Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
  • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
  • G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
  • G06Q20/102—Bill distribution or payments

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a content distribution
• system for realizing a content distribution service including a distribution server for fee-paying distribution of digital contents, and a reference server.
• Content distribution services used for fee-paying distribution of digital contents are one of a number of
• EMD Electronic Music Distribution
• a conventional distribution system that realizes EMD includes a user terminal, a
• Such a system distributes music contents for a fee, the music contents having been encoded using an audio compression codec such -as
• AAC Advanced Audio Coding
• a user accesses a Web site by inputting an URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or similar into a user terminal, and
• the music content is downloaded using a
• the distribution server Upon receiving a download request from the user terminal, the distribution server transmits the music content to the user terminal.
• the billing server bills the user for the music content by informing the user terminal of the purchase fee required for the music contents.
• Distribution servers operated by major record companies are well publicized, but those operated by independent artists tend to be overlooked. For the- independent artist who is not
• distribution servers have no alternate but to wait for users to access their Web site by searching the WWW using a title or
• the object of the present invention is to provide a contents distribution system that gives distribution servers
• a content distribution system including at least one distribution server for distributing digital contents via a network in response to
• a reference server operable to hold at least one piece of location information showing a location of a •
• each distribution server includes a determining unit, a generating unit and a transmitting unit.
• the determining unit is operable to determine, when the distribution server is accessed by one of the user terminals, whether the user terminal has connected to the distribution server using one of the at least one pieces of location information received from the reference server as
• the generating unit is operable to
• the user terminal to pay a purchase fee to the distribution server, when the user terminal is determined to have connected
• the transmitting unit is operable to transmit (a) one
• the artist in question can inform a large number of user terminals of digital contents that they have created, as well as the network location of the distribution server from
• the reference server is operated by a •'
• the reference server may include a first storage unit, a
• the receiving unit is a receiving unit, and a search unit.
• the receiving unit is a receiving unit, and a search unit.
• the receiving unit is
• the search unit is
• the user can access the distribution server from
• the first storage unit may further be operable to store a
• the reference server may further include a distribution guide generation unit operable to fetch, if the search unit has found content-related phrases matching the keyword, pieces of
• unit is operable to transmit the generated distribution guide
• the first storage unit may further be operable to store pieces of playback software information, each showing playback
• the receiving unit may be operable to receive, from the user terminal, a piece of playback software information indicating a playback software used by the user terminal, together with a keyword
• search unit may be
• FIG. 1 shows a structure of a content distribution system
• FIG. 2 shows an internal structure of a reference server
• FIG. 3A shows reference tables including pieces of content management information 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
• FIG. 3B shows a data structure for content management information
• FIG. 4 shows an actual example of a reference table
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a search engine 12
• FIG. 6A illustrates how input of a keyword relating to
• FIG. 6B shows distribution guide information formed from
• Pieces of content management information including a keyword 'Star';
• FIG. 6C is a menu screen displayed on a user terminal by transmitting the distribution guide information shown in FIG.
• FIG. 7 shows an internal structure for a distribution
• FIG. 8 shows a structure for a distribution package formed
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the
• FIG. 10 shows an internal structure of a user terminal
• FIG. 11 shows an example of pieces of package management
• FIG. 12 shows an example of a purchase information management table
• FIG 13 illustrates input/output of data to and from the inside of the user terminal when playback rights are
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a
• FIG. 16 shows movement of data between servers and the user terminal when the user terminal downloads a music content via
• FIG. 17 shows movement of data between servers and the user terminal when the user terminal downloads a music content, bypassing the reference server
• FIG. 18 shows a structure of a semiconductor memory card
• FIG. 19 shows an internal structure of a user terminal in a third embodiment
• FIG. 20 supplements the explanation of processing performed
• a media-ID encryption unit 40 by a media-ID encryption unit 40;
• FIG. 21 supplements the explanation of processing performed
• a packaging unit 41 and a media-ID decryption unit 42;
• FIG. 22 shows an internal structure of a user terminal in a
• FIG. 23 shows an internal structure of a user terminal in a
• FIG. 24 shows an internal structure of a distribution
• FIG. 1 shows a structure for a content distribution system in a first
• this content distribution system includes distribution servers 101 to 108,
• a user terminal 109 a playback software supply server 110, a
• the distribution system may contain a plurality of user terminals
• the distribution servers 101 to 108 receive requests to download music contents issued by the user terminal 109, and transmit music contents to the user terminal 109.
• the user terminal 109 is a personal computer, or corresponding information processing device or audio device, in which playback software in an audio format such as Liquid Audio or a2b has been installed.
• the user terminal 109 makes a request to download a music content from one of the
• the user terminal 109 Having received a music content that has been transmitted from one of the distribution servers 101 to 108, the user terminal 109 stores the received
• SDMI Music Initiative
• music contents distributed by the distribution servers 101 to 108 can be played back.
• the playback software supply server 110 is operated by a manufacturer of playback software.
• the playback supply server 110 transmits playback software, such as an audio player, to the user terminal 109 free of charge, in response to a request
• the billing server 111 allows payment for playback rights of music contents to be performed over the network.
• the billing server 111 is already in possession of a credit card number and corresponding bank account details for each potential user of the content distribution system.
• the user terminal 109 transmits a user ID, information indicating a music content purchase fee, and details of a bank account into which the purchase fee is to be deposited to the billing server 111.
• the billing server 111 debits the purchase fee from the
• the account name for the creditor's bank account is the operator of one of servers 101 to 108, or
• the billing server 111 realizes payment
• the reference server 112 operates a service that informs
• the user terminal 109 which distribution server distributes a music content that the user wishes to purchase (a music
• FIG. 2 shows an internal structure
• the eference server 112 includes a communication unit 10, a reference table holding unit 11, and a search engine 12.
• the communication unit 10 is formed from a LAN card, a modem, an ISDN (integrated services digital network) terminal
• the reference table holding unit 11 holds a reference
• the reference table is formed from a plurality of
• a 'content-related phrase' a 'content sale details', 'location information' indicating a network location for one of the distribution servers 101 to 108, and 'playback software information' indicating a playback software corresponding to the relevant music content.
• the content-related phrase is
• the content sale details include, 'compression codec/number of quantized bits' indicating the compression method and playback quality
• title name 'Poor Minor' is the creation of an artist 'Mr Artist
• the search engine 12 has a menu for prompting input of a
• server 112 is accessed by the user terminal 109 (process a) .
• the search engine 12 specifies all pieces of content management information included in the reference server that have a title name or
• FIG. 5 shows the detailed processing performed in processes a to c.
• FIGs. 6A to 6C show a procedure that is performed when the search engine 12 processes the data shown in FIG. 4.
• search engine 12 waits to be accessed by the user terminal
• step S2 the search engine 12 receives a search keyword from
• the search engine specifies all pieces of content management information including a title name or artist name
• search engine generates distribution guide information formed
• the search engine 12 specifies the title 'Star on Busstop' on the third line of FIG. 4, and the title 'Local Superstar' on the
• FIG. 6B distribution guide information formed from the pieces of content management information including these titles is generated.
• FIG. 6C shows the menu screen that is displayed on the user terminal 109 by transmitting the distribution guide information of FIG. 6B to the user terminal 109. If the user clicks 'URL of
• distribution server 103 or 'URL of distribution server 105'
• the user terminal 109 connects from the reference server 112 to either the
• distribution server 103 or the distribution server 105.
• servers 101 to 108 have a functional structure like the one in
• FIG. 7 In the drawing, the distribution servers 101 to 108
• each include a communication unit 20, a content/DES key
• the communication unit 20 includes a LAN card, a modem, an
• ISDN terminal adaptor and the like, and transmits and receives
• the content/DES key storage unit 21 stores a plurality of music contents encoded using a specific encoding system, with corresponding DES (data encryption standard) keys for
• the content ID is a code unique to the
• music content such as an ISRC (international standard
• a DES key is an encryption key used for
• the purchase fee table 22 lists a content ID for each music
• the content packaging unit 23 converts the music content
• FIG. 8 shows a
• the header is formed from a header and an encrypted content, as is indicated by the arrows y81, and the header is formed from a
• the 'RSA section' contains data encrypted using the RSA
• the encryption system includes payment information, and a DES key.
• the Rivest, Shamir, Adleman (RSA) encryption system is a public key encryption system that is characterized by the use of different keys for encryption and decryption. Data encrypted by the RSA encryption system needs to be decrypted using a different decryption key from the public key used for encryption, and so the public key is regarded as being extremely secure.
• encrypted data in the RSA section is distributed in advance to the user terminal 109 as part of the playback software. Only when the distribution package is downloaded by the user
• the 'payment information' is information used to have the
• the content of the payment information differs according to whether or not it has been transmitted as
• the payment information indicates to the user terminal 109 that the purchase fee for
• the payment information indicates to the user terminal 109 that % of the purchase fee for the music content be paid to the reference server 112, and
• FIG. 8 The following is an explanation of the processing performed by the content packaging unit 23 with reference to
• step Sll the content packaging
• step S13 the content packaging unit 23 waits for a download request to be issued, and if one is issued, at step S14, determines whether the user terminal 109
• the content packaging unit 23 If the user terminal 109 has not made the request via the reference server 112, at step S15, the content packaging unit 23 generates payment information instructing the user terminal 109 to pay the entire purchase fee for the music content playback rights to the relevant distribution server 101 to
• the packaging unit 23 encrypts the music content using the DES key. Following this, at step S18, the content packaging unit
• the content packaging unit 23 obtains a header
• the content packaging unit 23 transmits the distribution
• user terminal 109 includes a communication unit 30, a
• the communication unit 30 includes a LAN card, a modem, an ISDN terminal adaptor, and the like, and transmits and
• the internalized disk drive 31 is formed from a hard disk
• the package includes a package storage area 32, a user data storage area 33, and a protected area 34.
• the package includes a package storage area 32, a user data storage area 33, and a protected area 34.
• storage area 32 stores a distribution package downloaded by
• the user terminal 109 from one of the distribution servers 101
• FIG. 11 shows examples of pieces of package management information stored in the package storage area 32.
• Each piece of package management information includes a unique
• a corresponding distribution package USMEI9900001, USMEI9903402, JPMEI9900001, etc in the drawing
• package storage location information C: /package/Songl, C: /package/Song2, C: /package/Song3... in the drawing
• the user data storage area 33 stores encrypted content included in those distribution packages stored in the package storage area 32 for which the user has purchased playback rights.
• the protected area 34 stores data securely so that it
• package is stored only in the package storage area 32, and the encrypted content and DES key are not stored in the user data
• the distribution package, encrypted content, and DES key stored respectively in the package storage area 32, the user
• the package storage area 32, the user data storage area 33, and the protected area 34 are realized as a subdirectory of the hard disk.
• the storage locations of the distribution package, the encrypted content, and the DES key in the package storage area 32, the user data storage area 33, and the protected area 34 are each specified as unique filepaths in this subdirectory.
• the browser 34 searches the reference table held in the reference server 112 (process d) , accesses one of the distribution servers 101 to 108 using the distribution guide
• the browser 35 displays a front page for the
• the browser 35 waits to receive distribution guide information formed from pieces of content management information that include a title or artist name matching the keyword.
• the browser 35 displays a menu
• step S35 the browser 35 waits for the user to click on a hotspot, and at step S36, connects to an URL for one of the distribution servers 101 to 108 that is indicated by the hotspot.
• step S37 the browser 35 judges whether a download operation has been made by the user, and at step S38,
• step S39 the browser 35 waits for transmission of a distribution package. Once a distribution package has been transmitted, at step S40, the browser 35 generates a piece of package management information for the transmitted distribution
• the purchase processing unit 36 refers to pieces of package
• purchase processing unit 36 determines whether the distribution package has already been purchased by referring
• the purchase processing unit 36 sets the music content and the DES key so that the music content included in the distribution package can be played back by the playback
• FIG. 13 shows data input and output when playback rights are purchased. At step S51, the purchase
• processing unit 36 displays a list of packages stored in the package storage area 32, based on the pieces of package
• the purchase processing unit 36 receives a user selection of a music content whose playback rights are to be purchased. Once a music content has been selected, at step S57, the purchase processing unit 36 determines whether the purchase status of the music content is
• step S56 processing moves to step S56, and if not, to step S53.
• the purchase processing unit 36 fetches the
• the purchase processing unit 36 decrypts
• purchase processing unit 36 pays the purchase fee for the
• step S55 the purchase processing unit 36 stores the DES key
• step S58 the purchase processing unit
• processing unit 36 has the DES key fetched from the protected
• the purchase processing unit 36 holds a purchase information management table like the one shown in FIG. 12, so as to manage music
• the purchase information management table shown in FIG. 12 includes index numbers, content storage location information, purchase status information, and key storage location information. Index numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5...) are given to each music content stored in the user terminal 109. Each piece of content storage location information
• C:/AudioData/Songl, C: /AudioData/Song2, C: /AudioData/Song3, etc) is a file path to a storage location for a music content with a corresponding index number.
• C: /Key/Song2, C: /Key/Song3, etc) indicates a storage location for a decryption key for decrypting the music content with the
• the purchase status information is set at 'purchased', indicating that the music content with the corresponding index number has been purchased.
• the playback unit 37 uses the DES key stored in the protected area 34 to decrypt the encrypted content stored in the user data storage area 33, obtaining digital audio data
• FIG. 16 shows the movement of data between servers and the user
• FIG. 17 shows the
• FIGs. 16 and 17 One important point to note from FIGs. 16 and 17 is that
• the reference server 112 generates
• server 112 transmits distribution guide information including an URL for the distribution server 103 back to the user terminal 109 (FIG. 16, ⁇ ) .
• the content packaging unit 23 in the distribution server 103 'performs the
• FIG. 16, ® the user terminal 109 accesses the
• the purchase processing unit 36 in the user terminal 109 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15. Then, a payment of ⁇ % of the purchase fee is made to the reference
• FIG. 9 performs the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 (FIG.
• terminal 109 accesses the distribution server 103 via the
• processing unit 36 in the user terminal 109 performs the
• the reference server 112 is operated by a major record company, the major record company can receive a portion of the payment made to purchase playback rights for a music content as commission, so independent artists and major record companies can share profits. If the two sides are able to
• the playback processing is performed as follows. Once the user has
• the user terminal 109 confirms whether it
• the DES key obtained as a result of this decryption is used to decrypt the content, which is then played back.
• the processing for determining whether the user terminal accessed the distribution server via the reference server, and for generating payment information are performed by the
• this processing may alternatively be performed by the reference server or the billing server.
• this processing may alternatively be performed by the reference server or the billing server.
• the reference server or the billing server determines whether the user terminal connected to the distribution server using a URL from the reference server as a connection target. If a connection was made without using such an URL, a piece of payment information indicating that
• the generated piece of payment information is then transmitted to the user terminal.
• a user may end up downloading a version of the music content that is incompatible with the particular playback
• embodiment receives playback software information indicating the type of playback software installed in the user terminal 109 from the user terminal 109, as well as receiving a search keyword in the same way as in the first embodiment.
• the search engine 12 specifies pieces of content management information in the reference table that include a title or artist name corresponding to the keyword. Then those of the specified pieces of content management information that
• the search engine 12 generates
• a user acquires only music contents in a format corresponding to a playback software that is
• a third embodiment proposes recording, onto a semiconductor memory card, an encrypted content included in a distribution
• FIG. 18 a semiconductor memory card 50 includes a protected area 51 and a user data storage area 52.
• the protected area 51 can be accessed by a device connected to the semiconductor memory card 50 only when the validity of the connected device has been confirmed, and stores a unique identifier (media-ID) for the semiconductor memory card 50.
• media-ID unique identifier
• the user data storage area 52 can be accessed by a connected device regardless of whether or not its validity has been confirmed, and stores encrypted contents and content- related phrases.
• FIG. 19 shows the internal structure of' the user terminal
• terminal 109 includes a memory card writing unit 38 that is
• memory card writing unit 38 includes a media-ID encryption
• the memory card reading unit 39 includes a
• the media-ID encryption unit 40 fetches the media-ID from the protected area 51 (FIG. 20, ⁇ ) , and an
• the media-ID encryption unit 40 generates a new
• FIG. 20, ⁇ (described in the first embodiment) (FIG. 20, ⁇ ) .
• the media-ID decryption unit 42 fetches the media-ID from
• the media-ID decryption unit 42 generates a new encryption key by applying a certain calculation formula to
• the media decryption unit 42 decrypts the
• the packaging unit 41 searches the reference table in the reference server 112..using the content-related phrase recorded in' the user data storage area 52 in the' semiconductor memory
• the packaging unit 41 has distribution guide information, indicating' the distribution server 101 to 108 from which the encrypted content was
• the packaging unit 41 requests the specified distribution server 101 to 108 for download of payment information and a
• the purchase processing unit 36 receives a purchasing request from the user. Then, the
• purchase processing unit 36 controls the billing server 111 to perform payment based on the payment information included in
• one of the distribution servers 101 and 108 can be transferred
• the media-ID and recorded in the protected area 51.
• audio formats such as
• Liquid Audio and a2b each have their own individual audio compression codec and rights management system, and the
• the reference server 112 and the user terminal 109 in the fourth embodiment implement the following improvements.
• each piece of content management information includes playback software information indicating a playback software that corresponds to
• the fourth embodiment indicates an URL of a playback software supply server 110.
• the playback software information holding unit 43 holds playback software information indicating the type of playback
• the playback software installer 44 obtains playback software corresponding to this distribution package by referring to the URL for one of the distribution servers
• the playback installer 44 saves the piece of content management information. If a distribution package is downloaded based on this piece of content management information, and the user purchases the music content included in the distribution package, the playback installer 4.4 compares the playback software information corresponding to the music content with the playback software
• the user terminal 109 purchases the playback rights for
• the music content plays it back using the processing described in the first embodiment. If the pieces of playback
• installer 44 requests download of playback software from a
• playback software supply server 110 based on an URL for the
• playback software supply server 110 included in the relevant piece of content management information.
• the necessary playback software is then downloaded from the playback software supply server 110. Once this has occurred, the user
• deletion should preferably be performed according to
• the various distribution servers 101 to 108 correspond to a
• the number of pieces of playback software installed in the user terminal 109 can be restricted.
• one of the already installed pieces of audio software may be overwritten with software corresponding to the newly purchased music content.
• a fifth embodiment proposes that these
• reference server 112 has an internal structure as shown in FIG. 23. If the internal structure of this drawing is compared with the internal structure of the reference server 112 in the first embodiment, it is clear that a content storage unit 13, a content packaging unit 14, and a collection
• control unit 15 have been added.
• the content storage unit 13 stores a plurality of music contents, DES keys used to encrypt the music contents, and
• the content packaging unit 14 having received a keyword
• content management information is stored in the content
• the content packaging unit 14 reads the piece
• the content packaging unit 14 encrypts it, paired with the DES key, using RSA encryption,
• the collection control unit 15 determines whether the payment fee for the playback rights has been received from the user terminal 109 by referring to the payment information in the distribution package, and if 'so, collects ⁇ % of the purchase fee as commission for selling the music content.
• the reference server 112 performs
• a sixth embodiment describes an improvement in which payment is made
• FIG. 24 shows an internal structure for a distribution server in the sixth embodiment.
• the distribution server in the sixth embodiment has been additionally provided with a purchase fee receiving unit 24, and a commission paying
• the purchase fee receiving unit 24 when the distribution server is accessed by the user terminal 109, transmits a '
• the purchase fee receiving unit 24 has
• the content packaging unit 23 generate a distribution package
• the purchase fee receiving unit 24 transmits the distribution package to the user terminal 109. If the user terminal does not pay the purchase fee, the purchase fee receiving unit 24 does not have the content
• packaging unit 23 generate a distribution package.
• the commission payment control unit 25 performs payment control to have % of the
• the purchase fee for the distribution package is received before the distribution package is

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Cited By (14)

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Citations (4)

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• 2000
  • 2000-12-01 JP JP2001542007A patent/JP4574097B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-12-01 US US09/890,769 patent/US6912514B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-01 WO PCT/US2000/032756 patent/WO2001041023A1/en not_active Ceased
• 2005
  • 2005-02-18 US US11/060,554 patent/US7206767B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

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