JP2002215502A - Content distribution method, content distribution system, and content distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the possibility that a sponsor and a user are obtained by increasing the appeal effect to the sponsor and user. SOLUTION: A provider's terminal device 6 specifies respective generation conditions of digital contents to be distributed and preview digital contents and thumbnail images as samples of the digital contents to be distributed. A contents distributing device 1 which distributes the digital contents to be distributed generates the digital contents to be distributed, the previews digital contents and the thumbnail images from original digital contents under the respectively specified generation conditions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content distribution method, a content distribution system, and a content distribution apparatus for distributing digital content provided by a content provider to a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as typified by television broadcasting, in the field of broadcasting, sponsors provide advertising services such as free user viewing fees instead of unilaterally delivering advertisements to users. Have been done. Further, as another example of the advertisement service, an advertisement service in which the sponsor pays the call charge to reduce the call charge or make the call charge free instead of advertising the advertisement during the telephone call is being studied. As described above, the advertisement service has advantages such as a reduction in the fee or free charge for the user, an advertisement effect for the information provider, and is an effective service for both.

On the other hand, with the development of information technology in recent years, a mobile phone or a personal computer accesses a network, particularly a server on the Internet, and obtains information from the server or enjoys a service provided by the server. Communication systems are becoming popular. Even in such a communication system, a content distribution system has been proposed in which, if a user satisfies a specific condition required by a sponsor, the sponsor bears a fee for digital content such as video / music data and software, and makes the fee free. I have.

[0004] Specific conditions required by the sponsor include:
For example, there is display of a banner advertisement on a user terminal screen, user access to a sponsor site, or input of user information (such as answering a questionnaire). When the user clicks on the banner advertisement, the user accesses the sponsor site by jumping to the sponsor site linked to the banner advertisement and by switching to the sponsor site Web.
The page b is displayed on the user terminal screen. According to the content distribution system as described above, the user can view the content free of charge instead of browsing the advertisement or answering the questionnaire, and the sponsor can perform the advertising activity without spending a large amount of money. Can be performed, and information input by the user can also be obtained.

[0005]

However, in a content distribution system that distributes digital content free of charge, there is a possibility that the content provider cannot acquire a sponsor. Because the sponsor decides the digital content to be sponsored, such as by watching a sample version of the digital content, if the sample version is inappropriate, the appeal to the sponsor will be insufficient and the sponsor will This is because they will not show interest.

[0006] Similarly, the user determines the digital content desired to be distributed by, for example, viewing a sample version of the digital content. Therefore, if the sample version is inappropriate, the content provider may not be able to acquire the user even if the sponsor can be acquired. If the content provider cannot acquire the sponsor, it will not have a place to publish its own content, and if it cannot acquire the user, it will not be able to obtain a reward from the sponsor according to the popularity of the user. The problem of not being able to acquire users is that when the operator of the content distribution system performs an operation to generate distribution digital content to be distributed to the user by performing some processing on the original digital content, It also occurs when generation is inappropriate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a content distribution method, a content distribution system, and a content that can enhance the effect of appealing to sponsors and users and increase the possibility of acquiring sponsors and users. An object is to provide a distribution device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a content distribution method for generating distribution digital content based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user. The generation condition is set to the content provider device (2,
6) a generating condition specifying procedure (202) specified by the user and a content generating apparatus (1) generating a digital content for distribution from the original digital content according to the specified generating condition (203). It is intended to be executed. Digital contents include binary data such as music contents, video contents, and software. According to the present invention, it is possible to cause the content distribution device to generate appropriate distribution digital content by designating, from the content provider device, the conditions for generating the distribution digital content to be distributed to the user. Also, in the content distribution method according to the present invention, a generation condition specifying step (202) of specifying a generation condition of a preview digital content serving as a sample of the distribution digital content from a content provider device; A content generating step (203) of generating the preview digital content from the original digital content according to the specified generation condition. The preview digital content is presented to a sponsor or a user as a sample of the distribution digital content. According to the present invention, by specifying the generation condition of the preview digital content from the content provider device, it is possible to cause the content distribution device to generate an appropriate preview digital content.

The content distribution method according to the present invention further comprises a generation condition specifying step (202) for specifying a generation condition of a thumbnail still image as a sample of the distribution digital content from a content provider device; And a content distribution step (203) of generating the thumbnail still image from the original digital content according to the designated generation condition in a content distribution device that distributes the thumbnail still image to a user. The thumbnail still image is presented to a sponsor or a user as a sample of the digital content for distribution. According to the present invention, an appropriate thumbnail still image can be generated in the content distribution device by designating the generation condition of the thumbnail still image from the content provider device. Also, the content distribution method of the present invention provides a content distribution apparatus for distributing digital content for distribution to a user, by extracting a plurality of thumbnail still image candidates serving as a sample of the digital content for distribution from the original digital content. A still image candidate presenting procedure, a selecting step of selecting a desired still image from candidates presented by the content distribution device by the content provider device, and the thumbnail still image according to the selection in the content distribution device. And a content generation procedure for generating the content. In the present invention, a plurality of thumbnail still image candidates are extracted from the original digital content and presented to the content provider, and a desired still image is selected from the presented candidates by the content provider device. An appropriate thumbnail still image can be selected.

The present invention also provides a content distribution system for generating distribution digital content based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user. Content provider device (2,
6) and a content distribution device (1) for generating the digital content for distribution from the original digital content in accordance with the specified generation conditions. Further, the content distribution system of the present invention
A content provider device that specifies a generation condition of a preview digital content that is a sample of the distribution digital content, and a content distribution device that generates the preview digital content from the original digital content according to the specified generation condition. It has. The content distribution system according to the present invention may further include a content provider device that specifies a generation condition of a thumbnail still image serving as a sample of the digital content for distribution, and the specified generation of the thumbnail still image from the original digital content. And a content distribution device that generates the content according to conditions. Also,
The content distribution system of the present invention retrieves a plurality of candidates for thumbnail still images, which are examples of the digital content for distribution, from the original digital content, presents them to the content provider, and displays the still image selected by the content provider. The content distribution device includes a thumbnail still image, and a content provider device that selects the thumbnail still image from candidates presented by the content distribution device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a content distribution apparatus for generating distribution digital content based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user.
Is to generate the distribution digital content from the original digital content according to a generation condition specified by a content provider. In addition, the content distribution device of the present invention generates a preview digital content as a sample of the distribution digital content from the original digital content according to a generation condition designated by a content provider. Further, the content distribution device of the present invention generates a thumbnail still image as a sample of the digital content for distribution from the original digital content according to a generation condition specified by a content provider. In addition, the content distribution apparatus of the present invention retrieves a plurality of thumbnail still image candidates serving as examples of the distribution digital content from the original digital content, presents the extracted thumbnail still images to a content provider, and displays the still image selected by the content provider. Is the thumbnail still image.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A content distribution system according to the present embodiment is operated by an operator of the system, registers a digital content provided by a content provider, and distributes encrypted digital content and distributes a decryption key. 1, a content providing server 2 operated by a content provider, a user terminal device 3 owned by a user, a sponsor site server 4 operated by a sponsor and storing a sponsor site,
It comprises a network 5 such as the Internet, a provider terminal device 6 owned by the content provider, and a sponsor terminal device 7 owned by the sponsor. The content distribution device 1, the content providing server 2 (provider terminal device 6), the user terminal device 3, and the sponsor site server 4 (sponsor terminal device 7) are interconnected by a network 5.

The content distribution device 1 includes a content storage server 11, a content processing server 12, a content distribution server 13, and a user information management server 14. The content storage server 11 accumulates digital content for distribution of binary data such as music content, video content, and software to be distributed to the user, and presents the digital content for distribution as a sample (sample version) to the sponsor or the user. The digital content for preview and the thumbnail still image generated for this purpose are accumulated.

The content processing server 12 provides an environment for uploading digital content to the content providing server 2 via the network 5, and based on the original digital content uploaded from the content providing server 2, digital content for distribution and preview for digital content. Generate digital content and thumbnail still images.

The content distribution server 13 distributes the preview digital content and the thumbnail still image to the sponsor terminal device 7 in response to the sponsor's request, and distributes the preview digital content and the thumbnail still image or the distribution for the distribution in response to the user's request. The digital content is distributed to the user terminal device 3, and a decryption key necessary for reproducing the digital content for distribution is provided to the user terminal device 3.
Deliver to. The user information management server 14 generates a decryption key.

The content providing server 2 and the provider terminal device 6 constitute a content provider device. Note that the content storage server 11, the content processing server 12,
Content distribution server 13, user information management server 1
4. Each of the content providing server 2, the user terminal device 3, the sponsor site server 4, the provider terminal device 6, and the sponsor terminal device 7 can be realized by a computer. This computer may have a known configuration including a central processing unit, a storage device, and an interface. The storage device stores a program for controlling these hardware resources.

Hereinafter, the operation of the content distribution system of FIG. 1 will be described in order. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the content distribution system of FIG. First, the content processing server 1 of the content distribution device 1
2 indicates, for example, WA to the content providing server 2.
Content providers are recruited by providing an environment for uploading digital contents in a file format such as V, MP3, AVI, MOV, and ASF.

In response to the recruitment, the content provider operates the provider terminal device 6 to access the website of the operator of the content distribution system (the operator of the content distribution device 1) (YE in step 101 in FIG. 2).
S), the content processing server 12 performs a content registration process (Step 102). FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the content registration process.

In FIG. 3, "<" and ">" indicate the direction of processing. For example, step 201 indicates that processing is performed in the direction from the content processing server 12 to the provider terminal device 6. In the content registration process, the content processing server 12 transmits a content registration screen as shown in FIG. 4 to the provider terminal device 6 of the access source via the network 5 (Step 201 in FIG. 3). Thereby, the content registration screen is displayed on the screen of the provider terminal device 6.

The content provider operates the provider terminal device 6 while watching the displayed content registration screen,
In addition to inputting content-related information necessary for content registration, distribution digital content to be distributed to a user, preview digital content as a sample (sample version) of the distribution digital content, and distribution digital content A generation condition for generating three types of contents of a thumbnail still image as a sample in the case from the original digital content is input.

That is, the content provider operates the provider terminal device 6 to operate on the file name of the digital content for distribution, the distribution method (download or streaming) of the digital content for distribution, the file name of the digital content for preview, The delivery method of the preview digital content, the file name of the thumbnail still image, the category of the digital content for delivery (moving image, still image, music, etc.), the genre of the digital content (eg, movie or drama), the condition for the sponsor, the user 1
Enter content-related information such as content fee per person, title of digital content, name of creator of digital content, contact information of creator (URL etc.), name of copyright holder of digital content, keyword for content search, etc. .

The conditions for generating the digital content for distribution include, for example, a bit rate. The conditions for generating the preview digital content include, for example, the bit rate, the position and playback time of the preview in the original content (for example, 30 seconds from the beginning), the designation of emphasis on quality (image quality and sound quality), and the designation of emphasis on motion. . The conditions for generating a thumbnail still image include the position of the still image in the original content (time indicating the position from the beginning).

After inputting the content-related information and the generation conditions,
The content provider starts transmission of the original content. Thus, the original content is transmitted from the content providing server 2 to the content distribution device 1 via the network 5, and the content-related information and the generation condition corresponding to the original content are transmitted from the provider terminal device 6 to the content providing server 2 and The content is transmitted to the content distribution device 1 via the network 5 (step 202).

Upon receiving the data sent from the content providing server 2, the content processing server 12 converts the format of the received original content into a predetermined file format, and then converts the format-converted original content into a digital content for distribution and a preview content. The digital content is generated according to each of the received generation conditions (step 203).

For example, when a bit rate is specified as a condition for generating digital content for distribution, the content processing server 12 generates digital content for distribution at the specified bit rate from the original content. Similarly, when the bit rate is specified as the generation condition of the preview digital content, the preview digital content is generated.

If the preview position and the playback time are specified as the conditions for generating the preview digital content, the content processing server 12 extracts the data from the specified position of the original content for the specified time and retrieves the preview digital content. Generate content. In addition, when the emphasis on quality or emphasis on motion is specified as the generation condition of the digital content for preview, the content processing server 12 generates the digital content for preview at a bit rate emphasizing quality or motion.

In step 203, the content processing server 12 determines that the original content is a moving image,
If the position of a still image is designated as a condition for generating a thumbnail still image, the thumbnail still image is extracted from the designated position of the original content.

Then, the content processing server 12 sends the generated distribution digital content, preview digital content, thumbnail still image, and content-related information to the content storage server 11. The content storage server 11 stores the received distribution digital content, preview digital content, and thumbnail still image, and registers the received content-related information in a content database (hereinafter, referred to as a content DB) (step 204).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the content DB. In the content DB, along with the content-related information,
Digital content identification number (hereinafter, content ID)
) And an identification number of the content provider (hereinafter, referred to as a provider ID) are registered. A record of the content DB as shown in FIG. 5 is generated for each content. Thus, the content registration processing in step 102 ends.

In step 202, the generation conditions of the digital content for distribution, the digital content for preview, and the thumbnail still image are specified only once from the content provider side. In some cases, it cannot be determined. Therefore, the three types of content, the digital content for distribution, the digital content for preview, and the thumbnail still image generated in step 203 are transmitted from the content processing server 12 to the provider terminal device 6.
, And the content provider may view and confirm the three types of content and input the generation conditions again.

When the specification of the generation condition is recognized a plurality of times, the input of the generation condition and the content processing server 1
2 to the provider terminal device 6 and the viewing and confirmation of the content by the content provider are repeated, and when the content provider is satisfied with the finish of the three types of content, the registration is confirmed and determined. When the confirmation request is transmitted from the provider terminal device 6 to the content processing server 12 in response to the input, the content processing server 12 may perform the process of step 204.

Also, in the present embodiment, the thumbnail still image generation conditions are specified by the content provider, but thumbnail still image candidates are presented from the content processing server 12 to the content provider. A still image may be selected. In this case, the content processing server 12 determines, for example, a 10-second still image, a 20-second still image,
A plurality of thumbnail still image candidates, such as a 0-second still image and a 40-second still image, are extracted, and the extracted still images are transmitted to the provider terminal device 6.

The content provider selects a desired still image while viewing the thumbnail still image candidates displayed on the screen of the provider terminal device 6. As a result, the selection result of the content provider is transmitted from the provider terminal device 6 to the content processing server 1.
2 is sent. The content processing server 12 may set the still image indicated by the received selection result as a thumbnail still image.

Next, the content processing server 12 recruits sponsors by providing the sponsor terminal device 7 with an environment for selecting registered digital contents (hereinafter abbreviated as registered contents). The sponsor who is interested in this recruitment operates the sponsor terminal device 7 to access the operator's Web site.

When the sponsor accesses the operator's Web site (YES in step 103 in FIG. 2), the content distribution server 13 generates a sponsor waiting content list screen as shown in FIG. The screen is transmitted to the access source sponsor terminal device 7 via the network 5. As a result, a sponsor waiting content list screen is displayed on the sponsor terminal device 7 (step 104).

When the content distribution server 13 generates the sponsor waiting content list screen, the content-related information such as the file name, creator name, copyright holder name, sponsor condition, and content fee per user of each registered content. Is acquired from the content DB for each registered content, and the acquired content-related information is displayed at the corresponding content location on the sponsor waiting content list screen. When the registered content is a moving image, the corresponding thumbnail still image is displayed together with the content-related information.

Further, the content distribution server 13 registers a “Preview” button for the sponsor to request viewing of the preview digital content and a “Sponsor” button for determining the content sponsored by the sponsor. Display for each content.
In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, a sponsor waiting content list screen with content related information and a thumbnail still image added for each content is displayed.

The sponsor looks at the sponsor-waiting content list screen displayed on the screen of the sponsor terminal device 7 and, when interested in a certain content, operates the sponsor terminal device 7 to perform a “preview” of the content.
Click the point where is displayed. Thereby, the preview request for the content is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13.

Upon receiving the preview request from the sponsor (YES in step 105), content distribution server 13 requests content storage server 11 to transmit the preview digital content corresponding to the requested content. The content storage server 11 transmits the requested preview content to the content distribution server 13, and the content distribution server 13 transfers the received preview content to the sponsor terminal device 7, which is the access source (step 106). Thus, the sponsor can view or listen to the preview content on the sponsor terminal device 7.

If the sponsor determines from the viewing result of the preview digital content and the thumbnail still image and the content-related information displayed on the sponsor waiting content list screen that the advertising effect corresponding to the cost to be paid can be obtained, the sponsor The user operates the terminal device 7 and clicks on a portion of the content in which “Sponsor” is displayed. As a result, a sponsor right acquisition request requesting the right to sponsor the content is transmitted from the sponsor terminal device 7 to the content distribution server 13 (step 107).

The content processing server 12 having received the sponsorship acquisition request via the content distribution server 13
Encrypts the digital content for distribution for which approval of the sponsor has been obtained, and adds the URL of the Web site designated by the sponsor to the encrypted content to generate encrypted digital content for distribution. The content storage server 11 stores the encrypted digital content for distribution (step 108).

Next, the content distribution server 13 provides the user terminal device 3 with an environment for downloading digital content for distribution via the network 5. That is, when the user operates the user terminal device 3 to access the operator's Web site (YES in step 109), the content distribution server 13 generates a distribution content list screen as shown in FIG. The generated distribution content list screen is transmitted to the access source user terminal device 3.

At this time, the distribution content list screen is also
Like the sponsor waiting content list screen described above, the content is generated based on information in the content DB. If the registered content is a moving image, the corresponding thumbnail still image is displayed together with the content-related information. Furthermore, the content distribution server 13 displays, for each registered content, a button “Preview” for the user to request viewing of the preview digital content and a button “Download” for the user to download the content.

As in the case of the sponsor, the user can view the preview digital content by operating the user terminal device 3 and clicking on the portion displayed as “Preview”. Then, when the user is interested in a certain content as a result of viewing the thumbnail still image on the distribution content list screen or viewing the preview digital content, “ Click on the "Download" label. As a result, a distribution request including the content ID of the corresponding content is transmitted from the user terminal device 3 to the content distribution server 13.

Upon receiving the distribution request from the user, the content distribution server 13 requests the content storage server 11 for the encrypted digital content for distribution corresponding to the requested content, and The encrypted digital content is transmitted to the user terminal device 3 via the network 5. The user terminal device 3 stores the received encrypted digital content for distribution (step 110).

Next, when the user issues a request to play back the downloaded encrypted digital content for distribution, the user terminal 3 (YE in step 111).
S) Since the server does not have a decryption key necessary for decrypting the encrypted digital content for distribution, it transmits the encrypted digital content for distribution to the sponsor site server 4 based on the URL added to the encrypted digital content for distribution according to a predetermined program. Access is performed (step 112). Thus, the Web page of the sponsor site is displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3.

At this time, with access to the sponsor site, terminal information unique to the terminal device 3 and stored in the user terminal device 3 is sent to the sponsor site server 4. Thereby, the sponsor site server 4
Can identify the user terminal device 3 (user) accessing the sponsor site.

The user looks at the Web page of the sponsor site displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 3 and operates the user terminal device 3 according to the conditions (for example, responses to a questionnaire) set in the sponsor site in advance. I do. If the user satisfies the required setting conditions (YES in step 113), the sponsor site server 4
Notifies the content distribution server 13 that the user has satisfied the setting conditions. This notification includes the terminal information.

Upon receiving the notification from the sponsor site server 4, the content distribution server 13 requests the user information management server 14 to generate a decryption key for the user identified by the terminal information. The user information management server 14 generates a decryption key by encrypting the secret key for encryption based on the terminal information, and returns the decryption key to the content distribution server 13.

The content distribution server 13 transmits the decryption key received from the user information management server 14 to the user terminal device 3 via the network 5 (Step 1)
14). The user terminal device 3 obtains a secret key by decoding the decryption key received from the content distribution device 1 using the terminal information of the user terminal device 3, and obtains the secret key obtained from the stored encrypted digital content for distribution. Then, reproduction of the digital content is started (step 115).
Thus, the user can view the distributed digital content.

According to the present embodiment, the user can view digital contents free of charge instead of browsing advertisements and answering questionnaires. Content providers are offered a place to publish their content for free, and can also get rewards according to the popularity of the user. When the content provider generates three types of content from the original digital content provided by the content provider, the digital content for distribution, the digital content for preview, and the thumbnail still image, the content provider appeals to the sponsor and the user. It is possible to cause the content distribution device 1 to generate a highly effective content.

In this embodiment, the network 5
Digital content for distribution via the user terminal device 3
The digital content for distribution generated by the content processing server 12 is stored in a floppy disk, C
The information may be recorded on a recording medium such as a D-ROM or a memory card, and the recording medium may be distributed to users.

[0053]

According to the present invention, by specifying from the content provider device the conditions for generating the digital content to be distributed to the user, the content provider can obtain the appropriate digital content for distribution in the content distribution device. Since the generation condition can be designated to generate, the effect of appealing to the user can be enhanced, and the possibility of acquiring the user can be increased.

Also, by specifying the conditions for generating the preview digital content to be presented to the sponsor or the user as a sample of the distribution digital content from the content provider device, the content provider can set an appropriate preview digital content in the content distribution device. Since the generation conditions can be specified so that the digital content is generated, the effect of appealing to the sponsor or user who views the preview digital content can be enhanced, and the possibility of acquiring the sponsor or user can be increased.

Further, by specifying the conditions for generating a thumbnail still image to be presented to a sponsor or a user as a sample of the digital content for distribution from the content provider device, the content provider can select an appropriate thumbnail still image in the content distribution device. Since the generation conditions can be specified so that the image is generated, it is possible to increase the effect of appealing to the sponsor or the user who browses the thumbnail still image, and to increase the possibility of acquiring the sponsor or the user.

Also, a plurality of thumbnail still image candidates are extracted from the original digital content and presented to the content provider, and a desired still image is selected from the presented candidates by the content provider device. Since the content provider can select an appropriate thumbnail still image, the effect of appealing to the sponsor or user who browses the thumbnail still image can be enhanced, and the possibility of acquiring the sponsor or user can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the content distribution system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a content registration process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a content registration screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a content database of the content storage server.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a sponsor waiting content list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution content list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Content distribution device 2. Content providing server
3: User terminal device, 4: Sponsor site server, 5
... Network, 6 ... Provider terminal device, 7 ... Sponsor terminal device, 11 ... Content storage server, 12 ... Content processing server, 13 ... Content distribution server, 14 ...
User information management server.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Omura 1-6-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo NTT Communications Corporation (72) Inventor Tadashi Uchiyama, Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in NTT Communications Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Utaka 1-6-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Reference) 5C064 BA07 BB07 BC07 BC16 BC17 BC22 BC23 BD02 BD08

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A content distribution method for generating distribution digital content based on an original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user, wherein the generation condition of the distribution digital content is determined from a content provider device. A content distribution method comprising: performing a generation condition specification procedure to be specified; and a content generation step of generating the distribution digital content from the original digital content in accordance with the specified generation condition in the content distribution device. 2. A content distribution method for generating distribution digital content based on an original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the generated digital content to a user, comprising the steps of: A generation condition specifying step of specifying a generation condition from a content provider device; and generating the preview digital content from the original digital content according to the specified generation condition in a content distribution device that distributes the distribution digital content to a user. And a content generation procedure. 3. A content distribution method for generating digital content for distribution based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user, wherein a thumbnail still image serving as a sample of the digital content for distribution is generated. A generation condition specification procedure for specifying conditions from a content provider device; and content for generating the thumbnail still image from the original digital content in the content distribution device for distributing the distribution digital content to a user according to the specified generation condition. And a generating procedure. 4. A content distribution method for generating distribution digital content based on an original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user, wherein the content distribution apparatus distributes the distribution digital content to a user. A still image candidate presenting procedure for extracting a plurality of thumbnail still image candidates serving as a sample of the distribution digital content from the original digital content and presenting them to a content provider; A content distribution method, comprising: executing a selection step of selecting a still image by a content provider device; and a content generation step of generating the thumbnail still image according to the selection in the content distribution device. 5. A content distribution system that generates digital content for distribution based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributes the digital content to a user, wherein a content provider that specifies conditions for generating the digital content for distribution. A content distribution system, comprising: a device; and a content distribution device that generates the digital content for distribution from the original digital content according to the specified generation condition. 6. A content distribution system for generating distribution digital content based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the generated digital content to a user, wherein a preview digital content serving as a sample of the distribution digital content is provided. A content distribution system comprising: a content provider device that specifies a generation condition; and a content distribution device that generates the preview digital content from the original digital content according to the specified generation condition. 7. A content distribution system that generates digital content for distribution based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributes the digital content to a user, wherein a thumbnail still image serving as a sample of the digital content for distribution is generated. A content distribution system comprising: a content provider device that specifies a condition; and a content distribution device that generates the thumbnail still image from the original digital content according to the specified generation condition. 8. A content distribution system for generating a distribution digital content based on an original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user, wherein a sample of the distribution digital content is obtained from the original digital content. A plurality of thumbnail still image candidates are extracted and presented to the content provider, and a still image selected by the content provider is set as the thumbnail still image. A content provider device for selecting the thumbnail still image. 9. A content distribution apparatus that generates digital content for distribution based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributes the digital content to a user, wherein the content distribution apparatus is configured to generate a digital content specified by the content provider. A content distribution device that generates the distribution digital content from the original digital content according to a condition. 10. A content distribution device that generates digital content for distribution based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributes the digital content to a user, wherein the content distribution device is configured to generate a digital content designated by the content provider. A content distribution apparatus that generates a preview digital content as a sample of the distribution digital content from the original digital content according to a condition. 11. A content distribution device for generating digital content for distribution based on original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user, wherein the content distribution device is configured to generate a digital content designated by the content provider. A content distribution apparatus, which generates a thumbnail still image as a sample of the digital content for distribution from the original digital content according to a condition. 12. A content distribution apparatus for generating distribution digital content based on an original digital content provided by a content provider and distributing the digital content to a user, wherein the content distribution apparatus performs the distribution from the original digital content. A plurality of thumbnail still image candidates serving as examples of digital content for use, taken out and presented to a content provider, and a still image selected by the content provider is used as the thumbnail still image.