JPWO2006123735A1 - Content data recording method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to promote user data download in a system for downloading content data using a network. The user inserts the OTP memory (5) distributed at the store (6) into the slot of the mobile phone (4) and accesses the CP site (1). When the program is downloaded from the CP site (1), a list of contents is displayed on the monitor of the mobile phone (4). When the user selects specific content, the OTP memory (5) authenticates the program. When the program is authenticated, the selected content is downloaded and written to the OTP memory (5).

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for recording content data such as music data and video data in a memory.

  There are services that enable downloading of various content data such as music and video using the Internet and Web sites. A user accesses a Web site using a personal computer or a mobile phone, and acquires a list of content data. Then, when the user selects a desired content from the list, the corresponding data is downloaded to the user's terminal.

  In such a service, in general, a fee is charged for downloading content data such as how many yen per song for music data and how many yen per image for video data. For this reason, there is an advantage that the user can freely acquire the favorite content data at any time and place, and the content provider acquires a large number of users by using a low-cost system. There is an advantage that a large amount of content data can be sold.

  In order to use such a system, a mobile phone is very convenient and actually used in many cases. In particular, along with improvements in mobile phone functions, it has become possible to play back high-quality ringtones and high-resolution, high-frame-rate moving images, and it is generally easier to enjoy high-quality content on mobile phones. It ’s becoming a reality.

  However, the memory capacity of a mobile phone is small compared to a terminal such as a personal computer. Therefore, the user needs to download the content data while paying attention to the memory capacity. For example, there are many situations where there is content that you would like to obtain very much, but because the memory capacity has already decreased, you will give up downloading. The method of deleting the content data previously downloaded for a fee and freeing up the memory area would be resistant. There is a way to purchase new memory, but media such as flash memory is not cheap. Therefore, it cannot be expected that the user buys as many memories as necessary. Such a situation is inconvenient for the user and has a demerit in the sense that the content provider misses a sales opportunity.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows a user to promote content acquisition.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first invention is permitted to record by a communication terminal equipped with a memory in which content data supplied and recorded by a content data provider is limited. Accessing the server storing the content data; downloading the permitted content data from the server; and recording the permitted content data in the memory in the memory. And a step that is performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a step of downloading a program from a server by a communication terminal in which a memory in which content data that can be recorded and recorded is supplied is downloaded from a server, and content downloaded by the program The memory authenticates recording of data in the memory; the communication terminal downloads content data from the server by the memory authenticating the program; and the communication terminal downloads the content data. And the step of recording the content data in the memory.

  A third invention is the content data recording method according to the first or second invention, wherein the memory is distributed free of charge by the provider, and content data that can be recorded in the memory is stored in the memory. The content data is charged by being downloaded to the communication terminal.

  A fourth invention is the content data recording method according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the memory includes a first area into which data can be written only once, and the downloaded content data is The data is written in the first area.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the content data recording method according to the fourth aspect, the memory includes a second area in which data can be written a plurality of times, and the content data written in the first area Rights information for controlling access rights is written in the second area, and the memory permits access to content data only when the rights information is recorded in the second area. And

  A sixth invention is the content data recording method according to the fifth invention, wherein the content data in the memory protected by copyright is used in another recording medium so that the content in the first area is used. Data is copied to the other recording medium, and the right information in the second area is moved to the other recording medium.

  A seventh invention is a system for recording content data in a memory, comprising a communication terminal to which the memory is mounted and a server, wherein the memory is supplied and recorded by a provider of content data Content data that can be recorded is limited, and the server includes means for storing content data that is permitted to be recorded in the memory, and the communication terminal accesses the server, and the server Means for downloading the permitted content data from the memory and means for recording the permitted content data in the memory.

  An eighth invention is a system for recording content data in a memory, comprising a communication terminal to which the memory is mounted and a server, wherein the memory is supplied and recorded by a provider of content data Content data that can be downloaded is limited, the server includes means for storing content data and a program for downloading the content data, and the communication terminal includes means for downloading the program from the server, The memory further comprises means for authenticating that content data to be downloaded by the program is recorded in the memory, and the communication terminal further executes the program when the program is authenticated. Download content data from the server Characterized in that it comprises means, and means for recording the downloaded content data in the memory.

  According to a ninth invention, in the content data recording system according to the seventh or eighth invention, the memory is distributed free of charge by the provider, and content data that can be recorded in the memory is stored in the memory. The content data is charged by being downloaded to the communication terminal.

  A tenth invention is the content data recording system according to any one of the seventh to ninth inventions, wherein the memory includes a first area in which data can be written only once, and the downloaded content data is The data is written in the first area.

  An eleventh invention is the content data recording system according to the tenth invention, wherein the memory includes a second area in which data can be written a plurality of times, and the content data written in the first area Rights information for controlling access rights is written in the second area, and the memory permits access to content data only when the rights information is recorded in the second area. And

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is the content data recording system according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, in order to use the content data in the memory protected by copyright on another recording medium, the content in the first area Data is copied to the other recording medium, and the right information in the second area is moved to the other recording medium.

  The present invention uses a memory in which content data supplied and recorded by a provider of content data is limited, and allows permitted content data to be downloaded from a server and stored in the memory. For this reason, the provider of content data can promote the sale of content data.

  Further, since the content data provider distributes the memory for recording the content data free of charge, the user can download and record the content data without purchasing an expensive memory. This also enables the content data provider to further promote the sales of the content data.

  Further, since the memory provided by the content data provider is a memory in which data can be written only once, the content data provider can reduce the cost of providing the memory.

  The objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall view of a content data recording system. It is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone. It is a block diagram of the server of a content provider site. It is a figure which shows the flow from acquisition of an OTP memory to access to a content provider. It is a flowchart which shows the recording method of the content data with respect to OTP memory.

{System overview}
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view of a content data recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system is a system for recording content data stored in a content provider site 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as CP site 1) in an OTP (One-time programmable) memory 5 attached to a mobile phone 4. This system includes a network 2 including the Internet, a mobile phone network, and the like, a CP site 1 connected to the network 2, a mobile phone 4, and the like.

  The CP site 1 is a site operated by a company that produces music data, video data, game programs, etc., or a company that sells such data, and is connected to a terminal connected to the Internet or the like via the network 2. Is a service that provides the download data as download content.

  A content provider (providing company) that operates the CP site 1 distributes the OTP memory 5 at a general store 6 or the like separately from the operation of the CP site 1. For example, the OTP memory 5 is distributed at a toy sales point or a CD store. That is, as one example, the content provider sells the content at an actual store separately from the download service, and distributes the OTP memory 5 at the store 6. Alternatively, the content provider performs only the download service using the network, and only distributes the OTP memory 5 at other affiliated toy stores or convenience stores.

  As will be described later, the OTP memory 5 distributed by the content provider is configured so that only content data provided by the content provider distributing the OTP memory 5 can be written. The content provider distributes the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at a very low cost. Therefore, at the store 6, the user can acquire the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at a very low cost, and the content data downloaded from the CP site 1 operated by the content provider is stored in the OTP memory 5. It becomes possible to record.

  As described above, when the content provider distributes the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at low cost, the content provider incurs a cost related to memory distribution. However, the OTP memory is a memory that can be written only once. Therefore, the cost burden can be reduced because it is very cheap compared to a memory that can rewrite data multiple times, such as a general flash memory. In other words, the OTP memory is used to ensure reliability for guaranteeing the number of rewrites more than once by limiting the number of rewrites to one as compared with a multi-time programmable (MTP) memory such as a general flash memory. Therefore, it is generally possible to manufacture and supply at low cost. On the other hand, the user acquires the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at a very low cost. However, since only the content data supplied from the content provider can be written into the OTP memory 5, the content is provided to the user. It is possible to promote the purchase of the content data supplied by the person.

{Configuration of mobile phone and server}
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the mobile phone 4 and the OTP memory 5. The mobile phone 4 includes an antenna 411 and a communication unit 412 and performs communication for transmitting and receiving voice and data with the base station 3 (shown in FIG. 1) of the mobile phone. Note that a portion configured by the antenna 411 and the communication unit 412 can be regarded as a means for accessing a server (the server will be described later). The CPU 413 is a central processing unit that performs overall control of the mobile phone 4, and executes programs stored in the RAM 414, ROM 416, or other media. The RAM 414 is used as a temporary storage area for programs and content data, and is also used as a buffer area when the CPU 413 executes the programs. The audio processing unit 418 has a function of compressing the audio input from the microphone 419 and a function of expanding the audio signal and outputting it to the speaker 420. The monitor 415 displays various information such as images, telephone numbers, and mails. The card IF (interface) circuit 417 is an interface with the OTP memory 5 and other storage media (general flash memory or the like). The CPU 413 can access the memory via the card IF circuit 417 by inserting the OTP memory 5 and other recording media into a memory card slot (not shown) provided in the device body of the mobile phone 4. is there. It should be noted that the part constituted by the CPU 413, the RAM 414, the ROM 416, and the card IF circuit 417 can be regarded as a means for recording the permitted content data in the memory, and a means for recording the downloaded content data in the memory. Can be considered. The image processing unit 421 executes compression processing for image data input by the camera 422 and expansion processing for image data output to the monitor 415.

  The OTP memory 5 includes a secure IF (interface) circuit 51 and a memory core 52. The secure IF circuit 51 is a circuit for restricting data writing to the memory core 52. The secure IF circuit 51 stores ID information (authentication information) in its internal register 511, and data write permission is allowed only when the program to execute data write processing has the same ID information. And a function for permitting a write command to the memory core 52. In order to increase the security level, the ID information stored in the register 511 may be encrypted. As a result, the program that intends to execute the data writing process needs to have the same ID information and also have an encryption logic for decrypting the ID information stored in the register 511. .

  In this way, data is written to the memory core 52 by the program that has been authenticated by the secure IF circuit 51. Since the OTP memory 5 is a memory in which data can be written only once in the same area, it is impossible to write new data in the area where data has been written once. However, deletion of data may be possible. Therefore, as long as there is an empty area in the memory core 52, it is possible to additionally write data to the empty area, but from the point of time when the empty area disappears, the OTP memory 5 It is used like a ROM in which content is stored.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the server 10 provided in the CP site 1. The server 10 is composed of, for example, a PC server. The server 10 includes a communication unit 11 and performs communication processing with the network 2. The CPU 12 is a central processing unit that performs overall control of the server 10. A storage unit 13 such as a hard disk stores a program 100 and a large number of content data 110.

  The program 100 is a program downloaded by the mobile phone 4 and executed on the mobile phone 4, and is a program for downloading the content data 110 from the CP site 1. The program 100 includes the same ID information as that stored in the register 511 of the OTP memory 5 in order to receive authentication from the OTP memory 5. Further, when the ID information stored in the OTP memory 5 is encrypted, the information of the cryptographic logic is included. The downloaded ID information and cryptographic logic information may be embedded in the program 100, but may be downloaded together with other data. In addition, the part constituted by the CPU 413, the RAM 414, and the ROM 416 executes the program by downloading the content data permitted from the server, downloading the program from the server, or by authenticating the program. It can be regarded as a means for downloading content data from the server.

{Process flow}
The flow of processing until the user downloads the content data 110 using the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 shows an operation procedure by the user until the program 100 is downloaded, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for downloading the content data 110 by the program 100.

  Please refer to FIG. First, the user obtains the OTP memory 5 at the store 6 shown in FIG. 1 (step A). In this store 6, the content provider distributes the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at a very low price (inexpensive compared with a general MTP memory, for example, a flash memory) in order to promote the sale of its own content.

  Next, the user inserts the OTP memory 5 into the memory slot of the mobile phone 4 (step B). Since the mobile phone 4 is used, the user can use the OTP memory 5 immediately after acquiring the OTP memory 5 at the store 6, and the OTP memory can be used to select the time and place. 5 can be used.

  Subsequently, the user operates the mobile phone 4 to access the CP site 1 (Step C). The CP site 1 is generally constructed as a Web site, and the user accesses the CP site 1 by specifying a URL. The URL may be designated by a key input operation, but it is more convenient to use a QR code. For example, when the content provider distributes the OTP memory 5 at the store 6, the content provider may distribute a flyer on which a QR code for accessing the CP site 1 is printed. Alternatively, the QR code may be printed on the case of the OTP memory 5 or the like.

  When the CP site 1 is accessed by the user's operation, the program 100 is downloaded from the CP site 1 to the mobile phone 4 (step D). The program 100 is stored in the RAM 414 of the mobile phone 4 and then executed by the CPU 413.

  Next, the flow of processing of the program 100 executed by the CPU 413 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the program 100 displays a content list on the monitor 415 (step S11). For example, a song name list, an image name list, a list of game program names, and the like are displayed.

  In a state where the content list is displayed, the program 100 waits for a user operation input (step S12). When an operation for selecting specific content is input (Yes in step S <b> 12), the program 100 outputs ID information to the OTP memory 5. Then, the secure IF circuit 51 of the OTP memory 5 performs ID information authentication processing. That is, the ID information given from the program 100 is collated with the ID information stored in the register 511 (step S13). If the ID information matches, the secure IF circuit 51 validates the write command generated by the program 100 and permits the writing process to the memory core 52.

  In addition, when the ID information stored in the register 511 is encrypted, the program 100 gives the cryptographic logic information to the secure IF circuit 51 together with the ID information. Then, the secure IF circuit 51 decrypts the ID information stored in the register 511 based on the acquired cryptographic logic information, and verifies the decrypted ID information against the ID information given from the program 100 for authentication. Do.

  When the authentication is received by the OTP memory 5, the program 100 accesses the CP site 1 and downloads the selected content data from the server 10 (step S14). If the authentication is not performed by the OTP memory 5, the process is stopped. Therefore, the program 100 receives a response from the secure IF circuit 51 about whether or not authentication is possible. However, since the program 100 is a program prepared for downloading the content data 110, the authentication is normally normally received from the OTP memory 5 in step S13. Characteristically, the OTP memory 5 cannot write data even if other programs are used. That is, through the operation of step S13 by the program 100, the secure IF circuit 51 permits the writing process to the memory core 52. However, when other programs are used, the secure IF circuit 51 The write command is not allowed. As a result, only the content data 110 supplied by the content provider can be written in the OTP memory 5 distributed by the content provider.

  When the program 100 downloads the content data 110, the program 100 writes the data in the OTP memory 5 (step S15). That is, the generated write command for the memory core 52 is effectively processed by the secure IF circuit 51 by the program 100, and the writing process for the memory core 52 is executed. When the process of writing the content data 110 to the OTP memory 5 is completed, the program 100 displays a message on the monitor 415 regarding whether to end or continue the process (step S16). Then, when an end instruction is given by the user's key operation, the program 100 ends the process. When the user gives an instruction to continue the process, the content list is displayed again and the same process as described above is repeated. When content data is downloaded, payment processing is performed at the CP site 1 and billing processing for the user is performed.

  As described above, according to the content data recording system of the present embodiment, the user can acquire the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at low cost, and the capacity of the memory built in the mobile phone 4 can be reduced. It is possible to store favorite content data in the OTP memory 5 without concern. Even when a general MTP memory (flash memory or the like) that can be attached to and detached from the mobile phone 4 is owned, such memory is reserved for storing captured images and the content data is If it is stored in the OTP memory 5, it is very convenient for the user. That is, the user does not need to purchase a new expensive flash memory or the like in order to purchase the content data. And, by improving convenience for the user, it is possible to inevitably promote the download of the content data, and the content provider downloads the content data while distributing the OTP memory 5 free of charge or at low cost. It is possible to secure profits.

  In this embodiment, the OTP memory 5 holds the ID information for authentication. However, the method for determining whether or not the OTP memory 5 permits data writing is limited to this method. It is not something.

{Modification}
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the OTP memory 5 is provided free of charge or at a low cost. However, as application examples of business using this system, the service content is provided depending on whether the OTP memory 5 is provided free of charge or provided for a fee May be different.

  One application example is a service for registering a user who has purchased a paid OTP memory 5 as a user. The user who has registered the user accesses the CP site 1 and stores the content data in the OTP memory 5 by following the same procedure as in the above embodiment. It manages the number of downloads and the download price (purchase price). And, for users who exceed a certain number of downloads or download prices, a discount service for content data is provided.

  As another application example, there is a service for distinguishing downloadable content data between a user having a free OTP memory 5 and a user having a paid OTP memory 5. For example, a user who has a paid OTP memory 5 can download all the content data stored in the CP site 1, but a user who has a free OTP memory 5 has some content data. It is a service that allows only downloading.

  In step C of FIG. 4, in order to access the CP site 1, a QR code input or key input operation is performed. As another method, an area that can be freely accessed (that is, an area without security) is provided in the OTP memory 5 and a program for accessing the CP site 1 is stored in this area. Good. By adopting such a method, the user can easily access the CP site 1 simply by inserting the OTP memory 5 into the mobile phone 4. Furthermore, if this program is set so that it can be automatically started, it is convenient.

  By using the OTP memory 5 of the present embodiment, the user can download content data without purchasing expensive memory. However, even in this case, the number of the OTP memories 5 increases as the user acquires a new OTP memory 5 and repeats downloading. In such a case, there is a possibility that a desire to move the content data stored in the plurality of OTP memories 5 to the built-in memory of the mobile phone 4 may occur. Alternatively, there may be a desire to extract favorite content data from content data stored in a plurality of OTP memories 5 and move it to the built-in memory.

  In order to meet such a demand, there is a copyright problem as one obstacle. From the viewpoint of copyright protection, the downloaded content data must always exist in one place. Generally, when content data protected by copyright is moved, the data existing in the original medium is deleted, thereby protecting the copyright. However, since the OTP memory 5 can be written only once, there is a problem that once the data is erased, the area cannot be used.

  Therefore, as an application example of the present invention, when content data is moved to another medium, only the copyright right information is moved without deleting the substance of the data in the OTP memory 5. That is, in order to move the copyright-protected content data stored in the OTP memory 5 to the built-in memory of the mobile phone 4, the content data is copied from the OTP memory 5 to the built-in memory (OTP memory). The content data in the OTP memory 5 is not deleted.) The right information in the OTP memory 5 is moved to the built-in memory (the right information in the OTP memory 5 is deleted). As a result, the right information in the OTP memory 5 is lost, so that the content data can be used only in the data stored in the built-in memory, and the copyright can be protected. When it is desired to return the content data to the OTP memory 5 again, the right information is moved to the OTP memory 5 and the content data in the built-in memory is deleted. As a result, the content data in the OTP memory 5 can be used again, and the memory area is not wasted. In this way, user convenience and copyright protection can be ensured. In order to realize such a mechanism, a small amount of overwritable area (area where data can be written a plurality of times) for managing copyright right information is provided in the OTP memory 5. Good. In other words, content data can be written to the OTP memory 5 only once, but a small amount of data that can be written multiple times in order to record or delete rights information for controlling access to the content data. This area is given.

  In the above embodiment, a mobile phone is used as a terminal for downloading content data. However, a terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) may be used. In the above embodiment, an OTP memory that can write data only once is used as a memory for writing content data. This is because the content provider can distribute the memory at a lower cost. However, this is not an essential condition for carrying out the present invention. An MTP memory that can rewrite data a plurality of times may be used. If the cost of the MTP memory is reduced in the future and can be provided free of charge or at a low cost, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above embodiment.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations that are not illustrated can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

A communication terminal (4) equipped with a memory (5) limited by content data supplied and recorded by the provider of the content data (110) stores the content data permitted to be recorded. Accessing the server (10) that is running (C),
The communication terminal downloading the permitted content data from the server (S14);
A step (S15) of recording the permitted content data in the communication terminal in the memory;
A content data recording method comprising: A communication terminal (4) equipped with a memory (5) limited by content data supplied and recorded by a provider of content data (110) downloads the program (100) from the server (10). Step (D);
The memory authenticating that the content data downloaded by the program is recorded in the memory (S13);
A step of downloading the content data from the server by the communication terminal being authenticated by the memory (S14);
A step (S15) of recording content data downloaded in the communication terminal in the memory;
A content data recording method comprising: The content data recording method according to claim 1,
The memory is distributed free of charge by the provider, and the content data that can be recorded in the memory is downloaded to the communication terminal, and the price of the content data is charged. Content data recording method. The content data recording method according to claim 2,
The memory is distributed free of charge by the provider, and the content data that can be recorded in the memory is downloaded to the communication terminal, and the price of the content data is charged. Content data recording method. The content data recording method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The memory is
A first area in which data can be written only once,
Including
A content data recording method, wherein the downloaded content data is written in the first area. The content data recording method according to claim 5,
The memory is
A second area in which data can be written multiple times,
Including
When the right information for controlling the access right to the content data written in the first area is written in the second area, and the memory stores the right information in the second area Only, permitting access to the content data. The content data recording method according to claim 6,
In order to use the content data in the memory protected by copyright on another recording medium, the content data in the first area is copied to the other recording medium, and the right in the second area is copied. A content data recording method, wherein information is moved to the other recording medium. A system for recording content data (110) in a memory (5),
A communication terminal (4) to which the memory is mounted;
A server (10);
With
The memory is supplied by a provider of content data, and content data that can be recorded is limited,
The server
Means (13) for accumulating content data permitted to be recorded in the memory;
With
The communication terminal is
Means (411, 412) for accessing the server;
Means (413, 414, 416) for downloading the permitted content data from the server;
Means (413, 414, 416, 417) for recording the permitted content data in the memory;
A content data recording system comprising: A system for recording content data (110) in a memory (5),
A communication terminal (4) to which the memory is mounted;
A server (10);
With
The memory is supplied by a provider of content data, and content data that can be recorded is limited,
The server
Means (13) for storing content data and a program (100) for downloading the content data;
With
The communication terminal is
Means (413, 414, 416) for downloading the program from the server;
With
The memory is
Means (51) for authenticating that content data to be downloaded by the program is recorded in the memory;
With
The communication terminal further includes:
Means (413, 414, 416) for executing the program and downloading content data from the server by authenticating the program;
Means (413, 414, 416, 417) for recording the downloaded content data in the memory;
A content data recording system comprising: The content data recording system according to claim 8,
The memory is distributed free of charge by the provider, and the content data that can be recorded in the memory is downloaded to the communication terminal, and the price of the content data is charged. Content data recording system. The content data recording system according to claim 9,
The memory is distributed free of charge by the provider, and the content data that can be recorded in the memory is downloaded to the communication terminal, and the price of the content data is charged. Content data recording system. The content data recording system according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
The memory is
A first area in which data can be written only once,
Including
A content data recording system, wherein downloaded content data is written in the first area. The content data recording system according to claim 12,
The memory is
A second area in which data can be written multiple times,
Including
When the right information for controlling the access right to the content data written in the first area is written in the second area, and the memory stores the right information in the second area A content data recording system characterized by only permitting access to content data. The content data recording system according to claim 13,
In order to use the content data in the memory protected by copyright on another recording medium, the content data in the first area is copied to the other recording medium, and the right in the second area is copied. A content data recording system, wherein information is moved to the other recording medium.

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