JP2003108790A - Contents distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents distribution system to enable an addressee to selectively receive contents and which is constituted so that a distribution fee is charged only to the received contents. SOLUTION: A central processor 10, a provider terminal, an addressee terminal and a mail server are connected via a network 2. The central processor 10 is constituted of a mail address registration processing part for registering a mail address used by the addressee, a mail address storage part 17 for storing it, a contents registration processing part 13 for registering the contents and their summary information, a contents storage part 18 for storing them and a contents distribution processing part 14 for transmitting encryption contents, the summary information and a decryption program to the mail address stored in the mail address storage part 17 and for transmitting an encryption key in response to a request from the receiver terminal and the receiver terminal is constituted so that the encryption contents, the summary information and the decryption program are received from the mail server and the encryption contents are decoded by executing the received decryption program after receiving the encryption key from the contents distribution processing part 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A central processing unit, a plurality of provider terminal devices used by a content provider, a plurality of receiver terminal devices used by a content receiver, and a content receiver used via a network. And a content delivery system configured to deliver content from the central processing unit to the recipient terminal device via the mail server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a central processing unit, a plurality of provider terminal devices used by a content provider, a plurality of receiver terminal devices used by a content receiver, and a mail server used by a content receiver are provided. There is known a content distribution system configured to connect via the Internet and distribute from the central processing unit to the recipient terminal unit via the mail server.

According to such a content distribution system,
Various contents (economic news, cultural information related to concerts, performing arts, etc.) are transmitted and provided from time to time to the central processing unit by the content provider via the provider terminal device, and such content is received by the central processing unit. Is transmitted to each recipient terminal device via the mail server.

Conventionally, all of the contents transmitted to the central processing unit are distributed to the receiver terminal device, and the content receiver must inevitably confirm all the distributed contents. Was there.

[0005]

By the way, the contents recipients have different interests. Therefore, for each content receiver, some of the distributed information (content) is not so interested.

However, in the conventional content distribution system, since all the distributed contents have to be confirmed as described above, a content receiver who is only interested in a particular content Had the demerit of having to check even the information that it was not interested in, and spending unnecessary time for this.

[0007] Further, in general, when distributing contents, a distribution fee for distributing the distributed contents is imposed on the content receiver. For this reason, there is also an inconvenience that the content receiver has to pay a delivery fee even for content that is not of interest.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the content receiver can selectively receive the distribution of the content, and pay the distribution fee only for the selectively received content. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a content distribution system that enables

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects Thereof] According to the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention for solving the above problems, a central processing unit and a plurality of contents used by content providers are provided through a network. A receiver terminal device, a plurality of receiver terminal devices used by the content receiver, and a mail server used by the content receiver, and the content is received from the central processing unit via the mail server. A content distribution system configured to distribute to a person terminal device, wherein the central processing unit stores a mail address storage unit for storing a mail address of the mail server used by the content receiver, Receive an email address from the recipient terminal device used by the content recipient and store it in the email address storage unit A mail address registration processing unit, a content storage unit that stores content and general information about the content, and a content registration processing unit that receives the content and general information about the content from the provider terminal device and stores the content information in the content storage unit And an encrypted content generated by encrypting the content stored in the content storage unit using an encryption key,
Similarly, the outline information stored in the content storage unit and a decryption program for decrypting the encrypted content using the encryption key are transmitted to a mail address stored in the mail address storage unit. A content distribution processing unit that transmits the encryption key in response to a request from the recipient terminal device, and the recipient terminal device receives the encrypted content, the outline information, and the decryption program from the mail server. , After receiving the encryption key from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit,
The present invention relates to a content distribution system configured to execute a received decryption program and decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key.

According to the present invention, first, the mail address of the content receiver is transmitted to the central processing unit via the receiver terminal device, and this is accepted by the mail address registration processing unit and stored in the mail address storage unit. It

On the other hand, from the content provider, various contents and their outline information are transmitted to the central processing unit via the provider terminal device, and these are accepted by the content registration processing unit and stored in the content storage unit. . The contents referred to in the present invention (the same applies to the inventions according to claims 2 to 5 below) include information and data (economic news, performance information, concert information, educational information, etc.) such as characters, voices, and images. Information and novels,
Essays, music, movies, photographs, paintings, designs, etc. and computer software (game programs, etc.)
And so on. Further, the outline information includes an outline that enables the contents to be understood at a glance, a genre of the contents, a title, and the like.

When the content and the outline information are stored in the content storage unit as described above, the content distribution processing unit uses the encryption key to store the content stored in the content storage unit at any time or periodically. Each of the content recipients includes encrypted content that is encrypted and generated, the outline information that is also stored in the content storage unit, and a decryption program that decrypts the encrypted content using the encryption key. Send to the mail server used by. Then, when the content receiver accesses the mail server used by the content receiver, the encrypted content, the outline information and the decryption program are transferred from the mail server to the receiver terminal device. still,
At this stage, the content is in an encrypted state, and the content recipient cannot confirm the content.

After that, the outline information transferred to the receiver terminal device is confirmed by the contents receiver, and when the receiver terminal device requests the central processing unit to transmit the encryption key, the contents distribution is performed. The encryption key is transmitted from the processing unit to the recipient terminal device, the decryption process using the encryption key and the decryption program is executed in the recipient terminal device, and the encrypted content is decrypted by the process. . As described above, the content receiver can confirm the delivered content.

As described above, according to the present invention, the content receiver first confirms the outline information and then obtains the encryption key to decrypt the encrypted content and confirm the content. Content recipients can check summary information and ensure that they get only the content they are interested in, which allows them to get the content they need efficiently. it can.

Further, since the distribution fee can be charged only when the encrypted content is decrypted, the distribution fee is charged even for the content which is not of interest in the above conventional system. Inconvenience can be eliminated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the content distribution processing section according to the first aspect encrypts the content stored in the content storage section using an encryption key, The generated encrypted content,
Similarly, the outline information stored in the content storage unit is transmitted to the email address stored in the email address storage unit, while the encryption key is transmitted in response to a request from the recipient terminal device. And the receiver terminal device receives the encrypted content and the outline information from the mail server, receives an encryption key from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit, and then includes a decryption program provided in advance. And a content distribution system configured to decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key.

According to the present invention, the content stored in the content storage unit is encrypted by the content distribution processing unit using the encryption key, and the generated encrypted content is also stored in the content storage unit. The stored outline information is transmitted to the mail server used by each content recipient, and then transferred from this mail server to each recipient terminal device.

When the recipient terminal device of the content recipient who has confirmed the summary information requests the central processing unit to send the encryption key, the content delivery processing unit encrypts the recipient terminal device. The key is sent,
In the receiver terminal device, a decryption process using an encryption key and a decryption program provided in advance is executed,
The encrypted content is decrypted by such processing.

As described above, according to the present invention as well, similar to the invention according to claim 1, the content receiver can confirm the summary information and obtain only the content of interest. Therefore, the content receiver can efficiently obtain the necessary content. Further, the distribution fee can be charged only when the encrypted content is decrypted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the content distribution processing section according to the first aspect encrypts the outline information stored in the content storage section and the encrypted content. And a decryption program for decrypting using the encryption key to the email address stored in the email address storage unit, while encrypting the content stored in the content storage unit using the encryption key, It is configured to transmit the generated encrypted content and the encryption key in response to a request from the recipient terminal device, and the recipient terminal device receives the summary information and the decryption program from the mail server. After receiving the encrypted content and the encryption key from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit, executing the received decryption program According to configured content distribution system to decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key.

According to the present invention, the content distribution processing unit includes the outline information stored in the content storage unit and the decryption program for decrypting the encrypted content using the encryption key. It is transmitted to the mail server used by the content receiver, and then transferred from this mail server to each receiver terminal device.

When the recipient terminal device of the content recipient who has confirmed the outline information requests the central processing unit to send the encryption key and the encrypted content, the content delivery processing section sends the recipient terminal device to the recipient terminal. The encryption key and the encrypted content encrypted using this encryption key are transmitted to the device, the decryption process using the encryption key and the decryption program is executed in the recipient terminal device, and by this process The encrypted content is decrypted.

As described above, according to the present invention as well, as in the inventions according to claims 1 and 2, the content receiver confirms the summary information and obtains only the content of interest. Therefore, the content receiver can efficiently obtain the necessary content. Further, the distribution fee can be charged only when the encrypted content is decrypted.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, the content distribution processing part according to claim 1 stores the summary information stored in the content storage part in the mail address storage part. The encrypted content generated by encrypting the content stored in the content storage unit with an encryption key while transmitting the encrypted content to the generated email content, the encryption key, and the encrypted content are encrypted. A decryption program for decrypting using a key is configured to be transmitted in response to a request from the recipient terminal device, and the recipient terminal device receives the summary information from the mail server, After receiving the encrypted content, the encryption key, and the decryption program from the content distribution processing unit of the processing device, execute the received decryption program. According to configured content distribution system to decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key.

According to the present invention, the content distribution processing unit transmits the outline information stored in the content storage unit to the mail server used by each content receiver, and then from this mail server to each receiver terminal. Transferred to the device.

When the recipient terminal device of the content recipient who has confirmed the outline information requests the central processing unit to send the encryption key, the encrypted content, and the decryption program, the content delivery processing unit sends the request. An encryption key, an encrypted content encrypted using this encryption key, and a decryption program for decrypting using the encryption key are transmitted to the recipient terminal device, and the recipient terminal device encrypts the content. A decryption process using the key and the decryption program is executed, and the encrypted content is decrypted by this process.

As described above, according to the present invention, like the inventions according to claims 1 to 3, the content receiver confirms the summary information and obtains only the content of interest. Therefore, the content receiver can efficiently obtain the necessary content. Further, the distribution fee can be charged only when the encrypted content is decrypted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the case where the central processing unit in the content distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects transmits an encryption key to the receiver terminal device. In addition, the present invention relates to a content distribution system including a billing processing unit that bills a distribution fee to a content receiver who receives the encryption key.

[0029] By doing so, it is ensured that the distribution fee is charged only when the encrypted content is decrypted, that is, only for the content that the content receiver has selectively obtained. Can be executed.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content distribution system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a central processing unit configuring the content distribution system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system of this example (hereinafter, simply referred to as "distribution system") 1
Comprises a content provider terminal device 3, a content receiver terminal device 4, a central processing unit 10, a mail server 5, etc., which are mutually connected via a network 2 such as the Internet. The central processing unit 10 is a WWW server. Functioning as an Internet server or a server including a CGI script, a content provider terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as “provider terminal device”) 3 and a content receiver terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as “recipient terminal device”). 4) each function as a client equipped with a browser. It should be noted that the provider terminal device 3 is a terminal device used by those that provide contents, and the receiver terminal device 4
Is a terminal device used by a person who receives distribution of the content.

As shown in FIG. 2, the central processing unit 10 is
A main information disclosure processing unit 11, a mail address registration processing unit 12, a content registration processing unit 13, a content distribution processing unit 14, a billing processing unit 15, an auxiliary of a hard disk, etc. A public data storage unit 16, a mail address storage unit 17, a content storage unit 18, an encryption key storage unit 19, a decryption program storage unit 20, a charging history storage unit 21, a communication processing unit 22, and the like, which are configured by a storage device, It is provided and is connected to the network 2 via the communication processing unit 22. The details of each unit will be described below.

The main information disclosure processing unit 11 includes contents (information / data such as characters, voices, images, etc. (economic news, performance information, concert information, educational information, novels, essays, music, movies, photographs, (Painting, design, etc.), computer software (game programs, etc.) recruitment, and information regarding registration of content recipients, etc. is a processing unit that publishes information on the web page via the network 2 and the provider terminal device. 3 and the receiver terminal device 4 via the network 2
Allows browsing of pages.

The e-mail address registration processing section 12 accepts the e-mail address and other personal information of the recipient from the recipient terminal device 4 that has accessed the web page, and stores information such as the accepted e-mail address in the e-mail address storage section. Processing for storing in 17 is performed.

Further, the content registration processing section 13 is
The content and the outline information of the content are received from the provider terminal device 3 that has accessed the web page, and the received content and the outline information thereof are stored in the content storage unit 18.

When the content registration processing unit 13 stores the content and its outline information in the content storage unit 18, the content distribution processing unit 14 determines the content stored in the content storage unit 18 to a predetermined value at any time. Encrypted content generated by encrypting the encrypted content using the encryption key, outline information also stored in the content storage unit 18, and decryption for decrypting the encrypted content using the encryption key. The program is transmitted to the mail server 5 used by each recipient. Further, when the receiver terminal device 4 makes a transmission request for the encryption key, a process of transmitting the encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit 19 to the receiver terminal device 4 is performed.

When the content distribution processing unit 14 sends an encryption key to the recipient terminal device 4, the billing processing unit 15 distributes the encryption key to the content recipient who has received the encryption key. Perform the process of charging a fee.

Further, the public data storage unit 16 is a storage unit for storing data for publicizing web pages related to content recruitment and recipient registration, and the encryption key storage unit 19 stores content encryption. The decryption program storage unit 20 is a storage unit that stores the encryption key used for encryption, and the decryption program storage unit 20 is a storage unit that stores the decryption program.

Hereinafter, each of the above processing units and the receiver terminal device 4
Further detailed processing contents in the provider terminal device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

A. Email Address Registration Process (see FIG. 3) First, the main information disclosure processing unit 11 uses the web page to obtain information regarding content recruitment, recipient registration, etc., based on the data stored in the public data storage unit 16. Open to the public via network 2. Then, the web page is accessed from the recipient terminal device 4 via the network 2, and the recipient terminal device 4 includes billing information such as the recipient's mail address, address, telephone number, credit card number, and the like. Personal information is entered,
When the registration request (transmission to the central processing unit 10) is made, this is accepted by the mail address registration processing unit 12.

Then, the mail address registration processing unit 12 determines whether or not the received mail address and billing information are valid, and then stores (registers) these data in the mail address storage unit 17. After the registration process, the registration completion signal is transmitted to the recipient terminal device 4. If it is determined that the mail address or the billing information is invalid, an error signal is transmitted to the recipient terminal device 4. By the above processing, the recipient's email address and the like are registered.

B. Content registration processing (see FIG. 4) From the provider terminal device 3 via the network 2, the w
When the eb page is accessed, the contents and the outline information of the contents are input from the provider terminal device 3 and a registration request (transmission to the central processing unit 10) is made, this is accepted by the content registration processing unit 13. The received and accepted data is the content storage unit 1.
Processing to be stored (registered) in 8 is performed.

After the registration processing, a registration completion signal is sent from the content registration processing section 13 to the provider terminal device 3 concerned.
And the content distribution processing unit 14. The outline information includes an outline that allows the contents to be understood at a glance, a genre of the contents, etc., and includes a title of the contents, a provider name, an identification number of the contents, a price, The expiration date is included.

C. Content Distribution / Billing Process (See FIGS. 4 and 5) Upon receiving a registration completion signal from the content registration processing unit 13, the content distribution processing unit 14 executes a predetermined program to generate an encryption key, and the generated encryption key is generated. The content stored in the content storage unit 18 is encrypted using the encryption key. Then, the generated encrypted content, the outline information stored in the content storage unit 18, and the decryption program stored in the decryption program storage unit 20 (decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key And a program for doing so) to the mail server 5 of each address stored in the mail address storage unit 17. The data of the encryption key used for encryption is stored in the encryption key storage unit 19.

After the encrypted contents, the outline information and the decryption program are transmitted to the respective mail servers 5 as described above, the respective recipient terminal devices 4 access the respective mail servers 5 to perform the encryption. When the encrypted content, the outline information, and the decryption program are transferred to the respective recipient terminal devices 4, the outline information is displayed on each of the recipient terminal devices 4, and the recipient receives an outline of the received content from the outline information. It becomes possible to know. still,
At this stage, the content is in an encrypted state and the content itself cannot be confirmed.

After confirming the outline of the contents, if the receiver desires to obtain the contents of the encrypted contents, the receiver activates the received decryption program,
Decrypt encrypted content.

When the decryption program is executed, the recipient's terminal device 4 sends the recipient's mail address and the identification number (outline information) of the distributed content to the central processing unit 10. The central processing unit 10 judges whether or not the received mail address and the identification number of the contents are valid, and if these are judged to be valid, the relevant stored in the encryption key storage unit 19 is judged. By the processing of the content distribution processing unit 14, the content encryption key is transmitted to the receiver terminal device 4 and the transmission completion signal is transmitted to the billing processing unit 15.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the received mail address and the identification number of the content are invalid, an error signal is transmitted to the recipient terminal device 4.

When the encryption key is transmitted to the recipient terminal device 4, the recipient terminal device 4 executes the subsequent decryption program to perform the decryption process of the encrypted content using the received encryption key. . As described above, the recipient can confirm the delivered content. still,
If the recipient does not wish to obtain the content, the recipient may leave the received encrypted content, summary information, and decryption program as they are, or delete them.

On the other hand, in the central processing unit 10, the billing processing unit 15 that has received the transmission completion signal searches the data stored in the billing history storage unit 21, and the billing history regarding the content of the recipient exists. If not, the billing process is performed on the recipient. Specifically, billing is performed by transmitting a bill to the recipient's mail address or by credit debiting processing. Then, after the charging process, the charging history storage unit 2
The billing data is added to the data stored in No. 1 to update the stored data. If there is a billing history for the content of the recipient, the billing is not performed again and the process ends.

As described in detail above, according to the distribution system 1 of this example, the recipient first confirms the outline information of the content and then obtains the encryption key to decrypt the encrypted content. , So that the recipient can check the summary information and get it only for the content that they are interested in, effectively Can be obtained at.

Further, since the distribution fee is charged (charged) only when the encrypted content is decrypted, the above-mentioned conventional system in which the distribution fee is also charged for the content which is not of interest. The inconvenience can be eliminated.

In the distribution system 1 in the above example, the content distribution processing unit 14 is configured to distribute the content at any time, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the content distribution processing unit 14 periodically distributes the content. It may be configured to do so.

Further, the content distribution processing unit 14 is
While the encrypted content and the outline information are transmitted to the mail server 5, the encryption key is transmitted in response to a request from the recipient terminal device 4, and the recipient terminal device 4 is provided.
After receiving the encrypted content and the outline information from the mail server 5 and receiving the encryption key from the content distribution processing unit 14, executes a decryption program provided in advance to decrypt the encrypted content. It may be one that has been created. The distribution system configured in this way also achieves the same effects as the distribution system 1 in the above example.

Further, the content distribution processing unit 14 is
The outline information and the decryption program are transmitted to the mail server 5, while the encrypted content and the encryption key are transmitted in response to a request from the receiver terminal device 4, and the receiver terminal device 4 is After receiving the outline information and the decryption program from the mail server 5 and the encrypted content and the encryption key from the content distribution processing unit 14, the received decryption program is executed and the encryption is performed using the encryption key. It may be configured to decrypt the content.

Further, the content distribution processing unit 14
While transmitting the outline information to the mail server 5, the encrypted content, the encryption key, and the decryption program are transmitted in response to a request from the receiver terminal device 4. Receives the outline information from the mail server 5, receives the encrypted content, the encryption key, and the decryption program from the content distribution processing unit 14, and then executes the received decryption program to decrypt the encrypted content. It may be configured to do so.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content distribution system according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a central processing unit that constitutes the content distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the content distribution system according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (Content) distribution system 2 network 3 (Content) provider terminal device 4 (Contents) Receiver terminal device 5 mail server 10 Central processing unit 11 Main information disclosure processing section 12 Email address registration processing unit 13 Content registration processing unit 14 Content distribution processing unit 15 Charge processing unit 16 Public data storage 17 Email address storage 18 Content storage 19 Encryption key storage 20 Decryption program storage unit 21 Billing history storage 22 Communication processing unit

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A central processing unit, a plurality of provider terminal devices used by a content provider, a plurality of receiver terminal devices used by a content receiver, and a mail used by a content receiver via a network. A content delivery system configured to deliver a content from the central processing unit to the recipient terminal device via the mail server, wherein the central processing unit receives the content. A mail address storage unit that stores a mail address of the mail server used by a person, and a mail address storage unit that receives the mail address of the content receiver from the recipient terminal device used by the content receiver. Stores the email address registration processing part to store, and content and summary information about the content. A content storage unit, a content registration processing unit that receives the content and summary information about the content from the provider terminal device and stores the content in the content storage unit, and an encryption key for the content stored in the content storage unit. The encrypted content generated by using the encrypted content, the outline information also stored in the content storage unit, and a decryption program for decrypting the encrypted content using the encryption key, the email address While sending to the email address stored in the storage unit,
A content distribution processing unit that transmits the encryption key in response to a request from the recipient terminal device, and the recipient terminal device receives the encrypted content, summary information, and a decryption program from the mail server, A content distribution system configured to receive an encryption key from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit, execute the received decryption program, and decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key. . 2. The content distribution processing unit encrypts the content stored in the content storage unit using an encryption key, and the generated encrypted content and the outline stored in the content storage unit as well. Information and
While being transmitted to the mail address stored in the mail address storage unit, the encryption key is transmitted in response to a request from the recipient terminal device, and the recipient terminal device is configured to operate from the mail server. After receiving the encrypted content and the outline information and receiving the encryption key from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit,
The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution system is configured to execute a decryption program provided in advance to decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key. 3. The mail address storage unit stores the summary information stored in the content storage unit and a decryption program for decrypting encrypted content using an encryption key. The content stored in the content storage unit is encrypted with an encryption key while being transmitted to the mail address stored in the copy unit, and the generated encrypted content and the encryption key are transmitted from the receiver terminal device. The recipient terminal device receives the summary information and the decryption program from the mail server, and the encrypted content and the encryption key are transmitted from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit. And then execute the received decryption program to decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key. Content delivery system according to claim 1, wherein comprising configured. 4. The content distribution processing unit transmits the outline information stored in the content storage unit to a mail address stored in the mail address storage unit, while transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit. ,
The encrypted content generated by encrypting with the encryption key, the encryption key, and the decryption program for decrypting the encrypted content with the encryption key are transmitted from the receiver terminal device. The recipient terminal device receives the summary information from the mail server, and an encrypted content, an encryption key, and a decryption program are transmitted from the content distribution processing unit of the central processing unit. The content distribution system according to claim 1, which is configured to execute the received decryption program after receiving, and decrypt the encrypted content using the encryption key. 5. The central processing unit is provided with a billing processing unit that bills a distribution fee to a content receiver who has received the encryption key when the encryption key is transmitted to the recipient terminal device. The content distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.