Patent ID: 7246169

Claim:
A content distribution reservation method whereby in order to perform live distribution of content using a distribution server, which is capable of carrying out, with a plurality of systems, processing of receiving content sent from a distributor terminal apparatus via a network and carrying out stream distribution of said content to a client terminal apparatus via the network, said distributor terminal apparatus makes a reservation for a use of said distribution server via the network to a reservation control apparatus that controls a reservation situation of said distribution server, said content distribution reservation method comprising: displaying reservation situation information at said distributor terminal apparatus, said reservation situation information being sent from said reservation control apparatus via the network when said distributor terminal apparatus sends a request for browsing the reservation situation to said reservation control apparatus via the network, and said reservation situation information including information about (i) a plurality of channels configured to connect said distribution server to said plurality of channels, and (ii) a capacity and a service fee preset for each of said plurality of channels of said distribution server; requesting a reservation by sending reservation request information including a desired channel indicating which of said plurality of channels of said distribution server is requested to be used and a desired service time to distribute content using said distribution server from said distributor terminal apparatus to said reservation control apparatus via the network; and billing said distributor terminal apparatus for the service fee for the use of said distribution server by carrying out billing processing related to said reservation based on the service fee of said distribution server preset in said desired channel when the reservation for the use of said distribution server using said desired channel and during said desired service time included in said reservation request information is accepted and said reservation is established.