JP2001290780A - Digital content distribution management center, digital content user terminal, digital content distribution system, digital content management method, digital content usage method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In digital content distribution, copyright protection is performed by inheriting valid copyright information for secondary use and distribution such as editing and modification of digital content. The digital content is distributed in the form of a digital content package including digital content, access control information, and copyright information. When the digital content is used, it can be used only through a package control unit. Thus, even when the digital content is edited, the copyright information can be inherited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital content distribution management center, a digital content user terminal, a digital content distribution system, a digital content management method, a digital content utilization method, and a storage medium. Editing and secondary distribution of copyrighted works related to billing devices, information transmitting / receiving devices and billing methods and information transmitting / receiving methods used in multimedia networks for transmitting digitized works such as still image data, moving image data, and computer programs The present invention relates to a digital content distribution system that guarantees copyright even in a transmission process such as this.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of optical fiber networks in backbone communication networks, the spread of cable television systems, the practical use of satellite communications, the spread of local area networks, and the like have been rapidly advancing. In addition, the interconnection of these communication networks is being actively carried out.

[0003] By using these communication networks, so-called multimedia information including character data, audio data, still image data, moving image data, computer programs and the like has been exchanged on a worldwide scale. ing.

By the way, the multimedia information includes a copyrighted one, and the copyrighted multimedia information (hereinafter, digital content) is bought and sold.
It is starting to circulate. Since the digital content is digital information, it has a feature that it can be easily copied without deteriorating the information. However, this is a serious problem from the viewpoint of copyright protection.

[0005] On the other hand, various methods have been proposed for controlling the use of digital contents for primary use that does not involve editing or alteration of digital contents, charging for use of digital contents, and the like.

However, considering the use of digital contents, primary use of digital contents alone is not enough. Editing, alteration or editing of digital contents,
It is natural to consider secondary use, including modified secondary distribution.

On the other hand, a digital content distribution system considering the secondary use of digital content is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-8-8851 and JP-A-10-302008.
No.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the concept of the information distribution system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-8851. An information supply station 11 for distributing digital contents, a plurality of information terminals 12 for receiving digital contents (only one terminal #i is shown in FIG. 7), and an information transmission medium 13 for interconnecting them. Consists of

The digital content is encrypted with a distribution key unique to each digital content, and the distribution key is encrypted with a public key of the first information terminal “#i” 12 and then encrypted with the encrypted digital content. , And the encrypted distribution key to the first information terminal “#i” 12.

[0010] The first information terminal "#i" 12 receiving the encrypted digital content and the encrypted distribution key receives the encrypted digital content and the encrypted distribution key. The received digital content is decrypted with the secret key of the information terminal “#i” 12 and used. At this time, the billing module 121 also performs billing processing for the use of the digital content.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the concept of the case where the digital content is secondarily distributed from the first information terminal “#i” 12 to the second information terminal “#j” 21. In the charging module 121 of the first information terminal "#i" 12, the second
Then, an encrypted distribution key is generated using the public key of the information terminal “#j” 21 and the encrypted digital content and the encrypted distribution key are transmitted to the second information terminal “#j” 21.

In order to use the above-mentioned encrypted digital content, it is necessary to obtain a unique distribution key for each digital content, and the distribution key is information holding a private key corresponding to the public key used for encrypting the distribution key. Only the terminal can get,
It is possible to protect copyright.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of the information distribution system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-302008. This system includes a digital content distribution center 30 that manages digital content, a first user “#i” 120 and a second user “#” that use the digital content.
j "210.

The first user “#i” 120 receives the original digital content from the digital content distribution center 30 and performs editing or processing. The digital content distribution center 30 performs a billing process for the first user “#i” 120 at the same time as the distribution of the original digital content.

[0015] The first user "#i" 120 that has received the original digital content edits or processes the original digital content to generate a processed digital content. At the same time as the editing or processing, the processing content is described as a processing scenario and stored.

After performing the editing or processing, the first user “#i” 120 transmits the processing scenario to the digital content distribution center 30. Upon receiving the processing scenario, the digital content distribution center 30 registers the processing scenario and also registers new copyright information in association with the processing scenario.

The distribution of the processed digital contents is realized only by the original digital contents and the processing scenario. The processed digital content is obtained by obtaining the original digital content according to the processing scenario and reconstructing the processed digital content. This is a system that enables copyright protection by copyright information associated with a processing scenario.

[0018]

However, the above two methods have the following problems. That is,
(1) In the information distribution system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-8851, the digital content is managed with a distribution key unique to the digital content. Digital content exists. As a result, there has been a problem that charging according to copyright information for digital content becomes impossible.

In the above (2), as a countermeasure against the problem described in the above (1), it is considered that the edited digital content is newly registered as a new digital content. In this case, since there is no mechanism for inheriting copyright information in the method, new copyright information is determined by the new registrant, so that the copyright information of the digital content that is the basis of the edited digital content is The problem of not being inherited arises.

The problem (3) is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In the content distribution system described in No. 0-302008, the distribution of edited digital content after editing or processing is realized by the original digital content as the base and the difference thereof. Therefore, when reconstructing digital content that has been edited or processed multiple times, the user accesses the digital content distribution center many times,
There is a problem in that the reconfiguration processing needs to be performed many times, and the user's use procedure becomes complicated.

[0021] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its first object to enable charging according to copyright information for digital content. It is a second object of the present invention to be able to inherit the copyright information of the digital content on which the edited digital content is based. Further, it is a third object to simplify the use procedure when reconfiguring digital content.

[0022]

A digital content distribution management center according to the present invention is connected to a digital content user terminal via an information communication network, and includes a digital content, access control information of the digital content, and a digital content. A digital content distribution management center for use in a digital content package distribution system comprising copyright information of the digital content user terminal, wherein the digital content user terminal or a user who generates and manages user terminal management information specific to the user. It is characterized by comprising terminal management means and communication means for communicating the digital content package and user terminal management information through the information communication network. Also,
Another feature of the present invention is that the digital content user terminal is connected via an information communication network,
A digital content distribution management center used in a digital content package distribution system comprising digital content, access control information of the digital content, copyright information of the digital content, and billing information of the digital content, A digital content user terminal or user terminal management means for generating and managing user terminal management information specific to the user; and a communication means for communicating the digital content package and the user terminal management information through the information communication network. And charging management means for managing charging processing for the use of the digital content. Another feature of the present invention is that the copyright information includes a date of generation or editing, an editing history, and partial copyright information of digital content.

[0023] The digital content user terminal of the present invention is connected to a digital content distribution management center via an information communication network, and obtains digital content, access control information of the digital content, and copyright information of the digital content. A digital content user terminal used in a system for distributing a digital content package, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a user who uses the digital content package and the user terminal management information; A package control unit that controls and generates or edits the copyright information of the digital content and the access control information and the copyright information according to the use status of the digital content; Others are characterized by edited access information, based on the digital content and the copyright information and generating means for generating or editing the digital content package. Another feature of the present invention is that the package control means includes: input means for inputting newly set access information and copyright information; and access information and copyright information input by the input means. And information output means for generating and outputting access information and copyright information that are packaged as digital contents. Other features of the present invention include:
The package control means is included in the digital content package by the input means for inputting newly set access information, copyright information, and one or more digital content packages, and by the single or plural digital content packages. Utilization control means for controlling the use of a single or a plurality of digital content, the access information input by the input means, copyright information, the access information contained in the digital content package, based on the copyright information, Output means for editing and outputting by the use control means. Another feature of the present invention is that the package control means includes input means for inputting newly set access information, copyright information and charging control information, and access information input by the input means. Information, copyright information, and output means for generating and outputting access information, copyright information, charging control information, and charging processing information to be packaged in digital content based on the charging control information. And Another feature of the present invention is that the package control means includes a newly set access information, a copyright information, a charging control information, and an input means for receiving a single or a plurality of digital content packages. ,
Use control means for controlling use of single or plural digital contents included in the single or plural digital content packages inputted by the input means,
The access information, copyright information, and charging control information input by the input means are edited by the use control means based on the access information, copyright information, and charging control information included in the digital content package. Output means for outputting.

[0024] A digital content distribution system according to the present invention comprises the digital content distribution management center described above and a digital content user terminal described above.

The digital content management method according to the present invention comprises:
A digital content management method in a digital content package distribution system that is connected to a digital content user terminal via an information communication network and includes digital content, access control information of the digital content, and copyright information of the digital content. A user terminal management process for generating and managing the digital content user terminal or user terminal management information specific to the user; and communicating the digital content package and the user terminal management information through the information communication network. And a management process for managing the digital content user terminal or the user via the information communication network. Another feature of the present invention is that the digital content is connected to a digital content user terminal via an information communication network, and the digital content, access control information of the digital content, copyright information of the digital content, A digital content management method in a digital content package distribution system comprising the digital content billing information, wherein the digital content user terminal or a user terminal that generates and manages user terminal management information unique to the user It is characterized by performing management processing, communication processing for communicating the digital content package and user terminal management information through the information communication network, and charging management processing for managing charging for use of the digital content. Another feature of the present invention is that the copyright information includes a date of generation or editing, an editing history, and partial copyright information of digital content.

The method of using digital contents according to the present invention comprises:
Digital content connected to a digital content distribution management center via an information communication network and used in a system for distributing a digital content package including digital content, access control information of the digital content, and copyright information of the digital content A method of using the digital content package and the communication process for communicating with a user using the user terminal management information; controlling the use of the digital content package; copyright information of the digital content; A package control process for generating or editing access control information and copyright information in accordance with a use state of digital content; access information generated or edited by the package control process; And it is characterized by performing the generation processing for generating or editing the digital content package based on the copyright information. According to another feature of the present invention, the package control processing includes:
An input process for inputting newly set access information and copyright information, and generating and outputting access information and copyright information packaged as digital content based on the access information and copyright information input by the input process. And an information output process. Another feature of the present invention is that the package control process includes an input process for inputting newly set access information, copyright information, and one or more digital content packages, and an input process for inputting one or more digital content packages. The digital content package includes a usage control process for controlling the use of one or more digital contents included in the digital content package, and the access information and the copyright information input by the input process are included in the digital content package. Access information,
An output process of editing and outputting by the use control process based on the copyright information is performed. Another feature of the present invention is that the package control process includes an input process for inputting newly set access information, copyright information and charging control information, and an access process input by the input process. Information, copyright information, and output processing for generating and outputting access information, copyright information, charging control information, and charging processing information that are packaged in digital contents based on the charging control information. . Another feature of the present invention is that the package control process includes an access process for newly setting access information, copyright information, charging control information, and a single or a plurality of digital content packages. A use control process for controlling use of one or a plurality of digital contents included in a single or a plurality of digital content packages input by the input process, and the access information and copyright inputted by the input process. An output process of editing and outputting the information and the charging control information by the use control process based on the access information, the copyright information, and the charging control information included in the digital content package is performed.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized in that a program constituting each means described above is stored so as to be readable from a computer. Another feature of the present invention is that a program for executing the above-described method is stored in a computer-readable manner.

[0028]

Since the present invention has the above technical means, the digital contents are distributed in the form of a digital contents package comprising access information and copyright information, and the user of the digital contents can pass through the package control means. Only digital contents can be used, and copyright information can be inherited. According to another feature of the present invention, the digital content is distributed as a digital content package, so that it is not necessary to access the digital content distribution management center to use the digital content. According to another feature of the present invention, the digital content is distributed in the form of a digital content package including access information, copyright information, and charging control information, so that the charging process is performed simultaneously with the inheritance of the copyright information. It is possible to do. According to another feature of the present invention, the billing process information is generated at the same time as the use of the digital content. Therefore, the billing process information is generated in accordance with a detailed use situation such as a partial use of the digital content. Can be generated.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A digital content distribution management center, a digital content user terminal, a digital content distribution system, a digital content management method, a digital content utilization method, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described below. A first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital contents 402 handled in the present embodiment include digital contents 402 and use permission / non-permission for each user of the digital contents 402.
Digital content access control information 403 indicating copy permission / non-permission, editing permission / non-permission, copyright information inheritance / non-inheritance, digital content use permission information for a user, and the like, and copyright information 404. They are handled together as one digital content package 401.

In the present embodiment, the digital content 402 is stored in one digital content package 4.
01, the copyright information 404 can be inherited. The details of the method of inheriting the copyright information 404 will be described later.

Since it is important to handle the digital content 402, the access control information 403, and the copyright information 404 as one package, the digital content package 401 has a format that is difficult to separate, It is desirable to use a format that can perform tampering detection.

As a method for realizing these, a method of embedding access information and copyright information in digital content by using a digital watermarking technique, or a method of converting a hash value of digital content package 401 into a digital content package 401 by using a hash function. A method used for the detection of a mouse alteration can be considered. However, in the present embodiment, the packaging of the digital content 402 into digital content is not particularly limited.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a digital content distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2, reference numeral 501 denotes a digital content distribution management center; 503, a digital content user terminal;
Is an information communication network, 504 is user terminal management means, 505 is communication means, 506 is package control means,
507 is a generation unit.

Digital content distribution management center 501
Is composed of a digital content user terminal 503 or a user terminal management means 504 for managing the user, and a communication means 505 for communicating the digital content package 401 and the user terminal management information with the digital content user terminal 503. Have.

Here, the user terminal management information is information unique to the digital content user terminal 503, and is information necessary for copyright management. The digital content distribution management center 501 includes a user terminal management unit 504.
To generate user terminal management information, and distributes them to each digital content user terminal 503 by the communication means 505.

The digital content user terminal 503 is
The use of the digital content 402 is controlled, and the access control information 40
3, package control means 506 for generating or editing the copyright information 404, and the package control means 506.
Generating means 507 for generating or editing the digital content package 401 based on the access information 403 generated by the package control means 506 and the copyright information 404 according to the request of the digital content package 401, and the user terminal A communication unit 505 for communicating with a user who uses the management information.

In the present embodiment, the package control unit 506 generates access information and copyright information in accordance with the use status of the digital content 402, thereby enabling copyright information to be inherited.

Next, the digital content package 40
1 access procedure to digital content package 4
01 will be described in the order of generation, use, and editing. First, a procedure for generating the digital content package 401 will be described. Creating the digital content package 401 means creating a new digital content 402 without using the existing digital content 402, and creating a new digital content package 401.

The digital content creator inputs the access control information 403 and the copyright information 404 to the package control means 506. The package control unit 506 determines that the existing digital content package 401 is not used because the existing digital content package 401 is not used, and uses only the access information 403 and the copyright information 404 input by the digital content creator to determine the access information 403 and the copyright information. Information 404 is newly generated, and digital content 402, access information 403, and copyright information 404 are generated by generating means 5
07.

The generating unit 507 generates a new digital content package 40 from the input digital content 402, the access information 403, and the copyright information 404.
1 is generated.

Second, digital content package 4
The procedure for utilizing 01 will be described. Using the digital content package 401 means that the user uses the digital content 402 included in one or more digital content packages 401 through the package control unit 506.

The user of the digital content inputs one or a plurality of digital content packages 401 to the package control means 506. Package control means 5
06, a digital content 402 from the input single or multiple digital content packages 401;
, Access information 403 and copyright information 404 are extracted. Then, the access information 403 and the copyright information 4
04, the digital content 40
The use control of the digital content 402 is performed such that the editing of the digital content 2 is permitted or only the use is permitted.

Third, digital content package 4
The procedure for editing 01 will be described. Editing the digital content package 401 uses the single or multiple digital contents 402 included in the single or multiple digital content packages 401 to generate a new digital content 402 and generate the digital content package 401. Or means to edit.

First, a user of digital content inputs a single or a plurality of digital content packages 401 as a base to the package control means 506. The package control unit 506 converts digital content 402, access information 403, and copyright information 40 from the input single or plural digital content packages 401.
4 is extracted, and the access information 403 and the copyright information 404 are extracted.
Thus, the use control of the digital content 402 such as permitting the user to edit the digital content 402 or only permitting the user to use the digital content 402 is performed.

Here, when the editing of the digital content 402 is permitted, the digital content 402 can be edited. Further, when the digital content 402 is edited, the package control unit 506 uses the access information 403 and the copyright information 404 as the basis and the access information 403 and the copyright information 404 input by the user to determine the digital content usage status. According to the access information 40
3 and copyright information 404 are newly generated.

After the editing, the package control means 50
6 to the generation means 507, the digital content 402
, Access information 403 and copyright information 404 are input. The generating unit 507 newly generates or edits the digital content package 401 from the input digital content 402, access information 403, and copyright information 404.

Hereinafter, the inheritance of copyright information, which is the object of the present invention, will be described in more detail. The problem of inheriting copyright information arises when editing digital content packages. As described above, in the present embodiment, inheritance of the copyright information 404 is realized by the package control unit 506 generating the access information 403 and the copyright information 404.

The generation of the access information 403 and the copyright information 404 by the package control means 506 is the same as in the case of generating a digital content package from new digital content.

This means that the access information 403 and the copyright information 404 of the digital content package 401
In other words, it means that the user is prohibited from making direct access and access is always made via the package control means 506. In the present embodiment, the inheritance of the copyright information is realized by controlling the use of the access information and the copyright information.

Hereinafter, an example of editing a digital content package will be described with reference to FIG. A case is considered where a third digital content package C603 is generated using the first digital content package A601 and the second digital content package B602.
In the following, access information indicates permission / non-permission of editing and inheritance / non-inheritance of copyright information, and copyright information indicates an author.

First, “Charlie” inputs the first digital content package A 601 and the second digital content package B 602 to be the basis to the package control means 506.

The package control means 506 sends a first digital content A 604, a second digital content B 607, a first access information A 605 from each of the digital content packages 601 and 602,
Second access information B608 and first copyright information A6
06 and the second copyright information B609 are extracted, and "Charlie" is given permission to edit by the access information "edit permission".

[Charli] given permission to edit
"e" generates the third new digital content C612 using the first digital content A604 and the second digital content B607, and generates the generated third digital content C612 and "Charli".
e "generated by the access information 610 and the copyright information 611
Is input to the package control means 506.

The package control means 506 controls the access information 60 of the first digital content package A 601.
5, copyright information 606, access information 608 of the second digital content B, copyright information 609, and "Cha
rlie ”, the access information 610, the copyright information 611, the usage status of the digital content A,
The access information 613 and the copyright information 614 are generated from the usage status of the second digital content B, and the third digital content C 612, the access information 613, and the copyright information 614 are input to the generation unit 507.

The generating means 507 generates a third digital content package C 603 from the input third digital content C 612, access information 613 and copyright information 614.

In the above example, the access information indicates only permission / non-permission of editing and inheritance / non-inheritance of copyright information.
It is also conceivable to show other access information such as permission / non-permission of use, permission / non-permission of copy, permission / non-permission of partial use of digital content, and usable partial information of digital content.

Also, in the above example, the copyright information indicates only the author, but indicates other copyright information such as creation or editing date, editing history, partial copyright information of digital contents. It is also possible.

In the above example, some access information is inherited as it is, and all copyright information is inherited. However, there are a plurality of policies for determining access information and copyright information from a plurality of access information and copyright information. For example, with respect to the access information, (1) certain single access information such as inheriting the last set access information is inherited as it is.

(2) Single access information is inherited as it is in accordance with the usage status of digital contents.

(3) Generate new access information from a plurality of pieces of access information, such as generating new access information from all pieces of access information, and inherit the access information.

(4) A policy is conceivable in which new access information is generated from a plurality of pieces of access information in accordance with the usage status of digital contents, and the access information is inherited.

Further, as for the copyright information, (1) a single piece of copyright information such as the last set copyright information is inherited as it is.

(2) Single copyright information is inherited as it is in accordance with the usage status of digital contents. (3) Generate new copyright information from a plurality of copyright information, such as generating new copyright information from all copyright information, and inherit the copyright information. (4) A policy is conceivable in which new copyright information is generated from a plurality of pieces of copyright information in accordance with the usage status of digital contents, and the copyright information is inherited.

Further, by combining them, the above (1)
The access information to be inherited is determined, and the corresponding copyright information is inherited. (2) Determine the copyright information to be inherited,
It is also conceivable to inherit access information corresponding to this. However, since the present invention does not aim to determine a policy for determining access information and copyright information, the policy for determining access information and copyright information is not particularly limited.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The digital contents 402 handled in the present embodiment are, as shown in FIG.
And permission to use digital content 402 for each user /
Disallowed, allowed / disallowed copying, allowed / disallowed editing,
Access control information 403 of digital content 402 indicating inheritance / non-inheritance of copyright information, use permission part information of digital content for a user, etc., and copyright information 4
04 and billing control information 702 for generating billing processing information used in billing processing are handled as one digital content package 701.

The billing processing information indicates information used by the billing means at the time of billing processing, such as specific amount information, and the billing control information 702 includes billing information corresponding to the usage mode of the digital content and partial information of the digital content. It shows information used when generating billing processing information, such as billing information corresponding to various uses and billing information corresponding to a user.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the copyright information 404 can be inherited by treating the digital contents 402 as the digital contents package 701.

For this reason, the digital content package 701 is desirably in a format that is difficult to separate, or in a format that can detect a mouse break of the digital content package 701. However, the present invention does not particularly limit the packaging of the digital contents 402 into digital contents.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 801 denotes a digital content distribution management center; 802, a digital content user terminal; 803, a billing management unit; 804, a billing unit;
Denotes a package control unit, and 806 denotes a generation unit.

Digital content distribution management center 801
Is the digital content distribution center 5 of the first embodiment.
In addition to the configuration of FIG. 01, there is a charging management unit 803 that communicates with the charging unit 804 of the digital content user terminal to manage charging.

The digital content user terminal 802 is
Digital content user terminal 503 of the first embodiment
The following three points are different from the above configuration. That is, the first point is that the package control unit 805 has a function of generating billing processing information and billing control information.

That is, the use of the digital content 402 is controlled, and the access control information 403, the copyright information 404, and the charging control information 702 are generated or edited according to the usage status of the digital content 402, and the charging processing information is generated at the same time. It has a function to perform

The second point is that the generation means uses the charging control information 702
Is to generate a digital content package including That is, according to a request from the package control unit 805, the access information 403 generated by the package control unit 805, the copyright information 404, and the charging control information 7
02 is provided with a function of generating or editing the digital content package 701 on the basis of the file No. 02.

The third point is that the charging unit 80 performs charging based on the charging information generated by the package control unit 805.
4 is added.

Next, the procedure for accessing the digital content 401 in the present embodiment will be described in the order of generation, use, and editing of the digital content package. First, a procedure for generating the digital content package 701 will be described. The generation procedure is almost the same as in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points.

That is, the first point is that the digital content creator also sends the charge control information to the package control unit 805.
, The package control unit 805 also generates and outputs charging control information and charging processing information, and the generating unit 806 generates a digital content package using the charging control information. Means 804 is to perform charging processing using the charging processing information.

The second point is a procedure for using the digital content package 701. Hereinafter, a procedure for using the digital content package 701 in the present embodiment will be described. The use of the digital content package 701 means that the user uses the package control unit 805 to control a single or multiple digital content packages 7.
This means that billing processing is performed in accordance with the use of a single or a plurality of digital contents 402 using the digital contents 402 included in the digital content 402.

The user of the digital content 402 inputs one or a plurality of digital content packages 701 to the package control means 805. The package control unit 805 converts the input digital content package 701 into digital content 40
2, the access information 403, the copyright information 404, and the billing control information 702, and the access information 403, the copyright information 404, and the billing control information 702 permit the user to edit or use only. The usage control of the digital content 402 such as permitting is performed, and billing processing information is generated at the same time. The generated billing processing information is input to the billing means 804 to perform billing processing.

The third point is a procedure for editing the digital content package 701. Hereinafter, a procedure for editing the digital content package 701 will be described. Editing the digital content package 701 refers to a single or a plurality of digital content packages 701.
Single or multiple digital contents 402 included in
, A billing process is performed in accordance with the use of the digital content 402, a new digital content 402 is generated, and a digital content package 701 is generated or edited.

First, a user of digital content inputs a single or a plurality of digital content packages 701 as a base to the package control means 805. The package control unit 805 converts the digital content 402, the access information 403, and the copyright information 4 from the input single or plural digital content packages 701.
04 and the billing control information 702, and the access information 403, the copyright information 404, and the billing control information 702 are used to permit the user to edit or use only. And billing information is generated at the same time.

Then, the accounting process is performed by inputting the generated accounting information to the accounting unit 804. Here, when the digital content 402 is permitted to be edited, the digital content 402 can be edited. Since the method of editing the digital content and generating or editing the digital content package 701 is the same as the procedure of generating the digital content package described above,
Detailed description is omitted.

Regarding inheritance of copyright information, which is the object of the present invention, inheritance of copyright information is realized as in the first embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, charging is performed based on charging processing information generated by the package control unit 805.

Since the billing processing information is generated by the package control means 805 which controls the use of the digital content package 701, the billing according to the use situation of the fine digital content such as partial use of the digital content is performed. Making it possible.

Hereinafter, an example of editing a digital content package will be described with reference to FIG. "Charl
ie "is the first digital content package A901
It is considered that a third digital content package C 903 is generated using the second digital content package B 902 and the second digital content package B 902.

Access information indicates permission / non-permission of editing, inheritance / non-inheritance of copyright information, copyright information indicates an author, and charging control information indicates a charge at the time of use or editing. .

The editing procedure in this embodiment is almost the same as the editing procedure of the digital content package described in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points.

That is, in this embodiment, since the charge control information is added to the digital content package,
Charging control information is added to the input to the package control means, the output of the package control means, and the input of the generation means.

Further, it is added that the charging means performs the charging processing based on the charging processing information generated by the package control means. Here, a charging process different from the first embodiment will be described.

The generating means includes a first digital content A
904 and second digital content B90
8, the charge control information 907 of the first digital content package A, the charge control information 911 of the second digital content package B, the charge control information 918 from the charge control information 914 inputted by the user, The accounting processing information 919 is generated, and the accounting control information 918 is input to the generating unit, and the accounting processing information 919 is input to the accounting unit.

In the present embodiment, the usage status of the editing of the first digital content A 904, the charge control information for the editing of 1000 yen, and the second digital content B 90
8 usage status and accounting control information 2 for editing
3,000 yen, billing information 3000 yen is generated,
The generated charging process information 3000 yen is input to the charging unit, and the charging unit performs the charging process.

In the above example, the access information indicates only permission / non-permission of editing and inheritance / non-inheritance of copyright information. However, as in the first embodiment, access information, copyright information, access There are various information decision policies and copyright information decision policies. However, since the present invention does not aim to determine a policy for determining access information and copyright information, the policy for determining access information and copyright information is not particularly limited.

Further, as for the billing processing information, (1) the billing processing information is determined according to the usage mode such as use, copy, and editing of digital contents. (2) The accounting processing information is determined according to the degree of use of the digital content, such as using all of the digital content or using a part of the digital content. (3) A plurality of billing process information determination policies, such as determining billing process information based on a combination of the above (1) and (2), can be considered.

However, since the present invention does not aim to determine the policy for determining the accounting information, the policy for determining the accounting information is not particularly limited.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) The present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and is applied to an apparatus composed of one device. May be applied.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented in an apparatus connected to the above-described various devices or a computer in a system so that various devices are operated so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Supplies the software program code for performing the
The invention implemented by operating the various devices according to the program stored in U) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

In this case, the program code of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer,
For example, a storage medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions described in the above embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code runs on the computer. Alternatively, even when the functions described in the above-described embodiments are implemented in cooperation with other application software or the like, it goes without saying that such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided on the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. The present invention also includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the apparatus performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention, digital content can be distributed in the form of a digital content package consisting of access information and copyright information. The digital content can be used only through the package control means, and the copyright information can be inherited even when the digital content is edited. According to another feature of the present invention, the digital content is distributed as a digital content package, so that it is not necessary to frequently access the digital content distribution management center to use the digital content. be able to. According to another feature of the present invention, digital content is distributed in the form of a digital content package including access information, copyright information, and charging control information. It can be performed. According to another feature of the present invention, the billing processing information is generated at the same time as the use of the digital content. Billing information can be generated. These ensure that the copyrights of digital content users are protected,
Accurate billing according to the degree of use of digital content can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a digital content package used in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a flow of a digital content package according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a digital content package used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a flow of a digital content package according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional information distribution system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a second conventional information distribution system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional information distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

401 Digital content package of the first embodiment 402 Digital content 403 Access information 404 Copyright information 501 Digital content distribution management center 502 of the first embodiment 502 Information communication network 503 Use of digital content user terminal 504 of the first embodiment User terminal management means 505 communication means 506 package control means 507 of the first embodiment 507 generation means 601 of the first embodiment 601 first digital content package 602 second digital content package 603 third digital content package 604 first Digital content 605 first access information 606 first copyright information 607 second digital content 608 second access information 609 second copyright information 610 fourth access Information 611 fourth copyright information 612 third digital content 613 third access information 614 third copyright information 701 digital content package 702 of the second embodiment charging control information 801 digital content of the second embodiment Distribution management center 802 Digital content user terminal 803 of second embodiment Charge management unit 804 Charge unit 805 Package control unit 806 Second embodiment generation unit 901 First digital content package 902 Second digital content package 903 Third digital content package 904 First digital content 905 First access information 906 First copyright information 907 First billing control information 908 Second digital content. 909 second access information 910 second copyright information 911 second charging control information 912 fourth access information 913 fourth copyright information 914 fourth charging control information 915 third digital content 916 third Access information 917 Third copyright information 918 Third charging control information 919 Charging processing information

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A digital content package distribution system which is connected to a digital content user terminal via an information communication network and includes digital content, access control information of the digital content, and copyright information of the digital content. A digital content distribution management center to be used, wherein the digital content user terminal or user terminal management means for generating and managing user terminal management information unique to the user; and the digital content package through the information communication network And a communication unit for communicating user terminal management information. 2. A digital content user terminal connected via an information communication network, comprising: a digital content; access control information of the digital content; copyright information of the digital content; and billing information of the digital content. A digital content distribution management center for use in a digital content package distribution system, wherein the digital content user terminal or user terminal management means for generating and managing user terminal management information unique to the user; A digital content distribution management center comprising: communication means for communicating the digital content package and user terminal management information through an information communication network; and charging management means for managing charging processing for use of the digital content. Ta. 3. The digital content distribution management center according to claim 1, wherein the copyright information includes creation or editing date and time, editing history, and partial copyright information of digital content. 4. A system that is connected to a digital content distribution management center via an information communication network and distributes a digital content package including digital content, access control information of the digital content, and copyright information of the digital content. A digital content user terminal used for: a communication means for communicating with a user who uses the digital content package and the user terminal management information; and controlling use of the digital content package, Package control means for generating or editing copyright information and access control information and copyright information according to the use status of the digital content; access information generated or edited by the package control means; Generating means for generating or editing the digital content package based on the content and the copyright information. 5. The package control means includes: input means for inputting newly set access information and copyright information; and access for forming a digital content package based on the access information and copyright information input by the input means. The digital content user terminal according to claim 4, further comprising information output means for generating and outputting information and copyright information. 6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said package control means includes: input means for inputting newly set access information, copyright information, and one or a plurality of digital content packages; Use control means for controlling the use of single or plural digital contents included in the content package; access information and copyright information input by the input means; The digital content user terminal according to claim 4, further comprising an output unit that edits and outputs the information based on the information by the use control unit. 7. The package control means includes: input means for inputting newly set access information, copyright information, and charging control information; access information, copyright information input by the input means; 5. The output device according to claim 4, further comprising output means for generating and outputting access information, copyright information, charging control information, and charging processing information which are packaged as digital content according to the charging control information. Digital content user terminal. 8. The package control means includes: input means for receiving newly set access information, copyright information, billing control information, and a single or a plurality of digital content packages; Use control means for controlling the use of single or plural digital contents included in single or plural digital content packages; and the above-mentioned access information, copyright information and charging control information inputted by the input means, 5. An output means for editing and outputting by the use control means based on access information, copyright information and charging control information included in the digital content package.
Digital content user terminal according to 1. 9. A digital content distribution management center according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a digital content user terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 8. Digital content distribution system. 10. A digital content connected to a digital content user terminal via an information communication network, wherein the digital content, access control information of the digital content,
A digital content management method in a digital content package distribution system including the digital content copyright information, wherein the user generates and manages the digital content user terminal or user terminal management information unique to the user. A terminal management process, a communication process of communicating the digital content package and the user terminal management information through the information communication network, and a management process of managing the digital content user terminal or the user through the information communication network. Digital content management method characterized by performing. 11. A digital content connected to a digital content user terminal via an information communication network, the digital content, access control information of the digital content,
A digital content management method in a digital content package distribution system comprising the digital content copyright information and the digital content billing information, wherein the digital content user terminal or user terminal management information unique to the user User terminal management processing for generating and managing a digital content package, communication processing for communicating the digital content package and user terminal management information through the information communication network, and charging management processing for managing charging for use of the digital content. Digital content distribution management method characterized by performing. 12. The digital content management method according to claim 10, wherein the copyright information includes a creation or editing date and time, an editing history, and partial copyright information of the digital content. 13. A system connected to a digital content distribution management center via an information communication network to distribute a digital content package including digital content, access control information of the digital content, and copyright information of the digital content. A digital content usage method used for: a communication process for communicating with a user who uses the digital content package and the user terminal management information; and controlling use of the digital content package; Rights information, a package control process for generating or editing access control information and copyright information according to the use status of the digital content, and access information generated or edited by the package control process. And generating a digital content package based on the digital content and the copyright information. 14. The package control process includes: an input process for inputting newly set access information and copyright information; and an access for forming a digital content package based on the access information and copyright information input by the input process. 14. The digital content using method according to claim 13, wherein an information output process of generating and outputting information and copyright information is performed. 15. The digital camera according to claim 15, wherein the package control process includes inputting input access information, copyright information, and one or more digital content packages to be newly set; A use control process for controlling use of one or a plurality of digital contents included in the content package; and the access information and the copyright information input by the input process based on the access information and the copyright information included in the digital content package. 14. The digital content using method according to claim 13, further comprising performing an output process of editing and outputting by the use control process. 16. The package control process includes an input process for inputting newly set access information, copyright information, and billing control information; an access information input by the input process, copyright information; 14. The digital content according to claim 13, wherein output processing is performed to generate and output access information, copyright information, charging control information, and charging processing information that are packaged as digital content according to the charging control information. How to Use. 17. The package control processing includes input processing for inputting newly set access information, copyright information, charging control information, and a single or a plurality of digital content packages, and input processing by the input processing. A use control process for controlling use of single or multiple digital contents included in a single or multiple digital content packages; and the access information, copyright information and charging control information input by the input process, 14. An output process for editing and outputting by the use control process based on access information, copyright information, and charging control information included in the digital content package.
Digital content usage method described in. 18. A storage medium storing a program constituting each means according to claim 1 so as to be readable from a computer. 19. A storage medium storing a program for executing the method according to claim 10 in a manner readable from a computer.