Patent Publication Number: US-2003236974-A1

Title: Content receiving and distributing system

Description:
[0001] This application incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of applicants&#39; corresponding Japanese application, Ser. No. 2002-183554, filed Jun. 24, 2002, priority for which is claimed.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a content receiving and distributing system and, specifically, to a content receiving and distributing system that enables content to be received from or distributed to a user securely, simply, and promptly.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] To obtain content such as video, music or software programs, a user utilizes either a method of directly visiting a content store to purchase an article on which the content desired by the user is recorded, or a method of downloading the desired content in the form of electronic data into the user&#39;s computer or the like via a communication network such as the Internet.  
       [0004]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first conventional business arrangement by which the user can obtain his or her desired content. This figure shows the flow of the processes performed by a content-managing company, a content store, and a user.  
       [0005] To obtain his or her desired content, the user  63  visits a content store  62  or inquires by phone of the content store  62  concerning the desired content. If the desired content is available at the store, the user  63  purchases a recording medium  67  on which the desired content is recorded. If the content is sold out, the user  63  places an order  64  with the content store  62 . Upon receiving the order, the content store  62  places an order  65  with the content-managing company  61  for a medium on which the content corresponding to the contents of the order  64  is recorded.  
       [0006] The content-managing company  61  retrieves content data  66 , which corresponds to the order  65 , from content data recorded on a content-data recording device managed by the company. The content-managing company  61  then records the content data  66  on a recording medium  67  such as a CD or a DVD, and sells the recording medium  67  wholesale to the content store  62 . The user  63  obtains the recording medium  67  by directly visiting the content store  62  or having the medium  67  delivered by a delivery company or the like. The user  63  inserts the recording medium  67  into the equipment of the user  63  such as a personal computer or audio-visual equipment, and installs the data into the equipment for his or her use.  
       [0007]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of consideration in the business transactions conducted in the above manner. The content-managing company  61  sells wholesale to the content store  62  the recording medium  67  on which the content is recorded, and receives a consideration  68  therefor. The content store  62  receives a consideration  69  by selling the user  63  the recording medium  67 . Thus, the business arrangement is concluded.  
       [0008]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second conventional business arrangement by which the user obtains his or her desired content. This figure shows the flow of the processes performed by a content-managing company, a network provider and a user.  
       [0009] To obtain his or her desired content, the user  84  inputs a request command  85  for the desired content to a network terminal  83 , such as a personal computer, connected to a network. The network terminal  83  transmits the request command  85  from the user  84  to a computer  81  managed by the content-managing company, via a computer  82  managed by the network provider. Upon receiving the request command  85 , the computer  81  of the content-managing company transmits electronic data  86  representing the content corresponding to the request command  85 , to the network terminal  83  via the network provider-managed computer  82 . Then, the user receives the electronic data  86  and installs it in equipment owned by the user  84 , such as a personal computer or audio-visual equipment.  
       [0010]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flow of consideration in the business arrangement conducted in the above manner. As consideration for the transmission by the content-managing company  91  of the content to the user&#39;s network terminal via the network provider  92 , the user  93  pays a content charge  95  to the content-managing company  91 . The user  93  also pays a network charge  96  to the network provider  92 . Thus, the business arrangement is concluded.  
       [0011] However, in the content transaction according to the first conventional business arrangement, shown in FIG. 6, the costs involved and time required accrue disadvantageously in association with the movement of the recording medium  67  before the user  63  obtains the recording medium  67 . A third party such as a transportation company, the content store  62 , or the like intervene between the content-managing company  61  and the user  63  before the user  63  obtains the recording medium  67 . Thus, disadvantageously, security is not guaranteed before the user  63  obtains the recording medium  67 .  
       [0012] By contrast, in the content transaction according to the second conventional business arrangement shown in FIG. 8, the content is provided in the form of electronic data  86  so that, advantageously, lower costs and less time are associated with the movement of the content. Further, only the network provider  82  intervenes between the content-managing company  81  and the network terminal  83  of the user  84 . That is, fewer third parties can intervene between them. However, if a malicious third person invades the network, the electronic data  86  for the content may be improperly accessed or altered. Consequently, the content may not be sold or purchased in a secure manner.  
       [0013] To solve these problems, it is contemplated that, for example, the electronic data  86  might be encrypted prior to transmission. However, in this case, the user  84  must be notified of the decryption method in advance. Thus, a new problem arises. Specifically, if such notification is carried out by the content-managing company  81  through the transmission of data about the decryption method to the network terminal  83  of the user  84  via the network, then it is difficult to ensure the security of the decryption method. On the other hand, if the user  84  is notified of the decryption method through a mailed document, for example, it may cause unnecessary problems for the user  84 , by again necessitating a third party to intervene between the content-managing company  81  and the user  84 . Consequently, security may be compromised.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014] The present invention is provided in response to these problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content receiving and distributing system that enables content to be received from or distributed to a user securely, simply, and promptly.  
       [0015] In one aspect of the invention, a content receiving and distributing system comprises a server that stores content data, a data receiving and distributing apparatus connected to the server, and a user terminal for receiving content data from and distributing content data to the server, the user terminal being adapted for downloading content data from or uploading content data to the data receiving and distribution apparatus via a network in response to a user request. In the inventive system, each of the data receiving and distributing apparatus and the user terminal stores the reception and distribution program required to receive and distribute content data, and, in the user terminal, the reception and distribution program is stored simultaneously with the content data in the storage device.  
       [0016] In another aspect of the invention, the reception and distribution program comprises an encryption program and a decryption program for content data, content data is received and distributed between the user terminal and the data receiving and distributing apparatus using data encrypted by the encryption program, and the user terminal and the data receiving and distributing apparatus use the decryption program to decrypt the received encrypted data for utilization. This makes it possible to provide a content receiving and distributing system that enables content to be received from or distributed to a user securely.  
       [0017] Preferably, the data receiving and distributing apparatus updates the reception and distribution program at predetermined intervals or as required, and distributes the updated reception and distribution program to the user terminal. This provides further security in the event the reception and distribution program is compromised.  
       [0018] In another aspect of the invention, the data receiving and distributing apparatus charges a user a system charge on the basis of the user&#39;s request for downloading or uploading content data. The system charge to a user includes a content-data charge, a network charge, and a charge for use of the reception and distribution program stored in the data storage means. The content-data charge is distributed to a content-managing company managing the server, the network charge is distributed to a network provider providing the network, and the reception and distribution program charge is distributed among a system-operating company operating the data receiving and distribution apparatus and one or more manufacturers involved in manufacture of the user terminal.  
       [0019] In yet another aspect of the invention, the user terminal is an IT apparatus that can be connected to the network and includes the storage device, a driving device containing and driving the storage device, and a main body containing the driving device. The data receiving and distributing apparatus stores predetermined ratios for distribution of the reception and distribution program charge among a first manufacturer that manufactures the storage device, a second manufacturer that manufactures the driving device, and a third manufacturer that manufactures the IT apparatus, and the reception and distribution program charge is distributed among the first to third manufacturers in accordance with the reception and distribution program charge distribution ratios. It is thus easy to promote the sale of the IT apparatus to the user. This makes it easy to expand business primarily intended to collect service charges utilizing the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention.  
       [0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, the first manufacturer (magnetic-disk maker) writes the reception and distribution program in the storage device in cooperation with the system-operating company. The reception and distribution program is not open. The object is to prevent the alteration of and/or interference with the reception and distribution program by a third party. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0021]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content receiving and distributing system according to the present invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the processes performed when a user utilizing the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention downloads his or her desired content.  
     [0023]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the processes performed if the user utilizing the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention uploads his or her desired content.  
     [0024]FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a business arrangement in the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an IT apparatus, wherein FIG.  5 ( a ) is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an IT apparatus constituting the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention, and FIG. 5( b ) is a conceptual drawing of an IT apparatus adapted to record a content reception and distribution program in a semiconductor memory provided inside an HDD.  
     [0026]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first conventional business arrangement in which the user obtains his or her desired content, showing the flow of the process performed between a content-managing company, a content store, and the user.  
     [0027]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of consideration in the first conventional business arrangement shown in FIG. 6.  
     [0028]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second conventional business arrangement in which a user obtains his or her desired content, showing the flow of the process performed between a content-managing company, a network provider, and the user.  
     [0029]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flow of consideration in the second conventional business arrangement shown in FIG. 8. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.  
     [0031]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content receiving and distributing system according to the present invention. A system  10  is includes a server  11  at a content-managing company that saves and manages original data for a variety of content, a computer  12  at a system-operating company  12  that is connected to the server  11  via a communications network, a computer  13  at a network provider that is connected to the computer  12  to provide service to a user  15 , and an IT apparatus  14  such as a personal computer that is connected to the computer  13  via the communication network and acts as a terminal used by the user  15 .  
     [0032] The IT apparatus  14  contains a recording device  16  such as a hard-disk drive device (hereinafter referred to as an “HDD”) that stores a program for receiving and distributing contents. The user  15  can utilize the present system via the IT apparatus  14  by executing this program.  
     [0033] In FIG. 1, the system-operating company and the network provider are different companies and comprise the computers  12  and  13 , respectively. However, the system-operating company and the network provider may be the same company. In such case, a single computer may be used to perform the operations of the computers  12  and  13 .  
     [0034]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processes performed when the user utilizing the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention downloads his or her desired content. The user  15  operates an input device provided in the IT apparatus  14  to select the desired content to be downloaded and input a request command  101  to the IT apparatus  14 .  
     [0035] The IT apparatus  14  activates a key generation program  102  recorded on the recording medium  16  to generate a secret key  103  and a public key  104 . The IT apparatus  14  then uses the secret key  103  to execute an encryption process  105  for encrypting the request command  101 . The IT apparatus  14  then transmits the encrypted request command  106  and the public key  104  to the system-operating company&#39;s computer  12  via the network provider&#39;s computer  13 . The system-operating company&#39;s computer  12  uses the received public key  104  to execute a decryption process  107  for decrypting the encrypted request command  106  into the request command  101 , which is not encrypted. The system-operating company&#39;s computer then transmits the decrypted request command  101  to the server  11  managed by the content-managing company.  
     [0036] The content-managing company&#39;s server  11  retrieves data for the user&#39;s desired content to be downloaded on the basis of the request command  101 . The content-managing company&#39;s server  11  then transmits the data for the desired content to the system-operating company&#39;s computer  12 . The computer  12  activates a previously stored key generation program for the content data to generate a secret key  110  and a public key  111 . The computer  12  then uses the secret key  110  to execute an encryption process for encrypting the received content data  108 . Subsequently, the computer  12  transmits the encrypted content data  113  and the public key  111  to the IT apparatus  14  of the user  15  via the network provider&#39;s computer  13 .  
     [0037] The IT apparatus  14  uses the received public key  111  to execute a decryption process  114  for decrypting the encrypted content data  113  into original content data  108 . The IT apparatus  14  then provides the content data  108  to the user.  
     [0038] Thus, according to the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention, the user  15  can utilize a secure content-downloading service simply by using the IT apparatus  14  to select his or her desired content to be downloaded.  
     [0039] In the description given in FIG. 2, the secret keys  103  and  110  differ from each other, as do the public keys  104  and  111 . However, in either case, both keys may be the same.  
     [0040]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the processes performed when a user utilizing the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention, uploads content. The user  15  stores the user&#39;s selected content data  115  to be uploaded into the IT apparatus  14 . The IT apparatus  14  activates the key generation program  102  recorded on the recording medium  16  contained in the IT apparatus  14  to generate the secret key  103  and the public key  104 . The IT apparatus  14  then uses the secret key  103  to execute the encryption process  105  for encrypting the content data  115 . The IT apparatus  14  then transmits the encrypted content data  116  and the public key  104  to the system-operating company&#39;s computer  12  via the network provider&#39;s computer  13 .  
     [0041] The system-operating company&#39;s computer  12  uses the received public key  104  to execute the decryption process  107  for decrypting the encrypted content data  116  into content data  115  that has not been encrypted. The system-operating company&#39;s computer  12  then transmits the decrypted content data to the content-managing company&#39;s server  11 .  
     [0042] Thus, according to the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention, the user  15  can utilize a secure content-uploading service simply by using the IT apparatus  14  to provide his or her selected content to be uploaded.  
     [0043] In the description given in FIG. 3, the secret key  103  and the public key  104  differ from each other. However, both keys may be the same.  
     [0044]FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a business arrangement in the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention. In the description given in this figure, an IT apparatus used as a user terminal includes an HDD, and this recording medium is a magnetic recording medium (magnetic disk).  
     [0045] First, a magnetic-media maker  405  cooperates with a system-operating company  402  in the manufacture of a magnetic medium (magnetic disk)  408  on which a content reception and distribution program is magnetically recorded. The magnetic-media maker  405  then sells the magnetic medium  108  to an HDD maker  406 , to obtain a consideration  409  therefor.  
     [0046] The HDD maker  406  manufactures an HDD  410  incorporating the magnetic medium  408  on which the content reception and distribution program is recorded. The HDD maker  406  sells the HDD  410  to an equipment maker  407 , to obtain a consideration  411  therefor. The equipment maker  407  manufactures an IT apparatus  412  incorporating the HDD  410 . The equipment maker  407  then sells the IT apparatus  412  to a user  404 , to obtain a consideration  413  therefor. Alternately, the equipment maker  407  may lease the IT apparatus  412  to the user  404  for a charge.  
     [0047] The system-operating company  402  has a network provider  403  transmit content data  419  managed by a content-managing company  401 , and transmit the content data  419  uploaded by the user  404 . The system-operating company  402  obtains a consideration  415  for this content receiving and distributing service  414  from the user  404 . Specifically, the consideration  415  includes a charge  416  for the use and storage of the content data  419 , a charge  417  for the use of the network for a downloading or uploading operation, and a charge  418  for the use of the content reception and distribution program contained in the IT apparatus  412 .  
     [0048] The consideration  415  is collected by the system-operating company  402 . Then, the charge  416  for the use and storage of the content data  419  is returned to the content-managing company. The charge  417  for the use of the network is returned to the network provider  403 . The charge  418  for the use of the content reception and distribution program is distributed among the system-operating company  402 , the magnetic-media maker  405 , the HDD maker  406 , and the equipment maker  407  in a previously contracted ratio.  
     [0049] The use of such a profit distribution system enables each of the magnetic-media maker  405 , the HDD maker  406 , and the equipment maker  407  to set a lower price for its product. It is therefore easy to promote the sale of the IT apparatus  412  to the user  402 . This makes it easy to expand business intended primarily to collect service charges utilizing the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention.  
     [0050]FIG. 5( a ) is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an IT apparatus utilized in the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention. In the description given in this figure, the IT apparatus serving as a user terminal includes an HDD, and this recording medium is a magnetic recording medium (magnetic disk).  
     [0051] This IT apparatus consists of a main body  20  including a main controller  22 , a network interface  23  for an Ethernet™ network or the like, and an HDD  21  in which content data is stored, as well as a user interface  26  including a display  24  and a mouse  25  both connected to the main body  20 . The IT apparatus is connected to a host computer owned by a network provider, via a communication-network connection line  29 .  
     [0052] A content reception and distribution program is recorded in a part  28  of the storage area of a magnetic recording medium (magnetic disk)  27  contained in the HDD  21 . This program is composed of a driver for the network interface  23  and programs (an encryption program, a decryption program, a key generation program for encryption/decryption, and a setting file for the key generation program for encryption/decryption) used to maintain security when content is received or distributed. The magnetic-media maker writes the content reception and distribution program on the magnetic recording medium in cooperation with the system-operating company.  
     [0053] The contents of the content reception and distribution program are not open to any third parties, including users, except for the system-operating company (and the magnetic-media maker, who has a duty of confidentiality). Only the system-operating company can set and manage the content reception and distribution program. This makes it difficult for third parties to alter, access without authorization, or commit any other malicious act upon the program.  
     [0054] The system-operating company frequently changes the settings of the content reception and distribution program written on the magnetic recording medium  27  in the IT apparatus  20 . The system-operating company also authenticates the IT apparatus itself and the user in order to prevent a third party from posing as the user, abusing the content reception and distribution program, or committing any other malicious act upon the program. Even if the security of this system is compromised, it can be restored by changing the settings for the content reception and distribution program. This prevents further compromise of the system.  
     [0055] The content reception and distribution program can be rewritten by downloading a new content reception and distribution program via the network of the content receiving and distributing system according to the present invention.  
     [0056] In such case, the system-operating company first encrypts the new content reception and distribution program and transmits the encrypted program to the IT apparatus being utilized as a user terminal. Upon receiving the program, the IT apparatus activates the previously written content reception and distribution program. The IT apparatus decrypts and records the new content reception and distribution program on the magnetic recording medium. The IT apparatus subsequently receives service using the updated content reception and distribution program. With such a rewrite method, the content reception and distribution program itself can be rewritten, thus providing a high degree of security for uploading and downloading contents.  
     [0057] To write the content reception and distribution program on the magnetic medium, the magnetic media maker can use a magnetic head to write each bit of the program, as in the prior art, can use another method of collectively recording (magnetic-transfer method) an original program on the magnetic medium. The magnetic-transfer method is advantageous in that the entire program can be written in a short time. However, it is disadvantageous in that the achievable recording density is lower than that with the writing method using a magnetic head. This is due to the fact that the minimum processing size associated with an IC-process technique for producing an original is the limit of the write size, and because this size is greater than the write pitch of the magnetic head.  
     [0058] In this regard, the above disadvantage can be eliminated by writing the content reception and distribution program with a small capacity through magnetic transfer, and using this program to record a new content reception and distribution program with a high density. As the magnetic transfer method consists of the recording of information using a single magnetic medium, the center of rotation of the magnetic medium to which the entire program has been magnetically transferred does not necessarily coincide with the center of information (this deviation is referred to as “eccentricity”). With magnetic transfer, by recording the content reception and distribution program together with servo information, the magnitude of eccentricity can be determined on the basis of the servo information. Accordingly, the content reception and distribution program can be rewritten while the eccentricity is corrected.  
     [0059] The advantages of recording the content reception and distribution program on the magnetic recording medium in the IT apparatus forming a part of the content receiving and distributing system of the present invention will be described below.  
     [0060] First, an improper replacement can be detected. As shown in FIG. 5( a ), the content reception and distribution program is contained on the magnetic recording medium  27 , a basic component of the HDD  21 . Then, if the IT apparatus main body  20  or the HDD  21  or magnetic recording medium  27  contained in the IT apparatus main body  20  is improperly replaced, the regular content reception and distribution program does not remain inside the IT apparatus main body  20 . Accordingly, the improper replacement can be identified easily by checking the contents of the program recorded on the magnetic recording medium  27 .  
     [0061] If on the other hand, for example, as shown in the IT apparatus in FIG. 5( b ), a semiconductor memory  228  is provided inside an HDD  221  to allow the content reception and distribution program to be recorded in this memory  228 , the improper replacement of the HDD  221  or the IT apparatus  220  containing the HDD  221  can be identified, as the regular content reception and distribution program does not remain after the improper replacement. However, if the magnetic recording medium  227  on which content data is recorded is improperly replaced, it is difficult to identify this improper replacement, as the regular content reception and distribution program still remains in the semiconductor memory  228 .  
     [0062] Second, the single recording medium can simultaneously store the content reception and distribution program and content data. As the magnetic recording medium has a large capacity and a low bit cost, both the content reception and distribution program and content data can be written on the magnetic recording medium. Further, it is impossible to physically disassemble the magnetic recording medium to easily separate the content reception and distribution program from the content data. For example, it is difficult to port only the content data to another reproduction apparatus as it is.  
     [0063] If on the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 5( b ), the content reception and distribution program is stored in the semiconductor memory  228  while the content data is stored on the magnetic recording medium  227 , then the magnetic recording medium  227  can be physically removed by itself and used in another reproduction apparatus. This is disadvantageous.  
     [0064] Third, a low charge can be collected from each of the various IT apparatuses. The magnetic recording medium is a basic element of the HDD, and its cost is low. Further, a large number of magnetic recording media would be used, with at least one magnetic recording medium contained in each of the many IT apparatuses. Thus, there are many opportunities to collect charges, enabling a lower charge to be set for the use of the content reception and distribution program.  
     [0065] By contrast, not all IT apparatuses containing an HDD contain a semiconductor memory. Consequently, with the method of writing the content reception and distribution program in a semiconductor memory, there are few opportunities to collect the charge for the use of the content reception and distribution program. It is therefore difficult to set a low charge.  
     [0066] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the drawings.  
     [0067] It will be understood that the above description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.