JP2001236388A - Content providing system, content providing method, and recording medium recording content providing program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To accelerate contents distribution in a system in which the right to use contents is a target of commercial transactions. SOLUTION: When a request receiving means 12 receives a use right distribution request including a content ID and an introduction ID, a use right distribution processing means 13 distributes the use right data to the request source after charging a distribution fee. , Store the sales reward history information including the content ID and the introduction ID. When the request receiving means 12 receives a payment request for a reward for introducing a content including a content ID and an introduction ID, the reward payment processing means 14
Retrieves the sales reward history information including the content ID and the introduction ID included in the request, and if there is the corresponding sales reward history information, pays a predetermined reward content for the content.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content providing system. Here, “content” refers to digitized information, specifically, text, voice,
Includes multimedia information such as images, software, and database information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The content business through the Internet is becoming popular. The content provider implements a content providing system provided with a database storing the content, a billing function, and a user interface such as WWW on a computer, and provides the content requester with the content on demand. It should be noted that the content provider may be the content creator itself or may be another person. In the latter case, the content provider will have a role as a content retailer.

[0003] In such a system, (i) the distribution of the content itself is controlled so that the content itself is a target for commercial transactions, and (ii) the distribution of the content itself is freely acknowledged. By controlling the use of the content, it can be broadly classified into those for which the "use right" of the content is subject to commercial transactions.

[0004] Most existing real systems can be classified into the model (i). The model of (ii) hardly exists as a real system because it differs from the distribution model of conventional media of music and video.

[0005] However, based on the idea that by allowing secondary distribution of content from a user to other users, it is possible to expand the distribution range by enabling free distribution between users, As a representative example of the superdistribution model shown in [1], the model of (ii) has also attracted attention.

Reference [1]: Mori, Tashiro, "Proposal of Software Service System (SSS)", IEICE Transactions, Vol.J-70-D, No.1, pp.70-81 (1987).

[0007]

However, with only the model (ii), there is little incentive to distribute content from user to user. For example, the conventionally proposed “present” or “transfer” of content (right to use) from one user to another user requires a financial burden on the giver. In other words, the transferor must purchase the use right in order to give a present, or the transferer must purchase the use right as a prerequisite for the transfer. Therefore, there is a limit to a single user presenting or transferring to a large number.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to accelerate the distribution of content from a user to another user.

[0009]

The basic concept of the present invention is expressed as a content distribution model as follows.

[0010] The model of the above (ii), that is, the content distribution in which the "use right" of the content is subject to commercial transactions by controlling the use of the content after freely approving the distribution of the content itself. Based on the model, if a user (hereinafter “purchaser”) purchases a usage right for content received from another user (hereinafter “introducer”) from a content seller, the introducer is rewarded by the content seller. The main feature is to provide a content distribution model for receiving the content. In addition, the introducer receives the reward regardless of whether the introducer himself has purchased the right to use the content.

[0011] In order to realize this content distribution model, a content providing system according to the present invention is a content providing system for distributing content or data for using the content on a network. Means for receiving a distribution request for a usage right for a content including a content and a request for payment of a reward for introducing the content including a content ID and an introduction ID, and at least the content ID and the introduction ID of the content when the usage right for the content is distributed Sales reward history information storage means for storing sales reward history information including: and, in response to a distribution request for a usage right for content, distributing usage right data to a request source, and introducing a content ID included in the request. Generate sales reward history information including ID And a usage right distribution processing means stored in the sales reward history information storage means, and in response to a reward payment request for the introduction of content, the sales reward history information including the content ID and the introduction ID included in the request. It is characterized by comprising: a remuneration payment processing means for retrieving and, if there is corresponding sales remuneration history information, paying a predetermined remuneration content for the content.

A program for realizing the above-mentioned system by a computer can be stored in an appropriate recording medium such as a computer-readable portable medium memory, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [System Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a content providing system according to the present invention. In short, the content providing system 10 has a function of distributing a usage right to the user 20 and paying a reward to the introducer.

The user 20 is a purchaser of a usage right or
Refers to the terminal of the person who introduced the content to the buyer (the introducer). The content providing system 10 and the user 20 are connected by a network 30.

The content providing system 10 has a content information storage section 40 and a sales reward history information storage section 42, in which content information 41 and sales reward history information 43 are stored as data, respectively. Also,
As means realized by a program or the like, there are a user interface processing means 11, a request receiving means 12, a usage right distribution processing means 13, a reward payment processing means 14, and a settlement processing means 15.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of the content information. The content information 41 is information about the content. It exists for each content and is composed of “content ID”, “distribution fee”, and “reward fee” as shown in FIG. The content ID uniquely identifies the content itself. The distribution fee refers to the selling price of the usage right. The reward fee is the fee for the referral.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the sales reward history information. The sales reward history information 43 is information relating to sales of usage right data and payment of the reward. It exists for each use right data sale and is composed of a “sales ID”, a “content ID”, an “introduction ID”, and a “reward payment flag” as shown in FIG. The sales ID uniquely identifies a transaction for sale of usage rights. The introduction ID is generated by the introducer. Introduction I
D may include user identification information (user ID). Alternatively, it may be different from the user ID. The reward payment flag is a flag for checking whether or not a reward for the referral has been paid. When the flag is 0, it indicates “unpaid”, and when the flag is 1, it indicates “paid”.

The user interface processing means 11 processes an interface relating to a request from the user 20 and a response to the request. The interface is W
WW (World Wide Web), RPC (Remote Procedure Ca)
ll), CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Arch)
itecture). The request receiving means 12 is a user 2
The request type is discriminated from the request data from 0, and each processing means is executed.

The usage right distribution processing means 13 sends the usage right data 4 to the user 20 who has requested the usage right of the content.
Distribute 4. The use right data 44 is, for example, a license certificate issued electronically when the content is software. For example, the software service system (S
If the content to be distributed is encrypted as in SS), the usage right data 44 may include a decryption key for decrypting the content.

The reward payment processing means 14 pays a reward to the user 20 who introduced the content. The reward includes, for example, payment of money, distribution of a prize, a discount when an introducer purchases another use right, and the like. Here, description will be given by taking payment of money as an example. The settlement processing means 15 executes settlement processing associated with distribution of the usage right and payment of the reward. The settlement process includes, for example, digital cash (electronic money).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the usage right distribution request message. As shown in FIG. 4, the message requesting the distribution of the usage right made by the user 20 who intends to purchase the content (the usage right) to the content providing system 10 includes a “request type (a usage right distribution request)” and a “content ID”. ”And“ introduction ID ”.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the reward request message. As shown in FIG. 5, the message requesting the introduction from the user 20 as the introducer to the content providing system 10 includes “request type (reward request)”,
It consists of “content ID” and “introduction ID”.

[Flow of Content Distribution Processing] The processing flow of the entire content distribution will be described with reference to FIG.
The processing flow is divided into three phases.

The first phase is a content distribution phase, in which a user 20, who is an introducer, sends content to a user 20 'who will be a future purchaser. The source of the content does not matter. In order for the purchaser to obtain the introduction ID, the introducer generates some ID and sends the ID to the purchaser separately from the content. Or, introduction I to the content
By embedding D, it may be sent to the purchaser together with the content.

The second phase is a content purchase phase, in which a user 20 ′ who is a purchaser purchases a usage right from the content providing system 10.

The third phase is a reward acquisition phase, in which the user 20 who is the introducer receives a reward for introduction from the content providing system 10.

Next, the processing in each phase will be described in detail. (1) Content Distribution Phase (1-1) The user 20, who is an introducer, distributes the content to be introduced to a content seller (the content providing system 1).
0) or already obtained from another user. The user 20, who is an introducer, generates an introduction ID at his own terminal and embeds the introduction ID in the content. The introduction ID may be generated by generating a random number. When the introduction ID is sent separately from the content, the introduction ID need not be embedded in the content.

(1-2) The user 20, who is the introducer, delivers the content to the user 20 'who wants to purchase the content. The content may be delivered by file transfer via a network, or the content may be delivered in a form stored in a portable recording medium such as a floppy disk.

(2) Content purchase phase (2-1) Through the user interface of the user interface processing means 11 and the request receiving means 12, FIG.
And a request for distribution of the usage right is received.

(2-2) The usage right distribution processing means 13 distributes the content usage right data 44 to the user 20 'and grants the usage right. Further, the settlement means 15 charges a distribution fee.

(3) Reward Acquisition Phase (3-1) Through the user interface of the user interface processing means 11 and the request receiving means 12, FIG.
And a reward request is received.

(3-2) The reward payment processing means 14 and the settlement processing means 15 pay the user 20 who has requested the reward for the introduction.

Next, detailed processing contents of each means will be described. FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of the usage right distribution processing means.

The usage right distribution processing means 13 receives the usage right distribution request message received by the request receiving means 12 from the user 20 'who is the purchaser via the user interface processing means 11 (step S1). The content ID in the usage right distribution request message is obtained (step S2), and the content information 41 in the content information storage unit 40 is searched using the content ID as a key, and distribution fee data is obtained from the corresponding content information 41. Take it out (step S3). The distribution fee is charged to the purchaser and payment is made through the payment processing means 15 (step S).
4).

Next, a sales ID is generated, and the sales I
D, the content ID, and the introduction ID in the usage right distribution request message are stored in the sales reward history information storage unit 42 as the sales reward history information 43 (step S5).
The reward payment flag in the sales reward history information 43 is set to 0 (step S6). Then, use right data 44
To the user (purchaser) 20 ′ through the user interface processing means 11.

FIG. 8 shows a processing flow of the reward payment processing means. The reward payment processing means 14 receives the reward request message received by the request receiving means 12 from the user 20 as the introducer via the user interface processing means 11 (step S10). Using the content ID and the introduction ID in the reward request message as keys, the sales reward history information 4 stored in the sales reward history information storage unit 42 is used.
3 (step S11).

Content I in Reward Request Message
If there is the sales reward history information 43 including D and the introduction ID (step S12), the process proceeds to step S13, and it is checked whether the reward payment flag in the sales reward history information 43 is 0 (step S13).

If there is no corresponding sales reward history information 43, or if the reward payment flag in the relevant sales reward history information 43 is 1, the payment is rejected and a message to that effect is sent to the user interface processing means. Then, the data is transmitted through the communication terminal 11 and the processing is terminated (step S14).

If there is the corresponding sales remuneration history information 43 and the remuneration payment flag in it is 0, the remuneration payment flag is set to 1 (step S15). Thereafter, using the content ID as a key, the content information storage unit 40
The content information 41 inside is searched, and a reward fee is extracted from the corresponding content information 41 (step S16).
The reward fee is paid to the introducer user 20 through the settlement processing means 15 (step S17).

Since the processing of the settlement processing means 15 can be realized by using an existing technology such as electronic money, a detailed description of the processing flow is omitted.

[Circuit Configuration and Implementation Example] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a general circuit configuration of a content providing system according to the present invention. In short, it can be easily configured by a general workstation or personal computer.

The content providing system 10 includes a CPU
(Central processing unit) 100, RAM (random access memory) 101, network adapter 102, peripheral device control adapter (defined by SCSI, IDE, etc.) 1
03, a hard disk drive 104, an input / output adapter 105, a graphics adapter 107, and a bus 109 connecting them.

The CPU 100 executes a program in which the contents of each means are described. In addition to the instruction execution function, it has a function to generate random numbers. The RAM 101 temporarily stores programs and data for the CPU 100 to execute the programs. A hard disk drive (hereinafter, referred to as a hard disk) 104 permanently stores a program for executing each unit and various information described above. The network adapter 102 enables communication with the network 30.

Hereinafter, the content providing system 10 shown in FIG.
It is explained that each means belonging to the above is realized by the circuit block of FIG. In principle, each means is realized by the CPU 100 executing a program showing the processing procedure. Each program is loaded from the hard disk 104 to the RAM 101 and executed by the CPU 100. Since each means is executed by a program, it goes without saying that a medium including the program also exists.

The realization of the user interface processing means 11 is as follows. The administrator of the content providing system 10 executes a program to operate the system. The CPU 100 receives a distribution request message from the user 20 via the network 30 via the network adapter 102 and an operating system (OS) executed by the CPU 100 according to the program, and stores the message in the RAM 101. Then, a program for executing the request receiving means 12 is started. on the other hand,
The content itself on the RAM 101 or the usage right data is sent to the user 20 via the network 30 through the OS and the network adapter 102.

The implementation of the request receiving means 12 is as follows. The program executed by the CPU 100 is R
With reference to the request type value included in the request message stored in the AM 101, the program of the usage right distribution processing unit 13 or the reward payment processing unit 14 is executed.

The implementation of the usage right distribution processing means 13 is as follows. The program executed by the CPU 100 stores, from the hard disk 104, the RAM 101 with content information 41 that matches the content ID included in the usage right distribution request on the RAM 101. The distribution fee in the content information 41 is set as the payment target fee in the RAM 101.
To memorize. Then, the program of the settlement processing means 15 is executed. Also, a random number is generated as a sales ID and RA
The content ID, the introduction ID, and the value 0 as the reward payment flag stored in the M101 and the RAM 101 are stored in the hard disk 104 as the sales reward history information 43. Further, from the hard disk 104, the content usage right data 44 including the content ID is stored.
Is stored in the RAM 101.

The implementation of the reward payment processing means 14 is as follows. The program executed by the CPU 100 is
From the hard disk 104, the sales reward history information 43 in which the content ID and the introduction ID included in the reward request on the RAM 101 match, and the content information 41 in which the content IDs match are stored in the RAM 101. RAM10
The remuneration fee in the content information 41 stored in No. 1 is stored in the RAM 101 as a payment target fee. RAM1
The value of the reward payment flag in the sales reward history information 43 stored in 01 is set to 1 and the information is overwritten on the hard disk 104.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The introducer can receive the benefit of the reward, and a system for accelerating content distribution can be realized. At that time, the introducer has no financial burden in the sense that it does not need to purchase the usage right. The user makes an effort to distribute and promote the content to other users with the reward as an incentive. As a result of promoting content distribution between users and increasing sales of usage rights, profits of content right holders (sellers) also increase.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of content information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of sales reward history information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a usage right distribution request message.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a reward request message.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall processing flow of content distribution.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a usage right distribution processing means.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow of reward payment processing means.

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration block diagram for realizing a content providing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Content providing system 11 User interface processing means 12 Request receiving means 13 Usage right distribution processing means 14 Reward payment processing means 15 Payment processing means 20 User 30 Network 40 Content information storage unit 41 Content information 42 Sales remuneration history information storage unit 43 Sales remuneration History information 44 Usage right data

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A content providing system for distributing a content or data for using the content on a network, comprising: a distribution request for a right to use the content including a content ID and an introduction ID; Means for accepting a payment request for a reward for introducing a content including content, and sales reward history information storage for storing sales reward history information including at least a content ID of the content and an introduction ID when the right to use the content is distributed Means and, in response to a distribution request for a usage right for content, distributing usage right data to a request source, and a content ID included in the request
And a usage right distribution processing means for generating sales remuneration history information including an ID and an introduction ID and storing the sales requisition history information in the sales remuneration history information storage means; And remuneration payment processing means for retrieving the sales remuneration history information including the information and the introduction ID and, if there is the relevant sales remuneration history information, paying a predetermined reward content for the content. Content providing system. 2. A content providing method for distributing content or data for using the content on a network, comprising: receiving a distribution request for a usage right including a content ID and an introduction ID; In response to the distribution request, the usage right data is distributed to the request source, and the content ID and the introduction ID included in the request are distributed.
Generating sales reward history information including the following, and storing it in the sales reward history information storage means;
Receiving a request to pay a reward for introducing a content including: and a content ID included in the request in response to the request to pay a reward for introducing the content
Retrieving the sales reward history information including the information and the introduction ID, and if there is the corresponding sales reward history information, paying a predetermined reward content for the content. Delivery method. 3. A recording medium for recording a program for realizing a content providing method for distributing content or data for using the content on a network by a computer, the usage right including a content ID and an introduction ID. Receiving the distribution request of the content, and distributing the usage right data to the request source in response to the distribution request of the usage right for the content, and generating sales reward history information including the content ID and the introduction ID included in the request, The processing for storing in the sales reward history information storage means, the processing for receiving a payment request for the introduction of the content including the content ID and the introduction ID, and the processing for receiving the payment request for the introduction of the content are included in the request. The sales reward history information including the content ID and the introduction ID is searched, and A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of paying a predetermined reward content for the content, if there is such sales reward history information.