JP2002259275A - Device and method for producing distribution contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce contents for distribution to which such a condition being effective only to one part in one piece of contents is attached. SOLUTION: Portions of sections (t1 to t2) of the contents 206 are designated on a time base 204, and management data 208 showing the use condition of the sections (i.e., use condition effective only to the sections) are edited. The management data 208 are added to the contents 206 to be distributed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a distribution content production device, and more particularly, to a distribution content production device for producing distribution content in which usage conditions are added to contents such as video and music.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, content distribution services for distributing content such as music and video to terminals such as personal computers and mobile phones have begun. In the content distribution service,
Instead of delivering the content as it is, for example, to prevent illegal copying of the content, the content itself is created and delivered for distribution with a condition restricting the use of the content on the terminal itself. With the expansion of content distribution services, there is an urgent need to develop a distribution content production device capable of efficiently producing various distribution contents.

[0003] A conventional distribution content production apparatus produces distribution content in the following procedure. That is, conventional devices store content and initially,
Edit the management data for the content. Next, distribution content is produced by adding the management data of the edited result to the content and packaging it.

[0004] The management data edited by the conventional device is a condition for using the content at the terminal of the distribution destination, such as "reproducible only when a fee is paid" or "reproducible only for a certain period". This is data indicating conditions.
In a conventional device, such management data is edited and added to each content.

[0005] The distribution content produced as described above is temporarily stored in the distribution content production device.
After that, it is passed to the distribution device. The distribution device distributes the delivered distribution content to the terminal via the network. The terminal receives the distribution content and reproduces the content according to the management data added to the content.

[0006]

As described above, in a conventional distribution content production apparatus, distribution content in which a condition for restricting use of a content at a terminal is added to a content main body is produced. It is possible to distribute promotional contents that can be played for free as long as possible, and to distribute full package contents that can be played only when a fee is paid.

However, in the conventional distribution content production apparatus, since one management data is added to one content, the reproduction restriction and the charging can be performed only for each content. If content with a condition that is valid only for a part of one content can be produced, content that can be used in various ways that have not been available can be distributed, and promotion of content sales by distribution is expected. .

[0008] Further, in the conventional distribution content production apparatus, when producing distribution contents to be used in the same content, for example, in two modes, that is, for promotion and for full package, production and distribution are performed as two different distribution contents. Since the same content is stored, the same content is stored in duplicate, and the storage capacity is wasted. From the terminal's point of view, if you purchase after watching the content, you must receive the content for the promotion and then the content for the full package, so you will receive the same content redundantly, This results in wasted time and communication costs.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of producing distribution content to which a condition that is effective only for a part of one content is added.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of producing distribution content in which a plurality of conditions corresponding to various use modes are added to one content.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first invention is a distribution content production apparatus for producing a distribution content in which usage conditions are added to the content, wherein the content storage means for storing the content, the content A distribution content production unit for producing a distribution content by reading the content from the storage unit and adding a use condition, and a distribution content storage unit for storing the distribution content produced by the distribution content production unit, wherein the distribution content production unit comprises: A management data editing means for editing management data indicating a use condition of the section by designating a predetermined section of the read content, wherein one or more management data obtained by editing by the management data editing means is added to the content. Specially to create distribution content by adding To.

The first invention (or the following tenth and first aspects)
In the first invention), a predetermined section of the content is designated, and management data indicating a use condition of the section (that is, a use condition valid only for the section) is edited. And
Since the management data is added to the content and distributed,
It is possible to produce a distribution content to which a condition that is effective only for a part of one content is added.

[0013] The distribution content thus produced is stored in the present distribution content production device and then distributed by the distribution device. The terminal receives and stores the distribution content, and thereafter reads and reproduces the content. When reproducing the distribution content, the terminal reproduces a predetermined section of the content based on the management data.

[0014] In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the use condition indicated by each piece of management data is a condition prohibiting use of a section designated by the piece of management data or specified by the piece of management data. The condition is such that the use of the section is permitted free of charge, or the use of the section specified by the management data is permitted in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount.

[0015] In the second aspect of the present invention, a predetermined section of the content is designated, and the terminal is set so as not to use the section, set to be usable free of charge, or set to be usable for a fee. Or you can.

According to a third aspect, in the first aspect, each management data further indicates a reproduction order of a section designated by the management data.

In the third aspect, the order in which the terminal reproduces each section can be arbitrarily set.

[0018] In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the distribution content producing means comprises:
A plurality of management track data is further added to the content, and each management track data represents a collection of one or more management data indicating one or more sections used in a predetermined mode, respectively, in one corresponding to the usage mode. It is defined as a management track.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of contents corresponding to various use modes (for example, a promotion for which only a part can be used free of charge, a full package for which all can be used if a fee is paid, etc.) are provided for one content. Can be produced with the added management track data. As a result, the same content is not redundantly stored as compared with the conventional device that produces separate distribution content for each use mode, and the storage capacity of the distribution content production device and the terminal is reduced. It can save money and can reduce communication costs at the time of distribution. In addition, if the terminal receives one distribution content, the terminal can use the content in a manner desired by the user.

According to a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, there is further provided a character input means for performing a character input and a GUI input means for performing a GUI input, wherein the management data editing means comprises a plurality of management tracks. A GUI screen provided along the time axis is displayed, and assuming a predetermined usage mode,
When a start time and an end time for designating a predetermined section in the content on the time axis and a use condition of the section are input through the character input means, the management data of the section is edited and edited. The obtained one or more management data is defined as a rectangle corresponding to the section indicated by the management data.
It is characterized by being arranged on a management track corresponding to the use mode in the GUI screen.

[0021] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, for each mode in which the content is used (for example, for a promotion where a part can be used free of charge, or for a full package where the whole can be used if a fee is paid), a section on the time axis is used. When the start time and the end time for designating and the use condition are input as characters, the management data of the section is edited. And
The obtained management data for each mode is defined as a rectangle corresponding to the section (a rectangle whose leading end is located at the start time and whose trailing end is located at the end time) in the GUI screen.
It is arranged on the management track corresponding to the mode.

In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the distribution content producing means further includes management data storage means for storing management data obtained by editing by the management data editing means.

In the sixth aspect, only the management data is stored separately from the distribution content in which the management data is added to the content body.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the management data editing means reads management data edited in the past from the management data storage means, and stores the management data in G
It is arranged as a rectangle in the management track of the UI screen, and the GUI
By the operation through the input means, the tip of the rectangle and / or
Alternatively, the management data is edited as the rear end is moved along the time axis.

In the seventh aspect, when editing the management data, the management data edited in the past is displayed as a rectangle on the management track in the GUI screen. Then, the management data is edited according to the movement of the front end and / or the rear end of the rectangle through the GUI input means. This saves the trouble of inputting characters.

In an eighth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the distribution content producing means includes a reproduction means for reading the distribution content from the distribution content storage means and reproducing a partial section of the content based on the management data.

According to the eighth aspect, the operator of the distribution content production device can confirm how the distribution content is reproduced on the terminal side.

In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the reproducing means selects one of the plurality of management track data included in the read distribution content, and selects a management track defined by the management track data. Is characterized in that one or more predetermined sections in the content are reproduced based on one or more management data included in the content.

In the ninth aspect, the operator specifies the use mode, and selects a management track corresponding to the use mode. Then, a predetermined section in the content is reproduced based on the management data included in the management track. This allows the operator of the distribution content production apparatus to check how the distribution content is reproduced on the terminal side for each use mode.

[0030] A tenth invention is a method of producing content for distribution in which usage conditions are added to the content,
A content storage step of storing the content, a distribution content production step of producing the distribution content by reading the content stored in the content storage step and adding a use condition, and a distribution content storing the distribution content produced in the distribution content production step A storage step is provided. In the distribution content creation step, management data indicating a use condition of the section is specified by designating a partial section of the content, and one or more pieces of the management data obtained by editing are added to the content. In this case, the distribution content is produced.

[0031] An eleventh invention is a content distribution system for distributing content, which is a distribution content production device for producing content for distribution with usage conditions added to the content, and a distribution content produced by the distribution content production device. And a terminal for receiving and using the distribution content distributed by the distribution device, wherein the distribution content production device reads the content from the content storage means for storing the content and the content storage means and adds a usage condition. And a first distribution content storage unit for storing the distribution content produced by the distribution content production unit, wherein the distribution content production unit specifies a predetermined section of the content. Shows usage conditions for the section The terminal includes a management data editing unit that edits management data, and the management data editing unit adds one or more management data obtained by editing to the content to create a distribution content. Receiving means for receiving the distribution content to be distributed, second distribution content storage means for storing the distribution content received by the reception means, reading the distribution content from the second distribution content storage means, and retrieving each of the contents based on the management data. A reproducing unit for reproducing a predetermined section is provided.

A twelfth invention is a terminal for receiving and using distribution content, wherein the distribution content designates a content and a predetermined section of the content and indicates a usage condition of the section. Receiving means for receiving the distribution content, distribution content storage means for storing the distribution content received by the reception means, reading the distribution content from the distribution content storage means, and receiving the content based on the respective management data. Playback means for playing back each of the predetermined sections.

[0033] In the twelfth aspect, one or more predetermined sections specified by one or more management data included in the distribution content are reproduced according to the conditions specified by the management data.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect,
The usage condition indicated by each management data is a condition that prohibits the use of the section specified by the management data, a condition that permits the use of the section free of charge, A condition for permitting the use in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount, further comprising a charging means for performing charging based on the management data, and the reproducing means permitting the management data to use the section free of charge. In this case, the section is reproduced, and in the case of permitting the payment in exchange for the payment of a predetermined amount, the section is reproduced in response to execution of charging of the amount by the charging means.

According to the thirteenth aspect, in the content, 1
Each of the predetermined sections is set so that it cannot be used, is set so that it can be used free of charge, or is set so that it can be used for a fee. If the use of the predetermined section is permitted free of charge, the section is reproduced, and if the use of the predetermined section is permitted, the specified section is charged and then the section is reproduced.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect,
Each of the management data further indicates a reproduction order of the section specified by the management data, and the reproducing means reproduces one or more sections specified by the management data in order according to the reproduction order indicated by the management data. And

According to the fourteenth aspect, in the content, 1
The reproduction order is set for each section, and the reproduction is performed in order from the section having the higher reproduction order.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect,
The distribution content is used in a predetermined mode.
It further includes a plurality of management track data that defines a set of one or more management data indicating the above section as one management track corresponding to the use mode,
The playback means selects one of the plurality of management track data included in the read distribution content, and selects one of the plurality of management track data based on one or more management data included in the management track defined by the management track data. The above-described predetermined section is reproduced.

In the fifteenth aspect, when the user specifies the use mode, the management track corresponding to the use mode is selected. Then, one or more predetermined sections in the content are reproduced based on one or more management data included in the management track. Thus, if the distribution content is received only once, it can be used in various modes such as trialing a part of the content free of charge, or paying the price to use the entire content.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a distribution content obtained by adding a use condition to a content, and includes a content and one or more pieces of management data. Each piece of the management data designates a predetermined section of the content, and It is characterized by indicating the use condition of.

In the sixteenth aspect, management data indicating a predetermined section of the content and indicating a use condition of the section is added to the content. A terminal that receives and uses such distribution content reproduces a predetermined section of the content based on the management data.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect,
Whether the use condition indicated by each management data is a condition that prohibits use of the section specified by the management data or a condition that permits use of the section specified by the management data free of charge, Alternatively, the condition is such that the use of the section designated by the management data is permitted in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount.

According to the seventeenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect, 1
Each of the predetermined sections is set so that it cannot be used, is set so that it can be used free of charge, or is set so that it can be used for a fee. A terminal that receives and uses such distribution contents reproduces the section when the use is permitted free of charge, and charges a specified amount when the use is permitted for a fee. After execution, the section is reproduced.

According to an eighteenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect,
Each management data is further characterized by further indicating a reproduction order of a section designated by the management data.

[0045] In the eighteenth aspect, in the content, 1
The playback order is set for each section. A terminal that receives and uses such distribution content reproduces the content in order from a section having a higher reproduction order.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect,
Each management track data further includes a plurality of management track data, and each management track data defines a set of one or more management data indicating one or more sections used in a predetermined mode as one management track corresponding to the usage mode. It is characterized by doing.

In the nineteenth aspect, a plurality of management track data corresponding to various use modes are added to one content. A terminal that receives and uses such distribution content receives a designation of a usage mode by a user and selects a management track corresponding to the usage mode. Then, one or more predetermined sections in the content are reproduced based on one or more management data included in the management track.

[0048]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the present content distribution system includes a distribution content production device 1, a distribution device 2,
A network 3 and a terminal 4 are provided.

The distribution content producing apparatus 1 produces distribution content by editing management data for the content to be distributed and adding the management data to the content. The “content” is, for example, video such as a movie or audio such as music, and “one content”.
Corresponds to one movie or one piece of music. The management data is data indicating conditions for reproducing the content and the like (details will be described later). “Distribution content” is a package in which management data is added to the content itself.

The distribution device 2 distributes the distribution content to the terminal 4 via the network 3. Network 3
Is a medium for transmitting the distribution content from the distribution device 2 to the terminal 4, and corresponds to, for example, a communication network such as the Internet or a mobile phone network, or a broadcast network such as a satellite broadcast network.

The terminal 4 receives and reproduces the distribution content. At that time, the terminal 4 reproduces the content according to the management data. The terminal 4 is typically realized by a personal computer or a mobile phone, but may be a terminal dedicated to the present system.

An outline of the operation of the content distribution system configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the content distribution system of FIG. In FIG. 2, the distribution content production device 1 stores content, and first edits management data for the content on a management track (step S1). next,
The distribution content production device 1 produces the distribution content by adding the management data of the editing result of step S1 together with the management track data to the content and packaging the content (step S2).

The distribution contents thus produced are temporarily stored in the distribution contents producing apparatus 1 (step S).
3) Then, the content is reproduced on the distribution content production device 1 side for content confirmation (step S4). Then, it is passed to the distribution device 2. The distribution device 2 distributes the delivered content to the terminal 4 via the network 3 (Step S5). The terminal 4 receives the distribution content (Step S6) and stores it (Step S7). Thereafter, the terminal 4 reads out the distribution content in response to the user's instruction, and thereafter reproduces the content according to the management data added to the content (step S8). The above is the outline of the operation of the system.

Next, the configuration and operation (steps S1 to S4 of FIG. 2) of the distribution content production device 1 of FIG. 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the distribution content production device 1 of FIG. 3, the distribution content production device 1 includes a content storage unit 11, a distribution content storage unit 12, a distribution content production unit 13, a character input unit 14, a GUI input unit 15, a display unit 16, a reproduction unit, 17 are provided. The distribution content creation unit 13 includes a management data editing unit 131
And a management data storage unit 132.

[0055] The content storage section 11 stores the content. The character input unit 14 receives character input by an operator. The GUI input unit 15 receives a GUI input by an operator. Distribution content production unit 13
Reads the content from the content storage unit 11, edits the management data relating to the content, and adds the edited management data to the read content to produce a distribution content.

At this time, the distribution content producing unit 13
The management data editing unit 131 displays on the display unit 16 an editing screen using a GUI as shown in FIG.
And a management data selection screen as shown in FIG. 12 (described later). Next, the management data editing unit 131 edits the management data according to an input operation performed by the operator through each screen. Then, the management data editing unit 131 causes the management data storage unit 132 to store the edited management data.

The distribution content producing section 13 edits management data on a plurality of management tracks corresponding to each use mode, assuming that the content is used in a plurality of modes. Next, a plurality of management track data that defines a group of one or more management data indicating one or more sections used in the same manner as one management track is generated. Then, a distribution content is produced by adding the management data and the management track data to the content, and the produced distribution content is stored in the distribution content storage unit 12.

That is, the distribution contents (contents + management track data + management data) produced by the distribution contents production section 13 are stored in the distribution contents storage section 12.
The management data is stored separately.
Management data storage unit 132 in distribution content production unit 13
Is stored.

Here, the data structure of the distribution content will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of distribution content produced by the distribution content production device of FIG. In FIG. 4, the distribution content 20 includes a header section 21, a content section 22, and a plurality of management track sections 23. The header section 21 includes header information 24 indicating the data structure of the distribution content 20. The content section 22 includes content 25. Each management track unit 23 includes one management track data 26 and one or more management data 27.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the header information 24 included in the header section 21 of FIG. In FIG. 5, the header information 24 includes a total data size “totalSize” of the distribution content 20, a pointer “pContentData” to the content 25, and a content 2
Data size of 5 "contentDataSize"
, The number of management tracks “numTrack”, and the default track number “defaultTrackNo”
And the pointer "pTrac" to the head management track unit 23.
k ”and the size“ track ”of the head management track unit 23
Size "is described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the management track data 26 included in the management track section 23 of FIG. FIG.
In the management track data 26, the total number “numD” of the management data 27 included in the management track unit 23 is included.
data ”and a pointer“ pO ”to the head management data 27.
ffsetData ”and the size“ d ”of the management data 27
ataSize ".

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the management data 27 included in the management track unit 23 of FIG. In FIG. 7, the management data 27 includes a start time “inTime”.
, End time “outTime”, and reproduction condition “pla”
ytype "and the billing condition" financialtype "
e "and the reproduction order" playorder "are described.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, the reproducing unit 17 is for confirming how the distribution content produced as described above is reproduced by the terminal.
In response to an operator's instruction made through the UI input unit 15, the distribution content is read out from the distribution content storage unit 12, reproduced, and output to the display unit 16.

FIG. 8 shows the distribution content production device 1 of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the embodiment. In FIG. 8, the distribution content production device 1 has a CP
U101, ROM 102, RAM 103, sound / video board 104, hard disk (HD) 1
05, a keyboard 106, a mouse 107, a monitor 108, and a speaker 109. 3 is a hard disk 105, a character input unit 14 is a keyboard 106, a GUI input unit 15 is a mouse 107, and a display unit 16 is a monitor 108 and a speaker 10.
9 is realized.

The distribution content producing unit 13
1, realized by the ROM 102 and the RAM 103. That is, predetermined content production program data is stored in the ROM 102 in advance, and the CPU 101
Operates according to the program data while receiving an instruction given by the user through the keyboard 106 / mouse 107. The RAM 103 is used as a work area when the CPU 101 operates.

The reproducing unit 17 includes the CPU 101, the ROM 10
2. RAM 103 and sound / video board 104
It is realized by. That is, predetermined content reproduction program data is stored in the ROM 102 in advance, and the CPU 101 controls the sound / video board 104 according to the program data while receiving an instruction given by the user through the keyboard 106 / mouse 107. The RAM 103 is used as a work area when the CPU 101 and the sound / video board 104 operate.

Here, the above-mentioned content production / reproduction program data is stored in a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM instead of being stored in the ROM 102 in advance, or is distributed through the network 3. It may be supplied to the production device 1. The program data thus provided or supplied is stored in the hard disk 10
5 when the content is produced / reproduced.
Is forwarded to.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a management data editing process (details of step S1 in FIG. 2) performed by the distribution content production device 1 configured as shown in FIG. In the distribution content production device 1, some contents are stored in the content storage unit 11. When the distribution content production device 1 is started, first, the management data editing unit 1
31 displays a GUI screen as shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 16 (step S101).

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a GUI screen displayed on the display unit 16 by the management data editing unit 131 shown in FIG. The time axis 204 is displayed on the GUI screen of FIG.
, One content track 205 and one or more management tracks are displayed. The management track is initially one track (here, “management track 1” 207).
Is displayed, and then a new track (here, “managed track 2” 211,
“Management track 3” 213) is additionally displayed.

On the content track 205, the content 206 is displayed as one rectangle having a length proportional to the reproduction time. Further, two division lines (dotted lines 216 and 217 in the figure) for specifying a specific section are displayed in the content 206. Each section line 216, 2
Reference numeral 17 moves in the direction of the time axis in response to the operation of the mouse 107 by the operator (located at positions t1 and t2 in the figure).

On the other hand, in each of the management tracks (207, 211 and 213), along with the content 206 in the content track 205, the management data corresponding to each section delimited by the above-mentioned dividing line is formed as a small rectangle. (For example, in the “management track 1” 207, the sections t1 to t2 separated by the dividing lines 216 and 217)
, The management data 208 is displayed as a small rectangle).

Further, on the GUI input screen of FIG. 10, four buttons are displayed at the top of the screen. "Button 1" 20
When 0 is clicked, a character input screen as shown in FIG. 11 (described later) is newly displayed on the display unit 16. When "button 2" 201 is clicked, two division lines 2 indicating the start / end time input through the character input screen are displayed.
16, 217 are displayed in the content track 205. When "button 3" 202 is clicked, a new management track is additionally displayed. When the “button 4” 203 is clicked, a management data selection screen as shown in FIG. 12 (described later) is newly displayed on the display unit 16.

When the GUI screen as described above is displayed (at this time, four buttons 200 to 203,
The time axis 204 and the content track 205 are presented), and the operator first clicks the “Button 1” 200 through the GUI input unit 15. In response, the management data editing unit 131 causes the display unit 16 to display a character input screen as shown in FIG. 11 (Step S102).

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a character input screen displayed on the display unit 16 by the management data editing unit 131 shown in FIG. The character input screen of FIG. 11 includes a start time (in) input field 301 and an end time (out) input field 302 for specifying a specific section in the content.
A reproduction condition input field 303 and a charging condition input field 304 for inputting a reproduction condition and a charging condition of the section, and a reproduction order input field 30 for inputting a reproduction order of the section.
5 is displayed.

When the above GUI screen is displayed,
The operator enters the in input box 30 through the character input unit 14.
Desired times (for example, times t1 and t2) are input in the 1 and out input fields 302, respectively. Also, desired reproduction conditions (for example, “conditional reproduction” and “200”) are entered in the reproduction condition input column 303 and the charging condition input column 304, respectively.
"Circle"; that is, the section t1 to t2 in the content is 2
(A condition that playback is possible if the user pays 00 yen). Further, a reproduction order (for example, “first” in a section to be reproduced first) is input to the reproduction order input field 305.

In response, the management data editing unit 131 sets the designated section in the content (t1 to t2 in the above example).
In response to the management data indicating the input conditions ("first", "conditional playback" and "200" in the above example).
") (Step S103).

Next, the operator clicks "Button 2" 201 on the GUI screen. In response, the management data editing unit 131 sets the “management track 1” 20 on the GUI screen.
7, management data (the management data referred to here is a small rectangle 208 that visually indicates that the reproduction condition has been set in the sections t1 to t2) (step S1).
04). Subsequently, the management data editing unit 131 sets the content of the management data 208 set in step S103 (that is, “1st” for the content sections t1 to t2,
"Conditional playback" and "¥ 200" have been set.)
Is stored in the management data storage unit 132 (step S
105).

As described above, one piece of management data 208 is set on the “management track 1” 207 for the content. When the operator wants to end the management data editing operation, the operator may click “end”. If the user wants to continue to set the management data for another section on the “management track 1” 207, the user clicks the “button 1” 201 again through the GUI input unit 15 to display the character input screen again, and the same as above. May be performed.
If new management data is to be set on the "management track 2" 211, the "button 3" 202 is clicked to additionally display the "management track 2" 211, and the same setting processing as described above is performed. Good.

The management data editing unit 131 performs the following series of processing based on the input operation by the operator as described above. First, it is determined whether or not to continue editing (step S106). If the result is negative, the editing process is terminated, and thereafter, the process returns to the flow of FIG.
2 and below are executed. If the result of the determination in step S106 is affirmative, it is determined whether or not management data is to be set in yet another section on the current management track (here, "management track 1" 207) (step S107). Is affirmative, the process returns to step S102 to cause the display unit 16 to display the character input screen again.
The same processing as steps 3 to S107 is repeated.

If the result of the determination in step S107 is negative, the management data editing unit 131 additionally displays a new management track (here, "management track 2" 211) (step S108). Next, when new management data is edited on the “management track 2” 211 additionally displayed in step S108, the previously edited management data stored in the management data storage unit 132 (for example, stored in step S105). It is determined whether to use the management data 208) (step S109).

If the determination result in step S109 is affirmative, the management data stored in the management data storage unit 132 is stored in the new management track (here, "management track 2" 211) additionally displayed in step S108. It is copied (step S110).

Here, the management data copy processing in step S110 is performed, for example, as follows. When the operator clicks “button 4” 203 in the GUI screen, management data editing unit 131 newly displays a management data selection screen as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows the management data editing unit 131 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a management data selection screen displayed on the display unit 16. In FIG. 12, management data (208, 211,...) Edited in the past are displayed on the management data selection screen.
And a table describing the contents (start / end times, playback order, playback conditions, and billing conditions). Management data that the operator wants to use (for example, management data 208)
When the user clicks, the management data editing unit 131 copies the management data (the rectangle indicating the management data) into the “management track 2” 211 on the GUI screen (see FIG. 10) and stores the contents of the management data in the management data storage unit. 132.

Thereafter, the operator operates the GUI input unit 15
, The “management track 2” 211 in step S110
The in / out time is designated by moving the end of (the rectangle indicating) the management data displayed in the box, and the management data editing unit 131 sets new management data accordingly (step S111). ). Next, the management data editing unit 131 causes the management data storage unit 132 to store the content of the new management data set through the GUI input unit 15 (step S112), and then determines whether or not to continue editing (step S112). Step S113). If the result is negative, the editing process is terminated, and thereafter, the process returns to the flow of FIG. 2 and the steps from step S2 are performed. Step S1
If the result of the determination in step 13 is affirmative, the process returns to step S107, and it is determined whether or not management data is to be set in yet another section on the "management track 2" 211.

If the decision result in the step S109 is negative, the process returns to the step S102, where the character input screen is displayed again on the display section 16, and thereafter, the steps S103 to S109 are performed.
Is repeated. The above is the management data editing process. When the management data editing unit 131 finishes editing one or a plurality of management data on each of the management tracks, the distribution content production device 1 executes step S2 in FIG.

In step S2 in FIG. 2, each time the management data editing unit 131 finishes editing one or a plurality of management data on one management track, the distribution content production apparatus 1 deletes the one or more management data. Management track data for defining a group as one management track is generated. The distribution content is produced by adding the plurality of management track data generated in this way and the management data edited by the management data editing unit 131 as described above to the content and packaging the content.

In the following step S 3, the distribution content production device 1 temporarily stores the distribution content produced as described above in the distribution content storage unit 12. In addition,
The past edited management data stored in the management data storage unit 132 is used as needed when editing management data of another content.

Then, in the distribution content production device 1,
In order to confirm the content of the distribution content created as described above, the process of step S4 (see FIG. 2), that is, the distribution content reproduction process is performed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the distribution content reproduction process (details of step S4 in FIG. 2) performed by the distribution content production device 1 configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, first, the reproducing unit 17 reads out the distribution content from the distribution content storage unit 12 in response to an operator's instruction made through the GUI input unit 15 (step S201). Next, the read distribution content is separated into management track data, management data, and a content body (step S202).

Next, when the operator designates one of the management tracks through the GUI input section 15, the reproduction section 17 reads the management track data corresponding to the designated track (step S203). Then, a predetermined section of the content is reproduced based on the management data included in the selected management track in accordance with the clock signal (step S204). Thereafter, the flow returns to the flow of FIG.
The above is the distribution content reproduction processing performed on the production device 1 side.

Here, the content reproduction processing in step S204 is performed, for example, as follows. A plurality of management track data corresponding to a plurality of different usage modes (for promotion, full package, and the like; described later) is added to the content (see management tracks 207 and 211 in FIG. 10). Therefore, the operator sequentially selects a management track corresponding to a desired use mode through the GUI input unit 15 or the like. In response, the playback unit 17
Reproduces the sections in the content specified by the management data included in the selected management track in the order specified by the management data.

Thus, when the content is distributed in the promotion mode, what kind of reproduction is performed on the terminal 4 side, and when the content is distributed in the full package mode, what kind of reproduction is performed on the terminal 4 side The operator of the distribution content production device 1 can confirm whether or not the content is to be transmitted.

Each management data includes a reproduction order,
The playback / charging condition and the start / end time indicating the section to which the condition is imposed are included.
Based on the clock signal provided from the PU 101 and the like, and the above-described playback order and start / end times, the section in the content to which the playback order and the playback / charging conditions are imposed is specified, and the playback order and the playback / charging conditions are specified. , The section is reproduced.

Note that, on the terminal 4 side, the section designated by the management data is reproduced only after the price of the amount indicated by the management data is charged (described later). The reproduction is not performed in the section where the charging condition is imposed. For example, the content section t1
In the case where a condition is set such that reproduction is not executed unless 200 yen is paid for t2, the terminal 4 reproduces the section in response to the actual execution of charging. On the other hand, on the production device 1 side, neither charging nor reproduction is performed in the section where the charging condition is imposed. Alternatively, both the reproduction for which the fee has been paid and the reproduction for which the fee has not been paid may be performed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the terminal 4 in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 14 shows the terminal 4 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 14, a terminal 4 includes a receiving unit 41 and a distribution content storage unit 4.
2, a GUI input unit 43, a reproduction unit 44, and a display unit 45
And a billing unit 46.

[0096] The receiving unit 41 receives the distribution content via the network 3. Distribution content storage unit 42
Stores the distribution content received by the receiving unit 41.
The GUI input unit 43 receives a GUI input by a user. The reproduction unit 44 is for viewing the distribution content received as described above, and
In response to the user's instruction given through 3, the distribution content is read from the distribution content storage unit 12, reproduced, and output to the display unit 45. The charging unit 46 includes a reproducing unit 44
A predetermined amount is charged in connection with the operation of (1). Note that the hardware configuration of the terminal 4 may be the same as that in FIG.

In the terminal 4 configured as described above,
The operation of the reproduction unit 44 reproducing the distribution content is as follows. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a distribution content reproduction process performed by the terminal 4 configured as shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the details of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 15, first, the reproducing unit 44
In response to a user instruction made through the UI input unit 43,
The distribution content is read from the distribution content storage unit 42 (step S301). Next, the read distribution content is separated into management track data, management data, and a content body (step S302).

Next, when the user specifies one of the management tracks through the GUI input section 43, the reproduction section 44 reads the management track data corresponding to the specified track (step S303). Then, in accordance with the clock signal, a predetermined section of the content is reproduced based on the management data included in the specified management track (step S304), and thereafter, the flow returns to the flow in FIG. More than,
This is a distribution content reproduction process performed on the terminal 4 side.

[0100] As described above, the operation of the reproducing unit 44 provided in the terminal 4 depends on the reproducing unit 17 provided in the distribution content producing apparatus 1.
(See the flowchart of FIG. 13). However, the content reproducing program in the ROM 102 shown in FIG. 8 is partially different between the production apparatus 1 and the terminal 4, and in step S 304, a charge is executed in accordance with the reproduction.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the content reproduction processing in step S304 in FIG.
In FIG. 16, the reproducing unit 44 first selects the management data having the highest reproduction order from among the management data included in the specified management track (step S401).
Next, it is determined whether or not the management data selected in step S401 permits use of the predetermined section free of charge (step S402). If the result of the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S404.

If the determination result in step S402 is affirmative, the reproducing unit 44 reproduces the section specified by the management data selected in step S401 (step S40).
3). Then, the process proceeds to step S407.

In step S404, the reproducing unit 44 determines whether or not the management data selected in step S401 permits reproduction of a predetermined section in exchange for payment. If the determination result is negative, step S40
Go to 7.

If the determination result in step S404 is affirmative, the reproducing unit 44 notifies the charging unit 46 of the amount indicated by the management data selected in step S401, and then the charging unit 46 charges the specified amount. It is determined whether or not the execution has been performed (step S405). If the result of the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S407.

Here, the above charging process is performed, for example, as follows. The charging unit 46 accesses the host computer of the financial institution through the network 3 and transfers the specified amount of money from the user's account to the distributor's account. Alternatively, the designated amount may be subtracted from the remaining amount of the prepaid card purchased in advance. Alternatively, the designated amount may be recorded, and the total amount may be charged on a predetermined date.

Referring again to FIG. 16, when the result of the determination at step S405 is affirmative, the reproducing unit 44 proceeds to step S40.
The section designated by the management data selected in 1 is reproduced (step 406). Then, the process proceeds to step S407. In step S407, it is determined whether all management data included in the specified management track has been selected. If the determination result is affirmative, the process returns to the flow of FIG.

When the result of the determination in step S407 is negative, the reproducing unit 44 selects the management data having the next highest reproduction order from among the management data included in the specified management track (step S408). And step S
Returning to 402, the same operation as above is repeated. More than,
It is a detail of step S304.

As is apparent from the above description, the following six points are important in the present distribution content creation processing. The first is that not only one management data is set for one content as in the related art, but one content is divided into a plurality of sections on a time axis, and separate management data is set for each section. It is possible. That is, it is possible to specify a specific section in the content and set effective management data only for that section. According to this,
For some content, for example, the first few minutes can be played but the rest can not be played at all, or the first few minutes can be played free, but the rest can not be played without paying a fee, etc. Different reproduction conditions can be imposed.

Second, since the reproduction order is included in each management data, the reproduction order of each section can be arbitrarily changed. For example, if the three management data 208 to 210 on the “management track 1” 207 in FIG. 10 include “first”, “third”, and “second”, respectively,
As shown in FIG. 7, first, the section t1 in the content 206
To t2, and then to the sections t5 to t6,
Finally, the sections t3 to t4 can be reproduced.

Third, on the GUI screen, a plurality of management tracks (20
7, 211, 213) is that different management data can be set for the same section in one content. As a result, a distribution content that can use one content included in the content in a plurality of modes is obtained. Specifically, one content can be distributed in two modes, one for promotion that can be reproduced for free for the first few minutes, and the other for paid full package that can be reproduced entirely.

Then, as a result of realizing a distribution content in which one content included therein can be used in a plurality of modes, the capacity of the distribution content storage units 12 and 42 of the production apparatus 1 and the terminal 4 is reduced. And communication costs at the time of distribution can be reduced. Moreover,
When the terminal 4 receives one piece of distribution content, the content can be used in a manner desired by the user (conventionally, if the user wants to purchase after watching the content,
Both the promotional content and the full package content). That is, when receiving the distribution content, the terminal 4 selects one of the management tracks according to the user's instruction. Then, the predetermined section specified by the management data included in the selected management track is reproduced in the order specified by the management data, and the amount indicated by the management data is charged.

Fourth, the operator of the distribution content production device 1 can check how the distribution content is reproduced on the terminal 4 side. When one distribution content is used in a plurality of modes (for example, two modes of promotion and full package), how the content distributed for promotion is reproduced on the terminal 4 side, and It is possible to confirm how the content distributed for the full package is reproduced on the terminal 4 side.

Fifth, when editing management data, not only text input but also GUI input is accepted, so that the operator's workload is greatly reduced.
Sixth, management data edited in the past is stored, and when editing new management data, the past management data can be used, so that the workload of the operator at the time of editing is further reduced. Is a point.

Next, some specific examples of distribution content production performed by the distribution content production device 1 will be described. (First Specific Example) Hereinafter, a case of creating a distribution content for promotion in which a part of the content can be viewed free of charge will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 17. FIG. Content storage unit 11 such as hard disk 105
Stores contents such as video data and music data in advance. The operator first selects the content to be distributed. The selected content is displayed in the content track 205 along the time axis 204 on the GUI screen (see FIG. 10) displayed on the display unit 16 by the management data editing unit 131. Rectangle 206 arranged to match
Will be displayed as

Next, the operator operates the G
The user operates the UI input unit 15 to click “button 3” 202 on the GUI screen to display “management track 1” 207 for arranging management data. Further, by clicking "button 1" 200, a character input screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, and a use condition for content distribution is input. In this example, “reproduction without conditions” is input as the reproduction condition, “free” is input as the charging condition, and “first” is input as the reproduction order. Further, an effective range indicating in which part of the content the use condition is valid is input as an offset time from the start time of the content, such as a start time t1 and an end time t2. The input management data includes the start time t in the “management track 1” 207.
1 is displayed as a rectangle 208 arranged such that it is located at the left end and the end time t2 is located at the right end.

The management data editor 131 inserts a rectangle 208 indicating the input management data into the mouse 10 of the operator.
The start time and the end time of the management data are edited by scaling in the time axis direction (horizontal direction) according to the seven operations. Subsequently, when the operator inputs “unconditional reproduction” and “free”, the start time t3 and the end time t4, and the “third” through the character input screen, the management data editing unit 131 outputs the “management track 1” 207. Upper position t
The management data 209 is arranged from 3 to t4. Further, the operator can perform “unconditional reproduction” and “free”, a start time t5 and an end time t6, and “2
The management data editing unit 131
The management data 210 is arranged at positions t5 to t6 on the “management track 1” 207. Next, the management data editing unit 13
1 is the edited management data 208, 209 and 210
Is stored in the management data storage unit 132. In this example, the portion of the “management track 1” 207 where no management data is arranged cannot be reproduced.

The edited content management data 208,
209 and 210 are packaged together with the content, and are distributed as distribution content.
Is stored. After that, the reproduction unit 17 synchronizes with the clock signal, which is time information output from the CPU 101 or the like, and manages the management data 208, 209, and 21 among the distribution contents stored in the distribution content storage unit 12.
Only data in a section where 0 indicates that reproduction is possible is read. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the management data 208, 209
The data of each section is reproduced in the order specified by and 210 and output to the display unit 16.

As described above, in this example, a plurality of management data are arranged on the same management track by giving the start time and the end time to the management data, and they are edited on the time axis. By doing so, it is possible to easily create distribution content that plays back several sections (for example, several highlight scenes in the case of a movie) in a single piece of content, such as promotional distribution content. Can be. Also, by giving the management data a playback order, those sections (highlight scenes) can be played back in a desired order.

(Second Specific Example) Hereinafter, a case in which distribution contents for a full package capable of reproducing all contents by paying a fee will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the management data for full package is further added to the distribution content having the management data for promotion created in the first specific example.

The operator first selects the distribution content (created in the first specific example) stored in the distribution content storage unit 12. The selected distribution content is the content track 20 on the GUI screen shown in FIG.
5 is arranged as a rectangle 206. Further, the “management track 1” 207 contains the management data 2 for promotion.
08, 209 and 210 are displayed.

Next, the operator clicks the “button 3” 202 on the GUI screen through the GUI input unit 15 to arrange the management data of the full package content under the “management track 1” 207. Is displayed as a new “management track 2” 211. Then, in the same procedure as in the first specific example, a “button 1” 200 on the GUI screen is clicked to display a character input screen (see FIG. 11) on the display unit 16 and a reproduction condition is input in each column. . In this case, since it is for a full package, "conditional reproduction" is input as a reproduction condition, a charge (for example, "200 yen") is input as a charging condition, and a start time (0) and an end time (end) are input. I do. The input management data is displayed on the “management track 2” 211 as a rectangle 212 corresponding to the input time.

The full package management data 212 edited in this way is added to the distribution content (consisting of the content itself and the promotion management data 208, 209, and 210) produced in the first specific example. Is stored in the distribution content storage unit 12.

Then, the operator operates the GUI input unit 15
"Management track 2" 2 in which management data (rectangle 212) for full package is arranged on the GUI screen through
Double-click 11 In response, the reproduction unit 17 reads the new distribution content from the distribution content storage unit 12 and reproduces the content according to the management data for the full package. Note that this distribution content cannot be reproduced unless the terminal 4 actually pays a fee, but the production device 1 checks whether the distribution content produced as described above is correctly reproduced according to the management data. In order to check the content by playing back the distributed content on a trial basis, it is preferable to perform both the playback for which the fee has been paid and the playback for which the fee has not been paid.

As described above, in this example, a plurality of management tracks (207, 211, 213) are provided for one content track 205 on the GUI screen.
For one content, management data corresponding to a plurality of use modes (for example, management data 208 for promotion)
To 210 and management data 212 for full package)
Can be set. As a result, management data corresponding to a plurality of usage modes can be edited on the same screen, and the operator can edit efficiently.

Further, since a plurality of management data are added to one content to be packaged and stored as one distribution content, the capacity of the distribution content storage unit 12 can be saved. Is distributed in two forms for promotion and full package, it is necessary to store two distribution contents, that is, a distribution content composed of the content and the promotion management data, and a distribution content composed of the content and the full package management data. Yes,
The same content was redundantly stored.)

(Third Specific Example) Hereinafter, a video effect such as a mosaic is applied to a part of the content, and a video without the video effect cannot be seen in a portion where the video effect is applied unless a fee is paid. Such distribution contents (that is, if the fee is not paid, only the mosaiced video can be viewed, but if the fee is paid, the mosaic-removed video can be viewed; The following describes how to create a “full package with attachment”) with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. In this example,
The management data for the full package with the video effect is further added to the distribution content having the two management data for the promotion and the full package created in the second specific example.

As in the second specific example, the operator first selects the distribution content stored in the distribution content storage unit 12. The selected distribution content is G
Content track 205 on UI screen (see FIG. 10)
Is arranged as a rectangle 206. Further, the management data 20 for promotion is stored in the “management track 1” 207.
8, 209 and 210 are displayed, and the management data 212 for the full package is displayed in the “management track 2” 211.

Next, the operator clicks a “button 3” 202 on the GUI screen through the GUI input unit 15 to display a new “management track 3” 213 for arranging management data for a full package with a video effect. Let it. In the same procedure as in the first specific example, a “button 1” 200 on the GUI screen is clicked to display a character input screen (see FIG. 11) on the display unit 16, and a reproduction condition is input in each column. In this case, for the full package with the video effect, that is, to charge only for the section where the video effect is applied, enter “conditional playback; video effect removal playback” as the playback condition for the section where the video effect is applied. Then, a charge (for example, “200 yen”) is input as a charging condition, and further, the start time (0) and end time (t7) of the section
Enter Further, regarding the remaining section, that is, the section where no video effect is applied, "no condition" is set as a reproduction condition.
, Enter “free” as a billing condition,
Start time (t7) and end time (end) of the section
Enter The input management data is displayed on the “management track 3” 213 by rectangles 214 and 2 corresponding to the input time.
It is displayed as 15.

[0129] The management data 214 and 215 for the full package with the video effect edited in this manner are the distribution contents (content body and content body) produced in the second specific example.
Management data 208, 209 and 2 for promotion
10 and the management data 212 for the full package), and the new distribution content obtained thereby is stored in the distribution content storage unit 12.

Then, the operator operates the GUI input unit 15
, "Management Track 3" 21 in which management data for a full package with a video effect is arranged on the GUI screen
Click 3. In response, the reproducing unit 17 reads the new distribution content from the distribution content storage unit 12 and stores the management data 2 for the full package with the video effect.
According to 14 and 215, the distribution content is reproduced.
Note that this distribution content does not remove the video effect unless the terminal 4 actually pays a fee.
In order to check whether the distribution content created as described above is correctly reproduced according to the management data, or to test the distribution content and check the content, the reproduction (paid) In other words, playback with the video effect removed) and playback with no payment (playback with the video effect applied) are performed.

As described above, in this example, a video effect such as a mosaic is applied to a part of the content, and when the fee is paid, the entire content is reproduced after removing the video effect applied to the part. Such management data is edited and added to the content. In the distribution content production device 1, the number of management data added to the content can be arbitrarily increased, so that various usage modes can be realized.

(Fourth Specific Example) Hereinafter, a case in which management data previously edited and stored for a certain content is reused to produce another distribution content will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12. Will be explained. In this example, the first
The promotion management data edited in the specific example and stored in the management data storage unit 132 is reused.

The content storage section 11 stores several contents including the contents distributed in the first specific example. The management data storage unit 132 stores the first
The management data 208 edited in the specific example of (1) is stored. The operator first selects, as the content to be distributed, a content different from that distributed in the first specific example. The selected content is displayed in the GUI displayed on the display unit 16 by the management data editing unit 131.
It is displayed as a rectangle 206 on the content track 205 in the screen (see FIG. 10).

Next, the operator operates the G
“Button 3” 2 on the GUI screen through the UI input unit 15
02 is clicked to display “management track 1” 207 for arranging management data. Further, the user clicks a “button 4” 203 to display a table describing the storage contents (managed data edited in the past) of the management data storage unit 132 as shown in FIG.
Is selected by clicking on the management data 208 edited in the specific example of the above. The management data 208 selected in this way is copied into the “management track 1” 207 and displayed as a rectangle.

In the first specific example, “button 1” 2
By clicking 00, a character input screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, and the use conditions at the time of distributing the content are input. In this example, this character input can be omitted.

As described above, in this example, the distribution content (content body + management track data + management data)
Separately, only the management data is stored in the management data storage unit 132, and the management data is reused when producing another distribution content. As a result, the trouble of inputting the start / end time, the reproduction condition, and the like by characters can be saved.

In the first specific example, the portion where the management data is not arranged in the "management track 1" 207 is set to be unreproducible. However, management data indicating "unreproducible" may be arranged.

In each of the specific examples, the management data includes a start time, an end time, a reproduction condition, a charging condition, and a reproduction order. Copy conditions indicating whether copying is possible on the hard disk 105 or the like may be further added.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the distribution content production device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a distribution content created by a distribution content creation unit 13 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of header information included in a header section of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of management track data included in the management track unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of management data included in a management track unit of FIG. 4;

8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the distribution content production device 1 of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing management data editing processing (details of step S1 in FIG. 2) performed by the distribution content production device 1 configured as shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the management data editing unit 131 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen displayed on the GUI.

11 is a diagram showing a configuration of the management data editing unit 131 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a character input screen displayed on a screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a case where the management data editing unit 131 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a management data selection screen to be displayed on a screen.

13 is a flowchart showing a distribution content reproduction process (details of step S4 in FIG. 2) performed by the distribution content production device 1 configured as shown in FIG.

14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a terminal 4 in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a distribution content reproduction process (details of step S8 in FIG. 2) performed by the terminal 4 configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of step S304 in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a case where the reproduction unit 44 shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which data of each section is reproduced in the order specified by 10.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Distribution content production apparatus 2 ... Distribution apparatus 3 ... Network 4 ... Terminal 11 ... Content storage part 12, 42 ... Distribution content storage part 13 ... Distribution content production part 14 ... Character input part 15, 43 ... GUI input part 16, 45 ... Display unit 17,44 ... Reproducing unit 20 ... Distributed content 25 ... Content 26 ... Management track data 27 ... Management data 41 ... Receiving unit 46 ... Charging unit 131 ... Management data editing unit 132 ... Management data storage unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 ZEC G06F 17/60 ZEC H04N 7/08 H04N 7/173 610Z 7/081 7/08 Z7 / 173 610 F term (reference) 5B017 AA07 BB06 BB10 CA16 5C063 AB03 AB20 DA07 DA13 EB07 EB45 5C064 BA07 BB05 BB10 BC18 BC20 BC23 BD08 BD09

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A distribution content production apparatus for producing a distribution content in which a usage condition is added to a content, wherein the content storage means stores the content, and the content is read from the content storage means and a usage condition is added. Distribution content production means for producing distribution content by means of distribution content storage means for storing the distribution content produced by the distribution content production means, wherein the distribution content production means specifies a predetermined section of the read content and Including management data editing means for editing management data indicating a use condition of a section, the management data editing means creates distribution content by adding one or more management data obtained by editing to the content. Characteristic, distribution content production equipment . 2. The use condition indicated by each of the management data is a condition that prohibits the use of the section specified by the management data, or permits the use of the section specified by the management data free of charge. 2. The distribution content production device according to claim 1, wherein the condition is such that the use of the section specified by the management data is permitted in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount. 3. The distribution content production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the management data further indicates a reproduction order of a section designated by the management data. 4. The distribution content production means, when producing distribution content, further adds a plurality of management track data to the content, and each of the management track data includes one or more management track data used in a predetermined mode. The distribution content production device according to claim 1, wherein a group of one or more pieces of management data indicating a section is defined as one management track corresponding to the use mode. 5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a character input unit for inputting a character; and a GUI input unit for inputting a GUI, wherein the management data editing unit includes a GUI provided with a plurality of management tracks along a time axis.
A screen is displayed, and a start time and an end time for designating a predetermined section in the content on a time axis and a use condition of the section are input through the character input means, assuming a predetermined use mode. Is received, the management data of the section is edited, and one or more pieces of management data obtained by the editing are defined as a rectangle corresponding to the section indicated by the management data and correspond to the usage mode in the GUI screen. The distribution content creation device according to claim 4, wherein the distribution content creation device is arranged on a management track. 6. The distribution content production device according to claim 5, wherein said distribution content production means further includes management data storage means for storing management data obtained by editing by said management data editing means. 7. The management data editing means reads management data edited in the past from the management data storage means, arranges the management data in a rectangular shape on a management track in the GUI screen, and transmits the read management data through the GUI input means. Editing the management data in response to the leading and / or trailing edge of the rectangle being moved along the time axis by the operation;
The distribution content production device according to claim 6. 8. The distribution content production means according to claim 4, wherein said distribution content production means further comprises a reproduction means for reading distribution content from said distribution content storage means and reproducing a predetermined section of said content based on said management data. Delivery content production device. 9. The reproducing means selects one of a plurality of management track data included in the read distribution content and converts the selected management track data into one or more management data included in a management track defined by the management track data. The distribution content production device according to claim 8, wherein one or more predetermined sections in the content are reproduced based on the content. 10. A method for producing a content for distribution in which a usage condition is added to a content, comprising: a content storing step of storing the content; and reading out the content stored in the content storing step and adding a usage condition. A distribution content producing step of producing a distribution content, and a distribution content storing step of storing the distribution content produced in the distribution content production step, wherein the distribution content production step specifies a partial section of the content and A distribution content production method, characterized in that distribution data is produced by editing management data indicating usage conditions and adding one or more pieces of the management data obtained by editing to the content. 11. A content distribution system for distributing content, comprising: a distribution content production device for producing distribution content in which usage conditions are added to the content; and a distribution content produced by the distribution content production device. A distribution device, and a terminal for receiving and using the distribution content distributed by the distribution device, wherein the distribution content production device stores the content, reads the content from the content storage device, and adds a use condition. And a first distribution content storage unit for storing the distribution content produced by the distribution content production unit, wherein the distribution content production unit specifies a predetermined section of the content. Then the ward A management data editing unit that edits management data indicating a use condition of the terminal; and a distribution content is produced by adding one or more management data obtained by editing by the management data editing unit to the content. Receiving means for receiving the distribution content distributed by the distribution device; and second storing the distribution content received by the receiving means.
A distribution content storage unit, comprising: a distribution unit that reads distribution content from the second distribution content storage unit and reproduces a predetermined section of the content based on the management data. 12. A terminal for receiving and using distribution content, wherein the distribution content includes content and management data for designating a predetermined section of the content and indicating a use condition of the section. Receiving means for receiving the distribution content; distribution content storage means for storing the distribution content received by the reception means; reading distribution content from the distribution content storage means; and a predetermined section of the content based on the management data. A terminal comprising a reproducing unit for reproducing a file. 13. A use condition indicated by each of the management data is a condition for prohibiting use of a section designated by the management data or a condition for permitting use of the section free of charge. Or a condition permitting the use of the section in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount, further comprising a charging unit for charging based on the management data, When the use of the section is permitted free of charge, the section is reproduced. When the section is permitted in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount, the charging section executes the charging of the amount. 13. The terminal according to claim 12, wherein the terminal reproduces. 14. Each of the management data further indicates a playback order of a section specified by the management data, and the playback unit sets one or more sections specified by the management data in accordance with the playback order indicated by the management data. 13. The terminal according to claim 12, wherein the terminal is played back in order. 15. A plurality of distribution contents, each of which defines a set of one or more management data indicating one or more sections used in a predetermined mode as one management track corresponding to the usage mode. The reproduction means further selects any of the plurality of management track data included in the read distribution content,
13. The terminal according to claim 12, wherein one or more predetermined sections of the content are reproduced based on one or more management data included in a management track defined by the management track data. 16. A distribution content obtained by adding a use condition to a content, including a content and one or more pieces of management data, each of which specifies a predetermined section of the content and uses the section. Content for distribution, characterized by indicating conditions. 17. The use condition indicated by each of the management data is a condition that prohibits use of a section specified by the management data, or permits use of a section specified by the management data free of charge. Conditions, or
2. A condition for permitting use of a section specified by the management data in exchange for payment of a predetermined amount.
6. Content for distribution according to 6. 18. The distribution content according to claim 16, wherein each of the management data further indicates a reproduction order of a section designated by the management data. 19. The system further includes a plurality of management track data, wherein each of the management track data corresponds to a collection of one or more management data indicating one or more sections used in a predetermined manner, respectively. 17. The distribution content according to claim 16, wherein the content is defined as one management track.