Server, distribution system, distribution method and terminal

• US 7,483,957 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sako, Yoichiro, Tange, Akira, Utsumi, Yoshimasa, Furukawa, Shunsuke, Inokuchi, Tatsuya, Sakurai, Kazuko, Toriyama, Mitsuru, Kudo, Junichi, Nakagawa, Tomihiro, Kijima, Kaoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Follansbee; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHILLIPS, HASSAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/950,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,694 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/215, 709/223, 707/10
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

The present invention provides a content-on-demand system capable of managing users'"'"' system-utilization frequencies such as download counts and connection times as well as changing the quality of a content transmitted from a server to a user in dependence on the system-utilization frequency of the user. Thus, a high-quality content or a highly functional content is provided to a user with a high system-utilization frequency. By differentiating contents provided to users in accordance with the system-utilization frequencies of the users, network businesses can be activated.

Claims

1. A server comprising:

content storing means for storing content items;

user related information storing means for storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

receiving means for receiving user identification information identifying a user from the plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

subdata storing means for storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

comparison means for comparing the user identification information received by the receiving means with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the user related information storing means;

determination means for determining a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparison means;

control means for selecting a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level; and

transmitting means for electronically transmitting the selected subdata item with the selected content item to the user,

wherein the content items stored in the content storing means are audio content items and the subdata items stored in the subdata storing means include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

2. The server according to claim 1 wherein the subdata items stored in the subdata storing means are at least one of jacket images, librettos, liner notes, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addresses.

3. The server according to claim 1 wherein the content items include game program data.

4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the utilization level is calculated using the cost of the previously purchased content items.

5. The server according to claim 1, wherein the utilization level is calculated using the accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user.

6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the utilization level is calculated using the download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user.

7. The server according to claim 1, wherein the subdata items transmitted with the selected content item include at least one of jacket images, librettos, or liner notes.

8. A distribution system comprising an information center and a plurality of terminals connected to the information center by a communication line, the information center comprising:

content storing means for storing content items;

user related information storing means for storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

receiving means for receiving user identification information identifying a user from a plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

subdata storing means for storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

comparison means for comparing the user identification information received by the receiving means with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the user related information storing means;

determination means for determining a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparison means;

control means for selecting a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level; and

transmitting means for electronically transmitting the selected subdata item with the selected content item to one of the plurality of terminals,

wherein the content items stored in the content storing means are audio content items and the subdata items stored in the subdata storing means include additional information for increasing audio Quality of the audio content items.

9. The distribution system according to claim 8 wherein the subdata items stored in the subdata storing means are at least one of jacket images, librettos, liner notes, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addresses.

10. The distribution system according to claim 8 wherein the content items include game program data.

11. A distribution method comprising the steps of:

storing content items;

storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

receiving user identification information identifying a user from the plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

comparing the user identification information with the user related information corresponding to the user;

determining a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information;

selecting a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level; and

electronically transmitting the selected subdata item with the selected content item to the user,

wherein the stored content items are audio content items and the stored subdata items include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

12. A terminal capable of communicating with an information center through a communication line connecting the terminal to the information center and capable of recording and playing back data onto and from a recording medium which has a plurality of data recording areas, the terminal comprising:

transmission means for transmitting, to the information center, user identification information identifying a user and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

reception means for receiving the selected content item with a subdata item, the subdata item being selected from a plurality of subdata items based upon a utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, as determined by the information center, the selected subdata item being used to improve the selected content item when the selected content item is reproduced by the user; and

recording means for recording the selected content item and the selected subdata item in different data recording areas of the recording medium,

wherein the content items are audio content items and the subdata items include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

13. A method comprising:

transmitting, to an information center, user identification information identifying a user and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

receiving, by the user, the selected content item with a subdata item, the subdata item being selected from a plurality of subdata items based upon a utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, as determined by the information center, the selected subdata item being used to improve the selected content item when the selected content item is reproduced by the user; and

recording the selected content item and the selected subdata item in different data recording areas of a recording medium,

wherein the content items are audio content items and the subdata items include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

14. A server comprising:

a first memory storing content items;

a second memory storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

a third memory storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

a transceiver configured to receive user identification information identifying a user from the plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

a comparator configured to compare the user identification information received by the transceiver with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the third memory; and

a discriminator configured to determine a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparator and to select a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level,

wherein the transmitter electronically transmits the selected subdata item with the selected content item to the user, and

wherein the content items are audio content items and the subdata items include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

15. A distribution system comprising an information center and a plurality of terminals connected to the information center by a communication line, the information center comprising:

a first memory storing content items;

a second memory storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

a third memory storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

a transceiver configured to receive user identification information identifying a user from a plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

a comparator configured to compare the user identification information received by the transceiver with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the third memory; and

a discriminator configured to determine a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparator, the discriminator being configured to select a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level,

wherein the transceiver electronically transmits the selected subdata item with the selected content item to one of the plurality of terminals, and

wherein the content items are audio content items and the subdata items include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

16. A terminal capable of communicating with an information center through a communication line connecting the terminal to the information center and capable of recording and playing back data onto and from a recording medium which has a plurality of data recording areas, the terminal comprising:

a communication interface configured to transmit, to the information center, user identification information identifying a user and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user, and to receive the selected content item with a subdata item, the subdata item being selected from a plurality of subdata items based upon a utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, as determined by the information center, the selected subdata item being used to improve the selected content item when the selected content item is reproduced by the user; and

a disc configured to be recorded with the selected content item and the selected subdata item in different data recording areas of the disc,

wherein the content items are audio content items and the subdata items include additional information for increasing audio quality of the audio content items.

17. A server comprising:

content storing means for storing content items;

user related information storing means for storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

receiving means for receiving user identification information identifying a user from the plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

subdata storing means for storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

comparison means for comparing the user identification information received by the receiving means with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the user related information storing means;

determination means for determining a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparison means;

control means for selecting a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level; and

transmitting means for electronically transmitting the selected subdata item with the selected content item to the user,

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

18. A distribution system comprising an information center and a plurality of terminals connected to the information center by a communication line, the information center comprising:

content storing means for storing content items;

user related information storing means for storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

receiving means for receiving user identification information identifying a user from a plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

subdata storing means for storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

comparison means for comparing the user identification information received by the receiving means with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the user related information storing means;

determination means for determining a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparison means;

control means for selecting a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level; and

transmitting means for electronically transmitting the selected subdata item with the selected content item to one of the plurality of terminals,

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

19. A distribution method comprising the steps of:

storing content items;

storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

receiving user identification information identifying a user from the plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

comparing the user identification information with the user related information corresponding to the user;

determining a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information;

selecting a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level; and

electronically transmitting the selected subdata item with the selected content item to the user,

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

20. A terminal capable of communicating with an information center through a communication line connecting the terminal to the information center and capable of recording and playing back data onto and from a recording medium which has a plurality of data recording areas, the terminal comprising:

transmission means for transmitting, to the information center, user identification information identifying a user and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

reception means for receiving the selected content item with a subdata item, the subdata item being selected from a plurality of subdata items based upon a utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, as determined by the information center, the selected subdata item being used to improve the selected content item when the selected content item is reproduced by the user; and

recording means for recording the selected content item and the selected subdata item in different data recording areas of the recording medium,

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

21. A method comprising:

transmitting, to an information center, user identification information identifying a user and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

receiving, by the user, the selected content item with a subdata item, the subdata item being selected from a plurality of subdata items based upon a utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, as determined by the information center, the selected subdata item being used to improve the selected content item when the selected content item is reproduced by the user; and

recording the selected content item and the selected subdata item in different data recording areas of a recording medium,

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

22. A server comprising:

a first memory storing content items;

a second memory storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

a third memory storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

a transceiver configured to receive user identification information identifying a user from the plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

a comparator configured to compare the user identification information received by the transceiver with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the third memory; and

a discriminator configured to determine a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparator and to select a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level,

wherein the transmitter electronically transmits the selected subdata item with the selected content item to the user, and

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

23. A distribution system comprising an information center and a plurality of terminals connected to the information center by a communication line, the information center comprising:

a first memory storing content items;

a second memory storing subdata items corresponding to the content items, the subdata items being used to improve a corresponding content item when the corresponding content item is reproduced by a user;

a third memory storing user related information corresponding to a plurality of users;

a transceiver configured to receive user identification information identifying a user from a plurality of users and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user;

a comparator configured to compare the user identification information received by the transceiver with the user related information corresponding to the user stored in the third memory; and

a discriminator configured to determine a utilization level for the user, the utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, wherein the utilization level is determined by evaluating the user related information from the comparator, the discriminator being configured to select a subdata item corresponding to the selected content item based on the user'"'"'s utilization level,

wherein the transceiver electronically transmits the selected subdata item with the selected content item to one of the plurality of terminals, and

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.

24. A terminal capable of communicating with an information center through a communication line connecting the terminal to the information center and capable of recording and playing back data onto and from a recording medium which has a plurality of data recording areas, the terminal comprising:

a communication interface configured to transmit, to the information center, user identification information identifying a user and information identifying a content item selected for purchase by the user, and to receive the selected content item with a subdata item, the subdata item being selected from a plurality of subdata items based upon a utilization level calculated using one or more of a cost of content items previously purchased by the user, an accumulated connection time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, or a download time for downloading the previously purchased content items to the user, as determined by the information center, the selected subdata item being used to improve the selected content item when the selected content item is reproduced by the user; and

a disc configured to be recorded with the selected content item and the selected subdata item in different data recording areas of the disc,

wherein the content items include pictures, and the subdata items include additional information for increasing picture quality of the picture content items.