JP2002352028A - Content distribution method, content distribution system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Copying and redistribution of content are free, and billing processing for each content distribution is not required.
Enables Peer to Peer content distribution. SOLUTION: A distribution device 200 distributes a content, and a reproduction device 200 reproduces the content, holds a usage record for each content, and transmits a usage record to a management device 100 at a predetermined timing. The management device 100 manages the total payment amount by totalizing the payment information from the user and totals the usage records,
Calculate the rating for each content, and calculate the reward for the creator of each content based on the rating and the total deposit amount,
Distribute to each author.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the technical field of non-package distribution of content via the Internet, and more particularly to a content distribution method which allows free copying and redistribution of content and does not require a billing process for each content distribution. The present invention relates to a system, a distribution device thereof, a playback device, a management device, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following two types of non-package distribution methods of content have been mainly known. (1) Copy protection type This is a method in which contents are encrypted using a unique ID of a reproducing apparatus or a recording medium or the like, and the contents cannot be reproduced except by the reproducing apparatus or the recording medium before being distributed.
In this method, the content distribution device needs a copy protection process and a billing process function. (2) Super-distribution type This is a method in which super-distribution content that can be reproduced only on a super-distribution machine is created, and the super-distribution content is freely copied. . However, the usage record including the personal identification information is periodically transmitted to the management device, and the user is charged based on the usage record.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional methods have the following problems. (1) Copy protection type Because of the copy protection function, it is difficult to replace the playback device or transfer the content to a portable player to play back the music content, which is inconvenient. 2. Since the distribution device requires copy protection processing and billing processing functions, Peer using general-purpose file exchange software
Difficult to distribute to Peer. 3. For each content distribution, it is necessary to transmit a credit number and privacy information such as which content to purchase to each distribution device.

(2) Super-distribution type The usage record determines the user's billing amount,
There is a need for a technology that safely and regularly communicates to a management device while protecting usage records from tampering by a user. 5. Since the use record of the user is billing information, the use record always needs information for identifying an individual, and there is a possibility that information as to who used which content may be leaked, and there is a privacy problem.

As described above, in the conventional non-package distribution of content, copy protection is imposed on the content for copyright protection, and there is a problem in terms of convenience and privacy because charging processing is required for each download. was there. There is also a problem in distributing the content in Peer to Peer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a content via the Internet that allows free copying and redistribution of the content, eliminates the need for a billing process each time the content is distributed, and does not require information for identifying the individual of the usage record. Is to enable non-package distribution of products.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in a system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a reproduction device are connected via a network, the distribution device distributes the content, the reproduction device reproduces the content, and the content device reproduces the content. Create another usage record, transmit the usage record to the management device at a predetermined timing, and the management device counts the usage record, thereby obtaining the total usage count for each content and the total usage count for all contents, A rating, which is a relative value of the total number of uses of each content to the total number of uses of all contents, is created.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the management device transmits the membership information to the distribution device in advance, holds the membership information in the management device, and the user transmits the membership information to the management device. Request, the management device sends the membership information to the playback device, the distribution device encrypts the content based on the membership information to create an encrypted content, distributes the encrypted content, and the playback device encrypts the content. The content is decrypted with the membership information to generate the content, the content is reproduced, the usage record for each content is held, and the usage record is transmitted to the management device at a predetermined timing.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the management device transmits the membership information to the distribution device in advance, holds the membership information in the management device, and connects the playback device to the management device, When the management apparatus receives the unique ID from the user, the management apparatus encrypts the membership information with the unique ID to create encrypted membership information, and transmits the encrypted membership information to the playback apparatus. The encrypted membership information is decrypted based on the unique ID to obtain the membership information, and the encrypted content is decrypted based on the membership information to obtain the content.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the user performs a deposit process on the management device, thereby transmitting the deposit information to the management device, and the management device creates the total deposit information by totalizing the deposit information. Then, reward information for the creator or the like of each content is created based on the audience rating and the total deposit amount calculated by totalizing the usage records, and payment processing for the creator is performed based on the reward information.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the management apparatus receives the deposit information from the user, the management apparatus transmits the membership information to the user, and the reproducing apparatus obtains the content by decrypting the encrypted content with the membership information. To do.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the user performs a depositing process on the management device, thereby transmitting payment information to the management device, connecting the playback device to the management device, and uniquely identifying the playback device. When the management device receives the deposit information and the unique ID from the user, the management device encrypts the membership information with the unique ID, creates encrypted membership information, transmits the encrypted membership information to the playback device, and reproduces the information. The apparatus decrypts the encrypted membership information based on the unique ID to obtain the membership information, and decrypts the encrypted content based on the membership information to obtain the content.

Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the membership information or the encrypted membership information is stored in a portable storage medium such as an IC card. In other words, at the time of deposit processing, the user connects the portable storage medium to the management device via an arbitrary terminal instead of the playback device, and transmits the unique ID to the management device, for example, to obtain membership information or encryption. The membership information is stored in the external storage medium from the management device, and at the time of playback, the membership information or the unique ID and the encrypted membership information are taken into the playback device by attaching the portable storage medium to the playback device and encrypted. Playback of encrypted content.

[0014] In the present invention, since it can be used by copying to all playback devices and portable players, the problem 1
Solves. Similarly, problem 1 can be solved because a reproduction device having membership information or encrypted membership information or a reproduction device with a portable storage medium can be copied and used.

Further, in the present invention, the distribution device does not need the copy protection process or the billing process. Although a process of encrypting with the membership information or the encrypted membership information occurs in the member, this process is not performed every time the user makes a purchase, but once performed, the same process is not necessary thereafter. After this work, the encrypted content can be distributed without any copy protection processing or reward processing,
It can also be delivered from personal computers. In other words, Peer
Delivery in to Peer is possible. Therefore, Problem 2 is solved.

Further, according to the present invention, billing processing is not required at the time of distribution, so transmission of privacy information such as a credit card number is not required. Therefore, Problem 3 is solved.

Further, in the present invention, there is no relation between the deposit amount and the usage record. In other words, those who frequently download and view the content and those who rarely watch the content have the same deposit amount. Therefore, there is no merit of falsifying the usage record for the user, and the falsification of the usage record is eliminated. Further, even if the audience rating is falsified to some extent, the audience rating is hardly affected. Therefore, Problem 4 is solved.

Further, in the present invention, since the use record is used only for calculating the audience rating, information for identifying an individual is unnecessary. Therefore, Problem 5 is solved.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] This embodiment assumes a model in which a user forcibly and regularly receives payment. For example, it is conceivable to use tax as a deposit method. That is, it is assumed that all users (nations) have received payment. The receipt of the payment processing may be performed by a tax office or the like. In this case, each individual does not need to transmit the payment information to the management device, and the tax office can collectively transmit the payment information to the management device.

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of a content distribution system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a management device for managing payment from a user (nation) and paying a reward to the creator of each content, etc., 200, a distribution device for distributing content from the creator, etc., and 200, reproduction of the content and its contents. The playback device transmits usage record data to the management device 100.

The outline of the operation of FIG. 1 will be described below. The content creator 40 or the like (creator, publisher, etc.) sends its own content 50 to the distribution device 200. The transmission method may be a network or any other method.

The distribution device 200 adds a content ID to the content. The content ID is information for uniquely identifying the content. Next, a hash value of these data is generated and added to the last part of the content or the like. The distribution device 200 distributes the obtained content ID, content, and hash value as one product content on the Internet. The delivery destination may be another delivery device, may be delivered directly to the user by Peer to Peer, or may be redistributed from user to user. Further, it may be redistributed by a third party.

The user 10 obtains the merchandise content by an arbitrary method, copies the content to the reproducing apparatus 300, and reproduces it. When playing back the content, the playback device 300 calculates the content ID and the hash value of the content, compares the hash value with the hash value originally included in the product content, and permits the playback if they are the same. If they are different, the reproduction is stopped assuming that tampering has been performed. The playback device 300 updates the usage record data of the content at the same time as the playback. The usage record data includes the number of times of reproduction (the number of times of use) and the date and time of reproduction for each content ID. However, this usage record data does not include information identifying individuals. Also, a hash value is attached to the last part of the usage record data, etc.
Each time the usage record data is updated, the hash value of the usage record data excluding the hash value is calculated and overwritten on the original hash value.

In the reproducing apparatus 300, a request to periodically transmit the usage record data 60 to the management apparatus 100 at a predetermined timing such as once a month is made. If the playback device 3
00 is automatically transmitted if it is connected to the Internet, and if it is not connected to the Internet like a mobile terminal, a transmission request message for use record is displayed on the display unit. When this message appears, the user connects the portable terminal to the Internet and transmits usage record data to the management device 100.

Upon receiving the usage record data, the management device 100 calculates the hash value of the usage record data, and checks for falsification of the usage record by comparing the hash value with the hash value originally added to the usage record data. When it is confirmed that the data has not been tampered with, a message indicating a normal end is transmitted to the playback device 300.

When the reproducing apparatus 300 receives the message of the normal end, it initializes the use record data. Further, when an abnormal end message is received, or when a normal end message cannot be received by a predetermined time limit, subsequent reproduction is prohibited.

The management device 100 is provided for each user (nation) 10
, And total payment information is managed. The management device 300 tallies the usage record data collected from the distribution device 200. In addition, in the tally,
Suspicious use record data may be invalidated, such as when the number of times of use of a specific content is abnormally high, or when the reproduction date and time is checked and the reproduction interval is abnormally short and continuously reproduced. The audience rating of each content is calculated based on the remaining usage records. Each of these is multiplied by the total deposit amount to create reward information 30 for the creator of each content. In accordance with the reward information, the collected funds (taxes) are distributed to each author 40 and the like.

Next, the management device 100, the distribution device 200, and the playback device 300 in the system of this embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the distribution apparatus 200. The distribution device 200 is a type of server, and includes a content ID generation unit 210, a hash value generation unit 220, a content assembly unit 230, and the like. The distribution device 200 also includes a content transmission / reception unit, a control unit that controls the operation of the entire device, and the like, but is omitted in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a processing flowchart of the distribution device 200. The content creator sends his / her content to the distribution device 200. When the distribution device 200 receives the content (Step 401), the content ID generation unit 210 generates a content ID for uniquely identifying the content (Step 402). next,
The hash value generation unit 220 generates a hash value between the content ID and the content (step 40).
3). The content ID, the content, and the hash value thus obtained are input to the content assembling unit 230, which assembles them into one (step 404) and distributes them as one product content on the Internet. (Step 405).

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a main part of the reproducing apparatus 300. The playback device 300 is a general term for a personal computer, a portable terminal, a digital television, and other devices having a communication function, a multimedia playback function, and the like. The playback device 300 includes a content separation unit 310, a hash value calculation unit 230, and a comparison unit 3.
30, content reproduction unit 340, usage record processing unit 35
0, usage record transmission processing unit 360 and usage record storage device 3
70 and the like. In FIG. 4, a control unit and the like for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are omitted. Here, the algorithm of the hash value calculation unit 320 is the same as the algorithm of the hash value generation unit 220 in the distribution device 200, and cannot be operated by the user. The usage record processing unit 350 has a built-in hash value calculation unit for use record data, but the hash value calculation unit 320 may also serve as the hash value calculation unit. The usage record storage device 370 stores usage record data including the number of times of reproduction for each content ID, a reproduction date / time history, a hash value, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the playback apparatus 300 when playing back content. The user obtains the merchandise content by an arbitrary method, copies it to the reproducing device 300, and reproduces it. When reproducing the content, the reproducing device 300 separates the product content into the content ID, the content, and the hash value by the content separating unit 310 (step 501). Next, the content ID and the hash value of the content obtained by separation are calculated by the hash value calculation unit 320 (step 502), and the calculated hash value and the hash value of the content originally included in the product content are calculated by the comparison unit 330. The hash value is compared with the existing hash value (step 503).
As a result of the comparison, if they do not match, the reproduction is stopped and the processing ends. If they match, the content reproducing unit 340 and the usage record processing unit 350 are activated. The content reproduction unit 340
Upon activation, the content is reproduced (step 50)
4). On the other hand, in the usage record processing section 350, the content I
The use record data corresponding to the content ID is read from the use record storage device 370 using D as a key, and the number of times of reproduction and the date and time of reproduction are added (step 50).
5) A hash value is calculated again for the data (step 506), the usage record data is assembled (step 507), and the data is stored again in the usage record storage device 370 (step 508).

FIG. 6 shows a processing flowchart when the playback apparatus 300 transmits a use record. In the playback device 300, the usage record transmission processing unit 360 periodically reads out each usage record data (content ID, number of playbacks, playback date / time history, hash value, etc.) from the usage record storage device 370, such as monthly, and manages the management device. 100 (Step 51)
1). Then, a response from the management device 100 is monitored (step 512), and upon receiving a message indicating normal termination,
The use record data of the use record storage device 370 is initialized (step 513). On the other hand, if an abnormal end message is received, or if a normal end message is not received by a predetermined time limit, a process for inhibiting subsequent content reproduction is performed (step 514). This is performed for each content ID.

In the reproducing apparatus 300, if the user intentionally puts the reproducing apparatus in an offline state for a long period of time and transmission of usage record data is not performed for a certain period of time,
Subsequent reproduction may be controlled. In addition, the management device 100, which will be described later, monitors the reception of the usage record data, and if there is no reception of the usage record data for a certain period of time, closes the connection and notifies the playback device 300 of the fact. Alternatively, the playback device 300 may restrict subsequent playback.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the management apparatus 100. The management device 100 is a type of server, and includes a payment information tallying unit 110, a usage record reception processing unit 120, a usage record tallying unit 130, a content audience rating calculation unit 140, a reward information processing unit 150, a usage record storage device 160, and the like. Is done. Also in FIG. 7, a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus is omitted. The usage record reception processing unit 120 has a built-in hash value calculation unit for usage record,
The algorithm is the same as that included in the use record processing unit 350 of 0. The usage record storage device 160 stores usage record data for each content ID. The usage record storage device 160 and the reproduction device 30 of the management device 100
The difference from the use record storage device 370 is that the reproduction device 3
00, while the usage record storage device 160 of the management device 100 stores the usage record data transmitted from each playback device 200. It is stored. Further, it is not necessary to add a hash value to the usage record data stored in the usage record storage device 370 of the management device 100.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the process performed by the management apparatus 100 when receiving the usage record. In the management device 100, when the usage record reception processing unit 120 receives the usage record data sent from the playback device 300 (step 60).
1) calculating the hash value of the usage record data excluding the hash value therein (step 602), comparing the hash value of the calculation result with the hash value added to the received usage record data, and The data is checked for tampering (step 603). And if they match,
The contents of the usage record data excluding the hash value are stored in the usage record storage device 160 (step 604). The usage record reception processing unit 120 repeats the processing of steps 602 to 604 for the usage record data for each received content ID, and when the storage of each usage record data ends normally, the transmission source reproducing apparatus 300 ends normally. The message is transmitted (step 605). On the other hand, if they do not match, an abnormal termination message is transmitted (step 606). If a part of the plurality of usage record data received ends normally and a part is abnormal, a message to that effect (for example, a normal / abnormal end list message for each content ID) is sent. Send it.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process when the management apparatus 100 distributes a reward to a content creator or the like. In the management device 100, the payment information totaling unit 110 obtains total payment information by totalizing payment information from each user (national). The management device 100 causes the usage record accumulation device 16 to be
The usage record data stored in 0 is read and the number of times of use is counted (step 611). As described above, in this use record data totaling, suspicious use record data such as an abnormally large number of uses of a specific content or an abnormally short reproduction interval may be invalidated. The content audience rating calculation unit 140, based on the remaining usage record data,
The rating of each content is calculated as follows. First, the total number of uses (for example, one year) is calculated for each content by calculating the sum of the number of uses for each content ID and multiplying the sum by a correction value (step 612). The correction value should be set to a large value if the number of playbacks is low but has high usefulness to society, such as a scholarly article (text / image content), and a low value should be used for obscene moving image content. For example, give zero to non-copyrighted contents such as national anthems. Note that the correction value may not be used. Next, the total number of times of use for each content obtained in step 612 is summed to calculate the total number of times of use for all contents (step 613). By dividing the total number of times of use of each content by the total number of times of use of all contents, the audience rating of each content is obtained (step 614). The reward information processing unit 150 multiplies the audience rating of each content by the total deposit amount to create reward information for the creator or the like of each content (step 615), and according to the reward information, collects funds (taxes). ) Is distributed to the authors of the respective contents (step 616).

The management device 100 initializes the usage record data of the usage record storage device 160 after the reward is distributed to the creator or the like. For example, a secondary usage record storage device is prepared and used before the initialization. The usage record data of the record storage device 160 may be stored in the secondary use record storage device.

[Embodiment 2] In this embodiment, a model in which a deposit is made at the will of the user is assumed. That is, as a membership system, only the user (member) who has received the payment is permitted to reproduce the content, and the collected payment (membership fee) is distributed to the content creator or the like according to the content rating. For payment from the user, for example, an IC card is used.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of the content distribution system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, 110
0 manages payments from users (members), issues membership,
A management device for paying a reward to the creator of each content, etc., 1200 is a distribution device for distributing the content from the creator, etc., 1200 is a reproduction device for reproducing the content and transmitting a record of its use to the management device 1100.

The operation outline of FIG. 10 will be described below. The management device 1100 transmits the membership information to the distribution device 1200, and the two share the membership information. However, the communication path at this time shall be secure.

The user 10 who wants to be a member is
By performing the depositing process on the management device 1
100 and the management device 1100
The playback device 1300 is connected to the management device 1300, and the unique ID of the playback device 1300 or the like is transmitted, and the management device 1100 is requested for membership information. Note that the payment information and the unique ID may be transmitted from the playback device 1300 at the same time. Further, the user 10 stores the IC card (portable recording medium) in the management device 11.
Alternatively, the payment information may be transmitted by inserting the electronic cash in the IC card to the management device 1100 and transmitting the electronic cash in the IC card to the management device 1100, and the unique ID of the IC card may be transmitted to the management device 1100. However, this unique I
D has a property that cannot be rewritten by an unauthorized operation of the user, and the communication path is safe. The management device 1100 encrypts the membership information using the transmitted unique ID as a secret key to create encrypted membership information, and transmits the encrypted membership information to the playback device 1300 or the IC card. The management device 1100 stores the membership information itself in the reproduction device 1300.
May be transmitted.

The content creator 40 or the like transmits its own content 50 to the distribution device 1200. Distribution device 12
00 generates a content ID for the content,
Furthermore, the content ID and the hash value of the content are generated and added to the last part of the content. The content ID, the content, and the hash value obtained in this manner are encrypted using the membership information as a secret key, and an encrypted product content is created and distributed on the Internet. Example 1
Similar to, the distribution destination can be another distribution device,
It may be distributed directly to the user in Peer to Peer.
There is no problem if it is redistributed by a third party.

The user 10 obtains the encrypted merchandise content by an arbitrary method, copies the content to the reproducing apparatus 1300, and reproduces it. The playback device 1300 decrypts the encrypted membership information using the unique ID as a secret key to obtain the membership information. Next, the encrypted content is decrypted using the membership information as a secret key,
The content ID, the content, and the hash value are obtained. Next, the content ID and the hash value of the content are calculated and compared with the hash value originally included in the encrypted content. If they are equal to each other, the reproduction is performed.

When an IC card is used, the unique I
By inserting the IC card storing the D and the encrypted membership information into the playback device 1300, the playback device 1300
The contents of the C card are read, and the unique ID and the encrypted membership information are obtained. Subsequent processing is the same as in the case where the playback device 1300 holds the unique ID and the encrypted membership information. If the membership information itself is sent from the management device 1100, the playback device 1300 does not need to decrypt the encrypted membership information.

The playback apparatus 1300 updates the usage record data at the same time as the playback. The usage record data includes the number of times of reproduction for each content ID, the reproduction date / time history, and the like. However, this usage record data does not include information identifying individuals. Also, a hash value is attached to the last part of the usage record data, and each time the usage record is updated, the hash value of the usage record data excluding the hash value is calculated and overwritten on the original hash value.

The reproducing apparatus 1300 is, as in the first embodiment,
The usage record data 60 is periodically transmitted to the management device 1100 at a predetermined timing, for example, once a month. Upon receiving the usage record data, the management device 1100 calculates the hash value of the usage record excluding the hash value, and compares the hash value with the hash value originally added to the usage record data, thereby checking for falsification of the usage record. . Then, when it is confirmed that no tampering has been performed, the playback device 130
Send a message indicating normal end to 0. Upon receiving the message of the normal end, the reproducing apparatus 1300 initializes the usage record data. Further, when an abnormal end message is received, or when a normal end message cannot be received by a predetermined time limit, subsequent reproduction is prohibited.

The management device 1100 includes a user (member) 10
, And total payment information is managed. The management device 110 tallies the usage record data collected from each distribution device 1300. As in Example 1,
In this aggregation, suspicious use record data such as an abnormally large number of uses of a specific content or an abnormally short playback interval by checking the playback date and time may be invalidated. . The sum of the number of times the remaining usage data record is used for each content ID is calculated. The total number of times of use is calculated by multiplying this by a correction value. However, the use of the correction value is not essential. Next, the total number of times of use of each content is summed to calculate the total number of times of use of all contents. The audience rating of each content is calculated by dividing the total number of uses of each content by the total number of uses of all contents. By multiplying each of these ratings by the total deposit amount, reward information 30 for the creator of each content is created. In accordance with the reward information 30, funds (taxes) collected from users (members) are distributed to the authors 40 and the like. This is basically the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the management device 1100, the distribution device 1200, and the reproduction device 1300 in the system of this embodiment will be described in detail. In the following, the user uses the IC card to exchange payment information, a unique I
D. Assume that transmission and reception of encrypted membership information and the like are performed.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the distribution apparatus 1200. The distribution device 1200 is a kind of server, and includes a content ID generation unit 1210, a hash value generation unit 122
0, content encryption unit 1230, membership information storage unit 1
240 and the like. Note that a control unit and the like for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are omitted. Membership information holding unit 1240
Stores membership information transmitted in advance from the management apparatus 1100. The membership right information is common to all members, but is kept secret from members (users).

FIG. 12 shows a processing flowchart of the distribution apparatus 1200. The content creator or the like sends its own content to the distribution device 1200. Distribution device 120
0 receives the content (step 1401),
The content ID generation unit 1210 generates a content ID for uniquely identifying the content (step 14).
02). Next, the hash value generation unit 1220 generates a content ID and a hash value of the content (step 1403). Content ID generated in this way
And the hash value are input to the content encryption unit 1230 together with the received content. The content encryption unit 1230 adds the content ID and the content and the hash value to the last part of the content and the like to assemble them into one piece (step 1404), and then associates the content ID, the content and the hash value with the membership right. Information holding unit 1240
Is encrypted as a secret key (step 14).
05). This is distributed on the Internet as encrypted product content (step 1406).

FIG. 13 is a structural diagram of a main part of the reproducing apparatus 1300. The playback device 1300 is a linear name of a personal computer, a portable terminal, a digital television, and other devices having a communication function, a multimedia playback function, and the like. Playback device 1300
Are the IC card reading unit 1310 and the membership information decoding unit 13
20, content decryption unit 1330, hash value calculation unit 1
340, a comparing unit 1350, a content reproducing unit 1360,
Usage record processing unit 1370, usage record transmission processing unit 1380
And a usage record storage device 1390. FIG.
In FIG. 1, a control section for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus is omitted.

Similar to the reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the algorithm of the hash value calculating section 1340 is the same as the algorithm of the hash value generating section 1220 in the distribution apparatus 1200, so that the operation cannot be performed by the user. ing. The usage record processing unit 1370 has a built-in hash value calculation unit for usage record.
40 may also be used. The usage record storage device 1390 stores usage record data including the number of times of reproduction, the reproduction date and time, and a hash value for each content ID. The IC card 1000 will be described later.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the playback apparatus 1300 during playback. The user obtains the merchandise contents by an arbitrary method, and copies the contents to the reproducing apparatus 1300 to reproduce the contents.
To the playback device 1300. The IC card 100 contains a unique ID and encrypted membership information.

The playback device 1300 plays back the content when
First, the IC card reading unit 1310 reads the IC card 100
0 is read (step 1501).
D and the encrypted membership information are acquired and the membership information decryption unit 13 is obtained.
Pass to 20. In the membership information decoding unit 1320, the unique ID
The encrypted membership information is decrypted using the secret key as the secret key to obtain the membership information (step 1502). Content decryption unit 133
0 decrypts the encrypted merchandise content using the membership right information as a secret key, and obtains the content ID, the content, and the hash value (step 1503). As a result, it is possible to prevent the use of merchandise contents (encrypted merchandise contents) illegally obtained by persons other than members. If the management device 1100 sends the membership information itself and the IC card 1000 records the membership information, step 1502 is unnecessary.

The rest is the same as the playback apparatus 300 of the first embodiment. The hash value calculation section 1340 calculates the content ID obtained by decryption and the hash value of the content (step 1504), and the comparison section 1350 In step 1505, the calculated hash value is compared with the hash value originally included in the encrypted product content.
As a result of the comparison, if they do not match, the reproduction is stopped and the processing ends. If they match, the content reproduction unit 1360 and the usage record processing unit 1370 are activated. Content playback unit 136
0 reproduces the content (step 1506). On the other hand, the usage record processing unit 1370 uses the content ID as a key to
The use record data corresponding to is read and the number of times of reproduction is updated and the date and time of reproduction are added (step 1507).
The hash value is calculated again (step 1508),
The usage record data is assembled (step 1509) and stored again in the usage record storage device 1390 (step 151).
0).

In the reproducing apparatus 1300, the usage record transmitting section 1
380 is the usage record storage device 139 periodically, such as every month.
0, and reads out each usage record data from the management device 1100
Send to The processing flowchart in this case is the same as that in FIG. Similarly to the first embodiment, in the reproducing apparatus 1300, when the user intentionally sets the reproducing apparatus to an offline state for a long period of time and the use record data is not transmitted for a certain period of time, the subsequent reproduction is controlled. You may do so. The management device 1100 monitors the reception of the usage record data, and if there is no reception of the usage record data for a certain period of time, the connection is stopped and the reproduction device 13
00, and in response to this, the playback device 1300 may limit the subsequent playback.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the management apparatus 1100. The management device 1100 is a type of server, and includes a membership information issuing unit 1110, a membership information encryption unit 112
0, payment information tallying unit 1130, usage record reception processing unit 11
40, a usage record totaling unit 1150, a content audience rating calculation unit 1160, a reward information processing unit 1170, a usage record storage device 1180, and the like. Also in FIG. 15, a control unit and the like for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are omitted. Also,
From the usage record reception processing unit 1140 to the usage record storage device 11
The configuration and operation of the management device 80 are the same as those of the management device 100 according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.

In the management device 1100, the membership information issuance unit 1110 transmits the membership information to the distribution device 1200 in advance so that both members can share the membership information.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process performed by the management apparatus 1100 at the time of member registration. Users who want to become a member
The IC card 1000 is inserted into a terminal connected to the management device 1100, and the unique ID of the IC card and the electronic cash (money data) in the IC card are transmitted to the management device 1100. When the management apparatus 1100 receives the unique ID of the IC card and the electronic cash (step 1601), the membership information encrypting unit 1120 encrypts the member information using the unique ID of the IC card 1000 as a secret key and encrypts the encrypted membership. Information is created (step 1602), and the IC card 10
It is returned to the 00 side (step 1603). The IC card 1000 of FIG. 13 shows a state in which the encrypted membership information has been added. At the same time as the encryption of the membership information, the deposit information totaling unit 1130 displays the IC card 1
The payment processing is executed using the electronic cash sent from the 000 side (step 1604). Note that the management device 1100 may send the membership right information itself to the playback device 1300 or an IC card, and in this case, step 1602 is unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the reproducing apparatus 1300
After a certain period of time, a function to invalidate membership information or encrypted membership information is added, and the user re-enables membership information by performing a payment process, sending a unique ID, etc. to the management device again It is also possible to add a function to make the function.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the processing procedures of the management device, the distribution device, and the reproduction device are described in advance as a computer-executable program as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, and other programs. It is also possible to provide by recording on a recording medium.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a content distribution system via the Internet, copying and redistribution of content are free, no billing process is required for each content distribution, and convenience and privacy are excellent. Also, content can be easily transferred from Peer to Peer. It can be distributed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the distribution device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a content distribution process of the distribution device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the playback device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process performed by the playback device in FIG. 4 when playing back content.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart when the use apparatus of FIG. 4 transmits a use record.

FIG. 7 is a detailed configuration diagram of the management device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart when the management device of FIG. 7 receives a use record.

FIG. 9 is a processing flow chart at the time of reward distribution of the management device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a detailed configuration diagram of the distribution device of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a content distribution process of the distribution device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a detailed configuration diagram of the playback device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a processing flowchart when the content is reproduced by the reproducing device of FIG. 13;

15 is a detailed configuration diagram of the management device of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a processing flowchart at the time of member registration of the management device of FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 User 20 Deposit information 30 Reward information 40 Author 50 Content 60 Usage record 100,1100 Management device 200,1200 Distribution device 300,1300 Reproduction device

Continuing on the front page (72) Nobuhisa Miyake 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Eiji Kuwana 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Date Within the Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (19)

[Claims] A content distribution method using a management device, a distribution device, and a reproduction device, wherein the distribution device distributes the content, and the reproduction device reproduces the content distributed by the distribution device and records usage of each content. And transmitting the held usage record to the management device at a predetermined timing, and the management device counts the usage records sent from the playback device and calculates the audience rating for each content. Content distribution method. 2. The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the management device collects the payments from the user to obtain a total payment amount, and based on the audience rating of each content and the total payment amount, a creator of each content. Etc., which is calculated and distributed to authors and the like. 3. A content distribution method using a management device, a distribution device, and a reproduction device, wherein the management device transmits membership right information to the distribution device in advance, owns the membership right information, and receives a request from the reproduction device. In response, the membership information is transmitted to the playback device, and the distribution device encrypts the content based on the membership information,
The playback device distributes the encrypted content, and the playback device decrypts the encrypted content distributed by the delivery device with the membership information to reproduce the content, holds a usage record for each content, and sets the usage record at a predetermined timing. A content distribution method, wherein the management device totals usage records transmitted from the playback device and calculates a rating for each content. 4. The content distribution method according to claim 3, wherein the playback device transmits the unique ID to the management device, the management device encrypts the membership information with the unique ID, and transmits the encrypted membership information to the playback device. And reproducing the content, at the time of reproducing the content, decrypting the encrypted membership information based on the unique ID, obtaining the membership information, and decrypting the encrypted content with the membership information. Method. 5. The content distribution method according to claim 3, wherein the management device transmits the membership right information or the encrypted membership right information to the playback device of the user who has sent the deposit information. Calculates the total amount of money by summing up the amount of money received in the received money information, calculates the amount of reward for the creator, etc. of each content based on the rating and total amount of money of each content, and distributes it to the creator, etc. And a content distribution method. 6. The content distribution method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the unique ID, the deposit information, and the like are transmitted to the management device using a portable recording medium instead of the playback device, and the management device transmits the membership right information or the encrypted membership. Transmitting the rights information to the portable recording medium, and loading the portable recording medium on the playback device, thereby loading the membership information or the unique ID and the encrypted membership information from the portable recording medium to the playback device, A content distribution method comprising: 7. The content distribution method according to claim 3, wherein the playback device invalidates the membership information or the encrypted membership information after a predetermined period has elapsed. 8. The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution device generates a hash value of the content, adds the hash value to the content and distributes the content, and the playback device calculates the hash value of the content. And reproducing the content when the hash value is compared with the hash value added to the content. 9. The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the management device obtains the sum of the number of times of use for each content based on the totaled usage record, multiplies the sum by a correction value, and Calculate the total number of uses for each content, add up the total number of uses for each content, calculate the total number of uses for all content, and divide the total number of uses for each content by the total number of uses for all content. A content distribution method for calculating another audience rating. 10. A content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a reproduction device are connected by a network, wherein the distribution device includes a unit that distributes the content, and the reproduction device includes a unit that reproduces the content; Means for holding another usage record, and means for transmitting the held usage record to the management device at a predetermined timing, wherein the management device counts the payments from the user and holds the total payment amount Means for holding the usage record sent from the playback device, means for counting the held usage records at a predetermined timing and calculating the audience rating for each content, A content distribution system comprising: means for calculating a reward amount for an author or the like of each content based on the received amount and distributing the reward amount to the author or the like. 11. A content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a playback device are connected via a network, wherein the distribution device includes: a unit configured to hold membership information transmitted from the management device; The playback device includes means for encrypting the content based on the information and distributing the encrypted content, and the playback device decrypts the encrypted content with the membership information transmitted from the management device. Means for obtaining and reproducing the content by means of content, means for holding a usage record for each content, and means for transmitting the held usage record to a management device at a predetermined timing. Means for issuing rights information to the distribution device;
Means for transmitting encrypted membership information to the playback apparatus upon receipt of the request for membership information and deposit information from the playback apparatus; means for counting the deposit amount of the deposit information and holding the total deposit amount; Means for holding the usage records sent from the company, means for totalizing the held usage records at a predetermined timing, and calculating the audience rating for each content. A means for calculating a reward amount for each content creator and the like, and distributing the calculated amount to the creator and the like. 12. A content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a playback device are connected by a network, wherein the distribution device includes: a unit configured to hold membership information transmitted from the management device; Means for encrypting the content based on the information and distributing the encrypted content, wherein the reproducing apparatus has a means for retaining the unique ID and the encrypted membership information transmitted from the management apparatus; Means for decrypting the membership information to obtain the membership information, means for decrypting the encrypted content with the membership information to obtain the content, and reproducing the content; means for maintaining a usage record for each content; Means for transmitting the held usage record to the management device at a predetermined timing, wherein the management device issues a membership right information to the distribution device;
Upon receiving the deposit information and the unique ID from the playback device, encrypting the membership information with the unique ID and transmitting the encrypted membership information to the playback device; Means for holding the usage record sent from the playback device; means for counting the held usage records at a predetermined timing to calculate a rating for each content; and A content distribution system comprising means for calculating a reward amount for each content creator or the like based on a rating and a total deposit amount, and distributing the reward amount to the creator or the like. 13. The content distribution system according to claim 11, wherein a portable recording medium is connected to the management device in place of the playback device, and the management device transmits the payment information and the unique information from the portable recording medium.
D, the member device transmits the membership information or the encrypted membership information obtained by encrypting the membership information with the unique ID to the portable recording medium, and the reproducing device reads the membership information from the portable recording medium. Or, take in the unique ID and encrypted membership information,
A content distribution system, characterized in that: 14. A playback device of a content distribution system in which a management device, a delivery device, and a playback device are connected via a network, wherein a means for playing back the content delivered by the delivery device and a usage record for each content are held. And a means for transmitting the stored usage record to a management device at a predetermined timing. 15. A management device for a content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a playback device are connected by a network, wherein a means for counting payments from a user to hold a total payment amount, and a playback device. Means for holding the usage record sent from the apparatus, means for counting the held usage records at a predetermined timing, calculating a rating for each content, and calculating a rating and a total deposit amount for each content. A management apparatus characterized by comprising means for calculating a reward amount for an author or the like of each content based on the calculated amount and distributing the calculated amount to the author or the like. 16. A distribution device of a content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a playback device are connected by a network, wherein a means for holding membership right information sent from the management device; A distribution device comprising means for encrypting content based on rights information and distributing the encrypted content. 17. A playback device of a content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a playback device are connected by a network, wherein a means for holding a unique ID and encrypted membership information transmitted from the management device; Means for obtaining the membership information by decrypting the encrypted membership information with the unique ID; means for obtaining the content by decrypting the encrypted content distributed by the distribution device; means for reproducing the content; and recording the usage record for each content. A reproducing apparatus comprising: means for retaining; and means for transmitting the retained use record to a management apparatus at a predetermined timing. 18. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
A portable recording medium on which the unique ID and the encrypted membership information sent from the management device are recorded is mounted, and means for reading the unique ID and the encrypted membership information from the portable recording medium is provided. Playback device. 19. A management device for a content distribution system in which a management device, a distribution device, and a playback device are connected by a network, wherein: means for issuing membership right information to the distribution device and the playback device; Means for receiving payment information and a unique ID from a portable recording medium via a terminal, means for encrypting membership information with the received unique ID, and means for transmitting the encrypted membership information to the playback device or the portable recording medium Means for summing the received money amount of the received money information and holding the total money amount, means for holding the usage record sent from the playback device, and summing the held usage record at a predetermined timing. , Means for calculating the audience rating for each content, and calculating the reward amount for the creator of each content based on the audience rating of each content and the total deposit amount,
A management device comprising means for distributing to an author or the like.