JP2003281392A - Content delivery method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To allow a user to reserve content at a desired place, and to download content using a secure authentication method. SOLUTION: When a management server 16-1 receives a content reservation request including information specifying a content and a content distribution destination from a terminal device 14 connected via a network, the management server 16-1 responds to the reception of the reservation request. Then, an authentication agent AG1 including an authentication condition for user authentication is provided to the terminal device 14, and an authentication agent AG2 including the content and the authentication condition for user authentication is provided to the content distribution server 18 corresponding to the distribution destination. To communicate. The content distribution server 18
In response to the content distribution request and the transmission of AG1 from the terminal device 14, the user is authenticated. If the user is authenticated as a result of the authentication, the content is distributed to the terminal device 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for selling or renting contents such as various software and data between a contents purchaser and a contents distributor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of electronic communication technology, a content distribution system for selling or renting contents using the Internet has been realized. In a conventional content distribution system, a personal computer (PC) at home inputs a user ID and a password to log in to the server, specify the content, enter a credit card number, etc., and then enter the server. Communicate this information. At the server, credit inquiry is made at the server in response to the acceptance of the information. Next, in response to the acceptance of “approval” indicating the reduction of the credit card usage balance from the user, the server distributes the content and executes processing for requesting sales to the system of the credit card business operator or the like. Was there.
As electronic payment using the Internet, SET (Sec
ure Electric Transaction), bit cache (registered trademark), accosis (registered trademark) and the like are known.

Further, as an authentication means for confirming whether or not the user who is trying to purchase the content is himself / herself,
Passwords are widely used. This is a traditional method that has been used for more than 20 years since the introduction of a mechanism that allows multiple users to access a computer. In the password-based authentication, the reason that the server side "the person who is accessing now is Alice" is based on that the person "knows Alice's password." However, in the Internet world, it is possible that a third party other than "Alice" knows the password of "Alice". Originally, personal confidential information called a password is propagated on the Internet, so the danger becomes even higher.

[0004]

In the conventional content download, the user applies for the purchase of the content on his / her own PC or the PC for browsing the downloaded content, and the content is downloaded on the spot. There is. Therefore, the user needs to perform necessary operations such as designation of the content only when the content is browsed at a place where the content is browsed. In other words, there is a problem that there are very large restrictions on the designation of content, the browsing place, and the time.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a method of using digital television broadcasting to reserve contents at home and download the contents at a transportation center such as a station (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-357225). . However, even with this method, the restriction on the download location is relaxed, but the reserved location is limited to the home.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system which allows a user to reserve a content at a desired time and browse the content at a desired place designated by the user. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that allows a user to reserve content at a desired place. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of securely authenticating a user without using a password method.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to request a reservation of a content from an information processing device connected via a network in a content distribution management server, including information specifying the content and a distribution destination of the content. In response to accepting the booking request
A step of transmitting first data or an agent including an authentication condition for user authentication, and a second content including a content and an authentication condition for user authentication, if necessary, to a content distribution server corresponding to the distribution destination. Of the data or the agent, and in the content distribution server, the step of authenticating the user in response to the content distribution request from the information processing device and the transmission of the first data or the agent in the content distribution server; As a result, when the user determines that the content is authentic, the content processing method further includes the step of distributing the content to the information processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, when a desired content is reserved by an information processing device, for example, a mobile phone or a PDA, the content is cached in a content distribution server located near the download point desired by the user. . Therefore, the user can download the content from the content distribution server near the download point. As a result, it is less susceptible to the influence of congestion and bandwidth, and it is possible to reduce the risk of a failure such as disconnection during download. In addition, the user can select a desired download point in consideration of his / her action range.

Another object of the present invention is, in a content distribution management server, information specifying a content from an information processing device connected via a network, and
Accepting a reservation request for content, including a recipient of the content, for performing authentication, and transmitting first data or an agent including an authentication condition for user authentication in response to acceptance of the reservation request. And a step of transmitting the content and the second data or the agent including the authentication condition for the user authentication, if necessary, to the content distribution server corresponding to the recipient. In the step of authenticating the user in response to the content distribution request from the information processing device, the information indicating the content distribution destination, and the transmission of the first data or the agent, the result of the authentication determines that the user is authentic. If you do
This is achieved by a content distribution method characterized by distributing the content to the distribution destination.

According to the above invention, the user uses the information processing device, for example, the mobile phone or the PDA to reserve the content and designate the distribution server for caching the content. For example, a station or airport can be specified here. Furthermore, by accessing the distribution server,
It is possible to specify a distribution destination that the user desires to browse, for example, a browsing device for a train or an airliner. As a result, it becomes possible to move the content reserved in advance and cached in the distribution server to the browsing device when browsing and to browse the content in the browsing device.
In addition to stations and airports, a server of a hotel may serve as a distribution server to cache data and distribute the content to a browsing device in a hotel room.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the reservation request includes information indicating the date and time or the period for accepting the content. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the content distribution management server further comprises a step of transmitting at least information indicating a valid period of the content to the content distribution server, and the content distribution server is provided only during the valid period. Deliver content.

[0012] In a further preferred aspect, the content distribution management server further comprises a step of including information indicating an effective period of the content in the authentication condition. By including information indicating the valid period in the authentication condition, it is possible to define the period for obtaining the authentication. This makes it possible to further enhance the ability to prevent unauthorized use by a third party.

In another preferred embodiment,
Furthermore, in the content distribution management server, a step of inquiring the content distribution server about the presence or absence of the content and obtaining an answer thereto, and a step of transmitting the content to the content distribution server when the content does not exist. I have it. As a result, the distribution server can send the content on the network such as the Internet only when the content to be distributed is required, so that the traffic can be reduced.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, further, in the content distribution management server, a step of finding another content distribution server which holds the specified content, and the other content distribution server, Requesting the transfer of the specified content to the content distribution server. For example, it becomes possible to send and receive contents between geographically adjacent distribution servers.

In a more preferred embodiment, the content distribution management server further inquires of the content distribution server about the presence or absence of the content,
The method includes a step of obtaining the answer, and when the content distribution server does not have the content, the step of finding the other content distribution server and the step of requesting the transfer are executed.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, the content distribution server further comprises a step of transmitting a distribution completion notice to the content distribution management server in response to completion of distribution of the content. The management server executes payment processing in response to the acceptance of the delivery completion notification. Further, it is preferable that the content distribution server includes a step of giving an opportunity to cancel the content distribution after the authentication. According to these embodiments, in the case of payment by credit card, even if the order is canceled, the content distribution management server side (content distributor) does not make a sales request to the credit card company. , It is possible to avoid paying fees to credit card companies.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of delivering the content in the content delivery management server includes the step of delivering the content to the plurality of content delivery servers according to the reservation request. As a result, it is possible to allow the user who is the prospective purchaser of the content to have a margin of action.
In another preferred embodiment, further, in the content distribution management server, a step of including a part of the divided authentication condition in the first agent, and another part of the divided authentication condition, Including the step of including in the second agent, the user is authenticated in the content distribution server based on the second agent held by itself and the first agent transmitted from the information processing apparatus. In this way, by dividing and holding the authentication condition, it is possible to prevent the content purchaser from being spoofed by a third party.

Further, an object of the present invention is to, in the content distribution management server, accept a content reservation request including information for identifying the content by a user and a content distribution destination, and in response to accepting the reservation request. Necessary for the browsing device corresponding to the delivery destination, the step of notifying the user of information specifying the reservation made by the user, the step of holding the first data or the agent including the authentication condition for the user authentication, If
Second, including content and authentication conditions for user authentication
The step of transmitting the second data or the agent to the content distribution management server in response to the login of the information specifying the reservation in the browsing device. Further comprising the step of authenticating the user in the content distribution management server in response to the transmission of the second data or the agent from the browsing device; and when the result of the authentication determines that the user is authentic, Also achieved by a content distribution method characterized by comprising a step of notifying the browsing device of permission to browse the content, and instructing discard of the content when the user determines that the content is not authentic. It

In a preferred embodiment, at least the content distribution management server further comprises a step of transmitting the valid period of the content to the browsing device, and the browsing device browses the content only during the valid period. Are configured to be allowed.
Further, it is preferable that the content distribution management server includes a step of including information indicating a valid period of the content in the authentication condition.

Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to, in the content distribution management server, accept a content reservation request including information for identifying the content by a user and a content distribution destination, and in response to accepting the reservation request. A step of notifying the user of information specifying a reservation made by the user, a step of holding first data or an agent including an authentication condition for user authentication, and a user at a browsing device corresponding to the delivery destination. Transmitting second data or an agent including an authentication condition for authentication, in the browsing device,
And a step of transmitting the second data or the agent to the content distribution management server in response to the login of the information for specifying the reservation. Authenticating the user in response to the data or the transmission of the agent, and transmitting the content, if necessary, to the browsing device when the user is determined to be authentic as a result of the authentication. It is also achieved by a content distribution method characterized by having.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, further, at least the content distribution management server grasps information indicating a valid period of the content, and distributes the content only during the valid period. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the content distribution management server further includes a step of including information indicating a valid period of the content in the authentication condition.

In another preferred embodiment, further, in the content delivery management server, a step of inquiring a browsing device about the presence or absence of the content and obtaining an answer thereto, and when the content delivery server does not have the content And transmitting the content. In another preferred embodiment, further, in the content distribution management server, a step of finding another information processing apparatus which holds the specified content, and Requesting the transfer of the specified content to the browsing device. Here, further, in the content distribution management server, the browsing device is inquired about the presence or absence of the content,
It is preferable to perform the steps of obtaining the answer, finding the other information processing apparatus when the browsing apparatus and the content do not exist, and requesting the transfer.

In a preferred embodiment, the content delivery management server further includes a step of executing a settlement process in response to receipt of a delivery completion notification from the browsing device. Further, it is preferable that the browsing device further includes a step of giving an opportunity to cancel browsing of the content after the authentication. In another preferred embodiment, in the content distribution management server, the step of transmitting the content includes the step of transmitting the content to a plurality of browsing devices according to a reservation request.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the content distribution system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, on the Internet 12, a terminal device 14 and servers 16-1, 16- are provided.
2 and 18 are connected, and data communication is possible mutually. The terminal device 14 may be, for example, a mobile phone or PDA that can be connected to the Internet, or
It may be a laptop personal computer (PC) or desktop PC.

The server 16-1 is a management server of a content distributor, and executes processing such as transmitting the content to a distribution server (cache server) 18 described later. The server 16-2 is an authentication server (authentication device), and generates an authentication agent described later that transmits the authentication agent AG to the terminal device 14 and the distribution server 18. In the present embodiment, the authentication server 16
-2 is arranged adjacent to the server 16-1, and the authentication server 16-2 is operated by the content distribution business operator, but the invention is not limited to this. Data communication may be performed via a WAN or a WAN, and the authentication server may be operated by a predetermined authentication agency.

The distribution server 18 holds a database for storing contents and transmits the contents in accordance with a request from the terminal device 14. Figure 1
In the above, one distribution server 18 is shown, but in reality, it is desirable that a large number of distribution servers 18 each connected to the Internet 12 are arranged at various places. As a result, the user can properly complete the download without causing problems such as bandwidth and congestion by designating a desired distribution server 18 (for example, adjacent to the download point) as the distribution destination. Becomes

As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, the user operates the terminal device 14 to access the management server 16-1 when desired and reserve the content (arrow 101). reference). This reservation includes information identifying the content and a delivery destination (download destination). The management server 16-1 receives the authentication agents AG1 and AG2 including the authentication condition from the authentication device 16-2, and transmits these to the terminal device 14 and the distribution server 18 of the distribution destination (see arrows 102 and 103). .
Here, when necessary, the designated "content A" is transmitted from the management server 16-1 to the distribution server 18.

After the user moves to a desired point (arrow 1
04), the distribution server 18 is accessed, mutual authentication is performed (see arrow 105), and when the user is authenticated as an authentic user, "content A" is downloaded (see arrow 106). In the example of FIG. 1, since the mobile terminal is used as the terminal device 14, the terminal device reserved by the user and the terminal device downloaded are the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the AG1 can be transmitted, it is possible to make a reservation on the mobile terminal and download it on the user's desktop PC.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure according to the present embodiment in more detail. The user is the terminal device 1
The key 4 is operated to access the management server 16-1, reserve the desired content, and specify the delivery destination (download destination) (step 201). The management server 16-1 responds to the access of the terminal device 14,
The issuing of the authentication agent (authentication AG) is performed by the authentication device 16
-2 (step 202). The authentication agent generates the first authentication AG AG1 and the second authentication AG AG2 for mutual authentication, and
Transmit to the management server 16-1 (steps 203, 20)
4). AG1 is transmitted to the terminal device 14 via the management server 16-1 (step 203). Further, the management server 16-1 transmits the "content A" and AG2 designated by the user to the distribution server 18 of the distribution destination (download destination) (step 205).

A user operates the terminal device 14 at a desired place at a desired time to access the distribution server 18,
When G1 is transmitted (step 206), the distribution server 18
Authentication is performed by the method described later in. If it is determined that the user is authentic as a result of the authentication (step 20)
7), "Content A" is distributed to the terminal device 14 (step 208). As a result, the “content A” is downloaded to the terminal device 14. in this way,
According to the present embodiment, by designating a desired download destination by the user, the desired content can be appropriately downloaded without causing the problem of bandwidth or congestion and the problem of download failure due to the movement of the user. Is possible.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, the user can further enjoy the reproduction of the content on the train or in the passenger plane by designating the browsing destination. Figure 3
[FIG. 6] is a block diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system according to a second embodiment. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this example, the final delivery destination of the "content B" reserved by the user is different from the terminal device 14 for the reservation. In FIG. 1, reservation by the terminal device 14 (arrow 301) or mutual authentication between the terminal device and the distribution server 18 (arrow 305) is performed by the reservation (arrow 10 in FIG. 1).
1) to mutual authentication (arrow 105). In the second embodiment, after mutual authentication, the terminal device 1
The “content B” is distributed to the other browsing device (browsing server) 20 designated by 4 (see arrow 306), and the user
The “content B” can be reproduced and browsed on the browsing server 20.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure according to the second embodiment in more detail. The user operates the key of the terminal device 14 to access the management server 16-1 to reserve the desired content “content B” and to execute the mutual authentication (the server that receives the “recipient”). "." Is designated (step 4).
01). After that, the processes of steps 402 to 405 correspond to the processes of steps 202 to 205 of FIG. 2, respectively.

When the user operates the terminal device 14 at a predetermined place to access the distribution server 18 to transmit the AG1 and specify the browsing destination (step 406),
The distribution server 18 authenticates the user by the method described later.
When it is determined that the user is authentic as a result of the authentication (step 408), the distribution server 18 determines “content B”.
Is transmitted to the browsing server 20 which is the browsing destination designated by the user (step 408). For example, the user activates the browser of the browsing server 20 (step 409),
It becomes possible to play the content (step 4)
10).

Regarding the second embodiment, for example, the following concrete applications can be considered. The distribution server 18 is arranged at a station or an airport where a user appears on a train or a passenger plane. Further, the browsing server is arranged in a train or a passenger plane. The user reserves content (for example, movies and games) that he / she wants to use in a train or an airliner at a desired place at a desired time, and at a station or an airport, performs authentication and specifies a browsing destination before boarding. To do. With this, after the user sits in the seat, the reserved content can be displayed on the display arranged adjacent to the seat.

The distribution server 18 to the browsing server 20
Data may be transmitted online using a wireless LAN or the like. Alternatively, the distribution server 18 may store the designated content in a portable storage medium, and the browsing server 20 may read the content from the portable storage medium. According to the second embodiment, the user
It becomes possible to perform the reservation and the authentication using the terminal device, and to browse the content by using another browsing server, for example, the browsing server in the train or the passenger plane.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In this example, it is determined whether or not there is content to be delivered to the designated delivery server, the content is sent only when necessary, and information indicating the valid period is added to the content. For example, the information indicating the valid period may include information indicating the valid start date and time and the valid end date and time, or may include only the information indicating the period for maintaining the validity of the content with the reserved date and time as the valid start date and time. You may stay.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the procedure according to this example. In FIG. 5, step 5
01 to 504 correspond to steps 201 to 204 in FIG. After the transmission of the AG1 to the terminal device 14 and the reception of the AG2, the management server 16-1 notifies the distribution server 18 of the designated distribution destination (download destination) of "content A".
Judge whether or not is housed. Distribution server 18
Judges whether or not there is "content A", and if the content is not stored in its own DB (step 506).
"No"), search results (information indicating no content)
Is transmitted to the management server 16-1 (step 507).
In response to the acceptance of the search result, the management server 16-1
In addition to "contents A" and AG2, information indicating the valid period of "contents A" is transmitted to distribution server 18 as additional information (step 508).

When the user operates the terminal device 14 to access the distribution server 18 and transmit AG1 (step 509), the distribution server 18 performs authentication (step 510). As a result of the authentication, it is determined that the user is authentic (step 510), and subsequently, it is determined whether or not it is during the valid period by referring to the additional information of "contents A" to be distributed (step 511). . If it is during the valid period (Yes in step 511), the "content A" is distributed to the terminal device 14 (step 51).
2). On the other hand, if it is outside the valid period (step 511)
No, the message indicating that the validity period has expired is transmitted to the terminal device 14 (step 513). If the “content A” is distributed in a state where the additional information indicating the valid period is included, the content can be browsed and reproduced on the terminal device 14 only during the valid period. As a result, so-called rental of contents can be realized.

Returning to FIG. 5, when it is determined in step 506 that "content A" is stored in its own DB ("present" in step 506),
The search result (information indicating that there is content) is transmitted to the management server 16-1 (step 601). In response to this, the management server 16-1 transmits the information indicating the valid period of the “content A” as additional information to the distribution server 18 in addition to the AG2 (step 602). When the distribution server 18 receives the additional information, the “content A” is received.
The effective period of is updated (step 603). In the distribution server 18, "content A" is provided for other users.
Is distributed, and this is considered to be held (cached). Therefore, since this is used not only for distribution to other users but also to users related to the present process, the valid period of the “content A” is updated to, for example, the valid period of the user related to the present process. To be done.

Subsequent processing (steps 604 to 608)
Is similar to steps 509 to 513 in FIG. Note that in this example, the distribution server 18 refers to the valid period of the content held (cached) in its own DB at a predetermined timing, and the valid period has expired, that is, the end date and time of the valid period. If the content has already passed, it is desirable to delete the content. As described above, according to this example, the frequency of content transmission from the management server 16-1 to the distribution server 18 can be reduced, and the amount of communication between the servers can be reduced.

Next, another modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the user specifies a plurality of distribution servers as distribution destinations (download destinations) at the time of reservation. Therefore, the distribution server 1
From 6-1 to the plurality of distribution servers 18-1 to 18-3,
“Contents A” and AG2 are transmitted respectively (see reference numerals 103-1 to 103-3). The user
A desired content, for example, the distribution server 18-1 may be accessed from the distribution server serving as the distribution destination, and the "content A" may be downloaded after mutual authentication (see arrow 105) (see arrow 106). As a result, it is possible to allow the user who receives the content a range of action. That is, the user can download the content when desired.

In this case, the distribution server 18 other than the distribution server used by the user for downloading.
-2 and 18-3, it is desirable to make the user inaccessible according to an instruction from the management server 16-1 that has received the content download completion notification from the distribution server 16-1. Here, the content may be discarded, or the valid period may be set to expire and the valid period may be updated when another user makes a reservation.

Next, the cancellation of the content purchase according to the above embodiment will be briefly described. Conventionally, when ordering content, it is confirmed whether or not the user has the purchase intention, and in response to the acceptance of data transmission from the user indicating the purchase intention, the server sends a predetermined amount of information to the system of the credit card company. Process (credit inquiry and settlement). However, in this case, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to cancel the content purchase between the order and the actual download. Also,
Even if cancellation is possible, there is a problem that the server operator (content distributor) has to pay the fee for the settlement. In the present embodiment,
In the reservation stage, the payment is not executed, the user is authorized to cancel the content purchase after the authentication, and the payment is executed after the download is completed.

FIG. 8A is a flow chart showing the processing from the authentication to the settlement. In FIG. 8A, the processing after the transmission of AG1 from the terminal device 14 to the distribution server 18 (step 801) and the authentication in the distribution server 18 is shown. When the distribution server 18 determines that the user is authentic (step 80)
2) From the distribution server 18, a confirmation dialog for confirming whether to purchase the content is transmitted to the terminal device 14 and displayed on the screen of the display device of the terminal device 14 (step 8).
03). For example, when the user operates the keys of the terminal device 14 and specifies that the purchase is finally confirmed, information indicating the final confirmation is transmitted to the distribution server 18 (in response to this, "content A"). Is downloaded to the terminal device 14 (step 805) When the download is completed, a completion notice is transmitted from the terminal device 14 to the management server 16-1 via the distribution server 18 (step 8).
06). The management server 16-1 executes necessary processing for settlement in response to the receipt of the notification (step 80).
7).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the state where the confirmation dialog is displayed (step 813), when the user operates the key of the terminal device 14 and designates the cancel, information indicating the cancel is displayed. Is transmitted to the distribution server 18, and is also transmitted to the management server 16-1 via the distribution server 14. Therefore, the distribution server 18 and the management server 16-1 execute the processing necessary for cancellation (steps 815 and 81).
6). For example, the cancellation process in the distribution server 18 includes deletion of the valid period of the content. Further, the cancellation process in the management server 16 includes erasing the user's telephone number, credit card number, etc., registered in advance.

Next, the authentication AG according to the present embodiment and the authentication process using the authentication AG will be described. In the present embodiment, the authentication device issues two authentication agents, and these are held by the terminal device and the distribution server respectively, and at the time of authentication, one (the terminal device in the present embodiment) owns the other. Passing the authentication AG, requesting authentication. Such a method is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-371208 relating to the application of the present applicant.

FIG. 9 shows the authentication A in the authentication device 16-2.
It is a flowchart which shows the issuing process of G. This is executed in response to the acceptance of the authentication AG issue request from the management server 16-1. First, the authentication device 16-2 uses the random number r ₁
And r ₂ are generated (step 901), respectively, and AG 1 which is an authentication agent given to the terminal device 14,
AG2 which is an authentication agent given to the distribution server 18.
And (step 902).

Then, the authentication device 16-2
Apply a hash function to random numbers, hash (r₁) = R₁ hash (r_Two) = R_Two Is generated (step 903). Also, the authentication device 16-
2 is the authentication condition Cond = sin (R
₁× R_Two) Is calculated (step 904). To AG1
Is (R₁, Cond), while AG2
Includes (R_Two, Cond) is given (step 9
04), and is transmitted to the management server 16-1 (step 9)
05). In addition, without using the hash function, simply
Cond = sin (r₁× r _Two) To AG1
(R1, Cond) is given to AG2 (r2, Con)
d) may be given.

In the present embodiment, the terminal device 14 transmits AG1 to the distribution server 16 to obtain the authenticity of itself. The distribution server 18 calculates sin (R ₁ × R ₂ ) using the hash value R ₁ in the accepted authentication agent and the hash value R 2 held by its own AG _2, and this holds the authentication condition. It is determined whether or not it matches Cond. If the two match, it is determined that the authentication request is authentic, and the processing is continued.

Next, a description will be added to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments,
In response to the "content reservation" from the terminal device 14,
An authentication agent is given to the terminal device 14, and when the content is downloaded, the terminal device 14 and the distribution server 1
The authentication using the authentication agent is realized between the server and the server. In the third embodiment, a user specifies a distribution destination (download destination), operates a browsing device (for example, a personal computer) of the distribution destination, downloads the content, and downloads the content. browse. In this form, for example, the user may reserve the content at a desired time and specify a place to browse (for example, a home, a hotel at a business trip or a travel destination).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an outline of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, on the Internet 12,
Terminal device, servers 116-1, 116-2, browsing device 2
2 is connected and data communication is possible. The browsing device 22 is a personal computer arranged in a hotel room, a home, or the like, and is capable of browsing the contents of the reserved and downloaded content. Further, in FIG. 10, the server 116-1 is a management server and the server 116-2 is an authentication server.

In the third embodiment, when the user operates the terminal device 14 to access the management server 116-1 and reserve the content (arrow 1001), the reservation number is returned (arrow 1002). ). For the above reservation,
Information that identifies the content and distribution destination (download destination)
Is included. The management server 116-1 is the authentication device 116.
-2 accepts the authentication agents AG1 and AG2, and transmits AG2 together with the designated "content C" to the browsing device 22 of the delivery destination (arrow 1003). When the user browses the content on the browsing device 22, the mutual authentication is executed between the browsing device 22 and the management server 116-1 (arrow 1004), and the content is determined when the user is determined to be authentic. Is played and the contents can be browsed.

11 and 12 are flow charts showing the procedure in the third embodiment in more detail.
The user operates the key of the terminal device 14, and the management server 1
When 16 is accessed to reserve a desired content and a distribution destination (download destination) is designated (step 1001), the management server 116-1 returns a reservation number indicating the reservation to the terminal device 14 of the user. (Step 1102). On the other hand, the management server 116-
1 requests the authentication device 116-2 to issue an authentication AG (step 1103), and the AG1 created in response to the request.
And AG2 are accepted from the authentication device 116-2 (steps 1104 and 1105).

The management server 116-1 receives the accepted AG2.
Is transmitted to the browsing device 22 designated as the delivery destination together with the "content C" designated by the user and the corresponding reservation number (step 1106). These pieces of information are held (cached) in the browsing device 22. After that, the user operates the browsing device 22 and inputs the reservation number,
You can log in to the browsing device 22 (step 1
107). AG to be given to the user by reservation number
2 is specified, and this is transmitted to the management server 116-1 (step 1108). Next, the management server 116-
In step 1, authentication is performed using its own AG1 and accepted AG2 (step 1109).

When the user is determined to be authentic by the authentication (Yes in step 1109), the content browsing permission is given to the browsing device 22. As a result, the browsing device 22 becomes ready for content reproduction. At this point, the user may be prompted to enter a final purchase confirmation or cancellation. When the final confirmation is input (step 1202), for example, the settlement processing is executed in the management server 116-1 (step 1203). In this way, the user can browse the details of the reserved content using the browsing device 22 at the hotel or home.

On the other hand, if it is determined by the authentication that the user is not authentic (NO in step 1109).
o)), an instruction to discard the message and the content to be displayed is given from the management server 116-1 to the browsing device 22 (step 1211). As a result, a message indicating that the authentication has failed is displayed on the screen of the display device of the browsing device 22, and the held content is discarded, for example, erased (step 121).
2). Alternatively, the content may be attached with an agent program that determines whether or not the content can be accessed depending on whether or not the content is authenticated. In this case, if it is properly authenticated (Yes in step 1109), the agent program makes the content accessible, and if it is not properly authenticated (NO in step 1109). In No)), access to the content is denied by the agent program.

Next, a description will be given of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, in response to the reservation, the authentication AG and the content are sent in advance from the management server 116-1 (see arrow 1003 in FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, only the authentication AG is used in advance as the browsing device 2.
2 (see arrow 1303) and mutual authentication (arrow 1
After 504), the content is transmitted to the browsing device 22 (see arrow 1305).

14 and 15 are flow charts showing the procedure according to the fourth embodiment. 14, steps 1401 to 1405 correspond to steps 1101 to 1105 in FIG. Management server 116-
When accepting the authentication agent, 1 transmits AG2 to the browsing device 22 together with the associated reservation number (step 1406). The user logs in to the browsing device 22 using the reservation number, and the AG2 manages the management server 11.
6-1 is transmitted to the management server, and AG1 and A are transmitted to the management server.
Authentication is performed using G2 (step 1407)
˜1409) is the same as in the third embodiment.

When the user is determined to be authentic by the authentication (Yes in step 1409), the process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, after the final confirmation of the purchase by the user if necessary (step 1501), the reserved “content C” is transmitted from the management server 116-1 to the browsing device 22 (step 1502). Here, it is also possible to execute the payment processing in response to the management server 116-1 receiving the notification of the completion of the download from the browsing device 22 (steps 1503 and 1504). In this way, the user can browse the details of the content (step 1405). When the authentication determines that the user is not authentic, a message indicating that the authentication has failed is transmitted to the browsing device (step 141).
0). According to these embodiments, the user can specify the download location from another location by using the terminal device and browse the content of the content at the designated location.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that this is what is done. In the above-described embodiment, the payment process is executed in the management server in response to the reception of the download completion notification, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the payment may be executed at the time of reservation as before. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the contents are transmitted from the management server to the distribution server or from the management server to the browsing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the management server finds another distribution server that holds (caches) the content, and the other distribution server transfers the data to the distribution server or the browsing server designated as the distribution destination. May give an instruction to another distribution server.

Further, in the third and fourth embodiments, the information indicating the valid period may be added to the content so that the content can be downloaded or browsed only during the valid period. Further, in the third and fourth embodiments, the terminal device 14 is used to access the management server 16 to reserve the content, and the reservation number is accepted as the response. However, it is not limited to this. For example, at a store of a content distributor, the user or the operator may operate the terminal device to reserve the content, specify the delivery destination, and receive the reservation number as a printed matter.

Further, in the third and fourth embodiments, the management server inquires of the browsing device whether or not the reserved content is already held,
The content may be delivered only when the content does not exist. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the content indicating the valid period may not be included in the content, and the information indicating the valid period may be included in AG1 and / or AG2. In this case, when authenticating
It is also determined whether the access is during the valid period. For example, only one authentication agent (for example, AG1) may include the information indicating the valid period, or the information indicating the valid period may be divided and each part may be divided into AG1 and AG.
It may be held at 2.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a terminal downloaded with an agent program which makes it impossible to access the downloaded content after a lapse of a predetermined period (for example, the valid period used in the above-mentioned embodiment). In the device or the browsing device, browsing after the lapse of the period may be restricted. Further, in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. And AG2
Authentication using is executed (step 1109,
See step 1409). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the browsing device may accept the AG1 transmitted from the management server and execute the authentication in the browsing device. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the content can be browsed in the browsing device. In particular, this method is effective in the case of incorporating an agent program that makes the content inaccessible according to the result of authentication.

[0065]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system in which a user can reserve a content at a desired place. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system capable of safely authenticating a user without using a password method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing in more detail the procedure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing in more detail the procedure according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure according to another example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure according to another example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system according to still another example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing from authentication to settlement according to the present embodiment, and processing when authentication fails.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of issuing an authentication agent according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the third embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure in the third embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure in the fourth embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the fourth embodiment in more detail.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure in the fourth embodiment in more detail.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Internet 14 Terminal 16-1 Management server 16-2 Authentication device 18 Delivery server 20 Viewing server (viewing device) 22 Viewing device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 15/00 G06F 15/00 330Z G09C 1/00 640 G09C 1/00 640E H04L 9/32 H04L 9/00 675Z H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109R (72) Inventor Haruya Miyajima 4-7-1 Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo F-Term (reference) inside Japan Telecom Co., Ltd. 5B085 BA06 BC01 BG03 BG07 5J104 AA07 KA01 PA10 5K067 AA30 BB04 BB21 DD11 DD51 EE02 HH23 HH24

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A step of receiving a reservation request for content, including information for specifying content and a distribution destination of the content, from an information processing device connected via a network, in the content distribution management server, and receiving the reservation request. In response to the first data or agent including an authentication condition for user authentication, the content distribution server corresponding to the distribution destination, if necessary, the content and the authentication for user authentication. Transmitting the second data including the condition or the agent, and authenticating the user in the content distribution server in response to the content distribution request from the information processing device and the transmission of the first data or the agent. As a result of the steps and the authentication, if the user judges that the user is authentic, A multicast processing device, content distribution method characterized by comprising the step of delivering content. 2. A content reservation management request from a data processing device connected via a network, the content distribution management server including information for specifying content and a recipient of the content for performing authentication. Accepting, responding to the acceptance of the reservation request, transmitting the first data or the agent including the authentication condition for user authentication, and the content distribution server corresponding to the recipient, if necessary, A step of transmitting content and second data or an agent including an authentication condition for user authentication, wherein in the content distribution server, a content distribution request from the information processing device, information indicating a content distribution destination, And responding to the first data or the communication of the agent with the user A step of authenticating, and a content distributing method, characterized in that the content is distributed to the distribution destination when the user judges as authentic as a result of the authentication. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reservation request includes information indicating a date and time or a period of content acceptance. 4. The content distribution management server further comprises a step of transmitting at least information indicating a valid period of the content to the content distribution server, and in the content distribution server, only during the valid period.
Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is arranged to deliver said content. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of including, in the content distribution management server, information indicating a valid period of the content in the authentication condition. 6. The content delivery management server further comprises a step of inquiring the content delivery server about the presence or absence of the content and obtaining an answer to the content delivery server. If the content delivery server does not have the content, 6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a communicating step. 7. The content distribution management server further comprises a step of finding another content distribution server which holds the specified content, and the other content distribution server is provided with the content distribution server. And a step of requesting the transfer of the identified content. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: 8. The content delivery management server further comprises a step of inquiring the content delivery server about the presence or absence of the content and obtaining an answer thereto, and when the content delivery server does not have the content, the other 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: finding a content distribution server of the device and requesting a transfer. 9. The content delivery server further comprises the step of transmitting a delivery completion notification to the content delivery management server in response to completion of delivery of the content, wherein the content delivery management server completes delivery. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the payment process is executed in response to receipt of the notification. 10. The content distribution server further comprises a step of giving an opportunity to cancel the content distribution after authentication.
10. The method according to any one of items 9 to 9. 11. The content delivery management server according to claim 1, wherein the step of delivering the content includes the step of delivering the content to a plurality of content delivery servers according to a reservation request. The method according to any one of claims. 12. The content distribution management server further includes the step of including a part of the divided authentication condition in the first agent, and a step of adding another part of the divided authentication condition to the second part. In the content distribution server, the user is authenticated based on the second agent held by the content distribution server and the first agent transmitted from the information processing device. Item 12. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 11. 13. The content distribution management server,
A step of accepting a reservation request for the content, including information for specifying the content by the user and a delivery destination of the content; and a step of notifying the user of the information for specifying the reservation by the user in response to the acceptance of the reservation request. A step of holding first data or an agent including an authentication condition for user authentication, a browsing device corresponding to the distribution destination, if necessary, a content, and a second step including an authentication condition for user authentication The step of transmitting the second data or the agent to the content distribution management server in response to the login of the information specifying the reservation in the browsing device. Further, the content distribution management server may further include a second device from the browsing device. Authenticating the user in response to the transmission of the data or the agent, and as a result of the authentication, when the user determines that the user is authentic, the browsing device is notified of permission to browse the content, and the user A content distribution method comprising a step of instructing discard of the content when it is determined that the content is not authentic. 14. The content distribution management server further comprises a step of transmitting a valid period of the content to the browsing device, and the browsing device is permitted to browse the content only during the valid period. 14. The method of claim 13 configured as follows. 15. Further, in the content distribution management server, information indicating a valid period of the content is
15. The method of claim 14, comprising the step of including in the authentication condition. 16. In the content distribution management server,
A step of accepting a reservation request for the content, including information for specifying the content by the user and a delivery destination of the content; and a step of notifying the user of the information for specifying the reservation by the user in response to the acceptance of the reservation request. Holding a first data or agent including an authentication condition for user authentication, and transmitting a second data or agent including an authentication condition for user authentication to a browsing device corresponding to the distribution destination. And a step of transmitting the second data or the agent to the content distribution management server in response to the login of information specifying the reservation, in the browsing device, and further, the content distribution management In the server, the second data from the browsing device or the agent In response to the request, authenticating the user, and transmitting the content to the browsing device when necessary, when the user judges that the user is authentic as a result of the authentication. Content delivery method. 17. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: at least the content distribution management server configured to recognize information indicating a validity period of the content, and to distribute the content only during the validity period. Item 16. The method according to Item 16. 18. Further, in the content distribution management server, information indicating a valid period of the content is
18. The method of claim 17, comprising the step of including in the authentication condition. 19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the reservation request includes information indicating a date and time or a period of content acceptance. 20. Further, in the content distribution management server, a step of inquiring a browsing device about the presence or absence of the content and obtaining an answer thereof; and transmitting the content to the content distribution server when the content does not exist. 20. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, comprising the step of: 21. Further, in the content distribution management server, a step of finding another information processing apparatus which holds the specified content, the other information processing apparatus, and the browsing apparatus. Requesting the transfer of the identified content, the method according to any one of claims 13 to 20. 22. The content distribution management server further comprises a step of inquiring a browsing device about the presence or absence of the content and obtaining an answer thereto, wherein when the browsing device and the content do not exist, the other information processing is performed. 3. The step of finding a device and the step of requesting a transfer are performed.
The method according to 1. 23. The content distribution management server further comprises a step of executing a payment process in response to receipt of a distribution completion notification from the browsing device. The method described in paragraph 1. 24. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 23, further comprising the step of giving, in the browsing device, an opportunity to cancel browsing of the content after the authentication. 25. The content distribution management server, wherein the step of transmitting the content includes the step of transmitting the content to a plurality of browsing devices according to a reservation request. The method described in paragraph 1.