JP4088909B2 - Content billing method and billing center - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a content billing method for charging for distribution of paid content.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a method of providing paid content, a decryption key is supplied to the viewer, the content supply side performs encryption processing on the content and broadcasts, and the viewer receives the encrypted content received first. A method has been realized in which a video or the like is decrypted by using the decryption key.
[0003]
Then, the encrypted content is stored in the hard disk device on the viewer side so that the degree of freedom of the service can be further increased and the service can be immediately provided according to the request of the viewer. In response to this request, an on-demand system has been devised in which a decryption key is supplied to a viewer for charging and the content can be viewed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the viewer holds the encrypted content as described above, the encrypted content may be illegally decrypted and used, and the content cannot be sufficiently protected. In addition, when the content is illegally decrypted and used, the content cannot be charged, resulting in a large disadvantage on the content providing side.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a content billing method and the like that can safely provide paid content.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a content billing method and the like that can reliably charge the content supply.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a content billing method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
  In a content billing method in a system that charges a user by supplying content to a viewer,
  For each content, a separation step that separates the content for distribution in which one or more portions are missing and the missing content in the missing portion;
  A distribution step of distributing the distribution content to a receiving device of each viewer and storing the distribution content in a storage device;
Possessing missing position information indicating the position of each part of missing content in the content for each content at a predetermined center;
  SaidIn response to a content viewing request from the receiving device, the center has a missing content specified by the viewing request.Referring to the missing position information, the distribution priority of each part is calculated, and the parts of each missing content are supplied based on the calculated priority.And a control step for performing charging processing for the request source,
  In the receiving device that receives the supply of the missing content, a playback step of playing back the content using the missing content and the distribution content read from the storage device;
  It is characterized by providing.
[0007]
According to such a configuration, the receiving device of each viewer does not hold all the data of the content in advance, but holds what lacks a part of the content. In response to the request of the user, the missing part of the content is supplied and billing is performed, so that it is impossible to obtain complete data of the content using only the data held by the receiving device before billing. Therefore, it is possible to realize a safe system that protects the content, and a system that can reliably charge the content supply.
[0008]
The control step may supply parts of each missing content based on the usage status of at least one of a communication line and a computer that controls delivery of the missing content, and the calculated priority. .
[0009]
  The missing position information may be information indicating an elapsed time from the start of reproduction of each part of the missing content for the content.
[0010]
  The content viewing request from the receiving device includes playback point information indicating the current playback point of the content,
The control step may calculate the distribution priority of each part by referring to the missing position information so that the priority of the part of the missing content that is closer to the reproduction point indicated by the reproduction point information is higher. .
[0011]
  The billing center according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
  A billing center for a system that charges a user by supplying content to a viewer,
  About the content, a means for separating the content for distribution in which one or a plurality of parts are missing, and the missing content of the missing part;
  Storage means for storing the separated content for distribution and missing content;
Means for storing, for each content, missing position information indicating the position of each part of the missing content in the content;
  In response to a content viewing request from a receiving device of a viewer who has delivered the distributed content, the content missing content specified by the content identification code included in the viewing requestReferring to the missing position information, the distribution priority of each part is calculated, and each missing content based on the calculated priorityIs read from the storage means and supplied to the request source, and control means for performing billing processing for the viewer specified by the viewer identification code included in the viewing request;
  It is characterized by providing.
[0012]
According to such a configuration, in response to a request from a receiving device that possesses a part of the content that is missing, the content is supplied and charged by the receiving device before the billing. Since it becomes impossible to acquire complete data of content using only the data that is stored, it is possible to protect the content and to charge the content supply reliably.
[0014]
The control means may supply parts of each missing content based on the usage status of at least one of a communication line and a computer that controls delivery of the missing content, and the calculated priority. .
Thereby, efficient distribution according to the current situation becomes possible.
[0015]
The content viewing request from the receiving device includes playback point information indicating the current playback point of the content,
The control means may calculate the priority of distribution of each part with reference to the missing position information so that the priority of the part of the missing content closer to the reproduction point indicated by the reproduction point information is higher. .
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A content billing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the content billing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a download billing center 1, a broadcast station center 3, a key management center 5, and a receiving device 7. In this system, an IC card 8 is distributed to each viewer, and the IC card 8 stores a unique encryption key for each card.
[0018]
The download billing center 1 includes an encoder 11, a divider 13, a download content storage unit 15, a missing content storage unit 16, a billing management unit 17, and a billing information storage unit 19.
[0019]
The encoder 11 converts the paid content of the analog video into digital data and sends it to the divider 13. The encoder 11 includes, for example, an MPEG2 encoder.
[0020]
The divider 13 receives the input of the paid content and, based on the designation from the right holder of the paid content, deletes the designated part from the paid content and separates it into a missing part and other parts. Process. If the pay content is digital data, the data is input as it is and separation processing is performed. If the pay content is an analog video, the data converted into digital data by the encoder 11 is received. Perform separation processing.
[0021]
In this separation process, first, the divider 13 accepts input of parameters for specifying a portion to be lost, such as a loss start time and a loss period, from the right holder of the paid content. Then, the missing part is identified based on the input parameters (missing start time, missing period, etc.), and the pay content is separated into the missing part and the other parts.
[0022]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a missing part of paid content is specified in response to specification of a parameter for identifying a missing part, parts P2 and P4 corresponding to the missing part and parts P1 other than the missing part, Separate into P3 and P5. Hereinafter, parts corresponding to the missing part are referred to as “missing content”, and parts other than the missing part are referred to as “downloaded content”.
[0023]
The divider 13 gives a header (part header) to each separated part. The part header includes data such as content type, content ID, part order, and part size, as shown in FIG.
Further, the divider 13 collects the download contents and adds a header (content header). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the content header includes data such as a content type, a content ID, a list of missing part numbers, a content viewing permission period, and other information related to the content.
[0024]
The divider 13 stores the downloaded content and the missing content in the download content storage unit 15 and the missing content in the missing content storage unit 16 for the separated download content and missing content, respectively.
[0025]
The download content storage unit 15 stores the download content separated by the divider 13. The download content is delivered to the broadcasting station center 3 via communication or a medium.
The missing content storage unit 16 stores the missing content separated by the divider 13.
[0026]
In response to the viewing request from the receiving device 7, the billing management unit 17 generates billing information including the receiver ID and content ID included in the viewing request and the billing amount for viewing the content, and stores billing information Store in unit 19. For example, the billing amount may be determined with reference to a table in which the content ID and the billing amount are associated with each other. Then, the missing content corresponding to the requested content ID is read from the missing content storage unit 16 and transmitted to the requesting receiving device 7.
The charging information storage unit 19 stores the charging information generated by the charging management unit 17.
[0027]
The broadcasting station center 3 includes a download content storage unit 31, a scrambler 33, a multiplexing processing unit 35, and a transmission control unit 37, and distributes the download content to the receiving device 7 of each viewer in advance.
The download content storage unit 31 stores the download content delivered from the download billing center 1 by the broadcast station center 3 via a medium or communication.
The scrambler 33 scrambles the downloaded content using the content encryption key acquired from the key management center 5.
[0028]
The multiplexing processing unit 35 multiplexes the download content scrambled by the scrambler 33 together with predetermined key information for each viewer acquired from the key management center 5. Here, the key information is information for descrambling the scrambled download content on the viewer side.
The sending control unit 37 sends the data multiplexed by the multiplexing processing unit 35. The data sent out by the sending control unit 37 is sent to each receiving device 7 through broadcast media.
[0029]
The key management center 5 includes a key information storage unit 51 and a key supply unit 53.
The key information storage unit 51 stores a content encryption key used for scrambled download content, a content decryption key for descrambling the scrambled download content, and the like. The key information storage unit 51 further stores an encryption key or the like stored in each viewer's IC card.
The key supply unit 53 supplies the content encryption key and the key information of each IC card obtained by encrypting the content decryption key with the encryption key of each viewer's IC card to the broadcasting station center 3.
[0030]
The reception device 7 includes a reception unit 71, a separation unit 72, a descrambler 73, an IC card processing unit 74, a content storage unit 75, a control unit 76, a missing content storage unit 77, and a decoder 78. And connected to AV equipment such as a television receiver and audio equipment.
[0031]
The receiving unit 71 receives data broadcast from the broadcasting station center 3.
The separating unit 72 separates the broadcast data received by the receiving unit 71 into key information and scrambled data. Then, the separated key information is decrypted using the encryption key read from the IC card 8 via the IC card processing unit 74 to obtain a content decryption key.
[0032]
The descrambler 73 descrambles the data scrambled with the decryption key acquired by the separation unit 72, acquires download data, and stores it in the content storage unit 75.
The IC card processing unit 74 includes an IC card reader / writer, reads an encryption key stored in the IC card 8, and supplies it to the descrambler 73.
The content storage unit 75 includes a hard disk device or the like, and stores download data descrambled by the descrambler 73.
[0033]
The control unit 76 performs a predetermined reproduction process in response to a content reproduction instruction input from the viewer. In this reproduction process, the designated download content is read from the content storage unit 75, and a list of missing part numbers in the content header is referenced to determine whether the missing content has already been acquired. For example, if there is a missing content corresponding to the missing content storage unit 77 that stores the acquired missing content, it is determined that the missing content has been acquired, and viewing permission is obtained by referring to the content header of the downloaded content After checking the period and the like, the download content and the missing content are sequentially sent to the decoder 78 based on the part order in each part header.
[0034]
If it is determined that the corresponding missing content has not been acquired, the control unit 76 issues a viewing request including the receiver ID stored in a memory (not shown) and the content ID of the downloaded content. The data is transmitted to the download billing center 1 and the corresponding missing content is acquired from the download billing center 1.
Then, the acquired missing content is stored in the missing content storage unit 77, and after checking the viewing permission period etc. for the downloaded content and the missing content, the download content and the missing content are each decoded based on the part order in each part header. Send to 78.
[0035]
The missing content storage unit 77 stores the missing content acquired from the download charging center 1 by the control unit 76.
The decoder 78 decodes the digital data supplied from the control unit 76 and outputs video data and the like acquired to an AV device such as a television receiver.
[0036]
Next, the flow of processing for supplying content in the content billing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The download billing center 1 receives paid content from the right holder of the content, performs an encoding process in which the paid content is analog video and converts it to digital data by the encoder 11 (S1). The paid content is supplied to the divider 13 as it is.
[0037]
The divider 13 performs a separation process for separating the pay content into the download content and the missing content based on the parameters specified by the right holder of the pay content (S2), and the download content storage unit 15 and the missing content storage unit, respectively. 16 and stored (S3). Then, the download content stored in the download content storage unit 15 is delivered to the broadcasting station center 3 via communication or a medium (S4).
[0038]
The scrambler 33 of the broadcasting station center 3 scrambles the downloaded content delivered from the download billing center 1 using the content encryption key Ks acquired from the key management center 5 (S5).
Next, the multiplexing processing unit 35 multiplexes the scrambled download content together with the key information (Kw) Km acquired from the key management center 5 (S6). The key information (Kw) Km is generated by encrypting the content decryption key Kw for descrambling the scrambled download content with the encryption key Km stored in each IC card 8. .
The sending control unit 37 sends the multiplexed digital data (S7), and the digital data is broadcast via the broadcast media (S8).
[0039]
The receiving unit 71 of each viewer's receiving device 7 receives the broadcast data (S9), and the separating unit 72 separates the received data into key information and scrambled data, and also to the IC card 8. Using the stored encryption key Km, the key information (Kw) Km is decrypted to obtain the content decryption key Kw (S10).
The descrambler 73 descrambles the scrambled data using the content decryption key Kw, acquires the download data, and stores it in the content storage unit 75 (S11, S12).
As a result, the downloaded content is supplied to the viewer's receiving device 7 and stored in the content storage unit 75.
[0040]
When the viewer views paid content, for example, the receiving device 7 is operated to display a list of paid content stored in the content storage unit 75 on a display unit (not shown) or a television receiver, and playback. Select the target paid content and input a playback instruction.
The receiving device 7 receives a reproduction instruction from the viewer (S13), determines whether or not the missing content of the selected pay content has already been acquired, and if not yet acquired, A viewing request including the ID and content ID is transmitted to the download billing center 1 (S14).
[0041]
In response to the viewing request from the receiving device 7, the billing management unit 17 of the download billing center 1 receives the receiver ID and content ID included in the viewing request, and the billing amount for viewing the pay content specified by the content ID. Are generated and stored in the charging information storage unit 19 (S15). Then, the missing content corresponding to the requested content ID is read from the missing content storage unit 16 and transmitted to the requesting receiving device 7 (S16).
[0042]
The control unit 76 of the receiving device 7 stores the received missing content in the missing content storage unit 77 and sends the download content and the missing content to the decoder 78 based on the part order of each part header. In response to this, the decoder 78 decodes the digital data of the content (S17) and outputs the video to an AV device or the like (S18).
[0043]
Also, if the missing content has already been acquired for the paid content selected by the viewer, the download content and the previously acquired missing content are decoded without communication with the download billing center 1. To output video (S17, S18).
[0044]
Next, pay content playback processing by the receiving device 7 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control unit 76 of the receiving device 7 reads the downloaded content corresponding to the selected paid content from the content storage unit 75 and reads the content header in accordance with the paid content selection and playback instruction (step S21). . Then, by referring to the missing part list in the read content header, it is determined whether or not the corresponding missing content has been acquired (step S22). Specifically, it is determined whether or not missing content is stored in the missing content storage unit 77.
[0045]
If it is determined in step S22 that the missing content has not been acquired, a viewing request including the receiver ID and the content ID is transmitted to the download billing center 1, and all the missing content is acquired (step S23).
Further, the viewable period in the content header read in step S21 is acquired (step S24).
[0046]
Next, it is determined whether or not the payable content can be viewed by checking the viewable period acquired in step S24 (step S25).
If it is determined that the content can be viewed, the download content and the missing content are supplied to the decoder 78 based on the part order in each part header and decoded, and the pay content is reproduced (step S26).
[0047]
If it is determined in step S22 that the missing content has already been acquired, it is determined whether or not the paid content is viewable (step S25). Is reproduced (step S26). If it is determined in step S25 that the content is not viewable due to the end of the viewable period or the like, the download content and the missing content are deleted (step S27).
[0048]
As described above, the receiver 7 of each viewer does not store all the data of the paid content in advance, but retains a portion of the paid content that is missing. In response to a request from the user, the content of the missing part is supplied and billed. As a result, it becomes impossible to acquire complete data of the paid content using only the download data stored in the receiving device 7 before billing, so that fraud is prevented and the content is protected. It is possible to realize a secure system that can perform the charging, and to reliably charge the content supply.
[0049]
Further, in this system, since the downloaded content and the missing content are separate, even if the missing content is not acquired during the reproduction of the downloaded content, the reproduction is not affected.
[0050]
In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the content is reproduced after all the missing content is acquired. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the defective content is acquired sequentially or collectively while starting the reproduction. May be.
[0051]
In the above description, the payable content is set to a viewable period, and the content can be viewed repeatedly without being charged within the period. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content can be viewed A one-time method of charging each time may be adopted. A reproduction process in the receiving device 7 in this case will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0052]
First, the control unit 76 of the receiving device 7 reads the download content corresponding to the selected paid content from the content storage unit 75 and reads the content header in accordance with the selection and playback instruction of the paid content (step S31). .
[0053]
Next, in order to sequentially reproduce each part Pi of the content, a predetermined initialization process (i = 0) is performed (step S32), and it is determined whether the process for all parts is completed (step S33). If the processing has not been completed for all parts, it is determined whether the part Pi is download content or missing content (step S34). This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether or not the part Pi exists in the missing part list in the content header.
[0054]
If it is determined in step S34 that the part Pi is download content, the corresponding part Pi is read from the content storage unit 75 (step S35), supplied to the decoder 78, decoded, and the part Pi is reproduced. (Step S36).
If it is determined that the part Pi is missing content, if there is missing content at the time of the previous playback in the missing content storage unit 77, it is deleted (step S37) and connected to the download billing center 1 to connect to the part Pi. Is obtained by requesting (step S38), supplied to the decoder 78 for decoding, and the part Pi is reproduced (step S36).
[0055]
After supplying the part Pi to the decoder 78 in step S36, i is counted up (step S39), the process returns to step S33, and the part Pi is determined until it is determined that the processing for all the parts constituting the content is completed. The process (steps S34 to S39) is continued.
Then, in step S33, when it is determined that the processing for all parts constituting the content is completed, the processing is terminated.
[0056]
As a result, the receiving device 7 needs to connect to the download billing center 1 every time the paid content is viewed and acquire the missing content. Can be charged.
Note that the charging timing by the download charging center 1 in this one-time method is arbitrary. For example, when the first part in the missing content is supplied in response to a parts request from the receiving device 7, the charging for the paid content is performed. May be performed.
[0057]
In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the missing content is sequentially acquired while starting the reproduction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the content may be reproduced after all the missing content is acquired.
[0058]
In addition, in order to efficiently supply missing content, the priority of distribution is increased for each missing content that is immediately required for playback processing, and for content that has sufficient time to be played. May set the distribution priority to be low and distribute the missing content based on this priority. Characteristic portions in this modification will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the download charging center 1 includes a distribution priority calculation unit 41, a distributable priority monitoring unit 42, and a missing content information storage unit 43 in addition to the system configuration described above. The distribution priority calculation unit 41 calculates a distribution level indicating the distribution priority for the missing content requested from the receiving device 7. The distributable priority monitoring unit 42 monitors the operating status of a server or the like that performs distribution in the download billing center 1 and the load status of the communication network, and determines the distribution level (distributable level) of missing content that can be distributed at present. get. The missing content information storage unit 43 stores, for each missing content, missing content information indicating a portion of the missing content in the entire content (eg, how many minutes and seconds after the start).
[0059]
In FIG. 8, the control unit 76 of the receiving device 7 reads the download content of the designated pay content from the content storage unit 75 and reads the content header in accordance with the pay content playback instruction from the viewer (S41). ). Of the designated pay content, a reproducible portion (downloaded content or the like) is sent to the decoder 78 for video output (S42), and playback point information indicating the current content playback position (playback point). Is acquired, and a missing content acquisition request including the receiver ID, content ID, missing part number list, playback point information, etc. is transmitted to the download billing center 1 (S43).
[0060]
Upon receiving the missing content acquisition request from the receiving device 7, the charging management unit 17 of the download billing center 1 reads out the corresponding missing content information from the missing content information storage unit 43 for the requested missing content, and from the receiving device 7. To the distribution priority calculation unit 41 together with the reproduction point information. For example, the distribution priority calculation unit 41 calculates the distribution level of each missing content using a predetermined function such that the level value of the missing content part closer to the playback point becomes higher, and transmits it to the charge management unit 17. (S44).
[0061]
In addition, the charge management unit 17 acquires the distributable level value at that time from the distributable priority monitoring unit 42 (S45). Then, from among the parts of each missing content requested from the receiving device 7, those whose distribution level is equal to or higher than the distributable level value are selected and distributed to the requesting receiving device 7 (S46).
[0062]
The receiving device 7 stores the received missing content in the missing content storage unit 77 (S47). Then, it is determined whether or not all requested missing contents have been acquired. If there is any missing contents, a request for acquiring missing contents is sent to the download billing center 1 again after a certain period of time. Further, if necessary, the missing content is read from the missing content storage unit 77 and supplied to the decoder 78.
[0063]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when user A sends a download request for missing content to download charge center 1 for parts PA 1 and PA 2 and user B for parts PB 1 and PB 2, calculation is performed at download charge center 1. When the distribution level of each part (part PA1, part PA2, part PB1, part PB2) is “100”, “30”, “70”, “10”, respectively, and the distributable level is “40” The parts PA1 and parts PB1 whose level values are equal to or higher than the distributable level are delivered to the requesting user A and user B, respectively.
[0064]
In this way, the priority of distribution is set high for missing content that is needed immediately for playback, and the priority is set low for missing content that has sufficient time before playback. By monitoring the load status of the server that performs traffic and distribution, for example, when there is a request for acquisition of missing content all at once, the missing content with higher priority is supplied first, and the missing content with lower priority is later Efficient distribution is possible according to the current situation of supply.
[0065]
Moreover, you may make it supply to each receiving device 7 in an order from a high priority level, without using a distributable level.
[0066]
Further, as download data to be stored in each receiving device 7 in advance, for a specified portion of the content data, data obtained by cutting out all I frames out of the frames within the specified range may be used. In this case, video data for replacing the designated portion as the missing content data may be used, or the I frame may be supplemented for the designated portion using data relating to the I frame. In addition, a part of the screen configuration image may be excised from the I frame (for example, the right half pixel may be removed). Further, the designated frequency component in the unit cell may be cut off (for example, the average pixel value is removed).
[0067]
In addition, the pay content once acquired may be permanently viewed without specifying the viewable period.
[0068]
One center may have at least two functions of the download charging center 1, the broadcasting station center 3, and the key management center 5.
[0069]
The system of the present invention can be realized using a normal computer system, not a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program from a medium (floppy disk, CD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing the above-described operation in a computer, the download charging center 1 and the broadcast station center 3 that execute the above-described processing. The key management center 5 and the receiving device 7 can be configured. Note that when the OS realizes the above functions by sharing the OS or jointly of the OS and the application, only the part other than the OS may be stored in the medium.
[0070]
It is also possible to superimpose a program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and distributed via the network.
The above-described processing can be executed by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the receiving device of each viewer has a missing part of the content and supplies the missing part of the content in response to a request from the viewer. In addition, since charging is performed, the content can be protected, and charging for the supply of content can be reliably performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a content billing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining download content and missing content.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a part header.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a content header.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining processing for supplying content in the content billing system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of pay content playback processing by the receiving apparatus;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a one-time reproduction process performed by a receiving apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining processing in the case where distribution priority is calculated for a missing content and the missing content is distributed based on the calculated priority;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for specifically explaining the delivery of missing content based on priority.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Download Billing Center
11 Encoder
13 Divider
15 Download content storage
16 Missing content storage
17 Billing Management Department
19 Billing information storage unit
3 Broadcasting station center
31 Download content storage
33 Scrambler
35 Multiplexing processing unit
37 Sending control unit
5 Key management center
51 Key information storage unit
53 Key Supply Unit
7 Receiver
71 Receiver
72 Separation part
73 Descrambler
74 IC card processor
75 Content storage
76 Control unit
77 Missing content storage
78 decoder
8 IC card

Claims (8)

In a content billing method in a system that charges a user by supplying content to a viewer,
For each content, a separation step that separates the content for distribution in which one or more portions are missing and the missing content in the missing portion;
A distribution step of distributing the distribution content to a receiving device of each viewer and storing the distribution content in a storage device;
Possessing missing position information indicating the position of each part of missing content in the content for each content at a predetermined center;
In response to the content viewing request from the receiving device, the center calculates the priority of distribution of each part with reference to the missing position information for the missing content of the content specified by the viewing request . A control step of supplying each missing content part based on the priority and performing a billing process for the request source;
In the receiving device that receives the supply of the missing content, a playback step of playing back the content using the missing content and the distribution content read from the storage device;
A content billing method comprising: The control step supplies parts of each missing content based on the usage status of at least one of a communication line and a computer that controls delivery of the missing content, and the calculated priority,
The content charging method according to claim 1 , wherein: The missing position information is information indicating an elapsed time from the start of reproduction of each part of the missing content in the content for each content.
  The content billing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The content viewing request from the receiving device includes playback point information indicating the current playback point of the content,
  The control step refers to the missing position information, and calculates the priority of delivery of each part so that the priority of the part of the missing content that is closer to the playback point indicated by the playback point information is higher.
  The content charging method according to claim 3, wherein: A billing center for a system that charges a user by supplying content to a viewer,
About the content, a means for separating the content for distribution in which one or a plurality of parts are missing, and the missing content of the missing part;
Storage means for storing the separated content for distribution and missing content;
Means for storing, for each content, missing position information indicating the position of each part of the missing content in the content;
In response to a content viewing request from a receiving device of a viewer who has delivered the distributed content , the missing position information is obtained for the missing content of the content specified by the content identification code included in the viewing request. Referring to calculate the distribution priority of each part, read out each missing content from the storage means based on the calculated priority , supply it to the request source, and specify from the viewer identification code included in the viewing request Control means for performing a billing process for the viewer
A billing center comprising: The control means supplies parts of each missing content based on the usage status of at least one of a communication line and a computer that controls the delivery of the missing content, and the calculated priority.
6. A charging center according to claim 5 , wherein   The missing position information is information indicating an elapsed time from the start of reproduction of each part of the missing content in the content for each content.
  The billing center according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The content viewing request from the receiving device includes playback point information indicating the current playback point of the content,
  The control means refers to the missing position information, and calculates the delivery priority of each part so that the priority of the part of the missing content that is closer to the playback point indicated by the playback point information is higher.
  The billing center according to claim 7, wherein:

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