Content delivery apparatus, user terminal device, relief management method and computer program

Abstract

A content delivery apparatus, when a content delivery request is outputted from a user terminal device, encrypts the requested content with an encryption key, adds a view period to it to deliver it to a request source and delivers a viewing key in response to a view request from the user terminal device within the view period. A user relief management unit monitors failure information notifying, grasps a delivery disabled period from the failure information, specifies a delivery destination user for a content of which the view period is overlapped with the delivery disabled period and issues a relief right with a relief period specified thereto to the specified user. A contract period processing unit manages the relief right and permits viewing within the relief period set by the relief right when a view right based on the relief right is output from the user terminal device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2005-096392, filed Mar. 29, 2005; and No. 2006-045405, filed Feb. 22, 2006, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to.contents a content delivery apparatus which performs a delivery service of a content such as a video via a communication line to a terminal device on a user side, a user terminal device which receives the delivery service, a relief management method to relieve an impossibility of viewing when a failure occurs and a computer program which achieves the management method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a relief technique for a failure occurrence period within a period when a validity term is set to the content. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] A download t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This solution effectively mitigates user dissatisfaction by providing alternative viewing opportunities during relief periods, reducing extra costs and burdens for service providers, and ensuring a satisfactory service experience.

Problems solved by technology

However, a viewing service with a time limit causes a problem when the failure occurs in a time band desired by the user.

That is, in such a case, although the user has any self-responsibility, the user tends to miss a viewing chance.

And when the user cannot have a time to view the contents within the view period, the user complains extremely, so that the case may cause a trouble between the service provider and user.

This problem is caused from an insufficient relief method for the user, as a content of a service, and it is required for the problem to be solved quickly.

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