JP2002238041A - Contents distribution system, device and method, storage means and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents distribution system that can charge useful and rational charging for both the viewer and delivery sides. SOLUTION: A user uses a remote controller 210 to operate a set-top box placed at user side and connects the set-top box to a server 100, that stores and distributes digital contents. Then the user selects desired contents and stores the selected contents to its storage device. Then a list of stored contents and starts reproduction of desired contents are made to be displayed. The system applies charging processing to the reproduction on the basis of its reproduction mode, if it is a first reproduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content distribution system, a content distribution system, a content distribution method, a storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of television broadcasting, a broadcasting station determines a program to be broadcast and a time zone, regardless of the user's preference and convenience.

On the other hand, in the case of video rental, software can be selected according to one's own preference, and can be watched at a convenient time within a predetermined period.

[0004]

However, even if you go to a rental shop, there are cases where the target software is being rented out, and it is not always possible to borrow the software. Even if you can borrow it, you can listen to it for a few minutes and pay the same rental fee as if you watched the entire content, even if you did not like it.

[0005] In view of this point, it is only necessary to look at the highlights of the software and then rent it, but in order to respond to this, the facilities on the shop side are required, and the burden on the shop side is heavy. Indeed, there is also a problem of installation space.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is useful for both viewers and distributors.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a content distribution system, apparatus, method, and storage medium that can perform reasonable charging.

[0007]

To solve this problem, for example, a content distribution system according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a content distribution system including a content distribution server that stores and distributes digital content data such as a movie, and a terminal that is installed on a user side and that receives and reproduces content received from the content distribution server. The distribution server includes a content database that stores a plurality of digital content data to be distributed, and a transmission unit that transmits digital content data in response to a request from the terminal to the terminal. Connecting means for connecting, content requesting means for selecting desired digital content data and requesting transmission of the selected digital content data, and receiving digital content data transmitted by the transmitting means of the content distribution server; , Comprises holding means for holding the constant storage means, and reproducing means for reproducing the digital content data held in said holding means.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram in the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a server installed on the side of a provider of contents (movies or the like), which is constituted by a workstation or a PC in terms of hardware. However, in an external storage device (for example, a large-capacity hard disk) connected to the server 100,
As shown in the figure, a viewer table 101 for storing information about viewers registered as members, and a work database 10 for storing and managing digitized work information such as movies.
2, and a billing table 103 for holding billing contents for each user is provided. The viewer table 101 stores, for example, information unique to the set-top box, such as an account number for debiting the fee of a member registered as a viewer, and past trial history information.

On the other hand, a viewer (user) side is provided with a normal television device (hereinafter simply referred to as a television) 300,
A set-top box 200 (details will be described later) is provided. The set-top box 200 includes a digital network interface to communicate with the server 100 via a network (for example, the Internet), and reproduces received digital content.
A terminal for outputting the signal to the television 300 is provided. Also, a receiving (light receiving) element 201 for receiving a signal (for example, an infrared signal) from the remote controller 210 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the set-top box 200 in the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, and 2 denotes, for example, a CPU 1 shown in FIGS.
Is a ROM storing the operation processing procedure. Such R
Loading the contents of the OM from the external storage device to the RAM,
It may be executed by a CPU. Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 1, and reference numeral 4 denotes a hard disk for storing received contents and the like. 5 is remote control 2
This is a remote control interface for receiving a signal from the remote controller 10, and has an infrared sensor built in as described above. Reference numeral 6 denotes an interface for connecting to a network, and reference numeral 7 denotes a decoder for decoding received content (for example, compressed video data according to MPEG2). Reference numeral 8 denotes a display control unit having a video memory (VRAM) therein. Reference numeral 9 denotes a display output unit having a function of converting a video signal output from the display control unit 8 into an analog signal for output to the television 300. An audio output unit 10 mainly converts an audio signal decoded by the decoder 7 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal. In the above configuration, instruction input (including character input, etc.) from the viewer is performed by the remote controller 2.
The information is provided to the viewer by video and audio output by the television 300.

The connection between the set-top box 200 and the network 400 may be of any type, but it is desirable that the communication speed be high and that the connection be always possible (for example, cable connection).

Next, a specific operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described. It should be noted that the remote controller 210 is provided with a key group for performing cursor movement, a selection key, an enter key, and an intro key, in addition to the key group for inputting characters by e-mail or the like. I do.

FIG. 3 shows an initial screen (information constituting this screen is stored in the HDD 54) by the set-top box 200. In the figure, “new borrowing” indicates that a new work (movie or the like) is to be borrowed from the server 100, and “borrowing list” is for displaying a list of contents already rented ( Replay is also performed here).
It goes without saying that "mail" and "browser" are explained. “Details” is a mode for displaying a usage statement of rentals for this month and the previous month (details will be described later).

After the cursor 30 is moved to the “new borrowing” position on the screen, when the enter button is pressed, connection to the server 100 via the network 400 is established. However, in order to prohibit a general terminal (a personal computer or the like) from accessing the server 100, information unique to the device is stored in the set-top box 200 in advance, and registered in the server 100 at the time of connection. After the member ID and password (registered in the HDD) are transmitted and collated, the information unique to the device is transmitted, so that the final authentication process is performed.

When the connection to the server 100 is made, the viewer operates the remote controller 210 to select a target work (content) from a list of works that the server 100 can provide. Become. In the embodiment, the target content is selected in order from the genre.

FIG. 4 shows an initial screen when connected to the server (a screen displayed according to information sent from the server). On the left side of the display screen, "sports", "movie: suspense horror",. On the right side, a brief explanation and the number of contents (number of works) possessed by the server are displayed. At the right end, a button for selecting one of the genres is displayed. The operator
The selection is made using a cursor movement key and an enter button provided on the remote controller 210.

For example, after operating a cursor moving key to highlight a "select" button of "sports",
When the enter button is pressed, a list of contents associated with the genre “sports” can be displayed as shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, since there are many contents, a scroll bar is provided at the right end of the screen. Each content is provided with a check box, a title, remarks, a basic price, and an intro screen field for selecting each content in order from the left.

In the initial state, one line at the top ("98 World Cup Soccer Final") is selected (displayed with different display colors for other lines) due to the operation with the remote control. The selection target can be changed in the downward direction by operating the cursor movement keys. When the selection key of the remote controller 210 is pressed in the selected state, a check mark is added to the check box of the corresponding content (in the figure, "98 World Cup Soccer Final").

When the intro play button of the remote controller 210 is pressed in the selection state of FIG. 5, the display color of "intro screening" displayed on the corresponding content is changed, and the intro portion is started to be downloaded from the server. It is played back (in the case of only the intro, it is excluded from billing in the embodiment).

In the state shown in the figure, if the cursor is moved to "OK" and the OK button on the remote controller 210 is pressed,
The corresponding content is downloaded and the HDD 4
Is stored as a file.

Returning to the explanation, when "borrowing list" is selected on the display screen of FIG. 3, a list of files stored in the HDD 4 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (in the case of FIG. This indicates that the content is stored in the HDD 4).

Each content can be borrowed for a predetermined period of time (in the embodiment, 7 days as in the case of normal video rental) after being downloaded. Was displayed.

Now, "98 World Cup Soccer Final"
Is moved and the cursor 30 is determined, and the selection screen of the trial listening mode shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In the case of this example, the listening mode includes “basic mode”, “highlight mode 1”,
This is an example in which there are three “highlight modes 2”.
The “basic mode” means that the entire content is reproduced, and is a preview mode common to all works. "Highlight scene 1", "Highlight scene 2"
Each of them extracts a part of the content and reproduces it. The difference is that the latter has less number of excerpts and the time is shorter than the former. Such a difference appears in the amount of billing. Further, when selecting the trial listening mode, the accounting allows the reproduction to be performed any number of times within the limited number of times during the rental period (for example, one week).

FIG. 7 shows that "highlight mode 1" has been selected in all of the trial listening modes without trial listening yet. In this state,
When the enter button is pressed, a connection is made to the server 100,
A charging process is performed (in the illustrated case, a charging of 200 yen), and the highlight scene of the content is reproduced.

Next, when this screen is displayed again next time, since the charging has already been completed for the "highlight mode 1", the price column shown in the figure is displayed as "0" and the number of times of limitation is also set to "0". "No more than twice" is displayed.

As can be seen from the above description, the billing process is not performed only by downloading the content.
That is, billing is performed only after the reproduction mode is performed. It is also important to delete the downloaded file from the HDD 4 when the rental period has passed.

Therefore, in the embodiment, when the screen of FIG. 6 is displayed, the time stamp (information indicating the download date and time) of the file stored in the HHD 4 is checked. Now deletes the file and then lists it.

Next, FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of a file downloaded from the server according to the embodiment, which will be described.

As shown in the drawing, one content (movie such as a movie) is uniquely managed by the server, and which piece of information is exchanged with each other when communicating with the set-top box. , The title of the work (corresponding to the “work name” displayed on the screen in FIG. 5), the description (the “remarks” in FIG. 5 correspond), and the viewing modes 1 to 3 It consists of data and actual work data.

Since the data format corresponding to each viewing mode is the same, only one of them is shown in the figure. As the data structure, the viewing mode name (the character string displayed in the “viewing mode” field shown in FIG. 7), the description (the character string displayed in “description” in FIG. 7), the price, the number of times ( A reproduction flag (information indicating whether or not reproduction is being performed, details of which will be described later), a reproduction pointer (a pointer indicating to which position (frame number) reproduction has been performed, details will be described later), It consists of a range of frames to be reproduced and fields of a code EOB indicating the end of the viewing mode.

For example, in the case of the "basic mode" in the viewing mode in FIG. 7, a character string "basic mode" is stored in the field of "viewing mode name" in FIG. Similarly, "Description" is a character string of "Watch through the entire game", "Price" field is "250" (yen),
The "number of times" field stores "2", and the field for storing the frame number to be reproduced stores the first frame number and the last frame number.

The data of the viewing mode corresponding to "highlight mode 1" in FIG. 7 can be easily understood from the above. However, in the highlight mode, since a scene is displayed in a discrete manner, the frames to be reproduced are, for example, 00001-100000, 00100
... 00150,..., And a plurality of sections to be reproduced are stored by being separated by predetermined delimiters.

The highlight mode 2 in FIG.
Is substantially the same as the highlight mode 1. The difference is that the number of scenes to be reproduced, the time, and the price are different. Although there are three types of viewing modes shown in the figure, they are independent for each content.

Now, the user selects the viewing mode of the borrowed content (downloaded content) on the display screen of FIG. 7 and starts playback. In the case of the first playback in the viewing mode, In other words, the set-top box 200 operates as follows.

First, a connection is made to the server 100 via the network 400, and the ID of the content to be reproduced and the amount of the reproduction are notified to the server through the above-described authentication processing. In response to this, the server 100 performs a billing process for the user, and notifies the set-top box 200 of a playback permission notification. Upon receiving this notification, the set-top box turns on the reproduction flag in the corresponding viewing mode in the data file of the content and starts reproduction. The accounting process in the server 100 will be briefly described.
This is a process of adding the ID, name, and amount of the content to a detailed list provided for each user in the system, for example, once a month in a financial period having an account of the user.

When the same content is reproduced in the same viewing mode for the second time, the reproduction flag is ON, so that the reproduction is performed without connecting to the server 100. In other words, the connection to the server 100 is made when the viewing mode in which the reproduction flag is turned off is selected.

In order to allow the reproduction to be temporarily stopped and the reproduction to be resumed during the reproduction, when a pause instruction is received from the remote controller 210, the current reproduction is stopped. The frame number is stored in the “playback pointer” for the viewing mode, and the continuous play button (remote control 2
Is operated, playback is performed from that frame onward (or a position that is a predetermined number of frames before the corresponding frame).

Further, the reproduction pointer is cleared when the reproduction of all the frames to be reproduced in the viewing mode is completed, or when the user gives an instruction to abandon the reproduction from the temporary stop. In either case, the process of reducing the number in the “number of times” field in the viewing mode by “1” is also performed at this time.

Also, during the rental period, there may be a case where the user views the content only the permitted number of times and wants to view the content again. In this case, it is possible to perform a procedure for increasing the permitted number of times in each viewing mode by “1”.

More specifically, in the state shown in FIG.
, The user selects a viewing mode (indicating that the allowable number of times of reproduction has been completed) in which “within 0 times” is displayed in the column of “”, and instructs the remote controller 210 to perform a reproduction process. As a result, the set-top box 200 is connected to the server 100, and notifies the ID of the corresponding content and the viewing mode. As a result, the server transmits "1" as the viewable number and the amount data, and stores them in the "number" field and the "amount" field of the corresponding content in the corresponding viewing mode. The amount to be stored is, for example, a fraction of the normal rental fee. The user is already very recent (within 7 days)
This is because the content is watched first.

In order to realize the items described above, the processing procedure of the CPU 1 in the set-top box 200 in the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, in step S1, the processing screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and in step S2, the user is caused to select. When "browser" is selected, step S3
Proceed to and start the Internet browser (program). If "mail" is selected, the process proceeds to step S4 to activate a mailer (program).
Since the browser and the mailer are known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When "new borrowing" is selected, the process proceeds to step S5, where connection is made to the server 100, authentication is performed in step S6, and selection and download of desired contents are performed in steps S7 and S8. Do.

On the other hand, if the "borrowing list" is selected, the process proceeds to step S9. FIG. 10 shows the details of step S9.

First, the process proceeds to step S11, where HD
The time stamp (download date and time) of the content downloaded to D4 is checked, and the rental period (7 days in the embodiment is set, but it may be other than this or may be determined independently for each content). Delete content. Then, the process proceeds to step S12 to display a list of contents that have not been deleted (see FIG. 6). Then, a desired one of the displayed contents is selected (step S13). As a result, a view mode selection screen (FIG. 8) for the content is displayed. In step S14, the user is prompted to select a desired view mode.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15, in which it is determined whether or not the reproduction flag corresponding to the selected viewing mode is ON, that is, whether or not the downloading is the first viewing.

If the reproduction flag is ON (first viewing), the flow advances to step S16 to connect to the server 100 and perform an authentication process. Next, in step S18, the server 100 notifies the server 100 of the ID of the content to be viewed, the amount of the viewing mode, and a command indicating viewing, and causes the server 100 to perform a charging process.
Receives a command indicating a playback permission notification from. Upon receiving this notification command, the process proceeds to step S19,
The reproduction of the corresponding viewing mode of the corresponding content is started. During the reproduction in step S19, the user is free to pause or resume.

When the reproduction of all the reproduction objects in the designated viewing mode is completed, the process proceeds to step S19,
The “number of times” field in the content viewing mode is reduced by “1”, the reproduction pointer is cleared to zero, and the process ends (return to step S1 in FIG. 8).

On the other hand, if the playback flag for the viewing mode to be played back is in the ON state in step S15, the process proceeds to step S21, where the "number of times" field of the viewing mode is checked, and it is set to "0". It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that it is not “0”,
It is determined that the reproduction is valid, and step S19
Proceed to. At this time, if the reproduction pointer is other than “0”, it is determined that reproduction is to be continued, and reproduction is performed from that position (frame number).

If the “number of times” field is “0”, it means that the user has already viewed the account for the charge and still wants to view it again. Connecting. Then, in step S23, a request is made to add the corresponding content ID and viewing mode, and further, the number of times of viewing. Server 100
Will notify you of the amount you have watched for that content,
"1" is set in the "number of times" field of the pertinent viewing mode of the content, the amount of the notification is set in "price", the reproduction flag of the viewing mode is turned off, and the process is terminated. .

As apparent from the above description, the processing on the server 100 side checks the validity of the set-top box that has made the connection request, and further performs processing (content list display, content Download, billing processing, etc.), which can easily be inferred from the processing contents of the set-top box described above. However, the accounting process will be slightly described as follows.

When "Details" is selected on the display screen of FIG. 3, a command for instructing the server 100 to transfer the usage details is issued to the server 100 after connection and authentication, and the user's current month and last month are issued. And have it transferred, and display it.

In the present embodiment, in order to encourage users to use the present system, the total amount charged in the last month is divided into several stages, and the amount is divided into stages and returned to use in the next month. I did it. For example, the use of this month is exempted from 500 yen.

For this information, the user can confirm that "details" in FIG. 3 is selected and displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Unlike conventional rental video shops, it becomes possible to borrow desired contents such as movies while staying at home. In addition, even if a certain content is viewed, it is possible to meet the needs such as wanting to know only the outline, and it is also possible to set a reasonable price for that purpose. Also, in the streaming method, if the user leaves the seat while watching, the scene (program) between them will be missed, but in the present embodiment, the content is temporarily downloaded to the hard disk, and the content is continued from the middle. Such a problem does not occur because reproduction is possible. In addition, since the past rental history is returned to the user, it is possible to give satisfaction to the user who has a high usage rate.

<Second Embodiment> In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a set-top box for performing the operation of the above-described first embodiment is installed on the user side. It may be realized by a computer.

The problem here is the security problem in the case where the same thing as the first embodiment is realized by the personal computer. This is because a downloaded content file can be copied on a personal computer.

First, when connecting to the server 100, the content cannot be downloaded unless the user is a registered user. This is possible with existing technology.

Second, the server 100 encrypts the content so that it cannot be reproduced unless a specific reproduction program is used.

Third, at the time of reproduction by the reproduction program, a process for connecting to the server 100 is performed in the program, and after the authentication procedure, permission for reproduction is obtained. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the connection to the server 100 is described only when the reproduction is performed in the first viewing mode. However, the connection is performed every time the reproduction is performed.

In this way, even if the downloaded file is copied and the reproduction program is copied, it cannot be reproduced unless the server 100 is authenticated, and the copyright can be protected. .

In the embodiment, the content to be reproduced by the server 100 is a content such as a movie. However, the data size is large due to its nature. Therefore, the transfer speed at the time of connection with the server 100 is not realistic with a normal modem, and a high-speed communication network such as a cable connection is required. Inevitably, the interface is performed through an Ethernet (registered trademark) card or the like.
At 00, the MAC address of the network card installed in the user's personal computer is registered, the MAC address is embedded and encrypted in the content data when downloading, and the MAC address matches when reproducing. Whether or not reproduction is possible may be determined depending on whether or not to perform.

<Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the accounting process is performed on the server side has been described.
In the third embodiment, an example in which a prepaid system is adopted will be described.

For simplicity of explanation, as in the first embodiment, the description will be made assuming that a set-top box is installed on the user side.

FIG. 11 shows, for example, an item “Purchase of prepaid card” provided on the initial screen of FIG. 3. When these items are selected, they are displayed based on the information sent from the server 100 after authenticated connection to the server 100. It is easy to understand if you think of it as a screen that is

In the case shown in the figure, there are three types of cards, and the user selects a desired card among them and designates a purchase button. For example, in the case shown in the figure, when the card (S) (1000-yen card) is purchased, at that stage, the server 100 is charged, and stored in a predetermined area in the HDD 4 in the set-top box 200. The amount of the purchased card is equal to the remaining balance (1200 yen in this case because it is equivalent to 1200 yen)
Is added.

The processing related to the download of the contents may be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The difference is the billing process when the content is reproduced. Specifically, the connection processing in step S16 in FIG. 10 becomes unnecessary, and in step S17, the charge amount for the designated viewing mode may be reduced from the remaining balance in the HDD. In addition,
The processing in step S22 may be left as it is, and the presentation of the amount of additional viewing may be received from the server.

When the viewing mode is selected in step S14, if the amount required for viewing exceeds the amount of the unpaid balance, the viewing cannot be performed (displayed in gray to clearly indicate that it cannot be selected). To Further, when there is a viewing mode that cannot be selected, a message prompting the purchase of a prepaid card may be displayed. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the information relating to the prepaid amount is stored in the device on the user side, but it may be provided on the server side. That is, a virtual prepaid account is provided on the server side, and the amount of the purchased prepaid card is added to the account. The server only needs to perform the charging process for the user when purchasing the prepaid card, so that the procedure for the financial institution can be simplified.

Further, in the above embodiment, the server has been described by taking a movie as an example of a content to be distributed, but for example, only audio information may be used.

In order to realize the above embodiment,
Although appropriate hardware is required, many can be implemented by software. In other words, the present invention is not limited to only the apparatus and method for realizing the above-described embodiment and the method for performing the method described in the embodiment in combination, but the computer (CPU or MPU) in the above-described system or apparatus. ) Is supplied with software program codes for realizing the above-described embodiment, and the computer of the system or the apparatus operates the various devices according to the program code to realize the above-described embodiment. Included in the scope of the invention.

In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, specifically, A storage medium storing the above program code is included in the scope of the present invention.

As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

In addition to the case where the computer controls various devices in accordance with only the supplied program code to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, the program code operates on the computer. Such a program code is included in the scope of the present invention even when the above-described embodiment is realized in cooperation with an OS (Operating System) or other application software.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided on a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or function is stored based on the instruction of the program code. The case where the CPU or the like provided in the storage unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, both the viewer and the distribution side can perform useful and rational charging.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a set-top box in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial display screen from a set-top box.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content selection screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downloaded content list display screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing mode selection screen at the time of reproduction.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data format of digital content in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a set-top box in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a set-top box in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a purchase screen of a prepaid card according to a third embodiment.

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Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A content distribution system comprising a content distribution server that stores and distributes digital content data such as a movie, and a terminal that is installed on a user side and receives and reproduces content received from the content distribution server. The content distribution server includes: a content database that stores a plurality of digital content data to be distributed; and a transmission unit that transmits digital content data according to a request from the terminal to the terminal. Connection means for connecting to a distribution server; content request means for selecting desired digital content data and requesting transmission of the selected digital content data; and digital content data transmitted by the transmission means of the content distribution server. To Shin and content delivery system, characterized in that it comprises holding means for holding in a predetermined storage means, and reproducing means for reproducing the digital content data held in said holding means. 2. The digital content data includes a plurality of playback modes for the content, a billing amount set for each playback mode, and a content main body to be played back. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein any one of the following is selected. 3. The reproduction mode includes a basic viewing mode for reproducing the entire content and a highlight viewing mode including a set of information indicating discrete portions of the content. Content distribution system according to the section. 4. When the content is reproduced by the reproduction means for the first time, a charge corresponding to a reproduction mode is set,
4. The content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein a request is made to the content distribution server. 5. The content distribution server further comprises a logical prepaid card, the terminal further comprising: a means for requesting the content server to purchase the prepaid card; 4. The content distribution system according to claim 3, further comprising: means for subtracting a charge corresponding to the reproduction mode from the purchased prepaid card when the content is reproduced for the first time. 6. The content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein each of the viewing modes further includes information on the number of times the content can be reproduced for one charge. 7. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution server and the terminal are connected via the Internet. 8. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is a set-top box connected to a playback device owned by a user. 9. A content reproducing apparatus connected to a content distribution server for storing and distributing digital content data such as a movie and receiving and reproducing the digital content data, wherein a first reproduction mode for reproducing the entire content is provided. Receiving means for receiving digital content data having charge amount information in the second playback mode for playing back discrete portions and the respective playback modes; and storing the received digital content in a predetermined external storage device. Holding means for storing and holding; display means for displaying a list of held digital contents; desired displayed digital contents; and selecting means for selecting a reproduction mode of the digital contents. Playback means for playing in the selected playback mode, When playing with the regeneration means, the content reproducing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a billing procedure means for charging procedure for playback mode of the digital content to be reproduced. 10. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said charging procedure means performs a charging procedure when playing back the digital content for the first time. 11. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said charging procedure means requests the content distribution server to perform charging corresponding to a reproduction mode. 12. The system according to claim 12, further comprising means for requesting a purchase of a logical prepaid card from the content distribution server, wherein the charging procedure means comprises:
10. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a charge corresponding to the reproduction mode is deducted. 13. A method for controlling a content reproducing apparatus connected to a content distribution server that stores and distributes digital content data such as a movie and receives and reproduces the digital content data, the method comprising: A receiving mode for receiving digital content data having charge amount information in the second playback mode and the respective playback modes for playing back the discrete portions, and A holding step of storing and holding in the storage device, a display step of displaying a list of held digital contents, a selecting step of selecting the displayed desired digital contents and a reproduction mode of the digital contents, Play digital content in the selected playback mode. A reproduction step, when reproducing with the regeneration process, the control method of the content reproduction apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a billing procedure step for charging procedure for playback mode of the digital content to be reproduced. 14. A storage medium connected to a content distribution server that stores and distributes digital content data such as a movie and stores a program code for a content reproduction device that receives and reproduces the digital content data, A first reproduction mode for reproducing the entirety, a second reproduction mode for reproducing discrete parts, and a program code for a reception step of receiving digital content data having billing amount information in each reproduction mode; A program code for a holding step of storing the received digital content in a predetermined external storage device, a program code for a display step of displaying a list of the held digital contents, the displayed desired digital content, Digital content playback mode A program code of a selecting step to be selected, a program code of a reproducing step of reproducing the selected digital content in the selected reproducing mode, and a charging procedure for a reproducing mode of the digital content to be reproduced when reproducing in the reproducing step. And a program code for a charging procedure step for performing the following. 15. A program for a content reproducing apparatus connected to a content distribution server for storing and distributing digital content data such as a movie and receiving and reproducing the digital content data, wherein a first program for reproducing the entire content is provided. And a program code of a receiving step of receiving digital content data having charge amount information in the second playback mode and the respective playback modes for playing back discrete portions, and the received digital content, The program code of a holding step of storing and holding in a predetermined external storage device, the program code of a display step of displaying a list of held digital contents, the displayed desired digital content, and the reproduction mode of the digital content Selection process professional to choose RAM code, program code of a reproducing step of reproducing the selected digital content in the selected reproducing mode, and a charging procedure step of performing a charging procedure for the reproducing mode of the digital content to be reproduced when reproducing in the reproducing step. And a program code comprising: