Digital data dealing system

Abstract

A transaction managing portion 2, a copyright owner 3 of digital data, a user 4 of digital data, and a transaction intermediary 5 who intermediates transactions are connected through a communication network using the Internet. The transaction managing portion 2 stores digital data, encryption key data, chronological change of the circulation number of the encryption key data, chronological change of the number of transactions, identification information of the transaction intermediary 5 and the user 4, and so forth. In addition, the transaction managing portion 2 decides whether or not transactions are concluded corresponding to the number of demanded digital data and the number of supplied digital data supplied through the communication network, identification information and asset information of people concerned with the transactions, identification of encryption key data, and so forth and performs data distributing and charging processes and so forth. Moreover, the transaction managing portion 2 manages transaction data of encryption key data such as the circulation number thereof, the number of concluded transactions thereof, and the transaction prices thereof and publicizes the transaction data on the network.

1 . A digital data selling and buying transaction system for performing selling and buying transactions for an encryption key for encrypted digital data among a plurality of terminal units connected through a communication network, comprising the processes of: 
 receiving buying request data representing a buying order and a buying condition for the encryption key for the encrypted digital data, the buying request data being transmitted through the communication network;    receiving selling request data representing a selling request and a selling condition for the encryption key for the encrypted digital data, the selling request data being transmitted trough the communication network;    deciding a transaction price for the encryption key for the digital data corresponding to the received buying request data and selling request data for the encryption key; and    concluding transactions of the buying request and the selling request corresponding to the decided transaction price.    
     
     
         2 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the process of: 
 storing information with respect to selling and buying transactions.    
     
     
         3 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the process of: 
 publicizing the information with respect to selling and buying transactions through the communication network.    
     
     
         4 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the use of the digital data has been limited.    
     
     
         5 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the digital data is character data.    
     
     
         6 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the digital data is picture data.    
     
     
         7 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the digital data is audio data.    
     
     
         8 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the digital data is program data for a game.    
     
     
         9 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the process of: 
 storing the digital data to a device that performs a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions.    
     
     
         10 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed corresponding to the transaction price.    
     
     
         11 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 10 , 
 wherein the transaction price is stored in a device that performs a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions as the time elapses.    
     
     
         12 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed corresponding to information with respect to people concerned with selling and buying transactions.    
     
     
         13 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 12 , 
 wherein the information with respect to the people concerned contains identification information and personal information thereof.    
     
     
         14 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the process of: 
 publicizing part or all of information with respect to a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions through the communication network.    
     
     
         15 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein part of all of information with respect to a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is stored and the stored content is frequently rewritten.    
     
     
         16 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein buyer side data that represents the buying condition is data with respect to a buying price.    
     
     
         17 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein buyer side data that represents the buying condition is data with respect to a buying transaction execution date.    
     
     
         18 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein buyer side data that represents the buying condition is data with respect to a buying transaction settlement method.    
     
     
         19 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein seller side data that represents the selling condition is data with respect to a selling price.    
     
     
         20 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein seller side data that represents the selling condition is data with respect to a selling transaction execution date.    
     
     
         21 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein seller side data that represents the selling condition is data with respect to a selling transaction settlement method.    
     
     
         22 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the process of: 
 settling concluded selling and buying transactions and generating data with respect to a paying and receiving process corresponding to the settled result.    
     
     
         23 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 22 , further comprising the process of: 
 rewriting asset information of personal information of people concerned with the settled selling and buying transactions so as to pay and/or receive the price with respect to the selling and buying transactions.    
     
     
         24 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 22 , 
 wherein the digital data has been encrypted so as to limit the use thereof, and    wherein the digital data is converted into data that can be used by a process performed with auxiliary data corresponding to the digital data.    
     
     
         25 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , 
 wherein the transaction price is decided for the auxiliary digital data.    
     
     
         26 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , further comprising the process of: 
 storing the auxiliary digital data to a device that performs a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions.    
     
     
         27 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed corresponding to identification information of the auxiliary digital data.    
     
     
         28 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed corresponding to the number of the buyer side data and/or the number of the seller side data with respect to the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data.    
     
     
         29 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 28 , 
 wherein the number of the buyer side data and/or the number of the seller side data with respect to the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data are stored in a device that performs a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions as the time elapses.    
     
     
         30 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed corresponding to the number of the digital data and/or the number of the auxiliary digital data that can be supplied and/or received.    
     
     
         31 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 30 , 
 wherein the number of the digital data and/or the number of the auxiliary digital data that can be supplied and/or received are stored in a device that performs a process for concluding the selling and buying transactions as the time elapses.    
     
     
         32 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed with:    the number and contents of the buyer side data and/or the number and contents of the seller side data corresponding to the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data, and    the number of the digital data and/or the number of the auxiliary digital data that can be supplied and/or received, and    wherein selling and buying transactions concluding process comprises the process of: 
 reading the number of the buyer side data and/or the number of the seller side data corresponding to the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data and the number of the digital data and/or the number of the auxiliary digital data that can be supplied and/or received, the number of the buyer side data, the number of seller side data, the number of the digital data, and the number of the auxiliary digital data having been stored; and  
 deciding a transaction price corresponding to data that is read by the first reading process.  
   
     
     
         33 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , 
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions is performed corresponding to: 
 information with respect to people concerned with the selling and buying transactions,  
 identification information of the auxiliary digital data, and  
 a transaction price decided for the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data, and  
 wherein the process for concluding the selling and buying transactions comprises the processes of: 
 reading the information with respect to the people concerned, the identification information of the auxiliary digital data, and the transaction price decided for the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data, the information with respect to the people concerned, the identification information of the auxiliary digital data, and the transaction price decided for the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data having being stored; and  
 deciding the transaction price corresponding to the data that is read by the second reading process.  
 
   
     
     
         34 . The digital data selling and buying transaction system as set forth in  claim 24 , further comprising the process of: 
 transmitting the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data with respect to the concluded selling and buying transactions to a buyer with respect to the concluded selling and buying transactions through the communication network.    
     
     
         35 . An auxiliary digital data selling and buying system, comprising: a selling processing device for performing a process for selling auxiliary digital data with respect to a process for canceling the limitation of the use of digital data; a buying processing device for performing a process for buying the auxiliary digital data; and a selling and buying processing device for performing a process for receiving a selling request from said selling processing device and a buying request from said buying processing device and concluding selling and buying transactions, said selling processing device, said buying processing device, and said selling and buying processing device being connected through a communication network, 
 wherein said selling processing device comprises: 
 transmitting means for transmitting user identification information and a selling request of a selling applicant of the auxiliary digital data through the communication network,  
 receiving means for receiving a selling notification for the digital data transmitted from said selling and buying processing device through the communication network,  
 erasing means having a function for erasing the auxiliary digital data, and  
 controlling means for controlling said transmitting means so that the user identification information and the selling request are transmitted to said selling and buying processing device and controlling said erasing means so that the auxiliary data is erased when said receiving means has received the selling notification transmitted from said selling and buying processing device through the communication network,  
 wherein said buying processing device comprises: 
 transmitting means for transmitting user identification information and a buying request of a buying applicant of the auxiliary digital data through the communication network,  
 receiving means for receiving a buying notification of the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data transmitted from said selling and buying processing device through the communication network, and  
 controlling means for controlling said transmitting means so that the user identification information and the buying request are transmitted to said selling and buying processing device through the communication network, and  
 wherein said selling and buying processing device comprises: 
 receiving means for receiving the user identification information and the selling request transmitted from said selling processing device through the communication network and/or the user identification information and the buying request transmitted from said buying processing device through the communication network,  
 storing means for storing user management information and the auxiliary digital data, the user management information correlating the user identification information and information that represents the state of ownership of the auxiliary digital data and the digital data,  
 selling and buying transaction concluding processing means for concluding the selling and buying transactions of the auxiliary digital data corresponding to the user identification information and the selling request received by said receiving means from said selling processing device and the user identification information and the buying request received by said receiving means from said buying processing device,  
 transmitting means having a function for transmitting the auxiliary digital data and a selling notification thereof through the communication network, and  
 controlling means for performing a process for updating the user management information stored in said storing means corresponding to the user identification information of the selling applicant and/or the user identification information of the buying applicant received by said receiving means, a process for reading the auxiliary digital data to be transmitted from said storing means to the buying applicant, a process for controlling said transmitting means so that the auxiliary digital data that has been read to said buying processing device, and a process for controlling said transmitting means so that the selling notification is transmitted to said selling processing device, when the selling and buying transactions of the auxiliary digital data have been concluded.  
 
 
   
     
     
         36 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 35 , 
 wherein said storing means of said selling and buying processing device further stores the digital data,    wherein said transmitting means of said selling and buying processing device has a function for transmitting the digital data, and    wherein said controlling means of said selling and buying processing device performs a process for reading the digital data to be transmitted from said storing means to the buying applicant and a process for controlling said transmitting means so that the digital data that has been read is transmitted to said buying processing device.    
     
     
         37 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 36 , 
 wherein said selling and buying processing device performs an encrypting process for the digital data with respect to the auxiliary digital data before transmitting the digital data to said buying processing device.    
     
     
         38 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 35 , 
 wherein the auxiliary digital data contains information with respect to user identification information of a person who has the right of use of the digital data corresponding to the auxiliary digital data.    
     
     
         39 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 38 , 
 wherein said selling and buying processing device performs a process for rewriting information with respect to user identification information of a person who has the right of use for digital data corresponding to the auxiliary digital data before transmitting the auxiliary digital data to said buying processing device.    
     
     
         40 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 35 , 
 wherein said selling and buying processing device further performs a process for settling concluded selling and buying transactions and generating data with respect to a paying and receiving process corresponding to the settled result.    
     
     
         41 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 40 , 
 wherein said selling and buying processing device further performs a process for rewriting asset information of personal information of people concerned with the concluded selling and buying transactions through the communication network so that the price with the selling and buying transaction is paid and/or received.    
     
     
         42 . The auxiliary digital data selling and buying system as set forth in  claim 40 , 
 wherein if a person concerned with selling and buying transactions is a selling applicant of auxiliary digital data corresponding to digital data and a buying application of auxiliary digital data corresponding to another digital data, when both selling and buying transactions corresponding to a selling request and a buying request of the person are concluded,    said selling and buying processing apparatus performs a process for calculating the sum of asset transferred in each of the concluded selling and buying transactions as part of data with respect to the paying and receiving process,    said selling and buying processing device performs a process for causing said selling processing device of the person to erase the auxiliary digital data corresponding to the digital data, and    said selling and buying processing device performs a process for transmitting the auxiliary digital data corresponding to the other digital data to said buying processing device of the person.    
     
     
         43 . The digital data selling and buying transacting method as set forth in  claim 42 , 
 wherein said selling and buying processing device further performs a process for rewriting asset information of personal information of the person concerned corresponding to the sum of the transferred asset so that the price for the selling and buying transactions is paid and/or received.    
     
     
         44 . A digital data selling and buying transaction method for performing selling and buying transactions for digital data through a wired or wireless communication network, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving buyer side data that represents a buying order for digital data and a buying condition through the communication network;    receiving seller side data that represents a selling order for digital data and a selling condition through the communication network;    deciding a transaction price of the digital data corresponding to the number and contents of the buyer side data and the number and contents of the seller side data; and    concluding the selling and buying transactions corresponding to the transaction price.    
     
     
         45 . An auxiliary digital data selling and buying method, comprising the steps of performing a process for selling auxiliary digital data with respect to a process for canceling the limitation of the use of digital data; performing a process for buying the auxiliary digital data; and performing a process for receiving a selling request from the selling processing step and a buying request from the buying processing step and concluding selling and buying transactions, the selling processing step, the buying processing step, and the selling and buying processing step being performed by transmitting and receiving data through a communication network, 
 wherein the selling processing step comprises the steps of: 
 transmitting user identification information and a selling request of a selling applicant of the auxiliary digital data through the communication network,  
 receiving a selling notification for the digital data transmitted from the selling and buying processing step through the communication network,  
 having a function for erasing the auxiliary digital data, and  
 controlling the transmitting step so that the user identification information and the selling request are transmitted to the selling and buying processing step and controlling the erasing step so that the auxiliary data is erased when the receiving step has received the selling notification transmitted from the selling and buying processing step through the communication network,  
 wherein the buying processing step comprises the steps of: 
 transmitting user identification information and a buying request of a buying applicant of the auxiliary digital data through the communication network,  
 receiving a buying notification of the digital data and/or the auxiliary digital data transmitted from the selling and buying processing step through the communication network, and  
 controlling the transmitting step so that the user identification information and the buying request are transmitted to the selling and buying processing step through the communication network, and  
 wherein the selling and buying processing step comprises the steps of: 
 receiving the user identification information and the selling request transmitted from the selling processing step through the communication network and/or the user identification information and the buying request transmitted from the buying processing step through the communication network,  
 storing user management information and the auxiliary digital data, the user management information correlating the user identification information and information that represents the state of ownership of the auxiliary digital data and the digital data,  
 concluding the selling and buying transactions of the auxiliary digital data corresponding to the user identification information and the selling request received by the receiving step from the selling processing step and the user identification information and the buying request received by the receiving step from the buying processing step,  
 having a function for transmitting the auxiliary digital data and a selling notification thereof through the communication network, and  
 performing a process for updating the user management information stored in the storing step corresponding to the user identification information of the selling applicant and/or the user identification information of the buying applicant received by the receiving step, a process for reading the auxiliary digital data to be transmitted from the storing step to the buying applicant, a process for controlling the transmitting step so that the auxiliary digital data that has been read to the buying processing step, and a process for controlling the transmitting step so that the selling notification is transmitted to the selling processing step, when the selling and buying transactions of the auxiliary digital data have been concluded.  
 
 
   
     
     
         46 . A digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus for performing selling and buying transactions for an encryption key for encrypted digital data among a plurality of terminal units connected through a communication network, comprising: 
 first receiving means for receiving buying request data that represents a buying order and a buying condition for an encryption key for encrypted digital data from a buying requesting device through the communication network;    second receiving means for receiving selling request data that represents a selling order and a selling condition for an encryption key for encrypted digital data from a selling requesting device through the communication network;    transaction condition determining means for determining whether or not transactions are concluded with the transaction conditions for the encryption key for the digital data corresponding to the buying request data for the encryption key and the selling request data for the encryption key; and    key movement controlling means for controlling the movement of the encryption key for the digital data from the selling requesting device to the buying requesting device corresponding to the concluded transactions determined by said transaction condition determining means.    
     
     
         47 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 buying request storing means for storing buying request data transmitted from the buying requesting device; and    selling request storing means for storing selling request data transmitted from the selling requesting device,    wherein said transaction condition determining means determines whether or not transactions are concluded corresponding to transaction conditions for the encryption key for the digital data, the transaction conditions being stored in said buying request storing means and said selling request storing means.    
     
     
         48 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 buying request data sorting means for sorting the buying request data stored in said buying request storing means corresponding to a predetermined condition.    
     
     
         49 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 selling request data sorting means for sorting the selling request data stored in said selling request storing means corresponding to a predetermined condition.    
     
     
         50 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 content attribute storing means for storing content attribute data that represents whether or not key data for digital data corresponding to a buying request transmitted from the buying requesting device has been permitted to be circulated; and    a first transaction permission determining portion for determining whether or not transactions for key data for digital data corresponding to a buying request transmitted from the buying requesting device can be permitted corresponding to content attribute data stored in said content attribute storing means.    
     
     
         51 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 content attribute storing means for storing content attribute data that represents whether or not key data for digital data corresponding to a selling request transmitted from the selling requesting device has been permitted to be circulated; and    a second transaction permission determining portion for determining whether or not transactions for key data for digital data corresponding to a selling request transmitted from the selling requesting device can be permitted corresponding to content attribute data stored in said content attribute storing means.    
     
     
         52 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 51 , further comprising: 
 content attribute managing means for updating the content attribute data stored in said content attribute storing means corresponding to a request of a content right owner.    
     
     
         53 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 use limit information transmitting means for transmitting information to the selling requesting device, the information causing the use of key data for digital data corresponding to a selling request stored in said selling requesting device to be temporarily limited for a predetermined period.    
     
     
         54 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 46 , 
 wherein the digital data selling and buying transacting apparatus has data that causes the key data for the digital data to be erased from the selling requesting device, and    wherein said key movement controlling means controls said erase data transmitting means so that the key data for the digital data whose selling and buying transactions have been concluded are erased from the selling requesting device.    
     
     
         55 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 46 , further comprising: 
 black list storing means for storing a condition in which transactions are prohibited; and    transaction permission determining means for determining whether or not the received selling request data complies with the condition in which the transactions are prohibited,    wherein when the received selling request data complies with the condition in which the transactions are prohibited, the transactions are prohibited.    
     
     
         56 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 55 , 
 wherein the condition in which the transactions are prohibited and that is stored in said black list storing means is updated when said key movement controlling means has failed to move the key.    
     
     
         57 . The digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus as set forth in  claim 56 , further comprising: 
 sold key management data storing means for storing information with respect to the encryption key for the digital data sold and moved by said key movement controlling means,    wherein said transaction permission determining portion prohibits transaction of the encryption key for the digital data corresponding to the selling request data when the encryption key is managed with the sold key management data.