JPWO2011104864A1 - Content distribution system and content distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a content distribution system that enables content to be distributed from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user. The authentication unit 112 performs user authentication based on a common ID input by an operation of each user device. The DL file DB 119 stores, for each user identified by the ID, a download history of content executed via the first device 14A that is logged in through user authentication. The DL file determination unit 113 has content already downloaded through the first device 14A by the same user identified by the ID in response to access through the second device 14B that logs in through user authentication. Is determined based on the download history. If there is already downloaded content, the DL file determination unit 113 permits the content to be downloaded again to the second device 14B. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system and a content distribution method for distributing content from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user.

  In a content distribution business that distributes content via a communication network, services targeting music and video have already become widespread, but in recent years, attention has been focused on services targeting electronic books. In addition, when the entry of existing publishers and the like increases and a large amount of excellent electronic books are provided together with or instead of printed materials, the electronic book market is expected to expand rapidly.

  A dedicated terminal device for browsing an electronic book or electronic book browsing software (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “electronic book viewer”) is currently available. Using a device having a communication function, for example, a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, or a smartphone in which an electronic book viewer is installed, the user downloads the electronic book from a so-called electronic book site, and downloads the electronic book. It can be enjoyed with an e-book viewer.

  Electronic books that can be downloaded from an electronic book site include books such as comics and novels, and paper media such as photo books that are digitized. Note that in this specification, electronic books are not limited to these, and include electronic books of newspapers, magazines, product catalogs, free papers, and the like provided by newspaper companies and publishers. .

  By the way, with the advent of the digital content era, for example, regarding the purchase of books, a shift from consumption of printed and bound products to consumption of the content itself intended to be transmitted by the book is realized. It looked like. However, looking at the current electronic book market, the content converted into a specific electronic file is viewed or played back only through the specific device that purchased the content (hereinafter collectively referred to as “viewing”). Only allowed). That is, in reality, a consumer of an electronic book, that is, a user, cannot browse an electronic book across a plurality of devices even if the user has a plurality of devices with different specifications for each purpose.

  These restrictions are intended primarily to prevent unauthorized copying of digital content and limit viewing even when copying content between multiple devices owned by the same purchaser. It was a thing. As a means to solve this problem, a method is proposed in which a content file is copied to a terminal having the same attribute, and when it is reproduced on the copy destination terminal, the electronic encryption key and the attribute of the terminal are collated to determine whether or not reproduction is possible. (Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-198116 A

  In the related art described in Patent Document 1, in order to copy an encrypted file of a specific format to a plurality of devices and browse the file, an environment for browsing the file on the copy destination device (a hardware platform and a device included in the device) Including internal requirements such as software platform and file browsing application, and external requirements such as standards for communication services provided by various communication providers and mobile phone service providers (hereinafter referred to as “carriers”) It is required that it is already provided. Therefore, the file can only be viewed between devices of a limited model adapted to a specific environment.

Therefore, one problem to be solved by the present invention is that a user has a plurality of devices having different specifications, and in the current situation where the user uses them according to the location and purpose, a plurality of different specifications are provided. By providing content across devices, the convenience of the user is improved and the distribution and use of the content is promoted.
That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution system and a content distribution method that enable content to be distributed from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user. .

In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution system of the present invention is a content distribution system for distributing content from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user,
A content distribution unit that distributes content data to the device in response to a download request from a first device or a second device connected to the content distribution apparatus via a communication network;
An authentication unit that executes user authentication based on a common ID input by operating each device;
A storage unit that stores a download history of content that is executed via the first device that is logged in through the user authentication for each user identified by the ID;
In response to access via the second device that logs in via the user authentication, the user determines whether there is content already downloaded via the first device based on the download history, and has already been downloaded A re-download control unit that permits re-downloading of the content to the second device being accessed,
It is characterized by having.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution system comprises:
The download via the first device is the first download of content with cost payment by the user, and the re-download via the second device is the download of content without cost payment by the user. Yes,
The download and re-download include transfer of a content file or stream data from the content distribution apparatus to the first or second device by the content distribution unit.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution system comprises:
The storage unit further stores, for each user identified by the ID, a numerical value that is a point or other numerical value that decreases in response to the first download accompanied by a cost payment by the user,
The system further includes a point update unit that executes a process of increasing the numerical value based on a result generating action via either the first device or the second device.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution system comprises:
The re-download control unit identifies characteristics of the second device, and permits re-downloading of only content files having a file format adapted to the identified characteristics.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution system comprises:
The storage unit further stores, for each content, period instruction information that indicates a period during which the content can be re-downloaded.
A period determination unit that determines whether or not a content re-download request via the second device satisfies the period;
When the period is satisfied, the re-download control unit permits re-downloading of the content to the second device.

Furthermore, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content distribution system includes:
The content distribution unit generates display data including a display unit indicating meta-information about re-downloadable content, and transmits the display data to the second device.

  According to the present invention, in response to access through the second device that logs in through user authentication, the user determines whether there is content already downloaded through the first device based on the download history, If there is downloaded content, the content is allowed to be re-downloaded to the second device being accessed. Therefore, for example, when the present invention is applied to an electronic book providing site, when there is an electronic book (content) that the user has already purchased through the first device, the electronic book (content) is passed through the second device. The user can be given the right to download again.

  Also, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the download via the first device is a point that is interchangeable with the cost (for example, service usage fee, content purchase unit price, usage fee or purchase unit price) by the user. Etc.), and the re-downloading via the second device can be a download of the content without a cost payment by the user. Therefore, for example, in an electronic book providing site to which the present invention is applied, a user adapts to a communication standard using a communication service of a certain communication standard (for example, a service of a specific mobile communication network provided by a specific carrier). When the electronic book has already been purchased through the first device, the user can use a communication service of another communication standard (for example, another mobile communication network service provided by another specific carrier, or ISP). (Internet connection service provided via (Internet Service Provider) or NSP (Network Service Provider)), the second device adapted to the communication standard is operated, and an e-book providing site with a common ID It is possible to log in to and browse the electronic book for free.

  Furthermore, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, for each user identified by the ID, a point or other numerical value that decreases in response to the first download with payment of the cost by the user. The process which memorize | stores and increases a numerical value is performed based on the result generation | occurrence | production act via either a 1st device or a 2nd device. Therefore, the user earns points by an act or event that occurs across multiple devices (for example, receives points at a time through membership registration with a rewarded advertisement, which will be described later, periodically when a member continues for a certain period of time) It is possible to provide a service in which the points can be used without distinction between devices.

  The above objects and advantages of the present invention and other objects and advantages will be more clearly understood through the following description of embodiments. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure about one Embodiment of the content delivery system 1 to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the content delivery system 1 in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process at the time of the first download of a content being performed via a 1st device among operation | movement of the content delivery system 1 in one embodiment of this invention. Of the operations of the content distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first download of content is performed via the first device, point addition processing is performed at a time through a so-called reward advertisement. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a processing flow. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the whole re-download process including the process which permits re-downloading of a content via a 2nd device among operation | movement of the content delivery system 1 in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process flow in the case of the point addition process being continuously performed through a reward advertisement among operation | movement of the content delivery system 1 in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the user's page ("MY page") screen of a content delivery service at the time of applying this invention in an electronic book provision site. It is a figure which shows the example of the re-download list page ("MY bookshelf" page) screen of a content delivery service at the time of applying this invention in an electronic book provision site.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a plurality of user devices including different models of mobile phones and smartphones installed with an electronic book viewer, and content including a Web server for providing electronic book data to the user devices An example in which the present invention is applied to a content distribution system in which a distribution apparatus is connected via a communication network will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a content distribution system 1 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 1 includes a content distribution device 11 (hereinafter, also referred to as “content distribution site”) configured from a Web server. An advertiser website (hereinafter referred to as an “advertiser site”) 12 that publishes an advertisement on a web page provided by the content distribution apparatus 11 is connected to the content distribution site 11 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. Yes. An ASP (Affiliate Service Provider) Web site (hereinafter referred to as “ASP site”) is connected to the content distribution site 11 and the advertiser site via the communication network 15. On the other hand, the user device 14A can establish communication with the content distribution apparatus 11 via the first communication network 15A. Similarly, each of the user devices 14B and 14C can establish communication with the content distribution apparatus 11 via the second communication network 15B.

  The content distribution device 11 distributes content data to the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C in response to a download request from each user device 14A, 14B, and 14C connected to the content distribution device 11 via the communication network 15. To do.

  The ASP site 13 is a predetermined result such as a user visiting a landing page (LP) of the advertiser site 12 linked to an advertisement posted on a Web page provided by the content distribution device 11 and registering as a member. When the occurrence action or event is reached, the content distribution apparatus 11 performs a process of increasing points managed for each user (referred to as points that are interchangeable with service usage fees or content purchase unit prices).

  Regarding user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C, in this embodiment, user device 14A is a mobile phone in which an electronic book viewer is installed, and user devices 1414B and 14C are smartphones in which another electronic book viewer is installed. These are connected to a communication network 15 such as the Internet via packet communication networks 15A and 15B of different carriers and service centers 16A and 16B capable of providing an Internet connection service. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, three user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C, two carrier packet communication networks 15A and 15B, and service centers 16A and 16B are illustrated. A user owns or uses four or more user devices with different characteristics (for example, two mobile phones, one smartphone, and one PC, etc.) and books across three or more different communication networks Note that the delivery service of the invention can be utilized.

  In the present invention, the type of user device, the type of electronic book viewer, and the file format of the electronic book are not particularly limited as long as they do not depart from the nature of the present invention. However, for convenience of description of the present embodiment, the user device 14A can establish communication with the content distribution apparatus 11 via the communication network 15A provided by the specific carrier A, but another specific carrier. It is assumed that communication cannot be established via the communication network 15B provided by B, and the user devices 14B and 14C, on the contrary, communicate with the content distribution apparatus 11 via the communication network 15B provided by the carrier B. However, it is assumed that communication cannot be established via the communication network 15A provided by the carrier A.

  In addition, each of the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C is a device having different characteristics, and the user device 14A browses a content file of a specific file format FA that is provided only on the carrier A network by streaming. The user devices 14B and 14C are provided with another electronic book viewer VB for browsing a content file of another specific file format FB provided only on the carrier B network by streaming. Is assumed to be installed. It is assumed that compatibility is not ensured between the content file of the file format FA and the content file of the file format FB.

  Each of the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C is equipped with a web browser capable of browsing web pages, and various web pages can be displayed on a display unit included in the user device by the function of the web browser. Web pages displayed by the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C include HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), Compact HTML, DHTML (Dynamic HTML), WML (Wireless Markup Language), and HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language). However, the present invention is not limited to these files. It should be noted that the various standards described above are merely examples, and the scope of application of the present invention naturally includes standards compliant with standards other than the above and standards that are expanded from the above standards in the present and future.

  The user operates the input unit included in the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C to move the displayed book page back and forth or display various menus by pressing various buttons on the electronic book viewer. Can be made. In addition, the user operates the input unit included in the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C, scrolls the web page, presses various buttons, executes various requests and commands, and displays characters and symbols in various input boxes. , Numbers and other information can be entered.

  The content distribution apparatus 11 includes a database (DB), a router, and a line termination unit (DSU) in addition to the Web server. Among these, the Web server includes a storage device such as a CPU, a ROM or a hard disk, an I / F unit such as a RAM and a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a communication control unit, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit. Can do. The CPU included in the Web server reads out the program stored in the storage device, develops and executes the program in the work area of the RAM, and controls each unit of the I / F unit, the communication control unit, the input device, and the display unit. .

  The communication network 15 already mentioned is, for example, the Internet, and may be configured to include various communication lines such as a dedicated line, a public telephone line, a satellite communication line, etc., various servers not shown, and the like. Not. Further, an Internet service provider (ISP) or a network service provider (NSP) may be interposed between the content distribution apparatus 11, the carrier service centers 16A and 16B, and the communication network 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the content distribution system 1. The components of the content distribution apparatus 11 configured from the Web server illustrated in FIG. 1 are incorporated in the functional configuration of the content distribution system 1 illustrated in FIG. Therefore, in the following description, the content distribution apparatus 11 is not described separately.
As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution system 1 includes a member determination unit 111, an authentication unit 112, a DL file determination unit 113, a re-DL period determination unit 114, a point update unit 115, a content distribution unit 116, a member DB 117, and a device DB 118. DL file DB 119, content data storage unit 120, and communication unit 122, which are connected to each other by a bus (system bus, USB, etc.).

  The content distribution system 1 is one computer or a computer group, and includes a CPU 211 and a storage device 212. The storage device 212, such as a hard disk (HDD) or memory (RAM), stores an OS (Operating System) and a program that causes a computer to execute content distribution processing unique to the present invention and related processing (hereinafter referred to as “distribution program”). By executing these programs, each unit including the member determination unit 111 to the content distribution unit 116, the member DB 117 to the content data storage unit 120, and the communication unit 122 is stored. Is controlled. Note that the member DB 117 and the content data storage unit 120 may be independent DB servers or data stores connected to the content distribution system 1.

Next, each part shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
The member determination unit 111 determines the membership of a user who has accessed the content distribution site via any of the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C, that is, determines whether the user has been registered as a member of the content distribution site. The member determination unit 111 receives a new member registration application from any of the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C, and executes a process of issuing a unique login ID and PASS pair to one user. This login ID is a common ID used in any of the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C.

  The authentication unit 112 performs user authentication based on a login ID input via any of the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C.

  In response to access via a second device (for example, user device 14B or 14C) that logs in through user authentication, the DL file determination unit 113 determines whether the user has It is determined whether there is content already downloaded through the first device (for example, user device 14A).

  The re-DL period determination unit 114 determines whether or not the content re-download request via the second device (for example, the user device 14B or 14C) satisfies a period during which the content can be re-downloaded. The period instruction information for instructing the re-download period is stored for each content in the DL file DB 119 as will be described later.

  The point update unit 115 is stored in the member DB 117 to be described later, based on a result generating action via either the first device (for example, the user device 14A) or the second device (for example, the user device 14B or 14C). Execute the process to increase the number of points. Further, as will be described later, the point update unit 115 executes a process of reducing the numerical value of points when the user first downloads content.

  The content distribution unit 116 responds to access from the user devices 14A, 14B, or 14C connected to the content distribution apparatus 11 via the communication network 15 and the communication network 15A or 15B, and the user devices 14A, 14B. In response to various commands transmitted by the user's operation in 14C, for example, data of various Web pages related to the content distribution service shown in a screen example of FIG.

Further, the content distribution unit 116, in response to a download request from the user device 14A, 14B, or 14C, the characteristics of the user device (for example, the model in the case of a mobile phone, the model in the case of a smartphone, and the installed software) In the case of a platform, a Web browser, and a PC, a content file in a file format that is adapted to the OS and the Web browser installed therein is read from the content data storage unit 120 and transmitted to the user device through the communication unit 122 described later. For example, in the present embodiment, a content file of the file format FA is read from the content data storage unit 120 for the user device 14A, and a content file of the file format FB is read from the content data storage unit 120 for the user devices 14B and 14C. Sent to the user device.
Note that the characteristics of the user device can be identified by using the identification name of the user agent passed to the content distribution site by the HTTP request header, for example, when accessing via the Internet. The distribution of the content data can be performed by transferring the content file or the stream data to the user device 14A, 14B, or 14C, but is not limited thereto.

  The member DB 117 stores identification information (UID) of users who are paying members of the content distribution site for each user. The member DB 117 stores a login ID and PASS pair unique to the user. Further, the member DB 117 stores the numerical value of the current point held by the user. In the content distribution service according to the present embodiment, when a user first downloads content, a predetermined number of points are required. This reduction in the number of points associated with the initial download corresponds to a cost payment.

  The device DB 118 stores the characteristics of a plurality of devices corresponding to a specific carrier and the file format information of content files that can be browsed on the devices having the characteristics in association with each other. In other words, information regarding which file format content file is adapted to the user device having which characteristic is held on the content distribution site side. The content distribution unit 116 reads the content file in a file format adapted to the characteristics of the device from the content data storage unit 120 with reference to this information.

  The DL file DB 119 stores the download history of content via each user device for each user identified by the ID. In addition, the DL file DB 119 can re-download the content downloaded by the user via the first device (for example, the user device 14A) via the second device (for example, the user device 14B or 14C). Period instruction information for instructing an appropriate period is stored for each content.

  The content data storage unit 120 stores various content files provided in the content distribution service. This content file is converted from the original content master into various file formats adapted to the characteristics of various devices. The file format of the content file (also called data format or format) is BIN, Adobe PDF, Adobe eBook, XMDF, Broad Band eBook, .book, ePub (Open Publication structure eBook), AZW (Amazon Kindle eBook), etc. There are various forms, but not limited to them. It should be noted that the various types described above are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention naturally includes the same types that are developed and improved in the present and future.

  The communication unit 122 receives various information transmitted in response to access via the user device 14A, 14B, or 14C, and various commands (for example, content) input by a user operation on the user device 14A, 14B, or 14C. Download request) from the user device 14A, 14B, or 14C. In addition, the communication unit 122 transmits data of various Web pages generated by the content distribution unit 116 to the user devices 14A, 14B, or 14C.

Next, the operation of the content distribution system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow when the first download of content is performed via the first device (for example, the user device 14A).

  With reference to FIG. 3, first, in step S101, the member determination unit 111 determines member registration of a user who has accessed the content distribution site via the first device (for example, the user device 14A). That is, identification information unique to the user (identification information unique to the user device or used by the user) received by the communication unit 122 in response to access via the first device (for example, the user device 14A) Whether it is identification information acquired from a carrier or an external site) is compared with the user identification information (UID) stored in the member DB 117 to determine whether or not the member has been registered. If the member is not registered, the process proceeds to step S103, where the member determination unit 111 accepts a new member registration application from the first device (for example, the user device 14A) and issues a unique login ID and PASS pair to the user. To do.

  Next, in step S104, when the login ID and the PASS are input via the first device (for example, the user device 14A), in step S105, the authentication unit 112 refers to the member DB 117 and stores the login ID. And user authentication. When the user authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S106, where the content distribution unit 116 generates download page display data and transmits it to the first device through the communication unit 122.

  In step S107, when an initial content download request is made via the first device (for example, the user device 14A), in step S108, the point update unit 115 refers to the member DB 117 and determines the current remaining points. Check if the value is greater than or equal to the point required for the first download of the content that has been requested to be downloaded. When the value of the current remaining point is equal to or greater than the point necessary for the first download, the process proceeds to step S109, and the content distribution unit 116, among the content files of various file formats stored in the content data storage unit 120, Determine which file fits the first device. In the next step S110, the download history of the content to be downloaded is written into the DL file DB 119, thereby executing an addition process to a re-download list (described later). Then, the content file in the adaptive file format (for example, the content file in the file format FA) is transmitted to the first device through the communication unit 122. In step S111, after the received content is browsed (for example, by the electronic book viewer VA mounted on the user device 14A), the log-out in step S112 is performed in the first device, whereby the processing is performed. Exit.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a processing flow in the case where the point is added at a time through a so-called reward advertisement when the content is first downloaded via the first device (for example, the user device 14A). It is a flowchart which shows an example.
The process from the login in step S201 to the check of the remaining points in S205 is the same as the process from steps S104 to S108 in the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S205, when the value of the current remaining point is less than the point required for the first download, the reward advertisement placed on the predetermined download page has been selected via the first device (step S205). In response to S206), the ASP site 13 issues a session ID and redirects access from the first device to the LP of the advertiser site 12 linked from the reward advertisement. The issued session ID is used for processing in the next steps S208 to S212.

  In step S208, when a user who has landed on the LP of the advertiser site 12 operates the first device to execute an admission (new member registration) request to the advertiser site, the advertiser site 12 receives the session ID. A member registration request including is transmitted to the service center 16A of the carrier A.

  In step S209, the authentication server of the carrier service center 16A receives the member registration request, requests the first device 14A to input a carrier password, and executes the authentication process. In addition, the charging server of the service center 16A of the carrier A receives the successful authentication and determines the charging process.

  In step S210, the ASP site 13 receives the result communication transmitted from the advertiser site 12 in step S210. Then, the ASP site 13 determines the value of the result reward Kickback for the result occurrence act of member registration in the advertiser site 12 (step S212), and the content distribution system 1 receives this through the communication unit 122 (step S213). . In step S214, the point update unit 115 adds the value of Kickback to the user's current point, and updates the value of the point stored in the member DB 117.

  After the point addition process is performed through the reward advertisement as described above, the process after the download request is made again (step S215 to step S220) is the same as the process from step S107 to S118 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed explanation is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of the entire re-download process including a process for permitting the content to be re-downloaded via the second device (for example, the user device 14B or 14C).
According to the flow shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, after the first download is performed via the first device (for example, the user device 14 </ b> A), the login ID and PASS are input via the second device in step S <b> 301. The In step S302, the authentication unit 112 refers to the member DB 117 and performs user authentication based on the login ID. If the user authentication is successful, in step S303, the DL file determination unit 113 refers to the download history stored in the DL file DB 119, and determines whether there is content that the user has already downloaded via the first device. If there is content downloaded through the first device, the content is permitted to be downloaded again through the second device. In step S304, the content distribution unit 116 includes a display unit that displays meta information (specifically, the title of the content, the author, the date of purchase of the content, etc.) regarding the content that is permitted to be downloaded again. Data for list display is generated and transmitted to the second device through the communication unit 122.

  In step S305, on the second device (for example, user device 14B or 14C), a redownload list including a list of redownloadable contents is displayed on the MY page. In subsequent step S306, when a redownload request is made for a certain content in the redownload list by an operation by the second device, the process proceeds to step S307 without checking the remaining points, and the re-DL period determination unit 114 Check the redownload period for the content. This re-download period can be arbitrarily determined, for example, a predetermined period (for example, one year) from the date when the content is first downloaded (that is, the date of purchase of the content). In the present embodiment, the re-DL period determination unit 114 finally permits re-downloading of content to the second device only when the re-download period is satisfied. However, in the present invention, the re-download period check is optional and may be omitted. Note that the user may be allowed to extend the re-download period on condition that the user has paid the cost and re-downloaded the content within the re-download period. This re-download record needs to be stored in the DL file DB 119, so that the date of the last re-download at the cost (the last purchase date of the content) is regarded as the first download date. Can do.

  Next, the process proceeds from step S307 to step S308, and the content distribution unit 116 determines a file suitable for the second device among the content files in various file formats stored in the content data storage unit 120. Then, the content file in the adaptive file format (for example, the content file in the file format FB) is transmitted to the second device through the communication unit 122. In step S309, the second device browses the received content (for example, by the electronic book viewer VB installed in the user device 14B or 14C), and then logs out in step S310. The process is terminated.

  As described above, when there is a file (target file) that has been downloaded through the first device, the user is permitted to re-download in the re-download list of the MY page received through the second device. The meta information of the file is displayed, but if there is no such target file, it is not displayed. Therefore, the user can view the re-download list, arbitrarily select content permitted to be re-downloaded via the second device, and enjoy the re-download.

In the above embodiment, the case where points are added at a time through reward advertisements has been described with reference to FIG. 4. However, the points may be continuously added through reward advertisements.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow when the point addition processing is continuously performed through the reward advertisement.

  In step S401, the billing server of the service center 16A of the carrier A outputs monthly continuator information. This is a list of UIDs of billing users created by the carrier and provided to the advertiser site 12. The advertiser site 12 collates the information acquired from the carrier with the member UID held by itself and outputs the organized monthly continuation information to the ASP site 13 (steps S402 and S403). The ASP site 13 inputs the monthly continuation information acquired from the advertiser site 12, determines the continuation, and transmits the continuation result to the content distribution site (steps S404 to S406). Based on the “kickback URL” HTTP-communicated from the ASP site 13, the content distribution system 1 receives the fact of continuous membership (continuous result) (step S407). In the content distribution system 1, when the continuation point grant is confirmed through the status check of the member (final check on whether or not to withdraw), the point update unit 115 adds the point to the current point and stores it in the member DB 117. The value of the current point is updated (steps S408 and S409). The current point value can be confirmed on any of the user devices 14A, 14B, or 14C. Further, in the present embodiment, the temporary points related to the membership through the user device 14A and the continuation points related to the continuous membership can be configured to be usable also through the user device 14B or the user device 14C. .

  Next, a configuration example of a main page of the content distribution service when the present invention is applied to an electronic book providing site will be described with reference to FIGS. The display data for the page screen is generated by the content distribution unit 116 and transmitted to the user devices 14A, 14B, or 14C through the communication unit 122.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a user's page (“MY page”) screen of the content distribution service when the present invention is applied to an electronic book providing site. The MY page includes a menu display unit 704 including a page point 701, a current point value 702, and a link 703 to a re-download list page ("MY bookshelf" page) shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a re-download list page (“MY bookshelf” page) screen when the user clicks the link 703 shown in FIG. The MY bookshelf page is followed by a page title 801, and a display unit 802 showing meta information about the re-downloadable content (specifically, the title 803 of the electronic book, the author 804, the purchase date 805, and the re-download period 806). It is composed of

  For example, the MY bookshelf page accessed and browsed to the electronic book site using the second device (for example, the user device 14B or 14C) is passed through the first device (for example, the user device 14A). The meta information of the electronic book downloaded in this manner is displayed on the display unit 802. Therefore, the user operates the second device and clicks on the thumbnail image or title of the electronic book, so that the electronic book can be downloaded. You can re-download it from the site and enjoy it.

In the above embodiment, the member determination unit 111 makes the member determination. However, when the carrier or an external site can be referred, a part of the processing of the member determination unit 111 may be omitted.
In addition, the example in which the user devices 14A, 14B, and 14C are mobile phones or smartphones has been described. Product name)). Further, it may be a device having the same type of communication function that is currently being developed or will be developed in the future.

  As described above, according to the present invention, with respect to digital content such as an electronic book, a form optimized for each device among a plurality of playback devices with different specifications possessed by users assuming different usage scenes. Thus, the content can be reproduced and viewed, and the consumption of the master content originally intended by the user can be realized while clearing copyright issues such as illegal copying.

  As described above, the embodiments have been illustrated with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and changes may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention or without damaging it. It is possible to add.

  The present invention promotes the distribution and use of electronic books through electronic book sites and other content distribution sites, greatly contributes to the activation of the electronic book market, and has a great contribution to industrial development.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content distribution system 11 Content distribution site 14A, 14B, 14C User device 15, 15A, 15B Communication network

Claims (12)

A content distribution system for distributing content from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user,
A content distribution unit that distributes content data to the device in response to a download request from a first device or a second device connected to the content distribution apparatus via a communication network;
An authentication unit that executes user authentication based on a common ID input by operating each device;
A storage unit that stores a download history of content that is executed via the first device that is logged in through the user authentication for each user identified by the ID;
In response to access via the second device that logs in via the user authentication, the user determines whether there is content already downloaded via the first device based on the download history, and has already been downloaded A re-download control unit that permits re-downloading of the content to the second device being accessed,
A content distribution system comprising: The content distribution system according to claim 1,
The download via the first device is the first download of content with cost payment by the user, and the re-download via the second device is the download of content without cost payment by the user. Yes,
The content distribution system, wherein the download and re-download include transfer of a content file or stream data from the content distribution device to the first or second device by the content distribution unit. The content distribution system according to claim 2, wherein
The storage unit further stores, for each user identified by the ID, a numerical value that is a point or other numerical value that decreases in response to the first download accompanied by a cost payment by the user,
The content distribution system further comprising: a point updating unit that executes a process of increasing the numerical value based on a result generating action through either the first device or the second device. The content distribution system according to claim 1,
The content distribution system, wherein the re-download control unit identifies characteristics of the second device, and permits re-downloading of only content files having a file format adapted to the identified characteristics. The content distribution system according to claim 1 or 2,
The storage unit further stores, for each content, period instruction information that indicates a period during which the content can be re-downloaded.
A period determination unit that determines whether or not a content re-download request via the second device satisfies the period;
When the period is satisfied, the re-download control unit permits re-downloading of the content to the second device. The content distribution system according to claim 4, wherein
The content distribution system, wherein the content distribution unit generates display data including a display unit indicating meta-information about re-downloadable content and transmits the display data to the second device. A content distribution method for distributing content from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user,
Executing user authentication for a first device or a second device connected to a content distribution apparatus via a communication network based on a common ID input by an operation of each device;
Storing a content download history, which is executed via the first device logged in via the user authentication, for each user identified by the ID;
Determining, based on the download history, whether the user already has content downloaded via the first device in response to an access via a second device logging in via the user authentication;
Authorizing re-downloading of the content to the accessing second device if there is already downloaded content;
In response to a redownload request from the second device, transmitting content data of the content permitted to be redownloaded to the second device;
A content distribution method characterized by comprising: The content distribution method according to claim 7, wherein
The download via the first device is the first download of content with cost payment by the user, and the re-download via the second device is the download of content without cost payment by the user. Yes,
The content distribution method, wherein the download and re-download include transfer of a content file or stream data from the content distribution apparatus to the first or second device. The content distribution method according to claim 8, wherein
Storing, for each user identified by the ID, a point or other numerical value that decreases in response to the first download accompanied by a cost payment by the user;
And a step of executing a process of increasing the numerical value based on a result generating action via either the first device or the second device. The content distribution method according to claim 7, wherein
The content distribution method further comprising the step of identifying characteristics of the second device and permitting re-downloading of only a content file having a file format adapted to the identified characteristics. The content distribution method according to claim 7 or 8,
Storing period instruction information for instructing a period during which content can be downloaded again for each content;
Determining whether a re-download request for content via the second device satisfies the period; and
Permitting re-downloading of the content to the second device if the period is satisfied. The content distribution method further comprising: A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a content distribution method for distributing content from a content distribution apparatus across a plurality of devices owned or used by a user,
Executing user authentication for a first device or a second device connected to a content distribution apparatus via a communication network based on a common ID input by an operation of each device;
Storing, for each user identified by the ID, a content download history executed via the first device logged in through the user authentication;
Determining, based on the download history, whether there is content that the user has already downloaded via the first device in response to access via the second device logging in via the user authentication;
If there is already downloaded content, permitting the content to be re-downloaded to the accessing second device; and permitting the re-downloading in response to a re-download request from the second device A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the step of transmitting the content data of the content thus obtained to the second device.

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