is the radio field intensity of a radio signal received by the wireless LAN access point 2. The radio field strength information may be a radio signal reception intensity (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indication) acquired by the wireless terminal 5. In this case, a wireless signal including the radio wave intensity information is transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 to the wireless LAN access point 2.

  The wireless signal of the wireless terminal 5 is transmitted by various processes such as a search process with the wireless LAN access point 2, an authentication process, an association process, and a communication process after establishing a connection. For example, in the search process, a probe request and a response to the beacon signal are transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 as a wireless signal. For example, in the association process, an association request is transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 as a wireless signal.

  The terminal information acquisition unit 15 sets the terminal ID and the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 acquired from the wireless LAN communication unit 10 in the existing terminal data of the storage unit 13. The presence terminal data is information on the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an AP communication area), and is stored based on information transmitted from the wireless terminal 5. Stored in the unit 13. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of presence terminal data.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the presence terminal data includes information in which each information such as “radio wave intensity” is associated with each “terminal ID”. The “terminal ID” is the terminal ID of the wireless terminal 5 acquired from the wireless LAN communication unit 10 and is, for example, a MAC address. In the example shown in FIG. 3, information such as “10001” is described for convenience.

  “Radio wave intensity” is, for example, radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 acquired from the wireless LAN communication unit 10, and in the example shown in FIG. 3, the unit of radio wave intensity is represented by “dBm”. You can also set it with. The terminal information acquisition unit 15 updates the existing terminal data every time the terminal ID and the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 are acquired. Therefore, the radio wave intensity information set in the presence terminal data is the latest information.

  The terminal information transmission unit 16 reads terminal information including the terminal ID and the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition unit 15 from the storage unit 13 periodically or at a predetermined timing, and transmits the terminal information to the content management device 3. .

  For example, the terminal information transmission unit 16 can transmit the detected latest terminal information to the content management apparatus 3 every time the latest radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 is detected. The terminal information set in the data can be collectively transmitted to the content management apparatus 3.

  The information notification unit 17 transmits link information to the content management device 3 from the wireless LAN communication unit 10 to the wireless terminal 5. Specifically, recommendation information including link information to the content management device 3 is stored in the storage unit 13, and the information notification unit 17 reads the recommendation information from the storage unit 13 and passes the communication processing unit 12. And transmitted from the wireless LAN communication unit 10 to the wireless terminal 5.

  Notification to the wireless terminal 5 by the information notification unit 17 is performed based on a predetermined condition. For example, when the information notification unit 17 determines that the wireless terminal 5 has entered the communication area of the wireless LAN communication unit 10 based on the presence terminal data stored in the storage unit 13, and thereafter, periodically recommends the recommendation. Information is transmitted to the wireless terminal 5.

  Note that the information notification unit 17 detects that link information has been selected from the signal of the wireless terminal 5 transferred to the content management device 3 by the communication processing unit 12 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a transfer signal). The periodic recommendation information can be stopped. In addition, the information notification unit 17 determines the usage status of the content provided by the content management device 3 from the transfer signal, and when the unused period is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, the information notification unit 17 periodically recommends the recommendation information thereafter. 5 can also be transmitted.

  Note that the information notification unit 17 acquires, for example, the usage status of the content by the wireless terminal 5 and additional information to be described later from the content management device 3 instead of from the transfer signal, and based on this information, recommend information is transmitted to the wireless terminal. 5 can also be transmitted.

  When receiving the recommendation information from the wireless LAN access point 2, the wireless terminal 5 pops up the recommendation information on the display unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of recommendation information displayed on the wireless terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the recommendation information displayed on the display unit of the wireless terminal 5 includes information on the type of content provided by the content management device 3 and link information to the content management device 3.

  The user of the wireless terminal 5 operates the operation unit of the wireless terminal 5 to select the link information “go to content page” displayed on the display unit by operating the operation unit of the wireless terminal 5, so that content is transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 to the content management device 3. A page transmission request is made. Such a request is transmitted to the content management apparatus 3 via the wireless LAN access point 2.

  When receiving the content page transmission request, the content management device 3 generates a content page corresponding to the wireless LAN access point 2 and transmits it to the wireless terminal 5 as described later. The content page is a page for selecting content, and is displayed on the display unit of the wireless terminal 5. Thereby, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can acquire the content from the content management device 3.

[4. Configuration of content management device]
Next, the configuration of the content management apparatus 3 will be specifically described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the content management apparatus 3 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the content management apparatus 3 includes a WAN communication unit 21, an AP information DB 22, a content DB 23, a license condition information DB 24, and a control unit 25.

  The WAN communication unit 21 is connected to the communication network 4 and transmits / receives information to / from the wireless LAN access point 2 via the communication network 4. The WAN communication unit 21 connects to the communication network 4 by wire or wireless.

  The AP information DB 22, the content DB 23, and the license condition information DB 24 are, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The AP information DB 22 stores, for example, a terminal information table, the content DB 23 stores, for example, a content information table and a content setting table, and the license condition information DB 24 stores, for example, a license condition table.

  The control unit 25 is realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. In addition, the control unit 25 is realized, for example, by executing a program (including a content use management program) stored in an internal storage unit using the RAM as a work area by a CPU, an MPU, or the like.

  The control unit 25 includes a reception unit 31, a page generation unit 32, a transmission unit 33, a license unit 34, and a license expiration unit 35, and realizes information processing functions and operations described below or Run. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 25 is not limited to this configuration, and may be another configuration as long as information processing described later is performed.

  The reception unit 31 corresponds to an example of “strength information acquisition unit” and “use request reception unit”. The license unit 34 corresponds to an example of “terminal information acquisition unit”, “license generation unit”, “state detection unit”, “first condition change unit”, and “second condition change unit”. The license revocation unit 35 corresponds to an example of “license revocation means”.

(About the receiver)
The receiving unit 31 receives requests and information transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2 and the wireless terminal 5 via the WAN communication unit 21. For example, the receiving unit 31 receives terminal information from the wireless LAN access point 2, and also receives a content page transmission request, a content usage request, a content usage confirmation request, and a content extension confirmation from the wireless terminal 5 via the wireless LAN access point 2. Receive requests and so on.

  When receiving the terminal information from the wireless LAN access point 2, the receiving unit 31 sets the received terminal information in the terminal information table of the AP information DB 22. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the terminal information table.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, one or more “AP-IDs” are associated with each “store ID” in the terminal information table, and “terminal ID” and “check-in time” are associated with each “AP-ID”. ”,“ Check-out time ”,“ radio wave intensity ”,“ additional information ”, and other information associated with each other.

  “Store ID” is identification information of the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2 and is assigned to each commercial space as the installation location. In such a commercial space, two or more wireless LAN access points 2 can be installed, and different contents can be provided for each AP communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2.

  “AP-ID” is identification information of the wireless LAN access point 2 installed in the store of the corresponding “store ID”. For example, the example illustrated in FIG. 6 indicates that the wireless LAN access point 2 with the AP-IDs “201” and “202” is installed in the store with the store ID “301”.

  “Terminal ID” is the terminal ID of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the AP communication area. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, wireless terminals 5 such as terminal IDs “10001”, “10004”, “10013”, and “10021” exist in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 with the AP-ID “201”. It shows that it exists.

  “Radio wave intensity” is information on the radio wave intensity of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the AP communication area. In the example shown in FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, the latest information on the radio wave intensity is shown corresponding to each terminal ID, but from the time when the wireless terminal 5 enters the AP communication area (hereinafter referred to as check-in). Is set in the terminal information table. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the unit of the radio wave intensity is represented by “dBm” as in the example shown in FIG. 3, but can be set in other units.

  When receiving the terminal information from the wireless LAN access point 2, the receiving unit 31 sets the terminal ID and the radio wave intensity information included in the terminal information in the terminal information table in association with the “AP-ID” included in the terminal information. To do.

  “Check-in time” is the time when the wireless terminal 5 enters the AP communication area. The staying time of the wireless terminal 5 in the communication area can be detected by comparing the approach time and the current time.

  “Check-out time” is the time when the wireless terminal 5 that has entered the AP communication area subsequently leaves the communication area. In the example shown in FIG. 6, information on the wireless terminal 5 that has left the communication area is not included. However, when the wireless terminal 5 that has entered the communication area has left the communication area, the reception unit 31 causes the withdrawal time to be set. Is set in the terminal information table as the checkout time.

  For example, the reception unit 31 sets the time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception of the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 that has entered the AP communication area as the “checkout time” of the wireless terminal 5.

  Further, the “additional information” set in the terminal information table is information on time extension or upgrade of the content providing service given to the user of the wireless terminal 5. Such “additional information” is information corresponding to the action of the user of the wireless terminal 5 at the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2. The “additional information” is transmitted via the wireless LAN access point 2 from, for example, a terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a store terminal) connected to the wireless LAN access point 2 in a communicable manner or the wireless terminal 5.

  For example, when the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed in a coffee shop or a restaurant, information including the point information corresponding to the amount of goods purchased by the user of the wireless terminal 5 and the terminal ID of the wireless terminal 5 is added in the installed store. Information is transmitted from the store terminal to the content management device 3.

  For example, when the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed in a hospital, a beauty salon, or the like, point information according to the waiting time of the user of the wireless terminal 5 can be set by the store terminal. In addition, for example, point information corresponding to the frequency of visits to the user of the wireless terminal 5 and the number of visits to the store where the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed can be set by the store terminal. Then, information including the set point information and the terminal ID is transmitted from the store terminal to the content management device 3 as additional information.

  Note that the additional information may be transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 to the content management device 3 instead of being transmitted from the store terminal to the content management device 3. For example, a receipt to which a QR code (registered trademark) including additional information is added is provided to the user of the wireless terminal 5 by the store side device. Then, the user provided with the receipt accesses the content management device 3 based on the QR code (registered trademark) from the wireless terminal 5. Thereby, the additional information is transmitted to the content management apparatus 3.

  The receiving unit 31 adds point information transmitted from the store terminal or the wireless terminal 5 via the wireless LAN access point 2 to “additional information” in the terminal information table. The initial value of “additional information” is “0”, but for example, point information defined in advance for each wireless LAN access point 2 can be added in response to a request from the store terminal.

  The set of “terminal ID”, “check-in time”, “check-out time”, “radio wave intensity”, and “additional information” for which “check-out time” is set is recorded as history information by the terminal information acquisition unit 15. Managed. Based on such history information, the control unit 25 can also grasp information such as the number of check-ins and the check-in frequency of each wireless terminal 5, and can set additional information based on such information.

(About the page generator)
When the reception unit 31 receives a content page transmission request, the page generation unit 32 generates a content page corresponding to the wireless LAN access point 2 that relayed the request. The content page generated by the page generation unit 32 is transmitted to the requesting wireless terminal 5 by the transmission unit 33 and displayed on the display unit of the wireless terminal 5. The content page is information displayed on the wireless terminal 5 in order to select content provided by the content management device 3.

  The content page is generated by the page generation unit 32 based on the content information table and the content setting table stored in the content DB 23. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content information table.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the content information table, “store name” and one or more “AP-IDs” are associated with each “store ID”, and “available content” is associated with each “AP-ID”. "Is associated with the information. “Available content” is divided into “movie”, “music”, “magazine”, “manga”, and “game” content categories, and usage level information is set for each content category.

  Regarding the usage level set for each content category, “0” indicates that the usage is not possible, and “1” to “3” indicate the usage level. The number of contents that the user can use increases in the order of usage levels “1”, “2”, and “3”.

  For example, for the AP-ID “202” shown in FIG. 7, the content category “music”, “magazine”, “manga”, and “game” are set to be usable, and the content category “movie” is unusable. Is set. In addition, the content categories “music” and “game” are set to a usage level “1”, and the content categories “magazine” and “manga” are set to a usage level “2”.

  The page generation unit 32 is a content page in which selectable content categories are set based on the available content set for the wireless LAN access point 2 that relays the content page transmission request from the wireless terminal 5 (hereinafter referred to as categories). Created as a selection page).

  For example, it is assumed that the content information table is in the state shown in FIG. 7, and the content page transmission request is received by the receiving unit 31 via the wireless LAN access point 2 with the AP-ID “202”. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the page generation unit 32 generates a category selection page in which content categories of “music”, “magazine”, “manga”, and “game” are set. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a display example of the category selection page generated by the page generation unit 32.

  When the user of the wireless terminal 5 selects a desired content category from among the content categories displayed on the category selection page by operating the operation unit, selection information including information on the selected content category is transmitted via the wireless LAN access point 2. Received by the receiving unit 31 of the content management device 3.

  The page generation unit 32 is a content page (hereinafter referred to as a content selection page) that specifies content to be used based on the selection information received by the reception unit 31, the content information table stored in the content DB 23, and the content setting table. ) Is generated.

  Here, the content setting table used for generating the content selection page will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content setting table. As shown in FIG. 8, in the content setting table, for each “content ID”, information such as “content name”, “content classification”, “content storage position”, and “usage level” is associated. included. “Content ID” is identification information unique to the content, and is assigned to each content.

  “Content name”, “content category”, “content storage location” and “use level” are the content name, category, storage location and use level. For example, a movie, music, magazine, manga, or game is set in the “content category”.

  The page generation unit 32 reads the usage level of the content category specified by the selection information from the wireless terminal 5 received by the reception unit 31 from the content information table, and displays the content name of the content set to the usage level, etc. Read from the setting table. Then, the page generation unit 32 generates a content selection page that displays the read content name.

  For example, assume that the content information table is in the state shown in FIG. 7 and the content setting table is in the state shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the selection information of the content category “magazine” is received by the receiving unit 31 via the wireless LAN access point 2 with the AP-ID “202”.

  In this case, the usage level of the “magazine” corresponding to the AP-ID “202” is “2”, and the page generation unit 32 belongs to the content classification “magazine” among the contents set in the content setting table. And, the contents including “2” as the usage level are selected. For example, the content with the content name “50001” having the content name “weekly XX” includes “2” as the usage level, and is therefore selected by the page generation unit 32.

  Then, the page generation unit 32 selects a content including a content name list of the selected content, for example, the content names “weekly XX”, “weekly ☆☆”, and “monthly □□” as shown in FIG. Generate a page. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a display example of the content selection page generated by the page generation unit 32.

  The content selection page is described so that information including a content ID corresponding to the selected content is transmitted to the content management device 3 when the content is selected by the user of the wireless terminal 5. For example, in a state where the content selection page shown in FIG. 9B is displayed on the wireless terminal 5, when the user of the wireless terminal 5 operates the operation unit and selects the content of “Weekly OO”, the content ID A content use request “50001” is transmitted from the wireless terminal 5.

  As described above, the page generation unit 32 generates a category selection page and a content selection page according to the wireless LAN access point 2 to which the content page transmission request and selection information are transferred.

  The usage level set for each content category in the content information table can be changed in various ways, and may be “0” or “1”, or may be five or more levels. Further, instead of setting the usage level for each content category in the content information table, the content ID of each available content can be set. In addition, the content ID can be set together with the usage level.

(About the license part)
The license unit 34 generates content license information corresponding to the content use request from the wireless terminal 5 based on the terminal information table stored in the AP information DB 22 and the license condition table stored in the license condition information DB 24.

  Specifically, when the content use request from the wireless terminal 5 is received by the receiving unit 31, the license unit 34 stores the identification information of the requesting wireless terminal 5 in the terminal information table stored in the AP information DB 22. Determine whether it is set.

  When the reception unit 31 receives a content usage request from the wireless terminal 5 for which identification information is not set in the terminal information table, it is not a content usage request via the specific wireless LAN access point 2, so the license unit 34 Error information is transmitted to the requesting wireless terminal 5.

  On the other hand, when the reception unit 31 receives a content usage request from the wireless terminal 5 for which identification information is set in the terminal information table, the license unit 34 transmits the radio wave of the wireless terminal 5 that has made the content usage request from the terminal information table. Get strength information.

  Then, the license unit 34 determines whether or not the acquired radio wave intensity information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the radio wave intensity information is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the license unit 34 determines that the content usage condition is satisfied, and the content usage request The license information generation process for the content to be processed is started.

  For example, it is assumed that the terminal information table stored in the AP information DB 22 is in the state illustrated in FIG. 6 and the first threshold is “−50 (dBm)”. Then, it is assumed that a content use request is made from the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10001” and the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10021” existing in the AP communication area with the AP-ID “201”.

  In this case, the license unit 34 receives the radio field intensity information “−45 (dBm)” of the radio terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10001” and the radio field intensity information “−55 (dBm)” of the radio terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10021”. To get. The radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10001” is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10021” is less than the first threshold value.

  Accordingly, the license unit 34 starts processing for generating license information of content that is a target of a content use request made from the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10001”. On the other hand, the license unit 34 determines not to generate license information of the content that is the target of the content use request made from the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10021”.

  When the license information generation process is started, the license unit 34 determines whether or not the license condition in the license condition table stored in the license condition information DB 24 is satisfied. If the license condition is satisfied, the license unit 34 generates license information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the license condition table.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the license condition table, one or more “AP-IDs” are associated with each “store ID”, and “license condition” information is associated with each “AP-ID”. Information is included. The “license condition” includes information associated with information such as “type”, “condition 1”, and “condition 2”.

  “Type” is information indicating the type of license condition, and “Condition 1” and “Condition 2” are information indicating the contents of the license condition. In the license condition table shown in FIG. 10, a condition of time (stay time) from when the wireless terminal 5 enters the AP communication area (hereinafter referred to as check-in) is set. Conditions such as the number of contents that can be used by the wireless terminal 5 can also be set.

  When the “type” is set to “1”, the license unit 34 generates license information under the license condition “condition 1”, and when the “type” is set to “2”, the “condition 2” License information is generated with the license condition of "."

  The “type” in the license condition table is set based on a request from a store side device such as a store terminal, for example. For example, the store side device transmits a request to change the “type” in the license condition table to the content management device 3 based on the state of the installation space of the wireless LAN access point 2. The license unit 34 changes the “type” in the license condition table in response to a request from the store side device.

  For example, when the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed in a vehicle and the vehicle stops or is delayed due to an accident or the like, a request for changing the “type” is transmitted from the vehicle-side device. In response to the request, the license unit 34 changes the “type” from “1” to “2”. Thereby, since the use time of content is extended, a user's dissatisfaction can be reduced.

  License conditions include fixed conditions and variable conditions. The fixed condition is a license condition in which a preset time is a content use time. The variation condition is a license condition in which a period corresponding to the state of the installation space of the wireless LAN access point 2 is a content use time.

  Further, the fixed condition may include an addition condition. In this case, for example, a fixed time is set as an initial value, and a time corresponding to point information (additional information) set in the wireless terminal 5 is added. . That is, when the point information set in the wireless terminal 5 is “0”, the initial value is set as the content usage time, and when the point information set in the wireless terminal 5 is “1” or more, The time obtained by multiplying the point information by the addition unit value is added to the initial value and set as the content usage time.

  For example, in the license condition table illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, “1” is set in “Type” corresponding to the AP-ID “201”, and the initial value “1 hour” is set as a fixed condition in “Condition 1”. ", And the addition unit value" 10 minutes "is set. In addition, “2” is set in “Type” corresponding to the AP-ID “204”, and “12 hours” is set as a fixed condition in “Condition 2”.

  The variation condition is, for example, a condition in which a period corresponding to the degree of congestion of the installation space of the wireless LAN access point 2 is used as the content use time. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the “condition” corresponding to the AP-ID “203” is used. 1 ”is set. The degree of congestion is calculated based on, for example, the number of wireless terminals 5 present in the AP communication area or the staying time.

  For example, the license unit 34 shortens the content use time when there are many wireless terminals 5 in the AP communication area, and lengthens the content use time when there are few wireless terminals 5. Thereby, for example, when the inside of a store is congested, it is possible to reduce the use time of content and avoid congestion due to content use.

  Further, the license unit 34 shortens the content use time when the average stay time of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the AP communication area is long, and when the average stay time of the wireless terminal 5 is short, Increase usage time. This also avoids congestion due to content usage.

  Note that the content use time may be changed based on the average stay time and the number of wireless terminals 5 existing in the AP communication area. Thereby, the congestion degree in a store can be calculated more accurately.

  In addition, when the AP communication area is, for example, a hospital waiting place or a beauty salon, when the number of wireless terminals 5 existing in the AP communication area is large or when the average stay time is long, the content use time is lengthened. When the number of wireless terminals 5 is small or when the average stay time is short, the content use time is shortened.

  Thereby, even when the waiting time in the installation space of the wireless LAN access point 2 is long, the use time of the content can be increased accordingly, and unpleasantness due to the waiting time can be reduced. it can.

  Note that the license unit 34 can easily detect the number and stay time of the wireless terminals 5 in the AP communication area based on the terminal information table stored in the AP information DB 22. In addition, the variable condition is not limited to the degree of congestion in the AP communication area, and a period according to the other state of the installation space of the wireless LAN access point 2 can be used as the content use time.

  Here, it is assumed that the terminal information table is in the state shown in FIG. 6 and the license condition table is in the state shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that there is a content use request from the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10013” via the wireless LAN access point 2 with the AP-ID “201”.

  In this case, since the type corresponding to the AP-ID “201” is “1” in the license condition table, the license unit 34 acquires the license condition of “condition 1”. Further, the license unit 34 reads “check-in time” and “additional information” of the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10013” from the terminal information table.

  Since the license condition of “condition 1” is the initial value “1 hour” and the addition unit value “10 minutes”, and the “additional information” of the wireless terminal 5 is “3”, the addition unit value “10 minutes”. Is multiplied by additional information “3” and the result is added to the initial value “1 hour”. As a result, the content usage time in the wireless terminal 5 with the terminal ID “10013” is “1 hour 30 minutes”.

  In addition, since the “check-in time” is “4/1 12:21:34”, the license unit 34 adds “content usage time” to “check-in time” to obtain “4/1 13 : 51: 34 "is generated as license information (use time limit).

  However, if the license term has expired, the license unit 34 determines that the license condition is not satisfied, and does not generate license information. That is, the license unit 34 does not generate license information for the wireless terminal 5 when the time since the wireless terminal 5 checked in exceeds the time specified in the license condition.

  When the license information is generated, the license unit 34 extracts the content information that is the target of the content use request from the content DB 23. Then, the content information and license information that are the target of the content use request are transmitted from the transmission unit 33 to the requesting wireless terminal 5.

  The content information includes encrypted content data, and the license information includes condition information and decryption key information. The condition information is information that defines content usage conditions such as a usage time limit, and the decryption key information is information for decrypting encrypted content data.

  The transmission unit 33 transmits the content information and the license information to the wireless terminal 5 at the same time. In this case, the transmission unit 33 can transmit data obtained by combining content information and license information. Further, the content information and the license information can be transmitted to the wireless terminal 5 separately.

  As described above, when the license unit 34 satisfies the license condition set for the wireless LAN access point 2 that relays the content usage request from the wireless terminal 5, the license unit 34 determines the content usage request target based on the license condition. The license information of the content to be generated is generated.

  Upon receiving the content information corresponding to the content use request and the license information, the control unit of the wireless terminal 5 decrypts the encrypted content data included in the content information based on the decryption key included in the license information, and is included in the license information. Playback based on the condition information. The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 is prohibited from using the content when the condition information has reached the usage time limit.

  The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 transmits a content extension confirmation request to the content management apparatus 3 when the license information has expired while the content is being used by the user due to content playback or the like. When the content extension confirmation request is received by the receiving unit 31, the license unit 34 determines whether or not license information can be further issued to the requesting wireless terminal 5. If it is determined that the license information cannot be issued, the license unit 34 transmits error information to the requesting wireless terminal 5.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that license information can be issued, the license unit 34 newly generates license information, and the license information is transmitted to the wireless terminal 5 by the transmission unit 33. As a result, the wireless terminal 5 can continue to reproduce content whose license information has expired due to the expiration of use, and the user of the wireless terminal 5 can continue to use the content.

  For example, after the wireless terminal 5 acquires the license information, when the point information is set in the wireless terminal 5 and the information of the addition unit value is set in the corresponding condition of the license condition table, the license unit 34 New license information is generated in the same procedure as that for generating license information.

  Further, after the wireless terminal 5 obtains the license information, the license unit 34 is licensed on the condition that the user of the wireless terminal 5 pays the price even if the point information is not added to the wireless terminal 5. Information can also be generated. In this case, even if it is not a content extension confirmation request from a specific wireless LAN access point 2, the license unit 34 can also generate license information.

  Further, even when the user of the wireless terminal 5 moves from the store where the wireless LAN access point 2 using the content is installed to the store where the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed, the content classification and the usage level match. Existing content can be continuously used based on a content extension confirmation request or a content transmission request.

(About the license revocation part)
Next, the license revocation unit 35 will be described. The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 transmits a content use confirmation request to the content management apparatus 3 periodically (for example, every 5 minutes) when the content is used by the user by playing back the content or the like.

  When the content management apparatus 3 receives the content usage confirmation request via the wireless LAN access point 2, the content revocation unit 35 determines whether or not the license information is revoked. When the receiving unit 31 receives the content usage confirmation request, the license revocation unit 35 acquires the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 that is the request source of the content usage confirmation request from the terminal information table stored in the AP information DB 22.

  Then, the license revocation unit 35 determines whether or not the acquired radio wave intensity information is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. A content use confirmation response indicating permission for continuous use is transmitted to the terminal 5. The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 that has received such information continues to reproduce the content and continue using the content by the user.

  On the other hand, when the acquired radio field strength information is less than the second threshold, the license revocation unit 35 sends a content usage confirmation response indicating prohibition of continuous usage to the wireless terminal 5 that is the request source of the content usage confirmation request. Send. The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 that has received such information stops the reproduction of the content and the like, and stops the use of the content by the user.

  Note that the second threshold value may be the same value as the first threshold value, but is preferably smaller than the first threshold value. By doing so, for example, it is possible to reduce the problem that the reproduction of the content is stopped immediately after the reproduction of the content is started, and it is possible to reproduce the content more stably.

  In addition, the license revocation unit 35 only receives a content use confirmation response indicating prohibition of continuous use when it has been less than the second threshold continuously for a predetermined time or when the ratio of being less than the second threshold is not less than the predetermined value. Can also be sent. This also makes it possible to reproduce content more stably. The same applies hereinafter.

[5. Wireless LAN access point processing flow]
Next, information processing of the wireless LAN access point 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of information processing in the wireless LAN access point 2 according to the embodiment. Such an operation is a process repeatedly executed by the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 executes terminal information storage processing (step S20). In this process, the control unit 14 sets the terminal information included in the wireless signal received from the wireless terminal 5 in the existing terminal data in the storage unit 13.

  Next, the control part 14 determines whether it is a transmission opportunity of terminal information (step S21). If it determines with it being a transmission opportunity of terminal information (step S21; Yes), the control part 14 will read terminal information from the existing terminal data of the memory | storage part 13, and will transmit to the content management apparatus 3 (step S22).

  When the process of step S22 is completed, or when it is determined in step S21 that the transmission of terminal information is not triggered (step S21; No), the control unit 14 determines whether there is an information relay request ( Step S23). For example, when receiving a signal destined for the content management device 3 from the wireless terminal 5 or a signal destined for the wireless terminal 5 from the content management device 3, the control unit 14 determines that there is an information relay request.

  When it is determined that there is an information relay request (step S23; Yes), the control unit 14 performs a relay process (step S24). For example, the control unit 14 transfers a signal destined for the content management device 3 from the wireless terminal 5 to the content management device 3, and transfers a signal destined for the wireless terminal 5 from the content management device 3 to the wireless terminal 5. Note that the control unit 14 includes the AP-ID information in a signal destined for the content management device 3 from the wireless terminal 5 and transfers the signal to the content management device 3. Thereby, the content management apparatus 3 can grasp that the signal is relayed by the wireless LAN access point 2.

  When the process of step S24 is completed, or when it is determined in step S23 that there is no information relay request (step S23; No), the control unit 14 ends the process. For example, the control unit 14 can execute the process of step S20, the processes of steps S21 and S22, and the processes of steps S23 and S24 in parallel.

[6. Processing flow of content management device]
Next, information processing of the content management apparatus 3 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of information processing in the content management apparatus 3 according to the embodiment. Such an operation is a process repeatedly executed by the control unit 25 of the content management apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 25 of the content management apparatus 3 determines whether or not terminal information has been received from the wireless LAN access point 2 (step S30). When it is determined that the terminal information has been received (step S30; Yes), the control unit 25 sets the terminal information in the AP information DB 22 that has received the terminal information from the wireless LAN access point 2 (step S31).

  When the process of step S31 is completed, or when it is determined in step S30 that terminal information has not been received (step S30; No), the control unit 25 determines whether or not a content page transmission request has been received. (Step S32). If it determines with having received the content page transmission request (step S32; Yes), the control part 25 will perform the production | generation process of a content page (step S33). The content page generation process is executed by the page generation unit 32 as described above. In this process, when it is determined that the transfer source wireless LAN access point of the content page transmission request is not set in the content information table, the control unit 25 transmits error information to the requesting wireless terminal 5.

  When the process of step S33 is completed, or when it is determined in step S32 that a content page transmission request has not been received (step S32; No), the control unit 25 determines whether or not a content use request has been received. Determination is made (step S34). If it determines with having received the content utilization request (step S34; Yes), the control part 25 will perform the production | generation process of the license information of the content corresponding to a content utilization request (step S35). The license information generation process is executed by the license unit 34 as described above. For example, when the content use condition is not satisfied, the control unit 25 transmits error information to the requesting wireless terminal 5.

  When the process of step S35 is completed, or when it is determined in step S34 that a content usage request has not been received (step S34; No), the control unit 25 determines whether a content usage confirmation request has been received. Determination is made (step S36). If it is determined that the content usage confirmation request has been received (step S36; Yes), the control unit 25 performs a revocation process of the license information of the content corresponding to the content usage confirmation request (step S37). The license information revocation process is executed by the license revocation unit 35 as described above.

  When the process of step S37 is completed, or when it is determined in step S36 that a content usage confirmation request has not been received (step S36; No), the control unit 25 determines whether or not a content extension confirmation request has been received. Is determined (step S38). If it is determined that the content extension confirmation request has been received (step S38; Yes), the control unit 25 regenerates the license information of the content corresponding to the content extension confirmation request (step S39). The license information regeneration process is executed by the license unit 34 as described above. For example, when the content use condition is not satisfied, the control unit 25 transmits error information to the requesting wireless terminal 5.

  When the process of step S39 ends, or when the content extension confirmation request is not received in step S38 (step S38; No), the control unit 25 ends the process.

[7. (Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 25 of the content management apparatus 3 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity information is greater than or equal to the second threshold. However, the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 determines the radio wave intensity. You may determine whether information is more than a 2nd threshold value. In this case, the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 transmits the determination result to the content management apparatus 3, and the control unit 25 of the content management apparatus 3 is based on the determination result transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2. Decide whether to expire the license information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the content use confirmation request is periodically transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 to the content management apparatus 3. However, when the radio wave reception intensity acquired by the wireless terminal 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The wireless terminal 5 may start transmitting a content usage confirmation request. In this way, for example, the power consumption of the wireless terminal 5 can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the content management device 3 performs the license information revocation process. However, the wireless LAN access point 2 may perform the license information revocation process. In this case, the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 performs a license revocation process for the wireless terminal 5 whose radio wave intensity information is less than the second threshold value. Such processing will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another content usage management method according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when receiving the content information and license information transmitted from the content management device 3 (step S40), the control unit of the wireless terminal 5 reproduces the content based on the received content information and license information. Start (step S41). The wireless signal is repeatedly transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 (steps S43 and S45), and the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 obtains the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 from the wireless signal repeatedly transmitted from the wireless terminal 5. Determination is made (steps S44, S46).

  The control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 transmits license revocation information for requesting revocation of license information to the wireless terminal 5 whose radio field intensity information is less than the second threshold (step S47). The control unit of the wireless terminal 5 that has received the license revocation information stops the reproduction of the content and the like, and stops the use of the content by the user (step S48).

  As described above, when the control unit 14 of the wireless LAN access point 2 performs the license revocation process, it is possible to execute a process faster than the process performed by the content management apparatus 3 via the communication network 4.

  Note that the license expiration process can be performed only by the wireless terminal 5 instead of the license expiration process by the content management device 3 or the wireless LAN access point 2. For example, the control unit of the wireless terminal 5 detects the radio wave reception intensity from the radio signal transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2, and invalidates the license information when the radio wave reception intensity becomes less than the second threshold. You can also.

  In the above-described embodiment, the same license condition is described for the same wireless LAN access point 2 regardless of the content category. However, the license condition may be set for each content category. it can. In this case, the license conditions for each content category can be changed according to, for example, the degree of congestion at the store.

  In addition, the upper limit number of contents used per wireless terminal 5 can be set in the license condition. The control unit 25 can change the upper limit number of use according to, for example, the number of wireless terminals 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2. In this case, for example, the control unit 25 decreases the upper limit number of use as the number of wireless terminals 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 increases.

  In the above description, the time condition from when the wireless terminal 5 checked in is described as an example of the license condition defined in the license condition table. However, the time condition after receiving the content transmission request is the license condition. It can also be.

  Further, in the content use management system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, license information is generated corresponding to the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2, but as shown in FIG. 14, NFC (Near Field Communication). License information may be generated corresponding to the communication area of the apparatus. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content usage management system using the NFC devices 6 and 7.

  The communication area of the NFC device is a communication area of about 1 meter to several centimeters. Examples of NFC include Felica and ISO / IEC14443 (MIDARE). Note that communication by the NFC device is not limited to radio waves, and for example, infrared communication, visible light communication, sound waves, or the like can be used.

  In the content use management system 1A shown in FIG. 14, the NFC device 6 is connected to the communication network 4, and the terminal information of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area of the NFC device 6 is transferred from the NFC device 6 to the content management device 3. Sent.

  The NFC device 6 has the same communication area as the wireless LAN access point 2, but the other processing is the same, and it can be installed in theaters, stadiums, airplanes, bullet trains, hotel rooms, karaoke rooms, etc. it can. In this way, it is possible to provide content and generate license information according to a place where a user can be specified or a narrow space.

  In the content usage management system 1A shown in FIG. 14, the NFC device 7 communicates with the wireless LAN access point 2A by wire or wirelessly, and the terminal information of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area is transmitted to the wireless LAN access point. It is transmitted to the content management apparatus 3 via 2A. The content management device 3 stores the terminal information of the wireless terminal 5 transmitted from the NFC device 7.

  Thereafter, when the content management apparatus 3 receives a content use request transmitted from the wireless terminal 5 via the wireless LAN access point 2A, the content management apparatus 3 responds to the request based on the accumulated radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5. Information and license information are transmitted to the requesting device via the wireless LAN access point 2A. In addition, when the wireless terminal 5 includes a wired communication unit, the content use request can be made via the wired communication unit.

  Since the NFC device 7 has a narrow communication area, it is effective in a narrow space as described above. On the other hand, content information and license information can be acquired via the relatively fast wireless LAN access point 2A. Even when the communication speed is slow, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can enjoy the content comfortably.

[8. effect〕
As described above, the content usage management system 1 (corresponding to an example of content usage management) according to the embodiment includes a wireless LAN access point 2 (corresponding to an example of wireless communication means) and a content management device 3. In the wireless LAN access point 2, the terminal information transmission unit 16 transmits the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN communication unit 10 to the content management device 3. In the content management device 3, the receiving unit 31 (corresponding to an example of strength information acquisition means) acquires the radio field strength information of the wireless terminal 5 transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2, and the AP information DB 22 (terminal information). The reception unit 31 (corresponding to an example of a usage request receiving unit) receives a content usage request from the wireless terminal 5 via the wireless LAN access point 2, and the license unit 34 (corresponding to an example of a storage unit). Terminal information acquisition means and license generation means), when the content use request is received by the receiving unit 31, the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 is acquired from the AP information DB 22, and the radio wave intensity information is If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, content license information is generated, and the transmission unit 33 (corresponding to an example of information transmission means) The license information generated me to send to the wireless terminal 5.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, the wireless terminal 5 makes a content use request via the specific wireless LAN access point 2 and the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Next, license information is generated. Therefore, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can use digital contents such as movies, dramas, music, magazines, comics, books, games, etc. in the space where the specific wireless LAN access point 2 is installed. Therefore, added value can be given to the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2.

  For example, by installing a specific wireless LAN access point 2 in a space such as a hospital or a beauty salon, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can use the content during a waiting time and can kill the time. On the other hand, a store where a hospital or a beauty salon is installed does not need a place for placing a magazine or a book, and the purchase cost of a magazine or a book can be reduced.

  Further, the content management apparatus 3 generates license information based on the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 2. Therefore, for example, even when the wireless communication area of a specific wireless LAN access point 2 exceeds a desired space, license information is generated when the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 is a predetermined value or more. Therefore, the use of content can be permitted only for the wireless terminal 5 existing in a desired space.

  In the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, in the content management apparatus 3, the license condition information DB 24 (corresponding to an example of a license condition storage unit) stores information on content license conditions, and the license unit 34 includes: License information is generated when the acquired radio wave intensity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the license conditions stored in the license condition information DB 24 are satisfied.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, for example, the use of unlimited content can be restricted by setting the license condition as the use time.

  Further, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, in the content management apparatus 3, the license unit 34 (corresponding to an example of the state detection unit and the first condition change unit) corresponds to the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2. The state of the space to be detected is detected, and the license condition is changed according to the detection result.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, added value can be given depending on the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2. For example, by setting the license condition as the usage time, the content usage time can be changed according to the state of the installation space of the wireless LAN access point 2, and congestion caused by the content usage can be avoided. Further, for example, when a vehicle in which the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed stops due to an accident or a delay occurs, it is possible to reduce user dissatisfaction by extending the content use time.

  In the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, the license unit 34 (corresponding to an example of the first condition changing unit) is licensed based on the number of wireless terminals 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2. Change the condition.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, for example, when there are many wireless terminals 5 in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2, the content use time can be shortened, and the content use Can avoid the congestion caused by.

  In the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, the license unit 34 (corresponding to an example of the first condition changing unit) is based on the stay time of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2. Change license terms.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, for example, when the average stay time of the wireless terminal 5 existing in the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 is long, the use time of the content can be shortened. Congestion caused by use can be avoided.

  Further, the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment includes a wireless terminal 5 in a location corresponding to the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 in the content management device 3 where the receiving unit 31 (corresponding to an example of a user information acquisition unit). Information corresponding to the user's action is acquired, and the license unit 34 (corresponding to an example of a second condition changing unit) changes the license condition according to the user information acquired by the receiving unit 31.

  Thereby, in the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, for example, it is possible to extend the usage time of the content according to the action of the user of the wireless terminal 5 at the location where the wireless LAN access point 2 is installed. The user's action at the place where the point 2 is installed can be promoted. Examples of user behavior information include product purchase and store visit frequency.

  The content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of wireless LAN access points 2, and the license condition information DB 24 specifies information for identifying the wireless LAN access point 2 for each wireless LAN access point 2 and license condition information. And the license unit 34 (corresponding to an example of a license generating unit) stores license information corresponding to the communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2 based on the license conditions stored in the license condition information DB 24. Generate.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide content according to the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2, and to further increase the added value of the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 2. it can.

  Further, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, in the content management device 3, the license revocation unit 35 (corresponding to an example of the license revocation means) has the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 that transmitted the license information equal to or less than a predetermined value. If it becomes, the license information is expired.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, the user of the wireless terminal 5 can use the content only within the wireless communication area of the wireless LAN access point 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user of the wireless terminal 5 from stopping in the wireless communication area of the specific wireless LAN access point 2 only to acquire the license information.

  Further, in the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, when the license revocation unit 35 acquires a content extension confirmation request (corresponding to an example of a query) from the wireless terminal 5, the wireless terminal stored in the AP information DB 22 5 is determined to determine whether the radio wave intensity information is less than or equal to a predetermined value. When it is determined that the radio wave intensity information is equal to or less than the predetermined value, revocation information for invalidating the license information is transmitted to the wireless terminal 5.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, the license can be effectively revoked in the wireless terminal 5 whose radio wave intensity information is a predetermined value or less.

  Further, in the content usage management system 1 according to the embodiment, in the wireless LAN access point 2, the control unit 14 (corresponding to an example of the license revocation means) indicates that the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal 5 to which the license information is transmitted is a predetermined value. The license information is revoked in the following cases.

  Thereby, in the content use management system 1 according to the embodiment, the license can be effectively revoked in the wireless terminal 5 whose radio wave intensity information is a predetermined value or less. In addition, it is possible to execute processing faster than processing by the content management device 3 via the communication network 4.

  As described above, some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and various modifications, including the aspects described in the disclosure section of the invention, based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, It is possible to implement the present invention in other forms with improvements.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content utilization management system 2 Wireless LAN access point 3 Content management apparatus 4 Communication network 10 Wireless LAN communication part 11 WAN communication part 12 Communication processing part 13 Memory | storage part 21 WAN communication part 22 AP information DB
23 Content DB
24 License condition information DB
31 receiving section 32 page generating section 33 transmitting section 34 license section 35 license revocation section

Claims (13)

Wireless communication means;
Strength information acquisition means for acquiring radio field strength information of a wireless terminal existing in a communication area of the wireless communication means;
Terminal information storage means for storing radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal acquired by the intensity information acquisition means;
Usage request receiving means for receiving a usage request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal;
Terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal information storage means, radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request when the use request is received by the use request receiving means;
License condition storage means for storing license condition information of the content;
License generation means for generating license information of the content when the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies the license condition stored in the license condition storage means ;
Information transmitting means for transmitting the license information generated by the license generating means to the wireless terminal;
State detecting means for detecting a state of a space corresponding to the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A content usage management apparatus comprising: a first condition changing unit that changes the license condition according to a detection result of the state detecting unit . The first condition changing means includes
The content usage management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the license condition is changed based on the number of wireless terminals existing in the communication area. The first condition changing means includes
The content usage management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the license condition is changed based on a stay time of a wireless terminal existing in the communication area. Wireless communication means;
Strength information acquisition means for acquiring radio field strength information of a wireless terminal existing in a communication area of the wireless communication means;
Terminal information storage means for storing radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal acquired by the intensity information acquisition means;
Usage request receiving means for receiving a usage request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal;
Terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal information storage means, radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request when the use request is received by the use request receiving means;
License condition storage means for storing license condition information of the content;
License generation means for generating license information of the content when the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies the license condition stored in the license condition storage means;
Information transmitting means for transmitting the license information generated by the license generating means to the wireless terminal;
User information acquisition means for acquiring information according to the action of the user of the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the communication area of the wireless communication means;
Features and to Turkey content use management apparatus further comprising a second condition changing means for changing the license condition in accordance with said information acquired by the user information acquisition means. A plurality of the wireless communication means,
The license condition storage means includes:
For each wireless communication means, information specifying the wireless communication means and information on the license condition are stored in association with each other,
The license generation means includes
The content according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the license information corresponding to a communication area of the wireless communication unit is generated based on the license condition stored in the license condition storage unit. Usage management device. When the radio wave intensity information of the wireless terminal which transmits the license information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in comprising a license revocation means to revoke the license information The content use management device described. The license revocation means is:
When the query from the wireless terminal is acquired, it is determined whether or not the radio field intensity information of the radio terminal stored in the terminal information storage unit is a predetermined value or less, and the radio field intensity information is a predetermined value or less. The content usage management apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein when it is determined that the license information has expired, revocation information for revoking the license information is transmitted to the wireless terminal. A wireless LAN access point and a content management device;
The wireless LAN access point is
Wireless LAN communication means;
Terminal information transmission means for transmitting radio content intensity information of a wireless terminal existing in a communication area of the wireless LAN communication means to the content management device,
The content management device includes:
Terminal information storage means for storing radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal transmitted from the wireless LAN access point;
Terminal information acquisition means for acquiring the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal from the terminal information storage means when there is a content use request from the wireless terminal via the wireless LAN access point;
License condition storage means for storing license condition information of the content;
License generation means for generating license information of the content when the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies the license condition stored in the license condition storage means ;
Information transmitting means for transmitting the license information generated by the license generating means to the wireless terminal;
State detecting means for detecting a state of a space corresponding to the communication area of the wireless LAN communication means;
First condition changing means for changing the license condition according to a detection result of the state detecting means;
A content use management apparatus comprising: A wireless LAN access point and a content management device;
The wireless LAN access point is
Wireless LAN communication means;
Terminal information transmission means for transmitting radio content intensity information of a wireless terminal existing in a communication area of the wireless LAN communication means to the content management device,
The content management device includes:
Terminal information storage means for storing radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal transmitted from the wireless LAN access point;
Terminal information acquisition means for acquiring the radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal from the terminal information storage means when there is a content use request from the wireless terminal via the wireless LAN access point;
License condition storage means for storing license condition information of the content;
License generation means for generating license information of the content when the radio wave intensity information acquired by the terminal information acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies the license condition stored in the license condition storage means;
Information transmitting means for transmitting the license information generated by the license generating means to the wireless terminal;
User information acquisition means for acquiring information according to the action of the user of the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the communication area of the wireless LAN communication means;
Second condition changing means for changing the license condition in accordance with the information acquired by the user information acquiring means;
A content use management apparatus comprising: A content usage management method for managing content usage on a wireless terminal,
An intensity information acquisition step of acquiring radio field intensity information of a wireless terminal existing in the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A terminal information storage step of storing the acquired radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal in a terminal information storage means;
A license condition storage step of storing license condition information of the content in a license condition storage means;
A usage request receiving step of receiving a usage request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal;
A terminal information acquisition step of acquiring, from the terminal information storage means, radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request when the use request is received;
A license generating step of generating license information of the content when the acquired radio wave intensity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies a license condition stored in the license condition storage unit ;
An information transmission step of transmitting the generated license information to the wireless terminal;
A state detection step of detecting a state of a space corresponding to the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A content usage management method, wherein the computer executes a first condition changing step of changing the license condition according to a detection result of the state detecting step . A content usage management method for managing content usage on a wireless terminal,
An intensity information acquisition step of acquiring radio field intensity information of a wireless terminal existing in the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A terminal information storage step of storing the acquired radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal in a terminal information storage means;
A license condition storage step of storing license condition information of the content in a license condition storage means;
A usage request receiving step of receiving a usage request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal;
A terminal information acquisition step of acquiring, from the terminal information storage means, radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request when the use request is received;
A license generating step of generating license information of the content when the acquired radio wave intensity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies a license condition stored in the license condition storage unit;
An information transmission step of transmitting the generated license information to the wireless terminal;
A user information acquisition step of acquiring information according to the action of the user of the wireless terminal in a place corresponding to the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A second condition changing step of changing the license condition in accordance with the information acquired in the user information acquiring step;
A content usage management method characterized in that the computer executes. Strength information acquisition procedure for acquiring radio field strength information of a wireless terminal existing in the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A terminal information storage procedure for storing the acquired radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal in a terminal information storage unit;
A usage request reception procedure for receiving a usage request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal;
A terminal information acquisition procedure for acquiring, from the terminal information storage means, radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request when the use request is received;
A license condition storage procedure for storing license condition information of the content in a license condition storage means;
A license generation procedure for generating license information of the content when the acquired radio wave intensity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies a license condition stored in the license condition storage unit ;
An information transmission procedure for transmitting the generated license information to the wireless terminal;
A state detection procedure for detecting a state of a space corresponding to the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A content usage management program causing a computer to execute a first condition change procedure for changing the license condition according to a detection result of the state detection procedure . Strength information acquisition procedure for acquiring radio field strength information of a wireless terminal existing in the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A terminal information storage procedure for storing the acquired radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal in a terminal information storage unit;
A usage request reception procedure for receiving a usage request for content transmitted from the wireless terminal;
  A terminal information acquisition procedure for acquiring, from the terminal information storage means, radio field intensity information of the wireless terminal that has made the use request when the use request is received;
A license condition storage procedure for storing license condition information of the content in a license condition storage means;
A license generation procedure for generating license information of the content when the acquired radio wave intensity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and satisfies a license condition stored in the license condition storage unit;
An information transmission procedure for transmitting the generated license information to the wireless terminal;
A user information acquisition procedure for acquiring information according to the behavior of the user of the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the communication area of the wireless communication means;
A second condition change procedure for changing the license condition according to the information acquired in the user information acquisition procedure;
To run on a computer
A content use management program characterized by the above.

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