JP2003111057A - Information distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution method that can collect information with a small file capacity and easily manage the information. SOLUTION: A database server 15 in interlocking with an information distribution server 11 and a terminal of a user 12 are connected via a communication network and the information distribution server 11 distributes via the communication network particular information to the user by utilizing a contents tag file T for information distribution to access particular audio/video contents C managed by an information distribution management apparatus and able to be transferred to other web site 13 or other terminal via the communication network.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution method, more specifically, a user collects specific information managed by an information distribution management device of an information distribution server with a small file capacity through a communication network such as the Internet. The present invention relates to an information distribution method that enables the management of information and that is easy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the past, the trend of information has been A.
In the background of the evolution to SP (application service provider), specific information including video and audio data such as still images or moving images via a communication network (telecommunication line such as the Internet) Download type distribution and streaming type distribution are known as information distribution of (audio / video contents). Download-type delivery technology can store and save downloaded information at the end of the user, and
Often video content is copied and transferred,
Infringement of intellectual property rights such as copyright is widespread. Therefore, each company and each organization is strengthening rights management and devising policies from various angles in the direction of eliminating illegal copying. However, since each company adopts its own rights management system, there is no protection program as a de facto standard between content providers and users on the Internet.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned streaming technology is capable of sequentially reproducing information (audio / video content) including video and audio data such as still images or video existing in a streaming server while downloading through a communication network. It is a technology that When a user requests a specific content to be played to a streaming server that distributes substantive data, the content distribution from the streaming server and the content playback on the user side are synchronized for the requested content. However, it is a data distribution technology that does not interrupt in real time. In streaming, unlike the download type in which all data is stored on the user side and can be played back for the first time, it is generally impossible to save the distributed data on the user's terminal (local). Is set to be. Currently, various streaming media are distributed on the Internet in several different formats (CODEC: compressed format).

In the above streaming technology, there is known a technology of embedding a metafile in the website drawing data of the web server for the purpose of delivering the content from the streaming server to the user. A metafile is a file that describes, for example, a command for playing the actual file stored on the streaming server via the information distribution server, and stores the user and audio / video content on the communication network. Has the role of connecting. In the above case, the metafile specifically functions as a link from the website of the web server on the communication network to the specific content on the streaming server where the content for streaming (original data file) exists ( It is a text file in which the server address etc. are written. The file capacity is, of course, much smaller than the actual file.

However, in the prior art, the metafile resides within the web server and is embedded in the data describing the web site of the web server to link to the streaming server where the streaming file resides. ing. The above metafile is
Since it exists in the web server together with the drawing data of the website, it is not common for the user to import a large number of metafiles according to his / her preference into his / her terminal to collect and manage them. Also, when the user collects and manages substantial file data such as video and audio data on the user terminal, it is not possible to manage it as a bookmark in the dedicated player (application software) that is prepared for each format and activated. Even if it could be done, it was not possible to centrally manage audio / video contents including all different formats. Further, even if the user side has an intention to disclose his / her own personal information such as collection, management, and usage behavior regarding the content, it is difficult for the content distribution side to grasp them.

[0006]

The present invention has been made in the background of such a conventional technique, and provides an information distribution method capable of collecting information with a small file size and easily managing the information. The purpose is to do. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution method by which the information distribution management server can acquire the personal information of the user.

[0007]

According to the present invention, an information distribution management device of an information distribution server and a user's terminal are connected via a communication network, and to another website or another terminal via the communication network. The present invention relates to an information distribution method of distributing specific information to a user through the communication network by using a content tag file for information distribution which is transferable and which is managed by the information distribution management device and which is used for accessing the specific information. In the information distribution method of the present invention, the specific information is video and / or
Alternatively, it may include audio data. In the information delivery method of the present invention, the information delivery management device may deliver information to the user by streaming. In the information distribution method of the present invention, the information distribution server may be able to acquire the personal information of the user along with the information distribution from the information distribution management device to the user. In the information distribution method of the present invention, the specific information distributed by the information distribution server is acquired from the content holder, and the personal information acquired by the information distribution server from the user along with the distribution of the specific information is stored in the database server. You may manage by. In the information distribution method of the present invention, at least one of the information distribution server, the content holder, and the user may distribute the content tag file on a website of the Internet.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An information distribution management device for an information distribution server according to the present invention generates and saves a content server (corresponding to the streaming server) for managing specific information such as audio / video content and a content tag file. A web server that is displayed / issued on a web site is included as a component, and a database server that stores and manages user personal information and the like may be included as a component, if necessary. Although the content / tag file exists on the above web server, it may be created / stored / managed by a database server, and may be saved on a web server of another web site, a user terminal, etc. by transfer, distribution, etc. it can. Note that the web server and database server of the present invention may be integrated with the content server in operation, or may exist separately. The information distribution management device of the information distribution server and the user's terminal are connected via a communication network (telecommunication line such as the Internet).

The content tag file of the present invention is
It is a file in which added value and added function are added to a conventional metafile, and can be used in a server or user terminal in which application software for content / tag files is installed. The content tag file can be displayed as a content tag (icon) on the monitor screen of the user terminal. Since the content tag file does not include actual files such as video data and / or audio data, it has a very small data size. The data capacity of the content tag file is at most 100 Kb, preferably 5
It is 0 Kb or less, more preferably 10 Kb or less.

The content tag file contains information equivalent to that of a conventional metafile, and includes a portion in which a command for reproducing the actual file is described via the information distribution server. Specifically, a URL (Uniform Resource Loc) for sending a playback command to a server that has a streaming data file (content).
ator) is included. Therefore, for example, when the user clicks the content tag on the monitor screen of his / her terminal, the selected audio / video content is reproduced by streaming distribution from the information distribution management device to the user's terminal. . Here, the audio data is C
Examples include music data for D. Moreover, as the video data, for example, video data for DVD and the like can be mentioned.

As described above, the "content tag file" means that, in the server and the user terminal in which the application software for the content tag file is installed, different types of streaming contents in different formats are referred to as "content tag file". It is possible to manage centrally by "tag". By clicking the "content tag" on the screen, the user can view the desired content on a PC (personal computer), PDA (personal information terminal), mobile phone, etc. if the environment is connected to the Internet. You can see it anytime and many times. In addition, since the content tag file can be transferred, for example, a user who browses a website can freely download it to his / her own terminal via a communication network (download it locally) or another website. Can be transferred to any
It is possible to transfer to peers under a peer-to-peer (user-to-user) connection environment such as instant messenger.

Further, the content tag file includes
Since it has additional functions other than the metafile, for example, at the time of information distribution, the information distribution management server gives the user some kind of privilege (for example, a coupon or a medium on which information is recorded (a company such as a CD or a DVD is conventionally sold). You can also give points, etc. to get the discount right that can be used when purchasing physical media). For example, if the distributed information content motivates the user to purchase complete audio / video content, the user will be willing to purchase the complete audio / video content via the communication network. According to the order, the complete audio / video content can be downloaded and sold to the user from the contracted audio / video content store through the communication network, CD, M
It can be delivered as a physical medium such as D or DVD.

As described above, for a company having valuable information protected by the copyright of music or video, in the content distribution business in the download format, the copy protection is strengthened and more secure than the reproduction. By delivering specific information to the user through the communication network in a streaming format that does not leave data locally, and stimulating the user's willingness to purchase, conventional products such as CDs, MDs, records, cassette tapes, There is an advantage that leads to sales promotion of information recording medium products such as videos.

With the function of adding the content tag file, when distributing information, the information distribution server can ask the user for personal information that can be disclosed. Of course, the user can refuse to disclose the personal information.
The type of personal information is not limited. That is, in the content tag file, in addition to the content ID, for example, the user ID, the user's e-mail address, the user's name, age, gender, race, nationality, hobby, taste, region, address, and distribution were delivered. Information title, information acquisition route (what kind of website was acquired through, etc.), frequency of information distribution (playback), derivation of information from other users to other users, and distribution of such information. To be The personal information acquired from the user by the information distribution server may be stored and managed in the database server.

When the user reacts to the prepared contents on the distributor side and the seller side (behavior determined to be useful for promotion, etc.), the contents tag file on the user terminal is added by the function of adding the contents tag file. Coupons, points, etc. can be added to the rewritable data area inside. The data corresponding to the user existing in the server on the distributor side can be rewritten. The content tag file can optionally include preload information of streaming data (a part of silence / no image that is originally present before audio / video is reproduced as prefetch information). As a result, it is possible to shorten the load time (buffering time: accumulation time of prefetch information for stably reproducing data) until the content for streaming is reproduced.

Voices distributed by the information distribution server of the present invention
The video content may be obtained from the content holder. The content holder refers to, for example, an individual who manages and holds the copyright of video and / or audio constituting the audio / video content, a corporation or other organization, and an organization managed by them. In the information delivery server of the present invention, the content holder and the content server may be integrated, or the content holder and the database server may be integrated. Further, it may be an organization in which the content server and the database server are integrated. Furthermore, an organization in which the content holder, the content server, and the database server are integrated may be used.

According to the present invention, the relationship between a company (for example, a company that sells audio / video information to customers) and a user is enhanced, and at the same time, a promotion, a sample format “permission of viewing opportunity” is changed to “contents / content”. Tag file "
It is possible to form a mechanism to give to a user by freely distributing a so-called metafile, which is called a conventional metafile, with a twist. Here, "delivery" includes not only downloading the content tag file to the user terminal but also presenting it on the website so that the accessing person can easily download the content tag file. . As an extension of the object of the present invention, there is a business model that supports the sale of physical media, which are information recording media on which information is recorded. In other words, it is a mechanism that realizes useful information as a promotion and marketing method before the user purchases audio / video contents on physical media.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for promotion explaining an information distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is an information distribution system for distributing audio / video content (information) C. In this information distribution system 10, the information distribution management device of the content server (information distribution server) 11 and the terminal of the user 12 are the Internet (communication network).
Connected through. The content tag file T is an information distribution file that can be transferred to the website 13 or the terminal via the Internet and is used to access a specific audio / video content C managed by the information distribution management device. Website 13
Is stored and managed by the web server (not shown) such as the content tag file T and the drawing data. Not only the website of the information distribution management device of the present invention, but also other websites on the Internet. It includes. The content server 11 can use the content tag file T to stream the specific audio / video content C to the user 12 through the Internet and reduce the quality to about 80% of the original audio / video content for distribution. it can.

The audio / video content C distributed by the content server 11 can be acquired from the content holder 14 that manages / retains the copyright of the video and / or audio constituting the audio / video content C. Also, at the time of this information distribution, the content server 11 can acquire personal information from the user 12, and this personal information is stored in the database server 15.
Managed by. After the audio / video content C is played back by streaming, if the user 12 is motivated to purchase and save the audio / video content C in a complete state, the user 12 completes the access to the database server 15 through the communication network. Audio / Video Content C
Show your intent to buy. In response to the user's 12 order, the database server 15 requests the complete audio / video content C from the music shop 16 requested by the outside.
From the user to the user 12 via the Internet for downloading 17 or delivering as a CD 18.

Hereinafter, these matters will be described in detail. The user 12 saves on the local (user terminal) device by dragging and dropping the content tag file T of each audio / video content C prepared in advance from the website 13 or the like with a mouse or the like. can do. This file can exist on the screen as an icon when operated at the user end, and gives the impression that each content holder is downloaded and saved locally. Specifically, it is like an alias file, and the file itself does not include audio / video data. When the user 12 clicks this icon with the mouse, in the environment where the Internet connection is valid, the target audio / video file is called by the information distribution device of the content server 11, and the data is delivered to the user 12 in a streaming format. . In addition, if the distributor sets the content tag file so that the streaming content must be distributed via a specific website, the content tag file must be connected to the original metafile. , It is also possible to act to deliver the information via the route intended by the information distributor. At that time, the user 12 and the content server 11
Measure the distance to and the data transfer traffic,
It is also possible to derive the most suitable streaming route for the user 12.

When the streaming format is adopted in the present invention, unlike the download format, the audio / video data is not locally stored after reproduction in a general usage environment at the end of the user. The content tag file T of this small file is the "ultimata file" (Ulti
As the meta file), not only the address of the content server 11 that is the delivery source of the designated audio / video content C is described, but, for example, in the content tag file T, in addition to the content ID, It is also possible to write personal information, attributes, and similar information such as audio and video that are related by the database server 15 arbitrarily.

The content tag file T is for the user 1
2 can freely obtain it from the website 13, exchange it with another content tag file T fetched by the user terminal of a friend via the Internet, collect it, or provide it. This content tag file T can be distributed arbitrarily by the content server 11, the content holder 14, and the user 12 to the website 13 of the Internet. In addition, the user 12 can access the content on his website.
The tag file T can be posted. Further, the trader 16 who sells the physical media of video / audio such as a music shop as a product may distribute and post the content / tag file T on any website.

Regarding the personal information of the user 12, for example, the more personal information is disclosed, the more the content server 1
It is possible to adopt a mechanism in which 1 provides the user 12 with valuable information. In that case, the content server 1
1 is a variable information area in the content tag file T acquired by the user 12 as a consideration (the content can be rewritten in the content tag file after the user saves the content tag file locally on the user by the distributor). Points with benefits can be added to the data area). The personal information is not limited to complete personal information, but may be limited information. Therefore,
The address, name, etc. do not have to be accurate, but examples thereof include an email address, sex, race, nationality, hobbies, tastes, and the like. User 12 points the points to CD, D
When purchasing physical media 17, 18 such as VD,
It can be used like a coupon or discount ticket. However, at the start of the service (for example, when the application software of the content tag file is installed), in principle, the user 12 is given permission to disclose personal information in advance, and at the same time, the user is consented to the service rule.

According to the present invention, the user 12 can listen to his favorite music at any time and want to watch when he / she wants to watch it, even if the audio / video substance file is not downloaded and stored at the end of the user. You can watch the video. According to the present invention, a non-download type music / video work preview marketing method can be adopted. That is, the content holder 14 can develop various promotions and campaigns via the content server 11 and stimulate the user 12's willingness to purchase the content. Further, online shopping allows the user 12 to sell a product, which is a medium in which information is recorded. Then, when the user 12 wants to purchase the audio / video content C based on the personal information that the user 12 has consented to the disclosure, the information distributor proposes the purchase method most suitable for the user 12. can do.

An application or the like for managing these content tag files T enables the user 12 to collect the content tag files T in various information terminals (PC, PDA, mobile phone, etc.). In the present invention, since actual data such as voice and video is not downloaded, even a device such as a mobile phone having a small memory capacity currently stores and manages data of several thousand songs or more (depending on the memory capacity of the terminal). (For example, genre classification)
can do.

According to the present invention, the user end (local)
In an environment where the small content tag file T can be obtained and the personal information of the plurality of users 12 having the content tag file T is accumulated in the content server 11, the database server 15 can be used in any area. The latest in Japan and overseas, how and when people watched which songs and video works for how long, and how and how they spread to whom in which region. You can get marketing information.

When the present invention is applied, it is not necessary for the content holder 14 to particularly provide the content information so that the users 12 can be aware that they are creating the music culture in the market. When the user 12 selects the audio / video content C,
It can be encouraged to shift to the perception that it is producing a global hit for the work. A user 12, an audio / video content C, a content holder (copyright owner) 14, a content server (distributor) 1 based on the content tag file T
Each of the ones can establish a mutually beneficial relationship.

The content tag file T of the present invention is
Each of the user 12, the content holder 14, and the content server 11 can be used in various fields. For example, as a part of the promotion, the content holder 14 can provide a “place” where the user 12 can freely place the content tag file T on the website of the Internet. Further, the user 12 uses the content tag file T,
It is possible to create a selected work consisting of contents selected by an automatic reproduction program or the like by combining them on specific software. In addition, you can easily create your own content charts on your website.

The database server 15 for accumulating the personal information collected from the content tag file T also acquires the personal information about which user 12 selects which work (content) and in which order. You can This personal information is
It is an effective material for marketing management. Further, since the content tag file T is widely and freely spread, it is possible to watch and listen to sound and video works at any place on the Internet, which naturally increases the exposure of the work to the market. Content holder 14
Will also be able to place information, including public elements, at the location where such work is delivered.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the content tag file for accessing the specific information managed by the information distribution server is used to distribute the specific information to the user through the communication network. Therefore, access information for a specific content existing on the information distribution server can be collected in a user terminal or the like with a small file size, and the information can be easily managed. Further, when the content information is distributed by streaming, it is possible to stimulate the user's willingness to purchase the medium or the like on which the information is recorded. Further, along with the information (content) distribution, the information distribution server can request the provision of the user's personal information, and can acquire the material effective for marketing management of the content.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for promotion explaining an information distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Content server (information distribution server) 12 users 13 Website 14 Content holder 15 Database server (information distribution management server) C audio / video content T content tag file

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information distribution management device of an information distribution server and a user's terminal are connected via a communication network, which can be transferred to another website or another terminal through the communication network, and the information distribution management. An information distribution method for distributing specific information to a user through the communication network by using a content tag file for information distribution for accessing specific information managed by the device. 2. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the specific information includes video and / or audio data. 3. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution management device distributes information to the user by streaming. 4. The information distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information distribution server can acquire the personal information of the user along with the information distribution from the information distribution management device to the user. 5. The specific information distributed by the information distribution server is acquired from a content holder, and the personal information acquired by the information distribution server from the user along with the distribution of the specific information is managed by a database server. Item 1. The information distribution method according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the information distribution server, the content holder, and the user distributes the content tag file on a website of the Internet. .