JP2002189868A - Electronic content distribution method, apparatus for implementing the method, and recording medium on which processing program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with correction) [PROBLEMS] To provide a system for promoting sales of contents and packages. SOLUTION: An intermediary 112 obtains a reward from a provider 113 and a user 111, and instead passes content information to the user 111 so that the user 111
3, the user 111 can redistribute the content and distribute it at a low price.
And the user 111 can purchase the content or the product according to the information obtained from the mediator 112 through the mediator 112 or directly at the contract shop 114, and the mediator pays a fee as a commission to the contract shop 114.
Earn money from. In addition, as a copyright measure, when there is content that is not desired to be distributed by the system, the content filter allows the metadata to be sorted into content to be distributed and content not to be distributed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic contents distribution system for distributing electronic contents via a communication network, and more particularly to the use, production, sale, provision of distribution channels, provision of electronic contents, and support of electronic contents. The present invention relates to a technology that is effective when applied to an electronic content distribution system that represents information, merchandise, money, and rights among entities having respective roles in a content market.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electronic content distribution system for distributing electronic content via an electronic network has been used, and the electronic content distributed in the electronic content distribution system is a system of electronic information. It consists of media data that is distinguished based on the characteristics of the means required for storage, display, and transmission, and metadata that describes the method of referring to the electronic content, an overview, search conditions, use conditions, display control information, delivery control information, and the like. ing. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a conventional electronic content distribution system. Napster is an example of a conventional electronic content distribution system using an electronic network as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, in a conventional electronic content distribution system, an information provider first connects to an intermediary via an electronic network, and at this time, transmits metadata (content information) of the user's electronic content to the intermediary ( 1
21) Register with an intermediary. The user can obtain the content information by searching and browsing the content information registered in the mediator (122). When the user selects the content that he / she wants to use from the obtained content information, the provider having the content provides the content (123). There is no limit to the content that can be provided, and content that includes copyright can be freely provided and used. Users can redistribute their content. That is, the user can also be a provider.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional electronic distribution system, in the model in which an intermediary exists and the content can be freely exchanged between users, the copyright holder of the content or the content provider is not There is no distribution of profits at all and no intermediaries are running, so no intermediary commissions are paid. In addition, it is impossible to stop distribution of contents without approval of a copyright holder or a content provider, and the problems related to copyrights have not been solved.

[0004] Under the above circumstances, for the former, an intermediary first needs to obtain income through content distribution and business incidental to the content, and distribute the revenue to the copyright owner or content provider of the content.

In the latter case, not all contents can be freely exchanged between users, but the contents authorized by the copyright owner or the content provider in consideration of the request of the copyright owner or the content provider. It must be a system that can be exchanged between users only for. A business model that makes it easy to redistribute digital content by making use of the features that digital content is easily copied and does not deteriorate, and when redistribution, the original distributor and the redistributor can mutually benefit each other. Need to make.

[0006] In the United States, it has been pointed out that the sales of package-type contents have decreased due to such an information exchange system. In addition, typical electronic content sales using a server have been sluggish. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the sale of contents on an electronic network or in a package form so that these companies can also benefit.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and to provide a technique capable of distributing profits to a copyright owner, a content provider, and an intermediary when content is provided from a provider to a user. It is in. Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of effectively preventing a decrease in sales at a store selling contents, and conversely increasing sales of such sales. Another object of the present invention is to expect to promote the use of the content after the provision, and to further reduce the fee for the redistribution and to benefit the secondary provider, so that the content included in the distribution system can be improved. The aim is to provide a technology that can significantly increase the number of types and consequently build a huge community.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in an electronic content distribution system for distributing electronic content via a communication network, contents are transmitted from a provider side device based on content information stored in a mediator side device. In addition to providing to the user-side device, information such as the usage fee of the provided content and the mediation fee of the content is stored in the mediator-side device as billing information, and various fees are collected based on the billing information. Is what you do.

In the electronic content distribution system according to the present invention, (1) providing content distribution support through an intermediary, (2) restricting and selecting content that can be distributed by the intermediary, (3) content redistribution Provide benefits to the redistributors to facilitate the promotion, or make the redistributed content less expensive than the original content price,
(4) To provide a system that supports any of these distribution forms, such as the ability to purchase package media containing the content or a similar product when the user receives the provision of the content.

[0010] In the present invention, an intermediary provides a search service for electronic content information,
It restricts the content that can be distributed, controls the communication network connecting users, intermediaries, and content providers, and controls the user's media usage environment. By restricting the content that can be distributed, it is expected that copyright holders and distributors will support the system, and that sound operation will be easier.

The contract shop of the electronic content distribution system of the present invention can sell package media and the like through this system by registering with an intermediary, whereby more businesses can enter, and In addition, it is expected that the amount of electronic contents provided by those companies will increase.

Further, in the electronic content distribution system of the present invention, a user can obtain a benefit by redistributing the content provided by the content provider, thereby promoting the use of the content.

Further, in the electronic content distribution system of the present invention, when the user uses the electronic content, the mediator can grasp the use or exchange status of the electronic content by the user. Thus, the mediator can reliably calculate the content usage fee from the content usage status of the user and pay the usage fee to the content provider. This not only promotes the entry of the new business as a content provider into the market, but also eliminates the need for the new business to have a charging system.

As described above, according to the electronic content distribution system of the present invention, content is provided from the provider device to the user device based on the content information stored in the mediator device, and its provision is also provided. The information such as the usage fee of the content and the brokerage fee of the content is stored in the mediator device as billing information, and various fees are collected based on the billing information. When providing, it is possible to distribute the profit to the copyright holder, the content provider and the intermediary.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electronic content distribution system according to an embodiment for distributing electronic content via a communication network will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an electronic content distribution system according to the present embodiment. The provider 113 includes a primary provider 115 for distributing the content and a secondary provider 116 for redistributing the content supplied from the primary provider 115.
Can be classified. The primary provider 115 provides the mediator 112 with the content information and pays the mediator 112 a brokerage commission for mediation processing such as content information search (12
1), the mediator 112 pays the primary provider 115 the content usage fee paid when the user 111 actually received the content (125).

Further, the secondary provider 116 provides the mediator 112 with the content information, and pays a mediation fee for mediation processing such as a search for the content information (126). The content usage fee paid when the content is provided from the secondary provider 116 to the user 111 is distributed from the intermediary 112 to the primary provider 115 and the secondary provider 116 (125, 127).

The user 111 retrieves and obtains content information from the mediator 112 (122), receives provision of content corresponding to the content information from the provider 113 (123), and provides the mediator 112 with the content usage. Pay the fee (124). Even for the same content, the content usage fee varies depending on the provider 113, and in particular, the secondary provider 1
16 may set a lower content usage fee than the primary provider 115.

It is assumed that the user 111 can redistribute the content obtained from the provider 113 and can easily assume the position of the secondary provider 116.
The secondary provider 116 can receive the provision of the content from the primary provider 115 (133). In this case,
In addition to being provided on electronic networks, it is possible to receive it as packaged content,
In that case, the secondary provider 116 may convert the package type content into electronic content.

The user 111 uses the content information obtained from the mediator 112 or the content obtained from the provider 113 to obtain merchandise information and contract shop information related thereto from the mediator 112 (134). The user 111 obtains the contract store 11 from the product information and the contract store information.
4 (129), and the contract store 114 provides the product to the user 111 by means of an electronic network or mail (130). Note that the product includes electronic content.

The contract store 114 provides the broker 112 with product information, contents, brokerage fees, contract store information, and the like (128). Further, the user 111 can also purchase products from the contract shop 114 through the intermediary 112 (131, 132). In that case, the broker 112 can obtain the commission from the contract store 114 (128).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic content distribution system of the present embodiment. Content intermediary 1
The twelve intermediary devices 200 include the user 111 and the provider 1
13 is a system for processing data to be transmitted, storing the processed data, and transmitting the processed data.

The provider 113 uses the provider device 302 to store metadata (file information,
Copyright information etc.) (400). This metadata is HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), XML (eXt
Various types such as ensible Markup Language) and text data are conceivable.

The intermediary apparatus 200 applies the data to the filter 210 and sends the data to the content information database 22.
5 (402), it is determined whether the content metadata is suitable for distribution in this system, and if the metadata is determined to be suitable for distribution by the processing of the filter 210, the metadata is stored in the content information database 2
Processing and supplementing (rates, copyright information) based on 25 information,
The information is stored in the metadata database 222.

The contents information database 225 stores information indicating contents that are not suitable for distribution in this system, contents prices, contract shop information, contents-related product information, copyright holder information, and the like. I do.

The content user 111 transmits the information stored in the metadata database 222 and the content-related information, merchandise information, and contract shop information stored in the content information database 225 to the user device 30.
3 to obtain (404, 407), and provider 1
13 is provided with the content (408).

After the provision of the content is completed or before the provision of the content is performed, information indicating the content provision content from the provider 113 to the user 111 is transmitted to the mediator apparatus 200 (409). Intermediary device 20
0 records the content transmission number, date and time, payment fee, etc. in the content accounting database 224, and calculates accounting information corresponding to the content usage fee by the user 111 based on the content of the content information database 225 (406). Then, it writes it in the customer billing database 223 (411). Similarly, for the provider 113, accounting information corresponding to the mediation fee for the content is calculated and written to the customer accounting database 223.

The user 111 can purchase related products of the used content at the contract store 114. When the user 111 transmits the desired content and product data from the user device 303 to the mediator device 200 (409), the content information database 2
25, the information of the contract shop selling it, etc. 407 can be obtained, and the order can be placed on the goods through the intermediary apparatus 200 (413, 415).

The contract store 114 processes the merchandise information transmitted through the agent device 200 by the contract store device 301, and the merchandise is delivered to the content user 111 (4).
16). In addition, the contract store 114 provides product information for sales promotion,
Part or all of the content or processed content can be registered in the metadata database 222. Further, the user 111 can directly order a product from the contract shop 114 (418).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the provider apparatus 302 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a provider device 302 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 401 and a memory 402.
, A magnetic disk device 403, an input device 404, an output device 405, a CD-ROM device 406, and a communication device 407.

The CPU 401 is a device that controls the entire operation of the provider device 302. The memory 402 is a storage device that loads various processing programs and data for controlling the overall operation of the provider device 302.

The magnetic disk device 403 is a storage device for storing the various processing programs and data. The input device 404 is a device that performs various inputs for providing content from the provider 113 to the user 111. The output device 405 is a device that performs various types of output accompanying provision of content from the provider 113 to the user 111.

The CD-ROM device 406 is a device for reading the contents of a CD-ROM in which the various processing programs are recorded. The communication device 407 is connected to the mediator device 200 via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.
And a device for communicating with the user side device 303.

The provider apparatus 302 has an information transmission processing section 411 and a content provision processing section 412. The information transmission processing unit 411 transmits the metadata of the content as content information indicating the content of the content that can be provided from the provider 113 to the user 111,
This is a processing unit that transmits the data to the “0”. Content provision processing unit 41
2 transmits a content transmission request from the user side device 303, transmits the content requested by the transmission request to the user side device 303, and sends the content from the provider 113 to the user 111.
This is a processing unit that transmits a provision notification indicating the contents of provision of contents to the mediator apparatus 200.

The provider device 302 is connected to the information transmission processing unit 41.
1 and a program for functioning as the content provision processing unit 412 are recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, stored on a magnetic disk or the like, and then loaded into a memory and executed. The recording medium for recording the program may be a recording medium other than the CD-ROM.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mediator apparatus 200 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, an intermediary apparatus 200 of this embodiment includes a CPU 501 and a memory 502.
, A magnetic disk device 503, an input device 504, an output device 505, a CD-ROM device 506, and a communication device 507.

The CPU 501 is a device that controls the operation of the mediator device 200 as a whole. The memory 502 is a storage device that loads various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the mediator-side device 200 as a whole.

The magnetic disk device 503 is a storage device for storing the various processing programs and data. The input device 504 is a device that performs various inputs for mediating distribution of content from the provider 113 to the user 111.

The output device 505 is a device that performs various outputs accompanying the mediation of content from the provider 113 to the user 111. The CD-ROM device 506 is a device for reading the contents of the CD-ROM in which the various processing programs are recorded. The communication device 507 communicates with the provider device 302 and the user device 303 via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

The intermediary apparatus 200 has an information storage processing unit 511, an information search processing unit 512, a filter processing unit 513, a billing processing unit 514, and an advertisement processing unit 515.

The information storage processing unit 511 includes the provider device 3
02 is a processing unit that receives the metadata that is the content information transmitted from the mediator 02 and stores the metadata in the metadata database 222 in the mediator apparatus 200. Information search processing unit 51
Reference numeral 2 denotes a metadata database 222 and a content information database 2 which receive the search request transmitted from the user side device 303 and are stored in the mediator side device 200.
25 is a processing unit that searches for the content information in 25 and transmits the search result to the user side device 303.

The filter processing unit 513 is a processing unit that determines whether or not the content information transmitted from the provider device 302 indicates content suitable for distribution. The billing processing unit 514 converts the provider 113 to the user 11
1 is provided from the provider device 302, and the usage fee of the provided content and the billing information corresponding to the brokerage fee of the content are stored in the customer billing database in the broker device 200. 223
And collects the usage fee of the content and the brokerage fee based on the charging information stored in the customer charging database 223, and remits the usage fee of the collected content to the copyright holder and the provider 113 of the content. This is a processing unit.

The advertisement processing unit 515 outputs advertisement information when accumulating the content information in the intermediary apparatus 200 or transmitting a search result of the content information to the user apparatus 303, Is stored in the customer billing database 22 in the intermediary apparatus 200.
3 is a processing unit to be stored.

The mediator device 200 is connected to the information storage processing unit 51.
1, information search processing unit 512, filter processing unit 513,
A program for functioning as the billing processing unit 514 and the advertisement processing unit 515 is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, stored on a magnetic disk or the like, and then loaded into a memory and executed. The recording medium for recording the program may be a recording medium other than the CD-ROM.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user device 303 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the user side device 303 of this embodiment includes a CPU 601 and a memory 602.
, A magnetic disk device 603, an input device 604, an output device 605, a CD-ROM device 606, and a communication device 607.

The CPU 601 is a device for controlling the operation of the entire user device 303. The memory 602 is a storage device that loads various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the entire user device 303.

The magnetic disk device 603 is a storage device for storing the various processing programs and data. The input device 604 is a device that performs various inputs for acquiring content from the provider 113. The output device 605 is
This is an apparatus that performs various types of output accompanying acquisition of content from the provider 113.

The CD-ROM device 606 is a device for reading the contents of a CD-ROM in which the various processing programs are recorded. The communication device 607 is connected to the provider device 302 via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.
And a device that communicates with the mediator device 200.

The user device 303 has an information search request processing unit 611, a content use processing unit 612, and a product purchase processing unit 613. The information search request processing unit 611 transmits a search request for searching for the content information stored in the metadata database 222 and the content information database 225 of the mediator device 200 to the mediator device 200, and the search result Is a processing unit that receives the. The content use processing unit 612 is a processing unit that transmits a transmission request for transmitting the content indicated in the search result to the provider device 302 and receives the content. The product purchase processing unit 613 is a processing unit that connects to the contracted store side device 301 of the contracted store 114 that sells related products of the content indicated by the search result and supports the purchase of the related products.

A program for causing the user device 303 to function as the information search request processing unit 611, the content use processing unit 612, and the product purchase processing unit 613 is a CD-R.
After being recorded on a recording medium such as an OM and stored on a magnetic disk or the like, it is assumed to be loaded into a memory and executed. The recording medium for recording the program may be a recording medium other than the CD-ROM.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a command input process by the provider 113 or the user 111 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the provider device 302 and the user device 303
1 is received, and if the command instructs to upload the content information, the process proceeds to step 702; if the command is to instruct the search for the content information, the process proceeds to step 703. If the command instructs the download of the content based on the content information, the process proceeds to step 704. If the command indicates the purchase of the product based on the content information, the process proceeds to step 705.
Proceed to.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the content information upload processing of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the information transmission processing unit 4 of the provider apparatus 302
11 performs a process of transmitting content metadata to the mediator apparatus 200 as content information indicating the content of content that can be provided from the provider 113 to the user 111.

When the user 111 becomes the secondary provider 116, the information transmission processing unit 41
1 has been installed, and the user 113
11 may be transmitted to the intermediary apparatus 200 as the content information, and similarly, the information transmission processing unit 411 may be transmitted to the contract store apparatus 301.
May be installed, and the merchandise information indicating the contents of the merchandise sold at the contract store 114 may be transmitted to the intermediary apparatus 200 as the content information.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the content information storage processing of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the information accumulation processing unit 511 of the mediator apparatus 200
A process of receiving metadata as content information transmitted from the provider device 302 and storing the received metadata in the metadata database 222 in the mediator device 200 is performed. A process is performed to determine whether the content information transmitted from 302 indicates content suitable for distribution.

Further, the billing processing unit 514 sends billing information corresponding to the brokerage fee for the content information to the broker device 2.
The advertisement processing unit 515 outputs advertisement information when the content information is stored in the mediator apparatus 200, and outputs the billing information corresponding to the advertisement fee. A process for storing in the customer billing database 223 is performed. In addition, the contract store side device 30
When the merchandise information is received from 1 as the content information, charging information corresponding to the contracted store fee is accumulated.

At step 801 in FIG. 7, the provider device 30
The second information transmission processing unit 411 requests the mediator apparatus 200 to transmit a metadata transmission page such as HTML or XML for transmitting the metadata of the content.

At step 901 in FIG.
The information storage processing unit 511 of “0” receives the transmission request of the metadata transmission page from the provider device 302, and reads the requested metadata transmission page from the magnetic disk device 503 in step 902.

In step 903, the advertisement processing unit 515 reads the advertisement information for the content provider 113 from the magnetic disk device 503, adds the advertisement information to the read metadata transmission page, and outputs the metadata with the advertisement. Generate a transmission page.

In step 904, the generated metadata transmission page with the advertisement is transmitted to the provider device 302. In step 905, billing information corresponding to the advertisement fee for the output of the advertisement information is generated, and the customer billing database 22 is generated as billing information for the advertiser.
Store in 3.

At step 802 in FIG. 7, the provider device 30
The second information transmission processing unit 411 receives the requested metadata transmission page from the mediator apparatus 200, and displays the received metadata transmission page on the output device 405 in step 803. Here, when the advertisement information is added to the metadata transmission page, the advertisement information is also output.

In step 804, an input of metadata such as a content reference method, an outline, a search condition, a use condition, display control information, and delivery control information to the displayed metadata transmission page is received.

In step 805, it is determined whether or not the end of the input of the metadata is instructed. If the end of the input is instructed, the process proceeds to step 806. In step 806,
It is determined whether or not transmission of the input metadata has been instructed. If transmission of metadata has been instructed, the process proceeds to step 807, where the input metadata is transmitted to the mediator apparatus 200.

At step 906 in FIG.
0 of the information storage processing unit 511 receives the metadata transmitted from the provider apparatus 302, and in step 907,
With reference to the content information database 225, content information corresponding to the received metadata is searched.

In step 908, the content of the received metadata is compared with the searched content information, and whether or not the content indicated by the metadata is the content permitted to be distributed in this system, for example, It is checked whether the contents have been approved by the copyright holder or the primary provider 115 and whether the contents do not violate public order and morals. As a result, if the content indicated by the received metadata is content permitted to be distributed, the process proceeds to step 909. If the content is content not permitted to be distributed, an error message is provided at step 912 at the provider side. Transmit to the device 302.

In step 909, the metadata is modified or supplemented based on the information in the content information database 225, for example, the content usage fee or copyright information is added. The data is stored in the metadata database 222.

In step 911, the billing processing unit 514 generates billing information corresponding to the brokerage fee for the content based on the metadata, and as customer billing information to the provider 113, the customer billing database 223 in the broker-side device 200.
To accumulate.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a content information search request process according to the present embodiment. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the information search request processing unit 6 of the user device 303
A process 11 transmits a search request for searching for the content information stored in the metadata database 222 and the content information database 225 of the mediator device 200 to the mediator device 200 and receives the search result. Do.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the content information search processing according to this embodiment. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the information search processing unit 512 of the mediator apparatus 200
Are the metadata database 222 and the content information database 22 stored in the intermediary apparatus 200 upon receiving the search request transmitted from the user apparatus 303.
Then, a process of searching for the content information in No. 5 and transmitting the search result to the user side device 303 is performed. Further, the advertisement processing unit 515 outputs the advertisement information when transmitting the search result of the content information to the user side device 303 and outputs the billing information corresponding to the advertisement fee to the customer billing database 223 in the intermediary side device 200. The process of accumulating is performed.

At step 1001 in FIG.
The 03 information search request processing unit 611 requests the mediator apparatus 200 to transmit a content search page such as HTML or XML for searching for content.

In step 1101 of FIG. 10, the information search processing unit 512 of the mediator apparatus 200 receives the content search page transmission request from the user apparatus 303,
In step 1102, the requested content search page is read from the magnetic disk device 503 and transmitted to the user side device 303.

At step 1002 in FIG.
The information search request processing unit 611 of 03 receives the requested content search page from the mediator apparatus 200 and displays it on the output device 605.

In step 1003, an input of a content search condition is received from the user 111. Step 10
In step 04, it is checked whether or not an input end of the content search condition has been instructed. In step 1005, it is checked whether or not the transmission of the input search condition is instructed. If the transmission of the search condition is instructed, the process proceeds to step 1006, and the input search condition is transmitted to the intermediary apparatus 200. I do.

In step 1103 of FIG. 10, the information search processing unit 512 of the intermediary apparatus 200 receives the content search conditions from the user apparatus 303 and receives the SQL (structure).
d query language).

In step 1104, the metadata in the metadata database 222 and the content information in the content information database 225 are searched using the converted conditional expression to obtain a search result.

At step 1105, the advertisement processing unit 515
The advertisement information for the content user 111 is read from the magnetic disk device 503, and the advertisement information is added to the obtained search result to generate a search result with an advertisement.
Here, different advertisement information may be added according to the content of the content requested to be searched by the user side device 303.

In step 1106, the generated search result with advertisement is transmitted to the user side device 303. In step 1107, billing information corresponding to the advertising fee for the output of the advertising information is generated and stored in the customer billing database 223 as billing information for the advertiser.

In step 1007 of FIG.
The information search request processing unit 611 of 03 receives the search result of the search condition of the transmitted content from the mediator apparatus 200, and displays the received search result on the output device 605 in step 1008. Here, when the advertisement information is added to the search result, the advertisement information is also output. In step 1009, the received search result is stored in the magnetic disk device 603.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the content download processing of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the content use processing unit 612 of the user device 303 transmits a transmission request for requesting transmission of the content indicated in the search result to the provider device 302,
A process for receiving the content is performed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the content providing process according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the content provision processing unit 41 of the provider device 302
2 transmits a content transmission request from the user side device 303, transmits the content requested by the transmission request to the user side device 303, and sends the content from the provider 113 to the user 111.
A process of transmitting a provision notification indicating the content provision contents to the mediator apparatus 200 is performed.

In step 1201 of FIG. 11, the content use processing unit 612 of the user device 303 reads out the stored content search result and displays it on the output device 605. In step 1202, the content is received from the provider 113. The selection of the content to be performed is received from the user 111.

At step 1203, it is checked whether or not the end of the content selection has been instructed. If the end of the selection has been instructed, the flow advances to step 1204. Step 1204
Then, it is checked whether or not the download of the selected content is instructed. If the download of the content is instructed, the process proceeds to step 1205, and the transmission request of the selected content is transmitted to the provider device 302.

In step 1301 of FIG. 12, the content providing processing unit 412 of the provider device 302 receives a content transmission request from the user device 303 and proceeds to step 1.
Go to 302. In step 1302, the requested content is read from the magnetic disk device 403, and in step 1303, the read content is transmitted to the user side device 303.

In step 1206 of FIG. 11, the content use processing unit 612 of the user device 303 receives the requested content from the provider device 302, and in step 1207, sends the received content to the magnetic disk device 603. Store. Further, the content may be reproduced or executed at the same time as the content is received, and the content may be used immediately.

On the other hand, in step 1304 of FIG. 12, the content provision processing unit 412 of the provider device 302 transmits a provision notification indicating the content provision content from the provider 113 to the user 111 to the mediator device 200. .

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the charging process according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the billing processing unit 514 of the intermediary apparatus 200 receives from the provider apparatus 302 a provision notification indicating the content provision content from the provider 113 to the user 111, and The billing information corresponding to the usage fee is transferred to the intermediary device 200.
In the customer charge database 223, various charges are collected based on the charge information, and a process of remitting the usage fee of the collected content to the copyright holder and the provider 113 of the content is performed. When the provider 113 of the content is the secondary provider 116, the usage fee of the content is reduced or the secondary provider 1
A benefit such as a remittance of a fee or a discount of a content usage fee may be provided to 16.

In step 1401 of FIG. 13, the accounting processing unit 514 of the mediator apparatus 200 receives from the provider apparatus 302 a provision notification indicating the content provision content from the provider 113 to the user 111.

In step 1402, the contents provided from the provider 113 to the user 111 are referred to the contents provided by the provider 113 to the user 111, and the contents identification information, the provider identification information, the user identification information, and the number of transmissions of the contents , The date of provision, the content charging database 22
Record in 4.

At step 1403, the contents billing database 224 and the contents information database 225
Is calculated based on the content of the content, and stored in the customer charging database 223 as the charging information of the user 111.

In step 1404, it is checked whether or not the conditions for collecting various charges based on the billing information in the customer billing database 223 are satisfied, and the conditions for collecting, for example, when a predetermined collection date and time have been reached are determined. If so, the process proceeds to step 1405.

In step 1405, the charging information that has not been collected is read out with reference to the customer charging database 223 to generate charging request data for the customer, and the user device 303, the provider device 302, The information is transmitted to the contracted shop side device 301 and the like, and various charges are collected based on the billing information.

In step 1406, the usage fee of the content collected based on the charging information of the customer charging database 223 is reduced by the copyright holder and the provider 11 of the content.
It is checked whether or not the conditions for performing the remittance process for remittance to No. 3 are satisfied. If the conditions for performing the remittance are satisfied, for example, when a predetermined remittance date and time is reached, step 1
Proceed to 407.

In step 1407, the customer billing database 223 is searched to search for billing information that has not been remitted among the billing information collected. Step 14
At 08, it is checked whether or not the collected billing and unremitted remittance accounting information exists. If the collected and unremitted remittance accounting information exists, the process proceeds to step 1409. In step 1409, the charged and unremitted remittance amount is distributed at a predetermined rate, and the copyright holder and the primary provider 1 are distributed.
15. Calculate the remittance amount to the secondary provider 116, and in step 1410, remit the calculated amount to the respective accounts of the copyright holder, the primary provider 115, and the secondary provider 116 designated in advance. .

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the commodity purchase processing of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the product purchase processing unit 613 of the user device 303 connects to the contract store device 301 of the contract store 114 that sells the related product of the content indicated in the search result, and Perform processing to support purchase. In this case, although the user side device 303 is directly connected to the contract store side device 301,
The connection may be made via the intermediary apparatus 200, and the contract shop fee may be paid depending on whether or not the product has actually been purchased.

In step 1501 of FIG. 14, the merchandise purchase processing unit 613 of the user device 303 reads out merchandise information indicating information on merchandise related to the content from the stored content search results, and displays it on the output device 605. In step 1502, the user 111 receives from the user 111 a selection of content to be purchased at the contract store 114 and related products.

At step 1503, it is checked whether or not an instruction has been given to connect to the contract store 114 which sells the selected content and its related products. Proceed to.

At step 1504, the contracted shop 114
HT for connecting to the contracted shop side device 301 installed in the company and purchasing the selected contents and related products.
It requests the contracted store side device 301 to transmit a product purchase page such as ML or XML.

In step 1505, the requested product purchase page is received from the contracted store side device 301 and displayed on the output device 605, and in step 1506, it is necessary to purchase the selected content and its related products. The user 111 receives an input such as a payment method and a delivery destination of the product.

In step 1507, it is checked whether or not an order transmission of the selected content and its related products has been instructed.
Proceed to 08. In step 1508, the input order contents are transmitted to the contracted shop side apparatus 301.

As described above, according to the electronic content distribution system of the present embodiment, content is provided from the provider device to the user device based on the content information stored in the mediator device. Information such as the usage fee of the provided content and the brokerage fee of the content is stored as billing information in the mediator-side device, and various fees are collected based on the billing information. When providing content, profits can be distributed to copyright holders, content providers, and intermediaries.

Further, according to the electronic content distribution system of the present embodiment, the product information indicating the content of the product sold at the predetermined contract store is provided to the user as the content information. It is possible to effectively prevent the decline and conversely increase the sales of these sales.

According to the electronic content distribution system of the present embodiment, the content transmitted from the provider device to the user device is redistributed, so that the use of the provided content can be expected to be promoted. The low cost of redistribution and the benefit to secondary providers can significantly increase the types of content included in the distribution system, resulting in a huge community. is there.

[0102]

According to the present invention, (1) content is provided from a provider device to a user device based on content information stored in a mediator device, a usage fee of the provided content, and a usage fee of the content. Information such as a brokerage fee is stored as billing information in the mediator-side device, and various fees are collected based on the billing information. It is possible to distribute profits to providers and intermediaries. (2) Since product information indicating the content of the product sold at a predetermined contract store is provided to the user as content information, it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in sales at the store selling the content, and conversely, to reduce the sales of these sales. It is possible to increase sales. (3) Since the content transmitted from the provider device to the user device is redistributed, use of the content after the provision can be expected to be promoted. Profiting to the next provider can greatly increase the types of content included in the distribution system, and consequently build a huge community.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an electronic content distribution system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic content distribution system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a provider device 302 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an intermediary apparatus 200 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a user device 303 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a provider 113 or a user 111 according to the embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the outline of the command input process by.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a content information upload process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of content information storage processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a content information search request process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a content information search process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a content download process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a content providing process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a charging process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a commodity purchase process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of a conventional electronic content distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

111: user, 112: intermediary, 113: provider, 1
14: contract shop, 115: primary provider, 116: secondary provider, 200: agent device, 210: filter, 22
2 ... Metadata database, 223 ... Customer charging database, 224 ... Content charging database, 225
... Content information database, 301 ... Contract store side device, 302 ... Provider side device, 303 ... User side device, 4
01 CPU, 402 memory, 403 magnetic disk device, 404 input device, 405 output device, 406
CD-ROM device, 407 communication device, 411 information transmission processing unit, 412 content providing processing unit, 501 C
PU, 502: memory, 503: magnetic disk device, 5
04: input device, 505: output device, 506: CD-R
OM device, 507 communication device, 511 information storage processing unit, 512 information search processing unit, 513 filter processing unit, 514 billing processing unit, 515 advertisement processing unit, 601
... CPU, 602, memory, 603, magnetic disk device, 604, input device, 605, output device, 606, C
D-ROM device, 607 communication device, 611 information retrieval request processing unit, 612 content use processing unit, 613
Product purchase processing unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 332 G06F 17/60 332 17/30 110 17/30 110F H04N 7/173 610 H04N 7/173 610Z

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An electronic content distribution method for distributing electronic content via a communication network, comprising: transmitting content information indicating the content of content that can be provided from a provider to a user to a mediator device;
Receiving the transmitted content information and storing it in the mediator device; and transmitting a search request for requesting a search for the content information stored in the mediator device from the user device to the mediator device. Transmitting, searching for the content information stored in the mediator device by receiving the search request, transmitting the search result to the user device, and using the transmitted search result Receiving at the user-side device; transmitting a transmission request for requesting transmission of the content indicated in the search result from the user-side device to the provider-side device; using the content requested by the transmission request Transmitting to the user device, receiving the transmitted content by the user device, and content provided from the provider device to the user device. Accumulating the usage fee and the accounting information corresponding to the mediation fee for the content in the mediator-side device, and collecting the usage fee and the mediation fee for the content based on the accumulated accounting information. Characteristic electronic content distribution method. 2. When the content information is stored in a mediator device or when a search result of the content information is transmitted to a user device, advertisement information is output, and billing information corresponding to the advertisement fee is output. 2. The electronic content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement fee is accumulated in the mediator device, and the collection of the advertisement fee is performed based on the accumulated billing information. 3. Product information indicating the content of a product sold at a predetermined contract store is stored in the mediator device as the content information, and the product information is used as a search result of the content information. And transmitting the merchandise information, accumulating billing information corresponding to the contracted store fee for the transmission of the product information in the intermediary device, and collecting the contracted store fee based on the accumulated billing information. Claim 1
Alternatively, the electronic content distribution method according to claim 2. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the usage fee of the content collected based on the stored charging information is remitted to a copyright holder and a provider of the content. Electronic content distribution method described in the section. 5. The information indicating the content of the content provided from the provider to the user is stored in the mediator device as the content information, and the content transmitted to the user device is transmitted to another user. The electronic content distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content is redistributed to the device at a low cost. 6. The electronic content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein remittance of a commission or provision of a privilege is performed to the user who has performed the redistribution. . 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether the content information transmitted from the provider device indicates content suitable for distribution. The described electronic content distribution method. 8. The electronic content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein processing and addition of information are performed on the content information transmitted from the provider device. . 9. An electronic content distribution system for distributing electronic content via a communication network, comprising: an information transmission processing unit for transmitting content information indicating the content of content that can be provided from a provider to a user to a mediator device; An information storage processing unit that receives the transmitted content information and stores the received content information in the mediator device; and mediates a search request for searching for the content information stored in the mediator device from the user device. An information search request processing unit that transmits to the user side apparatus and receives the search result;
An information search processing unit for receiving the search request, searching for the content information stored in the mediator device, and transmitting the search result to the user device, and transmitting the content indicated in the search result A content use processing unit that transmits a transmission request for requesting from the user device to the provider device, and receives the content, and a content provision processing unit that transmits the content requested by the transmission request to the user device And accumulating in the mediator device the usage fee of the content provided from the provider device to the user device and billing information corresponding to the mediation fee of the content, and collecting the usage fee of the content and the mediation fee And a charging processing unit that performs the processing based on the stored charging information. 10. When the content information is stored in the mediator device or when the search result of the content information is transmitted to the user device, advertisement information is output, and billing information corresponding to the advertisement fee is output. Stored in the mediator device,
10. An advertisement processing unit for collecting the advertisement fee based on the stored billing information.
Electronic content distribution system described in 1. 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a filter processing unit that determines whether the content information transmitted from the provider apparatus indicates content suitable for distribution. Electronic content distribution system described. 12. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as an electronic content distribution system for distributing electronic content via a communication network is provided. An information transmission processing unit for transmitting content information indicating the content information to the mediator device; an information storage processing unit for receiving the transmitted content information and storing the content information in the mediator device; An information search request processing unit that transmits a search request for searching for content information from the user device to the intermediary device, and receives the search result;
An information search processing unit for receiving the search request, searching for the content information stored in the mediator device, and transmitting the search result to the user device, and transmitting the content indicated in the search result A content use processing unit that transmits a transmission request for requesting from the user device to the provider device, and receives the content, and a content provision processing unit that transmits the content requested by the transmission request to the user device And accumulating in the mediator device the usage fee of the content provided from the provider device to the user device and billing information corresponding to the mediation fee of the content, and collecting the usage fee of the content and the mediation fee A program for causing a computer to function as a charging processing unit that performs the processing based on the stored charging information. 13. When the content information is stored in the mediator device or when the search result of the content information is transmitted to the user device, advertisement information is output, and billing information corresponding to the advertisement fee is output. Stored in the mediator device,
13. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein a program for causing a computer to function as an advertisement processing unit for collecting the advertisement fee based on the stored billing information is recorded. 14. A program for causing a computer to function as a filter processing unit for judging whether content information transmitted from a provider device indicates content suitable for distribution, is recorded. 14. The recording medium according to claim 12 or 13.