KR20050118102A - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and an information processing program for allowing contents to be purchased in a more convenient manner. During presenting content data, a presenter side transmits first information for identifying the presenter side, second information for identifying a presented side, and third information for deciding content data to be presented. When such information is transmitted, an e-mail inquiring whether the presentation is accepted or not is sent, based on the second information, to the side that may potentially receive the presentation. Only when a positive reply is made in response to the inquiring e-mail, the processing of the presentation is executed. This invention can be applied to a server for executing processings related to content data.

Description

Information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, and program {INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM}

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program suitable for use in the purchase of content data.

In recent years, with the spread of networks such as the Internet, it has become common to purchase various products (processing for such purchase) on such networks. There are a variety of products available on the network, not just fluids, but also intangibles. Examples of intangibles include music data, video data, and the like.

Among non-material goods, there is a form of rental as well as purchase. Regardless of the form, the purchaser may purchase content data such as desired music data or video data, even if the buyer does not go to a music store that sells a compact disc or the like, or a rental store that rents a compact disc. It is possible to purchase from a computer.

Unlike a fluid product, these solid products are easy to copy, etc., and one purchaser may give a copy of the product to another person, and such undesirable behavior may occur. Therefore, it is common that countermeasures for preventing such undesirable acts such as copying are provided in the merchandise.

For example, together with the content data, the data regarding the license (use right) is also provided (transmitted). By using the license data, reproduction or the like of content data provided to the user side is managed to prevent undesirable behavior such as copying.

When a user purchases content data via a network, for example, first, a user accesses a site handling the content data via a network, and processes such as inputting predetermined information according to the instructions of the site. To perform the process related to the purchase of the content data.

When the process for the purchase of such content data is completed, the content data is downloaded from the site to the device of the user side via the network. The downloaded content data is stored together with the license data in a recording medium such as a hard disk drive in the apparatus.

After the license data is downloaded to the device on the user side, the license data is associated with (bind) the unique ID information of the device that stores the content data. Because of this binding, even if the content data is copied, it is possible to prevent the copied content data from being reproduced in a device that cannot bind based on the license data other than the device that has downloaded the content.

In this way, the content data is downloaded to the device on which the purchase process is performed and reproduced in the device. Therefore, when the user purchases the content data from a device different from the home device from the outside, there is a problem that the purchased content data cannot be reproduced from the device of the home different from the device from which the purchase process was performed.

In other words, it is a problem that a user cannot perform a process for storing desired content data in a device of a house by using a device different from the device of a house from the outside. Therefore, there is a problem that the user cannot purchase the content data from a device other than the device that wants to reproduce the content data.

This indicates that content data (license data) cannot be reproduced by a device other than the purchased device. For example, it is impossible for user A to present content data (license data) to user B. Suggests. In other words, there is a problem that the person who pays the fee for purchasing the content data and the person who acquires the purchased content data cannot be different people.

<Start of invention>

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, so that a device desired by a user can be processed to purchase content data from a device different from the device, so that the content data can be presented to another user. It aims to do it.

A first information processing apparatus of the information processing system of the present invention includes first management means for managing a first ID for identifying content, a second ID and a third information processing apparatus for identifying a second information processing apparatus. 2nd management means which manages the 3rd ID for identification, and the 1st ID managed by the 1st management means to a 2nd information processing apparatus, when the request of delivery of content was requested from the 2nd information processing apparatus. When the supply means for supplying and the information for specifying a 1st ID, the information for specifying a 2nd ID, and the information for specifying a 3rd ID are respectively received from the 2nd information processing apparatus, it supplies from the information to 2nd management means Specifying means for specifying a second ID and a third ID managed by each, and a distribution means for delivering the content identified by the first ID to a third information processing apparatus corresponding to the third ID specified by the specifying means. The second information processing device includes a first A first means corresponding to the content selected by the user among the request means for requesting the information processing device to distribute the content and the first ID supplied by the supply means in response to the request by the request means, Transmitting means for transmitting information for specifying the second ID and information for specifying the third ID, respectively, and the third information processing apparatus includes storage means for receiving and storing the content delivered by the distribution means. It is characterized by.

An information processing apparatus of the present invention includes: first management means for managing a first ID for identifying a first device, second management means for managing a second ID for identifying a second device, and identifying content Third management means for managing a third ID for the second device; supply means for supplying the first device with a third ID managed by the third management means when a request for delivery of content is made from the first device; When the first device receives the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID, respectively, from the information, the first ID and the first ID managed by the first management means. Specifying means each specifying a second ID managed by the second managing means, and distributing means for distributing the content identified by the third ID to the second apparatus corresponding to the second ID specified by the specifying means. It is characterized by.

The user of the first apparatus identified by the first ID specified from the specific means may further include a charging means for charging a fee for the content delivered by the distribution means.

After the second ID is specified by the specifying means, as a response to the inquiry means for asking the user of the second apparatus identified by the second ID whether or not to receive the content, and the inquiry by the inquiry means, When receiving a response from the user of the second device that the content is to be delivered, create a schedule for delivering the content identified by the third ID to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified by the specific means. It is further provided with creation means, and the delivery means can make it distribute content based on the schedule created by the creation means.

When the user of the first device or the user of the second device designates the time for delivering the content, the creation means can create a schedule for delivering the content at the designated time.

When a request for provision of a schedule is requested from the second device and a schedule for the second device is created by the creation means, it may be further provided with provision means for providing the schedule to the second device. .

The first management means and the second management means manage the same table, and the table is associated with an ID including a first ID and a second ID, a user ID for identifying a user, a password, and a mail address, respectively. The identification means can use the mail address as information for specifying a 2nd ID using the information for identifying a 1st ID, and using at least one of a user ID and a password.

An information processing method of the present invention includes a first management step of managing a first ID for identifying a first device, a second management step of managing a second ID for identifying a second device, and identifying content. A third management step of managing a third ID for the second device; a supply step of supplying the first device with the third ID managed in the processing of the third management step, when a request for delivery of content is received from the first device; When the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID are received from the first device, respectively, the information includes the first ID managed in the processing of the first management step. Control delivery of the content identified by the third ID to the specific step of specifying the second ID managed in the processing of the second management step, respectively, and to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified in the processing of the specific step. It characterized in that it comprises a delivery control step.

The program of the recording medium of the present invention includes a first management step of managing a first ID for identifying a first device, a second management step of managing a second ID for identifying a second device, and identifying a content. A third management step of managing a third ID to be performed; and a supply step of supplying the first device with the third ID managed in the processing of the third management step, when a request for delivery of content is made from the first device; , When the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID are received from the first device, respectively, from the information, the first ID managed in the processing of the first management step. And the specific step of specifying the second ID managed in the processing of the second management step, and the delivery of the content identified by the third ID to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified in the processing of the specific step, respectively. And a distribution control step of controlling.

The program of the present invention includes a first management step of managing a first ID for identifying a first device, a second management step for managing a second ID for identifying a second device, and a first for identifying content. A third management step of managing the third ID, a supply step of supplying the first device with the third ID managed in the processing of the third management step if the request for delivery of the content is requested from the first device; When receiving the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID, respectively, from the apparatus, the first ID managed in the processing of the first management step, and the second, from the information; Delivery for controlling the delivery of the content identified by the third ID to the specific step of specifying the second ID managed in the processing of the management step, respectively, and to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified in the processing of the specific step. Characterized in that the computer executes the control step.

In the present invention, the ID for determining the device to which the content data is sent is managed, the ID for identifying the content is managed, and when there is a request for delivery of the content from the first device, the managed content is identified. Is supplied to the first device. When the information from the first apparatus is received, the destination of the transmission of the content data and the billing destination for the purchase of the content data are determined from the information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a service provider.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an STB.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a PC.

5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an appearance of a mobile telephone.

6 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a mobile phone.

7 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of a service provider.

8 is a block diagram showing the function of an STB.

9 is a flowchart for explaining processing relating to registration of an apparatus.

10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a television receiver.

11 is a diagram showing a data structure of a transmission destination table.

12 is a flowchart for explaining another processing related to registration of an apparatus.

13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display.

14 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of a transmission destination table.

15 is a flowchart for explaining a process relating to a change of registered information.

16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display.

17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display.

18 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of a transmission destination table.

19 is a flowchart for describing processing relating to purchase.

20 is a diagram for explaining data stored in a content database.

21 is a diagram for explaining data stored in a license issuing unit.

22 is a diagram for explaining data of a schedule.

23 is a flowchart for describing other processes relating to purchasing.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by a service provider.

25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display.

Fig. 26 shows an example of a screen displayed on a display.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by a service provider.

28 is a flowchart for describing processing performed by the STB.

Fig. 29 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by a service provider.

30 is a flowchart for describing processing relating to a present.

Fig. 31 shows an example of a screen displayed on a display.

32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display;

33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display.

34 is a diagram for explaining a transmission reservation table related to schedule reservation.

35 is a flowchart for explaining scheduling.

36 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by a service provider.

<The best form to perform invention>

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of this invention is described with reference to drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the information processing system containing the information processing apparatus to which this invention is applied. The network 1 is a network composed of the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The service provider 2 is connected to the network 1.

The service provider 2 is referred to herein as a provider that provides a service for providing content data to a device on the user side.

The user A owns a STB (Set Top Box) 11, a PC (Personal Computer) 12, and a mobile phone 13 as a device capable of connecting to the network 1. Similarly, the user B owns the STB 21, the PC 22, and the mobile phone 23 as a device capable of connecting to the network 1. The STBs 11 and 21 and the PCs 12 and 22 are connected to the network 1 while being installed in the homes of the users A and B, and the mobile phones 13 and 23 are the users A and B. It is configured to be connected to the network 1 at places other than the house.

The STB 11 and STB 21 owned by the user A and the user B, the PC 12 and the PC 22, and the mobile phone 13 and the mobile phone 23 each have the same basic configuration and function. In the following description, in the following description, the STB 11, the PC 12, and the cellular phone 13 are described as examples, unless specifically required. The descriptions of the 22 and the mobile telephone 23 are regarded as the same and omitted.

2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the service provider 2. The service provider 2 is composed of a computer or the like. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 of the service provider 2 executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in the ROM (Read 0nly Memory) 42. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 43 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various processes. The input / output interface 45 is connected to an input unit 46 composed of a keyboard or a mouse, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 46 to the CPU 41. The input / output interface 45 is also connected to an output unit 47 formed of a display, a speaker, or the like.

In addition, the input / output interface 45 exchanges data with other devices (for example, the STB 11) through a storage unit 48 composed of a hard disk or the like, and a network 1 composed of the Internet or the like. The communication part 49 which performs is also connected. The drive 50 is used when reading data from or writing data to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 61, the optical disk 62, the magneto-optical disk 63, the semiconductor memory 64, or the like.

3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the STB 11. The CPU 81 expands the control program stored in the ROM 82 to the RAM 83 and performs the entire operation of the STB 11 based on an instruction from a user supplied from the infrared light receiving unit 84. To control.

For example, although the CPU 81 does not show an EPG (Electronic Program Guide), when the user instructs to display on a monitor connected to the STB 11, the EPG data supplied from the demultiplexer 87 is provided. A process for displaying a screen based on the screen on the monitor is executed.

The infrared light receiving unit 84 receives infrared light transmitted from a remote controller for the STB 11 (not shown), and outputs a command corresponding to an instruction from the user to the CPU 81.

The storage unit 85 stores information of a program in which recording reservations and viewing reservations are set, and information such as an ID supplied from another device (in this case, the service provider 2). The communication unit 86 extracts a signal of a predetermined channel on the basis of the instruction from the CPU 81, and performs analog-to-digital conversion processing, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) demodulation processing, error correction processing, or the like on the signal. Then, the obtained transport stream is output to the demultiplexer 87 at the next stage.

In addition, the communication unit 86 exchanges data with the service provider 2 via the network 1, and also performs processing on the exchanged data.

The demultiplexer 87 temporarily stores the supplied transport stream in the buffer memory 88 and descrambles it using, for example, a descramble key supplied from an IC card (not shown). The demultiplexer 87 extracts, from the descrambled data, a packet constituting the video data of the program indicated by the CPU 81 based on the identifier, and extracts the extracted packet from the video decoder 89. Output to The demultiplexer 87 extracts a packet in which the audio data of the program is stored, and outputs the packet to the audio decoder 90.

The video decoder 89 reproduces the supplied packet based on, for example, the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 scheme, and supplies the reproduced video signal to a monitor (not shown) for display. The audio decoder 90 similarly reproduces the supplied packet, and supplies the reproduced audio signal to a speaker (not shown) for output.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the PC 12. The CPU 101 of the PC 12 executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in the ROM 102. The RAM 103 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like necessary for the CPU 101 to execute various processes. The input / output interface 105 is connected to an input unit 106 composed of a keyboard or a mouse, and outputs a signal input to the input unit 106 to the CPU 101. The input / output interface 105 is also connected to an output unit 107 composed of a display, a speaker, or the like.

In addition, the input / output interface 105 includes a storage unit 108 composed of a hard disk or the like, and data of another device (for example, the service provider 2) and data through a network 1 composed of the Internet or the like. The communication unit 109 for exchanging is also connected. The drive 120 is used when reading data from or writing data to a recording medium such as a magnetic disk.

5 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration example of the mobile telephone 13. As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile phone 13 is divided into a display portion 122 and a main body 123 with a central hinge portion 121 as a boundary, and can be folded through the hinge portion 121. It is formed.

In the display unit 122, an antenna 124 for transmitting and receiving is attached to the upper left side in a state capable of drawing and storing, and radio waves are communicated with a base station that controls the connection with the network 1 through the antenna 124. Send and receive In addition, the display unit 122 is provided with a camera unit 125 freely rotatable in an angle range of approximately 180 degrees at the upper center portion, and the desired imaging target can be captured by the CCD camera 126 of the camera unit 125. It is configured to be.

When the camera unit 125 is rotated and moved, a speaker (not shown) appears in place of the CCD camera 126, and the user is configured to be able to hear a call sound from the speaker.

In addition, the display unit 122 is provided with a liquid crystal display 127 in front of it, and the contents of the e-mail, in addition to the reception state of the radio wave, the remaining battery power, the name of the other party registered as a phone book, a telephone number, a call history, and the like. , A simple homepage, an image captured by the CCD camera 126 of the camera unit 125, and the like are displayed.

On the other hand, the main body 123 is provided with operation keys 128 such as a numeric key of "0" to "9", a dialing key, a redial key, a call termination and a power supply key, a clear key and an e-mail key. It is configured so that various instructions can be input using the operation key 128.

In addition, a microphone 129 is provided in the main body 123, and the microphone 129 picks up a user's voice during a call. The main body 123 is provided with a jog dial 130 that is freely rotatable on the upper portion of the operation key 128 and slightly protrudes from the surface of the main body 123, and rotates relative to the jog dial 130. In accordance with the movement operation, various operations such as scrolling of the telephone book list or e-mail displayed on the liquid crystal display 127, page turning operation of the simple homepage, and image transmission operation are executed.

The main body 123 is provided with a memory stick slot 131 for inserting a free memory stick (trademark of Sony Corporation) 140 at the upper left side of the main body 123, according to the user's operation. It is comprised so that the image image | photographed with the electronic mail, the simple homepage, and the CCD camera 126 can be recorded.

In addition, since the mobile phone 13 is freely configured to insert the memory stick 140, data can be shared with other electronic devices via the memory stick 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cellular phone 13 includes a power supply circuit unit 161 and an operation input control unit with respect to the main control unit 160 which collectively controls each unit of the display unit 122 and the main body 123. 162, image encoder 163, camera interface unit 164, liquid crystal display (LCD) control unit 165, image decoder 166, multiple separation unit 167, recording / reproducing unit 168, modulation and demodulation circuit unit ( 169, and the voice codec 170 are interconnected via the main bus 171, and the image encoder 163, the image decoder 166, the multiple separation unit 167, the modulation and demodulation circuitry 169 and the voice codec ( 170 is interconnected via a synchronous bus 172.

When the call termination and the power key are turned on by the user's operation, the power supply circuit unit 161 activates the mobile phone 13 in an operable state by supplying power to each unit from the battery pack.

The mobile phone 13 uses the voice codec 170 to digitally collect the voice signal collected by the microphone 129 in the voice call mode, based on the control of the main control unit 160 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The data is converted into data, and is subjected to spectrum spread processing by the modulation and demodulation circuit section 169, and is then transmitted through the antenna 124 after the digital analog conversion processing and the frequency conversion processing are performed by the transmission and reception circuit section 173.

Further, the cellular phone 13 amplifies the received signal received by the antenna 124 in the voice call mode, performs frequency conversion processing and analog digital conversion processing, and performs spectrum despreading processing by the modulation / demodulation circuit unit 169, The voice codec 170 converts the analog voice signal and outputs the same through the speaker 174.

When the cellular phone 13 receives data of a moving image file linked to a simple homepage or the like in the data communication mode, for example, the mobile phone 13 receives the received signal received from the base station through the antenna 124 in the demodulation and demodulation circuit unit 169. The spectrum despreading process is performed, and the resultant multiplexed data is sent to the multiplexing section 167.

The multiplexer 167 divides the multiplexed data into coded image data and audio data, and supplies the coded image data to the image decoder 166 via the synchronization bus 172, and supplies the audio data to the audio codec ( 170).

The picture decoder 166 decodes the coded picture data into a decoding method corresponding to a predetermined coding method such as MPEG (Movig Picture Experts Group) 2 or MPEG 4 to generate the reproduced moving picture data, and the LCD control unit. The video data is supplied to the liquid crystal display 127 via 165, thereby displaying, for example, moving picture data included in the moving picture file linked to the simple homepage.

At the same time, the voice codec 170 converts the voice data into an analog voice signal and supplies it to the speaker 174, whereby voice data contained in, for example, a moving picture file linked to a simple home page is reproduced. do.

The cellular phone 13 can record the data linked to the received simple homepage or the like to the memory stick 140 through the recording / playing unit 168 by user's operation.

In each device having the above-described configuration, a function for realizing the present embodiment will be described below. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the service provider 2 that shows the functions necessary for the service provider 2 to perform the processing described later.

The content transmission reservation unit 201 of the service provider 2 receives a request for reservation or purchase relating to the transmission of content from the user. The content database 202 includes data of the content itself (hereinafter referred to as content data) and data related to the content data, for example, data such as the size and expiration date of the content data (hereinafter appropriately). , And referred to as content attached data).

The transmission destination database 203 stores information (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as user information) about a user who has been given a prior contract regarding the purchase of content data and the like. When the content transmission reservation unit 201 receives a request for reservation or purchase relating to the transmission of the content from the user, the content transmission data stored in the content database 202 and the user information stored in the transmission destination database 203. A judgment is made as to whether or not the request has been received. As a result, when it determines with acceptance, predetermined information is output to the schedule preparation part 204. FIG.

The content transmission reservation unit 201 also manages data regarding a site (a homepage that can be browsed on the network 1) that receives a request such as a reservation or purchase of transmission of predetermined content from user A (Fig. 1) or the like. Such data is provided to a user who has accessed such data, and the user can request a reservation, purchase, or the like with reference to a screen based on the data.

The schedule preparation unit 204 prepares a transmission schedule such as at what timing the content data for the content requested by the user is provided to the user. Based on this created schedule, the content transmitter 105 reads the content data from the content database 202 and transmits it to the apparatus on the user side.

The license issuing unit 206 issues and adds data of a license (use right) for allowing the user to reproduce the content data normally, while preventing the content data from being illegally reproduced. The communication control unit 207 controls the exchange of data via the network 1 in the service provider 2.

In explaining the correspondence between the service provider 2 shown in FIG. 2 and the service provider 2 shown in FIG. 7, the content data 202 and the destination database 203 are respectively stored in the storage unit 48. FIG. Is a database installed in. In addition, the part which stores the data regarding the site which the content transmission reservation part 201 manages may be provided in the memory | storage part 48. FIG.

In the content transmission reservation unit 201, the schedule creation unit 204, the content transmission unit 205, and the license issuance unit 206, programs stored in the ROM 42 and the storage unit 48 are started, respectively. This is a function realized by the CPU 41 executing a process in accordance with the started program. Therefore, as necessary, programs, data, and the like are expanded and stored in the RAM 43.

The communication control unit 207 is a function for controlling the exchange of data performed by the communication unit 49.

The function of the STB 11 which exchanges data with the service provider 2 having such a function will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing functions required for exchanging data with the service provider 2 and performing processing to be described later among the functions of the STB 11. The communication control unit 221 controls the exchange of data with the service provider 2 via the network 1. Data controlled by the communication control unit 221 is supplied to the transmission control unit 222.

The transmission control unit 222 controls the exchange of the content data and the data related to the transmission schedule with the service provider 2. The storage unit 223 stores the content data and the like supplied from the transmission control unit 222. The license management unit 224 stores the license data supplied from the transmission control unit 222, and stores the content data in the storage unit 223 and the reproduction unit 226 based on the stored license data. Manages playback of content data in.

The device ID management unit 225 manages the device ID supplied from the service provider 2 as information for identifying the STB 11.

Here, in explaining the correspondence between the STB 11 shown in FIG. 3 and the STB 11 shown in FIG. 8, the communication control unit 221 is a function of controlling communication in the communication unit 86. The storage unit 223, the portion storing the license data of the license management unit 224, and the portion storing the device ID of the device ID management unit 225 are provided in the storage unit 85, respectively.

In the transmission control unit 222, the license management unit 224, and the device ID management unit 225, programs stored in the ROM 82 and the storage unit 85 are respectively started, and the CPU 81 according to the started program. ) Is a function realized by executing a process. Therefore, programs, data, and the like are expanded and stored in the RAM 83 as necessary.

The reproduction unit 226 is a function executed by a portion related to reproduction, such as the demultiplexer 87, the video decoder 89, the audio decoder 90, and the like.

Next, the exchange of data performed by the service provider 2 and the STB 11 will be described. In order for the STB 11 to download content data from the service provider 2, as a premise, the STB 11 (user A) manages the service provider 2 (service provider 2). Need to be Here, it is explained that a contract is made, so that the device ID for identifying the STB 11 is supplied from the service provider 2, and the STB 11 is registered in the service provider 2 by supplying the device ID. do.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the process at the time of registering the STB 11 to the service provider 2 will be described. In step S11, the STB 11 accesses the service provider 2. This access is performed through the network 1 by the user A performing a predetermined operation on the STB 11.

When the service provider 2 receives the request for access from the STB 11 in step S21, the service provider 2 transmits data relating to the registration form in step S22. In addition, the STB 11 that has requested access before transmitting the data relating to the registration form has a process for determining whether or not it is already registered, and registers with the already registered STB 11. You can choose not to send form data. Since the registration processing is described here, it is assumed that the data of the registration form is transmitted.

The processing in step S22 is performed in the content transmission reservation unit 201 (FIG. 7). In other words, a request for access from the STB 11, in this case, a registration request, results in a request to the content transmission reservation unit 201 under the control of the communication control unit 207 of the service provider 2. Supplied. The content transmission reservation unit 201 manages data of the initial screen as an initial screen which is always provided when an access request is requested or as an initial screen dedicated for registration, and registers the managed data. Transmit as data.

In step S12, the data of the initial screen transmitted from the service provider 2 is received by the STB 11. The data of the initial screen received under the control of the communication control unit 221 of the STB 11 is supplied to the transmission control unit 222. When the transmission control unit 222 determines that the supplied (transmitted) data is data relating to the initial screen, the transmission control unit 222 supplies the data to the reproduction unit 226.

The reproducing unit 226 reproduces the supplied data. As a result, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the screen of, for example, a television receiver connected to the STB 11. 10 shows an initial screen for registration, in which a user ID input field 251 for inputting a user ID, a password input field 252 for inputting a password, and a mail address for inputting a mail address are shown on the screen. The input field 253 is installed.

The user ID is an ID that can be arbitrarily attached by the user and is a character string having a predetermined digit consisting of alphabets, numbers, kana characters, and the like. The password is likewise a character string of a predetermined digit that the user can attach arbitrarily. The mail address has a function of transmitting / receiving mail called electronic mail or the like, and may be the address when an address is assigned to the STB 11.

However, in executing the processing described later, the mail address inputted to the mail address input field 253 is assigned to a device other than the STB 11, for example, the PC 12 or the mobile phone 13. The mail address is better. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the item on the mail address input field 253 may be described in detail not as a "mail address" but as a "mail address of a PC or a cellular phone".

In this case, such a user ID, password, and mail address are input, but information other than these information may be input or information other than these information may also be input. The information input on such a screen may be information that can uniquely distinguish the STB 11. Here, the STB 11 of the user A is different from the STB 11 (for example, the STB 21) by the user ID. 1)).

Since the STB 11 is uniquely distinguished by the user ID, a mail address may be used as the user ID. That is, the STB 11 may be uniquely distinguished by the mail address. When the user ID is set as the mail address, it is not necessary to separately install the user ID input field 251 and the mail address input field 253 on the screen on the television receiver 241 shown in FIG. do.

In addition, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the television receiver 241 on the user's side. As such, the screen is displayed on the television receiver 241 in the initial screen provided by the service provider 2. An item "registration" is provided as one selection item and may be displayed when the item "registration" is selected. Even in this case, basically, the data related to the screen is exchanged between the STB 11 and the service provider 2 as described above.

Here, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the television receiver 241 on the user's side, and it is assumed that the user inputs a user ID, a password, and a mail address, respectively, and will be described below.

Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 9, when the user inputs a desired character string to the screen shown in FIG. 10 in step S13, the data is transmitted to the service provider 2. The service provider 2, which has received data relating to the user ID or the like in step S23, stores the user ID, password, and mail address based on the received data in step S24.

Here, the processing of the memory performed in step S24 will be described. Data relating to the user ID and the like from the STB 11 is received by the communication control unit 207 of the service provider 2 and supplied to the content transmission reservation unit 201. As described above, the content transmission reservation unit 201 also performs a process related to registration as one of the processes.

When the content transmission reservation unit 201 determines that the data supplied from the communication control unit 207 is data from the STB 11 (user) who has newly requested registration, the content transmission reservation unit 201 writes the data into the transmission destination database 203. (Remember). 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data of the transmission destination database 203. As shown in FIG. 11, in the transmission destination database 203, a device ID, a user ID, a password, and a mail address are respectively associated and managed. Here, the data shown in FIG. 11 stored in the transmission destination database 203 is appropriately described as a transmission destination table.

The device ID is described in advance in the destination table. In the transmission destination table shown in FIG. 11, 000001 to 999999 are described (prepared) as the device ID in advance. In addition, although it demonstrates that a device ID is memorize | stored in the transmission destination table previously, you may generate | occur | produce when such registration is performed, and you may make it use the generated device ID.

In this transmission destination table, the user ID, password, and mail address received in step S23 are respectively written in corresponding portions. In this case, it is assumed that "i" as a user ID, "xxxx" as a password, and "ΔΔΔ@z.co.jp" as a mail address are received and written in the field of the device ID "000001".

Such writing (memory) to the destination database 203 is performed in step S24, and when the processing ends, the device ID is transmitted in step S25. The device ID transmitted from the service provider 2 in step S25 is the device ID corresponding to the column in which the writing was performed. That is, in this case, "000001" is read as the device ID and transmitted to the STB 11.

On the service provider 2 side, when the transmission of such a device ID is finished, the processing relating to the registration of the STB 11 is finished. Therefore, in order to notify the user of the STB 11, the service provider 2 registers at step S26. Notification of completion is given.

Although this is a notification of registration completion, the message "Complete registration" may be simply displayed on the screen of the television receiver 241 connected to the STB 11, or another message or image may be displayed.

Also, for example, if the user ID requesting registration is already stored in the destination database 203, a message instructing the user ID to change is a message for recognizing the user that registration is completed after the user ID is changed. It may be transmitted together with.

The reason why the same user ID does not exist in the transmission destination table is because the STB 11 is uniquely distinguished by the user ID as described above. Therefore, if the same user ID exists, since the STB 11 cannot be distinguished uniquely, a process must be performed so that such a thing does not occur.

On the other hand, in the STB 11, the device ID from the service provider 2 is received in step S14, and the completion notification is received in step S15. The device ID received in step S14 is stored in the device ID management unit 225 (Fig. 8) of the STB 11 in step S16. Based on the completion notification received in step S15, a process of changing the user ID or the like, in which the process of registration is terminated, is executed. If the change of the user ID is executed, the device ID is stored in step S16 only when the change of the user ID is permitted in the service provider 2.

By the way, in the STB 11, when a character string is input to each field provided in the screen shown in FIG. 10, the processing of inputting the character string is a remote controller for giving an instruction to the STB 11; Although not shown, the remote controller usually does not have a configuration suitable for inputting characters. In addition, there is a possibility that the STB 11 itself does not have a function of inputting a character string.

Therefore, as described above, the processing for registering the STB 11 with the service provider 2 in another apparatus having a configuration suitable for inputting character strings, rather than performing the registration processing in the STB 11. It is thought that the user can easily perform the registration process for the user. Therefore, here, a process for registering the STB 11 to the service provider 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, taking the case where the PC 12 is used as an apparatus having a configuration suitable for character input. do.

In step S41, the STB 11 accesses the service provider 2. The service provider 2 receives a request for access from the STB 11 in step S61. The processing related to the connection between the STB 11 and the service provider 2 is performed similarly to the processing of steps S11 and S21 shown in FIG. 9.

In step S62, the service provider 2 transmits the device ID and the alias ID to the STB 11. The device ID is an ID that is not provided to the user, and the user cannot know the device ID. In contrast, the alias ID is an ID provided to the user and is an ID that the user can know.

This device ID and alias ID are described here as being supplied from the service provider 2. The device ID and the alias ID are stored in advance in association with the service provider 2 side. Therefore, the device ID can be uniquely identified by the alias ID.

In step S62, if the device ID and the alias ID are transmitted to the STB 11 from the service provider 2, the STB 11 receives the device ID and the alias ID in step S42. This reception is performed under the control of the communication control unit 221 and is supplied to the transmission control unit 222. In step S43, the transmission control unit 222 supplies the supplied device ID and alias ID to the device ID management unit 225 for management (memory).

In this way, when the device ID and the alias ID are stored in the device ID management unit 225, the stored alias ID is transmitted (provided) to the PC 12 in step S44. The provision of this alias ID to the PC 12 may be direct or indirect.

First, the case where an alias ID is provided to the PC 12 from the STB 11 directly will be described. For example, when the STB 11 and the PC 12 are connected to a home network, transmission and reception of alias IDs are performed through the network. The timing at which the transmission and reception is performed can be considered when the alias ID is stored in the STB 11, when the PC 12 is activated, and the like. In addition, as will be described later, when the PC 12 accesses the service provider 2 (when connected), the PC 12 receives the STB 11 from the STB 11 through the home network. You may obtain the alias ID stored in the.

In addition, the alias ID may be transmitted from the STB 11 to the PC 11 by electronic mail or the like. In any case, the alias ID is transmitted and received directly from the STB 11 to the PC 12.

The case where an alias ID is provided indirectly from the STB 11 to the PC 12 will be described. For example, first, in the STB 11, when the alias ID is stored, a television receiver 241 to which a message for recognizing the user that the alias ID has been stored and the stored alias ID are connected. ) Is displayed on the screen. The user records the alias ID displayed on the screen of the television receiver 241 on a paper medium or the like.

Then, the user stores the alias ID recorded on the paper medium or the like in the PC 12 (as described later, input in a predetermined column). The timing for storing this can be considered, for example, when the PC 12 accesses the service provider 2 (when connected).

Since the method of providing an alias ID from the STB 11 to the PC 12 can be considered, the timing at which the PC 12 receives the alias ID is as shown in FIG. 12. The processing may be before or after the processing, and such timing can be appropriately changed in accordance with the method for providing the alias ID.

In addition, since the example which processes are performed by the PC 12 is demonstrated here, the method as mentioned above can be considered. However, when the process is performed by the mobile telephone 13, The CCD camera 126 (FIG. 5) may image an alias ID displayed on the television receiver 241, and the captured alias ID may be recognized and stored by the processing in the mobile phone 13. FIG. .

In an apparatus having an imaging device such as the CCD camera 126, for example, a code for presenting information called a two-dimensional bar code or the like may be used, and an alias ID may be provided to the apparatus on the user side.

Regardless of the timing at which the alias ID is provided from the STB 11 to the PC 12 (or the cellular phone 13), the PC is at the time after the alias ID is stored in the STB 11. (12) starts access to the service provider 2 in step S52. As described above, the service provider 2 manages a site that can be viewed on the network 1. The user operates the PC 12 so as to be able to browse the site.

In this way, when the PC 12 is in a state where the site managed by the service provider 2 can be browsed, the data of the registration form is transferred from the service provider 2 side in step S64 to the PC 12. Is sent for. The transmitted registration form data is received by the PC 12 in step S53. Then, the screen for registration based on the received data is displayed on the display as the output unit 107 (FIG. 4) of the PC 12.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration form displayed on the display 261 of the PC 12. In the registration form displayed on the display 261 shown in FIG. 13, an alias ID input field 254 for inputting an alias ID is added to the registration form displayed on the television receiver 241 shown in FIG. 10. It is composed.

The user operates a keyboard (not shown) as the input unit 106 of the PC 12 to input information (string) in each field of the registration form shown in FIG. In the alias ID input field 254, when the alias ID of the STB 11 has already been acquired, the alias ID may be displayed regardless of the user's input.

Usually, the PC 12 is equipped with a keyboard which is easy to input a character string as the input part 106, and is considered to be more suitable than the STB 11 in order to input the character string required for a registration form. Therefore, the processing of registration of the STB 11 to the service provider 2 by the PC 12 which is a different device from the STB 11 is advantageous in that the user can easily perform the registration processing. have.

When various pieces of information are input in a predetermined field of the registration screen shown in Fig. 13, the information is transmitted from the PC 12 to the service provider 2 in step S54. When the service provider 2 receives the information from the PC 12 in step S65, the service provider 2 stores the received information in step S66. When the storage of the information is finished, the notification of registration completion is transmitted to the PC 12 in step S67.

In step S55, when the PC 12 side receives the notification of the registration completion from the service provider 2, it is for the user to recognize that the processing corresponding to the notification, for example, the registration processing has ended for the user. Processing such as displaying a message on the display 261 is executed.

The processing performed on the STB 11 side, the PC 12 side, and the service provider 2 side in FIG. 12 is described here as one time, but may be repeated multiple times. By repeating a plurality of times, for example, it is possible to register different user IDs and passwords for each family in one terminal. In other words, in this case, a plurality of users can register with the STB 11.

When a plurality of users register for one device, the processing performed on the STB 11 side, the PC 12 side, and the service provider 2 side in FIG. 12 can be realized by repeating a plurality of times. Do. When the process is performed plural times, it may be performed continuously or may be performed at a time interval. However, as will be described later, when the alias ID is to be deleted (changed), the process needs to be performed before the change is made. However, if the alias ID is not changed or if the user can be registered with information other than the alias ID, such restriction can be released.

Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the service provider 2 performs the processing of the storage performed in step S66 and the completion notification of the registration performed in step S67 in step S24 and step S26 of FIG. 9, respectively. Is basically the same as the processing, and the processing performed on the PC 12 side as the processing corresponding to the processing in step S67 is performed on the STB 11 side as the processing corresponding to the processing in step S26 in FIG. Since it is basically the same as a process, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

However, since the processing of the memory performed in step S66 on the service provider 2 side includes a process different from the processing of the memory performed in step S24 of FIG. 9, the description of the different processing will be described here. Add. First, FIG. 14 shows a transmission destination table of the transmission destination database 203 (FIG. 7) of the service provider 2 when the processing is performed based on the flowchart of FIG. 12.

In the transmission destination table of the transmission destination database 203 shown in FIG. 14, a field in which "alias ID" is written is provided in the transmission destination table shown in FIG. As described above, the alias ID is an ID provided to uniquely identify the device ID in association with the device ID. The alias ID is an ID provided to the user as information which the user can know. Therefore, in the transmission destination table, the alias ID is written in association with the device ID in advance.

Although the service provider 2 manages the transmission destination table shown in FIG. 14, it is transmitted to the STB 11 side in the process of step S62 (FIG. 12) that the device ID and the device in this transmission destination table are used. The alias ID associated with the ID. That is, the STB 11 is provided with a pair of device IDs and alias IDs at the stage before the PC 12 accesses the service provider 2.

In such a state, the service provider 2 receives the information of the user ID, the password, the mail address, and the alias ID from the PC 12 on the user side. It is controlled by 207 and supplied to the content transmission reservation unit 201.

The content transmission reservation unit 201 reads the alias ID from the supplied information. Then, the content transmission reservation unit 201 determines the column of the transmission destination table managed in the transmission destination database 203, into which the read alias ID is written, with reference to the transmission destination table.

The content transmission reservation unit 201 writes the supplied user ID, password, and mail address in the determined transmission destination table. In this way, the information of each user who has requested a registration is written in each column of the transmission destination table shown in FIG.

In this way, by providing an ID called Alias ID, a device other than a device (in this case, STB 11) that requires registration without requiring information that is difficult to be known to the user called device ID, in this case, a PC Also from (12), it is possible to perform the registration of the predetermined device.

By the way, the device ID is basically a finite ID. However, referring again to the flowchart in FIG. 12, after the device ID is stored in the STB 11 in step S43, the user must use the device such as the PC 12 to service the STB 11. It is not necessary to perform the process of registering in. In other words, there is a possibility that the state where the information of the user is not written in the column of the transmission destination table corresponding to the device ID assigned to the STB 11 may continue for a long time.

This suggests that useless device IDs may exist among the finite device IDs. Therefore, if the device ID is stored in the STB 11 and the registration process is not performed within a predetermined period, the service provider 2 has a function of assigning the device ID to another device. The device ID may be efficiently assigned.

In doing so, first, at the service provider 2 side, the registration process is not performed (in spite of providing a pair of device ID and alias ID, information such as user ID is not written in the corresponding column). ) Detects the device ID determined to have elapsed. As a result of the detection, the alias ID associated with the device ID determined that the predetermined period has elapsed is changed.

In this way, by changing the alias ID, for example, even after the predetermined period has passed, even if registration processing is performed by the user of the STB 11 that stored the alias ID before the change, the alias ID at that time is not changed. Because of this difference, processing that does not permit the registration can be performed. In addition, by changing the alias ID, the alias ID after the change can be provided to the other STB, thereby enabling effective use of the device ID.

By the way, based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, at the time after the STB 11 is registered with the service provider 2, as information for uniquely specifying the device ID assigned to the STB 11, e. Two pieces of information exist, an alias ID (assuming information 1) and a user ID (assuming information 2). Therefore, at the time after the STB 11 is registered with the service provider 2, it may be either whether information 1 is used to specify the device ID or information 2 is used to specify the device ID.

Considering this point, if the device ID is specified by the user ID as the information 2, it is not necessary to store (manage) the alias ID as the information 1 in the destination table (Fig. 14). Therefore, among the alias IDs, the registration process is already performed, and the alias ID in which user information such as the user ID is written in the corresponding column may be deleted. When the deletion is made, the deleted alias ID can be associated with another device ID to reuse the alias ID.

Basically, the device ID needs to prepare a large number of IDs to exchange contracts with a large number of users (devices), and in order to prevent the same ID from existing in these many IDs, strings having many digits are used. For example, when the device ID and the alias ID are associated one-to-one, the alias ID must also be prepared by the same number as the device ID, so that the character ID is composed of the same string of digits as the device ID.

However, the alias ID is an ID provided to the user and is a character string to which the user himself or herself should input, if necessary. In consideration of the possibility that a user himself enters an alias ID, it is preferable that the number of digits of the string constituting the alias ID be short.

Therefore, as described above, when the alias ID is reused, the number of alias IDs that need to be prepared in advance may be smaller than the device ID (not necessarily one-to-one correspondence). Can be reduced. When the number of alias IDs is at least, it is possible to assign alias IDs so that the same alias ID does not exist even if the number of digits constituting the alias ID is reduced.

The alias ID is further described. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is conceivable that the user A owns a plurality of devices capable of receiving content data such as the STB 11, the PC 12, and the mobile phone 13. . In other words, it is conceivable that one user owns a plurality of devices for receiving content data. In such a case, one user performs the above-described registration processing for each device to be registered.

As a result, it is necessary to register an alias ID, a user ID, a password, and a mail address for each device. In addition, as described above, when the device ID can be uniquely specified by the user ID, even the same user cannot register the same user ID. Therefore, when a user registers a plurality of devices, the user must register with a plurality of user IDs and store them. For example, even if the device ID is uniquely specified by the alias ID, the user must similarly store a plurality of alias IDs.

This is not a good usability on the user side. Therefore, in order to improve usability, the following processing is further provided. Of course, the process to be described below is unnecessary when the rule that only one device can be registered in the service provider 2 is defined.

As described above, after the predetermined device is registered in the service provider 2, the alias ID assigned to the device does not need to be managed on the service provider 2 side. Thus, the alias ID can be changed on the user side, thereby improving usability on the user side.

Here, as a premise, it is assumed that the STB 11 has already stored the device ID and the alias ID, and the PC 12 has stored (acquired) the alias ID assigned to the STB 11. Since the processing up to this storage (acquisition) is performed in the same manner as the processing performed between the STB 11 and the service provider 2 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, for example, The description is omitted here.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 15, the process at the time of registering the STB 11 with the service provider 2 in the PC 12 will be described. The processing of steps S81 to S83 as the processing on the PC 12 side, and the processing of steps S91 to S93 as the processing on the service provider 2 side, respectively, are steps S52 to S54 and steps S63 to S65 of the flowchart of FIG. Since this is the same processing as that, the description thereof is omitted.

When the service provider 2 receives the information of the alias ID assigned to the user ID, the password, the mail address, and the STB 11 at that time from the PC 12 in step S93, step S94. User authentication (confirmation of password) is performed at. In this case, the authentication is performed because the user who is already registered is a process when the user accesses to change the alias ID to the terminal name.

In step S94, if it is determined that the same user ID as the received user ID is stored in the transmission destination table and the password is matched, that is, if it is determined that user authentication has been performed, the flow advances to step S95 to read the data of the change form. do. The change form is a form for changing an alias ID to a terminal name here, and the terminal name is a name given to the device (here, STB 11) registered by the user.

On the other hand, in step S94, if it is determined that the same user ID as the received user ID does not exist in the transmission destination table, or if the password does not match, that is, it is determined that user authentication cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S96 and is repeated. The data of the input form is read. This re-input form is a form for judging that the user ID cannot be authenticated because a user ID or password is incorrectly input and requesting the user to input the user ID and password again.

In step S97, the data of the read change form or re-input form is transmitted to the PC 12. The data is received by the PC 12 in step S84. The PC 12 displays the screen shown in FIG. 16 or 17 on the display 261 as a screen based on the received data. The screen shown in FIG. 16 is a screen for change based on data of a change form, and the screen shown in FIG. 17 is a screen for re-input based on data of a re-entry form.

In the change screen shown in FIG. 16, a field 281 in which the alias ID before the change is displayed and a field 282 in which the terminal name after the change is input are provided. In the screen for re-entry shown in FIG. 17, fields for inputting a user ID and a password are respectively provided.

The alias ID displayed in the column 282 on the screen shown in FIG. 16 is received in step S93 when the service provider 2 transmits data of the form for change in step S97, for example. The attached alias ID is transmitted. As a result, a screen in a state where an alias ID is input is displayed on the display 261 of the PC 12 on the user side.

The user inputs a desired name in the field 282 of the screen shown in FIG. For example, in this case, since the STB 11 is processing when the STB 11 is registered with the service provider 2, the name "STB" is input into the field 282. The field 282 in which the terminal name is input may be a field in which characters are input, and may be in a state in which the user can freely assign a name (inputable). It is good also as a state which can select a desired name in the inside.

Either way, when the user inputs (selects) a desired terminal name or inputs other information as necessary, the information is transferred from the PC 12 to the service provider in step S84. (2). The service provider 2 receives data regarding the change from the PC 12 in step S98.

In the screen shown in Fig. 17, when the user ID and password inputted by the user are input again, the process after step S94 is repeated on the service provider 2 side again.

The service provider 2 executes the change processing in step S99, and stores the changed data in step S100. This change and storage process is a process of determining the corresponding column of the destination table from the received alias ID before the change, and newly writing the terminal name after the change in the portion where the alias ID of the column is written.

In addition, although the alias ID is described here as being modified and written in the terminal name, the alias ID may be stored as it is, and the terminal name may be further stored. In the case where the alias ID is stored as described above, the alias ID may be used in the processing described later.

In this way, when the changed information is stored on the service provider 2 side, the completion notification is made to the PC 12 in step S101. The processing performed in step S101 and the processing in step S85 on the PC 12 side corresponding to the processing are the processing performed in step S67 in FIG. 12 and the step S55 on the PC 12 side corresponding to the processing. Since the processing is similar to the processing in, the description thereof is omitted.

When the process based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 is performed, the transmission destination table memorize | stored in the transmission destination database 203 of the service provider 2 will be as shown in FIG. 18, typically. In the example of the transmission destination table shown in FIG. 18, a user whose user ID is "Iowa", a password is "xxxx" and a mail address "ΔΔΔ@z.co.jp" is a terminal name. Two devices, "STB" and "PC", are registered. The device ID "000001" is assigned to the device "STB", and the device ID "010021" is assigned to the device "PC". It indicates that it is assigned.

In addition, a user whose user ID is " furniture device ", a password is " ○○○○ " and an e-mail address is "Δ×Δ@x.co.jp" And three devices called "mobile phones", a device ID of "001234" is assigned to the device of "personal computer", and a device ID of "001235" is assigned to the device of "STB". The device ID "001236" is assigned to the device "mobile phone".

In this manner, a plurality of devices (terminal names) are associated with one user ID, and device IDs are associated with each of these devices. By using such a transmission destination table, on the user side, one user can receive (purchase) content data from a plurality of devices owned by the same user ID with respect to a desired device. In the following, a process relating to the purchase of content data will be described, taking the case where the transmission table shown in FIG. 18 is used as an example.

First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19, the case where the apparatus which stores the device ID purchases content data from the service provider 2 is demonstrated. Here, a case where the STB 11 purchases content data from the service provider 2 will be described, taking the STB 11 as an example of a device that stores the device ID.

In step S121, the STB 11 starts access to the service provider 2. Initiation of this access is made at the user's instruction. In step S131, the service provider 2 receives a request for access from the STB 11.

If the service provider 2 determines that the request for access from the STB 11 is a request for purchasing the content data, the service provider 2 transmits the information about the content data to the STB 11 that has requested access in step S132. do. The data transmitted here is content attached data stored in the content database 202. 20 shows an example of the configuration of content attached data stored in the content database 202.

The content attached data includes a content ID assigned to each piece of content data to uniquely specify the content data, the size of the content data, the fee for purchasing the content data, the contents of the content provided by the content data, and the like. Information.

In step S122, the STB 11 that has received data from the service provider 2 causes the connected television receiver 241 to display a screen based on the received data. The user determines the content data to purchase by referring to the screen displayed on the television receiver 241.

When the content data to be purchased is determined by the user, the content ID assigned to the determined content data is transmitted to the service provider 2 together with the device ID. The device ID, which is managed by the device ID management unit 225 of the STB 11, is read and transmitted along with the content ID.

In step S133, the service provider 2 receives data from the STB 11. The service provider 2 extracts the device ID included in the data received in step S134. Then, based on the extracted device ID, the data or content database stored in the destination database 203 based on the extracted device ID whether or not the device having the device ID is a device having a right to purchase the content data that has requested the purchase. Judgment is made with reference to the content number data or the like stored in 202.

If it is determined in step S134 that the purchase of the content data is permitted, the flow proceeds to step S135, and if it is determined that the purchase of the content data is not permitted, the process related to the purchase of the content data shown in FIG. 19 ends. In addition, in the case where it is determined in step S134 that the purchase of the content data is not permitted, it is preferable that a message for recognizing the fact is transmitted to the user.

In step S135, the content data and the license data are transmitted to the STB 11. This transmission is performed according to the schedule created by the schedule preparation unit 204. Although details will be described later, the schedule preparation unit 204 judges at what timing the content data is provided to the user, creates a schedule based on the determination, and controls the content data to be transmitted based on the schedule. .

In addition, the schedule creation unit 204 instructs the license issuing unit 206 to issue license data when transmitting the content data. The license data refers to data relating to usage conditions including data for preventing unauthorized copying or reproduction, and are data provided to the user side together with the content data.

The license issuing unit 206 stores a table in which the data shown in FIG. 21 is described. That is, a table is associated with a license ID, a use condition identified by the license ID, and a content ID to which the use condition is applied. The conditions of use include the conditions of purchase, rental, copying once.

One license ID is assigned to one use condition, but a plurality of content IDs can be associated with one license ID. This is because the same use condition can be applied to a plurality of contents. One license ID may be associated with a plurality of use conditions. In other words, one license data may be generated by a combination of a plurality of use conditions, and one license ID may be assigned to the one license data.

Using this data, the license issuing unit 206 issues license data. In addition, the content accompanying data shown in FIG. 20 and the license data shown in FIG. 21 are an example, and data other than these data may be further stored, and also the added data is used also in the process mentioned later. The processing may be performed.

The schedule preparation unit 204 creates a schedule from the content number data stored in the content database 202 and the data stored in the license issuer 206. An example of the schedule created in FIG. 22 is shown.

In a schedule, when a request for transmission of content data is made, a schedule corresponding to the request is created from time to time. A transaction ID for distinguishing the plurality of schedules is provided at the head of the schedule.

The content ID for identifying the content requested from the user is read from the content database 202 (FIG. 20) and associated with the transaction ID. The license ID is associated with an ID corresponding to the use condition applied to the content requested by the user from the license issuer 206. The transmission device ID is a device ID assigned to the device designated by the user as the transmission destination of the content data, and is read from the transmission destination database 203 as necessary.

A billing user ID is an ID of a user who bills for billing generated by the purchase of content data. If the transmission time is specified by the user, the specified time is basically set. In addition, when the user does not specify or when the transmission cannot be performed at the time specified by the user, the time set by the service provider 2 side is set. In the transmission state, information related to the transmission state is written, such as transmission of content data has not yet been performed, transmission is being made, or the transmission has ended.

Based on this schedule, the transmission of the content data is performed. In this case, since it is a request from the STB 11, in particular, if there is no request (necessity) to be transmitted at a later point in time, it may correspond to the request immediately. .

The communication control unit 207 transmits the content data and license data (use condition) to the STB 11 based on the schedule created by the schedule creation unit 204.

In step S124, the STB 11 receives data from the service provider 2. The STB 11 stores the data received in step S125. In the processing of this storage, first, data received under the control of the communication control unit 221 is supplied to the transmission control unit 222. The transmission control unit 222 supplies the content data to the storage unit 223 among the supplied data, and supplies the license data to the license management unit 224.

The storage unit 223 and the license management unit 224 respectively store the supplied data. In this manner, the content data is purchased from the STB 11. Although billing has not been described, when such purchase processing is performed, billing processing is also performed on the service provider 2 side. In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted in the following description, when the process of purchase of content data is performed, the process of billing is also performed.

Next, a description will be given of a process for the purchase of content data by the PC 12 and storing the purchased content data in the STB 11. In this case, there is a case where the device for performing the purchase process and the device for storing the purchased content data are different from each other. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23, the process in such a case is demonstrated. In addition, the description with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 first demonstrates the outline of the whole process, and then explains the detailed process in each apparatus.

The processing of steps S151 to S153 in the PC 12 is basically the same as the processing performed by the STB 11 in steps S121 to S123 in FIG. 19, and the step S161 performed by the service provider 2 in response to the processing. Since the processing from S163 to S163 is basically the same as the processing performed by the service provider 2 in steps S131 to S132 in FIG. 19, description thereof is omitted.

However, in step S153, only the content ID for identifying the content data that the user has decided to purchase is transmitted from the PC 12, and the device ID is not transmitted. This is because the device ID is an ID assigned to the STB 11 and is an ID managed by the STB 11, so that the device ID of the STB 11 cannot be transmitted from the PC 12.

The service provider 2 which received the data from the PC 12 in step S163 transmits the data of a purchase form to the PC 12 in step S164. Since the service provider 2 does not include the device ID in the received data, the service provider 2 judges that a purchase request for content data has been made from a device having no device ID, and the device to which the content data is sent after purchase. In order to transmit information for confirming whether or not the user is a regular user who is under contract, the data of the purchase form is transmitted.

In step S154, the PC 12 that has received the data of the purchase form displays a screen for purchase based on the data on the display 261. The user refers to the screen and inputs necessary items, for example, a user ID and a password. The input user ID and password data are transmitted from the PC 12 to the service provider 2 in step S155.

The service provider 2 receives the data from the PC 12 in step S165, stores the received data in step S166, and performs scheduling based on the data. Although details will be described later, when a process such as scheduling for creating a schedule shown in FIG. 22 is executed, a process such as authentication of a password, determination of a device to which content data is sent, and the like are also performed. In this case, such processing is also terminated and the process proceeds to step S167.

In step S167, the service provider 2 notifies the user that the processing related to the purchase of the content, that is, the reception of the purchase of the content has been completed. The PC 12 on the user's side, having received the notification in step S156, causes the display 261 to display a message based on the notification, for example, a message indicating that the "acceptance processing for purchase of content has ended". Run the process.

On the other hand, the STB 11 inquires the schedule with respect to the service provider 2 in step S181. The STB 11 inquires whether a schedule for itself (the schedule itself is designated as the transmission destination of the content data) has been created. Such an inquiry is made to the service provider 2 from the STB 11 every hour, for example. Here, as a result of the above-described processing, at the time after the schedule before the STB 11 is created, the STB 11 executes an inquiry to the service provider 2, and the inquiry is made in step S168. The case where it is received by the service provider 2 is demonstrated as an example.

The service provider 2 transmits the schedule to the STB 11 in step S169 when it determines that the schedule forward to the STB 11 exists for the inquiry from the STB 11. This determination, for example, when the STB 11 makes an inquiry, it transmits its own device ID, and the schedule that the service provider 2 is associated with the device ID in the schedule preparation unit 204. This is done by judging whether or not it is created (memorized).

The schedule transmitted from the service provider 2 in step S169 is received by the STB 11 in step S182. The received schedule also includes information about the scheduled transmission time. When the time indicated by the information is reached, the STB 11 requests the service provider 2 to transmit content data. The request is received by the service provider 2 in step S170, and the service provider 2 starts the transmission of the content data in step S171 in response to the request.

When the transmission of such content data is started, the service provider 2 notifies the PC 12 in step S172 that the transmission of the purchased content data to the STB 11 is started. At the time when the transmission of the content data to the STB 11 is finished (step S173), the PC 12 is notified that the transmission has been completed. This notification is performed by electronic mail, for example.

On the other hand, the STB 11 stores the transmitted content data in step S185.

In this way, the process of purchasing the content is performed in the PC 12, and the content data purchased in the STB 11 is stored.

Next, the details of the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 will be described for each device. First, the processing performed by the PC 12 will be described. The processing of the PC 12 is basically a process of displaying a screen based on data on the service provider 2 side and transmitting information input corresponding to the screen. Since the description thereof is repeated, the description thereof will be omitted, but will be described in accordance with the processing of the service provider 2 as necessary.

With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 24, the process (process relating to exchange with the PC 12 in the above-mentioned description) regarding the purchase of content among the processes performed by the service provider 2 is demonstrated. . The service provider 2 determines whether there has been access from another device in step S201. Until it is determined that there has been access from another device, the process of step S201 is repeated to maintain the standby state.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that there has been access from another device, the flow advances to step S202, where the content side data is read from the content database 202 and transmitted to the other device that has been accessed. In this way, when the content number data is transmitted, the service provider 2 determines the content that the user wants to purchase, and maintains the standby state until receiving the content ID of the determined content.

The content ID data transmitted from the service provider 2 to another device (for example, the PC 12) includes the content ID. Then, the content ID corresponding to the content determined for purchase by the user is transmitted to at least the service provider 2, so as to be received as a request for purchase from the user. The service provider 2 determines in step S203 whether or not a request for purchase of the content from the user side has been received.

In step S203, the standby state is maintained until it is determined that a request for purchase of the content has been received, and if determined to be received, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, it is determined whether the device ID is included in the request for purchase of the received content.

As described above, when the device, such as the STB 11 or the like, requests a purchase from a device (device that acquires and stores device ID) that becomes a device for receiving content data, the device ID is also transmitted along with the content ID. However, when there is a request for purchase from a device such as a PC 11 or a mobile phone 13 that does not become a device for receiving content data (device that does not acquire the device ID), only the content ID is transmitted.

Thus, as the processing of step S204, it is determined whether or not the data of the device ID is included in the received request (data). By this determination, it is possible to determine whether or not the device that has requested the purchase of the content is a device that is already registered as a device that can receive the content data.

In addition, the process of step S204 may be abbreviate | omitted, and a purchase form may be transmitted necessarily. This means that, for example, in the situation where the PC 12 acquires and stores the device ID assigned to itself, the purchase of the content data with the PC 12 is performed. This is to respond to the user's request to be stored in the STB 11. Alternatively, the user may include a process for designating a transmission destination of the purchased content data to the user.

If it is determined in step S204 that the device ID is not included in the received data, the flow advances to step S205 to transmit data of the purchase form. The data of this purchase form is data for displaying the screen shown in FIG. 25 on the display 261 of the apparatus of a user side, for example, the PC 12. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 25, in the screen based on the data of a purchase form, the column for inputting a user ID and the column for inputting a password are provided. The input of the user ID and the password is for specifying the device ID by the user ID and for authenticating the user by the password. When the alias ID is stored in the transmission destination table of the service provider 2, the alias ID may be transmitted and received.

In the apparatus on the user side, when a user inputs a user ID and a password with reference to the screen shown in FIG. 25, the information is transmitted to the service provider 2, and the service provider 2 transmits the transmitted user. Information of the ID and password is received in step S206. The service provider 2 specifies the device ID from the user ID received in step S207.

The transmission destination table shown in FIG. 18 is stored in the transmission destination database 203 of the service provider 2, and the table is referenced to identify the device ID. For example, if the received user ID is "Iowa" and the password is "xxxx", referring to FIG. 18, two device IDs of "000001" and "010021" are identified as the device ID. do.

In step S208, it is determined whether there are a plurality of specified device IDs. In the above situation, since two device IDs are specified, in step S208, it is determined that the specified device IDs are plural, and the processing proceeds to step S209. In step S209, data of the destination determination form is transmitted. The data of the transmission destination determination form is data for causing a device on the user side to display a screen for selecting (determining) a user from which device to receive and store content data.

The data transmitted as data of the transmission destination determination form includes at least the terminal name (Fig. 18) corresponding to the device ID specified in step S207. FIG. 26 is an example of a screen displayed on the display 261 of the apparatus, for example, the PC 12, in which the user's purchase processing is performed at that time. If the screen shown in FIG. 26 is processed based on the transmission destination table shown in FIG. 18, the terminal names "STB" and "PC" corresponding to the device IDs "000001" and "010021" are displayed. It is a state. In addition, radio buttons for selecting respective terminal names are provided before each name.

In this way, when a user who has requested the purchase of content registers a plurality of devices as a device to which the content data is to be sent, the terminal name assigned by the user selects a device that stores (downloads) the content data of the purchased content. It is supposed to be. The information of the terminal name selected by referring to the screen shown in FIG. 26 is transmitted to the service provider 2.

In addition, the device to be downloaded may be set so that a user can select only one device or may be set to select a plurality of devices. Such setting may be set at the service provider 2 side in accordance with the billing process.

On the service provider 2 side, information of the terminal name selected as the transmitted download destination is received in step S210. On the service provider 2 side, by receiving the information of the terminal name, it becomes possible to specify the device ID of the device to which the purchased content data is to be sent.

In step S211, storage of the received data and scheduling based on the data are performed. Scheduling means that data of the data structure shown in FIG. 22 related to the content requested to be purchased is created by the schedule creation unit 204.

In the processing of step S211 in which such scheduling processing is performed, even when it is determined in step S204 that the received request (data) includes the device ID, or in step S208, the specified device ID is determined to be one. come. In any case, as a result, the scheduling process is executed when the device ID of the device to which the content data is transmitted is specified as one.

When the scheduling process is performed, it is necessary to obtain information about the transmission time of the content data. So, for example, as shown in Fig. 26, on the screen displayed on the display 261 on the user side, a message " Please input the desired time of transmission " is displayed, and below the message In the column, a field for inputting a desired time may be provided. When a time is input in the installed field, the time may be written as a scheduled transmission time.

In this case, when the user does not specify the transmission time, the service provider 2 may set and write the data. Alternatively, it may not be specified by the user and may be set only on the service provider 2 side.

When the scheduling process is executed, it is determined whether or not the user who has requested the purchase of the content data is regularly registered as a user who can receive the service provided by the service provider 2, and judges that it is formally registered. The scheduling process is executed only when it is done. The determination of whether or not the user is registered regularly is performed by determining whether the received password is registered in the transmission destination table in association with the user ID.

When the scheduling process ends, in step S212, a notification of completion of purchase acceptance is made to the apparatus on the user side. In this way, processing related to purchase is performed on the service provider 2 side.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27, the process (process performed with STB 11 in the above-mentioned description) regarding transmission of content data performed by the service provider 2 side is demonstrated. do. In step S231, the service provider 2 determines whether there is an inquiry about a schedule or a request for transmission of content data from another device.

In step S231, the standby state is maintained until it is determined that there is an inquiry or request from another device, and when it is determined that there is an inquiry or request from another device, the process proceeds to step S232. In step S232, it is determined whether the inquiry or request from the other device is the inquiry regarding the schedule. If it is determined in step S232 that the inquiry is about a schedule, the process proceeds to step S233.

In step S233, it is determined whether or not the schedule corresponding to the device ID of the device that has been inquiring of the schedule has been created and stored by the schedule preparation unit 204. The other apparatus (for example, the STB 11) makes an inquiry about a schedule with respect to the service provider 2 at predetermined intervals. When the inquiry is made, it transmits its own device ID.

Accordingly, the service provider 2 determines whether or not the schedule associated with the device ID is stored in the schedule preparation unit 204 by using the transmitted device ID. The schedule creating unit 204 stores a plurality of schedules having the data structure shown in FIG. 22, and refers to the "sending device ID" that is matched with the transmitted device ID by referring to the "sending device ID" in the schedule data. Is determined.

If it is determined in step S233 that there is no schedule for the received device ID (device), the process returns to step S231 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S233 that there is a schedule relating to the received device ID, the process proceeds to step S234, and the determined schedule is read from the schedule preparation unit 204 and sent to the device that has inquired of the schedule. Is sent against.

In addition, the schedule read in step S234 is only information indicating that the "send state" (Fig. 22), which is one of the information in the schedule, has not yet transmitted the content data. In addition, even if the "send state" is information indicating that the content data has not been transmitted yet, if the schedule itself has already been transmitted, the same schedule does not need to be transmitted again, such a schedule is not read. You may not.

In order to prevent the same schedule from being transmitted again, for example, a flag indicating whether or not the schedule itself has been transmitted may be prepared, and the flag may be included as one of the schedule data shown in FIG. Such information may be included in the "transmission status".

In step S234, when the transmission of the schedule ends, the process returns to step S231 and subsequent processing is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S232, when it is determined that the inquiry or request from the other device is not the inquiry of the schedule, that is, when it is determined that the request of the transmission of the content data, the process proceeds to step S235. In step S235, transmission of content data for which transmission is requested is started.

An apparatus (eg, the STB 11) that makes a request for transmission of content data transmits at least the information of the transaction ID when the request is made. Since the transaction ID is transmitted, the service provider 2 can specify which schedule is executed among the schedules stored in the schedule preparation unit 204.

Then, by executing the specified schedule, the content ID of the content to be transmitted can be specified. The content data associated with the specified content ID is read out from the content database 202 (Fig. 7) and transmitted.

When the transmission of the content data is started in step S235, the predetermined device on the user side is notified that the transmission of the content data has started in step S236. The predetermined device is a device to which a mail address (Fig. 18) registered in the destination table of the service provider 2 is assigned.

In step S237, the service provider 2 determines whether all content data has been transmitted, that is, whether or not the transmission has ended. In step S237, the process of step S237 is repeated until it is determined that the transmission of the content data has ended, and if it is determined that the transmission of the content data is finished, the process proceeds to step S238.

When the content data is transmitted, the license data is also transmitted. The content data cannot be reproduced without the license data. For example, the content data is encrypted and transmitted when transmitted to the apparatus on the user side, and the data for decrypting the encryption is included in the license data. Therefore, both the content data and the license data need to be transmitted to the user side (STB 11). The transmission timing does not necessarily have to be simultaneous. That is, the content data and license data may be transmitted at the same time or may be transmitted at different times (separately).

For example, since the content data has a relatively large amount of data, the content data is transmitted when the transmission line for transmission is empty, for example, at night, etc., and at a later point in time or before, the license data having a relatively small amount of data is stored by the user. You may make it transmit so that it may match with time to watch.

In step S238, the information of "send state" in the schedule data shown in FIG. 18 is rewritten as information indicating that the transmission of the content data has ended. The information may not be rewritten, but the corresponding schedule may be deleted. Since the information of the "send state" is rewritten as information indicating that the transmission of the content data is completed, the retransmission is performed to perform the charging process. Therefore, the information of the "send state" may be deleted when the charging process ends.

In step S239, a notification indicating that the transmission of the content data has ended is performed. This notification processing is performed similarly to the notification processing in step S236.

In this way, the service provider 2 side controls the processing related to the transmission of the content data. Note that the notification processing in step S236 and the notification processing in step S239 are not necessarily necessary processing, and the notification may not be performed, or only one notification may be performed.

The processing of the apparatus on the side receiving the transmission of the content data, which is performed corresponding to the processing of the service provider 2, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the processing in the STB 11 will be described as an example.

In step S251, the STB 11 determines whether it is time to query the service provider 2 for the schedule. The STB 11 is set to execute an inquiry at predetermined time intervals, for example, at one hour intervals in advance.

Since the set time interval has elapsed, it is determined whether it is time to execute the inquiry. If it is determined in step S251 that it is the time of inquiry, in step S252, the device ID is read from the device ID management unit 225 (Fig. 8) and transmitted to the service provider 2. When the device ID is transmitted, the above-described processing is performed on the service provider 2 side, and as a result, when the schedule information is transmitted, the schedule is received in step S253.

The received schedule is stored in, for example, the delivery control unit 222 (Fig. 8). The stored (sent) schedule includes at least information about the transaction ID and the transmission time. In step S254, the delivery control unit 222 refers to the "transmission time" included in the stored schedule to determine whether the transmission time has been reached. The determination of whether or not the transmission time has been reached is on the STB 11 side, whether or not the time to request transmission of the content data has come.

In step S254, the process of step S254 is repeated until it is determined that it is time to request the transmission of the content data, and when it is determined that the request time has come, the process proceeds to step S255. In step S255, the transaction ID is read and transmitted to the service provider 2.

When the transaction ID is transmitted, the content data is transmitted as a result of the processing on the service provider 2 side corresponding thereto. The transmitted content data is received and stored by the STB 11 in step S256.

In this way, the STB 11 side stores the content data that has been purchased by another device.

In this way, the STB 11 side causes the service provider 2 to request the inquiry of the schedule and the request for the transmission of the content data from the side receiving the content data (in this case, the STB 11). This is because the schedule and the content data are not always available.

In other words, the power supply of the STB 11 is not always turned on, but may be turned off. In such an off state, the schedule and content data are provided from the service provider 2 side. This is because the STB 11 side cannot receive and store the schedule or the content data even if the message is transmitted. In view of this point, the STB 11 makes a request for schedule inquiry or request for transmission of content data.

When the STB 11 has a function capable of receiving content data or the like even when the power supply of the STB 11 is always on or turned off, the service provider 2 provides The schedule may be transmitted to the STB 11 at the time the schedule is created. The content data may also be transmitted from the service provider 2 side even when there is no request from the STB 11 at the time when the transmission time comes.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the example which carried out the process of purchase by the PC 12 and downloads to the STB 11 was demonstrated and demonstrated, the process of purchase can also be performed by the mobile telephone 13. The case where the purchase process is executed by the mobile phone 13 is also performed in the same manner as when the purchase process is executed by the PC 12.

In this way, the purchase process is performed by the predetermined device, and the other device can store the purchased content data, so that, for example, the user can download the content data of the desired content from the outside or the like to the home device. This makes it easy for the user to acquire desired content data.

In the above-described embodiment, the user who basically purchases the content data and the user who enjoys the content based on the content data have been described as the same. In other words, it has been described that the user who pays the fee for the purchased content data (the user to be charged) and the user who acquires the content data are the same. In other words, the device that executes the processing related to the purchase of the content data and the device that stores the purchased content data have been described as being owned by the same user.

Next, the user A (Fig. 1) makes the purchase of the content data, and the user B can enjoy the content data purchased by the user A on a device owned by the user B. In other words, the user A presents the content data (license data) to the user B.

In other words, as described above, the content data cannot be reproduced without the license data. For example, the content data does not need to be provided via the network 1, but is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and the recording medium is presented and recorded. It is also conceivable that the license data is provided via the network 1 to the device on which the medium is reproduced. Even in such a case, the following processing can be applied.

In the case where the meaning of the license data is taken into consideration, when the content data is distributed free of charge, the license data is not necessarily required, and the content may be reproduced only with the content data.

In view of this, it is sometimes desirable to have the license data presented. In the following description, content data is represented as being presented, which means that the content data and license data are presented, and that the license data is presented only.

Processing relating to the presentation of such content data will be described. In this case, the user A executes a process of purchasing (present) the content data from the PC 12, and the user B acquires the content data presented from the user A in the STB 21 (Fig. 1) (memory). The case where it is made to explain is demonstrated as an example. In other words, the service provider 2 performs the charging process for the user A and transmits the content data to the user B.

First, the flow of the entire process (the flow of the process performed between the PC 12, the service provider 2, and the STB 21) is basically the same as that of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is the same. In the flowchart of FIG. 23, the process of the PC is the process performed by the PC 12 of the user A, and the process of the STB is the process performed by the STB 21 of the user B.

However, in the case where the processing related to the present can be performed, it is necessary to perform the processing related to the present on the service provider 2 side. Thus, the processing on the service provider 2 side will be described. First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, the process which concerns on the purchase of content containing the process of a present on the service provider 2 side is demonstrated.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 29 has the structure which added the process of step S307 and step S308 to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the processing of steps S301 to S306 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 29 is basically the same as the processing of steps S201 to S206 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 24. In addition, the process of step S309-S314 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 29 is basically the same as the process of step S207-S212 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Here, with respect to the processing of the service provider 2 already described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate, and the processing necessary to execute the present processing will be described. When the service provider 2 executes the present process, it is different from the case where the data of the purchase form transmitted in step S305 is the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the screen based on the data of the purchase form has been described as a screen shown in FIG. 25. However, when the present process is performed, the screen shown in FIG. 31 is a device on the user's side (in this case, Data of the purchase form displayed on the display 261 of the user 12's PC 12 is transmitted in step S305.

The screen shown in Fig. 31 is provided with a field for inputting a user ID, a field for inputting a password, and a radio button checked when YES for the message "Are you present?". If the user is willing to present the content data to be purchased to another user, the user checks a radio button corresponding to the message " present? The screen example shown in FIG. 31 shows a state where a radio button is checked.

When data of a purchase form for transmitting such a screen on the display 261 on the user side is transmitted, the service provider 2 is in a waiting state for receiving information input by the user with reference to the purchase form. In step S306, when receiving information on the purchase form, the process proceeds to step S307.

The received information includes at least information of a user ID and a password, and information indicating that the content data, which is the subject of a purchase process, is indicated as a subject of a present if necessary. Of these pieces of information, information indicating whether or not the present target is a target is used as content data to be purchased, and the process of step S307 is executed.

In step S307, if it is determined that the purchased content data is the subject of the present (including such information), the flow advances to step S308, where the purchased content data is the subject of the present. If it is determined that the information is not included (such information is not included), the flow proceeds to step S309.

When the process proceeds to step S309, that is, the purchased content data is not the subject of the present, the same process is performed as the state described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S308, the process related to the present is executed. Before explaining the processing in step S308, the handling of the information of the user ID and the password among the information received in step S306 will be described.

When the process proceeds to step S309, as described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 24, the information of the user ID and the password is used as information for specifying the device to which the purchased content data is to be sent and information for user authentication. do. When the process proceeds to step S308, as will be described later, the information of the user ID and the password is used as information for specifying the user to be charged.

The present process in step 308 is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S321, data of the present form is transmitted. 32 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 261 of the apparatus on the user side, in this case, the user 12's PC 12 by performing processing based on the data of the present form.

The screen shown in Fig. 32 is provided with a field for inputting the "mail address of the user of the present destination" and a field for inputting the "preferred date and time for the present". The mail address of the user of the present destination is input for use as information for specifying the user (device) to which the presented content data is to be transmitted.

In addition, inputting a desired date and time for a present is in order to meet the user's desire to supply content data as a present on a specific day such as a birthday. The desired date and time of this present is not an essential item, and post-processing is performed even if a user does not input.

In this case, the mail address is used to specify the user on the present side, but other information may be used. Here, since the information shown in FIG. 18 is described as having been written in the transmission destination table, since it is thought that the mail address is the most suitable for identifying the user of the present side as the information in it, here, a mail address The case where is used will be described as an example.

In addition, as in the present embodiment, when control is performed such that the same user ID does not exist in the transmission destination table, the user on the side uniquely presented by the user ID can be identified. The ID may be used as information for identifying the user on the present side. In such a case, in the screen shown in FIG. 32, the user ID of the user of the present destination may be input instead of the mail address.

In addition, when a user's real name, telephone number, address, and the like are managed in the sender table (or as another table in the service provider 2), the real name, telephone number, address, and the like are presented. It may be used as information for identifying the user of the side to be used. In addition, the user may be specified by a combination of these pieces of information.

The information input by the user on the side of presenting the content data with reference to the screen as shown in Fig. 32 is received by the service provider 2 in step S322. The service provider 2 extracts the information of the mail address included in the information received in step S322. In step S323, it is determined whether or not the extracted mail address is stored (registered) in the transmission destination table (for example, the transmission destination table shown in FIG. 18).

In step S323, when it is determined that the extracted mail address is registered in the transmission destination table, the process proceeds to step S324, and when it is determined that it is not registered, the present process based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 30 ends. do. If the extracted e-mail address is not registered in the transmission destination table, the device (user) to which the content data as a present is to be transmitted cannot be specified, and if it is determined that it is not registered, the present process ends.

If it is determined that the extracted mail address is not registered in the transmission destination table, a process of requesting the user side for input of the mail address may be performed again. In this way, when the present process is terminated because the transmission destination cannot be determined, the user who has requested the purchase recognizes that the purchase process is not normally performed in the process of step S314 (Fig. 29). A message is sent to the device on the user side.

On the other hand, in step S323, it is determined that the extracted mail address is registered in the transmission destination table, and when the process proceeds to step S324, mail is transmitted to the extracted mail address. Here, the extracted mail address is referred to as "ΔxΔ@x.co.jp". This mail address is a mail address of a user whose user ID is " furniture " referring to the transmission destination table shown in FIG.

In this way, when the extracted mail address and the mail address described in the transmission destination table match, it is determined as YES in step S323, and the processing proceeds to step S324. If it is determined as YES, the information written in the mail address column is also read as necessary. In this case, at least the information " personal computer ", " STB ", and " mobile phone " written in the column of the terminal name is read. The read information is included in the contents of the mail and transmitted.

The content of the mail transmitted at this time is, for example, the content shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the mail is received from the PC 22 of the user B, and the contents (screen) shown in FIG. 33 are displayed on the display 301 of the PC 22.

On the screen shown in Fig. 33, the message " There is a present of the content from user A. Do you want to receive the present? &Quot; In the message "User A", the user ID of user A, his or her name registered in advance by user A (for example, one piece of information in the sender table is managed in association with other information). Is displayed. When the service provider 2 sends an e-mail for displaying such a screen, the service provider 2 requests the present from the user ID (or password or user ID and password) of the user who is applying for the present. A user is specified, and the contents of the mail are created so that a character string representing the specified user is displayed in the portion of " User A "

The screen shown in FIG. 33 is further provided with a radio button for inputting an answer to the message "Would you like to receive a present?" Here, two radio buttons are provided, one being a radio button corresponding to "YES" and the other to "NO". If the radio button corresponding to "YES" is checked, the radio button for inputting an answer to the message "Please select a destination device" is enabled.

In the example shown in FIG. 33, radio buttons corresponding to three terminal names "Personal Computer", "STB", and "Mobile Phone" are respectively provided. For example, if the user on the present side registers only one device (terminal), only one terminal name will be displayed in the portion where the terminal name is displayed, but only one terminal name as such. When not displayed, the device corresponding to the terminal name must be designated as the destination of the content data. That is, since there is no room for device selection, there is no need to display and select it. Therefore, if only one terminal name is displayed, it may not be displayed.

With reference to the screen shown in FIG. 33, the information input by the user on the side of receiving the present is transmitted to the service provider 2. In step S325, the service provider 2 judges whether or not information has been received from the user who receives the present. If the service provider 2 determines that the information has been received, the process proceeds to step S326.

In step S326, the service provider 2 extracts the user's answer to the question "Do you want to receive the present?" Included in the received information, and determines whether the extracted answer is "YES". do. That is, in step S326, it is determined whether or not the user of the present side has decided to accept the present.

If it is determined in step S326 that the user on the present side has decided not to receive the present, there is no need to execute the present, so the presenting process based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 30 is terminated. In this way, when the user on the presenting side (in this case, user B) rejects the present, a message informing the user on the presenting side (in this case, user A) of the fact. For example, the process transmitted as an electronic mail may be performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S326 that the user on the present side has accepted the present, the process proceeds to step S327 to transmit the content data targeted for the present to the present destination. The schedule is created. The schedule created at this time also basically consists of the same information as the schedule shown in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 22, the content of the schedule created in step S327 is demonstrated. Here, description will be given as a present from user A to user B. In the "content ID", an ID corresponding to the content designated by the user A as a present to the user B is written. In the "destination device ID", the device ID corresponding to the device (terminal name) designated by the user B received in step S325 is written.

In the "billing user ID", the user ID of the user A who gives a present is written. The "transmission time" basically writes the time designated by the user A as the time for presenting the content data to the user B. The description of " basically " is because the service provider 2 may write (set) a time other than the specified time in the processing of scheduling described later.

When such a schedule is created, the process proceeds to step S314 (FIG. 29). In step S314, notification of completion of purchase acceptance is performed. The notification is notified to the user and the user of the presenting party when the presenting process is executed and the user of the presenting party accepts the present.

In addition, when the present process is executed, but the user on the present side decides not to receive the present, the user is notified that the present has been stopped, and the user on the present side. For, it is notified that the present has been rejected.

When the present process is not executed, that is, when it is determined in step S307 that it is not a present and subsequent processes are performed, the same process as that performed in step S212 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 is performed. .

In this way, the processing related to the purchase including the processing related to the present is performed on the service provider 2 side. Next, processing related to transmission of content data performed on the service provider 2 side will be described. Since the processing related to the transmission of the content data performed on the service provider 2 side is basically performed in the same manner as described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 27, the description thereof is omitted. In this case, however, this is a process performed between the service provider 2 and the STB 21, which is a device on the user's side receiving the present.

In addition, when the content data related to the present is transmitted, the notification of the end of transmission in step S239 is preferably made to be not only notified to the user on the present side but also to the user on one side. By notifying the user on one side of the present, the user can be surely recognized that the present is made and completed, and that the charge is generated thereby.

The apparatus on the side receiving the present (in this case, for example, STB 21 of user B) executes the process described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. That is, basically, the same processing is executed whether or not the content data purchased by the user B is received or the content data presented from the user A is received.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the content data (license data) can be presented to other users.

Next, the scheduling performed by the service provider 2 will be described. This scheduling is, for example, a process performed in step S313 (Fig. 29), which is a process performed when a purchase of new content is instructed.

Here, the situation where scheduling is performed is checked. First, there is a situation where user A executes a purchase process with a device owned by user A, and stores content data in a device that has performed the purchase process. In addition, there is a situation where user A executes a purchase process on a device owned by user A, and stores content data in a device different from the device that has performed the purchase process.

In addition, there is a situation in which user A executes a purchase process with a device owned by user A, and stores content data in a device owned by user B different from user A.

In this way, there is also a variety of relationships between the device which has executed the purchase process and the device of the storage destination of the purchased content data as a result of the process. In addition, the timing of transmitting the content data may also be transmitted at, for example, the time specified by the user and at the time set by the service provider 2 side.

In addition, the data amount of the content data to be transmitted is not constant, but is a variety of data amounts, and varies from completing a short time transmission to taking a long time for transmission.

In view of these various situations, it is necessary to determine the timing of transmitting content data. The process of determining this transmission timing is scheduling.

Although the scheduling performed by the schedule creation unit 204 (FIG. 7) of the service provider 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 35, before that, with reference to FIG. 34, a table referred to when scheduling is performed will be described. Explain. 34 is a table which the schedule preparation unit 204 refers to when creating a schedule, and is a table which can be determined by referring to the time when a predetermined content is reserved.

The transmission reservation table 321 shown in FIG. 34 is an example in which reservation is made every 10 minutes, and enlarged the parts of 1:00, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:30. Yes. In Fig. 34, black circles (circles)? Indicate that a reservation is made, and white circles (circles)? Indicate that a reservation is not made (reservation is possible).

34 shows that N reservations can be made, for example, for 0 to 10 minutes. These N specific numbers are values determined based on the data amount of content data transmitted at that time and the data amount (transmission capability) that the service provider 2 can transmit in 10 minutes. However, since the transmission capability (processing capability) is constant, it basically becomes a value determined based on the data amount of the content data.

Therefore, when a large amount of content data with a large data amount is transmitted, the number of N decreases, and when a large amount of content data with a small data amount is transmitted, the number of N is a value that varies with each time. The value of N is a value that is variably determined in consideration of the amount of content data already reserved.

The transmission reservation table 321 is provided with the definite part 322 and the undetermined part 323. The confirmation part 322 is a part indicating the number of reservations determined as a schedule. Uncommitted portion 323 is a reservation that cannot be made (cannot be determined) because there is a request for a present and the determination of whether or not to receive the present is not made by the user of the receiving party. This is the part that represents a number.

The schedule preparation unit 204 refers to the transmission reservation table 321 shown in FIG. 34 and executes processing related to scheduling based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 35. In the description with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 35, processing related to the determination of the transmission time will be described, and acquisition of other information will not be described, but other information is acquired and written as described above.

In step S351, the schedule preparation unit 204 determines whether there is a request to purchase new content, and whether a schedule for transmitting the content needs to be created.

As described above, the processing related to the purchase of the content is performed by the content delivery reservation unit 201. The content delivery reservation unit 201 instructs the schedule creation unit 204 to create a new schedule at the time when it is determined that the content has been reserved (for example, the timing at which step S211 of FIG. 24 is executed). . The schedule preparation unit 204 determines in step S351 by determining whether such an instruction has been made.

If it is determined in step S351 that a new schedule is to be created, the flow advances to step S352, and it is determined whether or not the created schedule is a schedule related to a present. In step S352, it is determined whether the schedule is related to the present until the user on the side receiving the present is determined to receive the present (in particular, the content related to the present). This is because the time at which data is transmitted cannot be determined.

If it is determined in step S352 that the newly created schedule is not a schedule related to the present, in step S353 it is determined whether or not the time for transmitting the content data of the purchased content is specified by the user. If it is determined in step S353 that the transmission time is specified, the flow advances to step S354 to determine whether transmission is possible at the specified time.

This determination is performed by referring to the transmission reservation table 321 shown in FIG. For example, referring to the portion of 0:00 o'clock as the time, N reservations are made at 1:00. Among them, reservations 0-1 to 0-3 have already been reserved, but reservations 0-4 to 0-N are in a state in which reservations can be accepted. If the transmission time of the content data by the user is designated as 1:00, in this case, since it is determined that the reservation can be made in reservation 0-4, it is determined that the content data can be transmitted at the time specified by the user. do.

For example, referring to the portion at 1:10 as the time, at 1:10, there are N reservations (a number different from 1:00). Of these, reservations 10-1 to 10-N are in a state where reservations have already been made. That is, the number which can be reserved is a "no" state. If the transmission time of the content data by the user is specified as 1:10, since it is already determined that the reservation has expired, it is determined that it is impossible to transmit the content data at the time specified by the user.

By this determination method, when it is determined in step S354 that the content data can be transmitted at the time indicated by the user, the flow advances to step S355, and the specified time is set to the transmission time of the content data. That is, referring to Fig. 22, the time designated by the user is written in the "transmission time". At this time, in the "send state", the information "not transmitted" which has not been transmitted yet is written.

In this way, when the user designates the transmission time of the content data, and when it is determined that transmission is possible at that time, a schedule in which the time is written is created.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 354 that the content data cannot be transmitted at the time specified by the user, the flow advances to step S356, where the time at which transmission is possible is referred to the transmission reservation table 321 closest to the time specified by the user. do.

For example, referring to FIG. 34 again, if the time specified by the user is 1:10, since the time has already been reserved, the content data will be transmitted at the time specified by the user at 1:10. It is judged not to be. In this case, the time before and after that is referred to. It is necessary to set in advance whether to search before the specified time first or after the designated time first, but it does not matter which one is searched first.

However, if the previous time of the specified time is to be searched first, the time of the search target (time A) is compared with the time (current time) at the time when the search is performed. If time A is not a later time, time A should not be used as the search target time. This means that, for example, when the designated time is 1:10, the previous time (that is, time A) becomes 1:00, but the time when the search is being performed (that is, the current time) is, for example, 1 05. In the case of minutes, it is not possible to transmit at time A (it cannot be reserved).

In step S356, by referring to the transmission reservation table 321, the transmission time is set closest to the transmission time specified by the user. Then, the set time is written in the "transmission time" (FIG. 22) of the schedule.

In this way, when the user designates the transmission time of the content data, and when it is determined that transmission is impossible at that time, a schedule is created in which the transmission time is written as close as possible to that time.

This process is performed when the user designates the time. If it is determined in step S353 that the user has not specified the transmission time of the content data, the process proceeds to step S357. In step S357, a process is performed in which the transmittable time is set to the transmission time close to the time (current time) at which the schedule was created (basically the later time).

In this way, when the user does not specify the transmission time of the content data, the schedule creation unit 204 side creates a schedule in which the transmission time is written.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S352 that the newly created schedule is a schedule related to the present, the process proceeds to step S358. In step S358, the schedule creation unit 204 will again refer to Fig. 22 to describe the information "transmission status" as information that has not yet been determined whether or not to be transmitted, for example, information that has not been determined. Write a schedule.

At this time, the date and time (time) specified by the user as the date and time for presenting is written in the information "transmission time" of the schedule shown in FIG. This schedule is counted as one reservation of the undetermined portion 323 of the transmission reservation table 321.

In this way, even if the transmission time is specified, the schedule cannot be determined because the information on the determination of the will to receive the present is not received from the receiving side. Thus, in step S359, it is determined whether or not the information on the decision of whether to receive the present or not is received from the user on the side receiving the present. This process is the same as the process performed as the process of step S325 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

As the schedule preparation unit 204, the process of step S359 is performed by determining whether or not the information regarding the answer from the presenter is supplied. If it is determined in step S359 that information has been supplied, the process proceeds to step S360.

In step S360, it is determined whether the supplied information is information for receiving a present (information for allowing a present). If it is determined that the supplied information is information to allow the present, the flow proceeds to step S353, and subsequent processing is performed. Since the processing after step S353 has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. However, in the case of a schedule related to a present, different processes are included, and therefore, the description of the processing will be added.

In step S353, the information at the time of determining whether a time is specified is performed by referring to the schedule already written as an undetermined schedule. In other words, the unconfirmed schedule has already been created as a schedule including the information shown in Fig. 22, among which the processing at step S353 is performed with reference to the information of the "transmission time".

If a predetermined time is written as the information of "transmission time", the process proceeds to step S354. In step S354, the time written as the information of the "transmission time" is compared with the present time, and if the time written is later than the present time, and if it is possible to transmit to the written time, it is step S355. Processing proceeds.

On the other hand, as a result of comparing the recorded time and the present time in step S354, when it is determined that the written time is earlier than the present time, it indicates that the already written time has elapsed. In other words, it is determined that the time designated as the time for providing the present has passed.

In such a case, the process proceeds to step S356, and at the time closest to the designated time, the time at which the transmission can be made as soon as possible at that time is the transmission time, rather than the transmission time being set to the transmission time. It is good to have it set.

In this manner, the "send time" in the schedule is set, and when the set time is written, the information of the "send state" is also rewritten from the information indicating "not determined" to the information indicating "not transmitted". In addition, the number of reservations written in the undetermined portion 323 of the transmission destination table 321 is subtracted by one, and the number of reservations corresponding to the set time of the determined portion 323 is added by one.

In this way, a schedule related to the present is created.

On the other hand, in step S360, if it is determined that the information from the user on the side of receiving the present was information not to receive the present, the flow proceeds to step S361. In step S361, the unscheduled schedule corresponding to the content whose presentation is rejected is discarded. This discard processing also includes a process in which the reserved number of portions of the undetermined portion 323 of the transmission destination reservation table 321 is subtracted by one.

As described above, the schedule created in this manner is provided, for example, when the STB 11 inquires at predetermined time intervals whether or not a schedule before it is newly created. The STB 11 makes a request for transmission of content data based on the provided schedule, which is made at a later time from the time when the schedule is provided.

For this time lug, it is necessary to consider that the situation of the STB 11 may change from the time when the schedule is provided until it actually requests the transmission of the content data.

Specifically, the STB 11 includes a storage unit 85 (FIG. 3) having a finite capacity, and stores content data received in the storage unit 85, but at the time when the schedule is provided. Even if the storage unit 85 has a capacity for storing the data amount of the content data to be transmitted based on the schedule, other content data is received until actually requesting the transmission of the content data. Since it is stored in the memory, there is a possibility that the storage unit 85 may change to a situation where the capacity of the storage unit 85 is insufficient.

In this way, even if the STB 11 requests the transmission of the content data based on the schedule and actually receives the content data, there is no capacity in the storage unit 85 to store the content data. In this case, there is a possibility that the situation can be impossible to remember. In addition, when such a situation that such a memory cannot be stored occurs on the STB 11 side, for example, it is necessary for the service provider 2 side to perform the process of transmitting again.

Considering this, the processing related to the transmission of the content data, performed by the service provider 2 side, will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 36.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 36 has the structure which added the process of step S385 and step S386 to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the processes of steps S381 to S384 and the processes of steps S387 to S391 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 36 are the same as the processes of steps S231 to S234 referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 27, and the processes of steps S235 to S239, respectively. Is the processing of. Since the description of such a process has already been described, it is omitted here.

When the process comes to step S385, it is when it is determined that the STB 11 (here, the STB 11 is described as an example) has requested the transmission of the content data. In step S385, when the content data requested for transmission is transmitted, it is determined whether or not the device on the other side can reliably store the content data. Information for making this determination needs to be transmitted from the STB 11 side.

When requesting transmission of content data, the STB 11 transmits the information on the remaining capacity of its storage unit 85 to the service provider 2. On the service provider 2 side, the remaining capacity of the received storage unit 85 is compared with the data size of the content data that has been requested to be transmitted, and the remaining capacity of the received storage unit is the content data that has been requested to be transmitted. Only when it is determined that the size is larger than the data size, the process proceeds to step S387 so that subsequent processing, that is, processing related to transmission of the content data, is executed.

Alternatively, when the STB 11 requests the transmission of content data, the remaining capacity of its storage unit 85 and the data size of the content data requesting transmission (this information is on the STB 11 side, In the processing in step S253 of FIG. 28, the data can be obtained by being included in the information of the received schedule), and it is shown whether or not the capacity of storing content data remains in the storage unit 85. The information is sent to the service provider 2 side.

On the service provider 2 side, either the information that the content data can be received or the information that cannot be received is received. Using such information, the service provider 2 may perform the process of step S385.

In any case, the service provider 2 does not execute the process after step S387 unless it determines that the STB 11 side can store the received content data. Therefore, the STB 11 side can prevent the problem that the transmitted content data cannot be stored.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S385 that it is impossible to transmit the requested content data, the process proceeds to step S386. In step S386, the schedule is changed. That is, when the process comes to step S386, it indicates that the content data to be transmitted has not been transmitted, and it is necessary to execute the transmission again at another time point.

For that reason, the "sending time" of the schedule needs to be modified (changed). This change may be rewritten so that transmission is performed again after elapse of a predetermined time, for example, setting one hour after the time written at that time. In this case, the contents of the transmission schedule table 321 are also rewritten, and changed to a value in which the reserved number of the portion of the newly set time is added by one.

Alternatively, an instruction may be sent to the user to change the transmission time by mail or the like, and may be changed based on an answer to the instruction. In this case, until the reply of the mail is received, the "send state" of the corresponding schedule is changed to information indicating undetermined. With this change, the number of reservations of the undetermined portion 322 of the transmission reservation table 321 is changed to a value added by one. Then, at the time when the answer is received, the "transmission time" in the schedule is changed to the time indicated in the answer, and the value of the reservation number of the portion of the time in the transmission reservation table 321 at the corresponding time is added by one. Is changed to

In this way, when the schedule is modified, the modified schedule is again provided to the STB 11, and the STB 11 executes the processing based on the provided schedule, whereby transmission and reception of content data is performed.

Alternatively, the STB 11 may request the transmission of the content data again when the STB 11 is in a state capable of being stored. In such a case, the service provider 2 may be configured to keep the " send state " of the corresponding schedule in the unsent state and to prevent the process of deleting the corresponding schedule. .

In this way, the STB 11 side causes the necessary information to be transmitted and the service provider 2 executes a corresponding process, thereby causing a problem that the content data received on the STB 11 side cannot be stored. It is possible to prevent this from happening, and it is possible to prevent a problem in which the service provider 2 performs unnecessary processing related to the transmission of content data.

In the above-described embodiment, a process relating to the purchase of one piece of content data and the like has been described as an example. However, the process of purchasing a plurality of pieces of content data may be executed at the same time, and the plurality of pieces of content data may be transmitted and received at the same time.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware having respective functions, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processes are performed by software, various functions can be executed by installing the computer in which the program which comprises the software is built in dedicated hardware, or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in Fig. 2, the recording medium is a magnetic disk 61 (a flexible disk) on which a program is recorded, which is distributed to provide a program to a user, separately from a personal computer such as the service provider 2 or the like. Optical disc 62 (including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), magneto-optical disc 63 (MD (Mini-Disc) (registered trademark)). Or a ROM 42 or a storage unit 48 that stores a program, which is configured not only by a package medium composed of a semiconductor memory 64 or the like, but also provided to a user in a state of being pre-built in a computer. The hard disk is included.

In addition, in the present specification, the step of describing a program provided by the medium includes processing performed in time series according to the described order, as well as processing executed in parallel or separately, even if not necessarily in time series. It is.

In addition, in this specification, a system shows the whole apparatus comprised by a some apparatus.

According to the present invention, content data can be supplied to a device on the user side. According to the present invention, it is possible to present content data and license data required for reproducing the content data.

According to the present invention, the content data and the license data required for reproducing the content data can be presented at the time that the user on the present side wants to present.

Claims (10)

An information processing system comprising a first information processing device for controlling delivery of content, a second information processing device for requesting delivery of content, and a third information processing device receiving delivery of content, The first information processing device, First management means for managing a first ID for identifying the content; Second management means for managing a second ID for identifying the second information processing apparatus and a third ID for identifying the third information processing apparatus; Supply means for supplying the first ID managed by the first management means to the second information processing apparatus when a request for delivery of the content is requested from the second information processing apparatus; When each of the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the information for specifying the third ID are received from the second information processing apparatus, the second management means stores the information from the information. Specifying means for specifying the managed second ID and the third ID, respectively; Distribution means for delivering the content identified by the first ID to the third information processing apparatus corresponding to the third ID specified by the specifying means. And The second information processing device, Requesting means for requesting delivery of said content to said first information processing apparatus; In response to a request by the requesting means, information for transmitting the first ID corresponding to the content selected by the user among the first IDs supplied by the supplying means, and specifying the second ID; Transmitting means for transmitting information for specifying the third ID, respectively. And The third information processing device, Storage means for receiving and storing the content delivered by the delivery means An information processing system comprising: a. First management means for managing a first ID for identifying the first device, Second management means for managing a second ID for identifying the second device, Third management means for managing a third ID for identifying content, and Supply means for supplying said third ID managed by said third management means to said first apparatus, when a request for delivery of said content is requested from said first apparatus; When the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID are received from the first device, respectively, the information is managed by the first management means. Specifying means for specifying each of the first ID, and the second ID managed by the second management means; Distribution means for delivering the content identified by the third ID to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified by the specifying means. Information processing apparatus comprising a. And an accounting means for charging a fee of the content delivered by said delivery means to a user of said first device identified by said first ID specified by said specifying means. The method of claim 2, Inquiring means for inquiring whether to distribute the content to a user of the second apparatus identified by the second ID after the second ID is specified by the specifying means; The second device corresponding to the second ID specified by the specifying means when receiving an answer indicating that the content is to be delivered from a user of the second device as a response to the inquiry by the inquiry means; Creation means for creating a schedule for delivering the content identified by the third ID Further provided, And the distribution means delivers the content on the basis of the schedule created by the creation means. The method of claim 4, wherein The creation means, when the user of the first device or the user of the second device designates a time for delivering the content, creates a schedule for delivering the content at the specified time. Processing unit. The method of claim 4, wherein Providing means for providing the schedule to the second apparatus when the request for provision of the schedule is requested from the second apparatus and the schedule for the second apparatus is created by the creation means. The information processing apparatus of the description characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 2, The first management means and the second management means manage the same table, and the table includes an ID including the first ID and the second ID, a user ID for identifying a user, a password, and a mail address. Are each associated with, The specifying means uses at least one of the user ID and the password as information for specifying the first ID, and uses the mail address as information for specifying the second ID. Information processing device. A first management step of managing a first ID for identifying a first device, A second management step of managing a second ID for identifying the second device, A third management step of managing a third ID for identifying content, A supplying step of supplying the first device with the third ID managed in the processing of the third management step when the request for delivery of the content is requested from the first device; When the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID are received from the first device, respectively, the information is managed in the processing of the first management step. Specifying the first ID and the second ID managed in the processing of the second management step, respectively; A delivery control step of controlling delivery of the content identified by the third ID to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified in the processing of the specifying step; Information processing method comprising a. A first management step of managing a first ID for identifying a first device, A second management step of managing a second ID for identifying the second device, A third management step of managing a third ID for identifying content, A supplying step of supplying the first device with the third ID managed in the processing of the third management step when the request for delivery of the content is requested from the first device; When the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID are respectively received from the first device, the information is managed from the information in the processing of the first management step. Specifying the first ID and the second ID managed in the processing of the second management step, respectively; A delivery control step of controlling delivery of the content identified by the third ID to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified in the processing of the specifying step; And a computer readable program recorded thereon. A first management step of managing a first ID for identifying a first device, A second management step of managing a second ID for identifying the second device, A third management step of managing a third ID for identifying content, A supplying step of supplying the first device with the third ID managed in the processing of the third management step when the request for delivery of the content is requested from the first device; When the information for specifying the first ID, the information for specifying the second ID, and the third ID are respectively received from the first device, the information is managed from the information in the processing of the first management step. Specifying the first ID and the second ID managed in the processing of the second management step, respectively; A delivery control step of controlling delivery of the content identified by the third ID to the second device corresponding to the second ID specified in the processing of the specifying step; A program, characterized in that for running on a computer.