U.S. patent application number 10/941710 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for information distribution system, terminal apparatus, information center, recording medium, and information distribution method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Hitotsui, Yoshihiko, Kitsukawa, Chisato, Yoshida, Tadao.
Application Number | 20050033661 10/941710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18693673 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050033661 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshida, Tadao ; et
al. |
February 10, 2005 |
Information distribution system, terminal apparatus, information
center, recording medium, and information distribution method
Abstract
When content data are distributed from an information center via
a predetermined communication line to a terminal apparatus loaded
with a recording medium recorded with its identifier and prepaid
information, the information center manages the usable remaining
amount of money in the recording medium loaded in the terminal
apparatus and updates this usable remaining amount of money every
time content data are distributed. Further, if the usable remaining
amount of money is smaller than the price of the content data
distributed from the information center, the information center
instructs the terminal apparatus to load another recording medium
having a usable remaining amount of money sufficient to cover the
content data to be distributed. Still further, a remaining
recordable capacity of a recording medium loaded in the terminal
apparatus is transmitted to the information center, and the
information center compares the remaining recordable capacity with
the size of the data content to be distributed. If the remaining
recordable capacity is smaller than the size of the content data,
the information center instructs the terminal apparatus to load a
new recording medium having a recordable capacity enough for the
content data to be distributed.
Inventors: |
Yoshida, Tadao; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Kitsukawa, Chisato; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Hitotsui, Yoshihiko; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jay H. Maioli
Cooper & Dunham LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
|
Family ID: |
18693673 |
Appl. No.: |
10/941710 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10941710 |
Sep 15, 2004 |
|
|
|
09885480 |
Jun 20, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/105 20130101;
G06Q 30/0629 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 30/0601
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/026 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-194918 |
Claims
1-12. (Cancelled)
13. A terminal apparatus comprising: loading means for loading a
recording medium, having recorded thereon an identifier unique to
said recording medium and prepaid information, into said terminal
apparatus; reproducing means for reproducing said identifier unique
to said recording medium and said prepaid information from said
recording medium loaded in said loading means; transmitting means
for transmitting said identifier unique to said recording medium
and said prepaid information reproduced by said reproducing means
to an information center via a predetermined communication line;
receiving means for receiving a result of a balance inquiry
executed in said information center based on the transmitted
identifier unique to said recording medium and the transmitted
prepaid information and content data transmitted from said
information center; recording means for recording said content data
received by said receiving means onto said recording medium loaded
in said loading means; and prompting means for prompting, when said
balance inquiry received by said receiving means indicates a
shortage of an amount of money for the received content data, for
the unloading of the currently loaded recording medium, and for the
loading of another recording medium.
14. The terminal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said
identifier unique to said recording medium and said prepaid
information are recorded on said recording medium so as to be
unrewritable manner.
15. The terminal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
communication destination identifying information for connecting
said terminal apparatus to said information center is also recorded
on said recording medium.
16. The terminal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
information about a remaining recordable capacity is recorded on
said recording medium and said information is transmitted to said
information center via said transmitting means.
17-40. (Cancelled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an information
distribution system, a terminal apparatus, an information center, a
recording medium, and an information distribution method for
distributing and recording content such as music for example to a
recording medium of a user.
[0002] Today, services for providing various kinds of content such
as music, video, and text to users for pay are commercially
available by means of communication networks such as the
Internet.
[0003] In terms of music distribution for example, a user connects
his terminal device such as a personal computer to a music download
site for pay on the Internet. By looking at a distributed music
purchase menu displayed on that site, the user selects desired
music content and request the site for its downloading. The
selected content is downloaded to such a recording medium of the
user's terminal device as a hard disk for example.
[0004] For the payment for the downloaded content, it is often
settled by inputting a user's credit card number for example.
[0005] Also available are systems by which users purchase music
content from a dedicated terminal device installed at a music shop
or a convenience store for example. In this case, each user goes to
a music shop or a convenience store with a recording medium such as
a Mini Disc (trademark) (a magneto-optical disc) on which music
content can be recorded and loads it into the dedicated terminal
device.
[0006] This dedicated terminal device, connected to a music content
server, allows users to download music content. To be specific, a
user selects desired music titles at the dedicated terminal device
and the selected music titles are recorded on a Mini Disc for
example loaded by the user.
[0007] The payment for the downloaded music content may be settled
by inputting the user's credit card number as described above or by
throwing in money as with an automatic vending machine for
example.
[0008] However, the related-art settlement for the payment of
downloaded content involves the following problems.
[0009] In the credit card settlement, the users having no credit
card cannot obtain the content downloading service, thereby
limiting this service only to those users who own credit cards.
[0010] This way of settlement also presents a credit card security
problem.
[0011] The settlement by dedicated prepaid cards is also known.
However, the acquisition of prepaid cards is troublesome for users
and the use of prepaid cards requires some knowledge. Further, in
applying prepaid cards to automatic vending machines, users must
always carry a recording medium and a prepaid card, thereby it is
not convenient. In addition, each automatic vending machine must
have both a prepaid card insertion slot and a recording medium
loading slot.
[0012] In the settlement by credit cards or prepaid cards, some
knowledge is required about a card inputting procedure and about
the system of payment settlement, which is unfriendly for users who
are not well familiar with computer operations, thereby sometimes
defeating their attempt to purchase content.
[0013] Although the above-mentioned dedicated terminal device
allows the settlement by cash, users may feel inconvenience in not
only loading a recording medium but also throwing in money every
time content is downloaded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an information distribution system, a terminal apparatus,
an information center, a recording medium, and an information
distribution method which allow users to purchase distributed
content with ease, convenience and security.
[0015] To achieve the above problems, according to a first aspect
of the present invention, there is provided an information
distribution system having a terminal apparatus in which a
recording medium recording beforehand an identifier unique to the
recording medium and prepaid information and is loadable and an
information center which is connectable to the terminal apparatus
and transmits content data thereto via a predetermined
communication line, the terminal apparatus including first
receiving means for receiving the content data transmitted from the
information center, recording and reproducing means for recording
the content data received by the first receiving means onto the
recording medium loaded in the terminal apparatus and reproducing
the identifier unique to the recording medium and the prepaid
information, and first transmitting means for transmitting the
reproduced identifier unique to the recording medium and the
reproduced prepaid information to the information center, the
information center including first storage means for storing a
plurality of content data, second transmitting means for
transmitting predetermined content data from the first storage
means to the terminal apparatus, second receiving means for
receiving the identifier unique to the recording medium and the
prepaid information transmitted from the terminal apparatus, second
storage means for storing a usable remaining amount of money in
accordance with the identifier unique to the recording medium and
the prepaid information received by the second receiving means, and
charging processing means for updating, when the predetermined
content data are transmitted from the first storage means to the
terminal apparatus, the usable remaining amount of money stored in
the second storage means for a charge of the predetermined content
data transmitted from the first storage means to the terminal
apparatus.
[0016] According to a second aspect, there is provided a terminal
apparatus including loading means capable of loading a recording
medium recording beforehand a identifier unique to the recording
medium and prepaid information into the terminal apparatus,
reproducing means for reproducing the identifier unique to the
recording medium and the prepaid information from the recording
medium loaded in the loading means, transmitting means for
transmitting the identifier unique to the recording medium and the
prepaid information reproduced by the reproducing means to an
information center via a predetermined communication line,
receiving means for receiving a result of a balance inquiry
executed in the information center on the basis of the transmitted
identifier unique to the recording medium and the transmitted
prepaid information and content data transmitted from the
information center, recording means for recording the content data
received by the receiving means onto the loaded recording medium,
and prompting means for prompting, if the balance inquiry received
by the receiving indicates a shortage of amount of money for the
received content data, the unloading of the currently loaded
recording medium and the loading of another recording medium.
[0017] According to a third aspect, there is provided an
information center, connected to a terminal apparatus via a
predetermined communication line, for distributing content data,
including first storage means for storing a plurality of content
data, transmitting means for transmitting predetermined content
data from the first storage means to the terminal apparatus,
receiving means for receiving an identifier unique to a recording
medium and prepaid information stored therein transmitted from the
terminal apparatus, second storage means for storing a usable
remaining amount of money in accordance with the identifier unique
to the recording medium and the prepaid information received by the
receiving means, and charging processing means for updating, when
the predetermined content data are transmitted from the first
storage means to the terminal apparatus, the usable remaining
amount of money stored in the second storage means for a charge of
the predetermined content data transmitted from the first storage
means to the terminal apparatus.
[0018] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a recording medium including an unrewritable area in
which an identifier unique to the recording medium and prepaid
information are recorded beforehand, and a recording area in which
content data are recorded, and a managing area in which recordable
capacity of the recording area is managed.
[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an information distribution method for distributing
content data from an information center to a terminal apparatus in
which a recording medium is loadable and recording the distributed
content data thereto, the information center and the terminal
apparatus being interconnected via a predetermined communication
line, including the steps of receiving an identifier unique to the
recording medium and prepaid information recorded on the recording
medium beforehand, transmitted from the terminal apparatus,
storing, in a memory, a usable remaining amount of money in
accordance with the received identifier unique to the recording
medium and the received prepaid information, comparing the usable
remaining amount of money stored in the memory with a charge of
content data to be distributed from the information center to the
terminal apparatus, permitting, if the usable remaining amount of
money stored in the memory is greater than the charge of the
content data to be distributed from the information center to the
terminal apparatus, the transmission of the content data from the
information center to the terminal apparatus; and updating, by the
charge of the content data, the usable remaining amount of money
stored in a second memory when the content data are transmitted
from the information center to the terminal apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other objects of the invention will be seen by
reference to the description, taken in connection with the
accompanying drawing, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire
distribution system having a terminal device and a server practiced
as one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a recording unit of
the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a network connection
unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a network
distribution unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a content database
controller of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a customer
information unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a table which is managed by a customer database of
the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a data structure of prepaid
information;
[0029] FIG. 9A illustrates clusters constituting the unit of
recording on a magneto-optical disc to which the invention is
applied;
[0030] FIG. 9B illustrates the configuration of each cluster shown
in FIG. 9A;
[0031] FIG. 10A illustrates the area structure of a magneto-optical
disc to which the invention is applied;
[0032] FIG. 10B illustrates the data structure of the control area
of the magneto-optical disc of FIG. 10A;
[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates the data structure of P-TOC sector
controlled by the lead-in area of the magneto-optical disc of FIG.
10A;
[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates the data structure of U-TOC sector
controlled by the control area of the magneto-optical disc of FIG.
10;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a link diagram illustrating the linking between
discretely recorded parts;
[0036] FIG. 14 illustrates the data structure of U-TOC sector
controlled by the control area of the magneto-optical disc of FIG.
10A;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a flowchart describing the processing of the
terminal side and the server side to be executed for content
downloading;
[0038] FIG. 16 is another flowchart describing the processing of
the terminal side and the server side to be executed for content
downloading;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a still another flowchart describing the
processing of the terminal side and the server side to be executed
for content downloading;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a table controlled by a customer database 70
practiced as a second embodiment of the invention; and
[0041] FIG. 19 is a system diagram illustrating the processing to
be executed in accordance with a recordable remainder and an
available money remainder at the loading of a recording medium.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] This invention will be described in further detail in the
following order by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0043] 1. Distribution System
[0044] 1-1 System configuration
[0045] 1-2 Recording unit
[0046] 1-3 Network connection unit
[0047] 1-4 Network distribution unit
[0048] 1-5 Content database controller
[0049] 1-6 Customer information unit
[0050] 2. Prepaid Information
[0051] 2-1 Prepaid information structure
[0052] 2-2 Prepaid information recording forms to be used when the
recording medium is a Mini Disc
[0053] 3. Content Distribution Processing
[0054] 3-1 Distribution processing procedure
[0055] 3-2 Charging processing
[0056] 1. Distribution System
[0057] 1-1 System Configuration
[0058] Now, referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary
configuration of a content distribution system practiced as one
embodiment of the invention. This content distribution system can
provide for pay music content for example from a server 3 to a
terminal 1. Obviously, this distribution system can also provide
content such as video data and text data.
[0059] The terminal 1 may be an information device such as a
personal computer installed in user's home or a dedicated leased
line terminal installed at a music store for example. Also, the
terminal 1 may be a wireless device such as a PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), a mobile telephone, or a on-vehicle communication
device. Namely, the terminal 1 may be anything as long as it is
communicable with the server 3 via a network 2. Further, the
terminal 1 may be a household audio/video device having a
communication capability.
[0060] The server 3, operated by an institution or an individual
who performs content provision services, basically has a content
holding capability for accumulating various kinds of content, a
capability of providing, by communication with the terminal 1, the
content held by the content holding capability, and an charging
capability for performing charging management for users who accept
the content provision by use of the terminal 1.
[0061] These capabilities may be totally operated by one
organization or company for example or individually by different
organizations, companies, and individual's for example in a
cooperative manner. For example, each of these capabilities may be
managed as different Web pages on the Internet which are linked
each other for cooperative operation.
[0062] The network 2 may be a public phone line such as ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network) line or a leased line.
Alternatively, it may be a wireless network such as a wireless
telephone line or a satellite communication line.
[0063] The terminal 1 has at least a recording unit 10 and a
network connection unit 20 as shown in FIG. 1. The recording unit
10 records and reproduces information to and from a recording
medium 4. The recording medium 4 is a portable recording medium on
which prepaid information to be described later is written in a not
rewritable manner. For example, the recording medium 4 may be a
Mini Disc in which a magneto-optical disc is accommodated in a
cartridge, a disc which is generally called as CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, or DVD+RW, or a memory card based on flash memory.
Obviously, the recording medium 4 may be other than those mentioned
above. The network connection unit 20 communicates with the server
3 via the network 2 and executes the operation of the terminal 1 as
a content distribution operation in the information distribution
system according to the invention.
[0064] The terminal 1, if configured as a distribution dedicated
terminal, may be constituted by the recording unit 10 and the
network connection unit 20 in an integrated manner. Many personal
computers and PDA devices have a drive for recording and
reproducing information to and from recording medium 4. The
terminal 2 may be constituted by such a drive and a communication
capability. Obviously, the terminal 1 may be constituted by
connecting a device having the capability of the recording unit 10
such as a Mini Disc recording and reproducing device to a personal
computer for example having the capability of the network
connection device 20.
[0065] The server 3 is constituted by a network distribution unit
30, a content database controller 40, a customer information unit
50, a content database 60, and a customer database 70. The network
distribution unit 30 distributes content stored in the server 3 to
the terminal 1. The content database controller 40 and the content
database 60 implement the content holding capability. The customer
information unit 50 and the customer database 70 implement the
charging capability of performing charging management on the user
of the terminal 1.
[0066] The content database 60, constituted by a recording medium
such as a hard disk or an optical disk for example, stores many
pieces of music content to be provided to users in the form of
music library. The content database controller 40 controls the
access to the music content for example stored in the content
database 60. For example, the content database controller 40 reads
the content requested by the network distribution unit 30 from the
content database 60 and sends this content to the network
distribution unit 30.
[0067] The customer database 70, constituted by a recording medium
such as a hard disk or an optical disk, stores charging information
in correspondence with the prepaid information recorded on each
recording medium 4. The customer information unit 50 controls the
registration and reading of the charging information for the
customer database 70. For example, in response to a request from
the network distribution unit 30, the customer information unit 50
newly registers charging information with the customer database 70
and reads a particular piece of charging information to provide it
to the network distribution unit 30.
[0068] These components of the server 3 may be operated by one
organization, company, or individual or by different organizations
for example as described above. The content database 60 and the
customer database 70 may be installed in different regions or
countries. For example, the network distribution unit 30 may be
operated by a distribution service company, the content database
controller 40 and the content database 60 by a record company or a
record label company for example, and the customer information unit
50 and the customer database 70 by an charging service company.
There may be plural content database controllers 40 and content
databases 60, in which the network distribution unit 30 distributes
content from each of these content databases 60.
[0069] In the above-mentioned information distribution system
according to the inventions, the user loads the recording medium 4
into the terminal 1. The terminal 1 then communicates with the
server 3 to receive a list (or a menu) of content which can be
provided to the user. The user selects a desired piece of content
from the received list. Then, the selected piece of content is
supplied from the server 3 to the terminal 1. The terminal 1
records the supplied content to the recording medium 4. Thus, the
user can obtain the desired piece of content such as music for
example.
[0070] In this example, the user is charged for the provided
content on the basis of the prepaid information stored in the
recording medium 4. The detail thereof will be described later.
Each recording medium 4 carries a different medium ID and a prepaid
amount of money as the prepaid information.
[0071] The terminal 1 sends this prepaid information to the server
3, upon which the network distribution unit 30 executes charging
processing on the customer database 70 on the basis of the supplied
prepaid information. In broad outline, the charging information
corresponding to the prepaid information of each recording medium 4
is registered with the customer database 70, the amount of money
equivalent to the cost of the provided content being subtracted
from the prepaid amount of money in the charging information.
Namely, the charginging is executed by updating the charging
information on the customer database 70. On the contrary, the
prepaid information recorded on the recording medium 4 is not
rewritten at all. More details will be described later.
[0072] 1-2 Recording Unit
[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of the
recording unit 10. As shown, the recording unit 20 comprises a
drive 11, a drive controller 12, an interface controller 13, an
interface 14, and a program storage section 15.
[0074] The drive 11 records and reproduces information to and from
the recording medium 4. If the recording medium 4 is a Mini Disc,
the drive 11 comprises a recording/reproducing head, an
encoder/decoder, a data buffer, and a servo, writing or reading
information to or from the disc.
[0075] The drive 11 may have one or more slots in which the
recording medium 4 is loaded. The arrangement of two or more slots
facilitates the loading of two or more recording media 4 at a time
for the charging processing to be described later.
[0076] The drive 11 may have both a drive construction for Mini
Disc and a drive construction for memory card, thereby providing
the compatibility with plural different types of recording
media.
[0077] The drive controller 12 controls the entire recording unit
10 in the recording and reproducing operations of the drive 11 and
the communication with the interface controller 13. Namely, in
response to a request from the network connection unit 20, the
drive controller 12 controls the other components of the recording
unit 10 in writing or reading information to or from the recording
medium 4, the reading or transfer of prepaid information, and the
reading and transfer of the recordable capacity information of the
recording medium 4.
[0078] These control operations of the drive controller 12 are
executed as instructed by programs stored in the program storage
section 15 constituted by a solid-state memory or a hard disk. The
program storage section 15 stores not only the basic control
programs for executing the operations of the recording unit 10 but
also the application programs for reading the prepaid information
and recordable capacity information from the recording medium 4 in
this example. By controlling the drive 11 as instructed by the
prepaid information processing application program, the drive
controller 12 can read the prepaid information and recordable
capacity information from the recording medium 4 and transfer these
items of information to the network connection unit 20, thereby
supplying the information necessary for the charging processing
operation by the information distribution system according to the
invention.
[0079] Depending on the recording form of prepaid information in
the recording medium 4, the recording unit 10 may have a prepaid
information recognition device as hardware for capturing prepaid
information.
[0080] The interface 14 interfaces the recording unit 10 with the
network connection unit 20, over which the interface controller 13
transfers various kinds of information.
[0081] 1-3 Network Connection Unit
[0082] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of the
network connection unit 20. The network connection unit 20
comprises an interface 21, an interface controller 22, a CPU 23, a
network interface controller 24, a network interface 25, a data
storage section 26, a program storage section 27, a display section
28a, an audio output section 28b, and an input section 29.
[0083] The interface 21 interfaces the network connection unit 20
with the recording unit 10, over which various kinds of information
are transferred under the control of the interface controller
22.
[0084] The CPU 23 controls the network connection unit 20 in its
entirety. To be more specific, the CPU 23 controls the
transfer/reception of various data with the server 3 for
information distribution, the user interface processing, and the
transfer/reception of various data with the recording unit 10, for
example.
[0085] The control operations by the CPU 23 are executed as
instructed by a program stored in the program storage section 27.
The program storage section 27 is constituted by a solid-state
memory or a hard disk for example. The program storage section 27
stores not only the basic control programs for executing the
control operations of the network connection unit 20 but also the
application programs for processing the prepaid information
supplied from the recording medium 10. The CPU 23 controls the
transmission of the prepaid information necessary for the charging
processing in the present system to the server 3 as instructed by
the prepaid information processing application program. The
encryption and encoding of the prepaid information to be sent to
the server are also controlled by the CPU 23 on the basis of the
prepaid information processing application program.
[0086] The data storage section 26 is constituted by a solid-state
memory or a hard disk as described above. The CPU 23 can also use
the data storage section 26 for buffering the content downloaded
from the server 3 or the prepaid information received from the
recording unit 10 or as an extended work memory for the
computational operations by the CPU 23.
[0087] The network interface 25 provides interface with the network
2 and is controlled by the network interface controller 24. The
network interface 25 may be constituted by a modem for example or
may be a wireless communication unit.
[0088] The display section 28a, the audio output section 28b, and
the input section 29 provide a user interface.
[0089] The display section 28a displays the menu screens for
distributed content, various operation screens, and a guide screens
to the user.
[0090] The audio output section 28b comprises an audio decoder, an
A/D converter, a audio processor, an amplifier, and a speaker for
example, outputting audio signals. The information distribution
system according to the invention allows the user to have a trial
listening to music content before purchasing, for example. For
trial listening, the CPU 23 supplies the trial listening content
downloaded from the server 3 to the audio output section 28b for
the user to have a trial listening.
[0091] The input section 29 is operated by the user. The input
section 29 may be an operation key, an operation dial, or a
pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example.
Obviously, the input section 29 may be a touch panel which is
integrated with the display section 28a.
[0092] 1-4 Network Distribution Unit
[0093] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of the
network distribution unit 30. The network distribution unit 30
comprises a network transmission section 31, a transmission
controller 32, a distribution service management system section 33,
a customer information link section 34, a content download
information reception/storage section 35, and a customer
information reception/storage section 36.
[0094] The network transmission section 31, connected to the
network 2, transmits information. The transmission controller 32
controls the transfer/reception operations to be executed by the
network transmission section 31.
[0095] The distribution service management system section 33
controls the distribution operations as the server 3 and is
constituted by a controller as the server main. To be more
specific, the distribution service management system section 33
controls all distribution service processing including the
processing of the prepaid information and purchase information
supplied from the terminal 1 via the network transmission section
31, the processing for capturing and transmitting content in
response to the prepaid information and purchase information, the
charging processing, and the processing for communication and
connection with the terminal 1.
[0096] The customer information link section 34 links the prepaid
information and purchase information supplied from the terminal 1
to the charging information read from the customer database 70 and
the content read from the content database 60 to execute necessary
processing.
[0097] The content download information reception/storage section
35 receives and temporarily stores the information read from the
content database 60 by the content database controller 40.
[0098] The customer information reception/storage section 36
receives and temporarily stores the information read from the
customer database 70 by the customer information unit 50.
[0099] Namely, the customer information link section 34 links the
prepaid information and purchase information supplied from the
terminal 1 to the information stored in the customer information
reception/storage section 36 and the content download information
reception/storage section 35 to execute the processing necessary
for content distribution.
[0100] 1-5 Content Database Controller
[0101] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an exemplary
configuration of the content database controller 40. The content
database controller 40 comprises a transmission section 41, a
transmission controller 42, a CPU 43, a content database controller
44, a data storage section 45, a program storage section 46, a
display section 47, and an input section 48.
[0102] The transmission section 41, connected to the content
download information reception/storage section 35 of the network
distribution unit 30, transmits information. The transmission
controller 42 controls the information transfer/reception operation
to be executed by the transmission section 41.
[0103] The CPU 43 controls the content database controller 40 in
its entirety. Namely, the CPU 43 controls the command and content
transfer/reception operations with the network distribution unit 30
and the read/write operations on the content database 60.
[0104] These control operations by the CPU 43 are executed as
instructed by a program stored in the program storage section 46.
The program storage section 46 is constituted by a solid-state
memory or a hard disk for example. The program storage section 46
stores the programs for accessing and managing the content database
60 and controlling the communication with the network distribution
unit 30 and processing the data to be transmitted.
[0105] The data storage section 45 is also constituted by a
solid-state memory or a hard disk for example. The CPU 43 can use
the data storage section 45 to buffer the content read from the
content database 60 or the content to be stored therein or as an
extended work memory for computational operations by the CPU
43.
[0106] The content database controller 44 controls the content
database 60 as instructed by the CPU 43, thereby executing access
operations for writing, reading, and searching for content.
[0107] The display section 47 and the input section 48 provide an
interface for the content database manager. The display section 47
displays images necessary for managing the content database 60
under the control of the CPU 43. The input section 48 is used to
perform various input operations for managing the content database
60.
[0108] 1-6 Customer Information Unit
[0109] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an exemplary
configuration of the customer information unit 50. The customer
information unit 50 comprises a transmission section 51, a
transmission controller 52, a CPU 53, a customer database
controller 54, a data storage section 55, a program storage section
56, a display section 57, and an input section 58.
[0110] The transmission section 51, connected to the customer
information reception/storage section 36 of the network
distribution unit 30, transmits information. The transmission
controller 52 controls the transfer operations of the transmission
section 51.
[0111] The CPU 53 controls the customer information unit 50 in its
entirety. Namely, the CPU 53 controls, in an information
distributing operation, the transfer/reception of the charging
information and commands with the network distribution unit 30 and
the read/write operations on the customer database 70.
[0112] These control operations by the CPU 53 are executed as
instructed by a program stored in the program storage section 56.
The program storage section 56 is constituted by a solid-state
memory or a hard disk for example. The program storage section 56
stores the programs for accessing and managing the customer
database 70, the communication with the network distribution unit
30, and the processing of data to be transmitted.
[0113] The data storage section 55 is also constituted by a
solid-state memory or a hard disk for example. The CPU 53 can use
the data storage section 55 to buffer the charging information read
from the customer database 70 and the charging information to be
newly registered on the basis of prepaid information or as an
extended work memory for computational operations by the CPU
53.
[0114] The customer database controller 54 controls the customer
database 70 as instructed by the CPU 53, thereby executing access
operations for charging information writing, reading, and
searching.
[0115] The display section 57 and the input section 58 provide an
interface for the customer database manager. The display section 57
displays the images necessary for managing the customer database 70
under the control of the CPU 53. The input section 58 is used to
execute various input operations for managing the customer database
70.
[0116] The charging information as shown in FIG. 7 is registered
with the customer database 70. "Charging information" herein
denotes a data group registered for one piece of prepaid
information; for example, one piece of charging information
consists of medium ID, remaining amount of money, and purchase log
for example. FIG. 7 shows medium IDs ID1 through ID5 and
corresponding charging information K1 through K5.
[0117] The medium ID in the charging information is one contained
in the prepaid information to be described later. The remaining
amount of money denotes the current prepaid remaining amount of
money obtained by subtracting the charge of the purchased content
from the prepaid principal every time the purchase takes place. The
purchase log includes information such as date of purchase, content
name, content fee, and user terminal; namely the information
indicative of the state of every content purchase transaction.
[0118] Obviously, the charging information may additionally include
information such as prepaid principal, medium type, medium vendor,
copyright holder of purchased content, and others. The charging
information may exclude the purchase log. As for the distributing
operation of the system according to the invention, at least the
information including medium ID and the remaining amount of money
may only be included in the charging information. The other
information may be set in accordance with the convenience of the
distribution system or the contents of the services to be
provided.
[0119] 2. Prepaid Information
[0120] 2-1 Structure of Prepaid Information
[0121] To receive content distributed by the information
distribution system according to the invention, the user must first
load the recording medium 4 recorded with prepaid information into
the system. The prepaid information is recorded on the recording
medium 4 in a unrewritable manner. Basically, the prepaid
information consists of prepaid amount of money, prepaid service
ID, and medium ID.
[0122] The prepaid amount of money is the amount of money paid by
the user in advance. The recording medium 4 is sold as a virgin
Mini Disc or memory card recorded with no content for example, its
sale price including the prepaid amount of money. To be more
specific, if the ordinary sale price of the unused recording medium
is 500 yen and this recording medium is recorded with a prepaid
amount of money of 5,000 yen, the user basically buys this
recording medium at 5,500 yen. Obviously, the recording medium may
be sold at any price; for example, 5,000 yen when the recording
medium itself is free of charge or a discount amount of 4,800 yen.
For the user who bought the recording medium 4 recorded with a
prepaid amount of 5,000 yen, it means that he prepaid 5,000 yen for
the content distribution service provided by the information
distribution system according to the invention.
[0123] The prepaid service ID represents the address of the server
3 which provides the content distribution service. For example, the
prepaid service ID is an address for communicating and connecting
to the network distribution unit 30 in the network 2. It may be an
IP address in the Internet. When the recording medium 4 is loaded,
the terminal 1 accesses the server 3 on the basis of the prepaid
service ID in the prepaid information to ask for connection.
[0124] Depending on the configuration of the server 3, the prepaid
service ID may not be the address of the network distribution unit
30 but may be the address of the content database controller 40 or
the customer information unit 50 for example.
[0125] If it is assumed that the network distribution unit 30, the
content database controller 40, and the customer information unit
50 be respectively formed as Web pages on the Internet and
interconnected. Then, the terminal 1 is adapted to access the
content database controller 40 with the prepaid service ID being
the address of the content database controller 40. In this
configuration, it is possible that the customer information unit 50
be linked as the distribution processing proceeds, which is
collectively processed by the network distribution unit 30.
[0126] Conversely, the terminal 1 may be adapted to access the
customer information unit 50 with the prepaid service ID being the
address of the customer information unit 50. In this configuration,
the content database controller 40 may be linked as the
distribution processing proceeds, which is collectively processed
by the network distribution unit 30.
[0127] The medium ID is an identification number uniquely attached
to each recording medium 4. For example, if the user purchased two
prepaid recording media 4, these recording media 4 are recorded
with different medium IDs.
[0128] In the prepaid information described above, 8 bits may be
allocated to the prepaid amount of money, about 22 to 32 bits to
the prepaid service ID, and 32 to 40 bits to the medium ID for
example.
[0129] The number of bits to be allocated may be determined
depending on the design of a prepaid system concerned, for example.
The number of bits necessary for a server address for example to
the prepaid service ID, the total number or the potential total
number of prepaid media to be sold to the medium ID may be set so
that different ID numbers can be sufficiently distinguished from
each other. The minimum value may be 1 byte (8 bits) for prepaid
amount of money, 3 or 4 bytes for prepaid service ID, and 3 or 4
bytes for medium ID, totaling about 8 bytes.
[0130] The following describes the relationship between the prepaid
information recorded on the recording medium 4 and the charging
information shown in FIG. 7.
[0131] For example, it is assumed that the user use the recording
medium 4 recorded with medium ID=ID1 and prepaid amount of
money=5,000 yen. On the server 3, charging information K1 shown in
FIG. 7 is registered with the customer database 70 when this
recording medium 4 has been used for the first time. Initially, for
the medium ID and remaining amount of money in this charging
information K1, the data in the prepaid information are registered
without change; namely, the medium ID of the charging information
K1=ID1 and the remaining amount=5,000 yen.
[0132] Then, as content is downloaded (or recorded) to the
recording medium 4, the charge for that content is subtracted from
the remaining amount in the charging information K1. Namely, every
time content downloading takes place, the customer database 70 is
searched for the corresponding charging information on the basis of
the recording medium ID in the prepaid information on the recording
medium 4 and the subtraction is made from the remaining amount in
the retrieved charging information.
[0133] For example, in the charging information K1, the remaining
amount is 3,700 yen, which is a result of buying a piece of content
for 1,300 yen by use of the recording medium whose medium
ID=ID1.
[0134] As seen from the charging processing mentioned above, the
prepaid information is not updated at all in the recording medium 4
owned by the user. In other words, the prepaid information may only
be recorded on the recording medium 4 in a unrewritable manner. In
the related-art prepaid cards, the remaining amount of money is
decrementally updated in the prepaid cards themselves, while the
prepaid information recorded on the recording medium 4 according to
the invention is not rewritten for update.
[0135] It should be noted that the recording medium 4 may be
adapted to record the prepaid information in a rewritable manner;
however, it is not desirable to make the recording medium 4
rewritable in the view of preventing the prepaid amount of money or
the medium ID from being falsified or the prepaid services from
being abused by tampering the prepaid service ID.
[0136] 2-2 Prepaid Information Recording Forms to be Used when the
Recording Medium is a Mini Disc
[0137] The following describes an example in which the prepaid
information is recorded on the recording medium 4 in a unrewritable
manner, the recording medium 4 being a Mini Disc by way of example.
First, the data form and management information form on the Mini
Disc will be described, followed by an example of prepaid
information recording.
[0138] In a Mini Disc system, a data stream in units of one cluster
is formed as recording data. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the format of
each cluster providing one unit of this recording operation.
[0139] On a Mini Disc, clusters CL are continuously formed as a
recording track as shown in FIG. 9A, one cluster being the minimum
recording unit. One cluster is equivalent to 2 to 3 rounds of
tracks. The actual reproduction time as music data is equivalent to
a data amount for 2.043 seconds.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 9B, one cluster CL is composed of a linking
sector consisting of 3 sectors SCFC through SCFE, a sub-data sector
consisting of one sector SCFF, and a main sector consisting of 32
sectors SC00 through SC1F. Namely, one cluster is composed of 36
sectors. One sector provides a data unit which consists of 2,352
bytes.
[0141] The linking sector SCFC-SCFE is used to provide a buffer
between recording operations or adjust various operations. The
sub-data sector SCFF is used to record information set as sub-data.
TOC (Table Of Contents) data providing management information and
audio data providing content as referred to in the present
embodiment are recorded on the main sector SC00-SC1F consisting of
32 sectors.
[0142] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a Mini Disc area structure.
FIG. 10A illustrates an area from the innermost periphery to the
outermost periphery of a Mini Disc. On a Mini Disc, which is a
magneto-optical disc, the innermost periphery side provides a pit
area in which reproduction-only data are formed by emboss pits and
a P-TOC providing management information is recorded.
[0143] The outer periphery relative to the pit area is referred to
as a magneto-optical area providing a recording and reproduction
enabled area formed with guide grooves of recording tracks.
[0144] In this magneto-optical area, a section of the innermost
clusters 0 through 49 provides a control area. A piece of music
content for example is recorded as one track in a program area
consisting of clusters 50 through 2251. The outer periphery
relative to the program area provides the lead-out area.
[0145] FIG. 10B illustrates the control area in detail. In FIG.
10B, the sectors (without the linking sectors) extend horizontally
while the clusters extend vertically.
[0146] In the control area, clusters 0 and 1 provide a buffer area
for providing a buffer with the pit area. Cluster 2 provides a
power calibration area PCA which is used to adjust laser beam
output power.
[0147] Clusters 3, 4, and 5 record a U-TOC. In the U-TOC, which
will be detailed later, a data format is specified for each of
plural predetermined sectors of the 32 main sectors (SC00 through
SC1F) in one cluster, predetermined control information being
recorded in each of these predetermined sectors. Namely, the U-TOC
sector is adapted to record the addresses of the tracks recorded in
the program area and the addresses of free areas and the
information such as the track names and recording dates of these
tracks.
[0148] The cluster having the sectors constituting the U-TOC data
is recorded repeatedly recorded in clusters 3, 4, and 5. The
clusters 47, 48, and 49 provide a buffer area with the program
area.
[0149] In the program area following cluster 50 (=32 h in
hexadecimal notation), audio data such as music for example are
recorded as compressed in ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic
Coding) or ATRAC2 or ATRAC3 algorithm in each of 32 main sectors
SC00 through SC1F in one cluster. The recorded programs and
recordable areas are managed by U-TOC.
[0150] In the present example, an area in which a U-TOC area for
example is formed in the groove area provides the control area. The
control area may include this control area and the inner periphery
lead-in area in which P-TOC is recorded in contrast to the program
area in which content is recorded.
[0151] For the control information to be recorded in the control
area, the P-TOC sector will be described first.
[0152] P-TOC information includes the specification of recordable
areas (or program areas) on the Mini Disc and the management of the
U-TOC area.
[0153] In the P-TOC area, a control information format is specified
for each sector and required control information is recorded in
each section. The P-TOC sector thus formed is repeatedly formed in
the lead-in area.
[0154] The following describes P-TOC sector 0 which provides the
most basic control information. The description of the P-TOC
sectors following sector 1 is omitted.
[0155] FIG. 11 illustrates the format of P-TOC sector 0.
[0156] The data area (4 bytes.times.588=2352 bytes) in P-TOC sector
0 is recorded at its starting position with 12-byte synchronous
patterns constituted by 12 pieces of 1-byte data "00000000" and
"11111111".
[0157] These synchronous patterns are recorded to every sector on
the Mini Disc.
[0158] Next, cluster addresses (Cluster H) and (Cluster L) and
sector address (Sector) are recorded over 3 bytes, followed by
1-byte of mode information (MODE), thereby forming a header. The
3-byte addresses are addresses of these sectors themselves.
[0159] The header is followed by an identification in ASCII codes
representing character "MINI" at predetermined positions.
[0160] This identification is followed by disc type, recording
power, first recorded music number (First TNO), last recorded music
number (Last TNO), lead-out start address LO.sub.A, power
calibration area start address PC.sub.A, U-TOC start address USTA,
and recordable user area start address RST.sub.A.
[0161] The lead-out start address LO.sub.A indicates the start
address of the lead-out area shown in FIG. 10A. The power
calibration area start address PC.sub.A indicates the start address
of the power calibration area PCA shown in FIG. 10A.
[0162] The U-TOC start address UST.sub.A indicates the start
address of the U-TOC area. The recordable user area start address
RST.sub.A indicates the start address of the program area.
[0163] Next come a pointer section containing pointers (P-TNO1
through P-TNO255) and a table section containing part tables (01F)
through (FFh). These sections are used to manage the recorded
pieces of music if they are all recorded on a play-only
pre-recorded disc by emboss pits. With the information distribution
system according to the present invention, these sections are not
used and the controlling scheme is basically the same as that of
U-TOC sector 0 to be described later and therefore need not be
described.
[0164] The following describes the U-TOC sector. In order to
execute a content (track) recording or reproducing operation on or
from a Mini Disc, the drive unit must read the P-TOC and U-TOC,
which are control information of the Mini Disc, from the Mini Disc
beforehand and reference these tables as required.
[0165] The U-TOC sector can record various kinds of control
information by use of the sectors SC00 through SC1F in the cluster,
which is the U-TOC area. Currently, however, sector 0 (SC00) is
specified as a basic content management sector, sector 1 (SC01) and
sector 4 (SC04) as an area for recording text information, sector 2
(SC02) as an area for recording a date of recording, and sector 3
(SC03) as an area for recording ISRC (International Standard
Recording Code) information. The following describes U-TOC sector 0
which is always necessary for Mini Disc recording and reproducing
operations.
[0166] U-TOC sector 0 is a data area which records content such as
newly recorded music and the control information about free areas
to which content can be newly recorded. For example, when a piece
of music is to be recorded on a Mini Disc, the drive unit searches
U-TOC sector 0 for a free area on the disc and records the music
data in the retrieved free area. When a piece of music is to be
reproduced, the drive unit searches U-TOC sector 0 for an area in
which the desired piece of music is recorded and accesses the
retrieved area for reproduction.
[0167] FIG. 12 illustrates the format of U-TOC sector 0. Like
above-mentioned P-TOC sector 0, The 16-byte header records 12-byte
synchronous patterns, cluster addresses (Cluster H) and (Cluster
L), sector address (Sector), and mode information (MODE).
[0168] Next come maker code, model code, first track number (First
TNO), last track number (Last TNO), sector used status (Used
sectors), disc serial number, and disc ID.
[0169] With the 1-byte sector used status (Used sectors), the 8
bits of this 1 byte correspond to U-TOC sectors 0 through 7
respectively. When a bit is "1", it indicates that the
corresponding sector is in use.
[0170] Next comes a pointer section in which various pointers
(P-DFA, P-EMPTY, PFRA, and P-TNO1 through P-TNO255) are recorded to
the area in which tracks (content) are recorded and a free area by
relating them to the table section to be described below.
[0171] The pointer section is followed by the table section in
which 255 part tables 01h through FFh are provided to be related by
the pointers (P-DFA through P-TNO255) to the track areas and free
areas. Every part table records the start and end addresses of a
corresponding part and the mode information (track mode) of that
part. In addition, because a part indicated by every part table may
be linked another part, every part table can record the link
information indicative of a part table recording the start and end
address of the destination part.
[0172] It should be noted that "part" used herein denotes a portion
of one track in which temporally continuous data are recorded in a
physically continuous manner.
[0173] The start and end addresses indicate the address of one or
more parts which constitute one piece of music (or one track).
[0174] With a Mini Disc, a piece of music to be recorded by the
user may be recorded in plural parts for the purpose of increasing
the usage efficiency of the recordable area because there is no
problem in reproducing one piece of content data (or one track)
physically discontinuously, namely in reproducing one piece of
content recorded over plural parts.
[0175] To implement such a manner of reproduction, the link
information is provided; for example, specifying the part tables to
be linked with each other by use of the numbers assigned to these
part tables allows to link the part tables to link for reproduction
of the above-mentioned piece of content recorded over plural
parts.
[0176] Namely, in the table section in U-TOC sector 0, one part
table represents one part; for example, a piece of music
constituted by 3 linked parts is managed in part position by 3 part
tables linked each other by the link information.
[0177] For the part tables 01h through FFh in the table section of
U-TOC sector 0, the contents of the parts are indicated by the
pointers (P-DFA, P-EMPTY, P-FRA, and P-TNO1 through P-TNO255) as
shown below.
[0178] Pointer P-DFA indicates a defective area on the Mini Disc,
specifying one part table or the first one of plural part tables in
which a defective track portion (namely, a defective part) caused
by a scratch for example is indicated. Namely, if there exists a
defective part, one of 01h through FFh is recorded in pointer P-DFA
and the part table pointed by this pointer indicates the defective
part by its start and end addresses. If there is another defective
part, another part table is specified as the link information of
the part table indicating that defective part and the specified
table also indicates this defective part. If there is no other
defective part, the link information indicates "00h" for example,
denoting there is no further link.
[0179] Pointer P-EMPTY indicates one unused part table or the first
part table of two or more unused part tables. If there exists an
unused part table, one of 01h through FFh is recorded as pointer
P-EMPTY.
[0180] If there are two or more unused part tables, the part tables
are sequentially specified by the link information from the part
table pointed by pointer P-EMPTY, linking all unused part tables in
the table section.
[0181] Pointer P-FRA indicates a free area in which data can be
written on the Mini Disc, specifying one part table or the first
part table of two or more part tables indicating a track portion
(namely, a part) which provides a free area. Namely, if there
exists a free area, one of 01h through FFh is recorded in pointer
P-FRA and the corresponding part table indicates a part, which is a
free area, by its start and end addresses. If there are two or more
such parts, namely there are two or more part tables, they are
sequentially specified by the link information until "00h" is
reached.
[0182] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates how the parts providing
free areas are managed by part tables. This figure shows a state in
which, when parts 03h, 18h, 1Fh, 2Bh, and E3h are free areas, these
parts are shown by linking them each other following pointer P-FRA.
The same control form also applied to the above-mentioned defective
areas and unused part tables.
[0183] Pointers P-TNO1 through P-TNO255 indicate the tracks of
music for example recorded on the Mini disc. For example, pointer
P-TNO1 points at a part table indicative of one or the temporally
first one of plural parts recorded with the data of the first
track.
[0184] If, for example, a piece of music recorded in the first
track is recorded on the disc without skipping in the first track,
namely recorded in only one part, then the recording area of the
first track is recorded in the start and end addresses in the part
table pointed by pointer P-TNO1.
[0185] If, a piece of music recorded in the second track for
example is recorded discretely over plural parts on the disc, these
parts are specified in a sequence of time in order to indicate the
recording positions of the second track. Namely, starting the part
table pointed by pointer P-TNO2, other part tables are linked each
other by the link information in a sequence of time up to a part
table with which the link information becomes "00h" (the same form
as shown in FIG. 13).
[0186] When all parts recorded with the data constituting a second
piece of music for example are sequentially recorded as described
above, the use of the data in U-TOC sector 0, in reproducing the
second piece of music or overwriting the area of the second piece
of music, allows the read/write head to appropriately access the
discretely arranged parts to retrieve the continuous music
information or to record information by efficient use of the
recording area.
[0187] Thus, with a data rewritable Mini Disc 90, the area control
on the disc is executed by P-TOC and the music for example recorded
in the recordable user area and the free areas are controlled by
U-TOC.
[0188] If a Mini Disc having the above-mentioned control
information structure is used as the recording medium 4 which can
be used in the information distribution system according to the
present invention, the prepaid information is recorded in a
unrewritable manner.
[0189] If it is assumed here that the prepaid information is 8
bytes wide, then it may be recorded in one of the following
manners:
[0190] (1) the prepaid information is recorded within P-TOC;
[0191] (2) the prepaid information is recorded within U-TOC in a
unrewritable manner; and
[0192] (3) the prepaid information is recorded outside U-TOC but in
the control area in a unrewritable manner.
[0193] If the prepaid information is recorded in P-TOC, an unused
8-byte area PD indicated by hatching in P-TOC sector 0 shown in
FIG. 11 for example is used for the recording.
[0194] Obviously, the prepaid information may also be recorded in
another unused area in P-TOC or a predetermined area in or
subsequent to P-TOC sector 1.
[0195] Thus, if the prepaid information is recorded in P-TOC, the
prepaid information is recorded by emboss pits; namely, the prepaid
information thus recorded becomes unrewritable information, thereby
making it suitable for the information distribution system
according to the present invention. If the drive unit 10 is Mini
Disc compatible, P-TOC is first read upon loading of the disc,
accompanied by the reading of the prepaid information, which is
suitable for the information distribution system according to the
present invention.
[0196] However, the medium ID in the prepaid information must be
different from disc to disc to identify a particular recording
medium 4 from among mass-produced recording media 4.
[0197] Generally, P-TOC formed by emboss pits is formed in a
stamping process in Mini Disc fabrication processing. Therefore, it
takes a lot of troubles to record the prepaid information which is
different from disc to disc. Consequently, the above-mentioned
manner of recording the prepaid information in P-TOC has its
drawback in view of the mass production of prepaid medium.
[0198] On the other hand, the method in which the prepaid
information is recorded in U-TOC or the control area does not
involve the above-mentioned drawback in fabrication presents no
difficulty in recording the prepaid information having a medium ID
which differs from disc to disc. In this case, however, means for
making the prepaid information unrewritable is required.
[0199] In recording the prepaid information in U-TOC, an unused
area in already formatted sector 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 may be used. In
order to appropriately eliminate the possibility for the prepaid
information to be rewritten, a sector not yet specified may be
used.
[0200] For example, U-TOC sector 5 is specified as shown in FIG.
14. Namely, except for the header, the predetermined 8 bytes are
set as a prepaid information recording area PD.
[0201] In addition, in the above-mentioned U-TOC sector 0, the
corresponding bit of sector 5 in sector usage status (Used sectors)
is set to "0" indicative that this sector is not in use.
[0202] In this case, a general Mini Disc recorder recognizes U-TOC
sector 5 as a sector not in use, so that no updating process is
executed on U-TOC sector 5. Namely, the prepaid information becomes
unrewritable by the user.
[0203] In the recording unit 10 used in the information
distribution system according to the present invention, the prepaid
information can be read by reading U-TOC sector 5 on the basis of
an application program for prepaid information reading.
[0204] In the above description, sector 5 is used. It will be
apparent that sector 6, sector 7 or another sector may be used.
[0205] In the method in which the prepaid information is recorded
outside U-TOC but inside the control area shown in FIG. 10, the
prepaid information may be recorded by use of a sector in an unused
cluster as indicated by hatching shown in FIG. 10B.
[0206] In the control area, a power calibration area PCA and a
U-TOC area are formed and their positions are indicated by P-TOC as
shown above. Referencing P-TOC allows a normal Mini Disc recorder
to access the power calibration area PCA and the U-TOC area.
[0207] However, the hatched portion PD of which position is not
indicated by P-TOC cannot be accessed by a normal Mini Disc
recorder (an area insignificant if accessed). Therefore, the
prepaid information recorded in the hatched portion PD is
unrewritable by the user.
[0208] In the recording unit 10 used in the information
distribution system according to the present invention, the prepaid
information can be read by executing the reading of the hatched
portion PD on the basis of an application program for prepaid
information reading. For example, the prepaid information can be
read by the recording unit 10 by setting the start position of the
hatched portion PD to a position obtained by giving a predetermined
offset to U-TOC start address UST.sub.A indicated by P-TOC. For
example, because U-TOC is recorded over 3 clusters, a position
which is U-TOC start address UST.sub.A plus 5 clusters may be
specified as the start position of the prepaid information
recording area.
[0209] Thus, by use of one of the above-mentioned three prepaid
information recording methods, a Mini Disc can be used as the
prepaid medium 4.
[0210] In the above description, 8 bytes are used as the width of
the prepaid information. It will be apparent that another data size
may also be used, which presents no problem because P-TOC, U-TOC
and the control area have enough room for accommodating these data
sizes.
[0211] In the above description, a Mini Disc is used for example.
It will be apparent that a memory card, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-R, a
DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, or DVD+RW for example may also be used as long
as the position of recording the prepaid information of 8 bytes or
more wide is set on the basis of the control format of such a
recording medium.
[0212] 3. Content Distribution Processing
[0213] 3-1 Distribution Processing Procedure
[0214] The following describes the processing for content
distribution to be executed by the information distribution system
according to the present invention with reference to the flowcharts
shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17. It should be note that these figures
show the processing of the terminal 1 and the processing of the
server 3 in parallel. The processing of the terminal 1 is executed
mainly on the basis of the control by the CPU 23 of the network
connection unit 20. The processing of the server 3 is executed
mainly on the basis of the control by the distribution service
management system 33 and the customer information link section 34
in the network distribution unit 30.
[0215] When the user wants to receive a content distribution
service, the user loads the recording medium 4 purchased in advance
and recorded with the prepaid information into the recording unit
10.
[0216] Upon detection of the loading of the recording medium 4 into
the recording unit 10, the procedure goes from step F101 to step
F102 shown in FIG. 15 to execute the reading of the prepaid
information from the loaded recording medium 4. Namely, the CPU 23
instructs the recording unit 10 to read and transfer the prepaid
information. Then, the CPU 23 stores the prepaid information
transferred from the recording unit 10 into an internal register of
the CPU 23 or the data storage section 26 for example.
[0217] In step F103, the terminal 1 requests communication
connection on the network 2 on the basis of the prepaid service ID
contained in the prepaid information and calls the server 3 to
establish the communication connection with the server 3.
[0218] When requested for the communication connection based on the
prepaid service ID, the server 3 (namely the network distribution
unit 30) goes from step F201 to step F202 to execute a
communication connection process for the requesting terminal 1.
[0219] When the communication connection has been established,
then, in step F104, the terminal 1 sends the medium ID and prepaid
amount data contained the prepaid information to the server 3.
[0220] Receiving the medium ID and the prepaid amount data, the
server 3 stores them in the customer information link section for
example in step F203.
[0221] In step F204, the server 3 searches the customer database 70
on the basis of the received medium ID. To be more specific, the
customer information link section 34 instructs the customer
information unit 50 connected via the customer information
reception/storage section 36 to search the customer database 70 for
charging information K(n) which matches the medium ID.
[0222] If the recording medium 4 in use by the user is used for the
first time for the distribution service, then the charging
information corresponding to the medium ID contained in the prepaid
information of this medium 4 has not been registered with the
customer database 70.
[0223] Therefore, if no charging information matching the medium ID
is found by the customer information unit 50, then the procedure
goes from step F205 to step F206 to newly register the charging
information. To be more specific, by use of the medium ID and
prepaid information received from the terminal 1 and stored in the
customer information link section as described above, the server 3
generates charging information from the medium ID and the prepaid
amount of money. Then, the server 3 sends the generated charging
information to the customer information unit 50, which newly
registers the received charging information with the customer
database 70.
[0224] On the other hand, if the medium ID is found of the
recording medium 4 which has been used at least once in the past,
the charging information based on this medium ID has already been
registered with the customer database 70. In this case, the
procedure goes from step F205 to step F207, in which the customer
information link section 34 instructs the customer information unit
50 to read the corresponding charging information from the customer
database 70 and send the charging information to the customer
information reception/storage section 36 to store the charging
information therein.
[0225] It should be noted that, when the charging information is
newly registered as in step F206, the newly registered charging
information is stored in the customer information reception/storage
section 36 in step F207.
[0226] When the reading of the charging information corresponding
to the medium ID of the recording medium 4 loaded by the user has
been completed, then, in step F208, the service management system
section 33 of the server 3 sends the purchase menu page data for
the content which is stored in the content database 60 and is
downloadable to the user to the terminal 1. For example, if the
content database controller 40 prepares the content purchase menu
page data, they are sent to the terminal 1.
[0227] Because the remaining prepaid amount can be known from the
charging information retrieved and stored in the customer
information reception/storage section 36, the distribution service
management system section 33 also sends the obtained information of
remaining prepaid amount to the terminal 1.
[0228] Upon reception of the content purchase page data and the
remaining prepaid amount, the terminal 1 causes the display section
28a to display the received data in step F105, presenting the
purchase menu and the remaining prepaid amount to the user.
[0229] In response to such presentation, the user performs an input
operation through the input section 29. The input operation is for
cancellation, purchase, or trial listening. The CPU 23 of the
terminal 1 monitors the operation to be executed in step F106,
F108, or F110 shown in FIG. 16.
[0230] Checking the purchase menu and the remaining prepaid amount,
if the user does not want to buy the content, the user executes a
cancel operation through the input section 29.
[0231] Then, the procedure of the terminal 1 goes from step F106 to
step F107 in FIG. 16 to send cancel information to the server
3.
[0232] When the cancel information is received by the server 3, the
procedure goes from step F209 to step F218 shown in FIG. 16, in
which the distribution management system section 33 of the server 3
ends the communication connection with the terminal 1, thereby
ending the above-mentioned sequence of processes.
[0233] After the transmission of the cancel information, the
procedure goes to step F118 shown in FIG. 17, in which the CPU 23
of the terminal 1 executes a process of ending the communication
connection with the server 3 and ejects the recording medium 4 from
the recording unit 10, upon which the above-mentioned sequence of
processes comes to an end.
[0234] In the present embodiment, the user can give a trial
listening on content (music for example) before buying it by
checking the content purchase menu.
[0235] For example, if the user wants to know the contents of a
particular music title listed in the purchase menu, the user can
selects that music title for trial listening.
[0236] If a trial listening request is inputted through the input
section 29, the procedure of the CPU 23 goes from step F110 to step
F111 shown in FIG. 16, in which the CPU 23 sends the content
identifying information selected by the user to the server 3 along
with a request for the trial listening of that content.
[0237] Receiving the request for trial listening, the service
management system section 33 of the server 3 proceeds from step
F211 to F212 shown in FIG. 16 to instruct the content database
controller 40 to read the content requested for trial listening
from the content database 60.
[0238] Next, in step F213, the distribution service management
system section 33 sends a part or all of the content data to the
terminal 1.
[0239] Receiving the content data for trial listening from the
server 3 in step F112, the CPU 23 of the terminal 1 stores the
content data into the data storage section 26. In step F113, the
CPU 23 causes the audio output section 28b to reproduce a part or
all of the content. Thus, the user can get trial listening on the
requested content.
[0240] Obviously, if the content is image data or text data, they
can be displayed on the display section 28a.
[0241] The reason why the content for trial listening is reproduced
partially or totally is that, for the purpose of trial listening,
the content may only be reproduced partially. For example, if the
content is a piece of music, its introduction part, first melody
part, a bridge, or one chorus part may be reproduced.
[0242] Therefore, if, for example, a collection of these parts of
content is stored in the content database 40 for the purpose of
trial listening, then these parts may be provided to the terminal
1. Alternatively, parts may be extracted from the content data
stored in the content database 60 and the extracted parts may be
sent to the terminal 1.
[0243] Alternatively, on the terminal 1 side, the CPU 23 may
extract only parts of the content data stored in the data storage
section 26 and reproduce the extracted parts.
[0244] When purchasing a particular piece of content, the user may
select it from the displayed purchase menu.
[0245] When the purchase operation is performed by the user through
the input section 29, the procedure of the CPU 23 goes from step
F108 to step F109 shown in FIG. 16, in which the CPU 23 sends the
content identifying information selected by the user to the server
3 along with a request for purchasing that content.
[0246] It should be noted that, at this time, the CPU 23 also sends
the remaining storage capacity of the recording medium 4 to the
server 3. This is because the charging processing shown in FIG. 19
to be described later must be executed. The remaining storage
capacity of the recording medium 4, the information about how long
music data can be recorded for example, can be determined from the
control information of the recording medium 4. In the case of the
above-mentioned Mini Disc for example, the recordable capacity can
be determined from the information recorded in the free area of
U-TOC sector 0.
[0247] Receiving the purchase information, the procedure of the
distribution service management system section 33 of the server 3
goes from step F210 in FIG. 16 to step F214 shown in FIG. 17 to
execute charging processing for the charge of the content requested
for purchase.
[0248] In this charging processing, the charging information stored
in the customer information reception/storage section 36, namely
the charging information corresponding to the prepaid information
of the recording medium 4, is updated in the remaining amount of
money and the updated charging information is updated in the
customer database 70. For example, if the fee of the selected
content is 200 yen, 200 yen is subtracted from the remaining amount
in the charging information registered with the database 70.
[0249] If the purchase log information is included in the charging
information as shown in FIG. 7, the charging information is updated
with respect to the content purchase made this time by adding the
log information such as content name (music title for example),
purchase date, and amount of money paid for the purchased content
for example.
[0250] It should be noted that, in this charging processing, a
simple charge subtraction process may not be executed depending on
the relationship between remaining prepaid amount and content price
and the relationship between the remaining recording capacity of
the recording medium 4 and the data size of content, which will be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.
[0251] Next, the distribution service management system section 33
instructs the content database controller 40 in step F215 to read
the content requested for purchase from the content database
60.
[0252] In step F216, the distribution service management system
section 23 sends all or part of the retrieved content data to the
terminal 1.
[0253] The CPU 23 of the terminal 1 receives the content data
downloaded from the server 3 in step F114 and stored the downloaded
content data into the data storage section 26. In step F115, the
CPU 23 transfers the content data to the recording unit 10 to
record the content data to the recording medium 4. Thus, the user
has purchased the requested content.
[0254] For the user continues his operation for purchasing another
item of content, the procedure returns to step F106 shown in FIG.
16 and the procedure on the server 3 side also returns to step F209
shown in FIG. 16.
[0255] If the user has performed an operation for ending the
content purchase, the procedure of the CPU 23 goes to step F117 to
send an end notification to the server 3.
[0256] In step F118, the CPU 23 executes a communication connection
end process and, in step F119, ejects the recording medium 4,
ending the content purchase processing.
[0257] Receiving the end notification, the procedure of the server
3 goes from step F217 to step F218, upon which the communication
connection with the terminal 1 is ended to end the content purchase
processing.
[0258] Consequently, the user can purchase desired content by use
of the recording medium 4 recorded with the prepaid information
without inputting a credit card number for charge settlement or
inputting the card number of a dedicated prepaid card. This
significantly facilitates content purchasing. Especially, this
allows those users who is unfamiliar with the operation of
computers or other devices or who have no credit card to access the
content distribution services.
[0259] In addition, because the settlement based on the prepaid
information is executed in the form of updating the registered
charging information in accordance with the prepaid information on
the server 3 side, the prepaid information of the recording medium
4 need not be updated.
[0260] Further, because the prepaid information of the recording
medium 4 is stored in a unrewritable manner, the recording medium 4
can be protected from abuse.
[0261] 3-2 Charging Processing
[0262] As described above, in the charging processing in step F214,
a simple content accounting process may not be executed depending
on the relationship between remaining prepaid amount and content
price and the relationship between the remaining storage capacity
of the recording medium 4 and the data size of content. The
following describes the charging processing of the present
embodiment by taking the above-mentioned point into
consideration.
[0263] It is assumed here that the user of the terminal 1 has two
recording media 4 shown in FIG. 18. One recording medium 4 has a
medium ID=ID1, of which prepaid outstanding balance is X1 (yen) in
the charging information registered with the customer database 70.
The remaining storage capacity of this recording medium 4 is A1
(minutes). Namely, any music content of which play time is less
than A1 (minutes) can be recorded in this recording medium 4.
[0264] The other recording medium 4 has a medium ID=ID2, of which
prepaid outstanding balance is X2 (yen) in the charging information
registered with the customer database 70. the remaining storage
capacity of the this recording medium 2 is A2 (minutes).
[0265] It should be noted that, for the convenience of description,
the first recording medium is referred to as the ID1 recording
medium while the second as the ID2 recording medium.
[0266] It is assumed again that the user having the two recording
media, the ID1 recording medium and the ID2 recording medium, has
started a content purchase operation by loading the ID1 recording
medium in step F101 shown in FIG. 15.
[0267] The user selects a particular piece of content and executes
a purchase operation in accordance with the above-mentioned
procedure. The data size of the content requested for purchase is B
(minutes) and the price is Y (yen).
[0268] On this assumption, the charging process in step F214 shown
in FIG. 17 is executed in a procedure shown in. FIG. 19.
[0269] Because the ID1 recording medium is loaded, the server 3
recognizes that the remaining prepaid amount of this user is X1
(yen) from the registered charging information.
[0270] Therefore, the server 3 determines in charging processing
whether the charge Y of the content requested for purchase can be
covered by the prepaid remaining amount X1. As described, because
the recordable capacity A1 (minutes) of the ID1 recording medium is
notified from the terminal 1, the server 3 compares the recordable
capacity A1 (minutes) with the data size B (minutes) of the content
requested for purchase to determine whether the content can be
recorded to the ID1 recording medium.
[0271] After the comparison between the amount of money and the
data size, the procedure branches to one of the following four
processes.
[0272] (1) X1.gtoreq.Y, A.gtoreq.B: the ID1 recording medium has
both a remaining amount of money and a recordable capacity enough
for the content purchased this time.
[0273] (2) X1.gtoreq.Y, A<B: the ID1 recording medium has a
remaining amount of money enough for the content purchased this
time but not an enough recordable capacity.
[0274] (3) X1<Y, A.gtoreq.B: the ID1 recording medium has a
recordable capacity enough for the content purchased this time but
not an enough remaining amount of money.
[0275] (4) X1<Y, A<B: the ID1 recording medium has neither a
remaining amount of money nor a recordable capacity enough for the
content purchased this time.
[0276] In the case of (1), a charging process as procedure F1 shown
in FIG. 19 is executed. To be more specific, because the ID1
recording medium can pay the cost of the content purchased this
time from the remaining prepaid amount and download the purchased
content, a normal charging process takes place. Namely, in the
charging information medium ID=ID1 registered with the customer
database 70, the value of remaining amount X1 (yen) is updated to a
value resulted from subtracting price Y (yen) from the remaining
amount X1 (X1=X1-Y). obviously, the content supplied to the
terminal 1 is recorded to the ID1 recording medium.
[0277] In the case of (2), the remaining recordable capacity of the
ID1 recording medium is not enough for the content purchased this
time, namely the purchased content cannot be recorded to the ID1
recording medium. Therefore, in charging processing, procedure F2
requires the terminal 1 to load another recording medium 4. In
response, the terminal 1 notifies the user that the loaded
recording medium 4 has not enough recordable capacity and prompts,
through the display section 28a or the audio output section 28b,
the user to load the other recording medium 4.
[0278] In response, the user loads the other recording medium 4,
namely the ID2 recording medium.
[0279] Then, the terminal 1 reads the prepaid information from the
ID2 recording medium, checks the recordable remaining capacity, the
terminal 1 sends the prepaid information and the recordable
capacity to the server 3.
[0280] The server 3 takes the charging information corresponding to
the medium ID=ID2 out of the customer database 70. If the ID2
recording medium has been loaded for the first time, the
corresponding charging information is registered with the customer
database 70.
[0281] Then, in procedure F3, the remaining prepaid amount of money
X2 (yen) registered for the ID2 recording medium is linked with the
remaining prepaid amount of money X1 of the above-mentioned ID1
recording medium (X1+X2). In addition, the recordable capacity A2
(minutes) of the ID2 recording medium is checked if it is enough
for the content of B (minutes).
[0282] In this example, X.gtoreq.Y, so that (X1+X2).gtoreq.Y
obviously. If the recordable capacity A2 of the ID2 recording
medium is found enough for the data size B of the content, a
charging process takes place as procedure F4. If the recordable
capacity A2 is found not enough, the server 3 requires the terminal
1 (and the user) to load the other recording medium 4.
[0283] In procedure F4, the server 3 instructs the terminal 1 to
record the content to be downloaded this time to the ID2 recording
medium. Then, the server 3 updates the charging information
registered for the ID2 recording medium such that the content
charge is subtracted by reflecting the link processing of procedure
F3. Namely, the server 3 first adds the remaining amount of money
X1 of the ID1 recording medium to the remaining prepaid amount of
money X2 in the charging information for the ID2 recording medium
and then subtracts the content price Y from the result of the
addition (X2=X2+X1-Y).
[0284] On the other hand, as a result of the linking of the
remaining amounts of money, the charging information for the ID1
recording medium is taken out of registration; namely a
registration deleting process is executed.
[0285] The registration deleting process as used in the present
example does not mean the deletion of the charging information
itself; it means that the ID1 recording medium is made unusable
thereafter. Actually, the balance in the charging information is
set to zero and the registration data are kept undeleted. For
example, the ID1 recording medium is put in the state of charging
information K5 shown in FIG. 7.
[0286] The prepaid information of the recording medium 4 is
unrewritable. Therefore, it is possible for the user to load,
erroneously or through malice, the recording medium 4 with its
prepaid information deleted into the terminal 1 again for getting
content distribution.
[0287] If this happens, the customer database 70 is searched for on
the basis of the medium ID as described before. If no corresponding
charging information is found, the recording medium 4 thus loaded
is newly registered. This means that, if the charging information
itself (including the medium ID) is deleted as a registration
deleting process, the recording medium 4 with its remaining amount
set to zero can be newly registered again. Namely, the user can
reuse the recording medium of which prepaid amount of money has
been used up, starting with a full amount of money. To prevent this
problem from happening, the charging information of that recording
medium must be kept undeleted with the balance set to zero. Namely,
when any recording medium that has been deleted of registration is
loaded in the terminal, the server 3 must determine that the
prepaid amount of money of this recording medium has all been
consumed. For this purpose, the balance in the charging information
may only be set to zero in the registration deleting process,
thereby preventing the recording medium of which prepaid amount of
money has all been consumed from being reused as a prepaid
recording medium.
[0288] For another process of deleting the registration, a data
group as registration deleted IDs is arranged in the customer
database 70, the charging information of a recording medium of
which prepaid amount of money has all been consumed is deleted, and
only its medium ID is put in this data group. This configuration
allows the server 3 to find that a loaded recording medium 4 of
which prepaid information has been deleted from registration is not
for new use but deleted from registration and therefore
invalid.
[0289] In procedure F4, the charging processing is executed on the
ID2 recording medium as described above, the content is recording
to the ID2 recording medium, and the ID1 recording medium is
deleted from registration.
[0290] Consequently, the user can obtain content by means of the
ID2 recording medium.
[0291] Subsequently, the ID1 recording medium can be used by the
user for recording or reproduction of music for example but not as
a prepaid medium.
[0292] In the case of (3), the ID1 recording medium has a remaining
recordable capacity enough for the content purchased this time but
an insufficient remaining amount of money. Namely, the ID1
recording medium alone cannot be used as a prepaid medium for
purchasing the content this time.
[0293] Therefore, for procedure F5 in charging processing, the
server 3 requires the terminal 1 to load the other recording medium
4. In response, the terminal 1 instructs, through the display
section 28a or the audio output section 28b, the user to load the
other recording medium 4.
[0294] In response, the user loads the another recording medium 4,
namely the ID2 recording medium.
[0295] When the ID2 recording medium is loaded, the terminal 1
reads the prepaid information from the ID2 recording medium,
determines a remaining recordable capacity, and sends these
information to the server 3.
[0296] The server 3 takes the charging information corresponding to
media ID=ID2 out of the customer database 70 (or newly registers
the ID2 recording medium).
[0297] In procedure 6, the remaining prepaid amount X2 (yen)
registered for the ID2 recording medium is linked with the
remaining prepaid amount X1 of the ID1 recording medium (X1+X2). In
addition, it is determined whether the recordable capacity A2
(minutes) of the ID2 recording medium is enough for the content of
B (minutes).
[0298] In this case, X1+X2.gtoreq.Y indicates that the charging is
enabled for content purchase. If X1+X2<Y, then the remaining
prepaid amount is still insufficient, so that the server 3 requires
the terminal 1 (and the user) to load the another recording medium
4.
[0299] In the case of (3), the ID1 recording medium is enough in
terms of recording capacity. On the other hand, as for the
recordable remaining capacity A2 of the ID2 recording medium, there
two cases; enough for the data size B of content (A2.gtoreq.B) and
not enough (A2<B) If the recordable remaining capacity A2 of the
ID2 recording medium is not enough (A2<B), the content must be
recorded to the ID1 recording medium. The terminal 1 instructs,
through the display section 28a or the audio output section 28b,
the user to change the recording media.
[0300] Namely, in this case, the server 3 instructs the terminal 1
to download the content this time to the ID1 recording medium in
procedure F9. Then, the server 3 updates the charging information
registered for the ID1 recording medium by subtracting the content
charge on the basis of the link process executed in procedure F6.
Namely, the remaining amount X2 of the ID2 recording medium is
added to the remaining prepaid amount X1 in the charging
information for the ID1 recording medium and content charge Y is
subtracted from the result of the addition (X1=X1+X2-Y).
[0301] On the other hand, in accordance with the result of the
remaining amounts linking process, the server 3 deletes the
registration of the charging information for the ID2 recording
medium. Thus, the remaining amounts of money of the two recording
media can be brought together to the ID1 recording medium.
[0302] Consequently, the user can obtain the content by use of the
ID1 recording medium.
[0303] Subsequently, the ID2 recording medium can be used by the
user for recording or reproduction of music for example but not as
a prepaid medium.
[0304] If both the ID1 recording medium and the ID2 recording
medium have enough remaining recordable capacities, the user is
asked in procedure F7 which recording medium to be used. To be more
specific, the server 3 requires the terminal 1 for medium selection
and the terminal 1 requires the user to select a recording medium
to which content is to be recorded. The terminal 1 sends the result
of the selection made by the user to the server 3.
[0305] In procedure F8, the server 3 instructs the terminal 1 to
record the content to be downloaded this time to the selected
recording medium. Then, the server 3 updates the charging
information registered for the selected medium such that the
content charge is subtracted by reflecting the link processing
executed in procedure F6. As for the unselected recording medium,
its charging information is deleted from registration.
[0306] Namely, if the ID1 recording medium has been selected, the
value of remaining amount X1 is updated to the value of X1=X1+X2-Y
in the charging information for the ID1 recording medium, deleting
the registration of the charging information for the ID2 recording
medium.
[0307] On the other hand, if the ID2 recording medium has been
selected, the value of remaining amount X2 is updated to the value
of X2=X1+X2-Y in the charging information for the ID2 recording
medium, deleting the registration of the charging information for
the ID1 recording medium.
[0308] Consequently, the user can obtain content by use of the
selected recording medium. Subsequently, the unselected recording
medium can be used by the user for recording or reproduction of
music for example but not as a prepaid medium.
[0309] In the case of (4), the ID1 recording medium is insufficient
in both remaining recordable capacity and remaining amount of money
for the purchase of content this time. Namely, the ID1 recording
medium alone cannot be use as a prepaid recording medium and cannot
record the content requested by the user.
[0310] Therefore, in charging processing, the server 3 requires the
terminal 1 to load the other recording medium 4 in procedure F10.
The terminal 1 instructs, through the display section 28a or the
audio output section 28b, the user to load the other recording
medium 4 into the terminal 1.
[0311] In response, the user loads the other recording medium 4,
namely the ID2 recording medium.
[0312] The terminal 1 reads the prepaid information from the ID2
recording medium and checks the remaining recordable capacity and
sends these information to the server 3.
[0313] The server 3 takes the charging information for the medium
ID=ID2 out of the customer database 70 or newly registers the ID2
recording medium.
[0314] In procedure F11, prepaid remaining of amount X2 (yen)
registered for the ID2 recording medium is linked with remaining
prepaid amount X1 of the ID1 recording medium (X1+X2). Further, the
server 3 checks to see if recordable capacity A2 (minutes) of the
ID2 recording medium is enough for recording the content of B
(minutes) In this case, X1+X2.gtoreq.Y permits the charging for the
purchased content. If X1+X2<Y, it indicates the prepaid
remaining amount of money is still insufficient, so that the server
3 requires the terminal 1 to load the other recording medium 4.
[0315] If the recording capacity A2 of the ID2 recording medium is
not enough for the data size B of content, the server 3 also
requires the terminal 1 (and the user) to load the other recording
medium 4.
[0316] If X1+X2.gtoreq.Y and the recordable capacity of the ID2
recording medium is enough, a charging processing is executed in
procedure F12.
[0317] Namely, the server 3 instructs the terminal 1 to record the
content to be downloaded this time to the ID2 recording medium.
Then, the server 3 updates the charging information registered for
the ID2 recording medium such that the content charge is subtracted
by reflecting the result of the link process executed in procedure
F11. To be more specific, the remaining amount X1 of the ID1
recording medium is added to the remaining prepaid amount X2 in the
charging information of the ID1 recording medium, from which
content charge Y is subtracted (X2=X2+X1-Y).
[0318] On the other hand, in accordance with the result of the
remaining amounts linking process, the charging information of the
ID1 recording medium is deleted from registration.
[0319] Consequently, the user can obtain the desired content by use
of the ID2 recording medium. Subsequently, the ID1 recording medium
can be used by the user for recording or reproduction of music for
example but not as a prepaid medium.
[0320] The charging processing is executed as described above, so
that, if one recording medium is insufficient in the remaining
amount of money, the insufficiency can be covered by another
prepaid recording medium for purchasing content. This novel
arrangement enhances user convenience and allows to reuse those
prepaid recording media which have only fractional remaining amount
insufficient for purchasing content.
[0321] If the remaining amount has reached zero as a result of the
charging processing in procedure F1, it indicates the same state in
which the charging information is deleted from registration
described above. If a data group of registration deleted IDs is to
be registered, the medium ID of that charging information may only
be put in this data group.
[0322] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
present invention is not restricted to the above-mentioned
embodiment. For example, the terminal 1 and the server 3 can be
configured in various other manners.
[0323] It will be also apparent to those skilled in the art that
the processes to be executed by the terminal 1 and the server 3
shown in FIGS. 15 through 19 may be totally executed between the
terminal 1 and the server 3 to achieve the above-mentioned
objectives; namely the above-mentioned processes may be executed by
the terminal 1 and the server 3 not in a fixed relationship between
the processes and these members of the embodiment.
[0324] As described and according to the invention, prepaid
information is stored in a recording medium to which distributed
content is to be recorded. When content has actually been
distributed, the charge of the distributed content is settled by
updating, on the server side, the charging information registered
with the server in accordance with the prepaid information read
from the recording medium.
[0325] The novel constitution significantly enhances user
convenience because the user need not input the number of his
credit card or the number of his separately prepared dedicated
prepaid card. This means that users who do not have credit cards or
prepaid cards can also receive content distribution services.
[0326] In addition, because the novel constipation does not require
a card number input operation, the operation to be executed for
content purchase is simplified, thereby allowing users not familiar
with personal computers or other electronic devices to purchase
content with ease.
[0327] Consequently, the novel constitution does not present the
security problem that takes place in a credit card number input
operation.
[0328] Further, when content is purchased from a dedicated terminal
device installed at a store and, even if a user can settle the
charge of the downloaded content by cash, he can obtain the content
only by loading a recording medium according to the invention,
thereby facilitating a content purchase operation and allowing
users having no cash carried with him.
[0329] The settlement on the basis of prepaid information is
executed in the form of updating the charging information
registered with the server side in correspondence with the prepaid
information. Consequently, the prepaid information of the recording
medium need not be updated and therefore reduces the settlement
processing load on the terminal side. This also prevents the
recording medium from being abused by tampering its prepaid
information.
[0330] Moreover, the prepaid information is stored in the recording
medium in an unrewritable manner, thereby further preventing the
prepaid recording medium from abuse.
[0331] When the charging processing means of the server executes a
charging process on the first charging information registered with
the charging information registration means in correspondence with
the first prepaid information recorded on the first recording
medium loaded in the terminal, if the amount of money is not enough
for purchasing content, then the charging processing means requires
the second prepaid information recorded on the second recording
medium and links the second charging information registered with
the charging information registration means in correspondence with
the second prepaid information with the first charging information
to execute a charging processing. Consequently, if the remaining
prepaid amount of money is running short on one recording medium
owned by the user for purchasing content, the user can use another
recording medium to add together the remaining prepaid amounts of
money of both prepaid recording media to settle the charge of the
purchased content. Namely, if one prepaid recording medium has only
a fractional balance which is not enough for purchasing content, it
can be added to the remaining prepaid amount of another prepaid
recording medium, thereby allowing the user to make the most of his
prepaid recording media.
[0332] If the charging information corresponding to the prepaid
information supplied from the terminal has not yet been registered
with the charging information registration means of the server, the
charging information corresponding this prepaid information is
newly registered with the charging information registration means.
Consequently, the charging information is registered for every
recording medium to be newly used by the user, thereby
systematically allowing the efficient management of additional
charging information.
[0333] In addition, the charging processing means deletes the
registration of the charging information of which prepaid amount of
money has all been consumed, thereby invalidating the prepaid
capability of the recording medium on which the prepaid information
corresponding to this charging information is recorded.
Consequently, any recording medium with its prepaid amount of money
fully used is no more available as a prepaid recording medium,
thereby realizing proper accounting. Obviously, the user can still
use such an invalidated recording medium as a simple recording
medium having no prepaid capability. Consequently, unlike
conventional prepaid cards, the invalidated prepaid recording media
according to the invention need not be discarded as a waste, which
is an advantage in terms of saving resources.
[0334] The prepaid information contains both prepaid amount of
money information and ID information unique to each prepaid
recording medium according to the invention, thereby allowing the
appropriate management of the amount of money and individual
prepaid recording media to provide proper charging processing.
[0335] Further, the prepaid information contains destination
identifying information for identifying a server. Therefore, the
terminal communicates with the server on the basis of this
information, thereby making it unnecessary for the user to search
for a server from which to download content, which further
facilitates the content purchase operation to be executed by the
user.
[0336] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the appended claims.
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