Server device, program, recording medium, content distribution system, and content distribution method

Abstract

The present invention enhances a rare value of content and enables achievement of a synergistic effect between the content and a specific place.　This server device (2) comprises: an information acquisition unit (231A) that acquires, when a terminal device (1) has acquired identification information associated with content, position information indicating the position of the terminal device from the terminal device; a determination unit (232A) that determines whether or not the position of the terminal device indicated by the position information is within a predetermined transmission-permission region (R); and a transmission control unit (233A) that executes, when the determination unit has determined that the position of the terminal device is within the transmission-permission region, processing for transmitting the data of the content to the terminal device.

Description

Server device, program, recording medium, content distribution system, and content distribution method

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a program, a recording medium, a content distribution system, and a content distribution method.

[0002] A service is known in the prior art in which a user inputs identification information associated with a predetermined content into a display device owned by the user, and when authentication using the identification information is performed, the content is downloaded to the display device and can be played. Patent Document 1 describes an information providing system in which a complementary music file is downloaded to a user's terminal device by inputting a serial number, and that this information providing system can also be applied to providing video information.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-14683

[0004] However, with the above-described conventional technology, content viewing was possible as long as identification information was authenticated. In other words, the conventional technology did not limit the viewing conditions for content and did not increase the scarcity value of content. Furthermore, the conventional technology allowed users to view content anywhere (as long as communication was possible). For this reason, the conventional technology made it difficult to create a synergistic effect between content and, for example, an event held in a specific location or a location related to a person or character appearing in the content.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to increase the rarity value of content and to achieve a synergistic effect between the content and a specific location.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a server device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of a terminal device from the terminal device when the terminal device acquires identification information associated with content, a judgment unit that determines whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area, and a transmission control unit that executes processing to transmit data of the content to the terminal device when the judgment unit determines that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area.

[0007] In addition, a content distribution system according to another aspect of the present invention is a content distribution system comprising the above-mentioned server device and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device comprises an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information, a terminal communication unit that, when the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information, transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal device to the server device, and a playback unit that, when a device that manages content transmits data of the content, plays content based on the data.

[0008] The terminal device and server device constituting the present invention may be realized by a computer, in which case the programs that realize the terminal device and the server device on each computer by causing the computer to operate as each part (software element) that the terminal device and the server device respectively have, and the computer-readable recording medium on which they are recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0009] In addition, a content distribution method according to another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: a terminal device acquiring identification information associated with content; a server device communicating with the terminal device, when the terminal device has acquired the identification information, acquiring location information indicating the location of the terminal device from the terminal device; a step in which the server device determines whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area; and a device that manages content transmitting data of the content to the terminal device when it is determined that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the rarity value of content and to achieve a synergistic effect between the content and a specific location.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a content distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method for reading identification information by a terminal device provided in the system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a content distribution method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a content distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission permission area set by a server device provided in the system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a content distribution method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] First Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0013] [Configuration of Content Distribution System 100] As shown in Fig. 1, the content distribution system 100 includes a terminal device 1, an authentication server 2, and a content server 3. The content distribution system 100 according to this embodiment further includes a key server 4. The authentication server 2 may be configured integrally with the content server 3. The content server 3 may also be configured integrally with the key server 4.

[0014] [Terminal Device 1] The terminal device 1 includes a terminal communication unit 11, a playback unit 12, and a reading unit 13. The terminal device 1 according to this embodiment further includes an operation unit 14, a terminal storage unit 15, and a terminal calculation unit 16.

[0015] (Terminal communication unit 11) The terminal communication unit 11 communicates with the authentication server 2. The terminal communication unit 11 according to this embodiment communicates with the authentication server 2 wirelessly. The terminal communication unit 11 according to this embodiment also communicates with the content server 3. The terminal communication unit 11 according to this embodiment also communicates with the content server 3 wirelessly. The terminal communication unit 11 according to this embodiment is configured with a communication module. Note that the terminal communication unit 11 may be configured to communicate with the authentication server 2 and the content server 3 via a wired connection.

[0016] (Playback unit 12) The playback unit 12 plays content. The content is at least one of images and audio. The content may be music content. The music content may also include video. That is, the music content may be a music video, video of a live music performance, etc. The playback unit is configured with at least one of a display device (such as a liquid crystal panel) that displays images and a speaker that outputs audio.

[0017] (Reading unit 13) The reading unit 13 reads identification information from a tag attached to an item, or from a code printed on an item related to the content, or displayed on a screen related to the content. "Identification information" is a serial code (serial number) for identifying the content. The identification information includes at least one of alphabetic characters, numbers, and symbols. "Associated with content" means that one or more pieces of content can be used by the reading unit 13 reading the identification information. A single piece of identification information may be associated with one piece of content, or may be associated with multiple pieces of content. "Use" includes downloading and streaming.

[0018] "Content-related items" to which the tag T is attached include goods related to the content or people and characters appearing in the content. The goods include cheering goods, figures and ornaments, musical instruments and audio equipment, stationery, clothing and accessories, and household goods. The tag T may be in any shape, such as a coin, a cylinder, a label, or a card. When reading identification information from the tag T, the reading unit 13 is a reader for the tag T. That is, the reading unit 13 reads the identification information from the tag T using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). RFID includes near-field communication (NFC). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the reading unit 13 includes a transmitter 131 that emits radio waves or magnetic fields to the tag T, a receiver 132 that receives radio waves or magnetic fields carrying identification information from the tag T, and a first extractor 133 that extracts the identification information from the radio waves or magnetic fields carrying the identification information.

[0019] The "content-related goods" on which code C is printed include not only the goods described above, but also the paper accompanying the goods, the goods packaging, advertising flyers and pamphlets for the content, and exhibition equipment (walls, fixtures) when the content is exhibited or played in a public place. Code C may be a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR Code (registered trademark)) or a one-dimensional code (e.g., a barcode). When reading identification information from code C, reading unit 13 includes a camera 134 that photographs code C and a second extraction unit 135 that extracts identification information from code C photographed by camera 134. The goods may be sold for a fee or provided free of charge.

[0020] (Operation Unit 14) The operation unit 14 is operated by a user. The operation includes a content request operation. The content request operation is an operation for requesting the authentication server 2 to transmit content desired by the user. The operation unit 14 includes, for example, a button, a touch panel, etc.

[0021] 1, the terminal storage unit 15 stores a program (application program). The program is used to cause a computer to function as the terminal device 1. The terminal storage unit 15 according to this embodiment is configured with a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, etc.

[0022] (Terminal Computing Unit 16) The terminal computing unit 16 includes a terminal transmission control unit 161 and a playback control unit 162. The terminal computing unit 16 according to this embodiment further includes a data acquisition unit 163. The terminal computing unit 16 according to this embodiment is configured with a processor. When this processor executes a program stored in the terminal storage unit 15, the processor functions as the terminal transmission control unit 161, the playback control unit 162, and the data acquisition unit 163.

[0023] Terminal transmission control unit 161 When connected to the authentication server 2, the terminal transmission control unit 161 controls the terminal communication unit 11. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 repeatedly transmits terminal information to the authentication server 2. When transmitting terminal information for the second time or later, the terminal communication unit 11 also transmits terminal identification information (described in detail later) to the authentication server 2. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161 controls the terminal communication unit 11 when the reading unit 13 reads the identification information. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits the identification information to the authentication server 2. The terminal transmission control unit 161 according to this embodiment transmits the identification information together with the terminal identification information to the authentication server 2. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161 according to this embodiment also controls the terminal communication unit 11 when a content request operation is performed on the operation unit 14. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits a content request signal to the authentication server 2. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161 according to this embodiment also controls the terminal communication unit 11 when transmitting a content request signal. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits a key request signal requesting a decryption key to the authentication server 2. The terminal transmission control unit 161 may transmit the key request signal to the key server 4 .

[0024] Data Acquisition Unit 163 The data acquisition unit 163 acquires terminal identification information from the authentication server 2. The data acquisition unit 163 also acquires connection information (e.g., a playback URL) for connecting to the content server 3. The data acquisition unit 163 also uses the acquired connection information to access the content server 3 and acquires information (e.g., an MPD file) necessary to acquire a content file from the content server 3. The data acquisition unit 163 also acquires a content file from a content management device. The data acquisition unit 163 according to this embodiment acquires an encrypted content file. When acquiring the content file, the data acquisition unit 163 according to this embodiment also acquires a decryption key from the authentication server 2. The decryption key is used to decrypt the encrypted content file. The data acquisition unit 163 may be configured to acquire the decryption key from the key server 4.

[0025] Playback control unit 162 The playback control unit 162 controls the playback unit 12 when the data acquisition unit 163 acquires a content file (when a content management device transmits a content file). As a result, the playback unit 12 plays back the content based on the file. As described above, the content file acquired by the data acquisition unit 163 according to this embodiment is encrypted. Therefore, the playback control unit 162 according to this embodiment first decrypts the encrypted content file using a decryption key. Then, the playback control unit 162 plays back the content based on the decrypted content file.

[0026] [Authentication Server 2] The authentication server 2 is an example of a server device according to the present invention. The authentication server 2 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, and a server calculation unit 23.

[0027] (Server communication unit 21) The server communication unit 21 communicates with the terminal device 1. The server communication unit 21 according to this embodiment communicates with the terminal device 1 wirelessly. The server communication unit 21 according to this embodiment also communicates with the content server 3. The server communication unit 21 according to this embodiment also communicates with the content server 3 wirelessly. The server communication unit 21 according to this embodiment is configured with a communication module. Note that the server communication unit 21 may also be configured to communicate with the terminal device 1 and the content server 3 via a wired connection.

[0028] (Server storage unit 22) The server storage unit 22 stores a program. The program is used to cause a computer to function as the authentication server 2. The server storage unit 22 according to this embodiment is configured with a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, etc.

[0029] (Server Computing Unit 23) The server computing unit 23 includes an information acquiring unit 231, a determining unit 232, and a server transmission control unit 233. The server computing unit 23 according to this embodiment is configured with a processor. When the processor executes a program stored in the server storage unit 22, the processor functions as the information acquiring unit 231, the determining unit 232, and the server transmission control unit 233.

[0030] Information Acquisition Unit 231 The information acquisition unit 231 repeatedly acquires terminal information from the terminal device 1. The information acquisition unit 231 also acquires identification information from the terminal device 1 via the server communication unit 21. As described above, the terminal device 1 according to this embodiment transmits a content request signal to the authentication server 2 when a content request operation is performed by the user. Therefore, the information acquisition unit 231 according to this embodiment further acquires a content request signal for content from the terminal device 1. The information acquisition unit 231 may be configured to acquire a content request signal only after the determination unit 232 determines that the terminal device 1 is located within the transmission permission area R, or until a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 232 determined that the use of the content is permitted. The information acquisition unit 231 also acquires a key request signal from the terminal device 1.

[0031] Determination Unit 232 The determination unit 232 determines whether or not to permit use of content in the terminal device 1 (whether or not to authenticate the identification information) based on the identification information. For example, the determination unit 232 determines to permit use of the content when it determines that the acquired identification information is valid (already sold). The determination unit 232 according to this embodiment determines to permit use of the content when it further determines that the identification information is linked to the terminal identification information transmitted to the terminal device 1 that transmitted the identification information.

[0032] Server Transmission Control Unit 233 The server transmission control unit 233 controls the server communication unit 21 upon receiving the initial terminal information from the terminal device 1. As a result, the server communication unit 21 transmits terminal identification information to the terminal device 1. Furthermore, when the determination unit 232 determines that the terminal device 1 is permitted to use the content, the server transmission control unit 233 executes processing for playing the content file on the terminal device 1. The server transmission control unit 233 according to this embodiment causes the server communication unit 21 to transmit connection information to the terminal device 1 as the "processing." The server transmission control unit 233 may be configured to transmit valid connection information only after the determination unit 232 determines that the terminal device 1 is located within the transmission permission area R or until a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 232 determined that the content use is permitted. Furthermore, when the authentication server 2 is integrated with the content server 3, the server transmission control unit 233 may be configured to cause the server communication unit 21 to transmit the content file as the processing. Furthermore, upon receiving a key request signal from the terminal device 1, the server transmission control unit 233 according to this embodiment causes the server communication unit 21 to transmit metadata related to the request for a decryption key to the content server 3. Furthermore, upon receiving a decryption key from the key server 4, the server transmission control unit 233 according to this embodiment causes the server communication unit 21 to transmit the decryption key to the terminal device 1.

[0033] [Content Server 3] The content server 3 is a device that manages content and includes a second server communication unit 31, a content storage unit 32, and a second server calculation unit 33.

[0034] (Second server communication unit 31) The second server communication unit 31 communicates with the terminal device 1. The second server communication unit 31 according to this embodiment communicates with the terminal device 1 wirelessly. The second server communication unit 31 according to this embodiment also communicates with the authentication server 2. The second server communication unit 31 according to this embodiment also communicates with the authentication server 2 wirelessly. The second server communication unit 31 according to this embodiment is configured with a communication module. Note that the second server communication unit 31 may be configured to communicate with the terminal device 1 and the authentication server 2 via a wired connection.

[0035] (Content Storage Unit 32) The content storage unit 32 stores content files to be transmitted to the terminal device 1. The content storage unit 32 according to this embodiment is configured with a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, and the like.

[0036] (Second Server Computing Unit 33) When the terminal device 1 accesses the second server computing unit 33, the second server computing unit 33 transmits information required to acquire a content file to the terminal device 1. When the second server communication unit 31 receives a content request signal from the terminal device 1, the second server computing unit 33 calls up a content file corresponding to the content request signal from the content storage unit 32 and controls the second server communication unit 31. As a result, the second server communication unit 31 transmits the content file corresponding to the content request signal to the terminal device 1. Having received the content file, the terminal device 1 plays the content based on the file. The second server computing unit 33 according to this embodiment encrypts the content file and transmits it to the terminal device 1. That is, the content server 3 (a device that manages content) is configured to encrypt the content file and transmit it to the terminal device.

[0037] [Key Server 4] When the key server 4 receives metadata related to a decryption key request from the authentication server 2, it generates (issues) a decryption key corresponding to the metadata. The key server 4 according to this embodiment transmits the generated decryption key to the authentication server 2. The key server 4 may be configured to generate a decryption key upon receiving a key request signal from the terminal device 1. In this case, the key server 4 may be configured to transmit the generated decryption key to the terminal device 1. The key server 4 may also be configured to generate a decryption key that is valid only until a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 232 determined that the terminal device 1 is located within the transmission permission area R or since the determination unit 232 determined that the use of the content is permitted.

[0038] [Effects of the Content Distribution System] In the content distribution system 100 described above, when the reading unit of the terminal device 1 reads the identification information (by holding the terminal device 1 over an item with a tag T attached, or by photographing the code C printed on the item or displayed on the screen), content can be viewed on the terminal device 1. Therefore, according to the content distribution system 100, the user can more easily prepare to be authenticated when viewing content than when manually entering the identification information.

[0039] [Flow of Content Distribution Method] As shown in FIG. 3, the content distribution method S100 includes a reading step A1, a reproduction step A2, an information acquisition step B1, a determination step B2, and a transmission step C1.

[0040] [Reading Step A1] In the first reading step A1, the terminal device 1 reads identification information from a tag attached to an item associated with the content, or from a code C printed on an item related to the content, or displayed on a screen related to the content.

[0041] [Information Acquisition Step B1] Information acquisition step B1 is performed when the terminal device 1 reads the identification information. In information acquisition step B1, the authentication server 2 communicating with the terminal device 1 acquires the identification information from the terminal device 1.

[0042] [Decision Step B2] After the authentication server 2 acquires the identification information, the process proceeds to decision step B2. In decision step B2, the authentication server 2 determines, based on the identification information, whether or not to permit the terminal device 1 to use the content. If it is determined in decision step B2 that the use of the content is not permitted (step B2: NO), the content distribution method S100 ends.

[0043] [Transmission Step C1] The transmission step C1 is performed when it is determined that the use of the content in the terminal device 1 is permitted (step B2: YES). The transmission step C1 according to this embodiment may be performed when the terminal device 1, having acquired connection information for accessing the content management device from the authentication server 2 after determining that the use of the content is permitted, accesses the device, or when the authentication server 2 transmits a signal instructing the transmission of a file. Furthermore, in the transmission step C1, the content management device may encrypt the content file and transmit the encrypted file to the terminal device 1. In the transmission step C1, the content management device transmits the content file to the terminal device 1. The "content management device" may be the content server 3 or the authentication server 2 having the functions of the content server 3 (integrated with the content server 3).

[0044] [Playback Step A2] After the content file is transmitted to the terminal device 1, the process proceeds to playback step A2. In playback step A2, the terminal device 1 plays back the content based on the file. If the content management device has encrypted the content file, in playback step A2, the terminal device 1 may further obtain a decryption key from the authentication server 2 or the key server 4. Then, the terminal device 1 may use the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted content file and play back the content based on the decrypted content file.

[0045] [Effects of Content Distribution Method S100] In the content distribution method S100 described above, when the terminal device 1 reads the identification information in reading step A1 (holding the terminal device 1 over an item with a tag T attached, or photographing the code C printed on the item or displayed on the screen), the content becomes available for viewing on the terminal device 1 via transmission step B3. Therefore, according to the content distribution method S100, similar to the content distribution system 100, the user can more easily prepare to be authenticated when viewing content than when manually entering the identification information.

[0046] Second Embodiment Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0047] [Configuration of content distribution system 100A] As shown in Figure 4, the content distribution system 100A includes a key server 4 similar to that of the content distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment, as well as a terminal device 1A, an authentication server 2A, and a content server 3A.

[0048] [Terminal Device 1A] The terminal device 1A according to this embodiment includes a terminal communication unit 11, a playback unit 12, and an operation unit 14 similar to those of the terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment, as well as an identification information acquisition unit 13A, a terminal storage unit 15A, a terminal calculation unit 16A, and a positioning unit 17.

[0049] (Identification Information Acquisition Unit 13A) The identification information acquisition unit 13A acquires identification information. The method by which the identification information acquisition unit 13A acquires identification information is not particularly limited. The identification information acquisition unit 13A may be, for example, an operation unit (keyboard, touch panel, etc.) that reads from the tag T or code C or that allows the user to input identification information, or may be an input unit (communication module, input terminal, etc.) that receives identification information data. Furthermore, the identification information acquisition unit 13A may be the reading unit 13 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] (Terminal Storage Unit 15A) The terminal storage unit 15A according to this embodiment stores a program (application program). The program is for causing a computer to function as the terminal device 1A. The terminal storage unit 15A according to this embodiment is configured with a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, etc.

[0051] (Positioning Unit 17) The positioning unit 17 measures the position of the terminal device 1A and generates position information indicating the position of the terminal device 1A. The positioning unit 17 repeatedly performs positioning and generates position information at predetermined intervals. The positioning unit 17 according to this embodiment measures position using a satellite positioning system (Global Navigation Station System: for example, GPS). Note that the positioning method used by the positioning unit 17 is not particularly limited. For example, the positioning unit 17 may be configured to measure position using radio waves emitted by an access point (such as a mobile phone base station).

[0052] (Terminal Computing Unit 16A) The terminal computing unit 16A according to this embodiment includes a playback control unit 162 and a data acquisition unit 163 similar to those of the terminal computing unit 16 according to the first embodiment, as well as a terminal transmission control unit 161A. The terminal computing unit 16A according to this embodiment is configured with a processor. This processor executes a program stored in the terminal storage unit 15A, causing the processor to function as the terminal transmission control unit 161A, the playback control unit 162, and the data acquisition unit 163.

[0053] Terminal transmission control unit 161A When connected to the authentication server 2A, the terminal transmission control unit 161A controls the terminal communication unit 11. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 repeatedly transmits terminal information to the authentication server 2A. From the second time onwards, the terminal communication unit 11 also transmits terminal identification information to the authentication server 2A. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161A according to this embodiment controls the terminal communication unit 11 when the identification information acquisition unit 13A acquires identification information. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits location information to the authentication server 2A. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161A according to this embodiment controls the terminal communication unit 11 when the identification information acquisition unit 13A acquires identification information. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits the identification information to the authentication server 2A. The terminal transmission control unit 161A according to this embodiment transmits the identification information together with the terminal identification information to the authentication server 2A. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161A according to this embodiment also controls the terminal communication unit 11 when a content request operation is performed on the operation unit 14. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits a content request signal to the authentication server 2A. Furthermore, the terminal transmission control unit 161A according to this embodiment also controls the terminal communication unit 11 when transmitting the content request signal. As a result, the terminal communication unit 11 transmits a key request signal to the authentication server 2A. Note that the terminal transmission control unit 161 may also transmit the key request signal to the key server 4.

[0054] [Authentication Server 2A] The authentication server 2A according to this embodiment includes a server communication unit 21 similar to that of the authentication server 2 according to the first embodiment, as well as a server storage unit 22A and a server calculation unit 23A.

[0055] (Server storage unit 22A) The server storage unit 22A according to this embodiment stores a program different from the program stored in the server storage unit 22 according to the first embodiment. The program is for causing a computer to function as the authentication server 2A. The server storage unit 22A according to this embodiment is configured with a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, etc.

[0056] (Server Computing Unit 23A) The server computing unit 23A according to this embodiment includes an information acquiring unit 231A, a determining unit 232A, and a server transmission control unit 233A (transmission control unit). The server computing unit 23A according to this embodiment further includes a setting unit 234. The server computing unit 23A according to this embodiment is configured with a processor. When this processor executes a program stored in the server storage unit 22A, the processor functions as the information acquiring unit 231A, the determining unit 232A, the server transmission control unit 233A, and the setting unit 234.

[0057] Setting unit 234 The setting unit 234 sets the transmission permission area R in accordance with a setting operation by the user. The transmission permission area R can be at least a part of a venue where a pre-set event will be held, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The transmittable area can also be at least a part of a location related to a person or character appearing in the content (such as their birthplace or a location where the content is set). The setting unit 234 according to this embodiment sets a circular transmittable area R based on the center coordinates and radius of the transmission permission area R. The shape of the transmittable area may be circular or may be another shape (such as an ellipse or a rectangle).

[0058] Information Acquisition Unit 231A The information acquisition unit 231A repeatedly acquires terminal information from the terminal device 1A. Furthermore, when the terminal device 1A acquires identification information, the information acquisition unit 231A acquires location information indicating the location of the terminal device 1A from the terminal device 1A. The information acquisition unit 231A according to this embodiment further acquires identification information from the terminal device 1 via the server communication unit 21. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 231A according to this embodiment further acquires a content request signal for content from the terminal device 1. Note that the information acquisition unit 231A may be configured to acquire the content request signal only until a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination unit 232 determined that the location of the terminal device 1 is within the transmission permission area R or since the determination unit 232 determined that the use of the content is permitted. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 231A acquires a key request signal from the terminal device 1A.

[0059] Determination unit 232A The determination unit 232A according to this embodiment determines whether or not the position of the terminal device 1A indicated by the position information is within a predetermined transmission permission area R. Similarly to the determination unit 232 according to the first embodiment, the determination unit 232A according to this embodiment determines whether or not to permit the terminal device 1A to use content based on the identification information.

[0060] Server Transmission Control Unit 233A The server transmission control unit 233A controls the server communication unit 21 upon receiving the initial terminal information from the terminal device 1. As a result, the server communication unit 21 transmits terminal identification information to the terminal device 1A. Furthermore, the server transmission control unit 233A according to this embodiment executes processing for playing a content file on the terminal device 1 when the determination unit 232A determines that the location of the terminal device 1A is within the transmission permission area R. The server transmission control unit 233A according to this embodiment also causes the server communication unit 21 to transmit connection information to the terminal device 1A as the above-mentioned "processing." The server transmission control unit 233A according to this embodiment executes processing when the determination unit 232A determines that the location of the terminal device 1 is within the transmission permission area R and determines that use of the content on the terminal device is permitted. Note that if the authentication server 2A is configured integrally with the content server 3A, the server transmission control unit 233A may be configured to cause the server communication unit 21 to transmit a content file as the above-mentioned processing. Furthermore, upon receiving a key request signal from the terminal device 1A, the server transmission control unit 233A according to this embodiment causes the server communication unit 21 to transmit metadata related to the request for a decryption key to the content server 3. Furthermore, upon receiving a decryption key from the key server 4, the server transmission control unit 233A according to this embodiment causes the server communication unit 21 to transmit the decryption key to the terminal device 1A.

[0061] [Content Server 3A] The content server 3A according to this embodiment includes a second server communication unit 31 and a second server calculation unit 33 similar to those of the content server 3 according to the first embodiment, as well as a content storage unit 32A.

[0062] (Content Storage Unit 32A) The content storage unit 32A according to this embodiment stores content files to be transmitted to the terminal device 1, which are content files related to a transmittable area (described later). As a result, for example, the second server communication unit 31 transmits content files related to an event. Note that the content files stored in the content storage unit 32A may be the same as the files stored in the content storage unit 32 according to the first embodiment.

[0063] [Effects of Content Distribution System 100A] In the content distribution system 100A described above, when the determination unit 232A determines that the terminal device 1A is located within the transmission-permitted area R, the server communication unit 21 transmits a content file to the terminal device 1A. In other words, when the user obtains identification information while within the transmission-permitted area R, the content becomes available for viewing. Therefore, the content distribution system 100A can narrow the viewing conditions for the content and increase the rarity value of the content. Furthermore, the content distribution system 100A encourages users who wish to view the content to visit the transmission-permitted area R and view the content within the transmission-permitted area R. As a result, a synergistic effect can be created between the content and the transmission-permitted area R (specific location).

[0064] [Flow of content distribution method] As shown in Figure 6, the content distribution method S100A of this embodiment includes, in addition to the playback step A2 similar to the content distribution method S100 of embodiment 1, an identification information acquisition step A1A, an information acquisition step B1A, a judgment step B2A, and a transmission step C1A.

[0065] [Identification Information Acquisition Step A1A] In the initial identification information acquisition step A1A, the terminal device 1A acquires identification information. The method for acquiring the identification information is not particularly limited. In the identification information acquisition step A1A, for example, the terminal device 1 may read the identification information from a tag T or a code C, or the user may input the identification information into the terminal device 1. When the terminal device 1 acquires the identification information in the identification information acquisition step A1A, the terminal device 1 positions itself and generates location information indicating its own position.

[0066] [Information Acquisition Step B1A] The information acquisition step B1A is performed before acquiring identification information, after acquiring location information, or in parallel with acquiring location information. In the information acquisition step B1A, when the terminal device 1A acquires identification information, the authentication server 2A acquires location information indicating the location of the terminal device 1A from the terminal device 1A. In the information acquisition step B1A, the authentication server 2A may acquire the identification information together with the location information.

[0067] [Decision Step B2A] Decision Step B2A is performed after acquiring the location information. In decision Step B2A, the authentication server 2A determines whether the location of the terminal device 1A indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area R. If it is determined in decision Step B2A that the location of the terminal device 1A indicated by the location information is not within the predetermined transmission permission area R (step B2A: NO), the content distribution method S100A ends.

[0068] [Transmission Step C1A] The transmission step C1A is performed when it is determined that the terminal device 1A is located within the transmission permission area R. The transmission step C1 according to this embodiment may be performed when the terminal device 1 accesses the device that manages the content after it has determined that the use of the content is permitted and has acquired connection information for accessing the device from the authentication server 2, or when the authentication server 2 transmits a signal instructing the transmission of a file. In the transmission step C1A, the device that manages the content transmits the content file to the terminal device 1A. In addition, in the transmission step C1A, the device that manages the content may encrypt the content file and transmit the encrypted file to the terminal device 1.

[0069] [Effects of the Content Distribution Method] In the content distribution method S100A described above, if it is determined in decision step B2A that the location of terminal device 1A is within transmission-permitted area R, server communication unit 21 transmits a content file to terminal device 1A. That is, if the user acquires identification information while within transmission-permitted area R, the content becomes available for viewing. Therefore, content distribution method S100A can narrow the viewing conditions for content and increase the rarity value of the content. Furthermore, content distribution method S100A encourages users who wish to view content to visit transmission-permitted area R and view the content within transmission-permitted area R. As a result, a synergistic effect can be created between the content and transmission-permitted area R (specific location).

[0070] <Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0071] For example, the terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment may have the configuration according to the second embodiment. That is, the terminal communication unit 11 of the terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment may be configured to further transmit location information indicating the location of the terminal device 1 when the reading unit 13 reads the identification information. In this case, the information acquisition unit 231 of the authentication server 2 according to the first embodiment may be configured to further acquire location information indicating the location of the terminal device 1 from the terminal device 1. In this case, the determination unit 232 of the authentication server 2 according to the first embodiment may be configured to determine whether the location of the terminal device 1 indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area R. The server transmission control unit 233 of the authentication server 2 according to the first embodiment may be configured to cause the server communication unit 21 to transmit the content file when the determination unit 232 determines that use of the content in the terminal device 1 is permitted and the determination unit 232 determines that the location of the terminal device 1 is within the transmission permission area R.

[0072] Furthermore, the terminal device 1 according to the above-described embodiment 1 may have the configuration according to the above-described embodiment 2. That is, the identification information acquisition unit 13A provided in the terminal device 1A according to the above-described embodiment 2 may be the same as the reading unit 13 provided in the authentication server 2 according to the above-described embodiment 1. In this case, the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit 231A of the authentication server 2A according to the above-described embodiment 2 is the information read by the reading unit 13 from the tag T or the code C.

[0073] Furthermore, the server transmission control unit 233, 233A included in the authentication server 2, 2A according to the first and second embodiments may be configured to transmit content even if the information acquisition unit 231, 231A does not acquire a content request signal. In other words, once the content distribution system 100, 100A authenticates the identification information, the content may be made available for viewing without waiting for a content request operation by the user. In this case, the content distribution system 100, 100A may not have the operation unit 14, the function of transmitting and receiving a content request signal, or the function of determining whether a content request signal has been acquired.

[0074] Furthermore, the program may be stored non-transitory on one or more computer-readable storage media. The storage media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0075] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0076] [Summary] A content distribution system according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a content distribution system comprising a terminal device and a server device, wherein the terminal device comprises a reading unit that reads identification information from a tag attached to an item related to the content, or from a code printed on an item related to the content, or displayed on a screen related to the content, a terminal communication unit that transmits the identification information to the server device, and a playback unit that, when a content management device transmits a file of the content, plays content based on the file; and the server device comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information associated with the content from the terminal device, a judgment unit that judges, based on the identification information, whether to permit use of the content in the terminal device, and a transmission control unit that, when the judgment unit determines that use of the content in the terminal device is permitted, executes processing to transmit the content file to the terminal device.

[0077] A content distribution system according to Aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured in the above-mentioned Aspect 1 such that the identification information is stored in the tag, and the reading unit is a reader for the tag.

[0078] A content distribution system according to aspect 3 of the present invention may be configured in the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2 such that the identification information is a code printed on an item related to the content or displayed on a screen related to the content, and the reading unit includes a camera that photographs the code and an extraction unit that extracts the identification information from the code photographed by the camera.

[0079] A content distribution system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention may be configured in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the content is at least one of an image and an audio.

[0080] A content distribution system according to aspect 5 of the present invention may be configured such that, in any of aspects 1 to 4 above, when the reading unit reads the identification information, the terminal communication unit further transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal device, the information acquisition unit further acquires location information indicating the location of the terminal device from the terminal device, the determination unit further determines whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area, and the transmission control unit executes the processing when the determination unit determines that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area and determines to permit use of the content in the terminal device.

[0081] A content distribution system according to aspect 6 of the present invention may be configured in any one of aspects 1 to 5 above, wherein the content management device is configured to encrypt content files and transmit them to the terminal device, and further includes a key server that generates a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted content files, and the terminal device obtains the decryption key from the key server, uses the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted content files, and plays content based on the decrypted content files.

[0082] A content distribution method according to aspect 7 of the present invention includes a reading step in which a terminal device reads identification information from a tag attached to an item related to the content, or from a code printed on an item related to the content, or displayed on a screen related to the content; an information acquisition step in which a server device communicating with the terminal device acquires the identification information from the terminal device when the terminal device reads the identification information; a determination step in which the server device determines whether to permit use of the content in the terminal device based on the identification information; and a transmission step in which a content management device transmits a file of the content to the terminal device when it has determined that use of the content in the terminal device is permitted.

[0083] A server device according to aspect 1A of the present invention is configured to include an information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of a terminal device from the terminal device when the terminal device acquires identification information associated with content; a judgment unit that determines whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area; and a transmission control unit that executes processing to transmit data of the content to the terminal device when the judgment unit determines that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area.

[0084] A server device according to aspect 2A of the present invention may be configured in the above-described aspect 1A such that the information acquisition unit further acquires the identification information from the terminal device, the judgment unit further judges whether or not to permit use of the content in the terminal device based on the identification information, and the transmission control unit executes the processing when the judgment unit determines that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area and when the judgment unit determines that use of the content in the terminal device is permitted.

[0085] The server device according to Aspect 3A of the present invention may be configured in the above-described Aspects 1A or 2A, further comprising a setting unit that sets the transmission permission area in accordance with a setting operation by a user.

[0086] The server device according to Aspect 4A of the present invention may be configured in any one of Aspects 1A to 3A above, wherein the transmission permission area is at least a part of a venue where a preset event is to be held.

[0087] A server device according to Aspect 5A of the present invention may be configured in any one of Aspects 1A to 4A above, wherein the content is music content.

[0088] The server device according to Aspect 6A of the present invention may be configured in the above-mentioned Aspect 5A, wherein the music content includes video.

[0089] The program according to aspect 7A of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the server device in any of aspects 1A to 6A above, and may be configured to cause the computer to function as the information acquisition unit, the judgment unit, and the transmission control unit.

[0090] A recording medium according to Aspect 8A of the present invention may be configured to be computer-readable and record the program in Aspect 7A above.

[0091] A content distribution system according to aspect 9A of the present invention may be a content distribution system comprising a server device according to any one of aspects 1A to 8A above and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device comprises an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information, a terminal communication unit that, when the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information, transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal device to the server device, and a playback unit that, when a device that manages content transmits data of the content, plays content based on the data.

[0092] A content distribution system according to aspect 10A of the present invention may be configured such that, in the above-mentioned aspect 9A, the identification information acquisition unit is a reading unit that reads identification information from a tag attached to an item associated with the content, or from a code printed on an item related to the content, or displayed on a screen related to the content.

[0093] A content distribution method according to aspect 11A of the present invention includes the steps of: a terminal device acquiring identification information associated with content; a server device communicating with the terminal device, when the terminal device has acquired the identification information, acquiring location information indicating the location of the terminal device from the terminal device; a step in which the server device determines whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area; and a device that manages content transmitting data of the content to the terminal device when it is determined that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area.

[0094] 100, 100A Content distribution system 1, 1A Terminal device 11 Terminal communication unit 12 Playback unit 13 Reading unit 131 Transmitting unit 132 Receiving unit 133 First extraction unit 134 Camera 135 Second extraction unit 13A Identification information acquisition unit 14 Operation unit 15, 15A Terminal storage unit 16, 16A Terminal calculation unit 161, 161A Terminal transmission control unit 162 Playback control unit 163 Data acquisition unit 17 Positioning unit 2, 2A Authentication server 21 Server communication unit 22, 22A Server storage unit 23, 23A Server calculation unit 231, 231A Information acquisition unit 232, 232A Determination unit 233, 243A Server transmission control unit 234 Setting unit 3, 3A Content server 31 Second server communication unit 32, 32A Content storage unit 33 Second server calculation unit 4 Key server S100, S100A Content distribution method A1 Reading step A1A Identification information acquisition step A2 Reproduction step B1 Information acquisition step B2, B2A Judgment step C1, C1A Transmission step

Claims

1. A server device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of a terminal device from the terminal device when the terminal device acquires identification information associated with content; a judgment unit that judges whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area; and a transmission control unit that executes processing to transmit data of the content to the terminal device when the judgment unit judges that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area.

2. The server device of claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit further acquires the identification information from the terminal device, the judgment unit further judges whether or not to permit use of the content in the terminal device based on the identification information, and the transmission control unit executes the processing when the judgment unit judges that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area and judges that use of the content in the terminal device is permitted.

3. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that sets the transmission permission area in accordance with a setting operation by a user.

4. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission-permitted area is at least a part of a venue where a preset event is to be held.

5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the content is music content.

6. The server device according to claim 5, wherein the music content includes video.

7. A program for causing a computer to function as the server device according to claim 1, the program causing the computer to function as the information acquisition unit, the determination unit, and the transmission control unit.

8. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

9. A content distribution system comprising the server device of claim 1 and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device comprises: an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information; a terminal communication unit that, when the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information, transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal device to the server device; and a playback unit that, when a device that manages content transmits data of the content, plays back content based on the data.

10. A content distribution system as described in claim 9, wherein the identification information acquisition unit is a reading unit that reads identification information from a tag attached to an item associated with the content, or from a code printed on an item related to the content, or displayed on a screen related to the content.

11. A content distribution method comprising: a step in which a terminal device acquires identification information associated with content; a step in which, when the terminal device acquires the identification information, a server device communicating with the terminal device acquires location information indicating the location of the terminal device from the terminal device; a step in which the server device determines whether the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is within a predetermined transmission permission area; and a step in which, when it is determined that the location of the terminal device is within the transmission permission area, a device that manages content transmits data of the content to the terminal device.

Images