JP2004320623A - Streaming content distribution system, method, program, and computer-readable medium - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a streaming content distribution system and method for preventing illegal use of content in the same manner as DRM while maintaining the convenience of guiding to a content viewing page like a membership service using streaming distribution. With the goal.
An encrypting means for encrypting and recording a variable character string having a different value each time a viewing list is transmitted to a Web server is provided, based on a list request means for requesting a playback device to transmit a viewing list and a viewing list. A content requesting unit for requesting distribution of streaming content, a decoding unit for decoding a variable character string included in the distribution request to the content server, and a determining unit for determining whether to distribute the streaming content And a streaming content delivery system and method provided with streaming means for delivering streaming content.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to distribution called streaming of digital data such as moving images and audio, and more particularly, to prevention of unauthorized use of digital data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the spread of high-speed network infrastructure such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and optical fiber, it is possible to enjoy high-quality video / audio (hereinafter, rich media) services on the Internet even in ordinary homes. Is coming.
[0003]
On the other hand, due to the abuse of file exchange software, digital media of rich media, such as movies and music, which should be protected by copyright, is increasingly being illegally exchanged between individuals ignoring copyright. .
[0004]
It is virtually impossible to manage or control the exchange of files between these individuals, and as an alternative, encrypting rich media when digitizing it and using decryption keys with business rules during playback. There is a content file mediation system that uses a copyright management function (DRM: Digital Right Management) that enables conditional viewing or prevents unauthorized distribution of data by using it (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
[0005]
DRM has a problem that, from the viewpoint of a user who views digital data, the procedure of “acquiring a license” that is unrelated to the original viewing is complicated and hesitates to view digital data.
[0006]
On the other hand, DRM is an essential mechanism from the viewpoint of protecting copyrights and other rights from the viewpoint of content holders who sell digital data. However, if users hesitate to watch digital data while avoiding DRM, it is a profit. There is a problem that the opportunity is lost.
[0007]
In addition, the user is required to input an ID and a password for specifying the user, the users who can view the content by the membership service are limited to a certain range, and the streaming is performed by receiving the distribution, thereby providing the charging. There is a charging and settlement system for information distribution to be performed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0008]
In the streaming method, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a URL in which a user is guided to a content viewing page to be streamed using a Web server and a content distribution request is issued to the streaming server in the page. A common method is to generate a metafile that has been created.
[0009]
When the above-described ID and password are combined with the streaming method, the authentication function using the ID and password used for specifying the user functions on the Web server. It is possible to narrow down valid users.
[0010]
However, even if the URL required for the content request can be hidden by the mediation of the Web server, the PC on which the streaming reproduction software operates communicates with the streaming server, receives the distributed data, and reproduces the data. Therefore, the PC will eventually know the URL.
[0011]
That is, after all, since the PC holds the URL necessary for content reproduction, it is virtually impossible to conceal the URL, and it is impossible to prevent a person who has illegally obtained the URL from illegally using the content. There is a problem.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-149848 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-270309 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem and, like a membership service using streaming distribution, maintains the convenience of navigating to a content viewing page and illegally uses content in the same manner as DRM. It is an object of the present invention to provide a streaming content distribution system and a method for preventing such a problem.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a first aspect of the present invention, a Web server transmits a viewing list of streaming content to a user's playback device, and the content server plays back the streaming content in response to a distribution request based on the viewing list received from the playback device. In a streaming content distribution system for distributing the streaming content to a device and reproducing the streaming content in the playback device, variable information having a different value is encrypted each time the viewing list is transmitted to the Web server, and the encrypted variable information is encrypted. Is provided in the viewing list, a list requesting unit for requesting the playback device to transmit the viewing list to the web server, and a streaming content distribution based on the viewing list received from the web server. Request to the content server Decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted variable information included in the streaming content distribution request; and streaming content based on the decrypted variable information. And a distributing means for distributing the streaming content requested by the result of the determining means.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first aspect, the variable information is configured by time information having a different value each time the viewing list is transmitted. .
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first or second aspect described above, the determining unit has performed an execution time of the determining unit for a predetermined period of time from the time information. When there is no streaming content, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is to be performed, and when the execution time of the determination unit has passed a predetermined time from the time information, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not to be performed. Things.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first to third aspects, the time information is transmitted at a request time at which the playback device requests the Web server to transmit the viewing list, or The web server is configured by either a start time at which the web server activates the encryption unit or an execution time obtained at an arbitrary time from when the encryption unit is activated until the encryption is performed. It is.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first to fourth aspects, the time information is stored in the request time, the start time, or the execution time, and a valid time from the time. And is constituted by
[0019]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first aspect, the variable information is generated and recorded by the Web server according to a predetermined procedure every time the viewing list is transmitted. It is constituted by data.
[0020]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first or sixth aspect described above, the generated data is configured by information unique to the Web server and a generation time of the generated data. Things.
[0021]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first or sixth to seventh aspects described above, the determination unit determines the generated data recorded by the Web server and the decrypted and inversely generated procedure. If the reproduced variable information matches, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is to be performed. If the generated data recorded by the Web server does not match the variable information reproduced in the decryption and reverse generation procedure, the streaming content distribution is performed. It is configured that it is determined not to be performed, and the generated data recorded after the determination is deleted.
[0022]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first aspect, the variable information is selected by using a selected character string selected from a group of character strings recorded in advance by the Web server using a hash function. It is configured.
[0023]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution system according to the first or ninth aspect, when the decrypted variable information matches the selection data, it is determined that the streaming content is to be distributed. If the decrypted variable information does not match the selected data, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not to be performed, and the selected data is deleted after the determination.
[0024]
In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a Web server transmits a viewing list of streaming content to a user's playback device, and the content server plays back the streaming content in response to a distribution request based on the viewing list received from the playback device. In a streaming content distribution method for distributing to a device and reproducing the streaming content in the reproduction device, the reproduction device requests transmission of the viewing list to the Web server, and the Web server Encrypting variable information having a different value each time the viewing list is transmitted based on the transmission request, recording the encrypted variable information in the viewing list, and transmitting the encrypted variable information to the playback device; and , A stream based on the viewing list received from the Web server. Requesting the content server to distribute the streaming content, the content server decrypting the encrypted variable information included in the streaming content distribution request received from the playback device, A server deciding whether or not to distribute the streaming content based on the decrypted variable information; and a step of distributing the streaming content requested according to the result of the decision means. It is.
[0025]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh aspect, the variable information is configured by time information having a different value each time the viewing list is transmitted. .
[0026]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the step of determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content is performed based on the time of the determination based on the time information. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, it is determined that the streaming content is to be delivered. If the execution time of the determination has passed the predetermined time from the time information, the streaming content is delivered. It is determined that there is no such information.
[0027]
A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein the time information is a request time at which the playback device requests the Web server to transmit the viewing list, or Either a start time at which the Web server starts the process of encrypting the variable information or an execution time obtained at any time from the start of the encryption process to the start of the encryption. It is intended to be.
[0028]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, the time information includes the request time, the start time, or the execution time, and a valid period from the time. And is constituted by
[0029]
A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the variable information is generated and recorded by the Web server according to a predetermined procedure each time the viewing list is transmitted. Is constituted by the following.
[0030]
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh or sixteenth aspect, the generated data is configured by information unique to the Web server and a generation time of the generated data. Things.
[0031]
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh or sixteenth aspect described above, the step of determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content includes generating data recorded by the web server. If the variable information reproduced and decoded in the reverse generation procedure match, it is determined that the streaming content is to be distributed, and the generated data recorded by the Web server does not match the variable information reproduced in the decryption and reverse generation procedure. In this case, the configuration is such that it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not performed.
[0032]
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh aspect, the variable information is selected from a group of character strings recorded in advance by the Web server using a selected character string selected using a hash function. It is configured.
[0033]
According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the streaming content distribution method according to the eleventh or nineteenth aspect, the step of determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content includes the step of determining whether the decrypted variable information is If it matches one of the character strings included in the server, it is determined that the streaming content is to be distributed. If the decrypted variable information does not match one of the character strings included in the Web server, the streaming content is distributed. Is determined not to be performed.
[0034]
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to operate as the streaming content distribution system according to the first to tenth aspects.
[0035]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to operate as the streaming content distribution system according to the first to tenth aspects.
[0036]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an illustrated embodiment. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a streaming content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037]
The streaming content distribution system includes a playback device 1, a Web server 2, and a content server 3, and are connected to each other via a network 4 in a communicable state.
[0038]
The playback device 1 is actually an information device such as a PC on which the web browser 5 and the stream playback software 6 operate.
[0039]
The Web browser 5 functions as a list requesting unit 7 and a content requesting unit 8 by communicating with the Web server 2.
[0040]
The list requesting unit 7 requests a viewing list of the streaming content by selecting a streaming content desired to be distributed in a streaming content viewing page guided by the Web server 2.
[0041]
The content requesting unit 8 requests the content server 3 to distribute specific streaming content based on the viewing list received from the web server 2.
[0042]
The stream reproduction software 6 is activated by the Web browser 5 when receiving streaming content from the content server 3, and reproduces the streaming content while receiving data.
[0043]
The Web server 2 includes an encryption unit 9 in addition to a Web server function of logging in a member and guiding the user to a streaming content viewing page.
[0044]
The viewing list can be prepared in an arbitrary method such as preparing it in a file or managing attribute information in a database. FIG. 2 shows an example of a viewing list for streaming contents in RealMedia format of RealNetworks.
[0045]
The encrypting means 9 encrypts variable information having a different value each time the viewing list is transmitted based on a request from the playback device 1, and records the variable information at a predetermined position in the viewing list.
[0046]
The variable information described above includes a request time when the playback device 1 requests the Web server 2 to transmit the viewing list, a start time when the Web server 2 starts the encryption unit 9, or encryption from the start of the encryption unit 7 to the encryption time. Time information such as an execution time acquired inside the encryption means 9 at an arbitrary point in time before the execution is performed.
[0047]
FIG. 3 is an example of a viewing list in which the encryption unit 7 records the encrypted time information in a part of the URL of the streaming content. Recording the time information in the viewing list has the same effect as using a random number. Even when the same streaming content is requested, it is possible to generate a URL including a different encrypted character string every time.
[0048]
In FIG. 3, only the time information is encrypted. However, it is specified in the DRM that the entire file path specification for the streaming content can be encrypted or a part of the file path can be encrypted together with the time information. It is also possible to perform encryption including the rules regarding viewing and listening.
[0049]
It is also possible to generate variable information by combining information unique to the Web server 2, such as the IP address, with the processing time to make it variable each time. In this case, the generated variable information (hereinafter, referred to as generated data) is added to the URL, and at the same time, transmitted to the content server 3 and stored.
[0050]
Further, the Web server 2 may store a plurality of arbitrary data in advance and use a hash function, for example, to select arbitrary data from the date and time when the content distribution request was issued. is there. In this case, the selected data (hereinafter, referred to as selected data) is added to the URL, and at the same time, transmitted to the content server 3 and stored. The selection data added to the URL may be binary data.
[0051]
The content server 3 may be a different server for each file format of each streaming content. In any case, the content server 3 includes a decoding unit 10, a determination unit 11, and a distribution unit 12.
[0052]
The decrypting means 10 extracts an encrypted character string recorded at a predetermined position from the received distribution request (actually, a URL including the encrypted time information), and extracts the time information as variable information. It is to be decrypted.
[0053]
The determination unit 11 compares the decrypted time information with the current time, and distributes the streaming content if it is within the valid time (eg, 5 minutes) from the transmission of the normal viewing list to the request for the streaming content. It is determined that the streaming content is not distributed if the valid time has passed.
[0054]
The distribution unit 12 distributes the requested streaming content to the playback device 1 based on the determination result of the determination unit 11.
[0055]
By recording the encrypted time information in the watch list, even if an unauthorized user obtains a legitimate URL indicating the location of the streaming content, the unauthorized time is not included because the encrypted time information is not included. Can be determined to be.
[0056]
Further, even when an unauthorized user obtains a URL indicating the location of the streaming content including the encrypted time information and issues a separate streaming content distribution request, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the time is within the valid time. By judging, unauthorized use can be excluded.
[0057]
Furthermore, by encrypting the information including the information uniquely provided to the playback device 1 which has requested the viewing list and the information uniquely provided to the Web server 2, it is possible to more strictly determine whether or not the user is an authorized user. It is also possible to do.
[0058]
When a character string unique to the Web server 2 is used as the variable information, the determination unit 11 refers to the generated data received and recorded in advance from the Web server 2 and determines whether the variable information matches the generated data. Whether or not to transmit the content is determined based on the determination as to whether or not the generated data is deleted.
[0059]
Even when the information is added to the URL by the hash function, the determination unit 11 refers to the selection data received and recorded from the Web server 2 in advance, and transmits the content based on whether the variable information and the selection data match. Is determined, and after the determination, the selected data is deleted.
[0060]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram when time information is used as variable information in the exchange between the playback device 1, the Web server 2, and the content server 3.
[0061]
On the login screen displayed by the Web server 2, for example, a user ID and a password are input from the Web browser 5, and the user is authenticated as an authorized user.
[0062]
Next, the Web server 2 transmits a streaming content viewing page, and guides the user to the streaming content viewing page.
[0063]
When the user selects the streaming content to be distributed from the viewing page by an operation such as pressing the “viewing” button, the list requesting unit 7 requests the Web server 2 to transmit the viewing list.
[0064]
The Web server 2 encrypts, for example, the time at which the request for transmission of the viewing list was received by the encryption unit 9 as a request time, and transmits the viewing list in which the encrypted time information is recorded at a predetermined position in the URL to the playback device 1. Send.
[0065]
The Web browser 5 starts the stream reproduction software 6 according to the received viewing list. The stream reproduction software 6 transmits the URL recording the encrypted time information recorded in the viewing list to the content server 3 by the content requesting means 8.
[0066]
The content server 3 decodes the time information from the received URL by the decoding unit 10 and determines whether to distribute the streaming content by the determination unit 11.
[0067]
If the current information is within the valid time from the time information, the streaming content requested by the distribution unit 12 is distributed to the playback device 1, and if not, the streaming content is not distributed.
[0068]
At this time, the time information may include a valid time. When the time information includes a valid time, the content server 3 does not need to have a valid time, and even when a plurality of content servers 3 exist, it is possible to appropriately cope with a change in the valid time.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the streaming content distribution system and method according to the present invention, even if the URL for viewing the content is illegally known, if the encrypted time information is out of the valid time, the viewing cannot be performed. It is possible to prevent the streaming content from being illegally used.
[0070]
In addition, using information unique to the Web server, a hash function, or the like, variable information having a different value is added each time the Web server transmits a viewing list, retained in the content server, and deleted after being used once for determination. Thus, even if the URL is leaked, the unauthorized use can be limited to one time.
[0071]
In addition, since it is not necessary to separately acquire a “license” or the like while using the authentication function performed by the Web server as it is to guide the user to the viewing page, the convenience is high.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a streaming content distribution system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of a viewing list.
FIG. 3 is an example of a viewing list including encrypted variable information of the present invention in a URL.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram up to streaming content distribution according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 playback apparatus 2 web server 3 content server 4 network 5 web browser 6 streaming playback software 7 list request means 8 content request means 9 encryption means 10 decryption means 11 determination means 12 distribution means

Claims (22)

A Web server transmitting a streaming content viewing list to a user's playback device, and the content server delivering streaming content to the playback device in response to a delivery request based on the viewing list received from the playback device; A streaming content distribution system for playing back the streaming content in
The Web server,
Each time the viewing list is transmitted, the variable information having a different value is encrypted, and encryption means for recording the encrypted variable information in the viewing list is provided.
The playback device,
List request means for requesting the Web server to transmit the viewing list;
Content requesting means for requesting the content server to distribute streaming content based on the viewing list received from the web server,
The content server,
Decryption means for decrypting the encrypted variable information included in the streaming content distribution request;
Determining means for determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content based on the decrypted variable information;
Distribution means for distributing the requested streaming content according to the result of the determination means,
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein
The variable information,
Each time the viewing list is transmitted, the value is configured by different time information.
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to claim 1 or 2,
The determining means is:
If the execution time of the determination means has not passed a predetermined time set in advance from the time information, it is determined that the streaming content is to be distributed,
When the execution time of the determination means has passed a predetermined time set in advance from the time information, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not performed.
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The time information,
A request time at which the playback device requests the Web server to transmit the viewing list, or
A start time at which the Web server starts the encryption unit;
Or
An execution time obtained at any time between the activation of the encryption means and the execution of the encryption,
Consisting of either
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The time information,
The request time, or the start time, or the execution time,
A valid time from the time,
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein
The variable information,
Each time the viewing list is transmitted, the Web server generates the data according to a predetermined procedure and configures the generated data.
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to claim 1 or 6, wherein:
The generated data is
It is composed of the information unique to the Web server and the generation time of the generated data.
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: A streaming content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 or 6 to 7,
The determining means is:
If the generated data recorded by the Web server and the variable information reproduced and decoded in the reverse generation procedure match, it is determined that the streaming content is to be distributed, and the generated data recorded by the Web server and the decrypted If the variable information reproduced in the reverse generation procedure does not match, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not performed,
Delete the generated data recorded after the judgment,
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein
The variable information,
The Web server is configured by selected data selected using a hash function from a data group recorded in advance,
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: The streaming content distribution system according to claim 1 or 9,
The determining means is:
When the decrypted variable information matches the selection data, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is to be performed,
If the decrypted variable information does not match the selection data, it is determined not to distribute the streaming content,
Delete the selected data after the judgment,
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: A Web server transmitting a streaming content viewing list to a user's playback device, and the content server delivering streaming content to the playback device in response to a delivery request based on the viewing list received from the playback device; In the streaming content distribution method for reproducing the streaming content in,
The playback device,
Requesting the Web server to transmit the viewing list;
The Web server,
Based on the viewing list transmission request, encrypting variable information having a different value each time the viewing list is transmitted, recording the encrypted variable information in the viewing list and transmitting the information to the playback device,
The playback device,
Requesting the content server to deliver streaming content based on the viewing list received from the web server;
The content server,
Decrypting the encrypted variable information included in the streaming content distribution request received from the playback device;
The content server,
Based on the decrypted variable information, determining whether to distribute the streaming content,
Delivering the requested streaming content according to the result of the determining means;
A streaming content distribution method, comprising: The streaming content distribution method according to claim 11, wherein
The variable information,
Each time the viewing list is transmitted, the value is configured by different time information.
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. The streaming content distribution method according to claim 11, wherein:
The step of determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content,
If the execution time of the determination has not passed a predetermined time set in advance from the time information, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is to be performed,
When the execution time of the determination has passed a predetermined time from the time information, it is determined that the distribution of the streaming content is not performed.
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. A streaming content distribution method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein:
The time information,
A request time at which the playback device requests the Web server to transmit the viewing list, or
A start time at which the Web server starts a process of encrypting the variable information;
Or
Execution time obtained at any time between the start of the encryption process and the time of performing the encryption,
Consisting of either
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. The streaming content distribution method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein
The time information,
The request time, or the start time, or the execution time,
A valid period from the time,
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. The streaming content distribution method according to claim 11, wherein
The variable information,
Each time the viewing list is transmitted, the Web server generates the data according to a predetermined procedure and configures the generated data.
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. The streaming content distribution method according to claim 11 or 16,
The generated data is
It is composed of the information unique to the Web server and the generation time of the generated data.
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: A streaming content distribution method according to claim 11, or any one of claims 16 to 17,
The step of determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content,
If the generated data recorded by the Web server and the variable information reproduced and decoded in the reverse generation procedure match, it is determined that the streaming content is to be distributed, and the generated data recorded by the Web server and the decrypted If the variable information reproduced in the inverse generation procedure does not match, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not performed.
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. The streaming content distribution method according to claim 11, wherein
The variable information,
The Web server is configured by a selected character string selected from a group of character strings recorded in advance using a hash function,
A streaming content distribution method characterized by the above-mentioned. 20. The streaming content distribution method according to claim 11, wherein
The step of determining whether or not to distribute the streaming content,
If the decrypted variable information matches one of the character string groups included in the Web server, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is to be performed;
If the decrypted variable information does not match one of the character strings included in the Web server, it is determined that distribution of the streaming content is not performed.
A streaming content distribution system, characterized in that: A program for causing a computer to operate as the streaming content distribution system according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to operate as the streaming content distribution system according to claim 1 is recorded.

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