JP2000242699A - Content rental method with use expiration date, content providing device and content using device used in the content rental method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Problem] In a rental system with a term of use that does not require a content return procedure on the user / player side, use of rental content beyond the term of a rental that is disadvantageous to the content service provider side And manage users who have the possibility of unauthorized use. SOLUTION: When a content providing request is received, a content providing device compares a player internal clock with a setting content of an internal clock of the content providing device, thereby performing a content providing process and a player internal clock. In addition to performing setting request processing and managing users who have a possibility of unauthorized use, it manages and controls the date and time when the content is provided on both the providing device side and the player side. The player side
The usage period of the content requested at the time of content rental is checked, and a list of contents, reproduction, expiration processing (deletion) and the like are performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content rental method of a designated use date type using a communication line, a content providing device used in the content rental method, and a content using device. The present invention relates to a method for preventing the possibility of unauthorized use and managing users who may have unauthorized use, and an apparatus used in the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, as a sales / rental system of contents / computer software which is made into an electronic system via a communication medium, (1) charges as a content usage fee at the time of contract through a communication medium, (2) returns Convert the procedure into an electronic system by some method,
There are two types: measuring actual usage of computer software and charging a content usage fee according to the actual usage. (1) is a sale rather than a rental. (2) Illustrates "Method and Apparatus for Remotely Controlling and Monitoring Use of Computer Software"
(Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-504794).
According to this technique, a first computer disposed in a host station that transfers and manages a program used by a user, a program transmitted from the host station is received and stored, and a second computer is stored in a second station.
The present invention relates to a system which can be constituted by a second computer arranged for a user who converts a program into a form usable by a computer (decryption of a program transmitted in an encrypted state), or a first computer.
Also, as one application of this technology, the actual use time of the computer software is monitored by monitoring the use time and calculating the rental fee for the use of the computer software as the computer software use management of the first computer in the second computer. It is intended to realize a system in which a rental fee is calculated based on a fee and charged.

[0003]

The biggest problem in realizing an electronic rental system is how to implement "return of rented content" and "charging of rental fee". . The easiest way to digitize is to charge a rental fee based on the number of days borrowed at the time of return based on the information presented at the time of borrowing such as a credit card number.In this case, the return processing of the rental content itself (In an electronic system,
The process of deleting the content from the user device) can only be performed when the user says "Return", so that there is a problem that unauthorized copying of the rental content can be easily performed.

That is, in an electronic rental system, at the time of a rental contract, the rental content is
The data is transferred to the user's device and stored. If the storage destination is a memory built in the device on the user side and the content of the memory cannot be copied to an external storage medium such as an FD (flexible disk), the content is stored at the time of return processing. There should not be much problem because we only need to erase it. However, as typified by a PC (personal computer), most information devices can be copied at the user level (in the case of a PC, copying is performed in the form of a data set in the smallest unit handled by a PC system called a "file"). Possible). Therefore, even if the content existing in the internal memory is deleted during the rental content return process,
At the user level, unauthorized copying of the content can be easily performed simply by copying the content backed up to the FD or the like to the internal memory.

As described above, when the rental system is digitized, the rental content system cannot be a target of the content rental service business unless the problems of the return procedure of the rental content and the charging are solved. . As a means for solving the problem in the return procedure among the above-mentioned problems, a system in which a borrowing period is set at the time of rental contract and processing is considered.
The borrowing period is set, and when the content is played back (used and executed), it is determined whether the borrowing period is within the borrowing period or expired. Even if it is possible, it is possible to make it impossible to reproduce.

However, even if such a borrowing period is set and the expiration date processing is performed, the problem cannot be solved by the means for determining "how has the period expired?" This is because most of the conventional information devices, not only recently, have a clock function and a standard date is ticked by this clock function, but this time setting must be at least initialized. Therefore, it can be changed at the user level. In other words, not only error handling measures when the user has forgotten to set the time but the intention is not just wrong, set the correct date and time only at the time of rental, and complete the rental procedure (probably rental in the minimum number of days) Later, when using the content, there is a problem that it is not possible to prevent unauthorized users who use the content forever on the rental date.

[0007] It is possible to prevent unauthorized use by deleting the rental content at the time of setting the time on the device to be used. However, whether the user tried to set the correct time or whether Therefore, it is impossible to determine whether or not the time has been set, so that this measure is impossible.

[0008] If the content copied to an external storage device such as an FD is considered to be used by a device other than the device that has performed the rental processing, it is impossible with the means described later. This can be solved by assigning an individual code of the rental-processed device to the header portion of the device and determining whether or not the individual code in the device matches the code of the header portion of the content at the time of the reproduction process.

Therefore, the present invention provides a rental method with a rental term that does not require a content return procedure on the user side, thereby preventing the use of rental contents beyond the rental term, which is disadvantageous to the content service provider, to prevent unauthorized use. The purpose is to enable the management of users who have the possibility of being.

[0010]

According to the content rental method of the present invention, at the time of a rental contract, that is, at the timing (pre-processing) of distributing content data from the content providing device to the content using device, the content providing device side receives the content data. The content user is notified of the setting contents of the internal clock, and the content using device receives the date and time notification from the content providing device, and sets the internal clock of the content using device. The clock settings are matched.

A first aspect of the present invention is a content rental method using a content providing apparatus and a content using apparatus, wherein the content is distributed from the content providing apparatus to the content using apparatus using a communication line. Prior to this, the setting of the internal clock means included in the content providing device and the content using device is exchanged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content providing apparatus for use in a content expiration-time type content rental method, wherein an internal clock means for measuring a date and time and information on the date and time of the internal clock means provided in the content using apparatus. Means for requesting and receiving, and means for comparing the date and time information of the content providing device with the date and time information of the content using device. As a result of the comparison, if the difference is out of a certain range, the Means for transmitting the date and time information of the content providing device to the content using device and requesting the internal clock means of the content using device to set the internal clock of the content using device prior to providing the content. It is characterized by controlling and managing the means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content use apparatus for use in a content expiration-specified type content rental method, wherein an internal clock means capable of setting a date and time; Means for transmitting to the providing apparatus, and a result of the content providing apparatus comparing the date and time information with the date and time information of the internal clock means included in the content providing apparatus. Means for receiving a date and time setting request transmitted from the providing apparatus, and means for setting the requested date and time in the internal clock means of the content using apparatus, so that the Check whether the setting of the internal clock means of the content use device is correct, and provide the correct date information to the content Received by the device, it is obtained by and sets control.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content using apparatus for use in a content rental method of a usage period designation type, wherein a means for inputting a content usage period at the time of content rental, Means for storing and managing the usage period in association with the rental content and at least one of the following: a rental content reproduction process, a rental content list display process, a device power-on process, and a further content rental process At the timing, the managed expiration date of the rental content is compared with the date and time information obtained by the internal clock means, and the expired content is deleted by confirming the deletion of the expired content. , From the device or from external storage media It is obtained by the features and.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Examples of the rental content include audio software, video software, a database, and a computer program. In the following embodiment, the rental content is music. (Content Rental System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall concept of a rental music service system. This system is a receiving apparatus (U ₁ , U ₂ ,...) Installed on the service user side using the rental music service system.
U _n ) and the content distribution device S installed on the service provider side that provides the rental music service are connected using a communication line. The Internet is assumed as the communication infrastructure for exchanging content and contract information between service users and service providers.
Currently most commonly feasible. Therefore, the service user is provided from the service provider through the Internet, such as a contract content, a music content list, and a page for a contract procedure, through the Internet access service company (provider) P, and the music content to be rented through the page is provided. Will be selected.

(Content Distribution Apparatus) First, the system on the service provider side will be described. FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of a content distribution device S which is a device on the service provider side, and is an example in which this is realized by a computer system represented by a PC. The components of the content distribution device S on the service provider side include a central processing unit 20 that controls the arithmetic operation between the devices, and a reception device U ₁ on the service user side, which represents data as an electric signal, such as a modem. U ₂ ,... _Un , a display device 22 typified by a display, an input device 23 typified by a keyboard and a mouse, and a content distribution device S as shown in the format of FIG. Date and time storage unit 241 storing the current accurate date and time
, A storage unit 25 typified by a hard disk, a RAM 26, and a ROM 27.

When the power of the content distribution apparatus S is turned on, first, the OS (Operating) existing in the ROM 27 is used.
System) The loader is started and the O existing on the storage device 25 is
S251 is developed on the RAM 26. Next, RAM 26
The OS expanded above is activated, and the code to be distributed is expanded on the RAM 26 and activated by the service user designation / automatic execution processing. Thereafter, in accordance with the contents of the distribution processing code, the content provision processing and the user's device U ₁ ,
U _2, ... data exchange with U _n (Information date and time, etc.) is to be performed.

Music content to be provided, a management table,
All codes for distribution processing are stored in a storage device 25 such as a hard disk. The configuration of the storage device 25, OS 251, the service user side receiving device U ₁ content data, U _2, ... content distribution unit 252 has a function of transmitting to the U _n, and shown in FIG. 6 (A) As described above, by having a song number, a song name, a singer name, and the presence or absence of a lyrics card uniquely assigned to a song as a format, a list of music contents can be managed by a content management unit 253 and a content management unit 253. Content storage unit 254 storing the entity of the music content corresponding to the content list stored, and content deletion code storage unit 25 storing the content deletion code
5, a content reproduction code storage unit 256 storing a content reproduction code, as shown in FIG. 6B, when renting music in the past, the service user side receiving device U
A clock _1, U _2, which is ... U _n of the clock function section 44 records, with the clock clock function unit 24 of the content distribution apparatus records, a problem that the watch had very different (date problem) is User history management unit 25 having, as a format, the ID of the service user who occurred and the date when the problem occurred.
7. The music contents that the service user desires to rent are transferred to the service user side receiving devices U ₁ , U ₂ ,.
addition to being transmitted when transmitting in _n, 6 content management data creation section 258 for creating a content management data in the format (C), the service user side receiving device U _1, U _2, from ... U _n It comprises a clock comparison unit 259 that compares the transmitted clock with the clock of the content distribution device.

(Receiving device (player) on service user side) Next, receiving devices U ₁ , U ₂ ,.
_Un will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of a player (service user-side receiving device), which is a system of the service user. The player shown in FIG. 3A is an A-type player, and the player shown in FIG. 3B is a B-type player. The difference between each type of player will be described later. FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the player (in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, components having a common number indicate common components).

[0020] The service user side receiving device U _1, U _2, ... U
_n is a central processing unit 40 for controlling arithmetic operations between the devices, a communication device 41 for transmitting data represented by a modem as an electric signal to the content distribution device S, a display device 42, and an input device including various buttons and the like. 43, as shown in the format of FIG. 5B, a date / time storage unit 441 storing the current date / time of the receiving device on the service user side.
, A storage device (1) 45 composed of a non-volatile RAM, a storage device (2) 46 composed of a ROM, a speaker, and audio reproduction processing control (D / A conversion). It is composed of a reproducing device 47 composed of an audio chip or the like.

The input device 43 includes a touch panel 431, a power ON button 432, a play button 433, and content management section data of the currently rented music stored in the content management data storage section 451 (format is shown in FIG. 6C). A list display button 434 having a function of displaying a song to be shown), a key button 435 having a function of selecting a song to rent and inputting a rental expiration date, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the storage device (1) 45 stores the song number, song title,
Content management data consisting of a singer's name, a constant indicating the date and time of return (this constant is assumed to be constant), and a variable indicating how much time remains until the date and time of return (this variable decreases over time) The stored content management data storage unit 451, the content storage unit 452 storing the entity of the music content managed by the content management data storage unit 451, and the content deletion code storage unit 453 storing the content deletion code A content reproduction code storage unit 454 storing content reproduction codes, a function of checking whether the rented music has reached a return time limit, and issuing a warning to a service user if the return time limit is approaching. Management unit 455, which has been sent with the rented music content EXE header storage unit 456 for storing the EXE header was comprised of lyric storage unit 457 for storing the lyric.

The storage device (2) 46 includes a content receiving section 461 for receiving music content transmitted from the content distribution apparatus S, a power-on processing section 462 for performing processing when the power is turned on, and reproduction of music content. Processing unit 463 and the content management data storage unit 45 for performing
1 (FIG. 6C)
The content management data processing unit 464 performs deletion and addition, and a deletion processing unit 465 having a function of deleting music content and the like.

Storage device (1) (non-volatile RAM) 45
And the storage device (2) (ROM) 46 are physically connected to each other, and the content deletion code and the reproduction code stored in the storage device (1) 45 are deleted by the deletion processing unit in the storage device (2) 46. By exchanging and processing data with the 465 and the reproduction processing unit 463, music content is deleted or reproduced.

(Difference between player types A and B)
In the present invention, the type A player (A) assumes that the content deletion code storage unit 453 storing the deletion code and the content reproduction code storage unit 454 storing the reproduction code exist in the player in advance. (FIG. 3 (A)) Also, a type B player assuming a case where the deletion code and the reproduction code do not exist in the player in advance and are transmitted in addition to the rented music content (FIG. 3 (B)). There are two types of players. Type A is a player created exclusively for the rental system because a deletion code and a reproduction code are provided in the player in advance, and is suitable for storing rented music content in a recording medium inside the player. . In the case of type B, since a delete code or a play code is added to the rented music and transmitted, the user can listen to the rented music content with an information device having a standard architecture such as a PC, or rent the rented music content. It is suitable for a format that can be used by a player other than the contracted player (for example, when receiving on a recording medium such as an MD and listening to it with another MD player).

(Processing at Content Distribution) FIGS. 8 and 9
9 is a flowchart showing processing of the content distribution unit 252. (Step 1) the content delivery unit 252 receives the service user side reception device (player) U _1, U _2, user ID (identification code) sent from ... U _n. The data format received at this time is, as shown in FIG. 5C, information composed of a user ID and a password assigned to each user. If there is no mistake in the user ID and password, the process proceeds to step 2. (Step 2) The content distribution unit 252, the service user side receiving device U _1, U _2, ... it transmits the music contents list to the U _n. The music content list transmitted at this time is a list stored in the content management unit 253, and includes a song number, a song name, a singer name, and a lyrics card assigned to each song as shown in FIG. It is information indicating whether or not. (Step 3) The content distribution unit 252 receives the date and time transmitted from the service user-side receiving device. The data format received at this time is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the information indicates the date, day of the week, hour, minute, and second. (Step 4) The content distribution unit S sets the clock comparison unit 25
9 is started. The activated clock comparing unit 259 compares the date and time on the player side received in step 3 with the date and time 241 in the content distribution device. At this time, if the two are significantly different (if a date problem has occurred), the process proceeds to step 5; if not, the process of step 10 is performed.

(Step 5) Content distribution unit 252
Checks the user list in which the date problem occurred in the past (FIG. 6B) stored in the user history management unit 257 to check whether such a date problem has occurred in the past. . If a date problem has occurred in the past, the process proceeds to step 6; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 7. (Step 6) If it is determined that the service user has a date problem in the past, the content distribution unit transmits an error message to the service user-side receiving device (FIG. 7A). Notifies that it is not available and ends. (Step 7) The content distribution unit 252 registers the service user who has caused the date problem in the user list in which the date problem has occurred in the past shown in FIG. 6B. The information registered at this time is the ID of the service user and the date when the problem occurred. (Step 8) The content delivery unit 252 sets the date / time on the content delivery device S side (FIG. 5) so that the service user-side receiving device correctly resets the date / time.
(A)), and transmits a reset command to the service user-side receiving device. (Step 9) The content distribution unit receives a message (FIG. 7B) indicating that the date has been set normally from the service user-side receiving device.

(Step 10) Content distribution unit 252
Receives, from the service user-side receiving device, data indicating whether a desired song number, song title, singer name, and lyrics card to be rented are desired, as shown in FIG. 6 (D). (Step 11) The content distribution unit 252 receives a return period (shown in FIG. 7 (C)) indicating how long the music content desired to be rented is rented from the service user receiving device. (Step 12) The content distribution unit 252 receives a player type from the service user-side receiving device (player), whether the player is the A type or the B type. If the player type is A type, the process of step 14 is performed. If the player type is B type, step 1 is performed.
Step 3 is performed. (Step 13) When the player type is the B type, the content distribution unit 252 combines the music content received by the service user, which is desired to be rented, with the reproduction code, the deletion code, and the content management data. The data is transmitted to the service user-side receiving device (player) (for details, refer to FIG. 10A). (Step 14) If the player type is A, the content distribution unit combines the music content that the service user desires to rent and the content management data received in Step 10 with the service user-side receiving device (player ) (For details, refer to FIG. 10 (B) content transmission data format). (Step 15) If it is determined in step 10 that the service user requires a lyrics card, the content distribution unit transmits the lyrics card to the service user-side receiving device (player).

FIG. 10A shows a content transmission data format in the case _where the players of the service user-side receiving devices U ₁ , U ₂ ,... Player B
In the case of the type, since the deletion code and the reproduction code are not stored in the player in advance, it is necessary to add these to the music content and transmit it to the player.
FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a state in which a deletion code or a reproduction code is added to music content, flows on a communication line, and is transmitted to a player. Hereinafter, the data in this figure will be described.

The file extension of this data format is EXE, which is an executable format. This file is composed of an EXE header, a deletion code, a reproduction code, content management data, and music content, and these are put together into one EXE file format. The program start address of the EXE header stores the storage position of the reproduction code. The deletion code is stored in the content deletion code storage unit 25 of the content distribution device S.
5 is stored. The reproduction code is stored in the content reproduction code storage unit 256 of the content distribution device. The content management data is created by the content management data creation unit 258, and is represented by the data format shown in FIG. The rented song number, song name, singer name,
It has a return date and time as an invariable constant, and a remaining time that can be rented as a variable with a variable value. The music content is an entity of music that the service user wants to rent. Note that the content transmission data format is used when the player of the service user-side receiving apparatus is of type A. Since the type A player stores a deletion code and a reproduction code in advance, FIG. )become that way. This is obtained by removing the delete code and the reproduction code from the type B data format.

(Processing at Content Reception (A-Type Player)) FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the processing of the content receiving section 461 when the player is of the A type. (Step 21) The service user inputs a user ID (identification code). The data format at this time is shown in FIG. (Step 22) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the data input by the service user in Step 21 to the content distribution device S. (Step 23) The content receiving unit 461 receives the music content list transmitted from the content distribution device S (the received music content list format is shown in FIG. 6A). The received music content list is displayed on the display device 42. (Step 24) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the date / time 441 stored in the clock function unit 44 of the player to the content distribution device S. The data format transmitted at this time is shown in FIG.

(Step 25) The content distribution device S receives a result of determining whether or not the date and time transmitted in step 24 is significantly different from the date and time on the content distribution device S side. If it is determined that the difference is large, the process proceeds to step 26. If it is determined that the difference is not large, the process proceeds to step 31. (Step 26) The content distribution device S receives the result of checking whether the service user has caused a date problem in the past. If it is determined that the service user has caused a date problem in the past, the process proceeds to step 27.
If it is determined that no date problem has occurred in the past, the process proceeds to step 28. (Step 27) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the error message transmitted by the content distribution device S (see FIG. 7).
(A)) is received, it is displayed on the display device 42, and the process ends. (Step 28) The content receiving unit 461 receives the correct date and time (FIG. 5A) and the reset command transmitted from the content distribution device S. (Step 29) The content receiving unit 461 resets the player's date using the correct date and time and the reset command transmitted from the content distribution device S.

(Step 30) Content receiving section 461
Transmits to the content distribution device S a message (FIG. 7B) indicating that the date, time, and date on the player side have been correctly reset. (Step 31) The service user selects the key button 435
Is operated, the music content list transmitted from the content distribution device S in step 23 (FIG. 6)
(A)), select whether or not a song to be rented and a lyrics card are required. FIG. 6D shows a screen displaying a music content list desired by the service user to rent. (Step 32) The content receiving unit 461 transmits to the content distribution unit S the information of the music content to be rented which is input by the service user in step 31. (Step 33) The service user inputs a return period and transmits it to the content distribution unit. Note that the data format of the return deadline is represented by date and time as shown in FIG. 7 (C). (Step 34) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the player type to the content distribution unit S. In this case, the fact that the type is A is transmitted.

(Step 35) The content distribution unit S
At step 31, the music content desired for rental is received. The music content received at this time has a data format as shown in FIG. The EXE header of the content transmission data received by the content receiving unit 461 is stored in the EXE header storage unit 456, and the content management data is stored in the content management data storage unit 45.
1 and the music content are stored in the content storage unit 452, respectively. In addition, the remaining time that can be rented, which is a variable of the content management data, decreases as soon as it arrives at the content receiving unit. (Step 36) If the service user selects in step 31 that a lyrics card is necessary, the content receiving unit receives the lyrics card and stores it in the lyrics card storage unit 457.

(Process at Content Receiving (B-Type Player)) FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the process of the content receiving section 461 when the player is of the B-type. (Step 41) The service user inputs a user ID (identification code). The data format at this time is shown in FIG. (Step 42) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the data input by the service user in Step 41 to the content distribution device S. (Step 43) The content receiving unit 461 receives the music content list transmitted from the content distribution device S (the received music content list format is shown in FIG. 6A). The received music content list is displayed on the display device 42. (Step 44) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the date 441 stored in the clock function unit 44 of the player to the content distribution device S. The data format transmitted at this time is shown in FIG.

(Step 45) The content distribution device S receives a result of the determination as to whether or not the date and time transmitted in step 44 is significantly different from the date and time on the content distribution device S side. If it is determined that the difference is large, the process proceeds to step 46. If it is determined that the difference is not large, the process proceeds to step 51. (Step 46) The content distribution device receives the result of checking whether the service user has caused a date problem in the past. If it is determined that the service user has caused a date problem in the past, go to step 47.
If it is determined that no date problem has occurred in the past, the process proceeds to step 48. (Step 47) The content receiving unit receives the error message (FIG. 7A) transmitted from the content distribution device, displays it on the display device 42, and ends the processing. (Step 48) The content receiving unit 461 receives the correct date and time (FIG. 5A) and the reset command transmitted from the content distribution device S. (Step 49) The content receiving unit 461 resets the player's date using the correct date and time and the reset command transmitted from the content distribution device S.

(Step 50) Content receiving section 461
Transmits to the content distribution device S a message (FIG. 7B) indicating that the date, time, and date on the player side have been correctly reset. (Step 51) The service user selects the key button 435
Is operated, the music content list transmitted from the content distribution device in step 43 (FIG. 6)
(A)), select whether or not a song to be rented and a lyrics card are required. FIG. 6A shows a screen displaying a music content list desired by the service user to rent. (Step 52) The content receiving unit 461 transmits to the content distribution unit S the information of the music content to be rented which is input by the service user in Step 51. (Step 53) The service user inputs a return term and transmits it to the content distribution unit. Note that the data format of the return deadline is represented by date and time as shown in FIG. 7 (C). (Step 54) The content receiving unit 461 transmits the player type to the content distribution unit S. In this case, the fact that the type is the B type is transmitted.

(Step 55) Content receiving section 461
Receives the music content desired to be rented in step 51. The music content received at this time has a data format as shown in FIG. The EXE header of the received content transmission data is stored in the EXE header storage unit 456, the deletion code is stored in the content deletion code storage unit 453, the playback code is stored in the content playback code storage unit 454, and the content management data is stored in the content management data storage unit 451. The music content is stored in the content storage unit 452. In addition, the remaining time that can be rented, which is a variable of the content management data, decreases as soon as it arrives at the content receiving unit. (Step 56) If the service user selects that a lyrics card is necessary in step 51, the content receiving unit receives the lyrics card and stores it in the lyrics card storage unit 457.

(During Power ON Operation) FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing when the power of the player is turned ON. (Step 61) The power ON button 432 is pressed by the user to turn on the player. (Step 62) The power ON processing unit 462 is activated. (Step 63) The power-on processing unit 462 sets the time limit management unit 4
55 is started. (Step 64) The term management unit 455 checks the return date and time, which is a constant of the content management data (FIG. 6C) stored in the content management data storage unit 451. If there is any content whose return date and time has passed, as compared with the player's date / time storage unit 441, the content is deleted. If the return date and time has not passed, the routine proceeds to step 65.

(Step 65) The term management unit 455 checks the remaining rentable time, which is a variable of the content management data (FIG. 6C) stored in the content management data storage unit 451. If there is content whose remaining time is short, the process proceeds to step 66, and if not, the process ends. (Step 66) The time limit management unit 455 displays a message (FIG. 7D) indicating that the use time limit is almost over on the display device 42.

(When Rental Music List is Displayed) FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the process of the content management data processing part 464 of a player. (Step 71) The user presses the list display button 434 to display a list of rented songs. (Step 72) The operation of step 71 activates the content management data processing unit 464. The activated content management data processing unit 464 stores the content management data (FIG. 6) stored in the content management data storage unit 451.
(C)) is displayed on the display device 42. by this,
Users can browse the list of songs currently rented. (Step 73) Content Management Data Processing Unit 464
Activates the term management unit 455. (Step 74) The term management unit 455 checks the return date and time that is a constant of the content management data (FIG. 6C) stored in the content management data storage unit 451. If there is any content whose return date and time has passed, as compared with the data in the date / time storage unit 441 of the player, the content is deleted. If the return date and time has not passed, the routine proceeds to step 75. (Step 75) The time limit management unit 455 checks the remaining time available for rent, which is a variable of the content management data (FIG. 6C) stored in the content management data storage unit 451. If there is content whose remaining time is short, the process proceeds to step 76; otherwise, the process ends. (Step 76) The time limit management unit 455 displays a message (FIG. 7D) indicating that the use time limit is shortly after on the display device 42.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process related to a reproduction code. (Step 81) When the rented music list (FIG. 6C) is displayed on the display device 42,
The user operates the key button 435 to select the music content to be reproduced, and presses the reproduction button 433. (Step 82) EXE header (E
(Stored in the XE header storage unit 456). (Step 83) Since the start address of the EXE header stores the storage address of the playback code corresponding to the selected song, the EXE header activates the playback code stored in the content playback code storage unit 454. (Step 84) The reproduction code activates the term management unit 455.

(Step 85) The term management unit 455 checks the return date and time which is a constant of the content management data (FIG. 6C) stored in the content management data storage unit 451. Compared with the data in the player's date / time storage unit 441, if the return date and time has passed, the content is deleted. Step 8 if the return date and time have not passed
Proceed to 6. (Step 86) The playback code is stored in the content storage unit 45.
2 reproduces the music content stored in
Hand over to (Step 87) The music content delivered to the reproduction processing unit 463 is reproduced through the reproduction device 47.

(During Content Deletion Processing) FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing processing relating to a deletion processing section (deletion code) when the player type is B type. The deletion process described here is performed in step 64 of FIG. 15, step 74 of FIG. 16, and step 85 of FIG.
55 is a process performed when the return date and time, which is a constant of the content management data stored in the content management data storage unit 451, is checked and it is determined that the return date and time have passed. (Step 91) The term management unit 455 activates the deletion code stored in the content deletion code storage unit 453. (Step 92) The activated deletion code is stored in the deletion processing unit 4
At 65, the data that needs to be deleted is delivered. In this case, the data that needs to be deleted is stored in the content storage unit 4.
52, the music code stored in the content deletion code management unit 453, the reproduction code stored in the content reproduction code storage unit 454, and the EX stored in the EXE header storage unit 456.
This is an E header. (Step 93) The deletion processing unit 465 to which the data that needs to be deleted is delivered deletes the data. (Step 94) The deletion code activates the content management data processing unit 464. (Step 95) The started content management data processing unit 464 updates the content management data stored in the content management data storage unit 451. The updating process performed at this time is a process of deleting a music list item corresponding to the deleted music content.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing processing relating to the deletion processing section (deletion code) when the player type is A type. (Step 101) The term management unit activates the deletion code stored in the content deletion code storage unit 453. (Step 102) The activated deletion code delivers data that needs to be deleted to the deletion processing unit 465. In this case, the data that needs to be deleted are the music content stored in the content storage unit 452 and the EXE header stored in the EXE header storage unit 456. (Step 103) The deletion processing unit 465 to which the data that needs to be deleted is delivered deletes the data. (Step 104) The deletion code activates the content management data processing unit 464. (Step 105) The started content management data processing unit updates the content management data stored in the content management data storage unit 451. The updating process performed at this time is a process of deleting an item of the music list corresponding to the deleted music content. As described above, the content rental system described above uses a communication line including the Internet as an embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may use satellite broadcasting. When using a communication line, a system using a network such as a cable television may be used. Furthermore, the target content is not limited to music, but may include video. Therefore, the content receiving device (player) is not limited to the music player, and may be a player that displays video.

[0046]

According to the present invention, since the content providing device manages the internal clock means of the content using device, it is possible to manage the service user's content expiration date. An electronic content rental system that can prevent disadvantageous rental content from being used after the rental period and manage users who have the possibility of unauthorized use, thus reducing the disadvantages of service providers Can be provided. In addition, content deletion processing can be performed solely on the content use device side by simply notifying "return" through the communication line, and management of the return of the content is performed solely on the content providing device side. It is possible. Further, every time the service user attempts to receive the provision of the content, the content providing device checks the date and time setting of the internal clock means of the content using device and requests that the date and time be set correctly. The correct date and time can be obtained without the service user having to pay special attention to setting the date and time of the internal clock means on the content use device side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of the entire content rental system.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a content distribution device arranged on a service provider side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of a content use device (player) arranged on a service user side.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a content use device (player) arranged on a service user side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of data exchanged between a content distribution device and a content use device (player).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a format of a list recorded in a storage device of a content distribution device and a content use device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a message displayed on a display device of the content distribution device and the content use device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a content distribution unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the content distribution unit following the flowchart of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format of content transmission data transmitted by the content distribution device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a content receiving unit of a player (A type).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart following the flowchart of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a content receiving unit of a player (B type).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart following the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process when the power of the player is turned on.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing of a content management data processing unit of the player.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing relating to a reproduction code.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing processing relating to a deletion processing section of a player (B type).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing relating to a deletion processing unit of a player (A type).

[Explanation of symbols]

20, 40 ... central processing unit, 21, 41 ... communication device, 2
2, 42 display device, 23, 43 input device, 24, 4
4 ... clock component, 25,26,27,45,46 ... storage device, 47 ... playback apparatus, P ... provider, S ... the content providing _{apparatus, U 1, U 2, ...} U n ... content receiving apparatus.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An expiration date designating type content rental method using a content providing device and a content using device, wherein the content is provided before the content is distributed from the content providing device to the content using device using a communication line. A content rental method, comprising exchanging settings of an apparatus and internal clock means provided in the content use apparatus. 2. A content providing apparatus for use in a content expiration date type content rental method, comprising: requesting and receiving information on an internal clock means for measuring a date and time; and an internal clock means included in the content using apparatus. Means for comparing the information on the date and time of the content providing device with the information on the date and time of the content using device. If the result of the comparison is out of a certain range, the date of the content providing device Means for transmitting time information to the content use device and requesting the internal clock means of the content use device to set and control the internal clock means of the content use device prior to providing the content. A content providing device, comprising: 3. A content use device used in a content expiration-time type content rental method, wherein an internal clock means capable of setting a date and time, and when the content is rented, the date and time information is transmitted to the content providing device. Means, the content providing apparatus compares the date and time information with the date and time information of the internal clock means included in the content providing apparatus, and when the difference is out of a certain range, the content is transmitted from the content providing apparatus. Means for receiving an incoming date and time setting request, and means for setting the requested date and time in an internal clock means of the content using apparatus, so that the content Check whether the setting of the clock means is correct, and receive the correct date information from the content providing device , The content use apparatus and setting control. 4. A content use apparatus used in a content expiration-time type content rental method, comprising: means for inputting a content expiration date when renting a content; and storing and managing the content expiration date in association with the rental content. Means for performing at least one of the following processing: rental content reproduction processing, rental content list display processing, apparatus power-on processing, and further content rental processing. And the date and time information obtained by the internal clock means, and a deletion confirmation means for expired content is provided, whereby the rental expired content is deleted from the apparatus or from an external storage medium. 4. The content of claim 3, wherein: Utilization device.