CN1882962A - License Acquisition Systems, Servers and Endpoints - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a license acquisition system that allows a user to easily obtain a desired license, and a server and a terminal device applied thereto. The terminal device 3 obtains the content from the content server 1 via the communication line 4, and also obtains a license that allows the user to use the content from the license server 2. To obtain the license, the terminal device 3 transmits terminal state information showing the state of the terminal device relating to the license and the content. When there are a plurality of types of licenses corresponding to the content, the license server 2 sets the priority of the licenses in the order in which the user is expected to be available using the terminal state information, and compiles a license list based on this priority and transmits the license list to the terminal device 3.

Description

License Acquisition Systems, Servers and Endpoints

technical field

The present invention relates to a license acquisition system for acquiring a license to use content, and a server and a terminal device used in the system.

Background technique

Recently, content distribution services that distribute content such as music, images, and games via the Internet have been widely deployed, and some content distribution services employ a system that allows users who hold a license obtained by paying a service fee to use the content.

According to a conventional consent agreement method for a content distribution service, a content provider provides a user with selectable usage conditions and fees consistent with the relevant usage conditions. When the user selects the conditions of use, the content provider transmits encrypted content data together with information on the conditions of use. The charging center transmits the decryption key to the user's information receiving device to decrypt the content data so that the user can use the content data and pay the charging center a usage fee (for example, see Patent Document 1).

With such a system for providing licenses, since a plurality of licenses corresponding to various usage conditions can be selected for one type of content, services provided to users are improved.

However, when the kinds of licenses corresponding to one type of content increase, the process of searching for a desired license becomes complicated, and thus, acquisition of a license becomes a difficult matter.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2000-155734

Contents of the invention

Problems to be solved by the present invention

In consideration of the conventional problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a license acquisition system which enables a user to easily acquire a desired license, and a server and a terminal device used for the system.

way of solving the problem

The license acquisition system of the present invention is a license acquisition system for acquiring a license that allows use of content, and includes:

the terminal device from which said content was obtained; and

a server connected to said terminal device via a communication line to provide said terminal device with a license allowing use of said content,

Wherein said terminal equipment includes:

a storage unit storing terminal device information showing a terminal state related to the content and the license; and

a communication unit that transmits the terminal state information when an acquisition request is made to acquire a license corresponding to the content, and

Where said servers include:

a receiving unit that receives the license acquisition request and the terminal state information;

a license information creating unit, in a case where there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to the content, setting priorities of the plurality of licenses based on the terminal state information, and creating a description of the plurality of licenses license information corresponding to said set priority; and

A transmission unit that transmits the license information to the terminal device.

With this configuration, the user can easily obtain a desired license.

Furthermore, the license information compiling unit compiles a license list in which the priority-set licenses are arranged in order of high priority.

With this constitution, since the license with high priority is displayed first, the user can easily find the desired license.

Further, the license information compiling unit composes a license list that arranges the licenses of which the set priority is a high priority.

With this constitution, since only high-priority licenses are displayed, the user can easily find a desired license.

In addition, the license information compiling unit composes the license information that arranges the setting only for the highest priority license.

With this constitution, since only licenses with high priority are displayed, the user's license acquisition operation can be simplified.

The license acquisition system of the present invention is a license acquisition system for acquiring a license that allows use of content, and includes:

the terminal device from which said content was obtained; and

a server connected to said terminal device via a communication line to provide said terminal device with a license allowing use of said content,

Wherein said terminal equipment includes:

a storage unit that stores the content, acquisition request target information indicating acquisition request targets of the licenses corresponding to a plurality of groups when there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to the content, and stores a display and the obtained the terminal state information of the above content and the terminal state related to the license,

a controller configured to select the license acquisition request target based on the terminal state information when a license acquisition request is made to obtain a license corresponding to the content, and

a sending unit that transmits a license acquisition request to said selected license acquisition request target, and

Where said servers include:

a receiving unit that receives the acquisition request;

a storage unit that stores the license corresponding to the acquisition request target; and

a transmitting unit that transmits the license corresponding to the acquisition request target specified in the license acquisition request to the terminal device.

With this configuration, the user can easily obtain a desired license.

Also, in a case where there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to the acquisition request target, the server transmits a list of the plurality of licenses.

The license acquisition system of the present invention is a license acquisition system for acquiring a license that allows use of content, and includes:

the terminal device from which said content was obtained; and

a server connected to said terminal device via a communication line to provide said terminal device with a license allowing use of said content,

Where said servers include:

a receiving unit that receives a license acquisition request for requesting acquisition of a license corresponding to the content from the terminal device; and

a sending unit that, if there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to the content, transmits a license list including the plurality of licenses, and

Wherein said terminal equipment includes:

a receiving unit that receives the license list information;

a storage unit storing the content and storing terminal status information showing a status of a terminal related to the content and the license; and

a controller that edits the license list to set the priority of the licenses in the license list by referring to the terminal state information.

With this configuration, a user can easily acquire a desired license.

Also, the terminal state information shows whether the terminal device holds a license corresponding to the content.

With this configuration, the priority of the license can be set according to the presence or absence of the license.

In addition, the terminal status information shows a consumption status of the license.

With this constitution, the priority of the license can be set according to the state of consumption of the license.

In addition, the terminal state information shows the usage period of the content.

With this configuration, the priority of the license can be set according to the period of use of the license.

In addition, the terminal state information shows a method of using the content in the terminal device.

With this constitution, the priority of the license can be set according to how the content is used.

In addition, the terminal status information shows the time when the terminal device obtained the content.

With this constitution, the priority of the content can be set according to when the content was obtained, for example, based on whether the content has just been obtained.

The server of the present invention is a server that provides a license that allows the use of content obtained by a terminal device, and includes:

a receiving unit that receives, from the terminal device, a license acquisition request for requesting acquisition of a license corresponding to the content, and terminal status information indicating a terminal status related to the content and the license;

a license information creation unit that, in a case where there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to the content, sets priorities of the plurality of licenses based on the terminal state information, and the creation describes the plurality of licenses license information that certifies the correspondence relationship between the set priorities; and

A sending unit that transmits the license information to the terminal device.

With this constitution, since the server can provide license information of a corresponding priority, the user can easily obtain a desired license.

According to the terminal equipment of the present invention, it comprises:

a storage unit that stores acquired content, acquisition request target information indicating acquisition request targets of the licenses corresponding to a plurality of groups if there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to the content, and stores a display and the obtained Terminal state information of the state of the terminal related to the content and the license;

a controller that, when making a license acquisition request to acquire a license corresponding to the content, selects a license acquisition request target based on the terminal state information; and

a sending unit that transmits a license acquisition request to said selected license acquisition request destination.

With this constitution, since the terminal device can be used to select a license, the user can easily obtain a desired license.

According to the terminal equipment of the present invention, it comprises:

a storage unit that stores the obtained content and stores terminal state information showing a state of the terminal related to the content and the license;

a receiving unit that receives list information of licenses corresponding to the content; and

a controller that edits the license list to set the priority of the licenses included in the list information by referring to the terminal state information.

With this constitution, since the terminal device can be used to provide license information corresponding to the priority, the user can easily obtain a desired license.

Beneficial effects of the present invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a license acquisition system that enables a user to easily acquire a desired license, and a server and terminal applied to the system.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram for explaining the configuration of a license acquisition system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the configuration of a license server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a terminal device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an example of information contained in content.

Fig. 5 shows a diagram of an example of information contained in a license.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram for explaining the license acquisition method of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a diagram of an example license list displayed when the terminal device does not have a license.

Fig. 8 shows a diagram of an example license list displayed when the license of the terminal device has expired.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence diagram for explaining the license acquisition method of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a diagram of information contained in content according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram for explaining the license acquisition method of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 shows a diagram showing an example of a license list displayed according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram for explaining the configuration of a license acquisition system of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 shows a diagram showing an example of a license list displayed when a terminal device has a license.

Explanation of reference signs

1: Content server

2: License server

3: terminal equipment

4: Communication network

21: License information compilation unit

22: Toll Processor

23: storage unit

24: Communication unit

25: Controller

31: Transmission unit/reception unit

32: Controller

33: storage unit

34: input unit

35: Display unit

Detailed ways

(first embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a license acquisition system for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the license acquisition system of the first embodiment includes: a content server 1 , a license server 2 and a terminal device 3 . The terminal device 3 can exchange information with the content server 1 and the license server 2 via a wired or wireless communication line 4 .

The content server 1 is a device that distributes content to the terminal device 3 . Here, the content includes electronic data such as text, audio, image and map, game data, software and combinations thereof.

The license server 2 is a device that provides the terminal device 3 with a license for allowing the user of the content to receive the service.

Here, the license is information indicating a certain type of permission, and contains information for allowing reproduction, downloading, or storage of content or information for allowing entry to a specific place like an electronic ticket, or information for allowing access to a specific place like an electronic coupon. Information that allows the purchase of a product or service at a discounted price. The license also includes permission to print and display these contents.

The license may also contain restrictive information such as use of the content and use of the license. Constraint information is information for various conditions, such as information about the number of times of use, the validity period of use, the period of use, the time period of use, the user, the device used or the location of use and network conditions. The terminal device 3 can acquire the license individually only at a time different from the time at which the content is acquired.

Also, a plurality of licenses including different constraint information can be set for the same content. In this case, since the constraint information is different, the price of the license may also be different. For example, a license that can be used only three times is free, a license that can be used for one month is priced at one hundred yen, and an unlimited license (perpetual license) is priced at one thousand yen. Constraint information and prices can be set arbitrarily for each license.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a license server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 , the license server 2 includes: a license information preparation unit 21 , a charging processor 22 , a storage unit 23 , a communication unit 24 and a controller 25 .

The license information compiling unit 21 composes license information based on the terminal status information received from the terminal device 3 . The charging processor 22 identifies the user and charges a fee according to the fee of the selected license. The storage unit 23 stores licenses corresponding to content. The communication unit 24 exchanges information with the terminal device 3 . The controller 25 controls the operation of the license server 2, and is mainly composed of a processor that operates according to a predetermined program.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal device 3 includes: a transmission unit/reception unit 31 , a controller 32 , a storage unit 33 , an input unit 34 and a display unit 35 .

The transmission unit/reception unit 31 exchanges information with the content server 1 and the license server 2 . The controller 32 controls the operation of the terminal device 3, and is mainly composed of a processor that operates according to a predetermined program. The storage unit 33 stores, for example, contents, licenses, terminal status information, and the like.

The input unit 34 receives an instruction to select content and a license and an instruction to request acquisition of the content and license thus selected. The display unit 35 displays a license list as a list of these licenses when there are a plurality of licenses corresponding to one type of content, in addition to displaying image information in the content.

In this case, the terminal state information is information showing the state of the terminal device 3, such as whether the terminal holds a license (for example, the license ID it holds), the usage status of the license held by the terminal (for example, , the extent to which the license has been used, the remaining number of available times, or the remaining period of use), information about whether the terminal has just used the content, how the terminal handles the content (for example, image information is set as wallpaper), or information about Whether the terminal has just acquired the content (the content has not been used yet).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information contained in content. As shown in FIG. 4 , the content 40 includes a content ID 41, content-related information 42, a license acquisition URL (Uniform Resource Locator) 43 as license acquisition target information, and a content body 44.

The content ID 41 is used to identify content, and a different ID is assigned to each content. The content-related information 42 is related to the content, and is such as the name of the content and other information associated with the content, such as names of performers and the like. The license acquisition URL 43 shows an access target for acquiring a license of the content 40. The storage unit 23 of the license server 2 is stored corresponding to the license indicated by the license acquisition URL.

The content body 44 can be encrypted with an encryption key 45 as needed. Even when the user obtains the content 40 having the encrypted content body 44, the user can use the content only after the terminal device 3 obtains a license.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information contained in a license. As shown in FIG. 5, the license 50 contains: a license ID 51, a content ID 41, content-related information 42, content reproduction usage restriction information 52, and a content decryption key 53.

License ID 51 is used to identify each license. The content ID 41 and the content-related information 42 are the same as the information contained in the content 40, and the content ID 41 and the license ID 51 are associated with each other. The content use restriction information 52 is information specifying the number of times of use of the content, the use period, and the like. The content decryption key 53 is used to decrypt the encrypted content body 44 .

By obtaining the license 50 , the content user can decrypt the encrypted content ontology 44 and use the content ontology 44 . Additionally, it should be noted that the content data 40 and the license data 50 may be obtained by the user at different times. The time to obtain the license data 50 is, for example, when the content data 40 is obtained, when the license is completely used up (the remaining number of uses is 0, or the period of use has expired), or when the license or permission is not held. status of the license and the user requests the acquisition of the license.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a license acquisition method for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. The terminal device 3 accesses the license acquisition URL, and issues a license list acquisition request. At this time, the terminal device 3 transmits the terminal state information stored in the storage unit 33 to the license server 2 (S601).

In the license server 2, the license information preparation unit 21 prepares a license list based on the terminal status information transmitted from the terminal device 3 (S602). At this time, when there are a plurality of types of licenses corresponding to the content, the controller of the license server 2 estimates the order in which the user will obtain the licenses based on the terminal status information and sets the priority of the licenses accordingly, and allows The license information preparation unit 21 compiles a license list according to this set priority. The communication unit 24 transmits the compiled license list to the terminal device 3 (S603).

When the license list is received at the terminal device 3, the display unit 33 displays the license list. The user of the terminal device 3 selects a license to acquire from the displayed license list using the input unit 34, and issues a license acquisition request by, for example, notifying the license ID 51 to the license server 2 (S604).

When the selected license is a paid license, the charging processor 22 of the license server 2 charges the license user for the specified license (S605). After the charging process is completed, the license server 2 provides the license to the terminal device 3 (S606). When receiving the license, the terminal device 3 decrypts the content so that the content can be used (S607).

Explanation will be given below taking a free license for listening demonstration and a paid license (paid by number of times and period) as examples of license types.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a license list displayed when a terminal device does not have a license. When the terminal device 3 does not have a license for the content desired by the user, the terminal status information stored in the storage unit 33 shows that there is no license. When the user uses the input unit 34 to input a request to use content, the controller 32 checks the terminal status information stored in the storage unit 33, and displays a message that the terminal device 3 does not have a license and a message for supporting the license on the display unit 35. Get the message for the request.

In S601, when the user uses the input unit 34 to input a license acquisition request instruction, the controller 32 accesses the license acquisition URL included in the content, and transmits a request for license acquisition and the stored URL to the license server 2 via the communication unit 31. In the storage unit 33 and display the terminal state information that there is no license.

Since the received terminal state information shows that the license does not exist, the controller 25 of the license server 2 assumes that the user is likely to request a free license as the first license. The controller 25 assigns high priority to free licenses and low priority to paid licenses, and the license information preparation unit 21 compiles a license list based on this set priority.

As shown in FIG. 7, as the license list thus prepared by the license information preparation unit 21, information of trial listening licenses having high priority is displayed on the first page, and paid licenses are displayed on the other pages.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a license list displayed when a terminal device has a license. As shown in FIG. 14 , the license server 2 compiles the license list by adding information (remaining number of times of use in the example of FIG. 14 ) of the license currently held by the terminal device 3 to a list with a high priority. Information about the license (free license in the example of Figure 14).

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a license list displayed when a terminal device has run out of licenses. When the license has been used up, for example, the state of the terminal device 3 is that although there is a license with a limited number of usable times or a usable period, but the limited number of times of use of the license is "0" or the usable period has expired, Terminal state information showing that what is held is a spent license is stored in the storage unit 33 .

When the license has expired and the user uses the input unit 34 to input a request to use the relevant content, the controller 32 checks the terminal status information stored in the storage unit 33, and displays on the display unit 35 that the terminal device 3 has used up the license. licenses and messages to support license acquisition requests.

In S601, when the user uses the input unit 34 to input a license acquisition request instruction, the controller 32 accesses the license acquisition URL included in the content, and transmits the license acquisition request and the URL stored in the storage unit 33 via the communication unit 31. Terminal status information showing that the license has expired is transmitted to the license server 2.

Since the received terminal status information shows that the license is exhausted, the controller 25 of the license server 2 assumes that the user will likely request a paid license as a license to be acquired, and assigns a high priority to the paid license and A low priority is assigned to the free license, and the license information preparation unit 21 compiles a license list based on the priority thus set.

As shown in FIG. 8, as the license list prepared by the license information preparation unit 21, information of paid licenses having high priority is displayed on the first page, and free licenses are displayed on the other pages.

When there are a plurality of paid licenses, information such as the user's content usage frequency is included in the terminal state information, and the licenses expected to be acquired by the user are prioritized based on this terminal state information. For example, for a terminal device 3 that frequently uses content, priorities are assigned in order of higher priority as the usable number of times is greater, starting from a license without time limit.

Regarding priority assignment, priorities classified in advance according to each content and situation can be stored in the storage unit 23 of the license server 2, and the controller can check these priorities when a license acquisition request is issued. Furthermore, received terminal state information and licenses selected by the user in the terminal state may be stored in the storage unit 23, and priorities may be set based on these stored information.

As shown in FIG. 7 or 8, as the license list preparation method of the license server 2, the license with high priority may be located near the upper part of the license list, or only the license with high priority may be listed, or Only the one license with the highest priority is selected.

Furthermore, information on licenses that have been held and not yet exhausted may be displayed together with the list of licenses, or such licenses may not be displayed. This design prevents users from erroneously re-requesting a license they already hold and prevents this license from being acquired.

According to the license acquisition system of the first embodiment, since a high priority is set and displayed for a license expected to be specified by the user, the user can easily specify a desired license among a plurality of licenses.

For a terminal device with a smaller display portion, such as a cellular phone, since the display portion can display fewer characters at a time, the more the number of licenses is, the more difficult it is to search for a desired license. However, according to the license acquisition system of this embodiment, a desired license can be easily acquired.

According to the explanation of this embodiment, the license server has compiled the license list and transmitted it to the terminal device, and the terminal device has displayed the license list on the display unit. However, the license server may only set the priority and transmit the prioritized license information to the terminal device, and the controller of the terminal device may arbitrarily designate a display message based on the received license information.

According to the present embodiment, terminal status information is transmitted together with the license list request at S601. However, the license list request may be transmitted to the license server at a time different from that of the aforementioned license list request. Furthermore, such a transmission time can also be associated with the content of the terminal state information, and the license server can determine the content of the terminal state information based on the transmission timing. Also, the transmission timing of the license list request can be changed according to the terminal state information, and the license server can determine the content of the terminal state information according to the transmission timing of the license list.

In this embodiment, the terminal status information is transmitted together with the license list request at S601. However, the protocol (e.g., HTTP or WSP) used for the license list request and/or the content type (e.g., MIME type) transmitted with the license list request can also be associated with the content of the terminal state information, making the license The server may determine the content of the terminal state information according to the protocol or content type of the license list request.

In this embodiment, the terminal status information is transmitted together with the license list request at S601. However, it is also possible to add an electronic signature to the license list request and/or the terminal state information, so that the license server can authorize the terminal and determine that the terminal state information has not been tampered with. At this time, time information may also be additionally included in the terminal state information, so as to prevent a third party from illegally using the terminal state information with the electronic signature.

(second embodiment)

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a license acquisition method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing information contained in content according to the second embodiment. In FIGS. 9 and 10 , the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 that have been explained in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the terminal device 3 acquires content from the content server 1, the terminal device 3 stores the content 40b in the storage unit 33 (S901). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the content 40b transmitted from the content server 1 contains two license acquisition URLs 43: an acquisition URL 43a of a normal license and an acquisition URL 43b of a permanent license.

The content 40b may contain a license acquisition URL 43 for a different license, or may contain a license acquisition URL 43 corresponding to a license group composed of a plurality of licenses.

When issuing a license acquisition request, the controller 32 selects the license acquisition URL 43 contained in the content 40b using the terminal state information stored in the storage unit 33, and decides the license to be acquired (S902). For example, when the limited number of available licenses has been used up, the controller 32 predicts the acquisition of the permanent license next time, and selects and determines the acquisition URL of the permanent license. At this time, the controller may display a confirmation message on the display unit 35 as to whether the decided license should be obtained.

As the timing of the license acquisition request, when the available number of uses of the content is 0, or when the period of use has expired, the controller 32 can detect that the terminal device 3 has used up the content, and can automatically determine that the license. Alternatively, the controller 32 may determine a license when a license acquisition request instruction is input by the input unit 34 .

When the terminal device 3 has determined the license, the controller 32 transmits a license acquisition request to the license server 2 automatically or through a user's input (S903). When a license acquisition request is received at the license server 2, the charging processor 22 performs charging processing and user confirmation processing, and performs confirmation processing on the terminal device 3 as necessary (S904). When the charging process is completed, the license server 2 provides a license to the terminal device (S905).

As the license determination method of the controller 32, for example, when there are data on the license (for example, the available number of times of use and the available period of use) and the license acquisition URL for the content, this data is combined with the terminal state information A comparison is made and a decision is made on which license the user is expected to request.

According to the license acquisition system in the second embodiment, since the terminal device determines the license acquisition request target using the terminal status information, the user can easily acquire a desired license when there are a plurality of licenses. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a function for setting priority in the license server 2, a conventional license server 2 can also be used.

(third embodiment)

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a license acquisition method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11 , the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 that have been explained in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, first, the terminal device 3 accesses the license acquisition URL 43, and issues a license list acquisition request for desired content (S1101). When a plurality of licenses exist corresponding to the content, the license server 2 transmits a license list (S1102).

After receiving the license list from the license server 2, the controller 32 of the terminal device 3 specifies the priority of the license based on the terminal state information stored on the storage unit 33, uses the priority to edit the license list, Display information is prepared and displayed on the display unit 35 (S1103).

The user selects a desired license among the licenses displayed on the display unit 35 and uses the input unit 34 to input a license acquisition request instruction. The controller 32 transmits the license ID corresponding to the selected license to the license server 2 to issue a license acquisition request (S1104). Next, when receiving a license acquisition request, the license server 2 performs charging processing as necessary (S1105), and provides the terminal device 3 with a license (S1106).

For example, when there are multiple licenses for a specific content, after receiving a list of licenses corresponding to the content from the license server 2, the controller 32 of the terminal device 3 checks the terminal status information, and preferentially compiles and displays Information on licenses not yet held.

According to the license acquisition system used in the third embodiment, since the terminal device 3 compiles the license list based on the terminal status information, even when there are a plurality of licenses, the user can easily acquire a desired license. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a function for designating priority to the license server 2, a conventional license server 2 can also be used.

(fourth embodiment)

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration for explaining a license acquisition system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the license server of this embodiment collects terminal status information obtained by a plurality of terminal devices 3a to 3c and rights acquisition status of the terminal devices 3a to 3c. When a license list acquisition request is received from the terminal device 3d, a license list is prepared based on the collected results and provided to the terminal device 3d.

For example, for the same content, the types of rights information obtained from a plurality of terminal devices 3 are collected at different frequencies and a license list is compiled, or screen information of a license list based on the collected result is added and provided to the terminal device 3 .

For content like hits and recent hits, the preference is to go for licenses that have no time limit or that offer many uses or long-term use. In this case, the license server 2 compiles a license list in which licenses without a time limit and licenses that provide many times of use and long-term use are prioritized.

In addition, since contents similar to songs used for example for commercial promotion are only partially played, there are currently many requests for listening to complete songs, so that a trial license or a license that provides several uses or a short-term use tends to be selected . In this case, the license server 2 prepares a license list in which trial licenses and licenses for several times of use and short-term use are prioritized.

The specific operation of the license server 2 of this embodiment will now be described. The license server in this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 2 . The storage unit 23 stores each type of rights information corresponding to each content obtained by the terminal device 3 . When the controller 25 receives a license list acquisition request from the terminal device 3 via the communication unit 24, the controller 25 reads the collection result about the contents of the requested license from the storage unit 23, and instructs the license information compiling unit 21 Based on these collection results, a license list is prepared in which, for example, the rights information obtained for the aforementioned contents is prioritized. The license information prepared by the license information preparation unit 21 is transmitted to the terminal device 3 via the communication unit 24 .

Also, instead of collecting each type of rights information for each content, if a plurality of contents can be classified, the license server 2 may collect rights information obtained for each classification.

According to the license acquisition system used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the license list is provided based on terminal state information obtained by a plurality of terminal devices, licenses expected to be requested by users can be preferentially presented.

(fifth embodiment)

A license acquisition system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In this embodiment, when a specific keyword is included in the content-related information, the terminal device 3 preferentially displays a predetermined license.

For example, when the user of the terminal device 3 obtains a license whose content is a song of the user's favorite singer, and when the use of this content is the first time for the terminal device 3, it is expected that the user is likely to select the license with no time limit. Licenses or licenses that provide many uses or long-term use, rather than trial licenses.

Therefore, when the content-related information contains keywords pre-registered by the user or keywords input to the terminal device and frequently used, the terminal device 3 formulates and displays a prioritized predetermined license (for example, a license with no time limit) license list, so that the license list consistent with the user's preferences can be provided.

The specific operation of the terminal device 3 of this embodiment will now be explained. The terminal device of this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 3 . Keywords registered in advance by the user of the terminal device 3 or keywords input at a predetermined frequency via the input unit 34 are stored in the storage unit 33 . The controller 32 determines whether the obtained content-related information includes the above-mentioned keywords stored in the storage unit 33 .

Next, a license acquisition request is issued, and a license list is obtained from the license server 2 . At this time, when the above-mentioned keywords are contained in the content-related information of the content to be adopted, the controller 32 edits the obtained license list as required, and displays the license list on the display unit 35 .

In this embodiment, the terminal device 3 compiles the license list. However, it is also possible that the terminal device 3 transmits the keywords stored in the storage unit 33 to the license server 2 as terminal state information, and the license server 2 compiles the license based on the keywords contained in the received terminal state information. list, and provide the license list to the terminal device 3.

According to the license acquisition system used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a license list corresponding to, for example, user's preference can be provided.

In the description of the first to fifth embodiments, the terminal device 3 acquires content from the content server 1 . However, when the terminal device 3 has an interface for an external medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card, the content can also be obtained from the external medium. Additionally, licenses are also available from external media.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is possible for those skilled in the art to make various modifications or corrections to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-391776 filed on November 21, 2003 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-335229 filed on November 19, 2004, and the contents of these applications are incorporated by reference In the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The license acquisition system of the present invention has the effect of enabling a user to easily acquire a desired license, and can be applied to terminal devices such as cellular phones and servers.

Claims (15)

1. be used to obtain to allow use the license acquiring system of the licence of content, it comprises:

Obtain the terminal device of described content; With

Server, it is connected to the licence of described terminal device to provide permission to use described content to described terminal device via communication line,

Wherein said terminal device comprises:

Storage unit, its storage shows the terminal device information of the state of the terminal relevant with described licence with described content; With

Communication unit, it is transmitting described terminal's status information for obtaining when licence corresponding to described content obtains request, and

Wherein said server comprises:

Receiving element, it receives request of obtaining of described licence and described terminal's status information;

The license information planning unit, exist corresponding to described content under the situation of a plurality of licences, described license information planning unit is set the priority of described a plurality of licences based on described terminal's status information, and works out the license information of recording and narrating corresponding relation between the priority that described a plurality of licence and described setting are arranged; With

Transmission unit, it is transferred to described terminal device with described license information.

2. license acquiring system according to claim 1, wherein said license information planning unit are worked out the tactic license list of the licence of wherein said setting priority with high priority.

3. the priority that license acquiring system according to claim 1, wherein said license information planning unit establishment have wherein been arranged described setting only is the license list of the licence of high priority.

4. license acquiring system according to claim 1, the described license information that is set at the licence of limit priority is only arranged in wherein said license information planning unit establishment.

5. be used to obtain to allow use the license acquiring system of the licence of content, it comprises:

Obtain the terminal device of described content; With

Server, it is connected to described terminal device via communication line and thinks that described terminal device provides the licence that allows to use described content,

Wherein said terminal device comprises:

Storage unit, it stores described content, be stored in licence corresponding to described content exists indication under the situation of a plurality of licences to obtain the request target information of obtaining of request target and the terminal's status information that storage shows the SOT state of termination relevant with described content and described licence corresponding to the licence of the described licence of a plurality of groupings

Controller obtains request when obtaining the licence corresponding to described content carrying out licence, described controller based on described terminal's status information select at least one described licence obtain request target and

Transmitting element, it is transferred to described selected licence with the licence request of obtaining and obtains request target, and

Wherein said server comprises:

Receiving element, it receives the described request of obtaining;

Storage unit, its storage and the described corresponding described licence of request target that obtains; With

Transmitting element, it will obtain with described licence, and the described corresponding described licence of request target that obtains of appointment is transferred to described terminal device in the request.

6. license acquiring system according to claim 5, wherein under situation about existing corresponding to the described a plurality of licences that obtain request target, the tabulation of the described a plurality of licences of described Server Transport.

7. be used to obtain to allow use the license acquiring system of the licence of content, it comprises:

Obtain the terminal device of described content; With

Server, it is connected to the licence of described terminal device to provide permission to use described content to described terminal device via communication line,

Wherein said server comprises:

Receiving element, it receives from described terminal device and is used for acquisition request and obtains request corresponding to the licence of the licence of described content; With

Transmitting element, it exists transmission under the situation of a plurality of licences to comprise the license list of described a plurality of licences with the corresponding licence of described content, and

Wherein said terminal device comprises:

Receiving element, it receives described license list information;

Storage unit, the terminal's status information that it is stored described content and stores the state that shows the terminal relevant with described content and described licence; With

Controller, it is by coming to the priority of the license sets licence in the described license list and editing license list with reference to described terminal's status information.

8. according to the described license acquiring system of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 7, wherein said terminal's status information shows whether described terminal device holds the licence corresponding to described content.

9. according to the described license acquiring system of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 7, wherein said terminal's status information shows the consumption states of described licence.

10. according to the described license acquiring system of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 7, wherein said terminal's status information shows the service time of described content.

11. according to the described license acquiring system of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 7, wherein said terminal's status information is presented at the method for using described content in the described terminal device.

12. according to the described license acquiring system of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 7, wherein said terminal's status information shows that described terminal device obtains the time of described content.

13. one kind is used to provide and allows the server of use by the licence of the content of terminal device acquisition, it comprises:

Receiving element, it receives from described terminal device and is used for the terminal's status information of acquisition request corresponding to the state of the licence request of obtaining of the licence of the described content terminal relevant with described content and described licence with indication;

The license information planning unit, exist corresponding to described content under the situation of a plurality of licences, it sets the priority of described a plurality of licences based on described terminal's status information, and works out the license information of recording and narrating corresponding relation between the priority that described a plurality of licence and described setting are arranged; With

Transmitting element, it is transferred to described terminal device with described license information.

14. terminal device, it comprises:

Storage unit, is stored in and has corresponding to described content that indication and the described licence that is divided into a plurality of groupings under the situation of a plurality of licences are corresponding obtains the request target information of obtaining of request target and the terminal's status information of the state of storage the shows terminal relevant with described content and described licence at the content that its storage obtains;

Controller obtains request when obtaining the licence corresponding to described content carrying out licence, and described controller selects licence to obtain request target based on described terminal's status information; With

Transmitting element, it is transferred to described selected licence with the licence request of obtaining and obtains request target.

15. terminal device, it comprises:

Storage unit, content that its storage obtains and storage show the terminal's status information of the state of the terminal relevant with described content and licence;

Receiving element, it receives the list information corresponding to the licence of described content; With

Controller, it edits described license list to set the priority that is contained in the described licence in the described list information by the described terminal's status information of reference.

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