Content providing apparatus, content providing method, program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide a content providing device, a content providing method, a program and a recording medium for disclosing content provided to a user to others while protecting the content.SOLUTION: A program that functions as a content providing device causes a processor to execute a step of providing first content to a first user in a case where a provision request for the first content is received from the first user, and a step of providing second content, which is obtained by processing the first content such that a visual difference is generated, to the first user in a case where predetermined processing on the provided first content is executed by a user terminal of the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content providing device, a content providing method, a program, and a recording medium for providing content to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] With the recent development of communication technology, users can obtain desired content such as images, videos, and audio from content owners (owners) via a network. Once users obtain the content, they can use the content; for example, if the content is an image, they can display or print the image.

[0003] Furthermore, users who have acquired content may post articles about the acquired content on social networking services (SNS) or blog (Weblog) publishing sites in order to introduce the content to others (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In Patent Document 1, information about trial use of content is output to content purchasers, who then post articles based on the output information to SNS, thereby making the purchased content known to more people and helping to popularize and spread the content. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2021-39512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if purchased content is published as is on social media, etc., there is a risk that the content may be used without permission by viewers of the social media, etc., and may no longer be properly protected. In this case, the rights related to the content, such as portrait rights or copyright, may be infringed, and the profits that content owners receive from providing their content may be lost.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and specifically aims to realize a content providing device, content providing method, program, and recording medium that enable content provided to a user to be made public to others while protecting the content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the content providing device of the present invention is a content providing device equipped with a processor, which, when receiving a request for provision of first content from a first user, provides the first content to the first user, and, when a predetermined processing of the provided first content is performed by a device used by the first user, provides the first user with second content that has been processed to create a visual difference from the first content.

[0009] The first content may be a target image, and the predetermined process may be a process of printing the target image.

[0010] The second content may be an image obtained by lowering the image quality of the target image, or an image obtained by replacing a part of the target image with another image.

[0011] In addition, when derivative information including the second content is distributed based on the operation of the first user and a request for providing the first content based on the derivative information is received from the second user, the processor may provide the first content to the second user.

[0012] The derivation information may also include code information used to connect to a provider of the first content. Preferably, when a provision request made through the code information in the derivation information is received from the second user, the processor provides the first content to the second user.

[0013] The second content may be content for posting, and the derivative information may be information indicating a posted article including the second content.

[0014] The processor may also store, in the storage device, identification information of the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the second user as information about the second user who has made a provision request based on the derivative information.

[0015] In addition, when a predetermined number or more second users make a provision request based on the same derivative information, the processor may generate information for identifying the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the predetermined number or more second users as a recipient of a benefit.

[0016] The processor may also store information about the order in which the first contents are provided in the storage device as information about the first users to whom the first contents are provided.

[0017] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the content provision method of the present invention is characterized in that it is performed by a processor: when a request for provision of the first content is received from the first user, providing the first content to the first user; and when a predetermined processing of the provided first content is performed by a device used by the first user, providing the first user with second content that has been processed to create a visual difference from the first content.

[0018] In addition, in the above content providing method, when derivative information including the second content is distributed based on the operation of the first user and a request for providing the first content based on the derivative information is received from the second user, a step of providing the first content to the second user may be performed by a processor.

[0019] In the content providing method, the derivative information may include code information used to connect to a provider of the first content. Preferably, the processor performs a step of providing the first content to the second user when a provision request made through the code information in the derivative information is received from the second user.

[0020] In addition, in the above content provision method, a step of storing in a storage device the identification information of the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the second user as information regarding the second user who made a provision request based on the derivative information may be performed by a processor.

[0021] In addition, in the above content provision method, when a predetermined number or more second users make provision requests based on the same derivative information, a step of generating information for identifying a first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the predetermined number or more second users as a recipient of a benefit may be performed by a processor.

[0022] According to the present invention, it is also possible to realize a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the content providing method. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is also possible to realize a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the content providing method is recorded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, when a predetermined process is executed on a first content provided to a first user, a second content that is processed to visually differentiate the first content is provided to the first user. The first user can use the second content, for example, when posting an article introducing the first content on a social networking service or the like. This allows the first content to be made public to others while being protected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system used for a content providing service. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a posted article. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a target image, which is a first content, and an image for posting, which is a second content. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printed target image. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a content providing device and a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating the respective functions of a content providing device and a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a storage device. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a content provision flow according to an embodiment of the present invention (part 1). [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a content provision flow according to an embodiment of the present invention (part 2). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a content providing flow according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be modified or improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0026] In this specification, the concept of "device" includes a single device that performs a specific function by itself, as well as multiple devices that exist independently and in a distributed manner but cooperate (link) to perform a specific function.

[0027] In addition, unless otherwise specified, "image" in this specification refers to image data. Image data includes, for example, lossy compressed image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, and lossless compressed image data such as GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) or PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format.

[0028] Furthermore, the term "user" in this specification refers to a user who uses the content providing device of the present invention. Using the content providing device means using the functions of the content providing device, and includes not only using the content providing device directly but also using the functions of the content providing device from other devices (for example, a user terminal).

[0029] <About the content provision service> One embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) relates to a data processing technique in a content providing service that provides content to users over a network. That is, a content providing device according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a content providing device 10) is used in the content providing service.

[0030] A user can obtain desired content by using the content providing service. In other words, the content providing device 10 provides the user with content selected by the user from content that can be provided by content holders. Providing content to a user means distributing data for using the content to the device used by the user.

[0031] The devices used by the user include the user terminal 100 and printer 120 described below, but may also include devices that are not owned by the user but can be used by logging in by entering account information, such as terminals installed in stores, etc. When providing content, these devices may require the user to enter verification information (such as an order number) sent from the content providing device 10 to verify the content to be provided and that the user is the one who paid for the content.

[0032] The content that can be provided includes images, images with audio data, audio-only data, etc. Images include still images and videos, and videos include videos displayed in 2D format (normal videos), videos displayed in 3D format, and videos displayed in VR (Virtual Reality) format. In the following, an example will be described in which images, more specifically, images of subjects with market value (for example, images of celebrities such as actors and artists) are provided as content.

[0033] The content providing service will be explained with reference to Fig. 1. Any user (hereinafter referred to as a first user) using the service purchases a desired image (hereinafter referred to as a target image) from one or more images sold by a content holder. Specifically, the first user operates user terminal 100 to access the content holder's homepage and carries out a procedure to purchase the target image on the homepage.

[0034] Here, the target image corresponds to the first content that the first user requests the content holder to provide, and the content holder corresponds to the provider of the first content.

[0035] When the purchase procedure is completed, a request for providing the target image is transmitted from the user terminal 100 of the first user to the content providing device 10. Upon receiving the provision request from the first user, the content providing device 10 provides the target image to the first user in response to the request. In more detail, the content providing device 10 transmits the target image to the user terminal 100 of the first user.

[0036] In addition, in association with the provision of the target image, a charging process is performed for the first user. The content providing device 10 may provide the target image to the first user on the condition that the first user pays a charging amount (the price of the target image).

[0037] The first user can use the target image provided by the content providing device 10, and can print the target image, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, after the user terminal 100 of the first user receives the target image from the content providing device 10, the first user operates the user terminal 100 to command printing of the target image. The user terminal 100 controls the printer 120 owned by the first user to print the target image. This results in a film on which the target image is printed (hereinafter, referred to as print P) (see FIG. 4). However, this is not a limitation, and the printer 120 may receive the target image from the content providing device 10 and use this as a trigger to print the target image.

[0038] The printing method for the target image is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an instant photography method in which a latent image is formed by exposing a photosensitive film to light and then a developer is spread on the surface of the film to visualize the latent image, or a method other than the instant photography method, such as an inkjet method, a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, or an electrophotographic method using toner.

[0039] Furthermore, on the printout P of the target image, an incidental image that can be read by the camera of the user terminal 100 may be printed together with the target image, as shown in Fig. 4. The incidental image may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), as shown in Fig. 4, and is information that allows the user terminal 100 to access predetermined information when read by the camera of the user terminal 100. The information that can be accessed by reading the incidental image is other content associated with the target image, for example, audio or video of the subject in the target image, and is information that can be played back on the user terminal 100.

[0040] Furthermore, as one mode of using the target image, the first user may specify a destination (specifically, several recipients) and send the target image.

[0041] Furthermore, the first user can post the provided target image to a social networking site, blog posting site, or the like for the purpose of introducing the image. Specifically, the first user starts a posting application program on the first user's user terminal 100 and inputs a post introducing the target image through an input device of the user terminal 100. The posting application program may be started automatically in conjunction with the purchase or printing of the target image.

[0042] After the first user inputs the article, the user terminal 100 transmits the data of the input posted article to a post receiving server (not shown). As a result, the posted information of the first user, i.e., information indicating the posted article introducing the target image, is distributed via the network, and other users can view the posted article.

[0043] Here, the first user's posted information regarding the target image corresponds to derived information derived from the provision of the target image, and is distributed based on the first user's operation after the provision of the target image. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the first user's posted information includes the provider of the target image, specifically, the URL (Unique Resource Locator) of the homepage of the content holder who owns the target image. The URL of the content holder's homepage is code information used to connect to (access) the homepage of the content provider. The URL included in the posted information may be represented by text information or by two-dimensional barcode information such as a QR code (registered trademark).

[0044] Furthermore, among the users who have viewed the posted information of the first user, there may be a person (hereinafter referred to as the second user) who becomes interested in the target image introduced by the first user and wishes to purchase the target image. The second user operates the user terminal 100 of the second user to access the homepage of the content holder via the URL included in the posted information. Thereafter, the second user purchases the target image using the same procedure as when the first user purchased the target image, and accordingly, a request for providing the target image is transmitted from the user terminal 100 of the second user to the content providing device 10. Upon receiving the provision request from the second user, the content providing device 10 provides the target image to the second user in response to the request.

[0045] The second user to whom the target image is provided can use the target image in the same way as the first user, for example, displaying the target image on the user terminal 100 or printing it. In addition, the second user can post the target image on a social networking site or a blog posting site, etc., for the purpose of introducing the target image.

[0046] As described above, the user to whom the target image is provided (i.e., the purchaser of the target image) can post the target image on a social networking site or blog posting site to introduce or promote the target image, thereby popularizing the target image and expanding the market for the target image.

[0047] The content providing device 10 also manages the number of users who have requested the provision of the target image, that is, the number of users who have accessed the content holder's homepage from the URL included in the posted information and purchased the target image. When the number of users reaches a set value, the content holder may start providing (selling) content related to the target image, specifically, new images related to the subject in the target image.

[0048] Furthermore, when a predetermined number or more second users request the provision of a target image based on the same posted information, a reward may be given to the first user who posted the posted information referenced by the predetermined number or more second users (hereinafter referred to as the target user). The reward may be, for example, money equivalent to a portion of the price paid by the second users when purchasing the target image, or may be other content related to the target image.

[0049] The target users to whom the benefit is given may include a first user who posted information referenced by a predetermined number of second users, and may further include other users associated with the first user. The other users associated with the first user may include users who purchased the target image but did not print or post the target image, and users who viewed the first user's posted information but did not purchase the target image. Also, the target users may be all purchasers of the target image, or all those who viewed the purchase site for the target image (i.e., the homepage of the content holder who owns the target image).

[0050] As described above, a first user who has received a target image from a content owner can post an article introducing the target image. In this case, the first user may quote the target image, specifically, attach the target image to posted information. If the provided target image is attached to posted information as is, there is a risk that the target image may be used without permission by others who view the posted information. Specifically, the original target image attached to the posted information may be copied and used without permission.

[0051] Therefore, in this embodiment, a posting image different from the target image is provided to the first user who has been provided with the target image. The posting image corresponds to the second content, and is, for example, a posting content used when the first user posts an article introducing the target image. The posting image is an image constructed by processing the target image, and specifically, is an image in which some data is deleted from the target image (first content).

[0052] An image lacking some data from the target image is an image lacking gradation value data for some of the pixels that make up the target image. For example, as shown in Figure 3, an image in which part of the target image has been replaced with another image (in the lower right diagram of Figure 3, an image of the word "SAMPLE") may be used as the image to be posted. Alternatively, an image in which the target image has been reduced in quality, specifically, an image in which the resolution has been reduced from that of the original target image, as shown in the upper right diagram of Figure 3, or an image in which the target image has been blurred or pixelated, may be used as the image to be posted.

[0053] As described above, by providing the image for posting to the first user and quoting (attaching) the image for posting to the first user's posted information, it is possible to refrain from quoting the original target image. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the original target image, and while protecting the target image, it can be widely introduced (advertised) to others through posting on SNS or blog sites.

[0054] <Configuration example of the content providing device and its peripheral devices according to this embodiment> Next, examples of the configuration of the content providing device 10 and its peripheral devices will be described.

[0055] The content providing device 10 is configured by a computer, more specifically a server computer (hereinafter referred to as a server). The server functions as a platform for a content providing service and is used by, for example, a content owner or an operator of a content providing service.

[0056] The server has a general-purpose configuration as a server computer for cloud services, and as shown in FIG. 5, includes a processor 10A, a memory 10B, a communication interface 10C, a storage device 10D, and the like.

[0057] The processor 10A is configured by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a tensor processing unit (TPU). The memory 10B is configured by, for example, semiconductor memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The communication interface 10C is configured by, for example, a network interface card or a communication interface board. The storage device 10D is configured, for example, by a storage device built into or externally attached to the server, but is not limited to this, and the storage device 16D may also be configured by a third computer (for example, an external server) that can communicate with the server.

[0058] In addition, a program (hereinafter referred to as a server-side program) for functioning as the content providing device 10 of the present invention is installed in the server. The server-side program is a program for causing a computer to execute each process (more specifically, each step shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) included in the content providing method of the present invention.

[0059] The server-side program may be acquired by reading it from a computer-readable recording medium, or by receiving (downloading) it via a communication line such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0060] The server constituting the content providing device 10 is capable of communicating with a user terminal 100 of a user who uses the content providing service via a communication network 12, and together with the user terminal 100, constitutes a service system S (see FIG. 1).

[0061] The user terminal 100 is a computer used by a user, and specifically, is configured as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or the like. As shown in Fig. 5, the user terminal 100 includes a processor 100A, a memory 100B, a communication interface 100C, an input device 100D, and an output device 100E. In addition, the user terminal 100 has installed therein various programs (hereinafter referred to as terminal-side programs), such as a browser, an application program for posting, and a printer driver for controlling the printer 120.

[0062] The user terminal 100 has a function of printing a target image, which is content obtained through a content providing service, on the printer 120. The printer 120 is a portable printer that prints the target image and any accompanying images on film using an instant photography method. The printer 120 may be connected to the user terminal 100 wirelessly via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or may be connected via a wired method.

[0063] The printer 120 is not limited to the portable printer described above, and may be any device that a user uses to print a target image. For example, the printer 120 may be a general home printer, or a printer or multifunction device installed in a store or the like that can be used when a user visits a store or the like.

[0064] Next, the configuration of the content providing device 10, which is made up of a server, and the configuration of the user terminal 100 will be explained again from a functional perspective.

[0065] 6, the user terminal 100 includes a request sending unit 101, a receiving unit 102, a display unit 103, a printer control unit 104, and a posting unit 105. These functional units are realized by cooperation between the hardware devices included in the user terminal 100 and software including the terminal-side program described above.

[0066] Based on a request operation by the user, the request sending unit 101 identifies a target image, which is the first content selected by the user, and sends a request to provide (transmission request) the identified target image to the content providing device 10. The request operation by the user is an operation for purchasing the target image, and includes an operation for selecting the image to be purchased from a group of images that the content holder can provide, and an operation for deciding to purchase. These operations are performed, for example, by displaying the content holder's homepage on the screen of the user terminal 100, and more specifically, through an input form for purchasing an image provided on the homepage.

[0067] Furthermore, when a first user purchases a target image and performs a predetermined process on the target image, the request sending unit 101 of the user terminal 100 of the first user sends a request to provide (transmit) an image to be posted to the content providing device 10. The predetermined process on the target image is a process performed by a device used by the first user who purchased the target image, such as a process to print the target image.

[0068] The predetermined process for the target image is not limited to the above process, and may be a process of posting an article introducing the target image on an SNS or blog posting site, or a process of requesting a content owner to post the image. Alternatively, it may be a process of purchasing and obtaining the target image, that is, a process of receiving the target image provided from the content providing device 10. Alternatively, it may be a process of the first user sending the target image to specific recipients (for example, several recipients).

[0069] The receiving unit 102 receives content such as images transmitted from the content providing device 10 via the communication network 12. The content received by the receiving unit 102 includes a target image, an incidental image, content obtainable by reading the incidental image, an image to be posted, and the like.

[0070] The display unit 103 displays on the screen various types of information received by the user terminal 100. The information displayed by the display unit 103 includes content received from the content providing device 10, such as target images, various websites including the homepages of content holders, and articles posted to SNS or blog posting sites.

[0071] The printer control unit 104 controls the printer 120 to print the image to be printed. For example, after the receiving unit 102 receives the target image from the content providing device 10, the user operates the user terminal 100 to request printing of the target image. In this case, the printer control unit 104 generates control data for printing the target image and transmits the control data to the printer 120. Upon receiving the control data, the printer 120 operates in accordance with the control data to print the target image (in other words, creates a printout P). When the receiving unit 102 receives an incidental image together with the target image, the printer control unit 104 controls the printer 120 so that the target image and the incidental image are printed on the same film (see FIG. 4).

[0072] The posting unit 105 transmits, or more specifically, uploads, posting information indicating an article (posted article) entered by a user operating the user terminal 100 to the posting reception server. For example, when a user who purchased a target image, i.e., a first user, enters a posting article introducing the target image, the posting unit 105 uploads posting information indicating that article. In this case, the posting information is derived information related to the target image, and includes code information used to connect (access) to the provider of the target image, more specifically, the URL of the content holder's homepage (see FIG. 2).

[0073] Furthermore, when uploading posting information showing an introductory article about the target image, the posting unit 105 uploads posting information including the image to be posted received by the receiving unit 102. The uploaded posting information is distributed by the posting reception server and can be viewed by others, and specifically, is displayed on the user terminals 100 of other users who use SNS or the like.

[0074] 6, the content providing device 10 includes a first receiving unit 21, a first providing unit 22, a second receiving unit 23, a second providing unit 24, a third receiving unit 25, a third providing unit 26, a storage unit 27, a management unit 28, and a generation unit 29. These functional units are realized by cooperation between hardware devices included in the content providing device 10 and software including the server-side program described above.

[0075] The first reception unit 21 receives a request for providing a target image from a first user who purchases the target image, and more specifically, receives information (data) indicating the content of the provision request from the first user's user terminal 100. The provision request received by the first reception unit 21 includes the identification information of the first user, information for specifying the target image, and the date and time when the provision request was sent.

[0076] The first providing unit 22 provides the target image to the first user in response to a provision request from the first user, and more specifically, transmits the target image to the user terminal 100 of the first user. When providing the target image, the first providing unit 22 may also provide an incidental image that serves as an access key to content related to the target image together with the target image. The first providing unit 22 may also provide the target image or incidental image with information indicating the order in which the target images were provided to the first user (i.e., the purchase order), more specifically, a serial number or the like indicating the order in which they were provided.

[0077] The second receiving unit 23 receives a request to provide an image for posting from a first user who has purchased the target image, and more specifically, receives information (data) indicating the content of the request for provision from the first user's user terminal 100. The request for provision received by the second receiving unit 23 includes the identification information of the first user, information for specifying the image for posting, and the date and time when the request for provision was sent.

[0078] The second providing unit 24 provides the image to be posted to the first user in response to a request from the first user, and more specifically, transmits the image to be posted to the user terminal 100 of the first user. Here, as described above, the request to provide the image to be posted is transmitted when a predetermined process (for example, a print process of the target image) is performed on the target image by the device used by the first user. Therefore, the second providing unit 24 provides the image to be posted to the first user when the predetermined process described above is performed on the first user side.

[0079] The image for posting may be generated by the content providing device 10 applying a predetermined process to the target image when a request for providing an image for posting is received from the first user. Alternatively, the image for posting may be generated in advance by the content owner arbitrarily processing the target image. The second providing unit 24 may also provide the first user with information indicating the order in which the target images are provided to the first user (that is, the order in which they were purchased), more specifically, an image for posting to which the above-mentioned serial number or the like is attached.

[0080] When a second user who has viewed the posted information of the first user purchases the target image, the third reception unit 25 receives a request for provision of the target image from the second user, and more specifically, receives information (data) indicating the content of the provision request from the user terminal 100 of the second user.

[0081] The second user's request for the target image is made based on the posted information (derived information) of the first user, specifically via a URL in the posted information. Explaining in more detail, the second user accesses the content holder's homepage from the URL and performs a procedure to purchase the target image on the homepage. This causes the second user's user terminal 100 to send a request for the target image to the content providing device 10. This request for provision includes the second user's identification information, information for identifying the target image, the date and time the request for provision was sent, and the like.

[0082] The third providing unit 26 provides the target image to the second user in response to a provision request from the second user, and more specifically, transmits the target image to the user terminal 100 of the second user. Here, as described above, the second user's request for the provision of the target image is made based on the posted information of the first user, and more specifically, via a URL in the posted information. Therefore, when the posted information is distributed based on the operation of the first user and a provision request for the target image based on the posted information is received from the second user, the third providing unit 26 provides the target image to the second user.

[0083] It should be noted that the time when the posted information of the first user is distributed and the time when the request for provision of the target image from the second user is accepted do not necessarily have to be the same time. In other words, when providing the target image to the second user, the request for provision of the target image from the second user may be accepted at any time after the time when the posted information is distributed.

[0084] The storage unit 27 is configured by the storage device 10D and stores information about users who use the content providing service. As shown in Fig. 7, the storage unit 27 stores information about a first user to whom a target image has been provided, information about a second user who has requested the provision of the target image based on the posted information of the first user, and information about the posted information.

[0085] The information about the first user includes the identification information (ID) of the first user, information about the provided target image, the date and time when the request to provide the target image was made, and information about the order in which the target images were provided (provision order), as shown in Fig. 7. The information about the first user may also include information about the posting history of articles related to the target image.

[0086] The information about the second user includes the identification information (ID) of the second user, the target image requested to be provided, and the date and time when the request was made, as shown in Fig. 7. The information about the second user also includes the identification information of the posted information referenced when requesting the provision, and the identification information (ID) of the first user who posted the posted information.

[0087] The information related to the posted information (hereinafter referred to as the "post-related information") is information related to the posted information that introduces the target image. As shown in Fig. 7, the post-related information includes the identification information (ID) of the posted information, the identification information (ID) of the first user who posted the posted information, and the number of second users who have requested the provision of the target image by referring to the posted information.

[0088] The management unit 28 manages the information to be stored in the memory unit 27, and for example, when a target image is provided to a first user, the management unit 28 stores the order in which the target images are provided in the memory unit 27 as information about the first user. Furthermore, when a second user makes a request to provide a target image based on posted information, management unit 28 stores, as information about the second user, identification information of the referenced posted information and identification information of the first user who posted the information in storage unit 27. Furthermore, management unit 28 updates the number of second users who referenced the posted information as post-related information about the referenced posted information.

[0089] The generation unit 29 generates a bonus flag when a predetermined number or more second users request the provision of a target image based on the same posted information. The bonus flag is information for identifying a first user who posted posted information referenced by a predetermined number or more second users, i.e., a target user, as a target for bonus granting. When the bonus flag is generated, for example, a content holder identifies the target user from the bonus flag and grants a predetermined bonus to the identified target user.

[0090] <Content provision flow according to this embodiment> An information processing flow (hereinafter referred to as the "content provision flow") using the content provision device according to this embodiment will be described. The content provision flow employs the content provision method of the present invention. In other words, each step in the content provision flow corresponds to a component of the content provision method of the present invention.

[0091] The content providing flow is divided into a flow shown in Fig. 8 (hereinafter referred to as the first providing flow) and a flow shown in Fig. 9 (hereinafter referred to as the second providing flow). Each step in the first providing flow and the second providing flow is executed by a computer, specifically, by the processors 10A and 100A of the server and the user terminal 100 constituting the content providing device 10, respectively. Each flow will be explained below individually.

[0092] (First provision flow) The first provision flow is a flow when a first user purchases a target image as first content, and starts with the first user's user terminal 100 transmitting a request to provide the target image (S001). Specifically, the first user operates the user terminal 100 to carry out a procedure to purchase the target image. In addition, accompanying the purchase of the target image, the first user also carries out a payment procedure to pay the charged amount (price for the target image). In step S001, a provision request corresponding to the contents of these procedures is transmitted from the first user's user terminal 100.

[0093] Next, the server accepts a provision request from the first user and provides the target images to the first user in response to the request (S002, S003). At this time, the server may store the order in which the target images were provided (i.e., the order in which the first user purchased the target images) in the storage device 10D as information about the first user.

[0094] The user terminal 100 of the first user receives the target image provided from the server (S004). The received target image is displayed on the user terminal 100 of the first user. At this time, the user terminal 100 inquires of the first user whether or not the received target image needs to be printed. Here, it is assumed that the first user has requested that the target image be printed. The user terminal 100 controls the printer 120 and causes the printer 120 to print the target image (S005).

[0095] Furthermore, in response to receiving the target image, the user terminal 100 of the first user starts a posting application program and accepts input of an introductory article (posted article) for the target image by the first user (S006).

[0096] Thereafter, the user terminal 100 of the first user transmits a request to provide an image to be posted (S007). This step S007 may be performed in response to printing of the target image in step S005, or may be performed in response to acceptance of article input in step S006.

[0097] When the server receives a request from the first user to provide an image for posting, it provides the image for posting to the first user in response to the request (S008, S009). The user terminal 100 of the first user receives the image for posting provided by the server (S010). The user terminal 100 then generates posting information and uploads it to the posting reception server (S011, S012). The generated posting information includes the image for posting received in step S010, the post entered by the first user, and the URL (code information) of the homepage of the content holder that provided the target image. The information posted by the first user is then uploaded to a posting reception server, and can then be distributed to others via a social networking site, a blog posting site, or the like.

[0098] When the above series of steps are completed, the first provision flow ends. Then, the first provision flow is repeatedly executed every time a new user purchases a target image (excluding purchases of target images based on posted information).

[0099] (Second provision flow) The second provision flow is a flow when a second user who has viewed the posted information of a first user purchases a target image, and starts with the second user's user terminal 100 transmitting a request to provide the target image (S021). Specifically, the second user accesses the content holder's homepage from the URL in the viewed posted information, and performs a purchase procedure for the target image and an associated payment procedure on the homepage. In step S021, a request to provide the target image based on the posted information is transmitted from the second user's user terminal 100 in accordance with the content of these procedures.

[0100] Next, the server constituting the content providing device 10 receives a provision request from the second user and provides the target image to the second user in response to the request (S022, S023). That is, when posted information including the image for posting is distributed based on the operation of the first user and a provision request for a target based on the posted information is received from the second user, the server provides the target image to the second user.

[0101] The user terminal 100 of the second user receives the target image provided from the server (S024). This allows the second user to use the purchased target image, that is, to use the original image of the target image (image for posting) with some data missing when viewing posted information.

[0102] Furthermore, when the server receives a provision request from the second user in step S022, the server stores information about the second user in the storage device 10D (S024). Specifically, the server stores the identification information of the first user who posted the posted information referenced by the second user as information about the second user.

[0103] The server then determines whether or not a first user who posted information referenced by a predetermined number of second users, i.e., a target user, exists based on the information stored in step S024 (S026). If the server determines that a target user exists, it generates a bonus granting flag (S027). If the bonus granting flag is generated, the content holder identifies the target user from the bonus granting flag and grants a predetermined bonus to the identified target user.

[0104] When the above series of steps are completed, the second provision flow ends. Then, the second provision flow is repeatedly executed every time a new second user views the posted information of the first user and purchases the target image.

[0105] <Content provision flow according to the modified example> In the above-described embodiment, the request to provide an image to be posted is transmitted from the user terminal 100 of the first user. However, the request to provide an image to be posted may be transmitted from a printer 120 available to the first user, rather than from the user terminal 100. This case is considered as one modified example of the present invention, and the content provision flow according to the modified example (more specifically, the first provision flow according to the modified example) will be described below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0106] In the first provision flow according to the modified example, a series of steps S041 to S045 from requesting provision of the target image to executing printing of the target image are the same as steps S001 to S005 in the first provision flow described above. Note that in the flow shown in Fig. 10, the target image provided from the server is received by the user terminal 100 of the first user, but this is not limiting, and the printer 120 may receive the target image directly.

[0107] In a modified example, the printer 120 available to the first user transmits a request to provide an image to be posted (S047) when the target image has been printed under the control of the first user's user terminal 100. This step S047 may be performed when the target image has been printed, or when the first user starts an operation for posting an article (for example, an operation to start an application program for posting).

[0108] When the server receives a request for providing an image to be posted from the printer 120, it provides the image to be posted in response to the request (S048, S049). The printer 120 of the first user receives the image to be posted provided by the server (S050).

[0109] In the modified example, the printer 120 that receives the image to post generates post information and uploads it to the post reception server (S051, S052). Specifically, the printer 120 generates post information that includes a standard post article (message), the received image to post, and the URL of the homepage of the content holder that provided the target image. Note that the standard posted article may be stored in advance in printer 120. Alternatively, the posting account of the first user may be stored in advance in printer 120, and the posted information with the account attached may be uploaded by printer 120. In this case, the posting reception server may automatically embed a standard message corresponding to the account in the posted information.

[0110] <Other embodiments> The embodiment described above is a specific example given to clearly explain the content providing device and content providing method of the present invention, and is merely an example, and other embodiments are also possible.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, the first content purchased (requested for provision) by the first user is an image (target image). The second content, which is processed for posting and lacks some data from the first content, is an image in which part of the target image is replaced with another image, or an image in which the image quality of the target image is reduced. However, the first content may be content other than an image, such as video or audio data. In this case, the second content may be, for example, digested video or audio data obtained by extracting part of the video or audio data. Furthermore, if the first content is video, the second content may be a frame image (still image) obtained by extracting part of the video.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the target image provided by the content providing device 10 is printed, and this serves as a trigger for issuing a request to provide an image for posting. However, printing of the target image does not necessarily have to be executed, and in such a case, the request to provide an image for posting may be triggered by the purchase of the target image or the input of an article (posted article) introducing the target image.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the functions of the content providing device of the present invention are performed by the processor 10A provided in the server, but this is not limited to this. The processor 10A provided in the content providing device of the present invention may be provided in a device used by a user, such as the user terminal 100 or the printer 120. In other words, some or all of the above-described functional units provided in the content providing device of the present invention may be realized by the user terminal 100 or the printer 120.

[0114] The processor included in the content providing device of the present invention includes various types of processors, including, for example, a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units. The various processors also include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), which are processors whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Furthermore, various processors include dedicated electrical circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), which are processors having circuit configurations designed specifically for performing specific processes.

[0115] Furthermore, one processing unit possessed by the content providing device of the present invention may be configured by one of the various processors described above, or may be configured by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types, for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of an FPGA and a CPU, etc. Furthermore, the plurality of functional units included in the content providing device of the present invention may be configured by one of various processors, or two or more of the plurality of functional units may be collectively configured by one processor. Furthermore, as in the above-described embodiment, one processor may be configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, and this processor may function as multiple functional units.

[0116] Also, for example, a processor may be used that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple functional units in the content providing device of the present invention on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by an SoC (System on Chip), etc. Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the various processors described above may be an electric circuit (Circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 10 Content providing device 10A processor 10B memory 10C communication interface 10D storage device 12 Communication Networks 21 Reception Section 1 22 First provision part 23 Second Reception Section 24 Second provision part 25 Third Reception Section 26 Third provision part 27 Memory section 28 Management Department 29 Generation part 100 user terminals 100A Processor 100B memory 100C communication interface 100D Input Device 100E output device 101 Request sending unit 102 Receiving unit 103 Display section 104 Printer control unit 105 Submissions Department 120 Printer P Printed material S Service System

Claims

1. A content providing device including a processor, The processor: When a request for providing a first content is received from a first user, the first content is provided to the first user; A content providing device that provides a first user with second content that has been processed to create a visual difference from the first content when a predetermined processing of the provided first content is performed by a device used by the first user.

2. the first content is a target image; The content providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined process is a process of printing the target image.

3. The content providing device according to claim 2 , wherein the second content is an image obtained by lowering the image quality of the target image or an image obtained by replacing a part of the target image with another image.

4. 4. A content providing device according to claim 1, wherein when derivative information including the second content is distributed based on the operation of the first user and a request for providing the first content based on the derivative information is received from the second user, the processor provides the first content to the second user.

5. the derived information includes code information used to connect to a provider of the first content, The content providing device according to claim 4 , wherein the processor provides the first content to the second user when the provision request made through the code information in the derivative information is received from the second user.

6. the second content is content for posting, The content providing device according to claim 4 , wherein the derivative information is information indicating a posted article including the second content.

7. A content providing device as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the processor stores in a storage device identification information of the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the second user as information regarding the second user who made the provision request based on the derivative information.

8. The content providing device of claim 7, wherein when a predetermined number or more of the second users make the provision request based on the same derivative information, the processor generates information for identifying the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the predetermined number or more of the second users as a recipient of a benefit.

9. The content providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor stores information about the order in which the first content is provided in a storage device as information about the first user to whom the first content is provided.

10. providing the first content to the first user when a request for providing the first content is received from the first user; providing the first user with second content that has been processed so as to produce a visual difference from the first content when a predetermined process is performed on the provided first content by a device used by the first user; A content providing method in which the above is performed by a processor.

11. The content providing method according to claim 10, wherein when derivative information including the second content is distributed based on the operation of the first user and a request for providing the first content based on the derivative information is received from the second user, the processor performs a step of providing the first content to the second user.

12. the derived information includes code information used to connect to a provider of the first content, The content providing method according to claim 11, wherein the processor performs a step of providing the first content to the second user when the provision request made through the code information in the derivative information is received from the second user.

13. A content provision method as described in claim 11 or 12, wherein the processor performs a step of storing in a storage device the identification information of the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the second user as information regarding the second user who made the provision request based on the derivative information.

14. The content provision method described in claim 13, wherein when a predetermined number or more of the second users make the provision request based on the same derivative information, the processor performs a step of generating information for identifying the first user corresponding to the derivative information referenced by the predetermined number or more of the second users as a recipient of a benefit.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the content providing method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. A computer-readable recording medium, A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the content providing method according to any one of claims 10 to 14 is recorded.

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