JPH11296437A - Contents management system with expiration date, management method and recording emdium for recording information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distribution and management method of sample contents and its system which are equipped with a means for surely preventing excessive utility when a expiration date is passed. SOLUTION: Contents 4, an expiration date information file 5 and a rewrite program 6 are combined, at least part of them is enciphered and a capsule 3 is formed. Then, decoding of the capsule 3 and reading of the contents 4 are enabled to execute by a private browser 2 built in a computer 1, utility achievement information is operated from read temporal information, at least part of reading and execution of the contents 4 are limited according to an instruction included in the expiration date information file 5 by a specific relation between the rese achievement information and the expiration date, the rewriting of the contents 4 is performed on the basis of the program 6 as the necessity arises.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of setting an expiration date of content used in a computer and a method of preventing overuse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sales promotion of computer software,
Digests, trials, and recommendations to promote online / offline content, such as increasing the number of movie mobilizers, sales and rental of video, LD, and DVD titles, and sales of music CDs, books, and magazines It is a common practice to distribute digitized advertising sample content that increases the willingness to purchase and use content such as text to a desired user's computer terminal via a network or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. . However, many of such advertising sample contents have no expiration date or cannot be extended.

Some advertising sample contents such as trial version / evaluation software typified by Netscape Navigator 3.0 and the like have expiration dates set, and there is a mechanism to limit functions after the expiration date. However, if the hand of the built-in clock of the installed computer terminal is turned back, it becomes possible to use it after a predetermined expiration date.
This is not what the content provider intends.

Heretofore, three methods have been mainly used to set the expiration date for the content to be distributed. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a flow of content expiration date management and an operation method according to a conventional method.

In a first method (hereinafter referred to as conventional method 1), a license 43 is attached when the contents 43 are distributed,
In this method, the expiration date is specified, the user is permitted to use the content only during the trial period, and the user's conscience is believed.

[0006] The second method (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Method 2) is as follows.
It is mainly used when the content 45 is computer software. Examples of the content 45 include the above-described Netscape Navigator. This method not only specifies the expiration date in the license agreement, but also refers to the built-in clock of the installed computer when the program as the content 45 is started. This is a method of disabling some or all functions as set internally. This mechanism must be created for each content.

A third method (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Method 3) is as follows.
This is a method of deleting information whose expiration date has passed when updating content, such as the Cookie 46. Cookies
Reference numeral 46 denotes a file in which personal information for the WWW browser 47, which is World Wide Web browsing software, to transmit to each specific server is left in a file, thereby avoiding inputting personal information repeatedly. .

[0008]

First, what can be said of the conventional methods 1 to 3 is that when referring to the internal clock of the computer on which the content exists or the connected server, the time and elapsed time are used. Is that they are not properly checking for correctness. In the conventional method 1, it is not possible to forcibly observe the expiration date of the distributed content to the user. Therefore, the content provider is always worried that the content may be used even after the expiration date. In addition, since there is no mechanism for automatically indicating the expiration date, there is an annoyance that the user must always voluntarily care about the expiration date. Furthermore, since the content does not change even after the expiration date, the user may not intend to use the content and may use the content whose expiration date has been exceeded.

Conventional method 2 is a method in which the expiration date is set for the content to be distributed, and after that, the function is limited to the content. However, the content itself is not modified because the content itself is not modified. Excessive use of the content may occur, for example, when the user resets the hand of the internal clock of the computer to a time before the expiration date. This is also true for Conventional Method 3.

In most cases, sample contents are distributed for the purpose of promoting some kind of content. Therefore, as a content provider, when the expiration date has passed, the sample content is not completely deleted but distributed. Even if the information content and importance are not as high as the sample content, leave a simple description or image that appeals to the content as an advertisement, or one that indicates how to obtain contact information or sales content. You will want to. This is because the advertisement effect is higher, but in the conventional method 3, since the content is completely deleted by the application software, it cannot be realized.

[0011] Further, as can be said for all of the above conventional methods, as the expiration date approaches, the remaining time until the expiration date is displayed on the content or the browser, the function of the content is gradually restricted, and the content of the content is reduced. The content does not change over time, such as gradually modifying the content. This leads to a reduction in the content provider's freedom of expression. At present, there is no mechanism provided that the content cannot be used normally unless the contract is renewed every use period.

[0012] In the future, it is conceivable that the digitized contents will be used in various scenes such as presentations and a part of homepage decoration. At this time, for example, a business form such as rental content in which the right to use the content is approved for a limited time period is also conceivable. In this case, from the content provider's point of view, a means for suppressing the use of the content beyond the contracted time limit is required, and providing this means is an important key for this type of business. In this case, it is desired that there is a means for performing a process in which the hue and the resolution gradually change as the expiration date approaches, and recovering it based on a new contract.

According to the present invention, in order to prevent excessive use of content with a set expiration date, distribution and distribution of sample content provided with means for surely preventing excessive use when the expiration date has passed. It is intended to provide a management method and a system thereof.

[0014]

A content management system with expiration date according to the present invention is a management system for content including digitized moving images, still images, audio, and code information in a computer. A capsule in which an information file and a rewriting program are combined and at least partially encrypted with a cipher that can be decrypted by a predetermined browser; a capsule capable of decrypting the capsule and browsing or executing the content at a predetermined time; And read at least one of the time information of the time, calculate the usage result information corresponding to the usage period of the usage period information file from the time information, and write the usage result information in the usage period information file according to the relationship between the usage result information and the usage period. Restrict viewing and execution of at least some of the content according to the instructions A browser that can rewrite content based on a replacement program, a capsule and a browser are stored, and the built-in control unit controls browsing and execution of content based on the browser and restrictions on browsing and execution corresponding to the expiration date. An executable computer,
Are combined.

According to the present invention, there is provided a content management method with expiration date, comprising: a computer having a control unit capable of browsing and executing the content; a capsule in which the content, the expiration date information file and the rewriting program are combined and stored in the computer; And a browser that browses and executes the content with reference to the expiration date information file and executes the expiration date management via the control unit.

The content provider combines the content, the expiration date information file, and the rewriting program, creates a capsule at least partially encrypted, and distributes the capsule to the content user.

The content user's computer decrypts the capsule's cipher with a browser, reads out the capsule's contents for browsing or execution, reads at least one of time information and time information, and uses the time information to determine the expiration date. Calculate the usage record information corresponding to the usage period of the information file, and restrict browsing and execution of at least a part of the content according to the instructions described in the usage period information file according to the predetermined relationship between the usage result information and the usage period. The content is rewritten as needed based on a rewriting program.

The time information may be a time read from a clock that provides a standard time through a network, or may be a time read from a clock inside a computer that does not permit unauthorized correction. The count may be a time calculated by a measurable means.

The expiration date of the expiration date information file may be the elapsed time from the time when the content was first viewed, displayed, or executed, or the total time during which the content was viewed, displayed, or executed. Or a predetermined time or time.

The predetermined relationship between the usage result information and the expiration date may be such that the usage result based on the usage result information exceeds the expiration date, and the usage result based on the usage result information is close to the expiration date within a predetermined range. The relationship may be as follows.

When the usage record information has a predetermined relationship with the expiration date, the correspondence may be to reduce the specific information amount of the content, and the specific information of the content may be encrypted. In order to continue using it, it may be a modification that requires a key to decrypt the encryption, it may be to change the content of the content, or it may be to erase the content .

[0022] The time since the distribution of the content is correctly grasped, and when the set expiration date has passed or is approaching the expiration date, the content is automatically rewritten in a manner that reflects the intention of the provider, and the content is overused. Is prevented.

Further, as an application thereof, it is possible to periodically upgrade and rent contents.

[0024]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a content management system with a term of use according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the operation of the capsule and the dedicated browser according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the distribution and operation of the capsule according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The content management system with expiration date according to the present invention includes a computerized digital moving picture,
This is a management system for contents 4 including still images, sounds, and code information, and includes a capsule 3, a dedicated browser 2, and a computer 1.

The capsule 3 is a combination of the contents 4, the expiration date information file 5, and the rewriting program 6, and at least a part of the capsule 3 is encrypted.

The dedicated browser 2 is capable of decrypting the capsule 3 and browsing and executing the contents 4, reads at least one of time information of a predetermined time and time, and reads the time information of the use time information file 5 from the time information. Is calculated according to the use result information and the expiration date, and the browsing and execution of at least a part of the content 4 are restricted according to the instructions described in the expiration date information file 5, and as necessary. The content 4 can be rewritten based on the rewriting program 6.

The computer 1 stores the capsule 3 and the dedicated browser 2, and can execute browsing and execution of the contents 4 and restriction of browsing and execution corresponding to the expiration date based on the dedicated browser 2 by the built-in control unit 8. OS7.

The recording medium 9 stores a control program for browsing and executing the contents of the contents 4 and for restricting the use of the contents 4 according to a preset expiration date.

Next, a content management method with a term of use according to the present invention will be described. A computer 1 having an OS 7 having a control unit 8 and capable of browsing and executing the content 4;
A capsule 3 in which the content 4, the expiration date information file 5, and the rewriting program 6 are combined and can be stored in the computer 1, and the browsing and execution of the content 4 by referring to the expiration date information file 5 and the expiration date stored in the computer 1 This is a content management method with a term of use using a dedicated browser 2 for executing management via a control unit.

The contents provider combines the contents 4, the expiration date information file 5, and the rewriting program 6 to create a capsule 3 at least partly encrypted with a cipher that can be decrypted by the dedicated browser 3, and as shown in FIG. As shown, the contents are downloaded to the user terminal 15 from the server 13 of the provider via the network 12, or the capsule 3 is recorded on the CD-ROM 14 and downloaded to the user terminal 15, and distributed to the content users.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a content management method on the content user side. In the user terminal 15 such as the content user's computer 1 in which the dedicated browser 2 is stored, the work is started (step S1).
1), the encryption of the capsule 3 is decrypted by the dedicated browser 2 (S12), the content 4 of the capsule 3 is read, browsed and executed (S13), and at least one of the time information and the time information is read. The usage result information corresponding to the usage period of the usage period information file 5 is calculated from the time information (S14), and the usage result based on the usage result information exceeds the usage period or approaches the usage period within a predetermined range. Otherwise (S15 No), unless the work is to be terminated (S17 No), the flow returns to step S13 to continue browsing and execution.

If the expiration date is exceeded or the expiration date is approached within a predetermined range (S15 Yes), browsing or execution of at least a part of the content 4 is restricted in accordance with the instruction described in the expiration date information file 5, If necessary, the content is rewritten based on the rewriting program (S16), and unless the operation is to be terminated (S17N
o), returning to step S13 to continue browsing and execution, and to end the work (S17 Yes), step S13
Then, the process proceeds to S18, and the operation is completed (S18).

The content management system with the expiration date and the management method according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

In distributing the content 4, in order to ensure the expiration date, in addition to the content, the expiration date information file 5 and the rewriting program 6 itself are combined and delivered.

In the expiration date information file 5, when the expiration date has expired, or as the expiration date approaches, which rewriting program 6 should be started and how to activate the content in order to modify the contents (specifically, In general, information such as the file name, its storage location, and the value of an argument given at the time of startup is written.

The rewriting program is a program for modifying the contents 4. However, in order to keep the correct expiration date, it is necessary to prevent the expiration date of the expiration date information file 5 and the rewriting program 6 from being deteriorated. Since it is necessary to keep track of the storage location, the content 4, the expiration date information file 5, and the rewriting program 6 are partially or wholly encrypted across three, so that they can be integrated. Distribute as things. This distribution unit is capsule 3
Call. Existing encryption methods can be used for encryption.

The side that receives the capsule 3 on its own computer prepares a dedicated browser 2 for browsing / executing the content 4. The dedicated browser 2 may be a general-purpose application in which a dedicated plug-in (a program for adding a function to an existing program) is inserted. This is because the capsule 3 is partially or wholly encrypted, and thus needs to be decrypted by such a dedicated browser 2. In addition, the decryption is performed in real time so that the expiration date information file 5 and the rewriting program 6 in the capsule 3 cannot be rewritten after the decryption, the intermediate generation file is eliminated, and the decrypted capsule 3 cannot be referred to. To prevent corruption. That is, the capsule 3 is always encrypted when referred to from other than the browser 2, and the user cannot refer to the decrypted capsule 3 without using the browser 2.

Next, the actual operation of the browser 2 will be described. While the browser 2 is running, it checks whether the expiration date written on the capsule 3 is kept,
After the expiration date, the rewriting program 6 described in the capsule 3 is excited to rewrite the content 4. Similarly, the content 4 can be modified little by little as the expiration date approaches.

Also, even if the expiration date of the capsule 3 has come when the browser 2 is not running, the capsule 3 cannot be decrypted without using the browser 2, so the capsule 3 is used only after the expiration date. When attempting to do so, the content 4 is rewritten.

Further, as means for grasping an accurate time / elapsed time necessary for judging whether or not the expiration date has passed, any of the following three methods may be applied. However, the expiration date is either a specific date and time or a restriction based on the actual use time of the content. 1) The time obtained from a clock that provides an accurate time on the network, or the actual use time of the content calculated from the time. 2) The time obtained from the clock of the own terminal that cannot be fraudulent, or the actual use time of the content calculated from the time. 3) Content actual usage time calculated by means inside the computer, which can measure an accurate count.

Next, rewriting of the content 4 will be described. The rewriting of the content 4 is mainly selected from the following types of modifications. 1) The data amount of the original content 4 is reduced. 2) Reduce the data amount of the original content 4 and add new data. 3) Add new data to the original content 4. 4) The data amount of the original content 4 is hardly reduced, and a part or the whole of the original content 4 cannot be referred to or executed.

Regarding 1) and 2), instead of having a state as to whether the expiration date has passed in the program as the content as in the above-mentioned conventional method 2, the actual operation is not changed according to the state. , Means that the content 4 itself is rewritten to be unreproducible. For example,
When the content 4 is image data, the amount of information is reduced to partially obscure the image, or an irreversible mosaic is applied. Such as deleting. By performing such rewriting, it is impossible to use the content 4 excessively when the built-in clock of the on-board computer 1 is turned back after the expiration date.

The above 2) and 3) can be applied to a case where a free / paid upgrade by a content provider is realized. In this case, the rewriting program 6 acquires the upgrade difference file via the network 12 or the like, and modifies the content 4.

On the other hand, 4) realizes a mechanism for periodically obtaining permission from the server 13 of the content provider in order to continue using the content 4, whereby the content 4 can be rented. Become.

Finally, the rewriting program 6 will be described. Considering sales promotion, which is one of the major purposes of distributing the sample content 4, the expression of advertisements etc. left after the expiration date greatly affects the effect, so that the intention of the content provider can be reflected as much as possible. In this way, the rewriting program 6 for realizing this can be freely set by each person. In order to further increase its freedom,
At the time of rewriting, data or a program may be downloaded via the network 12. However, at this time, when the connection with the network 12 fails, a method may be adopted in which the content 4 is temporarily unavailable until the content 4 can be connected to the network 12, thereby preventing the user from using the content 4 excessively.

In addition, as an application of the present invention, a configuration is conceivable in which the dedicated browser 2 has a general-purpose rewriting program 6 in order to reduce the data amount of the capsule 3, and the rewriting program 6 is not included in the capsule 3. However, in this case, the freedom of the rewritten expression held by the content provider is limited.

The method of managing use-restricted contents according to the present invention will be described with reference to a specific example. First, a contents provider prepares sample contents 4 in which a preview of a video work is digitized. For 30 days, the expiration date information file 5 in which the information "rewrite using the rewriting program A when the expiration date has passed" is written, and the rewriting program A6 are collectively encrypted to create the capsule 3.

Next, a user who wants to view the sample contents 4 prepares a dedicated browser 2 for viewing the contents 4 in the capsule 3 in the computer 1, and obtains the capsule 3 via the network 12.

The user can freely watch the sample contents 4 via the dedicated browser 2 for 30 days after obtaining the capsule. During this time, the built-in clock is monitored by the dedicated browser 2, and if the hand is incorrectly returned, the same action as when the expiration date has expired is taken. 30 days after the capsule is obtained, the rewriting program A6 is excited when the dedicated browser 2 is started for the first time thereafter, and the sample content 4 is rewritten into a poster image of the video work.
At that time, the sound may be left as it is and the loop reproduction may be performed to further arouse the desire to watch the video work.

Since this is an irreversible rewrite,
Even if the user returns the hand of the internal clock of the computer, the original sample content 4 cannot be used in excess. Moreover, since the poster remains even if the original sample content 4 is lost, a sufficient advertising effect can be expected.

A control program for browsing and executing the content 4 and for restricting the use of the content according to a preset expiration date is read from the recording medium 9 to a data processing device (not shown) of the control unit 8 and read from the data processing device. Control the operation of. The control unit 8 executes the following processing under the control of the control program.

That is, the procedure for decrypting the encryption of the capsule 3 by the dedicated browser 2 as necessary, and the computer 1
Content 4 of the capsule 3 by the control unit 8 of the OS 7
For reading and browsing or executing, and a dedicated browser 2
The time information of at least one of the predetermined time and time is read, and the use result information corresponding to the use time limit of the use time limit information file 5 is calculated from the time information. A procedure for restricting browsing or execution of at least a part of the content 4 in accordance with an instruction described in the expiration date information file 5 and performing a content rewriting based on the rewriting program 5 as necessary based on a predetermined relationship with Execute.

[0054]

As described above, in the content management system and the management method with the expiration date according to the present invention, the content, the expiration date information file, and the rewriting program are combined, and at least a part thereof is encrypted and encapsulated. Is formed, the capsule can be decrypted, and the contents can be browsed and executed by a special browser built into the computer.The usage history information is calculated from the read time information, and the predetermined relationship between the usage history information and the expiration date Restricts the browsing and execution of at least a part of the content according to the instructions described in the expiration date information file, and allows the content to be rewritten based on the rewriting program if necessary. Can be obtained.

1) Since the advertising sample content whose expiration date is reliably ensured can be distributed, bold advertising development such as full loading of findings of the content to be sold in the advertising sample content is premised on being rewritable. Will be possible.

2) Even after the expiration date, the content is not simply deleted, but it is possible to leave an advertisement that fully demonstrates the originality of the provider.

3) As the expiration date approaches, it is possible to send a stepwise warning to the user such as discoloration / display of a warning message / function control. 4) It is possible to provide rental-type contents for renewing a contract at regular intervals through a network or the like.

5) It is possible to provide contents to be upgraded at regular intervals through a network or the like.

6) By putting the copyright information in the expiration date information file in the capsule, it becomes easier to claim copyright for the content, and it is possible to prevent illegal use of the content.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing operations of a capsule and a dedicated browser according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing distribution and operation of the capsule according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a content management method on the content user side.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a flow of content expiration date management and an operation method according to a conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer (user terminal) 2 Dedicated browser 3 Capsule 4, 43 Content 5 Expiration date information file 6 Rewrite program 7, 48 OS 12 Network 13, 41 Provider server 14 CD-ROM 15, 42 User terminal 44 License agreement 45 Content with expiration date 46 Cookie 47 Browser S11-S18 Step

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI // G06F 1/00 370 G06F 15/20 Z

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A management system for contents including digitized moving images, still images, sounds, and code information in a computer, wherein the contents, an expiration date information file, and a rewriting program are combined, and a predetermined browser A capsule that is at least partially encrypted with a cipher that can be decrypted by decrypting the capsule and browsing or executing the content, reading at least one of time information of a predetermined time and time, From the time information, use result information corresponding to the use period of the use period information file is calculated, and at least a part of the contents is calculated according to the instruction described in the use period information file according to the relationship between the use result information and the use period. Restrict browsing and execution and, if necessary, content based on the rewriting program. A browser capable of rewriting the contents, the capsule and the browser are stored, and the built-in control unit can execute browsing and execution of the content and restricting browsing and execution corresponding to the expiration date based on the browser. Content management system with expiration date, characterized by combining a simple computer with a computer. 2. A computer having a control unit capable of browsing and executing content, a capsule in which the content, the expiration date information file, and the rewriting program are combined and stored in the computer, and a capsule stored in the computer and used in the computer. A method for managing a content with an expiration date using a browser that browses and executes the content with reference to an expiration date file and manages the expiration date via the control unit, wherein the content provider includes the content and the usage The expiration date information file and the rewriting program are combined, the at least partially encrypted capsule is created and distributed to the content user, and the computer of the content user decrypts the encryption of the capsule by the browser The container of the capsule Read and read and execute the information, read at least predetermined time information of time and time, calculate use result information corresponding to the expiration date of the expiration date information file from the time information, And restricting browsing and execution of at least a part of the content according to an instruction described in the expiration date information file according to a predetermined relationship between the content and the expiration date, and rewriting the content based on the rewriting program as necessary. Performing a content management method with a term of use. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the time information is a time read from a clock that provides a standard time through a network. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the time information is a time read from a clock inside a computer that does not permit unauthorized modification. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the time information is a time calculated by means capable of measuring an accurate count inside the computer. 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the expiration date of the expiration date information file is an elapsed time from a time when the content is first viewed, displayed, or executed. 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the expiration date of the expiration date information file is the total time during which the contents are browsed, displayed, or executed. 8. The content management method with an expiration date according to claim 2, wherein the expiration date of the expiration date information file is a predetermined time or time. 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined relationship between the usage result information and the usage period is a relationship in which the usage result based on the usage result information exceeds the usage period. 10. The use according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined relationship between the usage result information and the usage period is a relationship in which the usage result based on the usage result information is close to the usage period within a predetermined range. Time-limited content management method. 11. The method according to claim 2, wherein a response when the usage record information has a predetermined relationship with the expiration date is to reduce a specific information amount of the content. . 12. When the usage record information has a predetermined relationship with the expiration date, a correspondence is determined by encrypting specific information of the content and decrypting the encryption in order to continue using the content. 3. The method of managing contents with expiration date according to claim 2, wherein the contents are modified so as to be necessary. 13. The method according to claim 2, wherein a response when the usage record information has a predetermined relationship with the expiration date is to change the content of the content. 14. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the usage record information has a predetermined relationship with the expiration date, the correspondence is to delete the content. 15. A computer having a control unit capable of browsing and executing contents, a capsule in which the contents, the expiration date information file and the rewriting program are combined and stored in the computer, and a capsule stored in the computer and used in the computer. A control program for restricting the use of the content according to a preset expiration date is recorded by using a browser that browses and executes the content and manages the expiration date through the control unit with reference to the expiration date information file. A procedure of decrypting the encryption of the capsule by the browser; a procedure of reading the content of the capsule by the control unit of the computer to browse and execute the content; and a predetermined time and time by the browser. At least one of Reading the interim information, calculating the usage result information corresponding to the usage period of the usage period information file from the time information, and using the browser to obtain the usage period information file from the relationship between the usage result information and the usage period. A recording medium for recording a program for restricting browsing and execution of at least a part of content in accordance with a written instruction and for rewriting content as necessary based on the rewriting program.