JP2009206535A - Content reproducing system and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new content reproducing system capable of improving an advertisement effect by always reproducing the latest advertisement while correlating a content with the advertisement, thereby increasing the distribution of the content. <P>SOLUTION: The content reproducing system includes a content providing means 2 for providing an encrypted content 20, an advertisement providing means 3 for providing advertisement information, a right imparting means 4 for providing decrypting key information for decrypting the encrypted content, and a client terminal 1 for reproducing the encrypted content. The client terminal 1 streaming-reproduces the advertisement information provided from the advertisement providing means 3 before reproducing the encrypted content 20, and reproduces the encrypted content 20 while decrypting it on condition that the reproduction of the advertisement information is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention performs streaming reproduction of advertisement information before reproducing encrypted content downloaded from a content providing unit such as a content server or encrypted content recorded on a recording medium such as a CD, and the reproduction of the advertisement information is completed. The present invention relates to a content playback system and a playback method that execute playback of encrypted content.

  As a first conventional technique for reproducing content and advertisement, there is a method of downloading content on condition that the advertisement is reproduced (Patent Document 1). In this case, when the information terminal requests to download the content, the advertisement is displayed in advance, and the content is downloaded when the advertisement display satisfies a predetermined condition.

In addition, as a second conventional technique for reproducing content and advertisement, there is one that reproduces content after reproducing an advertisement included in the content (Patent Document 2). This is to receive and record the content that contains the advertisement information and its attributes, determine whether or not to replace the advertisement based on the attribute information at the time of reproducing the content, and if necessary, obtain a new advertisement By reproducing the content after replacing the advertisement included in the content, the advertisement effect is improved by always viewing a fresh advertisement.
JP 2001-312652 A JP 2005-156996 A

  Since the first prior art downloads the content after the reproduction of the advertising information is completed, the content cannot be related to the content of the advertisement, and an advertisement that increases the distribution value of the content cannot be performed. There was a drawback. In other words, there is a drawback that it is not possible to increase sales by combining difficult-to-sell content with advertisements, or to promote content distribution by advertising. In the second prior art, since the advertisement information is recorded together with the content, the relation between the content and the advertisement is too strong contrary to the first prior art, so the advertisement is merely an attachment of the content. Since the value of the advertisement cannot be increased, there is a drawback that the distribution of the content cannot be promoted by the advertisement as in the first conventional technique. In addition, such content-embedded advertisements have a drawback that the rights of the advertisement information itself cannot be protected. Further, any of the conventional techniques has a drawback that the content cannot be easily distributed to others in order to protect the copyright, and the natural distribution of the content is hindered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a novel content reproduction system capable of improving the effectiveness of an advertisement by always reproducing the latest advertisement while associating the content with the advertisement, thereby promoting the distribution of the content. And Moreover, it aims at providing the content reproduction | regeneration system which can utilize the natural distribution between individuals.

  The content reproduction system according to claim 1 of the present invention is a content providing means for providing distribution information including encrypted content, an advertisement providing means for providing advertisement information, and a decryption of the encrypted content. And a terminal that reproduces content using a content reproduction driver, and the terminal performs streaming reproduction of the advertisement information provided from the advertisement provision unit before reproducing the content, Content reproduction is executed on condition that information reproduction is completed.

  In the content reproduction system according to claim 2 of the present invention, the distribution information includes advertisement information acquisition destination information, and the terminal accesses and acquires the advertisement providing means specified by the advertisement information acquisition destination information. The advertisement information is streamed and played back.

  In the content reproduction system according to claim 3 of the present invention, the distribution information includes key information acquisition destination information for decrypting encryption, and the terminal designates the key information acquisition destination information. The decryption key is obtained by using the decryption key obtained by accessing the right granting means.

  In the content reproduction system according to claim 4 of the present invention, for example, the content providing means includes content reproduction driver software, and the distribution information includes a function of installing the content reproduction driver software in the terminal. Features.

  In the content reproduction method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, content providing means for providing distribution information including encrypted content, advertisement providing means for providing advertisement information, encrypted content A content playback method in a content playback system comprising right granting means for providing key information for decryption and a terminal for playing back content using a content playback driver, the terminal from the content providing means Downloading the distribution information and starting the reproduction of the distribution information, the distribution information detects the presence or absence of a content reproduction driver in the terminal, and if there is no content reproduction driver, the content reproduction driver is The content playback driver installed in the terminal is included in the distribution information The information acquisition destination information is referred to, the decryption key is acquired from the right granting unit, the advertisement information acquired from the advertisement providing unit with reference to the advertisement information acquisition destination information is streamed, and the advertisement information is streamed When the content is completed, the encrypted content included in the distribution information is reproduced while being decrypted with the decryption key, and when the streaming is completed without being completed, the reproduction of the encrypted content is stopped. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the content playback system of the present invention, the latest advertisement can be always played back by streaming playback of the advertisement from the advertisement providing means different from the content providing means before playing back the content. Therefore, the advertising effect can be further increased. Further, since the reproduction of the advertisement is performed not by downloading but by streaming, the right of the advertisement information itself can be protected. In addition, since the content playback is not started unless the advertisement playback is completed, the content playback count and the advertisement playback count can be made the same, and the copyright of the content can be associated with the advertising fee. Part of the fee can be reliably paid to the copyright holder.

  According to the content reproduction system invention of claim 2 of the present invention, it is possible to associate the content with the advertising information. For example, a high advertising fee can be set for the content with large sales, so the content business is executed. There is an effect that is easy to do. Conversely, content with low sales can be distributed at a low charge or free of charge by combining the collection of advertising fees, and content distribution can be promoted.

  According to the content playback system invention of claim 3 of the present invention, since the decryption key can be updated at any time by the right granting means, the terminal has the same effect as using a so-called one-time password. There is an effect that the security effect can be improved.

  According to the content reproduction system invention of claim 4 of the present invention, the content reproduction driver software can be automatically installed in the terminal, so that the convenience for the user can be improved. In addition, since the content recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD can be easily reproduced, the recording medium can be easily transferred to a friend or the like, and the distribution of the content can be promoted.

  According to the content playback method invention of claim 5 of the present invention, the terminal downloads the distribution information from the content providing means and activates the playback of the distribution information. If the content reproduction driver does not exist, the content reproduction driver is installed in the terminal, and the content reproduction driver refers to the key information acquisition destination information included in the distribution information from the right granting unit. Acquire the decryption key, stream the advertisement information acquired from the advertisement providing means with reference to the advertisement information acquisition destination information, and when the streaming reproduction of the advertisement information is completed, the encrypted information included in the distribution information is encrypted. When the content is played while being decrypted with the decryption key and streaming playback ends without completion, the content is encrypted. Since the playback of content is stopped, the latest advertisement can always be played back by streaming the advertisement from an advertisement providing means different from the content providing means before playing the content. The effect can be further enhanced. Further, since the reproduction of the advertisement is performed not by downloading but by streaming, the right of the advertisement information itself can be protected. In addition, since the content playback is not started unless the advertisement playback is completed, the content playback count and the advertisement playback count can be made the same, and the copyright of the content can be associated with the advertising fee. Part of the fee can be reliably paid to the copyright holder.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the content reproduction system of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a client terminal for a user to play back content, and a personal computer can be used. Hereinafter, the client terminal is simply referred to as a client. Reference numeral 2 denotes content providing means for storing the distribution information 20 and providing content in response to a request from the client 1. A typical example is to use a content server, and the server type will be mainly described. The distribution information 20 includes encrypted content and a variety of other information, which will be described later. Reference numeral 3 denotes advertisement providing means for storing advertisement information and providing the advertisement information in response to a request from the client terminal 1, and typically uses an advertisement server. Reference numeral 4 denotes right granting means for storing right information 40 including a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted content and providing the right information 40 in response to a request from the client 1, and this also focuses on the server type. Explained. Details of the right information 40 will be described later.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a content generator that creates distribution information 20 including encrypted content and stores it in the content server 1. The distribution information 20 of the present invention includes various information such as encryption key acquisition destination information, advertisement information acquisition destination information, and playback driver automatic installation software in addition to the content. The distribution information 20 including these pieces of information is generated and stored in the content server 1 and the right information 40 including the decryption key information is stored in the right server 4. Here, an example is shown in which the content server 2 as the content providing means, the advertisement server 3 as the advertisement providing means, and the rights server 4 as the right information giving means are all configured by different servers, that is, different hardware devices. It is not limited to it. One server can be configured to include the content providing means 2, the advertisement providing means 3, and the right granting means 4. In short, it is sufficient if these means are functionally provided, and the present invention is not limited to a hardware configuration or a server installation position. 6 is a network, for example, the Internet is suitable, but is not limited thereto.

  When the client 1 acquires content from the content server 1 and reproduces it, the client 1 accesses the content server 1 via the network 6 to acquire distribution information 20 and activates the distribution information 20. Since the distribution information 20 includes advertisement information acquisition destination information for accessing the advertisement server 3, for example, the URL of the advertisement server 3, the client 1 accesses the advertisement server 3 to stream the advertisement. Since this reproduction condition is included in the right information 40 downloaded from the right server 4, it is checked whether or not the advertisement reproduction matching the reproduction condition has been performed, and if it is performed, it is included in the distribution information 20. The right server 4 is accessed based on the key information acquisition destination information to acquire a decryption key for decrypting the cipher, and the content encrypted with the decryption key is reproduced while being decrypted. For example, the URL of the right server 4 corresponds to the key information acquisition destination information. If the advertisement is not reproduced so as to satisfy the reproduction conditions, the reproduction of the content is stopped / terminated. The above is the case of downloading content from the content server 1, but the basic operation is the same when playing back a recording medium such as a DVD obtained from a friend or the like. In this case, advertisement information acquisition destination information, key information acquisition destination information, and encrypted content must be recorded in the recording medium.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the client 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a content reproduction driver (hereinafter referred to as a driver) for reproducing content, and reference numeral 12 denotes a protection area provided in the driver. The encrypted content is reproduced while being decrypted, but this processing is performed with the content included in the protected area 12. This is a measure for preventing the content being reproduced from being illegally acquired from a third party. In other words, since the content being played is not encrypted and played in a no-guard state, there is a risk that if the content being played is captured illegally, the content may be illegally copied. The decrypted content is played back in the protected area 12 where it is difficult to capture. The processing method relating to this is not the gist of the present invention, but for example, the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2005-215787 and 2005-227990 can be used.

  This driver can be downloaded from the content server 2, for example. Reference numeral 13 denotes a player for reproducing content, and various player software and Web browser software normally used in a personal computer can be used. Reference numeral 14 denotes an input / output unit, and 15 denotes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the client. The player 13 is general-purpose software, but performs operations specific to the present invention under the control of the driver 11. For example, it is possible to disable the fast forward and end functions during advertisement playback (typically, the fast forward button end button cannot be selected) so that the advertisement is always viewed to the end. In addition, the content file decrypted for reproduction may not be left in the client 1 to prevent unauthorized copying of the content or to prohibit the content file from being saved with another name. Further, the rights of the content can be protected by accessing the rights server 4 before the content reproduction and asking for the reproduction permission and allowing the reproduction only when the permission is obtained.

  FIG. 3 shows an operation procedure of the content reproduction method of the present invention. First, distribution information 20 including content to be reproduced is obtained (step S1). There are a method of obtaining it online from the content server 2 and a method of obtaining it from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD. Either case is included in the present invention. Here, the distribution information 20 is simply referred to as content. The client 1 activates the acquired content (step S2). Usually, the content icon is often double-clicked, but the activation method is not limited. When the content is activated, it is detected whether the content includes a driver in the client (step S3). If not included, the client 1 automatically accesses the driver storage destination address included in the content file, downloads the driver, and installs the driver (step S4). By automatically installing the driver without the help of the user, for example, even when the recording medium is transferred from an acquaintance, it can be easily reproduced. This is one feature of the present invention.

  The driver 11 in the client 1 reads the key information acquisition destination information included in the activated encrypted content, that is, the URL specifying the right server 4, and accesses the right server 4 based on the URL to decrypt the encryption. The right information 40 including the decryption key, the content reproduction condition, the advertisement reproduction condition, etc. is downloaded (step S5). If the content to be reproduced is illegal, or contains content that is not suitable for reproduction because of mistakes or inappropriate expressions, the right server 4 can prohibit the reproduction. As described above, based on the content playback condition included in the right information 40, the permission / non-permission of content playback is checked (step S6). If not permitted, the playback operation is terminated. Further, the playback operation is continued. In addition, when a problem occurs in the content file due to the cancellation of the processing at an intermediate stage as in the case of non-permission, the content can be invalidated.

  The content reproduction condition check can use not only the content reproduction condition included in the right information 40 but also a method of accessing the rights server 4 and receiving reproduction permission. When the reproduction operation is continued after obtaining the reproduction permission, the encrypted content to be reproduced is transferred to the protection area 12 of the driver (step S7). By operating the encrypted content within the protection area, it is possible to prevent the content being reproduced from being illegally captured and to protect the rights of the content. In addition, the rights of the advertisement information itself can be protected.

  Next, the player 13 for reproducing the content is activated (step S8), the URL of the advertisement server 3 which is the advertisement information acquisition destination information included in the distribution information 20 is read, and the advertisement server 3 is accessed to access the advertisement information. Is reproduced by streaming (step S9). Since the advertisement information is streamed instead of downloaded, the latest advertisement can be always played back, so that the advertising effect can be improved.

  It is checked whether or not advertisement streaming playback has been performed so as to satisfy predetermined advertisement playback conditions (step S10). If not satisfied, the content playback operation is stopped / terminated, and if satisfied, content playback is performed. Is performed (step S11). The advertisement reproduction condition check in step S10 is performed based on the advertisement reproduction condition downloaded from the right server 4 in step S5. Of course, it is not necessary to download each time of playback, and it is possible to use the advertisement playback conditions that have been acquired and stored in advance, but if the mode of downloading each time, the advertisement playback conditions can be changed at any time, Even more convenient.

  The reproduction of the content in step S11 is performed by reproducing the encrypted content stored in the protected area 12 of the driver with the player 13 while decrypting the encrypted content. For security reasons, it is preferable not to leave the decrypted content in the memory. desirable. Such a security measure is not the gist of the present invention, and an existing technique as described in, for example, JP-A-2005-215787 can be used.

  The functions of the driver 11 for executing the above operations are summarized as follows. The first is to control the player 13 to reproduce the encrypted content while decrypting it, and to erase the reproduced content without saving it.

  The second function is to store the encrypted content in the protected area 12 of the driver. This can prevent illegal capture of content after decryption.

  The third function is to invalidate the selection of the fast-forward button and the end button of the player 13 at the time of advertisement reproduction. As a result, the advertisement effect can be enhanced by preventing the advertisement from being skipped and reproducing only the content. In addition, when playing content, advertisements are always played, so the content can be associated with the advertisement, and the advertising fee can be paid to the content creators and copyright holders. Can be made.

  The fourth function detects whether or not application software that illegally captures the content being reproduced operates in the client 1 during reproduction of the decrypted content, and performs the operation of such software. If detected, the software is forcibly terminated. This technique has already been developed, and for example, a method described in JP-A-2005-227990 can be used.

  An example of the configuration of the distribution information 20 used in the present invention is shown in FIG. This is generated by the content generator 5 based on the content before encryption. The distribution information 20 includes content 21 obtained by encrypting content before encryption, control information 22 such as destination information for advertisement information acquisition and destination information for key information acquisition, and an execution program 23 for obtaining a driver. It goes without saying that the execution program 23 has driver acquisition destination address information. When the encrypted content 20 is activated on the client 1, the execution program 23 operates to check whether there is a driver in the client. If there is no driver, the driver acquisition address recorded in this program is set. Access to get and install the driver. Further, when reproducing the content, the control information 22 is referred to, the advertising information is streamed and the decryption key for decrypting the encrypted content 21 is obtained. The encrypted content 20 can be recorded on a recording medium or stored in the content server 2.

  An example of the configuration of the right information 40 used in the present invention is shown in FIG. 41 is a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted content, 42 is an advertisement playback condition, 43 is a content playback condition, and 44 is content playback control information. The decryption key 41 is generated in association with the encryption key used for content encryption. When using the common key encryption method, the same key as the encryption key is used, and the public key encryption method is used. When used, a key generated in a pair with an encryption key is used. The advertisement playback condition 42 indicates a condition for streaming playback of the advertisement before playback of the content, and the client 1 refers to this condition to determine whether the advertisement is normally played back. The content reproduction condition 43 includes conditions such as a content reproduction period and the number of times of reproduction, and contents for stopping reproduction when there is an error in a distributed file.

  Finally, the content generator 5 will be described. In the present invention, the configuration of the encrypted content 20 is a point, and the content generator generates a key for decrypting the content 20 and the encryption. That is, when the raw content before encryption is input, the content generator 5 generates an encryption key and a decryption key, and encrypts the raw content with the encryption key. The encrypted content 21 is generated. Further, the decryption key is stored in the right server 4 and the address of the right server 4 is used as the key information acquisition destination information, and the control information 22 is generated together with the advertisement information acquisition destination information that is the address of the advertisement server 3. To do. Further, the driver acquisition execution program 23 including the destination information of the server that stores the driver is generated, and the encrypted content 20 is generated by storing these information and stored in the content server 2, or a recording medium such as a DVD is stored. Generate.

  As described above, in the present invention, not only download from the Internet site but also a recording medium attached to a magazine or a recording medium distributed free of charge can be used for content distribution. It is also possible to copy and use encrypted content sent by email. You can also deliver the latest ads, and sell ads on an impression basis.

It is a system configuration of the present invention. It is a structure of the client of this invention. It is a content reproduction | regeneration procedure of this invention. It is a structure of the delivery information of this invention. It is a structure of the right information of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Client 2 Content server 3 Advertising server 4 Rights server 5 Content generator 6 Network 11 Driver 12 Driver protection area 13 Player 15 Control unit 20 Encrypted content 21 Encrypted content 22 Control information 23 Driver installation execution software

Claims (5)

Content providing means for providing distribution information including encrypted content, advertisement providing means for providing advertisement information, right granting means for providing key information for decrypting encrypted content, and content reproduction It consists of a terminal that plays content using a driver,
The content playback system characterized in that the terminal performs streaming playback of the advertisement information provided from the advertisement providing means before playing back the content, and executes playback of the content on condition that the playback of the advertisement information is completed. The distribution information includes advertisement information acquisition destination information,
The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal performs streaming reproduction of the advertisement information acquired by accessing the advertisement providing unit specified by the advertisement information acquisition destination information. The distribution information includes key information acquisition destination information for decrypting encryption,
2. The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal decrypts using the decryption key acquired by accessing the right granting unit designated by the key information acquisition destination information.   The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution information includes means for installing the content reproduction driver in the terminal. Content providing means for providing distribution information including encrypted content, advertisement providing means for providing advertisement information, right granting means for providing key information for decrypting encrypted content, and content reproduction A content playback method in a content playback system including a terminal that plays back content using a driver,
The terminal downloads the distribution information from the content providing means and activates reproduction of the distribution information,
The distribution information detects the presence or absence of a content playback driver in the terminal, and if there is no content playback driver, installs the content playback driver in the terminal,
The content reproduction driver refers to the key information acquisition destination information included in the distribution information, acquires the decryption key from the right granting unit, and acquires the advertisement information acquisition destination information from the advertisement providing unit. The ad information you have streamed,
When the streaming reproduction of the advertisement information is completed, the encrypted content included in the distribution information is reproduced while being decrypted with the decryption key. When the streaming reproduction is completed without being completed, the encrypted content is encrypted. A content reproduction method, wherein content reproduction is stopped.

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