CN1818964A - System for providing and acquiring contents - Google Patents

Abstract

A content providing device that first receives user identification information and content identification information as predetermined information of a user via a terminal device, and sends content data corresponding to the content identification information that the user wants to a content obtaining device, so that the content obtaining device can It is easier to provide the user with content data desired by the user, thus making it possible to remarkably improve the usability of the content obtaining/providing system. In addition, the content providing server transmits a three-dimensional image to the portable dedicated terminal and displays it in response to a preview request sent from the portable dedicated terminal, and then transmits commercial data corresponding to the preview request according to the display state of the three-dimensional image and reproduces it, so that The user watches and previews content to allow the user to accurately judge whether the content satisfies his/her taste, thus making it possible to freely select content data.

Description

Content provision/acquisition system

This application is a divisional application of the following patent application: application number: 02801229.1, filing date: 2002.2.21, invention name: content providing/obtaining system

technical field

The present invention relates to a content providing/obtaining system applicable to a data providing system that, for example, provides users with various content data such as music and movies and data on various distribution information such as advertisements using the Internet (hereinafter, these called distribution data).

Background technique

In recent years, the Internet, that is, a computer communication network, has been used for research and research by many research institutes and the like around the world, and has been widely used in companies and It is rapidly gaining popularity among users as a tool for computer communication.

Through the commercial use of the Internet, users can purchase desired products and obtain desired content data using personal computers, for example, while at home. And the user can also obtain various distribution data such as advertisements of companies and products through the personal computer.

Incidentally, in order to obtain content as data, distribution using content data is essential. The distribution of the content data is effected by the device via the Internet. A device has a function of recording and reproducing content data and is capable of connecting to the Internet and obtaining content (hereinafter, referred to as content obtaining means).

Therefore, it is considered that if a data providing system can provide content data to users who do not have content obtaining means, the usability of the data providing system can be significantly improved compared with existing systems using the Internet to provide content data. However, the above-mentioned system has not yet been realized. This is still a problem.

Furthermore, a data providing server that provides content data using the Internet presents a list of titles of content data to a user so that the user selects desired content data from the presented list of titles.

However, only from the above-mentioned title list of the content data provided by the data providing server, the user using the Internet does not know the content of the content data unless the user actually obtains and reproduces the content data, which means that after obtaining the content data Later, people learn that the content data does not match their tastes. Therefore, content data cannot be freely selected, which is still a problem.

Contents of the invention

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and intends to propose a content providing/obtaining system with remarkably improved usability.

The present invention provides a content providing/obtaining system, comprising a content providing device for providing content data, and a content obtaining device for obtaining the above-mentioned content data provided by the content providing device, wherein the above-mentioned content providing device includes: Image storage means for storing a three-dimensional image that allows the user to select user desired content data desired by the user from among a plurality of the above-mentioned content data; transmission request receiving means for receiving an image request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining means; image sending means , for sending the above-mentioned three-dimensional image to the above-mentioned content obtaining device in response to the above-mentioned image request; the preview request receiving device is used for receiving a preview request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining device according to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image; and the data sending device, using For sending preview data based on the above-mentioned content data corresponding to the above-mentioned preview request to the above-mentioned content obtaining means; and the above-mentioned content obtaining means includes: input means for inputting various operation instructions; image sending request means for sending the above-mentioned image request The above-mentioned content providing device is used to respond to the image request command input through the above-mentioned input device; the image receiving device is used to receive the above-mentioned three-dimensional image sent from the above-mentioned content providing device in response to the above-mentioned image request; Displaying the above-mentioned three-dimensional image on the display device, and changing the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image according to the display state change command input through the above-mentioned input device; the preview request sending device is used for according to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image displayed on the above-mentioned display device, sending said preview request to said content providing means; data receiving means for receiving said preview data sent from said content providing means in response to said preview request; and reproducing means for reproducing said preview data.

The present invention also provides a content providing/obtaining method for obtaining content data provided from a content providing device by a content obtaining device, wherein the above-mentioned content providing device includes: a transmission request receiving step of receiving a transmission request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining device An image request; an image sending step, sending a three-dimensional image that allows the user to select the desired content desired by the user from among a plurality of the above-mentioned content data to the above-mentioned content obtaining device in response to the above-mentioned image request; a preview request receiving step, receiving the three-dimensional image according to the above-mentioned three-dimensional image a preview request transmitted from the above-mentioned content obtaining means; and a data transmitting step of transmitting content preview data based on the above-mentioned content data corresponding to the above-mentioned preview request to the above-mentioned content obtaining means; and the above-mentioned content obtaining means comprising: an image request transmitting step, Sending the above-mentioned image request to the above-mentioned content providing device according to the image request command input through the input device for inputting various operation commands; an image receiving step, receiving the above-mentioned three-dimensional image sent from the above-mentioned content providing device in response to the above-mentioned image request; The display control step is to display the above-mentioned three-dimensional image on a specified display device, and change the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image according to the display state change command input through the above-mentioned input device; the preview request sending step is to follow the above-mentioned display state displayed on the above-mentioned display device A display state of a three-dimensional image, sending the above-mentioned preview request to the above-mentioned content providing device; a data receiving step, receiving the above-mentioned preview data sent from the above-mentioned content providing device in response to the above-mentioned preview request; and a reproducing step, reproducing the above-mentioned preview data.

The present invention also provides a content providing device for providing content data to a content obtaining device, comprising: an image storage device for storing a three-dimensional image that allows the user to select user desired content data desired by the user from among a plurality of the above content data; The transmission request receiving device is used to receive an image request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining device; the image sending device is used to send the above-mentioned three-dimensional image to the above-mentioned content obtaining device in response to the above-mentioned image request; the preview request receiving device is used to receive from the above-mentioned a preview request sent by the content obtaining means according to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image; and a data sending means for sending preview content data based on the above-mentioned content data corresponding to the above-mentioned preview request to the above-mentioned content obtaining means.

The present invention also provides a content providing method for providing content data to a content obtaining device, comprising: a transmission request receiving step of receiving an image request sent from the above content obtaining device; an image sending step of sending permission from a plurality of the above content Selecting the three-dimensional image of the user's desired content data that the user wants from the data and sending it to the above-mentioned content obtaining device to respond to the above-mentioned image request; the preview request receiving step, receiving a preview request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining device according to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image; and A data sending step of sending content preview data based on the content data corresponding to the preview request to the content obtaining device.

The present invention also provides a content providing program storage medium for causing a content providing device to execute a content providing program, comprising: a transmission request receiving step of receiving an image request sent from a content obtaining device; an image sending step of sending permission from multiple Selecting a three-dimensional image of the desired content data desired by the user from among the above-mentioned content data to the above-mentioned content obtaining device to respond to the above-mentioned image request; the preview request receiving step is to receive a preview request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining device according to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image and a data sending step of sending content preview data based on said content data corresponding to said preview request to said content obtaining means.

The present invention also provides a content providing program for causing a content providing device to execute: a transmission request receiving step of receiving an image request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining device; A three-dimensional image of content data desired by the desired user to the above-mentioned content obtaining means in response to the above-mentioned image request; a preview request receiving step of receiving a preview request sent from the above-mentioned content obtaining means according to a display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image; and a data transmitting step, and transmitting content preview data based on the above content data corresponding to the above preview request to the above content obtaining means.

The present invention also provides a content obtaining device for obtaining content data provided from a content providing device, including: an input device for inputting various operation commands; An instruction to send an image request to the above-mentioned content providing device; the image receiving device is used to receive a three-dimensional image that allows the user to select the desired content data that the user wants from among a plurality of the above-mentioned content data, and the above-mentioned three-dimensional image is sent from the above-mentioned content providing device in response to the above-mentioned image request; the display control device is used to display the above-mentioned three-dimensional image on a specified display device, and change the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image according to the display state change command input through the above-mentioned input device; the preview request sending device, According to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image displayed on the above-mentioned display device, a preview request is sent to the above-mentioned content providing device; the data receiving device receives content preview data based on the above-mentioned content data corresponding to the above-mentioned preview request, and the above-mentioned preview data is obtained from transmitted by the above-mentioned content providing means in response to the preview request; and reproducing means for reproducing the above-mentioned preview data.

The present invention also provides a content obtaining method for obtaining the above-mentioned content data provided from a content providing device, comprising: an image request sending step of sending An image request to the above-mentioned content providing device; an image receiving step, receiving a three-dimensional image allowing selection of user desired content data desired by the user from among a plurality of the above-mentioned content data, the above-mentioned three-dimensional image being obtained from the above-mentioned content providing device in response to the above-mentioned image request Sending; the display control step, displaying the above-mentioned three-dimensional image on a specified display device, and changing the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image according to the display state change instruction input through the above-mentioned input device; The display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image on the screen, sending a preview request to the above-mentioned content providing device; the data receiving step, receiving the content preview data based on the above-mentioned content data corresponding to the above-mentioned preview request, and the above-mentioned preview data is from the above-mentioned content providing device as a response the above-mentioned preview request; and a reproducing step of reproducing the above-mentioned preview data.

The present invention also provides a content obtaining program storage medium for causing a content obtaining device to execute a content obtaining program, comprising: an image request sending step of sending an image request command input through an input device for inputting various operation commands an image request to the above-mentioned content providing means; an image receiving step of receiving a three-dimensional image allowing selection of user desired content data desired by the user from among a plurality of the above-mentioned content data, the above-mentioned three-dimensional image being transmitted from the above-mentioned content providing means in response to the above-mentioned image request The display control step is to display the above-mentioned three-dimensional image on a specified display device, and change the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image according to the display state change instruction input through the above-mentioned input device; the preview request sending step is to follow the display on the above-mentioned display device. a display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image, sending a preview request to the above-mentioned content providing device; a data receiving step, receiving content preview data based on the above-mentioned content data corresponding to the above-mentioned preview request, the above-mentioned preview data being sent from the above-mentioned content providing device in response the above-mentioned preview request; and a reproducing step of reproducing the above-mentioned preview data.

The present invention also provides a content obtaining program for execution by a content obtaining device: an image request sending step of sending an image request to the above-mentioned content providing device in accordance with an image request command input through an input device for inputting various operation commands ; an image receiving step of receiving a three-dimensional image allowing selection of user-desired content data desired by the user from among a plurality of the above-mentioned content data, the above-mentioned three-dimensional image being transmitted from the above-mentioned content providing device in response to the above-mentioned image request; a display control step, at the specified The above-mentioned three-dimensional image is displayed on the display device, and the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image is changed according to the display state change command input through the above-mentioned input device; the preview request sending step is: according to the display state of the above-mentioned three-dimensional image displayed on the above-mentioned display device, send a preview request to said content providing means; a data receiving step of receiving content preview data based on said content data corresponding to said preview request, said preview data being sent from said content providing means in response to said preview request; and reproducing said preview Data reproduction steps.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the content providing/obtaining system of the present invention is composed of content providing means that provides content data and content obtaining means that obtains content data provided by the content providing means. The content providing apparatus is equipped with a content data storage means for storing a plurality of content data, a user identification information of a user who accesses the content providing apparatus by a prescribed terminal device as user reservation information and user desires desired by the user. User predetermined information receiving means for content identification information of content data, a search means for searching for content data desired by the user corresponding to the content identification information in storage means for storing content data, and a search means for transmitting The content data that the found user wants is sent to the content obtaining device; and the content obtaining device is equipped with an interface device that can only access the content providing device; content data recording means for content data desired by the user, and a reproduction/output means for reproducing and outputting content data desired by the user from the storage medium.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the content providing means first receives user identification information and content identification information as user predetermined information via the terminal equipment, and transmits content data desired by the user corresponding to the content identification information to the content obtaining means, so that in addition to giving It is easier to provide the user with the content data desired by the user in addition to the content data desired by the content obtaining device which can only access the content providing device, which can remarkably improve the usability of the content providing/obtaining system.

Furthermore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and intends to propose a content providing/obtaining system that can make selection of content data easier.

In order to solve the problems described above, the content providing/obtaining system of the present invention is composed of content providing means that provides content data and content obtaining means that obtains content data provided by the content providing means. The content providing means sends a three-dimensional image to the content obtaining means and displays the image in response to an image request sent from the content obtaining means so that the user can select content data desired by the user from among a plurality of content data, and then, when receiving a content data from the content When the preview request sent by the obtaining device according to the display state of the three-dimensional image, the preview data of the content based on the content data corresponding to the received preview request is sent to the content obtaining device to display the preview data.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the user can confirm the content of the content by viewing and previewing the content based on the content data to judge whether the content meets his/her taste, thereby making it possible to freely select the content data.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage pattern of the Internet in a data providing system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a usage mode of a portable dedicated terminal rented by a user.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a usage mode of a portable dedicated terminal purchased by a user.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the second embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the data format of header data added to content data.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the rental reservation processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the data format of content transfer request data for obtaining content data from a content server.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the rental reservation processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of advertiser/company registration information.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of user registration information.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing contract conditions between a user and an advertiser/company.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the format of user registration information updated by the user using the Internet.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the structure of the matching section.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the format of advertiser/company introduction information.

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the format of user introduction information.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the format of advertiser/company information updated by concluding a contract.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the format of user registration information updated by concluding a contract.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the advertiser/company registration processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing advertiser/company introduction processing in the data providing system.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing advertiser/company introduction processing in the data providing system.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing a contract processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing the structure of the matching section.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing advertiser/company introduction processing in the data providing system.

Fig. 28 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a diagram showing the structure of a content selection screen representing an agency store using a three-dimensional virtual reality space image.

Fig. 30 is a diagram for explaining access to business data in a content selection screen.

Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram showing the construction as a content selection screen customized in response to a user's request.

Fig. 32 is a flowchart showing a content providing process using content selection screen data in the data providing system.

Fig. 33 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the content providing processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 34 is a flowchart showing customization processing in the data providing system.

Fig. 35 is a flowchart showing a content providing process using customized screen data in the data providing system.

Fig. 36 is a conceptual diagram for explaining customization of a content selection screen according to another embodiment of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 37 is a diagram for explaining a method of providing content data from a content server to a data providing server.

Fig. 38 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 39 is a diagram for explaining the rental of content data.

Fig. 40 is a diagram for explaining an equivalent exchange request.

Fig. 41 is a conceptual diagram for explaining that content data (single song) is equivalently exchanged for package media (single CD).

FIG. 42 is a conceptual diagram for explaining delivery of packaged media for equivalent exchange.

Fig. 43 is a flowchart showing the equivalent exchange processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 44 is a flowchart showing the equivalent exchange processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 45 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 46 is a diagram for explaining an equivalent exchange request.

Fig. 47 is a diagram showing the data table format in the package media database.

Fig. 48 is a conceptual diagram for explaining equivalent exchange of a plurality of content data with packaged media (CD set).

Fig. 49 is a flowchart showing the equivalent exchange processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 50 is a flowchart showing the equivalent exchange processing procedure in the data providing system.

Fig. 51 is a diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the ninth embodiment.

Fig. 52 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the system management server.

Fig. 53 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the requesting terminal.

Fig. 54 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the data providing server.

Fig. 55 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the packet providing server.

Fig. 56 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of an advertiser/company server.

Fig. 57 is an external schematic view showing the structure of the portable dedicated terminal.

Fig. 58 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the portable dedicated terminal.

Fig. 59 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the tenth embodiment.

Fig. 60 is an external schematic view showing the structure of the portable dedicated terminal.

Fig. 61 is a schematic appearance diagram showing the structure on the back of the terminal.

Fig. 62 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the portable dedicated terminal.

Fig. 63 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the data providing system of the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 64 is a diagram showing the structure of a content selection screen using a three-dimensional virtual reality space image.

Fig. 65 is a diagram for explaining the reproduction of each type of business data on the content selection screen.

Fig. 66 is a diagram for explaining reproduction of commercial data for each artist on the content selection screen.

Fig. 67 is a flowchart showing a content providing process using content selection screen data in the data providing system.

Fig. 68 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the content providing processing procedure in the data providing system.

Detailed ways

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Usage patterns of the Internet in data provision systems

As shown in FIG. 1, in a data providing system 1, a system management site 2 that generally controls the data providing system can communicate with the following parts such as a user 3, a retail store such as the user 3 patronizes, a rental Various stores 4A to 4N (hereinafter referred to as agents) such as shops, sales companies 5 (described later) that sell products to the agents 4A to 4N, and stores operated by advertisers or companies for providing distribution data Site 6 (hereinafter referred to as an advertiser/company site).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 1, the agents 4A to 4N are content (composed of audio data, video data, text data, etc.) such as music, movies, game software, novels, pictures, comics, etc. Composition) are sold as commercial packaged media such as CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Video Discs) and CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), as well as books (hardcover novels, photo books, picture books, comic books) and A rental shop for rent, or a store of business contents like a preparatory school that sells and rents reference books, problem sets, documents, etc. as business package media for books (consisting of text data, etc.) for entrance examinations.

If an agency 4A-4N that will start business or has started business and is doing business wishes to use the Internet, it notifies the system management site 2 of its intention through a personal computer or the like.

If the agent 4A-4N requests to use the Internet, the system management site 2 obtains agent information such as name, kind of business content, bank account number from the agent 4A-4N, and registers the agent.

Then, the system management site 2 provides the agents 4A-4N with a large amount of content data of a category specified by the agents 4A-4N, such as music, movies, Game software, novels, pictures, comic strips, reference books, problem sets, literature, etc. In this way, the agents 4A-4N can generate their own content databases storing these content data.

In addition, the sales company 5 sells portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N only for recording and reproducing content data to the agencies 4A to 4N in accordance with instructions from the system management site 2, and sells business package media handled at the agencies 4A to 4N, such as CD, DVD, CD-ROM, book.

On the other hand, a user 3 who wants to use the Internet accesses the above-mentioned system management site 2, for example, by operating a request terminal (not shown) dedicated to the system management site installed on a shelf such as a public telephone booth, and issues a desire to use the system management site. Internet notifications.

If using the Internet is desired by the user 3, the system management site 2 obtains personal information (hereinafter, this is referred to as user information) such as his/her name, sex name, age, bank account number from the user 3, and registers the user, The user database 8 is then generated for the above-mentioned user information as user registration data.

The agencies 4A to 4N provide two systems for selling or renting various content data to the user 3, a sales system and a rental system. When the user 3 gives content specifying information specifying desired content data and system-related information indicating any system for receiving the above-mentioned content data via the system management site 2 by using a request terminal, the agents 4A-4N, accept the purchase Or reservation of rental content data as a response.

When accepting the reservation from the user 3 in this way, the agents 4A-4N use the user registration information of the user 3 (the account number of the user 3) read from the user database 8 in the system management site 2 to purchase the content data. (sales price) and lease (lease period) to perform electronic billing. Then, the agents 4A-4N read desired content data from the content database according to the request, and record it in the storage medium preset in the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N.

At this moment, the agents 4A to 4N also allow the user 3 to use the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N through any of the sales and rental systems. Agents 4A-4N simultaneously perform electronic billing for purchase (sales price) and lease (rental period) of portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N through user registration information when content data is requested.

Therefore, for example, when the user 3 wants to use the leased portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, the agents 4A-4N hand it over to the user directly at the store or through the delivery company 9 to the user (depending on the delivery system requested by the user 3). ) to rent portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N storing content data in response to user 3's request.

Therefore, the user 3 who orders the content data purchased or rented by the requesting terminal and the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N first, once he/she obtains the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, can use the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N to reproduce content data to enjoy the content data.

The above-mentioned portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N can access only the agents 4A-4N storing content data via the system management site 2 through the communication function provided therein, and can perform processes (including billing) of purchasing and renting content data.

Therefore, when the user 3 re-requests purchase or rental content data with the rented portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N, the agents 4A to 4N can transmit the requested content data to the rented portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N via the system management site 2, and Therefore content data can be recorded therein. Therefore, similar to distributing content data to users 3 who have such an Internet-connectable device, content data can be easily distributed via the Internet to users who do not have an Internet-connectable device such as a personal computer (hereinafter, this refers to an Internet-connectable device). User 3 of the device.

By the way, the system management site 2 forwards the requests for purchasing and renting content data sent from the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N and requesting terminals to the agents 4A to 4N by adding the requested content as additional user information to the user database 8 In the user registration information in to update the user registration information. Therefore, the system management site 2 can know the taste of the user 3 (for example, the type of content data obtained by the user 3), the usage state of the Internet, and the like from the user registration information.

In addition, the system management site 2 obtains, from advertisers and companies that have provided various distribution data on the advertiser/company site 6, business information including advertiser name information and company name information indicating the type of distribution data provided above. advertiser/company information such as content information, and create an advertiser/company database 10 as advertiser/company registration information.

If the user 3 transmits, as user permission data, publishing permission information representing his/her permission to disclose his/her user information to the advertiser and the company with the rented portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, the system management site 2 Based on the user registration information of the user 3 who sent the user permission data, search the advertiser/company database 10 to select advertisers and companies that provide distribution data that meet the taste of the user 3, and then send it to the user 3 via the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N Introduce selected advertisers and companies.

As a result, when the user 3 selects an advertiser/company whom he/she wants to sign a contract with from advertisers/companies introduced to him/her, the system management site 2 provides him/her with to the selected advertiser/company to introduce user 3 to the advertiser/company.

Therefore, the system management site 2 can allow the user 3 using the Internet and the advertiser/company selected by the above-mentioned user 3 to negotiate and conclude a contract with each other. When the contract is concluded, various distribution data desired by the above-mentioned user 3 such as product advertisements will be sent from the advertiser/company site 6 to the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N rented by the user 3 via the system management site 2.

In this way, in the data providing system 1, only advertisers/companies that provide users with their desired distribution data can be introduced to users 3, so users 3 can easily select desired advertisers/companies , and at the same time, even if the user 3 does not have an Internet-connectable device, he/she can efficiently obtain only desired distribution data through the leased portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N.

In this case, if the user permission data is sent by the user 3, the system management site 2 introduces the user 3, which is beneficial to the advertiser/company, to the advertiser/company. Therefore, it is specified that when the system management site 2 transmits investment information to the advertiser/company, the system management site 2 receives a certain fee from the above-mentioned advertiser/company.

In addition, when the system management site 2 introduces an advertiser/company to the user 3, whether there is an advertiser/company that the user 3 wants to sign a contract with or not, the system site 2 will generate and store the user 3’s profile for the user 3. Invest in the user introduction database 11 of information, so that the above-mentioned user introduction database 11 is used when selecting the advertiser/company to be introduced to the user 3 later.

When the user 3 accesses an agent 4A-4N via the system management site 2 with the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N to request content data, the agent 4A-4N transmits a content selection screen for selecting the above-mentioned content data to the portable dedicated terminal 7A to 7N On the screen, the user 3 can select desired content data on the content selection screen.

The agents 4A-4N customize content selection screens to be displayed on the display portions of the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N in accordance with the request from the user 3 . Therefore, when content data is requested, a content selection screen satisfying the request of the user 3 can be displayed on the display portion of the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N.

In this case, if the user 3 designates his/her favorite color of the housing when leasing the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N, the agents 4A-4N exchange the user for a portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N having his/her favorite color. Therefore, in addition to customizing the software, it is also possible to customize the hardware of the case.

When user 3 requested agent 4A-4N to customize the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N (i.e., change the color of the shell) of rental, agent 4A-4N rented all data stored in portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N by user 3 ( That is, content data, desired distribution data given by an advertiser, etc.) are transferred to another portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N having a color designated by the user 3, and they are exchanged.

By the way, when the user 3 leases the content data with the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, when starting the lease, the agency 4A-4N allows the user 3 to arbitrarily select the lease period of the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N and the lease period of the content data, And these selected lease periods can be freely extended according to user 3's request.

The agents 4A-4N monitor the expiration time of the lease period of the content data leased to the user 3 . If the lease term of the content data expires before the lease term of the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N expires, the agency 4A-4N sends this information to the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N of the user 3 for lease.

If from the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N leased to the user 3, the rental of the content data rented by time is replied via the system management site 2, the agency 4A-4N prompts the user 3 to bring the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N to the above-mentioned agency 4A-4N . When the user 3 brings the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, the content data is deleted from the internal storage medium, which means that the content data is returned.

On the other hand, if an extension of the rental period of the content data is replied from the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N rented to the user 3 via the system management site 2, the agent 4A-4N monitors the end time of the extended rental period of the above-mentioned content data.

If the rental period of the content data has expired, and the user 3 has not brought the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, for example, the agent 4A-4N sends a delete instruction for returning the content data whose lease period has expired for returning the content data To the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N. Therefore, the specified content data in the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N is deleted from the internal storage medium to prevent its illegal use.

When the rented portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N is returned by the user 3, the agent 4A-4N deletes the content data from the storage medium of the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N to rent the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N again.

If the user 3 requests with the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N to exchange the packaged medium (i.e., a CD) storing the same content data with the content (i.e., content data of a single song) owned by purchase or lease, the agents 4A-4N via the system The management station 2 sends to the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N equivalent exchange information including the price at which the user 3 obtains the content data at that time (ie, the purchase price or the rental price), the sales price of the packaging medium, and the difference between the two prices.

Then, when the user 3 notified the agency 4A-4N to approve the exchange through the system management site 2 with the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, the agency 4A-4N only owned the user 3 read from the user database 8 in the system management site 2. The difference between the acquisition price of the content data and the sales price of the package medium is implemented electronically, because the rental price or the purchase price of the same content data owned by the user 3 as the content data stored in the package medium has already been paid . Then, the agents 4A-4N hand over the packaged media to the user 3 at the store, or deliver the packaged media to the user from the sales company 5 through the delivery company 9 .

In this way, the agents 4A-4N substantially balance the exchange value of the content data and packaged media owned by the user 3 and thus exchange the above-mentioned packaged media with the content data (hereinafter, this exchange is called equivalent exchange). Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N are returned, the content data purchased or leased with the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N is prevented from being wasted, and the packaged media can be provided to the user 3 with the minimum investment Waste of money on packaging media for both.

In this case, the system management site 2 charges the user 3 for the use of the Internet every time the user 3 uses the Internet (that is, every time he/she purchases or rents content data or the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N). cost. However, the system management site 2 pays the user 3 points that can bring benefits such as discounts and stores them in the user database 8 according to the usage status of the Internet.

Therefore, when user 3 purchases and leases content data and portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N, when user 3 exchanges package media with content data, etc., agency 4A-4N allows user 3 to use him/her in electronic billing Points already earned serve as part or all of the payment.

In addition, when the user 3 purchases or leases the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N, when the user 3 exchanges packaged media with content data, etc., the agency 4A-4N can accept cash payment and prepaid card payment, etc. at the store instead of electronic billing .

In response to a request to purchase the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N given from the user 3 via the system management site 2 via the system management site 2 in the form of a request terminal or leased portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N, the agents 4A-4N perform electronic purchase of the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N. Accounting is made, and then the agents 4A-4N hand over the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N directly to the user 3, or hand over the user 3 from the sales company 5 by the delivery company 9.

In this case, when the user 3 requests to purchase the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N, the agents 4A-4N sell the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N having a casing of a color specified by the user 3 to the user.

As shown in Figure 3, the user 3 who purchases the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N can only purchase or lease desired content data from the agency 4A-4N selling the portable dedicated terminal 7A to 7N via the Internet with the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N. , and similarly to the case described above (refer to FIG. 2), desired distribution data can be obtained by contracting with advertisers and companies.

In addition, when the user 3 requests the purchase or rental of content data with the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N, the user 3 who purchases the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N can customize the content selection screen to be sent from the agency 4A-4N, or through Basically balance the exchange value of the content data owned by the user 3 and the packaged media by exchanging the packaged media storing the same content data with the content data owned by the user 3 through purchase or lease.

In the above-mentioned data providing system 1, similar to the case described above (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3), the user 3 can also use the Internet by using an Internet-connectable device such as a personal computer instead of the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N.

As described above, in the data providing system 1, a business system using the Internet and an existing business system that actually sells and rents products at retail stores and the like can be compatible used. Therefore, a new business model can be realized in which both the user 3 who does not have an Internet-connectable device and the agents 4A to 4N who have a sense of crisis due to the spread of the Internet can freely and easily use the Internet for transactions.

(2) The first embodiment

Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 50 generally shows a data providing system of the first embodiment, wherein the request terminal 52 corresponding to the user 3 as described above (referring to FIGS. 1 to 3) (that is, the terminal used by the user 3) request terminal), and the portable dedicated terminal 53 corresponding to the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N as described above (refer to FIGS. to 3) of the system management site 2, the agents 4A to 44N, and the data providing server 51 of the sales company 5.

The data providing server 51 has a user database 55 for storing user registration information and user registration screen data, a content database 56 for storing many content data, content selection screen data, etc., and a content database 56 for storing list content. The sales price and rental price of data, and the package media database 57 of the data table obtained from the rental price, title, etc. Advertiser/company database 58 of advertiser/company registration information obtained by the advertiser/company.

When the registration request data that the user requests registration is sent from the requesting terminal 52, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving part 59, based on the registration request data, the user registration screen data is read from the user database 55 by the updating part 60, and is sent from the sending part 60. The section 61 sends the read user registration screen data to the requesting terminal 52 .

When the user information input on the user registration screen based on the user registration screen data is sent from the requesting terminal 52 as user information data, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving part 59, and is stored as the user information by the updating part 60. The registration information is based on the user information of the user information data and registers the user. In this way, the above-mentioned user can use the Internet.

When the transmission request number requesting content data is sent from the requesting terminal 52 according to the operation of the registered user, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59, and the content is read from the content database 56 by the content searching section 62 based on the transmission request data. The screen data is selected, and the read content selection screen data is transmitted to the requesting terminal 52 by the transmitting section 61 .

As a result, when desired content data is selected and designated on the content selection screen based on the content selection screen data, a system for obtaining each content data, the purchase or rental system, and the portable dedicated terminal 53 are selected and designated , and thus reservation data representing these specifying information (hereinafter, this is referred to as user reservation information) is transmitted from the requesting terminal 52, and the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59.

At this time, the data providing server 51 reads specified content data from the content database 56 by the content search section 62 based on predetermined data, and transmits the read content data from the transmission section 61 to the portable dedicated terminal 53 that has not yet been delivered to the user, and recorded in it.

In this way, the data providing server 51 can prepare the portable dedicated terminal 53 storing content data purchased or rented at the user's request. Therefore, the portable dedicated terminal 53 can be handed over or delivered to the user for sale and lease to the user.

Then, if transmission request data requesting content data is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53 sold or leased to the user, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59, and is read from the content database 56 by the content searching section 62 based on the transmission request data content selection screen data, and the read content selection screen data is transmitted by the transmission section 61 to the portable dedicated terminal 53 of the user.

Therefore, when desired content data is specified on the content selection screen based on the content selection screen data and information on how to obtain the content data by purchase or rental is specified, these specifying information (hereinafter, this Content specifying data called specifying information) is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 53 sold or leased to the user, and the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59.

At this time, the data providing server 51 reads specified content data from the content database 56 based on the content specifying data by the content search section 62, and transmits the read content data to the user's portable dedicated terminal 53 by the transmission section 61, and transmits the read content data to the user's portable dedicated terminal 53 in the record it.

In this way, the data providing server 51 allows users to freely use content distribution via the Internet and freely obtain desired content data through the portable dedicated terminal 53 .

By the way, the data providing server 51 assigns user identification information unique to each user (hereinafter, this is referred to as a user ID) when the user registers, and adds it to the user information, and then registers it in the user database 55 as The user registration information stores the user information and the user ID, and manages the stored user registration information through the user ID.

The data providing server 51 transmits the user ID assigned to the user when the user registers to the requesting terminal 52 from the transmission section 61 to notify the user of his user ID. After that, when the user sends different requests to different agents with the requesting terminal 52 or the portable dedicated terminal 53, the data providing server allows the user to use the user ID so as to identify the requesting users of these different agents through the user ID .

When the data providing server 51 receives different data (for example, content specifying data) transmitted from the requesting terminal 52 or the portable dedicated terminal 53 sold or leased to the user through the receiving section 59, the data providing server 51 is sent by the updating section 60 as an additional The content of the data of the user information (information such as the name and lease term of the content data that the user will purchase or rent) is given to the user database 55, and additional user information is added to the user registration information of the user requesting the content data, and updated accordingly The user registration information.

Therefore, based on the user registration information in the user database 55, the data providing server 51 can know the user's taste and the like.

Then, if the user permission data, which means that the user allows the data providing server 51 to disclose the user information to the advertiser/company, is transmitted to the user from the portable dedicated terminal 53 sold or rented, the data providing server 51 receives it through the receiving section 59 , user registration information about users who are allowed to disclose user information is read from the user database 55 by the matching section 63 based on the user's permission data, and advertisers/companies are searched in the advertiser/company database 58 based on the read user registration information. Company Registration Information.

In order to introduce to him/her an advertiser/company providing distribution data satisfying the user's taste, as a result of retrieving the advertiser/company registration information by the matching section 63, if the advertiser/company providing distribution data satisfying the user's taste Selected, the data providing server 51 generates advertiser/company introduction data based on the advertiser/company registration information of the selected advertiser/company, and transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 53 of the user from the transmitting part 61.

In this way, the data providing server 51 allows the user to easily select an advertiser/company that will provide him/her with his/her desired distribution data from many advertisers/companies, and allows the advertiser/company to effectively Provide the user with the distribution data he/she requests accurately and correctly.

If the customized request data of the portable dedicated terminal 53 purchased or rented by the customized user is sent, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving part 59, and the content search part 62 reads the previously stored content database 56 based on the customized request data received. customized registration screen data, and is sent from the sending section 61 to the portable dedicated terminal 53 of the user.

As a result, if the screen customization information for the content selection screen input on the customization registration screen based on the customization registration screen data is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53 sold or leased to the user, the data providing server 51 is provided by the receiving The section 59 receives it, and sends the screen customization information to the user database 55 to be added to the user registration information of the above-mentioned user, and thus the updating section 60 updates the user registration information.

Thereafter, if the user requesting the customized content selection screen sends transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 53, the data providing server 51 receives it through the receiving section 59, and the user added to him/her is read from the user database 55 by the updating section 60. The screen customization information in the registration information is provided to the content search section 62 .

The data providing server 51 reads the content selection screen data from the content database 56 by the content search section 62, converts it based on the screen customization information, and transmits the customized screen data thus obtained from the transmission section 61 to the user's portable dedicated terminal 53.

In this way, each time the user requesting the data providing server 51 to customize the content selection screen transmits transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 53, the data providing server 51 customizes the content selection screen based on the customized screen. Therefore, the user can select content data on the customized screen.

In this case, in the portable dedicated terminal 53 leased to the user, information for customizing the color of the casing of the portable dedicated terminal 53 can also be selected on the customization registration screen. If the casing customization information specifying the casing color is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59, and provides it to the user database 55 to add it to the user registration information of the above-mentioned user, and thus User registration information is updated by the updating section 60 .

Therefore, thereafter, when the data providing server 51 leases or sells the portable dedicated terminal 53 to the user, it gives the portable dedicated terminal 53 having the color specified by the case customization information.

In addition, if the equivalent exchange request data of requesting an equivalent exchange of packaged media (such as a CD) with purchased or rented content data (such as a tune) is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53 that is sold or leased to the user, the data providing server 51 It is received by the receiving section 59.

The data providing server 51 reads the user registration information of the user requesting the equivalent exchange from the user database 55 based on the equivalent exchange request data, and detects the usage pattern (that is, purchase or lease). Then, the data providing server 51 searches a data table in the package media database 57 by the package search section 64 based on the equivalent exchange request data and the result detected by the update section 60 . Therefore, the price of content data owned by the user for equivalent exchange and the sales price and title of the package medium storing the above content data are detected.

Then, the data providing server 51 calculates the difference between the price of the content data owned by the detected user and the sales price of the package medium by the package search section 64, and sends the price of the content data and the package medium from the transmission section 61 as search result information. The above-mentioned calculated difference is sent to the portable dedicated terminal 53 of the user together with the title.

The purchase price or rental price of the content data stored in the package medium has been paid by the user using the portable dedicated terminal 53 in the form of purchase or rental. Therefore, if exchange approval data authorizing equivalent exchange is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53 that is sold or leased to the user, the data providing server 51 electronically calculates only the difference between the price of the content data owned by the user and the sales price of the packaged medium. bookkeeping. The user then obtains the packaged media either directly or by delivery.

In this way, in the data providing server 51, the content data owned by the user and the package medium to be exchanged are substantially equal in exchange value, and then they are exchanged at equal value. Therefore, the data providing server 51 can allow the user to obtain the package medium with a minimum investment amount by exchanging the package medium with the content data purchased or rented by the user with the portable dedicated terminal 53 .

In this case, every time when the user uses the Internet with the requesting terminal 52 or the portable dedicated terminal 53, the data providing server 51 distributes benefits such as discounts to the user by a point distribution part (not shown) according to the use state. points. The above-mentioned allocated points are sent to the user database 55 by the update section 60, and then they are added to the user's user registration information, thereby updating the above-mentioned user registration information.

When a user requests to use points instead of currency in equivalent exchange or the like, the data providing server 51 balances the difference between the price of content data owned by the user and the sales price of packaged media by using the points allocated to the above-mentioned user.

Furthermore, when the content data has been leased to the user, the data providing server 51 constantly searches the user registration information in the user database 55 by the update section 60 to detect whether the lease period of the leased content data expires. If the rental period of the above-mentioned content data expires soon, the data providing server 51 transmits confirmation screen data from the sending part 61 to the user's portable dedicated terminal 53 to confirm whether the rental is terminated.

If a rental end notification is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53 that is sold or leased to the user, the rental end notification represents that the rental of the content data according to the rental period will end, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59, and stores it in the user database 55 Add the lease end notification to the corresponding user registration information, so that the user registration information is updated by the updating part 60. And the data providing server 51 sends the store request screen data from the sending part 61 to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 53 to prompt the user to return the content data (ie, delete the content data from the portable dedicated terminal 53) on behalf of the user.

Conversely, as a result of sending the confirmation screen data to the portable dedicated terminal 53, if a lease extension notification to extend the lease period of the content data is sent, the data providing server 51 receives it by the receiving section 59, and stores it in the user database 55. The lease extension notice is added to the corresponding user registration information, and thus the user registration information is updated by the update section 60 .

If the content data lease has expired and has not been returned, the data providing server 51 adds deletion information forcibly deleting the content data to the corresponding user registration information in the user database 55, and updates the user registration information by the update section 60. Simultaneously, the data providing server 51 transmits from the transmission section 61 a deletion instruction to delete the content data whose lease period has expired to the portable dedicated terminal 53 to delete the content data in the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 53.

On the other hand, when the user inputs a user registration request via the operation section 70, the request terminal 52 generates registration request data representing the registration request by the request data generation section 71, and sends it to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 72.

As a result, when the requesting terminal 52 receives the user registration screen data from the data providing server 51 by the receiving part 73, the user registration screen data received from the display control part 74 is sent to the display part 75 to display the user registration screen data based on the user registration screen. User registration screen for screen data.

Then, in the request terminal 52, when the user information is input on the user registration screen by the operation of the operation part 70 by the user, the request terminal 52 sends the user information as user information data from the transmission part 72 by the request data generation part 71 The server 51 is provided to the data.

If the user utilizes the operation section 70 to input a request for content data, the request terminal 52 generates transmission request data representing a transmission request by the request data generation section 71, and sends the generated transmission request data to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 72.

Therefore, when the requesting terminal 52 receives content selection screen data from the data providing server 51 by the receiving section 73, the requesting terminal 52 transmits the received content selection screen data from the display control section 74 to the display section 75 to display The content selection screen data goes to the content selection screen.

Then, when the user inputs user reservation information on the content selection screen by operating the operation section 70 , the request terminal 52 generates reservation data by the request data generation section 71 and sends it to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 72 .

Therefore, the portable dedicated terminal 53 before being sold or leased to the user receives the content data transmitted from the data providing server 51 through the receiving section 80, and records it on the storage medium 82 by the recording control section 81, so that the content data in this state The portable dedicated terminal 53 is sold and leased to users.

In the portable dedicated terminal 53 that has been sold and leased to the user, if the user inputs a reproduction instruction through the operation section 83, the portable dedicated terminal 53 reproduces the content data from the storage medium 82 by the reproduction control section 84 based on the reproduction instruction, and transmits the above-mentioned The reproduced content data is given to a reproduction section 85 composed of a display control section, a display section, a speaker, etc., so that the user enjoys the content.

If the user's general operation part 83 inputs a request to transmit content data, the portable dedicated terminal 53 generates transmission request data representing the transmission request by the request data generating part 86, and sends the above-mentioned generated transmission request data to the data providing server 51 from the sending part 87.

Accordingly, the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives content selection screen data from the data providing server 51 by the reception section 80, and sends it to the reproduction section 85 to display a content selection screen based on the content selection screen data.

Then, if content data is selected on the content selection screen according to the operation of the operation part 83, the portable dedicated terminal 53 generates content designation data by the request data generation part 86, and sends it from the transmission part 87 to Data providing server 51 .

When the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives content data from the data providing server 51 by the receiving section 80, the portable dedicated terminal 53 records it on the storage medium 82 by the recording control section 81. Therefore, content data will be reproduced from the storage medium 82 by the reproduction control section 84 in accordance with the operation of the operation section 83 in the future.

Furthermore, if the user permits distribution of user information through the operation section 83, the portable dedicated terminal 53 generates user permission data indicating permission by the request data generation section 86, and sends it to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 87.

Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives the advertiser/company introduction data from the data providing server 51 by the receiving section 80, the portable dedicated terminal 53 transmits the received advertiser/company introduction data to the reproducing section 85 to display it. In this state, the user selects a desired advertiser/company by operating the operation section 83 .

Then, the portable dedicated terminal 53 transmits the information of the advertiser and company selected by the user to the data providing server 51 via the request data generating section 86 and the transmitting section 87 in sequence. Therefore, if the user concludes a contract with the advertiser/company selected by the user, the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives its desired distribution data transmitted from the advertiser/company site by the receiving section 80, such as an advertisement, and is registered by the recording control section 81 at Record it on the storage medium 82.

The portable dedicated terminal 53 reproduces the distribution data from the storage medium 82 by the reproduction control section 84 in accordance with the operation of the operation section 83 , and sends the above reproduced distribution data to the reproduction section 85 . Therefore, the user can appreciate the distribution data given from the advertiser/company site.

Besides, if the user inputs a customization request through the operation section 83, the portable dedicated terminal 53 generates customization request data representing the customization request by the request data generation section 86, and sends it to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 87.

Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives customized registration screen data from the data providing server 51 by the receiving section 80, the portable dedicated terminal 53 sends it to the reproducing section 85 to display a customized registration screen based on the customized registration screen data. .

If the screen customization information of the customized content selection screen is input on the customization registration screen according to the operation of the operation part 83, the portable dedicated terminal 53 sends the input screen customization information to the data via the request data generation part 86 and the transmission part 87 in sequence. A server 51 is provided.

Also, housing customization information for customizing the color of the housing of the portable dedicated terminal 53 can also be input on the customization registration screen in accordance with the operation of the operation section 83 . If the casing customization information is input, the portable dedicated terminal 53 also transmits it to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 87 via the request data generation section 86 .

In this way, the portable dedicated terminal 53 can request the data providing server 51 to customize the content selection screen and the casing of the portable dedicated terminal 53 . Therefore, after the user requests the above-mentioned customization, he/she can select specified content data through the customized selection screen obtained by processing the content selection screen based on the screen customization information displayed by the reproduction section 85, and he/she can This portable dedicated terminal 53 is exchanged for a portable dedicated terminal 53 having a color specified by him/her.

In addition, in the portable dedicated terminal 53, if the user utilizes the operation section 83 to input an equivalent exchange request, the portable dedicated terminal 53 generates the equivalent exchange request data representing the equivalent exchange request by the request data generating section 86, and transmits the equivalent exchange request from the sending section 87 sent to the data providing server 51.

As a result, if the search result information on equivalent exchange is sent from the data providing server 51, the portable dedicated terminal 53 is received by the reception section 80, and sent to the reproduction section 85 to display the content that the user owns by purchasing or renting based on the search result information The purchase or rental price of the data, the sales price of the packaged media and the title and the difference between these prices.

If the user approves the equivalent exchange through the operation section 83, the portable dedicated terminal 53 generates exchange approval data indicating approval by the request data generation section 86, and sends it to the data providing server 51 from the transmission section 87. Then, electronic billing is carried out for the difference between the price of the content data owned by the user and the sales price of the packaged media in a method specified by the user (ie, payment in currency or payment in points). Thus, users can obtain packaged media with minimal investment.

In this case, if the confirmation screen data of the content data whose rental period expires soon is sent from the data providing server 51, the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives it by the receiving section 80, and sends it to the reproducing section 85 to display the confirmation screen based on the confirmation screen data. The confirmation screen of the content data, and thus the user is notified on the above confirmation screen that the rental period of the content data will expire soon.

Then, if the user designates extension or termination of the rental period using the operation section 83 at this time, the portable dedicated terminal 53 notifies the data providing server 51 of the information from the transmission section 87 via the request data generation section 86.

In addition, before the content data is returned, if the lease term of the content data has expired and the data providing server 51 sends an instruction to delete the content data, the portable dedicated terminal 53 receives the instruction by the receiving section 80, and is recorded by the recording control section 81 based on This delete command deletes the content data whose rental period has expired from the storage medium 82 . Therefore, illegal use (reproduction) of content data can be prevented.

According to the above-mentioned structure, in this data providing system 50, in accordance with predetermined data transmitted from the request terminal 52 operated by the user, content data designated by the user is recorded by the data providing server 51 in the portable dedicated terminal only for the agent designated by the above-mentioned user 53, and the portable dedicated terminal 53 is sold or leased to the user.

Then, if the content specifying data is given by the user through the portable dedicated terminal 53, this data providing server 51 reads the content data from the content database 56 according to the content specifying data, and sends the read content data to the portable dedicated terminal 53 and records in in.

Furthermore, in the data providing server 51 , user registration information of a user who purchases or leases the portable dedicated terminal 53 is registered in the user database 55 . The user registration information is updated in accordance with the state of use of the portable dedicated terminal 53 every time the above-mentioned user purchases or rents content data using the portable dedicated terminal 53 . If the user permits distribution of the user information with the portable dedicated terminal 53, the data providing server 51 searches the advertiser/company database 58 for the advertiser/company registration information based on the user registration information, and selects an advertisement that provides distribution data satisfying the user's taste. advertisers/companies and introduce them to users.

If the user utilizes the portable dedicated terminal 53 to request a customized content selection screen, the data providing server 51 customizes the content selection screen according to the request, and provides the user's portable dedicated terminal 53 with the customized screen obtained by customizing the above-mentioned content selection screen, in order to Let the user select content data.

In addition, if the user utilizes the portable dedicated terminal 53 to request an equivalent exchange package medium with purchased or leased content data, after paying the difference between the price of the content data owned by the user and the sales price of the package medium, the data providing server 51 Provide packaged media to the user.

Therefore, in this data providing system 50, even if a user does not have a device capable of accessing the Internet, he/she can preorder the purchase or lease of a portable dedicated device capable of recording and reproducing content data using the request terminal 52 installed in a public telephone booth or the like. Terminal 53, after the user obtains the predetermined portable dedicated terminal 53, he/she can use the portable dedicated terminal 53 to obtain distributed content data.

In this data providing system 50, by using the portable dedicated terminal 53, the user can easily select content data on a screen that has been customized according to his/her request, and the user can exchange content data obtained by distribution with a minimum investment Encapsulated media that stores content data. In addition, the user can easily select an advertiser/company providing distribution data satisfying his/her own taste from many advertiser/company sites in order to use the distribution of the distribution data.

As a result, in the data providing system 50, users who do not have access to the Internet can easily use the system while fully enjoying the convenience of the Internet.

In this data providing system 50, a user uses a portable dedicated terminal 53 for only one agency obtained through purchase and lease. The system can easily contact users using agents and using the Internet. Therefore, agents can easily use and access the Internet.

According to the above structure, in the data providing server 51, the portable dedicated terminal 53 for only one agency, capable of recording and reproducing content data, is sold or leased to users according to predetermined data sent from the requesting terminal 52. The content data is distributed and recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 53 in accordance with the content specifying data transmitted from the above-mentioned sold or leased portable dedicated terminal 53 . Furthermore, in accordance with the user's permission sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53, advertisers/companies are selected to be introduced to the user based on user registration information. In accordance with a customization request sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53 described above, the content selection screen is customized and provided to the portable dedicated terminal 53 . In order to perform an equivalent exchange in accordance with an equivalent exchange request sent from the portable dedicated terminal 53, the exchange value of the content data owned by the user through distribution and the packaging medium storing the above content data is basically balanced. Therefore, a user without an Internet-accessible device can easily use the system while fully enjoying the convenience of the Internet. And by using the portable dedicated terminal 53 using the Internet only for one agent, the system allows one agent to easily contact the user. Therefore, a data providing system that can further popularize the Internet can be realized.

Note that, in the aforementioned first embodiment, the user requests the user to register and purchase or lease the portable dedicated terminal 53 with the request terminal 52 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may also request user registration and purchase or lease the portable dedicated terminal 53 using a device such as a personal computer capable of accessing the Internet instead of the requesting terminal 52 . Therefore, even by using the portable dedicated terminal 53 now, users who do not have a device capable of accessing the Internet and users who have the device can enjoy the convenience of the Internet.

(3) The second embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a data providing system 100 of the second embodiment. Portable dedicated terminals 102 similar to the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N described above (refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 ) are directly connected to the corresponding system management site 2 and agents 4A to 4N as described above (refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 ). Data providing server 101 . The request terminal 103 and the settlement processing server 104 corresponding to the user 3 (ie, the request terminal used by the user 3 ) as described above (refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 ) are connected to the above-mentioned data providing server 101 via the Internet 105 .

The data providing server 101 has a user database 110 and a content database 111 . The user database 110 stores user registration information (consisting of the user's name, user ID, bank account number, etc.) generated by performing user registration similar to the user registration described above (refer to FIGS. 1 to 4).

In addition, the data providing server 101 stores many content data in the content database 111, and is listed by content identification information unique to each content data (hereinafter, this is referred to as content ID), title (for example, title of tune) , price (sales price and rental price), etc. The data table generated by the content additional information.

If user reservation information to reserve rental content data (hereinafter, this specifically refers to rental reservation data) is transmitted from the request terminal 103 via the Internet 105 as rental reservation request data by the user who wants to rent the content data, the data providing server 101 Received by the receiving section 115, the received rental reservation request data is converted into recording control data by an accounting section 116, and sent to the recording control section 117.

Now, the data providing server 101 generates, by the recording control section 117, rental reservations including dedicated terminal identification information (hereinafter, this is referred to as a dedicated terminal ID) that uniquely identifies the portable dedicated terminal 102 for recording the content data that the user requests to rent. The data is accepted and sent from the sending section 118 to the requesting terminal 103 via the Internet 105 to notify the user that it has accepted a reservation for renting content data desired by the user.

Further, the data providing server 101 reads the content data requested by the user for rental from the content database 111 by the recording control section 117 based on the recording control data, and transmits the read content data to the portable dedicated terminal 102 having the dedicated terminal ID notified to the user.

Therefore, the data providing server 101 records content data desired by the user on the storage medium installed in the portable dedicated terminal 102 .

In this way, the data providing server 101 records content data requested by the user on the portable dedicated terminal 102 having a content data recording/reproducing function. Then, when the user comes to, for example, an agency in which the above-mentioned data providing server 101 is installed, the content data requested for rental is handed over to the user together with the portable dedicated terminal 102 .

Therefore, in the data providing server 101, the content data can be leased to the user through the portable dedicated terminal 102 according to the rental period, so that the user can reproduce it through the portable dedicated terminal 102 to enjoy the content data.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rental reservation request data D2 sent from the requesting terminal 103 has such as the user's name, user ID, password, title of content data D1 requesting rental, rental period, payment method of the rental fee ( Pay by cash or prepaid card at the store to request the terminal to pay by prepaid card, by credit card) and other information.

When the data providing server 101 received the rental reservation request data D2 from the requesting terminal 103 by the receiving section 115, the data providing server 101 extracted the relevant rental fee from the rental reservation request data D2 by the accounting section 116 (hereinafter, this is referred to as payment data) information on the payment method.

In the case where the payment information designates payment by credit card, the data providing server 101 reads the user registration information of the user requesting the rental content data D1 from the user database 110 by the accounting section 116 based on the user ID included in the rental reservation request data D2, And a data table is searched in the content database 111 based on the title of the content data D1 included in the above rental reservation request data D2 to read additional information of the content data D1 requested for rental by the user.

The data providing server 101 performs billing by the billing section 116 based on the rental fee of the portable dedicated terminal 102 and the agent's bank account number, rental reservation request data D2, user registration information, and additional information of the content data D1 that have been stored in advance. Therefore, the data providing server 101 generates billing information representing charges to users, account numbers of agents and users, etc. according to the lease term of the content data D1, and transmits from the sending section 118 to the settlement processing server 104 via the Internet 105.

When electronic settlement processing based on accounting information is completed and a settlement completion notification is sent from the settlement processing server 104, the data providing server 101 is received by the receiving section 115 and confirmed by the accounting section 116.

Therefore, the data providing server 101 generates recording control data D3 by adding the agency ID to the rental reservation request data D2 using the accounting section 116, and transmits the generated recording control data D3 to the recording control section 117.

In this case, when the recording control data D3 is generated by the accounting section 116, the data providing server 101 changes the name of the user included in the rental reservation request data D2 to the user name of the code registered as the user registration information, The title of the content data D1 is changed to the content ID, the number of days of the encoded lease period, and the account number of the user is added.

When record control data D3 is sent from billing section 116 to record control section 117, data providing server 101 generates rental reservation acceptance data by record control section 117, and transmits from sending section 118 to request terminal 103.

Then, the data providing server 101 adds the dedicated terminal ID of the portable dedicated terminal 102 storing the content data D1 requested for rental by the recording control section 117 based on the recording control data D3, and shows the The copy history information of the copy history is added to the recording control data D3 described above to generate the header data D4. Then, the data providing server 101 adds header data D4 to the content data D1 requested for rental by the user, and records in the portable dedicated terminal 102 .

Therefore, the data providing server 101 can easily recognize the portable dedicated terminal 102 rented to the user at its own store and the content data D1 from the header data D4.

Furthermore, the portable dedicated terminal 102 leased to the user monitors whether the lease term of the content data D1 has expired in accordance with the information on the lease term included in the header data D4. In the case where the rental period has passed and the content data D1 has not been returned (that is, in the case where the content data D1 has not been returned with the portable dedicated terminal 102), the portable dedicated terminal 102 does not allow the content data D1 to be reproduced, which prevents The leased content data D1 is illegally used after the lease period expires.

Furthermore, when the content data D1 that has been leased to the user is illegally copied, the portable dedicated terminal 102 records the number of times of copying as copy history information in the header data D4. Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 102 is returned to the agency, the agency can know from the copy history information in the header data D4 that the user illegally copied the content data D1.

On the other hand, in the case where the rental reservation request data sent from the requesting terminal 103 designates payment by the prepaid card using the requesting terminal 103, the data providing server 101, based on the rental fee of the portable dedicated terminal 102, rents the reservation request data D2 and the content data D1 The additional information is billing performed by the billing section 116 . The data providing server 101 calculates the amount charged to the user in accordance with the lease term of the content data D1, and transmits the calculated amount charged to the requesting terminal 103 as billing data from the sending section 118 via the Internet 105.

After completing the payment through the prepaid card based on the billing data, when the data providing server 101 receives the prepaid payment completion data sent from the requesting terminal 103 by the receiving part 115, the data providing server 101 replaces the account number of the user by adding the agent ID to the rental reservation request In the data D2, the rental reservation request data D2 stores information indicating that the payment has been completed by the prepaid card using the requesting terminal 103, the record control data D3 is generated by the accounting section 116, and sent to the record control section 117.

When record control data D3 is sent from billing section 116 to record control section 117, data providing server 101 sends rental reservation acceptance data to request terminal 103 from sending section 118 by record control section 117 similarly to the above. At the same time, the data providing server 101 generates header data D4 based on the recording control data D3, and records in the portable dedicated terminal 102 together with the content data D1.

In addition, when the rental reservation request data D2 sent from the requesting terminal 103 designates cash payment or prepaid card payment at a store, the data providing server 101 replaces the user's account number by adding an agent ID to include the cash payment or prepaid card indicating that it has been completed at a store. Of the rental reservation request data D2 of the paid information, the recording control data D3 is generated by the accounting section 116 and sent to the recording control section 117 .

In the same case, similarly to the above, the data providing server 101 transmits the record control data D3 from the billing section 116 to the record control section 117, and transmits the rental reservation acceptance data to the requesting terminal from the transmission section 118 through the above-mentioned record control section 117 103. At the same time, the data providing server 101 generates header data D4 based on the recording control data D3, and records in the portable dedicated terminal 102 together with the contents data D1.

In this case, in the data providing server 101, there is a slot provided on the billing section 116 for a prepaid card. When payment by a prepaid card at a store is specified, the amount charged to the user is calculated by the billing section 116 in accordance with the rental period of the content data D1. When the user goes to receive the portable dedicated terminal 102, when the user inserts his/her prepaid card into the slot, the rental fee to the user is settled by the prepaid card.

Note that the data providing server 101 described above is also applicable to a case where a user comes to a store and requests rental content data D1. In this case, in order to send the input rental information to the billing section 116, the clerk in the store inputs the rental information with the operation information input section, and the rental information has rental reservation request data similar to that described above (refer to FIG. 6 ). Contents of D2. Therefore, the content data D1 is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 similarly to the aforementioned rental reservation by requesting the terminal 103 .

On the other hand, if the rental reservation information having the content similar to the aforementioned rental reservation request data D2 is input by the user using the operation information input part 120, the request terminal 102 (Fig. The aforementioned rental reservation request data D2 is generated based on the rental reservation data, and transmitted from the transmission section 123 to the data providing server 101 via the Internet 105 .

When rental reservation acceptability data is sent from data providing server 101 via Internet 105, request terminal 103 is received by receiving part 124, and sends to display part 126 from judging part 125, and goes to notify the user to finish its desired to user's request Acceptance of rental reservation of content data and the dedicated terminal ID of the portable dedicated terminal 102 with the above-mentioned content data D1 to be rented.

In this case, in the request terminal 103, the accounting section 127 has a slot for a prepaid card. When the user designates payment by the prepaid card using the above request terminal 103 using the operation information input section 120, the operation information judging section 121 recognizes it, and notifies the billing section 127.

Requesting terminal 103 receives billing data as a response to sending lease reservation request data D2 to data providing server 101 by receiving section 124 , recognizes the received billing data by judging section 125 , and sends to billing section 127 .

When the user's own prepaid card is inserted into the slot in the account section 127, the request terminal 103 settles the user's rental fee by the prepaid card by the above-mentioned account section 127 based on the billing data. Then, the requesting terminal 103 generates prepaid payment completion data, and transmits from the transmitting section 123 to the data providing server 101 via the Internet 105 .

A description will now be given of rental reservation processing by the data providing server 101 and the request terminal 103 in the data providing system 100, in addition to the payment of the rental fee (ie, billing). As shown in FIG. 7(A), the requesting terminal 103 enters routine RT1 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP1.

At step SP1, the requesting terminal 103 waits for the user to input rental reservation information by operating the information input section 120 . When the user inputs rental reservation information, request terminal 103 enters next step SP2, and generates rental reservation request data D2 by request data generating part 122, sends to data providing server 101 from sending part 123 through Internet 105, and advances to step SP3 .

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the data providing server 101 enters the routine RT2 from the start step, and proceeds to the next step SP11. At step SP11 , the data providing server 101 waits for the rental reservation request data D2 to be transmitted from the requesting terminal 103 . When the data providing server 101 receives the rental reservation request data D2 transmitted from the requesting terminal 103 by the receiving section 115, the data providing server 101 proceeds to step SP12.

At step SP12, the data providing server 101 generates recording control data D3 from the rental reservation request data through the accounting section 116, and proceeds to the next step SP13.

At step SP13, the data providing server 101 generates rental reservation acceptance data, and transmits from the transmission section 118 to the requesting terminal 13 via the Internet 105, and proceeds to step SP14.

At this time, at step SP3, the requesting terminal 103 waits for rental reservation acceptance data transmitted from the data providing server 101. In step SP3, when the requesting terminal 103 receives the rental reservation acceptance data from the data providing server 101 by the receiving section 124, the requesting terminal 103 proceeds to the next step SP4.

In step SP4, the requesting terminal 103 transmits rental reservation acceptance data, and displays on the display section 126, to notify the user of the completion of the rental reservation acceptance of the content data D1 with the data to be rented together with the above-mentioned content data D1. The dedicated terminal ID of the portable dedicated terminal 102, and proceeds to the next step SP5 to complete the processing in the above-mentioned requesting terminal 103.

On the other hand, at step SP14, the data providing server 101 generates header data D4 based on the recording control data D3, and proceeds to step SP15. At step SP15, the data providing server 101 adds header data D4 to the content data D1 requested by the user by the recording control section 117, and records on the storage medium in the portable dedicated terminal 102. Then, the data providing server 101 proceeds to step SP16 to end the processing in the data providing server 101 described above. In this way, the data providing system 100 completes the processing of the rental reservation for the content data D1.

According to the above structure, in this data providing system 100, many content data D1 have been stored in the content database 111 provided in the data providing server 101 in the agency. The data providing server 101 records the content data D1 in the portable dedicated terminal 102 when the user requests to reserve the desired content data D1 with the request terminal 103 . Then, when the user comes to the agency, the predetermined content data D1 is rented to the user together with the portable dedicated terminal 102 .

Therefore, in this data providing system 100, even if the user does not have a device having a function of recording and reproducing the content data D1, such as a personal computer (hereinafter, this is referred to as a content obtaining device), he can access the Internet to obtain the content data D1, and the agent The content as data can be provided to the user with ease using the portable dedicated terminal 102 .

Furthermore, in the data providing system 100, when the content data D1 is rented, the user can make a reservation in advance to rent the desired content data D1 using the remote request terminal 103. Therefore, without making the user wait for the time to record the content data D1 in the portable dedicated terminal 102, the agency can smoothly hand over the portable dedicated terminal 102 with the content data D1 to the user who comes to the agency.

In addition, in this data providing system 100, also when the user reserves the rental content data D1 by operating the request terminal 103, when recording control data D3 for recording the content data D1 is generated in the portable dedicated terminal 102, the user is notified of accepting the rental Reserve. Therefore, the user can make a reservation for renting the content data D1 without waiting in front of the portable dedicated terminal 102 when the content data D1 is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 .

In this case, it has been explained that a content obtaining device is necessary for distribution using the content data D1 via the Internet 105 . However, knowledge about the Internet 105 used in the distribution of the content data D1 is also necessary. Therefore, it is often difficult for people without knowledge of the Internet 105 to easily accept distribution of the content data D1.

In order to avoid this situation, if the user uses the data providing system 100 of the second embodiment, although he/she uses the Internet 105 to order the rental content data D1, the request terminal that can directly access the data providing server 101 only with simple operations 103, he/she can use the requesting terminal 103 to reserve and rent the content data D1. Therefore, users who do not have knowledge of the Internet 105 can easily obtain the content data D1 in addition to users who do not have a content obtaining device.

In this case, the user orders rental of desired content data D1 at the requesting terminal 103 at the data providing server 101, which has a content database 111 storing many content data D1. The content data D1 requested by the above-mentioned data providing server 101 is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102, and the portable dedicated terminal 102 with the above-mentioned data D1 is leased to the user, and the content data can be provided to the user who does not have a content obtaining device very easily. . Therefore, a data providing system that provides remarkably improved usability can be realized.

Note that, in the aforementioned second embodiment, the portable dedicated terminal 102 with the content data D1 for only one agency is rented. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the portable dedicated terminal 102 may be sold to the user, and the content data D1 may be recorded in the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 102 for rental or sale to the user. Therefore, when the user requests to purchase the content data D1, the same purchased content data D1 can be recorded and stored in the portable dedicated terminal 102 that the user has already purchased. Therefore, the usability of the data providing system 100 can be further improved.

In the aforementioned second embodiment, the content data D1 requested for rental by the user is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 for only one agency. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the content data D1 that the user wants to rent or purchase may be recorded in a portable recording/reproducing device such as a portable telephone, a portable MD (Mini Disc with Sony Corporation trademark) player. Therefore, a user having a content obtaining device can also easily use the data providing system, and the versatility of the above-mentioned data providing system can be improved.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned second embodiment, the content data D1 is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 by proxy in accordance with the user's predetermined data from the requesting terminal 103 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, the content data D1 may be recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 at a manufacturing company, a sales company, or the like through the Internet or the like. Therefore, even if the portable dedicated terminal 102 is directly handed over to the user from a manufacturer or the like, the content data D1 can be accurately rented.

(4) The third embodiment

FIG. 8 shows the data providing system 150 of the third embodiment, in which the same reference numerals are added to corresponding parts in FIG. 5 . The data providing system 150 is constituted similarly to the data providing system 100 of the second embodiment, except for the structure of the data providing server 151 corresponding to the system management site 2 and the agents 4A to 4N as described above (refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 ), And the content server 152 corresponding to the system management site 2 as described above (refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 ) is connected to the outside of the structure of the above-mentioned data providing server 151 via the Internet 105 .

In this case, the content server 152 has a content database 154 storing more content data D1 than the content data D1 stored in the content database 153 in the data providing server 151, the content database 154, and a content database 154 by listing the above-mentioned content data. A data table generated by additional information of D1 (consisting of content ID, title, sales price, rental price, etc.).

Stored in the content database 153 in the data providing server 151, a part of many content data D1 in the content database 154 in the content server 152 and information representing the content data D1 stored in the data providing server 151 by association and A new data table is generated from the data table stored in the content database 154 in the content server 152 .

In addition, the data providing server 151 is equipped with a reception data judging section 155 for judging the type of data received by the receiving section 115, and when the receiving section 115 receives the rental reservation request data D2 from the requesting terminal 103 via the Internet 105, the data providing The server 151 transmits the received rental reservation request data D2 from the received data judging section 155 to the billing section 156 .

The data providing server 151 searches a data table in the content database 153 by the accounting section 156 based on the rental reservation request data D2, and judges whether the content data D1 that the user wants to rent is already stored in the content database 153 or not.

Therefore, if the accounting section 156 confirms that the content data D1 that the user wants to rent has been stored in the content database 153, the data providing server 151 generates the recording control data D3 by the accounting section 156 and sends it to the recording control section 157.

Thus, the data providing server 151 transmits the rental reservation acceptance data to the requesting terminal 103 from the transmission section 118 by the recording control section 157 . At the same time, the data providing server 151 generates header data D4 based on the recording control data D3, and records in the portable dedicated terminal 102 together with the contents data D1.

Conversely, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, if the accounting section 156 confirms that the content data D1 requested by the user is not stored in the content database 153, the data providing server 151 generates a record by the accounting section 156 based on the rental reservation request data D2. Control data D3, this accounting section 156 is similar to the accounting section 116 (it also performs accounting) of the data providing server 101 (FIG. 5) in the second embodiment as described above (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6), And the record control data D3 is transmitted from the transmission section 118 to the content server 152 via the Internet 105 as content transmission request data.

Therefore, when the requested data D1 is sent from the content server 152 via the Internet 105 along with the content transmission request data, the data providing server 151 is received by the receiving section 115, processed by the received data judging section 155, and sent from the received data judging section 155 to The recording control section 157.

The data providing server 151 generates the header data D4 by adding information about the dedicated terminal ID and the copy history to the content transfer request data (i.e. the recording control data D3) by the recording control section 157, and the generated header data D4 together with the information from the content server The contents data D1 obtained in 152 are recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 together.

In this way, even if the content data D1 requested for rental is not stored in the content database 153, the data providing server 151 can obtain the content data D1 from the content server 152 and rent it to the user.

In this case, when this data providing server 151 obtains the content data D1 from the content server 152, compared with the case where the content data D1 requested by the user has already been stored in the content database 153 in the data providing server 151, the rental is accepted. Reservations take more time to process.

Therefore, the data providing server 151 generates rental reservation acceptance data by the received data judging section 155, and upon obtaining the content data D1 from the content server 152, transmits it to notify the user of acceptance of the rental reservation.

In addition, when the user comes to an agency and requests rental content data D1, the staff of the agency inputs rental information having the same content as the rental reservation request data D2 input with an operation information input section 119. The data providing server 151 sends it from the operation information judging section 158 to the billing section 156 . Therefore, the content data D1 is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 similarly to the aforementioned rental reservation using the requesting terminal 103 .

When the content information including the content ID is input through the operation information input part 119 to store the content data D1 again in the content database 153, the data providing server 151 sends the content information from the operation information judging part 158 to the request data generating part 159, by The above-mentioned request data generation section 159 generates content request data representing content information, and transmits from the transmission section 118 to the content server 152 via the Internet 105 .

When desired content data D1 and its additional information are sent from the content server 152, the data providing server 151 is received by the receiving section 115, and sends the above-mentioned received content data D1 and additional information to the record control from the received data judging section 155. part 157, and is stored in the content database 153 by the recording control part 157 mentioned above.

Therefore, although it takes some time relatively to obtain content data D1 from the content server 152, for example, content data in which rental is requested is not stored among the content database 153, the content data is obtained from the content server 152 and stored in the content database 153, the data providing server 151 can quickly process the user's rental request.

On the other hand, when the content transmission request data is sent by the data providing server 151 via the Internet 105, the content server 152 (FIG. 8) receives it by the receiving section 160, and extracts the content ID from the content transmission request data by the content ID extraction section 161. , and send to the content search section 162, and send the above-mentioned content transmission request data to the transmission data generation section 164.

The content server 152 searches the content database 154 by the content search section 162 based on the content ID, reads the corresponding content data D1, and transmits to the transmission data generation section 164 . At the same time, the content server 152 adds content transmission request data to the content data D1 by the transmission data generating section 164, and transmits from the transmission section 164 to the data providing server 151 via the Internet 105.

In addition, when the content request data is sent from the data providing server 151 via the Internet 105, the content server 152 is received by the receiving section 160, and the content ID is extracted from the content request data by the content ID extraction section 161, and sent to the content search section 162.

The content server 152 searches the content database 154 by the content search section 162 based on the content ID, and reads the corresponding content data D1 and additional information, and transmits from the transmission section 165 to the data providing server 151 via the transmission data generation section 164 and the Internet 105.

In this way, the content server 152 can provide the data providing server 151 with the content data D1.

The rental reservation processing procedure in the request terminal 103 and the content server 152 and the data providing server 151 in the data providing system 150 will now be described, in addition to the payment of the rental fee (ie, billing). As shown in FIG. 10(A), first, the requesting terminal 103 enters routine RT1 from the start step, and performs processing similar to that described above (refer to FIG. 7(A)).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10(B), wherein the same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts in FIG. processing. Then, the data providing server 151 proceeds to step SP21, and in step SP21, searches the data list in the content database 153 by the accounting section 156 to judge whether the content data D1 that the user wants to rent needs to be obtained from the content server 152.

Obtaining an affirmative result at step SP21 means that the content data D1 which the user wants to rent is not stored in the content database 153 in the data providing server 151 . At this time, the data providing server 151 proceeds to step SP22 to generate recording control data D3 as content transfer request data by the accounting section 156, and transmits from the sending section 118 to the content server 152 via the Internet 105, and proceeds to step SP23.

Now, as shown in FIG. 10(C), the content server 152 enters procedure RT4 from the start step, and proceeds to the next step SP31. At step SP31 , the content server 152 waits for content transmission request data sent from the data providing server 151 . When the content server 152 receives the content transmission request data from the data providing server 151 by the receiving section 160, the content server 152 proceeds to step SP32.

In step SP32, the content server 152 extracts the content ID from the content transfer request data by the content ID extracting section 161, searches the content database 154 by the content searching section 162 based on the content ID, and thereby reads the content having the content ID from the content database 154. Content data D1. Then, the content server 152 proceeds to step SP33.

In step SP33, the content server 152 adds the content transmission request data to the content data D1 read from the content database 154 by the sending data generation part 164, and sends to the data providing server 151 through the Internet 105 from the sending part 165, and enters the next step. Step SP34, to complete the above processing in the content server 152.

On the other hand, at step SP23 , the data providing server 151 waits for the content data D1 sent from the content server 152 . When the data providing server 151 receives the content data D1 from the above-mentioned content server 152 by the receiving section 115 (which receives content transmission request data in addition to the content data D1), the data providing server 151 proceeds to step SP24.

In step SP24, the data providing server 151 sends the received content data D1 and content transfer request data to the recording control section 157 by the received data judging section 155, and generates rental reservation acceptance data by the above-mentioned received data judging section 155, and sends the data from the sending section 118 is sent to the requesting terminal 103 via the Internet 105. Then, the data providing server 151 executes the processing in steps SP14 and SP15 in sequence, and then the data providing server 151 proceeds to step SP25 to complete the processing by the data providing server 151 described above. In this way, the data providing server 151 completes the rental reservation process for the content data D1.

In this case, obtaining a negative result at the foregoing step SP21 means that the content data D1 that the user wants to rent is already stored in the content database 153 in the data providing server 151 . At this time, the data providing server 151 proceeds to step SP24. After the recording control part 157 receives the recording control data D3 from the billing part 156, the recording control part 157 generates rental reservation acceptance data, and sends the data from the sending part 118 to The requesting terminal 103, then, the data providing server 151 proceeds to step SP14.

According to the above-mentioned structure, in this data providing system 150, a content server 152 having a content database 154 storing more content data D1 than the above-mentioned data providing server 151 is connected to a content database 153 having storing many content data D1 via the Internet 105. The data provided on the server 151.

In this data providing system 150, when the data providing server 151 receives the rental reservation request data D2 from the request terminal 103 operated by the user, the data providing server 151 judges whether the content data D1 which the user wants to rent has already been stored in the above-mentioned data providing server. 151 in the content database 153. And if the content data D1 desired by the user is not stored, the data providing server 151 obtains the content data D1 from the content server 152, and records in the portable dedicated terminal 102 to be rented to the user.

Therefore, in this data providing system 150, the size of the content database 153 in the data providing server 151 can be relatively small. Also, even if the scale of the content database 153 is miniaturized, various content data D1 requested by the user can be rented accurately.

In this case, in this data providing system 150, since the scale of the content database 153 in the data providing server 151 can be miniaturized, the agency installing the above data providing server 151 can greatly reduce investment in equipment.

According to the above structure, the content server 152 having the content database 154 storing more content data D1 than the above data providing server 151 is connected to the data providing server 151 having the content database 153 storing many content data D1. In the data providing server 151 that has received the rental request sent from the user, if the content data D1 that wants to rent is not stored in the content database 153, the data providing server 151 obtains the content data D1 from the content server 152, and rents it to the user. . Therefore, in addition to the results obtained by the aforementioned second embodiment, the size of the content database 153 in the data providing server 151 can be largely miniaturized. Also, even if the scale of the content database 153 is miniaturized, a data providing system capable of accurately renting various content data D1 requested by users can be realized.

Note that, in the aforementioned third embodiment, a part of the many content data D1 stored in the content database 154 of the content server 152 is stored in the content database 153 of the data providing server 151 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but different content data D1 may be stored in both the content database 154 of the content server 152 and the content database 153 of the data providing server 151 . In addition, different content data D1 may be stored in content databases of many data providing servers 151 and content servers 152, respectively. Therefore, the size of the content databases in the data providing server 151 and the content server 152 can generally be further miniaturized.

In the aforementioned third embodiment, the data providing server 151 obtains the content data D1 from the content server 152 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may also be a converter which can be installed at an agency, which can automatically select and reproduce content data D1 from packaged media purchased by the agency for rental or purchase, and the data providing server 151 can obtain from The converter obtains the content data D1, or the content server 152 can be used together with the converter.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned third embodiment, the portable dedicated terminal 102 for only one agency can be rented to the user together with the content data D1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the portable dedicated terminal 102 may be sold to the user, and the content data D1 for rental or purchase may be recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 described above.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned third embodiment, the content data D1 to be rented is recorded in the portable dedicated terminal 102 for only one agency. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the content data D1 that the user wants to rent or purchase may be recorded in a portable recording/reproducing device such as a portable phone, a portable MD player, etc. that the user carries into an agent.

(5) The fourth embodiment

FIG. 11 shows a data providing system 200 of a fourth embodiment. The data providing system 200 connects a portable dedicated terminal 202 corresponding to the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N described above with reference to FIGS. The advertiser/company server 203 of the site 6 is constructed corresponding to the intermediate server 201 of the system management site 2 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

The intermediary server 201 has a user database 210 for registering users who use the Internet 204 via the intermediary server 201 and an advertisement for registering advertisers and companies who want to provide users with distribution data such as advertisements by using the Internet 204. The operator/company database 211.

In the intermediate server 201, an advertiser/company database 211 stores advertiser/company registration screen data in advance. When the registration request data requesting registration is sent by the advertiser/company server 203 of the advertiser/company who wants to register the advertiser/company, the intermediate server 201 is received by the receiving section 212, and the registration request data is sent by the advertiser based on the registration request data. Advertiser/company information update section 213 reads advertiser/company registration screen data from advertiser/company database 211, and transmits from transmission section 214 to advertiser/company server 203 via Internet 204.

Therefore, when an operator inputs advertiser/company information on the advertiser/company registration screen based on the advertiser/company registration screen data, as shown in FIG. The advertiser/company registration information data is sent from the advertiser/company server 203, and the intermediate server 201 is received by the receiving section 212.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12(A), the advertiser/company information provided from the advertiser/company server 203 to the intermediate server 201 consists of various information unique to each advertiser and company, Such as the name of the company (i.e., the name information of the advertiser and the name information of the company), the telephone number and the e-mail address, the distribution type information indicating the type of content of the distribution data provided (for example, Japanese cars or imported cars, rock music or Classical music, Hollywood movies, or Japanese movies, etc.), business content information represented by annotations such as advertisers/companies’ eye-catching advertising words, and condition numbers indicating the conditions for reaching a contract with the user, and this information is provided by the operator The advertiser/company directly inputs or selects from various items displayed by the intermediate server 201 .

When obtaining the above-mentioned advertiser/company information, the intermediate server 201 assigns unique advertiser/company identification information to the advertiser and company requesting registration by the advertiser/company information update section 213 (hereinafter, this is referred to as is the advertiser/company ID), and is sent from the sending section 214 to the advertiser/company server 203 of the advertiser/company requesting registration via the Internet 204.

Besides, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the intermediate server 201 adds the advertiser/company ID to the advertiser/company information obtained from the above-mentioned advertiser/company by the advertiser/company information update section 213. , and stored in the advertiser/company database 211 as advertiser/company registration information to register the above-mentioned advertiser/company. In this way, the intermediate server 201 accepts registration requests from advertisers and companies at any time, and performs advertiser/company registration processing.

On the other hand, in the intermediate server 201, the user database 210 stores user registration screen data in advance. When the registration request data requesting registration is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202 by the user operation who wants to register, the intermediate server 201 is received by the receiving part 212, and the user registration is read from the user database 210 by the user information updating part 215 based on the registration request data. screen data, and transmits the user registration screen data read above to the portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204 from the transmitting section 214.

Therefore, when the user who wants to register operates on the user registration screen based on the user registration screen data and inputs user information, as shown in FIG. 13(A), the user information is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202, and the intermediate server 201 is received by the receiving part 202.

Now, as shown in FIG. 13(A), the user information provided by the user to the intermediate server 201 consists of various personal information, such as his/her name, gender and age, information on the type of interest (for example, Japanese cars or imported automobiles, rock music or classical music, Hollywood movies or Japanese movies, etc.) (hereinafter, this is referred to as the user's preference type information), and his/her taste, etc. The advertiser/company fulfills the condition number of the contract condition, and the e-mail address of the portable dedicated terminal 202 used by the user has been assigned in advance. This information is directly input by the user, or is generated by selecting from various items shown by the intermediate server 201 .

In this case, the conditions for concluding a contract between the user and the advertiser/company include, as shown in FIG. The company gives a discount to the product purchased by the user.", "The user converts the points obtained from the Internet miles into currency, which can be used for payment for purchases, etc.", "According to the points obtained from the Internet miles, the user can get from the advertiser/company A gift.", "The user promises to visit the site of the advertiser/company who signed the contract for a predetermined time or longer every month.", "The user purchases a predetermined amount or more of products from the advertiser/company every month, etc. .”, and these conditions are represented by condition numbers from 1 to 6.

When obtaining the aforementioned user information, the intermediate server 20 distributes the user ID to the user by the user information updating part 215, and sends it to the user's portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204 from the sending part 214, so that the portable dedicated terminal 202 stores it.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 13(B), the intermediate server 201 adds the user ID to the user information by the user information updating part 215, and stores it as user registration information in the user database 210 to register the user. In this way, the intermediate server 201 accepts registration requests from users at any time, and executes user registration processing.

Thereafter, the intermediate server 201 is received by the receiving section 212 when content specifying data including the user ID is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 202 to various agencies to request distribution of content data by the operation of the user performing user registration.

The intermediate server 201 uses the user information update section 215 to search the user database 210 based on the user ID included in the content designation data, to detect the user registration information of the user, add it to the content designation data as additional user information, and update it. . Then, the intermediate server 201 transmits the content specifying data from the transmission section 214 to the agent via the Internet 204 .

In this way, every time when the user uses the agent via the Internet 204, the intermediate server 201 forwards the content data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202 to the agent, so that as shown in FIG. The access type information of the type of content, the access count information indicating the total number of times of obtaining the content data of this type, and the information of the amount of money paid by the user for obtaining the above content data are entered into the user registration information, thereby updating the user information by the user information updating part 215. The content of the registration information.

In this case, every time when the user uses the agent with the portable dedicated terminal 202, the intermediate server 201 gives the user information according to the state of use (purchasing content data, rental price, duration of using the Internet, etc.) by the user information update part 215. Points that bring benefits to users, such as discounts (Internet usage), are distributed. Also the points allocated each time are added to the user registration information.

Therefore, based on the user's registration information in the user database 210, the intermediate server 201 can grasp the user's taste and the like.

Meanwhile, when obtaining distribution data in order to sign a contract with an advertiser/company, the user permission data (including user ID) that is allowed to issue his/her user information to the advertiser/company is transferred from the portable dedicated terminal 202 by the user's operation. When sending, the intermediate server 201 ( FIG. 11 ) is received by the receiving section 212 and input to the matching section 216 .

In this case, the matching section 216 inputs the permission data of the user into the monitoring section 220 as shown in FIG. 16 . In the monitoring part 220, based on the user ID included in the user permission data, the user registration information of the user who is allowed to issue is read from the user database 210, and sent to the judgment part 221, and sent to the advertiser via the delay part 222. The operator/company information extraction part 223.

The matching section 216 determines from the access type information and access count information in the user registration information by the judging section 221 whether there is a type of content data that the user wants to obtain whose number of acquisitions exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 100 times).

If there is a category in the user registration information with the number of acquisitions exceeding the threshold, the matching section 216 determines that the above category is a category that satisfies the current user's taste, and the judgment section 221 concludes that the user can be introduced to the advertiser/company. Then, the matching section 216 notifies the advertiser/company information extracting section 223 that the category whose number of times of acquisition exceeds the threshold is taken as the user's taste information.

The matching section 216 compares the user's taste information for searching with the distribution type information included in the advertiser/company registration information in the advertiser/company database 211, and the information is extracted by the advertiser/company information extracting section 223. Advertiser/company registration information of an advertiser/company that provides distribution data of the type shown by the above user's taste information is read (FIG. 12(B)). Then, the matching section 216 removes the advertiser/company ID from the read advertiser/company registration information, and generates advertiser/company introduction information to introduce the advertiser/company to the user, as shown in FIG.

The matching section 216 transmits the advertisement as the advertiser/company introduction data from the sending section 214 via the Internet 204 by the advertiser/company information extracting section 223 according to the e-mail address shown in the user registration information supplied from the delay section 222. The advertiser/company introduces information to the portable dedicated terminal 202 in order to introduce advertisers/companies that provide distribution data satisfying the user's own taste to the user.

On the contrary, if it is shown in the user registration information that there is no type whose number of times of acquisition exceeds the threshold value, the matching section 216 judges by the judging section 221 that the user cannot be introduced to the advertiser/company because his/her taste is unclear, And the advertiser/company information extracting section 223 is notified of the judgment result.

The matching section 216 generates advertiser/company introduction impossibility information indicating that the advertiser/company information extracting section 223 cannot find an advertiser/company providing distribution data satisfying the user's taste, and registers the user according to the user registration provided from the delay section 222. The e-mail address shown in the information sends the advertiser/company introduction impossible data to the portable dedicated terminal 202 from the sending part 214 via the Internet 204, so that the user can not be found to provide the advertiser/company that meets the user's own taste at present.

As a result of introducing advertisers/companies to the user, if the selected advertiser/company data (including user ID) of the advertiser/company selected by the user from among the introduced advertisers/companies is shown, by User's operation is sent from portable dedicated terminal 202, intermediate server 201 is received by receiving section 212, and is input into advertiser/company information extracting section 223 from monitoring section 220 of matching section 216 via judging section 221.

In the case of generating advertiser/company introduction information, matching section 216 temporarily stores user registration information and user's taste information generated above in advertiser/company information extracting section 223 .

Therefore, when the selected advertiser/company data is input in the advertiser/company information extracting section 223, in order to introduce the user to the advertiser/company, the matching section 216 passes the information based on the registration information from the user (FIG. 13( B)) as shown in Figure 18, the user's taste information selectively uses the taste information to generate user introduction information, and is sent from the sending part 214 via the Internet 204 as user introduction data to the user selected according to the selected advertiser/company data Advertiser/company server 203 for each advertiser/company of .

Therefore, the intermediate server 201 shown in FIG. 11 can introduce advertisers/companies capable of providing useful distribution data to users to users who request introduction of advertisers/companies. At the same time, the intermediate server 201 can also introduce users who need to provide distribution data to advertisers/companies.

In this case, as a result of introducing the advertiser/company to the user, the advertiser/company selection impossibility data indicating that the user cannot find an advertiser/company that can conclude a contract is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 202 , the intermediate server 201 is received by the receiving section 212, prohibits the matching section 216 from generating user introduction information, and waits for the user permission data to be sent again from the portable dedicated terminal 202 of the above-mentioned user.

Note that when the intermediate server 201 refers a user to an advertiser/company, it charges the advertiser/company a fee for referring the user.

As a result of sending the user introduction data to the advertiser/company server 203 by the intermediate server 201, if the contract conclusion data is sent from the advertiser/company server 203, because the advertiser/company has concluded a contract with the user, the intermediate server 201 It is received by the receiving section 212, and then sent from the transmitting section 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204, so as to notify the user that a contract has been concluded with the advertiser/company.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19 , the intermediate server 201 adds contract user ID information based on the contract conclusion data, indicating the user ID of the user who signed the contract with the above-mentioned advertiser/company, and sends the advertisement to the advertiser company database 211. In the advertiser/company registration information, the advertiser/company registration information is updated by the advertiser/company information update section 213. Simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 20 , the intermediate server 201 adds contract advertiser/company ID information based on the contract conclusion data, indicating the advertiser/company that signed the contract with the above-mentioned user, and the advertiser/company ID to the user database 210 In the user registration information in , and update the user registration information by the user information update part 215.

Therefore, the intermediate server 201 can grasp the state of the contract between the user and the advertiser/company from the thus updated user registration information and advertiser/company registration information. When users are allowed to publish user information to sign a contract with a new advertiser/company, it is not necessary to introduce advertisers/companies that have already signed a contract with the user to the user.

Furthermore, as a result of the intermediary server 201 sending the user introduction data to the advertiser/company server 203, if the contract non-conclusion data is sent from the advertiser/company who gave up the contract with the user, the intermediary server 201 receives it by the receiving section 212 , and send it from the sending part 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204, so as to notify the user that the contract is not signed with the advertiser/company.

In this case, when generating the advertiser/company introduction information and user introduction information as described above with reference to FIGS. ID information and contract advertiser/company ID information to prevent leakage of personal information unnecessary to the contract to advertisers/companies and users.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the operator inputs a registration request with the operation part 230, the advertiser/company server 203 sends the registration request as registration request data from the transmission part 232 via the Internet 204 by the transmission control part 231. to the intermediate server 201.

The advertiser/company server 203 receives the advertiser/company registration screen data from the intermediate server 201 by the receiving section 233, and sends it to the display section 235 from the display control section 234, to display on the display section 235 an advertisement based on the above-mentioned advertisement. Advertiser/Company Registry Screen Data of the Advertiser/Company Registry Screen.

Then, when the operator operates the operation section 230 through the advertiser/company registration screen displayed on the display section 235, the advertiser/company server 203 is sent by the transmission control section 231 from the transmission section 232 via the Internet 204 as an advertisement. The advertiser/company information of the advertiser/company registration information data is given to the intermediate server 201, and the advertiser/company information as described above (referring to FIG. Entered on the company registration screen.

The advertiser/company server 203 receives the advertiser/company ID sent from the intermediate server 201 that completed the advertiser/company registration via the Internet 204 by the receiving section 233 and stores it in the distribution information database 236 . Thereafter, when accessing the intermediate server 201, the advertiser/company server 203 uses the advertiser/company ID to identify it.

After the intermediate server 201 is registered, if the user introduction information as described above (refer to FIG. 17) is transmitted from the above-mentioned intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204 as user introduction data, the advertiser/company server 203 receives it by the receiving section 233, and Enter into the user selection section 237.

In this case, the advertiser/company server 203 judges by the user selection section 237 whether a contract should be signed with the user introduced by the intermediary server 201 based on the user introduction data by referring to the contract conditions and the use status of the Internet or the like.

When the advertiser/company server 203 has decided to utilize the user selection part 237 to sign a contract with the user, the advertiser/company server 203 generates the contract conclusion data by the transmission data generation part 238, and the sequence is transmitted through the transmission control part 231, Portion 232 and Internet 204 are sent to intermediate server 201 .

At this time, the advertiser/company server 203 notifies the transmission control section 231 of the decision to conclude a contract with the user by the user selection section 237 . The advertiser/company server 203 correctly reads the distribution data satisfying the contract user's taste from among various distribution data prestored in the distribution information database 236 by the transmission control section 231, and transmits the above-mentioned distribution data from the transmission section 232 via the Internet 204. The read distribution data is given to the portable dedicated terminal 202 of the user.

In this way, the advertiser/company server 203 can correctly provide distribution data satisfying the user's taste to the contract user.

In this case, when the advertiser/company server 203 has decided not to sign a contract with the user through the user selection section 237, the advertiser/company server 203 generates contract non-conclusion data by the transmission data generation section 238, and the sequence goes through The transmission control section 231 , the transmission section 232 and the Internet 204 transmit to the intermediate server 201 .

In the portable dedicated terminal 202, if the user who wants to register on the intermediate server 201 inputs registration with the operation part 240, the portable dedicated terminal 202 generates registration request data by the request data generation part 241, and sends it from the sending part 242 via the Internet 204 to Intermediate server 201.

In order to display the user registration screen based on the user registration screen data at the above-mentioned reproduction part 244, the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the user registration screen data transmitted from the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204 by the receiving part 243, and sends it to the display control part. , a display section, a loudspeaker, and the like.

Then, under the situation that the user registration screen has been displayed by the reproduction section 244, if the user operates the operation section 240, the portable dedicated terminal 202 is sent from the transmission section 242 via the Internet 204 by the request data generation section 241 as above with reference to Fig. 13 (A) Said user information input by operating the above-mentioned operation section 240 on the user registration screen as user registration information data is given to the intermediate server 201 .

The portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the user ID for completing user registration from the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204 by the receiving section 243 , and inputs the received user ID in the recording control section 245 .

The portable dedicated terminal 202 can distinguish different data input from the receiving section 243 to the recording control section 245 by the above-mentioned recording control section 245 based on an identifier preliminarily added to the data.

When the portable dedicated terminal 202 acquires a user ID, the user ID is recorded on a storage medium for the user 246 by the recording control section 245 . Thereafter, when accessing the intermediate server 201 and accessing the agent via the intermediate server 201, the portable dedicated terminal 202 uses the user ID to make the intermediate server 201 and the agent recognize the user.

When the user registered at the intermediate server 201, the portable dedicated terminal 202 was sent by the request data generation part 241 through the intermediate server 201 from the sending part 242 along with the user ID to send the designated information as content designated data to the agency, and the designated information is operated by the user through the operating part 240 And input information about desired content data.

Then, when the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives requested content data from the agency by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 confirms it by the recording control section 245, and records it in a storage medium for the agency 247. Thereafter, the portable dedicated terminal 202 reproduces the content data from the storage medium for the agent 247 by the reproduction control section 248 in accordance with the operation of the operation section 240, and sends the above-mentioned reproduced content data to the reproduction section 244. Therefore, the user can enjoy the content.

If the user inputs permission information for allowing distribution of user information using the operation section 240, the portable dedicated terminal 202 generates user permission data representing the permission information by the request data generation section 241, and sends it to the intermediate server 201 from the transmission section 242 via the Internet 204.

Therefore, when the advertiser/company introduction data is sent from the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204, the portable dedicated terminal 202 is received by the receiving section 243, and is sent to the reproducing section 244, to be transmitted based on the advertiser/company introduction data. On the advertiser/company introduction screen of , the advertiser/company introduced by the intermediate server 201 is shown to the user.

If the user selects a desired advertiser/company using the operation section 240, the portable dedicated terminal 202 generates selected advertiser/company data representing the advertiser/company selected by the request data generation section 241, and transmits Portion 242 is sent to intermediate server 201 via Internet 204 .

Therefore, because the advertiser/company has signed a contract with the user, when the contract conclusion data is sent from the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204, the portable dedicated terminal 202 is received by the receiving section 243, and sent to the reproducing section 244, to notify the user Result of contract with advertiser/company.

When the distribution data is sent from the advertiser/company server 203 that signed a contract with the user, the portable dedicated terminal 202 is received by the receiving section 243, and the above-mentioned received distribution data is confirmed by the record control section 245, and is used for the user 246. recorded on the storage medium. Thereafter, the portable dedicated terminal 202 reproduces the distribution data from the storage medium for the user 246 by the reproduction control section 248 in accordance with the operation of the operation section 240, and sends the above-mentioned reproduction distribution data to the reproduction section 244, showing the user the distribution based on the distribution data. Various information about the data.

On the contrary, if the advertiser/company abandons the contract with the user, and the contract non-conclusion data is sent from the intermediate server 201, the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives it by the receiving section 243, and sends it to the reproducing section 244, to notify the user and the advertiser. The advertiser/company did not enter into a contract.

In this case, as a result of the portable dedicated terminal 202 sending the user permission data to the intermediate server 201, if the advertiser company introduction impossible data is sent, the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives it by the receiving section 243, and sends it to the reproducing section 244 , to inform the user that the intermediary server 201 is currently unable to find an advertiser/company that can be introduced to the user.

As a result of showing the advertiser/company introduced by the intermediate server 201 to the user, if input by the above-mentioned user using the operation portion 240 means that the user cannot find an advertiser/company to sign a contract from among the advertiser/company introduced Selection impossible information, portable dedicated terminal 202 generates advertiser/company selection impossible data representing selection impossible information by request data generation section 241, and transmits from transmission section 242 to intermediate server 201 via Internet 204.

Meanwhile, such a portable dedicated terminal 202 has a storage medium for the user 246 and a storage medium for the agent 247 as has been described above. Data (user ID and distribution data) obtained from the intermediate server 201 and the advertiser/company server 203 instead of the agency is recorded in the storage for the user 246 by isolating the data (content data) obtained from the above-mentioned agency. on the media.

Therefore, in the advertiser/company server 203, when the content data leased from the agency is deleted from the storage medium for the agency 247 when the rental period expires, this can almost prevent the user from deleting the data by mistake, Such as the user ID and distribution data he/she obtains from the server instead of the agent, along with the above-mentioned content data.

An advertiser/company registration process of the intermediate server 201 and the advertiser/company server 203 in the data providing system 200 will now be collectively described. First, as shown in FIG. 21(A), the advertiser/company server 203 enters routine RT10 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP101.

At step SP101, the advertiser/company server 203 waits for a registration request to be input via the operation section 230. When the registration request is input, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP102.

In step SP102, the advertiser/company server 203 transmits a registration request as registration request data from the transmission section 232 to the intermediate server 201 by the transmission control section 231, and proceeds to step SP103.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 21(B), the intermediate server 201 enters routine RT11 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP111 to wait for registration request data to be sent from the advertiser/company server 203. When the intermediate server 201 receives the registration request data from the above-mentioned advertiser/company server 203 by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP112.

In step SP112, the intermediate server 201 reads the advertiser/company registration screen data from the advertiser/company database 211 based on the registration request data received by the advertiser/company information update section 213, and transmits it from the sending section 214. to the advertiser/company server 203, and proceeds to step SP113.

At this time, the advertiser/company server 203 waits for the advertiser/company registration screen data transmitted from the intermediate server 201 at step SP103. When the advertiser/company server 203 receives the advertiser/company registration screen data by the receiving section 233, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP104.

In step SP104, the advertiser/company server 203 sends the advertiser/company information as the advertiser/company registration information data to the intermediate server 201 by the transmission control section 231 from the transmission section 232, and proceeds to step SP105, and advertises The operator/company information is input by the operator using the operation section 230 on an advertiser/company registration screen based on the advertiser/company registration screen data.

At this time, the intermediate server 201 waits for the advertiser/company registration information data transmitted from the advertiser/company server 203 at step SP113. When the intermediate server 201 receives the advertiser/company registration information data by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP114.

In step SP114, the intermediate server 201 assigns an advertiser/company ID to the advertiser/company requesting registration by the advertiser/company information updating section 213, and sends it to the advertiser/company server 203 from the sending section 214. At the same time, the intermediate server 201 adds the advertiser/company ID to the advertiser/company information based on the advertiser/company registration information data obtained from the above-mentioned advertiser/company server 203, and serves as the advertiser/company ID The company registration information adopts it, records it in the advertiser/company database 211, and registers the above-mentioned advertiser/company that has requested registration. Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP115 to end the processing in the upper intermediate server 201 .

Further, the advertiser/company server 203 waits for the advertiser/company ID sent from the intermediate server 201 at step SP105. When the above-mentioned advertiser/company ID is received by the receiving section 233 by the advertiser/company server 203, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP106 to store the advertiser/company ID in the distribution information database 236. Then, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to the next step SP107 to end the processing in the advertiser/company server 203. In this way, the data providing system 200 ends all the advertiser/company registration processing in the intermediate server 201 and the advertiser/company server 203 .

An advertiser/company introduction process of the intermediate server 201 and the portable dedicated terminal 202 in the data providing system 200 will now be collectively described. First, as shown in FIGS. 22(A) and 23(A), the portable dedicated terminal 202 enters routine RT12 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP121.

At step SP121, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for the user to input a registration request using the operation section 240. When the registration request is input, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP122.

At step SP122, the portable dedicated terminal 202 transmits a registration request as registration request data from the transmission section 242 to the intermediate server 201 by the request data generation section 241, and proceeds to step SP123.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 22(B) and 23(B), the intermediate server 201 enters routine RT13 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP141 to wait for registration request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202. When the intermediate server 201 receives the registration request data from the portable dedicated terminal 202 by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP142.

In step SP142, intermediate server 201 reads user registration screen data from user database 210 based on registration request data by user information update section 215, and transmits from transmission section 214 to portable dedicated terminal 202, and proceeds to step SP143.

At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for user registration screen data sent from the intermediate server 201 at step SP123. When the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the above-mentioned user registration screen data by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP124.

In step SP124, the portable dedicated terminal 202 sends the user information as user registration information data from the sending part 242 by the request data generating part 241 to the intermediate server 201, and proceeds to step SP125, and the user information is determined by the user with the operation part 240 based on the user. The user registration screen of the registration screen data is entered.

At this time, the intermediate server 201 waits for user registration information data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 202 at step SP143. When the intermediate server 201 receives the above-mentioned user registration information data by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP144.

In step SP144, the intermediate server 201 assigns a user ID to the user requesting registration by the user information update section 215, and transmits from the transmission section 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 202. Simultaneously, the intermediate server 201 adds the user ID to the user information based on the above-mentioned user registration information data obtained from the portable dedicated terminal 202, and adopts it as the user registration information, and stores in the user database 210 the information of de-registering the above-mentioned request registration user. Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP145.

At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for the user ID transmitted from the intermediate server 201 at step SP125. When the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the user ID by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP126 to record the user ID on the storage medium for the user 246, and proceeds to step SP127.

At step SP127, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for any registration request input by the user with the operation section 240. When the above-mentioned request is input, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP128 to determine whether the request is a request for permission to issue user information.

Obtaining a negative result at this step SP128 means that the user's request is specific information, for example, to obtain content data from a different agency. At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP129, generates content specifying data representing specifying information and including the user ID by the request data generating section 241, and transmits to the agent from the transmitting section 242 via the intermediate server 201, and returns to step SP127.

Thereafter, the portable dedicated terminal 202 repeats the loop processing steps SP127-SP128-SP129 each time content data specifying information is input by the above-mentioned user until the user requests permission to issue user information.

Obtaining an affirmative result at step SP128 means that the user wants to conclude a contract with an advertiser/company and requests release of user information. At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP130, and the request data generation section 241 generates user permission data indicating a request to issue user information and including the user ID, and sends it to the intermediate server 201 from the transmission section 242. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP131.

On the other hand, the intermediate server 201 waits for any data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202 at step SP145. When the intermediate server 201 receives data from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 202 by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP146 to determine whether the received data is user's permission data.

Obtaining a negative result at step SP146 means that the intermediate server 201 has received content designation data from the portable dedicated terminal 202 for forwarding to the agency. At this time, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP147 to update the user registration information by the user information updating section 215 based on the content specifying data. Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP145.

In this way, each time when content specifying data is received from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 202, the intermediate server 201 repeats the loop processing steps SP145-SP146-SP147 until the user permission data is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 202, and thus updates the user registration message.

Obtaining an affirmative result at step SP146 means that the user permits distribution of user information to conclude a contract with an advertiser/company, and the intermediate server 201 receives the user's permission data. At this time, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP148, and the matching section 216 determines whether there is a type whose number of acquisitions exceeds a threshold value among the content data obtained by the user based on the user registration information of the user who is allowed to publish.

Obtaining a negative result at this step SP148 means that it is currently difficult to specify the user's taste because there is no genre whose number of acquisitions exceeds the threshold in consideration of content data acquired by the user. At this time, the intermediate server 201 generates the advertiser/company introduction impossibility data from the matching part 216, and sends it from the sending part 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 202 to notify the user that an advertiser/company that can be introduced to the user cannot be found at present . Then, the intermediate server 201 returns to step SP145.

On the contrary, obtaining an affirmative result at this step SP148 means that, considering the content data acquired by the user, there is a category whose number of times of acquisition exceeds the threshold, and the category is designated as the current user's taste. At this time, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP149.

In step SP149, the intermediate server 201 searches the advertiser/company database 211 for the advertiser/company registration information by the matching section 216 based on the user's taste specified in step SP148, to read a distribution that satisfies the above-mentioned user's taste. Advertiser/company registration information of the data.

The intermediate server 201 generates advertiser/company introduction information based on the advertiser/company registration information read from the advertiser/company database 211 by the matching section 216, and transmits from the sending section 214 as advertiser/company introduction data to Portable dedicated terminal 202, to introduce advertisers/companies to users. Then, the intermediate server 201 returns to step SP145, and repeats the processing steps SP145-SP146-SP147-SP148-SP149 again.

At step SP131, after sending the user permission data to the intermediate server 201, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for advertiser/company introduction data and advertiser/company introduction impossible data to be sent from the intermediate server 201. When the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the advertiser/company introduction data or the advertiser/company introduction impossible data from the intermediate server 201 by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to the next step SP132.

In step SP132, when the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the advertiser/company introduction impossibility data by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 sends to the reproducing section 244 to notify the user that the intermediate server 201 cannot find a suitable data for the user. advertiser/company. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 returns to step SP127, and repeats the processing steps SP127-SP128-SP129-SP130-SP131-SP132 again.

In step SP132, when the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the advertiser/company introduction data by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 sends to the reproducing section 244 to show the advertiser/company introduced by the intermediate server 201 to the user . Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 returns to step SP127, and repeats the processing steps SP127-SP128-SP129-SP130-SP131-SP132 again. Advertiser/company introduction processing is performed in the data providing system 200 as described above.

The contract processing procedure in the intermediate server 201, the portable dedicated terminal 202, and the advertiser/company server 203 in the data providing system 200 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 24(A), the portable dedicated terminal 202 having received advertiser/company introduction data from the intermediate server 201 enters routine RT14 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP161.

At step SP161, the portable dedicated terminal 202 shows the advertiser/company introduced by the intermediate server 201 to the user by the reproducing section 244. If the above-mentioned user selects an advertiser/company to sign a contract with the operation section 240, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP162.

At step SP162, the portable dedicated terminal 202 generates selected advertiser company data representing the advertiser/company selected by the user by the request data generating section 241, and transmits from the transmitting section 242 to the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to the next step SP163.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 24(B), the intermediate server 201 enters routine RT15 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP171 to wait for the selected advertiser/company data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202. When the intermediate server 201 receives the selected advertiser/company data from the portable dedicated terminal 202 by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 20 proceeds to step SP172.

In step SP172, the intermediate server 201 generates user introduction information from the user registration information based on the selected advertiser/company data by the matching section 216, and transmits from the transmission section 214 to the advertiser/company server via the Internet 204 as user introduction data. 203. Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP173.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 24(C), the advertiser/company server 203 enters program RT16 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP181 to wait for user introduction data sent from the intermediate server 201. When the advertiser/company server 203 receives the user introduction data from the intermediate server 201 by the receiving section 232, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP182.

In step SP182, the advertiser/company server 203, by the user selection section 237, judges whether to conclude a contract with the user by referring to the contract conditions based on the user introduction data and the use state of the Internet 204.

Obtaining a negative result at step SP182 means that the conditions of the contract shown by the user and the usage status of the Internet 204 and the like do not satisfy the advertiser/company's requirements, and therefore the contract signing is abandoned. At this time, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP183 to generate contract non-conclusion data by the transmission data generation section 238, and transmit it from the transmission section 232 to the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204. Then, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP184 to end the processing in the advertiser/company server 203 .

Conversely, obtaining an affirmative result at step SP182 means that the contract conditions shown by the user and the state of use of the Internet 204 satisfy the advertiser/company's requirements, and the advertiser/company decides to sign a contract with the user. At this time, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP185 to generate contract achievement data by the transmission data generation section 238, and transmit it from the transmission section 232 to the intermediate server 201 via the Internet 204. Then, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP186.

In step SP186, the advertiser/company server 203 correctly reads distribution data satisfying the contract user's taste from the distribution information database 236 by the transmission control section 231, and transmits from the transmission section 232 to the user's portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204. Then, the advertiser/company server 203 proceeds to step SP184 to end the processing in the advertiser/company server 203 .

In step SP173, the intermediate server 201 waits for the conclusion/non-conclusion data indicating the conclusion of the contract with the user to be sent from the advertiser/company server 203. When the intermediate server 201 receives the above data from the advertiser/company server 203 by the receiving section 212, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP174.

In step SP174, the intermediate server 201 determines whether the data received from the advertiser/company server 203 is contract conclusion data.

Obtaining a negative result at step SP174 means that the advertiser/company relinquishes the contract with the user, and the intermediate server 201 receives contract non-conclusion data from the advertiser/company server 203 . At this time, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP175 to send contract non-conclusion data from the sending part 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204 to notify the user that the contract is not signed with the advertiser/company. Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP176 to end the processing in the upper intermediate server 201.

Conversely, obtaining an affirmative result at step SP174 means that the advertiser/company concludes a contract with the user, and the intermediate server 201 receives contract conclusion data from the advertiser/company server 203 . At this time, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP177 to transmit contract conclusion data from the transmission section 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 202 via the Internet 204 to notify the user that the contract has been concluded with the advertiser/company. Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP178.

In step SP178, the intermediate server 201 updates the user registration information in the user database 210 based on the contract conclusion data by the user information update section 215, and updates the user registration information in the advertiser/company database 211 by the advertiser/company information update section 213 based on the contract conclusion data. Update the advertiser/company registration information in . Then, the intermediate server 201 proceeds to step SP176 to end the processing in the upper intermediate server 201.

Further, at step SP163, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for the conclusion/non-conclusion data indicating the conclusion of the contract with the advertiser/company sent from the intermediate server 201. When the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the data from the above-mentioned intermediate server 201, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP164.

At step SP164, the portable dedicated terminal 202 determines whether the data received from the intermediate server 201 is contract conclusion data.

Obtaining a negative result at step SP164 means that the advertiser/company relinquishes the contract, and the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the contract non-conclusion data from the intermediate server 201 . At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 202 transmits the above-mentioned contract non-conclusion data to the reproducing section 244 to notify the user that the contract with the advertiser/company is not concluded. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP165 to end the processing in the portable dedicated terminal 202 .

Conversely, obtaining an affirmative result at step SP164 means that the advertiser/company concludes a contract with the user, and the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives contract conclusion data from the intermediate server 201 . At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 202 sends contract conclusion data to the reproducing section 244 to notify the user that a contract has been concluded with the advertiser/company. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP166.

At step SP166, the portable dedicated terminal 202 waits for distribution data to be transmitted from the advertiser/company server 203 of the advertiser/company contracted with the user. When the portable dedicated terminal 202 receives the distribution data from the advertiser/company server 203 by the receiving section 243, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP167.

At step SP167, the portable dedicated terminal 202 is identified by the recording control section 245 and records the received distribution data on a storage medium for the user 246 only. Therefore, the distribution data can be freely reproduced and shown by the user. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 202 proceeds to step SP165 to end the processing in the portable dedicated terminal 202 . As described above, the data providing system 200 completes the entire contract processing process.

According to the above structure, in this data providing system 200, the advertiser/company information is obtained from the advertiser/company server 203 of the advertiser/company providing distribution data to the user via the Internet 204 through the intermediate server 201, It is stored as advertiser/company registration information in the advertiser/company database 211 to register the above-mentioned advertiser/company.

Furthermore, in the data providing system 200, the intermediate server 201 obtains user information from the intermediate server 201 of the user who wants to use the Internet 204 through the portable dedicated terminal 202, assigns a user ID, adds the user ID to the obtained user information, and serves as User registration information is stored in the user database 210 to register the user.

In this data providing system 200, in order to obtain content data and the like through the portable dedicated terminal 202, each time content specifying data including a user ID is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 202 to an agent, the content specifying data is forwarded by the intermediate server 201, and The content of the above-mentioned content specifying data is added to the user registration information in the user database 210, and thus the user registration information is updated.

In this way, in the data providing system 200, if user permission data representing permission-issuing user information is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 202, the intermediate server 201 determines the taste of the user based on the user registration information in the user database 210. Based on the user's taste discriminated above, the advertiser/company registration information is searched in the advertiser/company database 211, and thus the advertiser/company providing the distribution data of the advertiser/company satisfying the user's taste is read. registration message. Then, advertiser/company introduction data is generated and sent to the portable dedicated terminal 202.

Therefore, in this data providing system 200, a user can easily select an advertiser/company providing distribution data satisfying his/her own taste at significantly reduced time and cost.

In this data providing system 200, as a result of introducing the advertiser/company to the user, if the user selects the desired advertiser/company, in order for the advertiser/company to decide whether to sign a contract with the user, the intermediate server 201 Only the advertiser/company server 203 of the advertiser/company selected by the user is provided with user introduction data generated from user registration information, ie, user personal information. Therefore, it is almost possible to prevent personal information on users from being illegally distributed via the Internet.

In this data providing system 200, users are introduced to advertisers/companies in the manner described above. Therefore, the advertiser/company can also easily and correctly select users who request the distribution data provided by the advertiser/company, and the distribution data can be efficiently and correctly provided to the users.

In this data providing system 200, a user uses a portable dedicated terminal 202 for only one agency, and the user obtains distribution data provided by an advertiser/company through the portable dedicated terminal 202 described above. Therefore, the versatility of the portable dedicated terminal 202 can be expanded, and usability can be remarkably improved.

In this data providing system 200, in the portable dedicated terminal 202, distribution data is obtained from an agency and recorded on a storage medium for user 246 for storing content data, which is different from the storage medium for user 246 A storage medium for the agent 247. Therefore, when content data leased from an agency is erased, distribution data can be substantially prevented from being erased by mistake.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the intermediate server 201 has a user database 210 for storing the user information provided by the user through the portable dedicated terminal 202 to register the above-mentioned user and for storing information provided by the advertiser/company through the advertiser/company server 203. The advertiser/company database 211 that registers the advertiser/company information of the above-mentioned advertiser/company as advertiser/company registration information. Every time when the content specifying data including the user ID issued in the registered user is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 202 to the agency, the content of the above-mentioned content specifying data is added to the user registration information in the user database 210, and is sent by the intermediate server 201 Update user registration information. When the intermediary server 201 receives the user permission data from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 202, the intermediary server 201 searches the advertiser/company database 211 for advertising based on the user's taste determined from the user registration information in the user database 210. The advertiser/company registration information is generated based on the advertiser/company registration information of the advertiser/company selected by the search, and is transmitted to the portable dedicated terminal 202. Therefore, the user can easily select an advertiser company that provides distribution data satisfying his/her own taste. Therefore, it is possible to realize a data providing system in which a user can obtain desired distribution data easily and accurately.

Note that, in the aforementioned fourth embodiment, when the intermediate server 201 receives the user permission data from the portable dedicated terminal 202, the intermediate server 201 judges the user's taste based on the user registration information in the user database 210 and searches the registered user's taste. Advertiser/Company Database 211. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the intermediate server 201 can often determine the user's taste based on the user registration information in the user database 210, when the intermediate server 201 finds the above-mentioned user's taste (that is, when obtained by the user When the number of content data is equal to or above the threshold), the portable dedicated terminal 202 can be used to ask the user whether he/she intends to distribute user information, and thus allow the user permission data for publishing user information to be obtained from the user using the portable dedicated terminal 202, the intermediary server 201 may search the advertiser/company database 211 for the advertiser/company registration information. Therefore, when a user allows distribution of user information with a possibility of contracting with an advertiser/company, it is basically prevented that the user's taste cannot be found and thus an advertiser/company cannot be introduced.

In the foregoing fourth embodiment, when the intermediary server 201 receives the permission data of the user, the intermediary server 201 searches the advertiser/company database 211 based on the user's taste found from the user's registration information in the user database 210. Advertiser/Company Registration Information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in addition to user tastes found based on the user registration information in the user database 210, advertisers/company databases 211 may also be searched based on contract conditions described in the above user registration information. Advertiser/Company Registration Information. Therefore, when the user introduction data is sent to the advertiser/company server 203, the situation that the advertiser/company abandons the contract with the user due to the contract conditions can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the possibility of making a contract between the user and the advertiser/company increases, and the request of the user who wants to make a contract with the advertiser/company can be further accurately processed.

In the foregoing fourth embodiment, when the intermediary server 201 receives the user permission data, the intermediary server 201, based on the user's taste found in the user registration information in the user database 210, registers the user's taste in the advertiser/company database 211 Search for advertiser/company registration information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the advertiser/company registration information can be searched in the advertiser/company database 211 based on the taste information included as the basis of the user registration information stored in the user database 210 in the user information. Therefore, in the matching section 216, except for the process of extracting the user's taste from the user registration information, the load in processing can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned fourth embodiment, the user uses the intermediate server 201 using the portable dedicated terminal 202 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may use the intermediary server 201 with other various kinds of data obtaining devices provided by the user as devices connectable to the Internet 204, such as personal computers, portable phones, and PDAs. (Personal Digital Assistant). Therefore, in addition, users can be introduced to advertisers/companies by the intermediate server 20, and the system can be widely popularized.

(6) The fifth embodiment

FIG. 25 shows a data providing system 260 of the fifth embodiment, in which the same reference numerals are added to corresponding parts in FIG. 11 . The data providing system 260 is constructed similarly to the data providing system 200 of the foregoing fourth embodiment, except that the structure of the intermediate server 261 corresponds to that of the system management site 2 and the portable dedicated terminal 262 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 . In addition to the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

In this case, similar to the intermediate server 201 described above with reference to FIG. Advertiser/company registration information is stored in the /company database 211 to register an advertiser/company that provides distribution data to users via the Internet 204 using the advertiser/company server 203 .

In addition, similar to the intermediary server 201 described above with reference to FIG.

In addition to user registration information and user registration screen data, the intermediate server 261 pre-stores user information input screen data in the user database 265 to input user information. When the intermediate server 261 receives the user permission data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 262 by the user operation by the receiving part 266, the intermediate server 261 reads the user information input screen data from the user database 265 by the user information updating part 267, and transmits the data from the user information update part 267. Portion 214 is sent to portable dedicated terminal 262 via Internet 204 .

When user information similar to the user information described above with reference to FIG. Information is input on the user information input screen based on the user information input screen data according to the user's operation.

Now, as shown in FIG. 26, the matching section 268 is constituted by an advertiser/company information extracting section. The matching section 268 extracts user taste type information as information indicative of the user's taste among the user information data input from the receiving section 266 . Based on the user taste type information extracted above, the advertiser/company registration information is searched in the advertiser/company database 211, and the advertiser/company having the same distribution type information as that shown in the user taste type information is read. Company Registration Information.

Then, the matching part 268 reads the advertiser/company registration information from the advertiser/company database 211 to generate the advertiser/company introduction information as described above with reference to FIG. /Company introduction data is sent to the portable dedicated terminal 262 .

In this way, the intermediate server 261 introduces an advertiser/company that can provide distribution data satisfying the user's taste to the user who has permitted distribution of user information to the advertiser/company.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25, similar to the portable dedicated terminal 202 described above with reference to FIG. wait.

When a permission request representing permission to issue user information to an advertiser/company is input by the operation part 240 by the operation of the user, the portable dedicated terminal 262 generates user permission data by the request data generation part 270, and transmits the data from the transmission part 242 via the Internet 204. Send to the intermediate server 261.

Therefore, if the user information input screen data is sent from the intermediate server 261 via the Internet 204, the portable dedicated terminal 262 is received by the receiving section 271 and sent to the reproducing section 244 to display a user information input screen data based on the above-mentioned user information. Information input screen.

If the user information is input by the user according to the operation of the operation part 240 on the user information input screen, the portable dedicated terminal 262 generates user information data representing the user information by the request data generation part 270, and transmits the data from the transmission part 242 via the Internet 204. Send to the intermediate server 261.

In this way, based on the advertiser/company introduction data supplied from the intermediate server 261, the portable dedicated terminal 262 can receive an introduction to an advertiser/company that provides distribution data that meets the user's taste.

In this data providing system 260, an intermediary server 261 introduces an advertiser/company, and the above-mentioned intermediary server 261 and portable dedicated terminal 262 and an advertiser/company server 203 perform operations similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 24 in the data providing system. The contract processing procedure of the contract processing procedure in 200 (FIG. 11). Therefore, the user and the advertiser/company can conclude a contract.

Advertiser/company introduction processing in the intermediate server 261 and the portable dedicated terminal 262 in the data providing system 260 will now be collectively described. First, as shown in FIG. 27(A), the portable dedicated terminal 262 enters routine RT17 from the start step, and proceeds to the next step SP191 to wait for input of a user information issue permission request. When the permission request is input by the user operating the operation section 240, the portable dedicated terminal 262 proceeds to step SP192.

At step SP192, the portable dedicated terminal 262 generates user permission data by the request data generating section 270, and transmits from the transmitting section 242 to the intermediate server 262, and then proceeds to step SP193.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 27(B), the intermediate server 261 enters the routine RT18 from the start step, and proceeds to the next step SP201 to wait for user permission data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 262. When the intermediate server 261 receives the above-mentioned user permission data by the receiving section 266, the intermediate server 261 proceeds to step SP202.

In step SP202, the intermediate server 261 reads the user information input screen data from the user database 265 based on the received user permission data by the user information update section 267, and transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 262 from the transmission section 214, and then proceeds to step SP203 .

At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 262 waits for the user information input screen data sent from the intermediate server 261 at step SP193. When the portable dedicated terminal 262 receives the above-mentioned user information input screen data by the receiving section 271, the portable dedicated terminal 262 proceeds to step SP194.

In step SP194, when the user information is input by the user via the operation section 240, in the case where the user information input screen is displayed to the reproducing section 244 by sending the user information input screen data, the portable dedicated terminal 262 is generated by the request data generation section. 270 generates user information data, and transmits from the transmission section 242 to the intermediate server 261, and then proceeds to step SP195.

At this time, the intermediate server 261 waits for user information data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 262 at step SP203. When the intermediate server 261 receives the above-mentioned user information data by the receiving section 266, the intermediate server 261 proceeds to step SP204.

In step SP204, the intermediate server 261 searches for the advertiser/company registration information in the advertiser/company database 211 based on the user taste type information in the user information data, to read the distribution type information containing information related to the above-mentioned user taste. The content of the type information is the same as the advertiser/company registration information, and then proceeds to step SP205.

In step SP205, the intermediate server 261 generates advertiser company introduction data based on the advertiser/company registration information read from the advertiser/company database 211, and transmits from the transmission section 214 to the portable dedicated terminal 262 to introduce the advertisement from the operator/company to the user. Then, the intermediate server 261 proceeds to step SP206 to end the processing in the upper intermediate server 261 .

At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 262 waits for advertiser/company introduction data sent from the intermediate server 261 at step SP195. When the portable dedicated terminal 262 receives the above-mentioned advertiser/company introducing data by the receiving section 271, the portable dedicated terminal 262 transmits to the reproducing section 244 to show the advertiser/company introduced by the intermediate server 261 to the user. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 262 proceeds to step SP196 to end the processing in the portable dedicated terminal 262 . Therefore, the entire advertiser/company introduction process is completed by the data providing system 260 .

According to the above structure, in this data providing system 260, when the user permits distribution of user information to the advertiser/company, the intermediate server 261 sends the user information input screen data to the portable dedicated terminal 262 in response to the transmission from the portable dedicated terminal 262. User license data for .

Therefore, in the data providing system 260, the intermediate server 261 searches the advertiser/company database 211 for the advertiser/company registration information based on the user's taste type information in the user information data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 262 to reading advertiser/company registration information having distribution type information having the same content as user taste type information, generating advertiser/company introduction data based on the read advertiser/company registration information as described above, and Send to the portable dedicated terminal 262. Therefore, advertisers/companies that provide distribution data satisfying the user's own taste can be introduced to the user.

Therefore, in this data providing system 260, when the user permits distribution of user information to advertisers/companies, user information is obtained, and advertiser/company registration information is searched based on the above obtained user information. Therefore, when a user wants to receive distribution data from an advertiser/company, the advertiser/company can be introduced according to the user's interest.

That is, in this data providing system 260, even if the user's interest has changed between his/her user registration on the intermediate server 261 and permission to advertisers/companies to publish user information, or even during the usage time of the Internet 204 When the number is less than the time when the user started using the portable dedicated terminal 262, the user's interests can be accurately grasped, and advertisers/companies that provide the above-mentioned user-desired distribution data can be introduced to the user.

According to the above structure, the intermediate server 261, sending the user information input screen data to the portable dedicated terminal 262 in response to the user permission data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 262, based on the user information data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 262 as a transmission result. The user's taste type information, advertiser/company registration information is searched in the advertiser/company database 211 to read the advertiser/company registration information having the same content distribution type information as the user's taste type information, based on Advertiser/company registration information generates advertiser/company introduction data and sends it to the portable dedicated terminal 262 . Therefore, in addition to the effect obtained by the aforementioned fourth embodiment, the advertiser/company can be introduced to the user while the user wants to receive distribution data from the advertiser/company and accurately reflect the user's interest. Therefore, it is possible to realize a data providing system in which a user can obtain desired distribution data more accurately.

Note that in the foregoing fifth embodiment, the intermediate server 261 searches the advertiser/company database 211 for the advertiser/company registration information based on the user taste type information in the user information data. But the present invention is not limited thereto, instead of the user's taste type in the user information data, in the advertiser/company database 211, the notes or words in the notes representing the user's taste etc. in the user information data can be Advertiser/company registration information in the advertiser/company registration information, such as in the annotation of the advertiser/company's tagline or words matching the search advertiser/company registration information, or in the advertiser/company database 211 can be obtained by using All or some of the above-mentioned user taste type information and notes and their contract conditions search advertiser/company registration information. Therefore, advertisers/companies can be introduced by more accurately reflecting user's taste.

In the foregoing fifth embodiment, the intermediary server 261 searches the advertiser/company database 211 for the advertiser/company registration information based on the user permission data obtained when the user permits distribution of the registration information. But the present invention is not limited thereto, and the intermediate server 261 can be arbitrarily selected and executed by the user based on the user permission data obtained when the user allows the release of the registration information to search for the advertiser/company registration information in the advertiser/company database 211, And according to the foregoing fourth embodiment, the intermediate server 261 searches the advertiser/company database 211 for the advertiser/company registration information method based on the user registration information. Therefore, the data providing system can be used by two types of users, a user who does not change his/her interest at all, and a user who changes his/her interest relatively, so that the above-mentioned data providing system can be improved. availability.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned fifth embodiment, the user uses the intermediate server 261 with the portable dedicated terminal 262 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may use the intermediary server 261 with other various kinds of data obtaining devices provided by the user which are devices connectable to the Internet 204, such as personal computers, portable phones, and PDAs. Therefore, more users can use the introduction of the advertiser/company through the intermediate server 261, and thus the introduction can be widely disseminated.

(7) The sixth embodiment

Fig. 28 shows a data providing system 300 of the sixth embodiment. The requesting terminal 302 corresponds to the user 3 (i.e., the requesting terminal used by the user 3) as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the portable dedicated terminal 303 corresponds to the portable dedicated terminals 7A to 7N as described above with reference to FIGS. The data providing server 301 corresponds to the agents 4A to 4N as described above with reference to FIGS. to the data providing server 301.

The data providing server 301 has a user database 310 and a content database 311. The user database 310 is used to store user registration information and user registration screen data, and the content database 311 is used to store many content data, content selection screen data, and user requests. To customize the custom registration screen data of the above content selection screen.

When the registration request data that the user requests registration is transmitted from the requesting terminal 302 , the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 302 and inputs it into the updating section 313 . The data providing server 301 reads the user registration screen data from the user database 310 by the above-mentioned updating section 313 based on the registration request data, and transmits to the requesting terminal 302 from the sending section 314 .

Therefore, when the user information input on the user registration screen based on the user registration screen data is sent from the requesting terminal 302, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 312, and inputs it into the updating section 313. The data providing server 301 assigns a user ID to the user requesting registration, and is added to the user information by the above-mentioned update section 313 . The data providing server 301 stores user information added with a user ID as user registration information in the user database 310 to register the user.

In this case, when the user is registered by the update section 313, the data providing server 301 generates registration completion data including the user ID, and sends it to the requesting terminal 302 from the sending section 314 to notify the user of completion of registration and the user ID.

When transmission request data requesting transmission of content data is sent from the requesting terminal 302, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 312 and inputs it into the search section 315, and the above-mentioned search section 315 retrieves the content data from the content database based on the transmission request data. The content selection screen data is read in 311 and sent from the sending part 314 to the requesting terminal 302.

Therefore, when predetermined information is input on the content selection screen based on the content selection screen data, and predetermined data representing the above predetermined information is transmitted from the requesting terminal 302, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 312.

The data providing server 301 reads specified content data from the content database 311 by the search section 315 based on predetermined data, and sends it from a dedicated terminal (not shown) to a portable dedicated terminal that has not been handed over to the user (not shown), and the portable dedicated terminal (not shown) The dedicated terminal is directly connected to the dedicated terminal with a cable or the like to record content data therein.

In this way, the data providing server 301 first accepts the user's reservation for purchasing or renting content data and the portable dedicated terminal 303 issued by the requesting terminal 302, prepares a portable dedicated terminal 303 in advance, and performs the same on the portable dedicated terminal 303 to be purchased or rented. The above-mentioned content data to be purchased or rented is recorded in the dedicated terminal 303 . Then, when the user comes to an agent having the above-mentioned data providing server 301, the portable dedicated terminal 303 is handed over to the user, and sold or leased.

The data providing server 301 can be connected to a portable dedicated terminal 303 sold or leased to users via the Internet. If transmission request data requesting transmission of content data (purchase or rental) is transmitted from the above-mentioned sold or leased portable dedicated terminal 303, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 312 and inputs it into the searching section 315.

At this time, the data providing server 301 reads content selection screen data from the content database 311 by the search section 315 based on the transmission request data, and transmits from the transmission section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 of the user.

Therefore, when content data information specifying content data is input on the content selection screen based on the content selection screen data, and content designation data representing the above designation information is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303, the data providing server 301 is provided by The receiving section 312 receives it, and inputs it into the searching section 315 .

The data providing server 301 reads specified content data from the content database 311 by the search section 315 based on the content specification data, and transmits it from the transmission section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 to record it therein.

In this way, the data providing server 301 transmits content data to the portable dedicated terminal 303 to be sold or leased to the user via the Internet. Therefore, the user can purchase or rent content data with his portable dedicated terminal 303 .

In addition, if customizing request data for customizing the portable dedicated terminal 303 for sale or lease to the user is sent, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 313 and inputs it into the searching section 315, and is read by the above-mentioned searching section 315 based on the customizing request data. The customized registration screen data that has been stored in the content database 311 in advance is fetched and sent from the sending part 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303.

Therefore, when the screen customization information for the content selection screen is transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 303 as screen customization data, the data providing server 301 receives it by the reception section 312, and inputs it to the update section 313 and the search section 315 , the screen customization information is entered on the custom registration screen based on the custom registration screen data.

The data providing server 301 reads the content selection screen data from the content database 311 by the search section 315, processes it based on the screen customization data obtained from the user, and transmits the thus obtained customization screen data from the transmission section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 .

In this way, the data providing server 301 shows the customized screen to the user on the portable dedicated terminal 303 based on the customized screen data to make the user confirm whether the content selection screen has been customized as required. If confirmation data indicating that the above-mentioned content selection screen has been customized as required is sent, the data providing server 301 adds customized screen data to the user registration information in the user database 310, and updates the above-mentioned user registration information by the updating part 313.

Thereafter, when the transmission request data is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303 by the user who requests to customize the content selection screen, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 312, inputs it in the updating section 313, and the above-mentioned updating section 313 extracts the data from the user database. 310 reads the screen customization information added to the user registration information of the above-mentioned user, and sends to the matching section 316 .

Data providing server 301 reads content selection screen data from content database 311 by matching section 316, processes it based on screen customization information, and transmits thus obtained customized screen data to portable dedicated terminal 303 from transmission section 314.

Therefore, every time when the transmission request data is sent by the user who requests to customize the content selection screen through the portable dedicated terminal 303, the data providing server 301 is based on the customized screen data obtained in accordance with the customization request of the above-mentioned user. On the surface, let the user specify the content data to purchase or rent.

In this case, in the portable dedicated terminal 303 rented by the user, information for customizing the color of the casing of the above portable dedicated terminal 303 can also be selected on the customization registration screen. If the shell customization information as the shell customization data specifying the color of the shell is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303, the data providing server 301 receives it by the receiving section 312, inputs it to the update section 313, and adds the shell customization information to the user registration in the user database 310 information, and the above-mentioned user registration information is updated by the above-mentioned updating part 313.

Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 303 is leased to the user again, or thereafter when the portable dedicated terminal 303 is sold to the above-mentioned user, the portable dedicated terminal 303 having the color specified by the casing customization information will be handed over.

On the other hand, if the user inputs user registration information with the operation section 320, the request terminal 302 generates registration request data representing a registration request by the request data generation section 321, and sends it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission section 322.

Therefore, when the requesting terminal 302 receives the user registration screen data from the data providing server 301 by the receiving part 323, the requesting terminal 302 sends the display part 325 from the display control part 324 to display the user registration screen based on the above-mentioned display part 325. Data user registration screen.

When the user information was input by the user according to the operation of the operation part 320 on the user registration screen, the request terminal 302 produced the user information data by the request data generation part 321, and sent to the data providing server 301 from the sending part 322, so that The data providing server 301 performs user registration.

When the user inputs a content data transmission request via the operation section 320, the request terminal 302 generates transmission request data representing the transmission request by the request data generation section 321, and sends it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission section 322.

Therefore, when the requesting terminal 302 receives the content selection screen data from the data providing server 301 by the receiving part 323, the requesting terminal 302 sends the display part 75 from the display control part 324 to display the content selection screen based on the above-mentioned display part 325. Data content selection screen.

When the predetermined information is input by the user in accordance with the operation of the operation section 320 on the content selection screen, the request terminal 302 generates predetermined data by the request data generation section 321 and transmits it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission section 322 . And the user completes the purchase or lease of the content data and the reservation of the portable dedicated terminal 303 .

For the portable dedicated terminal 303 that is sold or leased to the user, under the situation that the content data has been recorded in its internal storage medium 340, if a reproduction instruction is input through the operation part 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 is retrieved from the storage medium by the reproduction control part 342. In 340, the content data purchased or rented by the user in advance is reproduced, and sent to the reproduction section 343 composed of a display control section, a display section, a speaker, etc., so that the user can enjoy the content.

When the user inputs a content data transmission request with the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates transmission request data representing the transmission request by the request data generation section 344, and sends it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission section 345.

Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives content selection screen data from the data providing server 301 by the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends to the reproduction section 343 to display a content selection screen based on the content selection screen data.

If the information of specifying content data is input according to the operation of the operation part 341 on the content selection screen, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates content designation data representing the designation information by the request data generation part 344, and sends to the data providing server 301 from the transmission part 345 .

When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives content data from the data providing server 301 by the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 records it on the storage medium 340 by the recording control section 347. Therefore, after that, the content data will be reproduced from the storage medium 340 by the reproduction control section 342 in accordance with the operation of the operation section 341 .

In addition, if the user inputs a customization request with the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates customization request data representing the customization request by the request data generation section 344, and sends it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission section 345.

Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives customized registration screen data from the data providing server 301 by the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends to the reproducing section 343 to display a customized registration screen based on the customized registration screen data.

If the screen customization information is input according to the operation of the operation part 341 on the customization registration screen, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates the screen customization data representing the screen customization information by the request data generation part 344, and sends from the sending part 345 to Data providing server 301 .

As a result of the screen customization data being sent to the data providing server 301, when the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives the customized screen data from the above-mentioned data providing service 301 by the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends to the reproducing section 343 to give The user shows a customized screen based on the customized screen data.

Therefore, if the confirmation information confirming the content selection screen customized according to requirements is input by the user with the operation part 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates confirmation data by the request data generation part 344, and sends it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission part 345, to In the above-mentioned data providing server, customization information representing content screens desired by customization users is stored.

After the screen customization data is stored in the data providing server 301, the portable dedicated terminal 303 transmits content transmission request data to the data providing server 301. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives the customized screen data from the data providing server 301 by the receiving section 346 and sends it to the reproducing section 343 . Accordingly, content data for purchase or for rental can be selected on a custom screen generated by customizing the content selection screen.

In this case, if the casing customization information for customizing the casing color of the portable dedicated terminal 303 is input on the customization registration screen in accordance with the operation of the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates casing customization information representing the casing customization information by the request data generating section 344. The data is sent from the sending part 345 to the data providing server 301. Therefore, case customization information for the case of the portable dedicated terminal 303 is stored in the data providing server 301 .

In addition to the above-mentioned structure, in this sixth embodiment, when the content database 311 is generated by obtaining a lot of content data from a content server (not shown), the data providing server 301 obtains a predetermined development tool for obtaining from a content server (not shown). The content selection screen is formed by the content server described above, which is a provider of content data and corresponds to the system management site as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

The data providing server 301 generates content selection screen data in which the agent's store is displayed with a three-dimensional virtual reality stereoscopic image with a development tool, and the user can select content data through the above-mentioned three-dimensional virtual reality space image, as if he/she actually walked into the agent The store in the store selects packaged media from the shelves, and stores the generated content selection screen data in the content database 311.

In this case, the data providing server 301 stores in the content database 311 the same content data as many packaged media actually sold or rented at the agency, and generates content selection screen data so as to be displayed on the shelf in the agency store, The general arrangement of the checkout counters, stairs, etc., as well as the packaged media in the aforementioned shelves, etc., are reproduced substantially faithfully.

The data providing server 310 is at a fixed time or at any time, according to the time when the new packaged media is put on the shelf in the agency store (that is, also when the new content data is obtained from the content server), and when the agency's store When the interior is remodeled, the content selection screen data is updated synchronously. Therefore, the user can select content data on the content selection screen with the same feeling as actually selecting packaged media in an agency store.

Actually, as shown in FIG. 29, the content selection screen data is composed of a plurality of image data, and by adding a two-dimensional selection confirmation image 355 for confirming the selected content data by the user, to a three-dimensional virtual reality space image, Such as a "store exterior image" 350 representing the outside of the agency (entrance), an "image of the first floor in the store" 351, and an "image of the second floor in the store" 352, which represent each floor in the store, an enlarged The "image of the shelf in the store" 353 representing a plurality of shelves in the store where packaged media are placed according to type, a content selection image 354 for selecting content data by enlarging the main spine of the packaged media arranged on the shelf etc., etc. of.

In this case, in the external image 350 of the store, an enter button 360 is provided to enter the store and switch the display to the image 351 of the first floor.

In the image 351 of the first floor and the image 352 of the second floor, movement keys 361 and 362 are provided to switch the display to the second-floor image 352 or the first-floor image 351 as another floor in the store, and shelves are provided. Select button 363 to select shelf by type and switch display to shelf image 353 in store, and checkout counter button 364 to switch display to selection confirmation image after user selects content data to be purchased or rented.

Furthermore, in the shelf image 353 in the shop, packaged media have been classified by Japanese alphabet, and a detail button 365 is provided to switch the display to the content selection image 354 by the above-mentioned classified packaged media.

In the external image 350 of the store, the first layer image 351 of the store, the second layer image of the store, and the content selection image 354, the displayed person's image 366 represents the user (hereinafter, this is referred to as the user's image), and the displayed The person's image 367 represents an employee (hereinafter, this is referred to as an image of an employee). By moving the above-mentioned user image 366 as if it actually walked into the store, and by superimposing it on the enter button 360, move buttons 361 and 362, shelf selection button 363, checkout counter button 364, in the content selection image 354 Encapsulating media main spines and the like, or making them close to them and selectively specifying (clicking) these keys, an image specifying command assigned in advance to the above-mentioned keys can be input.

Besides, in the image of the shelf of the store 353 and in the selection confirmation image 355, an inverted cursor is superimposed on a detail button 365, a confirmation button 368, a cancel button 369 (not shown) and the like. By moving the upper cursor and selecting designation (clicking) one of these buttons, a command assigned in advance to the above buttons can be input.

Specifically, the portable dedicated terminal 303 receiving the content selection image data first displays a content selection screen, the external image 350 of the store, through the reproducing section 343 . According to the operation of the operation section 341, the image 366 of the user is moved on the external image 350 of the store. If designated entry button 360 is selected, portable dedicated terminal 303 displays image 351 of the first floor in the store instead of external image 350 of the store.

In accordance with the operation of the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 moves the image 366 of the user on the image 351 of the first floor in the store. When the designation move button 361 is selected, the portable dedicated terminal 303 displays the image 352 of the second floor in the store instead of the image 351 of the first floor in the store described above.

In this manner, in accordance with the operation of the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 moves the image 366 of the user on the image 351 of the first floor in the store and the image 352 of the second floor in the store. If one of the shelf selection buttons 363 is selected and specified, the portable dedicated terminal 303 displays an image 353 of the shelf in the store, corresponding to the selected shelf selection button 363, replacing the image 351 of the first floor in the store or the first floor in the store. Image 352 of the second floor.

In accordance with the operation of the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 moves the cursor on the image 353 of the shelf in the store. If one of the specified detail buttons 365 is selected, the portable dedicated terminal 303 displays a corresponding content selection image 354 instead of the above image 353 of the shelf in the store.

The user's image 366 is moved on the content selection image 354, and according to the operation of the operation part 341, after the content data as one of the packaged media is selected and designated, if the moving button 361 or 362 is selected and designated, the portable dedicated terminal 303 An image 351 of the first floor in the store or an image 352 of the second floor in the store is displayed instead of the above content selection image 354 again. In this way, for example, if the image 366 of the user is moved on the image 352 of the second floor in the store and the designated checkout counter button 364 is selected, the portable dedicated terminal 303 displays the selection confirmation image 355 instead of the second floor in the store above. Image 352 of .

Here, in the selection confirmation image 355, the title of the content data selected by the user, the user's name, user ID, password, etc. are displayed. The portable dedicated terminal 303 moves the cursor in accordance with the operation of the operation section 341 so that the lease term or the purchase of content data can be input. If the above rental period or purchase is input, a fee for renting or purchasing content data is displayed in response thereto.

If move the cursor on the selection confirmation image 355 and select the designation confirmation button 368 according to the operation of the operation part 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 uses the information in the selection confirmation image 355 to generate the content designation data as the designation information by the request data generation part 344, by The content specifying data generated as above is transmitted to the data providing server 301 by the request data generating section 344 and from the transmitting section 345 . Therefore, the user can obtain his/her specified content data.

Conversely, if the cursor is moved on the selection confirmation image 355 and the designation cancel button 369 is selected according to the operation of the operation part 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 displays, for example, an image 351 of the first floor in a store instead of the above selection confirmation image 355. Therefore, the user can select content data again.

In addition, as shown in Figures 30(A) and 30(B), if the mobile user's image 366 and the operation of the operation part 341 are on the first floor image 351 in the store or on the second floor image 352 in the store, each The front of the shelf passes, and by matching the type of each shelf, the portable dedicated terminal 303 reproduces the desired content data in a few seconds, the advertisement of which has been set by the agency. Thus, the user views content data that the agency intends to recommend, and can advertise to the user.

In this case, the data amount of the content selection screen data is considerably large. Therefore, when the data providing server 301 receives transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 303, the data providing server 301 first sends the data of the external image 350 of the store to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 as content selection screen data. Next, if the designated input button 360 is selected on the external image 350 of the above-mentioned store, the data providing server 301 receives the notification and transmits the data of the image 351 of the first floor in the store. In this manner, the data providing server 301 receives a notice and transmits corresponding image data, each time, by the input button 360 on each image forming the content selection screen data, the movement buttons 361 and 362, etc., switching the display to Another image designated by the portable dedicated terminal 303.

Moreover, if the user's image 366 is moved to a specified coordinate position, the position has been pre-designated to reproduce the image 351 on the first floor in the store and the image 352 on the second floor in the store for advertising. content data, and the designated coordinate position is notified from the portable dedicated terminal 303 to the data providing server 301, and the data providing server 301 reads a predetermined part of the content data corresponding to the above-mentioned designated coordinate position by the search section 315, which has been used as commercial data It is stored in the content database 311 in advance, and is sent from the sending section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 .

The data providing server 301 divides the content selection screen data into data of each image and content data for advertisement, and sends them to the portable dedicated terminal 303 sequentially. Therefore, it can prevent the capacity of the storage medium 340 in the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 from becoming large.

Incidentally, in the data providing server 301, on a customization registration screen provided to the portable dedicated terminal 303 in accordance with user customization requests, various screen customization information can be inputted, for example, changing images and A new input part is added to any one of the images that have been assigned in advance to the buttons (input button 360, etc.) in each image forming the content selection screen, as shown above with reference to FIG. The packaging media in the content selection image 354 are rearranged, for example, in the order of generated data of content data, and the background colors of the above-mentioned content selection image 354 and selection confirmation image 355 are arbitrarily changed.

Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, the data providing server 301 switches the display of the content selection screen from an external image 370 of the store to a content selection image 372, based on specifying the "enter the store" button 371 according to the selection from the portable dedicated terminal. 303 Obtained screen customization data. Then, the data providing server 301 switches the display from the above-mentioned content selection image 372 to the selection confirmation image 355, or provides a new input part 373 on the external image of the store 370 so that the user arbitrarily inputs the type of content data and the switching display corresponds to the The input content selection image 372, or an input section 374 is newly provided on the content selection image 372 to allow the user to input content data by specifying rental or purchase. In this manner, the display of the content selection screen can be customized according to the user's request.

Thus, in the data providing server 301, the usability of the content selection screen can be remarkably improved for users who frequently obtain content data with the portable dedicated terminal 303 and also for users who obtain similar types of content data.

In this case, furthermore, when the data providing server 301 receives transmission request data from the requesting terminal 302, the data providing server 301 transmits the content selection screen data including the data of each image described above with reference to FIG. Request terminal 302 .

Now, a content providing process using the content selection screen by the data providing server 301 and the portable dedicated terminal 303 in the data providing system 300 will be collectively described. First, as shown in FIG. 32(A), the portable dedicated terminal 303 inputs program RT20 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP211.

In step 211, the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for a transmission request to be input by a user's operation via the operation section 341. When the above-mentioned transfer request is input, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP212.

In step SP212, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates transmission request data by the request data generating section 344 and transmits it from the transmitting section 345 to the data providing server 301, and proceeds to step SP213.

As shown in FIG. 32(B), the data providing server 301 enters routine RT21 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP221. At step SP221, the data providing server 301 waits for a time to update the content selection screen data. If the above update time comes, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP222 to update the content selection screen data, and proceeds to step SP223.

At step SP223, the data providing server 301 waits for transmission request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303. When the data providing server 301 has received the transfer request data by the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP224 so as to read the content selection screen data from the content database 311 by the searching section 315 and send it to the portable computer from the sending section 314. dedicated terminal 303, and proceeds to step SP225.

Meanwhile, the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for content selection screen data transmitted from the data providing server 301 at step SP213. When the portable dedicated terminal receives the content selection screen data through the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends the content selection screen data to the reproducing section 343 to display the external image store 350 as the content selection screen, and proceeds to step SP214 .

At step SP214, the portable dedicated terminal 303 starts a subroutine described hereinafter. When specifying information is input on each image forming the content selection screen by the user following the operation of the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP215.

At step SP215, the portable dedicated terminal 303 generates content specifying data by requesting the data generating section 344 and transmits it from the transmitting section 345 to the data providing server 301, and proceeds to step SP216.

Meanwhile, at step SP225, the data providing server 301 starts a subroutine described later. The data providing server 301 correctly reads each image data and business data forming content selection screen data from the content database 311 through the search section 315 and transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 303 from the transmission section 314 . Next, when the data providing server 301 receives content specifying data from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP226.

At step SP226, based on the content designation data, the data providing server 301 searches the content data in the content database 311 by the search section 315 to read the designated content data, and proceeds to step SP227.

In step SP227, the data providing server 301 transmits the content data read from the content database 311 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 through the sending section 314, and proceeds to step SP228, and the above-mentioned processing is completed by the data providing server 301.

On the other hand, in step SP216 , the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for content data transmitted from the data providing server 301 . When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives the above-mentioned content data, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP217 to record the content data on the storage medium 304 by the recording control section 347 . Then, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP218, and completes the above processing by the portable dedicated terminal 303. Thus, the data providing server 301 performs all content providing processing using the content selection screen data.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 33(A), the portable dedicated terminal 303 starts a subroutine at step SP214 and proceeds to step SP231. In the above step SP231 and the next step SP232, the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits on each image, which forms a content selection screen displayed by the reproduction section 343, as described above with reference to FIG. An image designation command according to the operation input of the operation part 341, (that is, "enter the store" button 360 etc. is selected and designated), and wait for the user image 366 to be moved to the designated coordinate position of the above-mentioned image (the first in the store) layer image 351, etc.).

In step SP231, if input image designation order by moving user's image 366, and on the external image 350 etc. of the shop, select and designate entering shop button 360 etc. according to the operation of operation part 341, portable dedicated terminal 303 advances to step SP233 to generate Image request data representing an image designation command, which has been predistributed to the above-mentioned selection designation button by request data generation section 344, is sent from transmission section 345 to data providing server 301, and proceeds to step SP234.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 33(B), the data providing server 301 starts a subroutine in step SP225 and proceeds to step SP251. In the above step SP251 and the next step SP252, the data providing server 301 waits for image request data and designated coordinate position data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 303. In step SP251, when the data providing server 301 receives the image request data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 303 through the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP253.

In step SP253, the data providing server 301 searches content data in the content database 311 based on the image request data by the search section 315 to read specified image data, and transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 303 from the transmission section 314, and proceeds Go to step SP254.

Meanwhile, in step SP234 , the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for image data transmitted from the data providing server 301 . When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives the image data through the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP235.

At step SP235, the portable dedicated terminal 303 transmits the received image data to the reproducing section 343 to update display an image based on the received image data instead of the currently displayed image of the content selection screen. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP236 to determine whether or not the confirmation button 368 has been selected and designated on the selection confirmation image 355 .

Obtaining a negative result in step SP236 means that the selection confirmation image 355 has not been displayed by the reproduction section 343, or although the selection confirmation image 355 above has been displayed, the confirmation button 368 has not been selected designation, because in the input designation purchase or In the process of leasing content data. At this time, the portable dedicated terminal returns to step SP231.

In step SP232, the portable dedicated terminal 303 moves the user's image 366 to the designated coordinate position on the image 351 etc. of the first floor of the store according to the operation of the operation part 341, and proceeds to step SP237 to generate designated coordinate position data, which The data represents the coordinate position specified by the request data generating section 344, and it is sent from the sending section 345 to the data providing server 301, and proceeds to step SP238.

At this time, in step SP252 , the data providing server 301 waits for the designated coordinate position data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 303 . When the data providing server 301 receives the specified coordinate position data through the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP255 so as to search the content database 311 for business data through the searching section 315 based on the specified coordinate position data, and read the specified coordinate position data. business data, it is sent from the sending section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 and proceeds to step SP254.

In step SP254, the data providing server 301 determines whether it has received content specifying data from the portable dedicated terminal 303, and sequentially repeats the loop processing steps SP251-SP252-SP253-SP254-SP255 until the content specifying data is received, and follows the steps from the portable dedicated terminal 303. The image request data and designated coordinate position data sent by the dedicated terminal 303 send image data and business data.

When data providing server 301 receives content specifying data in step SP254, data providing server 301 jumps out of this subroutine and proceeds to step 226 in the processing in data providing server 301 described above with reference to FIG. 32(B).

On the other hand, in step SP238 , the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for the commercial data transmitted from the data providing server 301 . When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives commercial data through the receiving section 346 , the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP239 to transmit the commercial data to the reproducing section 343 . In this way, the user watches a part of the content based on the commercial data and the above-mentioned content data advertised to the user. Next, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP236.

Until an affirmative result is obtained at step SP236, the portable dedicated terminal 303 returns to step SP231 and sequentially repeats the above-mentioned loop processing steps SP231-SP232-SP233-SP234-SP235-SP236-SP237-SP238-SP239. In this way, the portable dedicated terminal 303 allows the user to select desired content by displaying each image of the content selection screen, and at the same time, the reproducing section 343 correctly switches the display mixed with advertisement content transitions.

Then, in step SP236, if it is confirmed that the confirmation button 368 has been selected and designated on the selection confirmation image 355 of the content selection screen, the portable dedicated terminal 303 turns out this subroutine as advancing to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 with reference to Fig. 32 (A) Step SP215 in the middle processing.

A processing procedure of customization of a content selection screen by the data providing server 301 and the portable dedicated terminal 303 in the data providing system 300 will be collectively described. First, as shown in FIG. 34(A), the portable dedicated terminal 303 enters routine RT22 from the start step and proceeds to SP261.

At step SP261, the user of the portable dedicated terminal 303 inputs a customization request via the operation section 341. When the customization request is input, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP262 to generate customization request data by the request data generation part 344, and transmits it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission part 345, and proceeds to step SP263.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 34(B), the data providing server 301 enters routine RT23 from the start step and proceeds to step SP271 to wait for customization request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303. When the data providing server 301 receives customization request data by the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP272 so as to read the customized registration screen data from the contents database 311 by the searching section 315, and send it from the sending section 314 to portable dedicated terminal 303 and proceeds to step SP273.

In step SP273, the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for the customized registration screen data sent from the data providing server 301. When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives customized registration screen data through the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends it to the reproducing section 343 so as to display a customized registration screen based on the customized registration screen data by the above-mentioned reproducing section 343, and proceeds to Step SP264.

At step SP2634, the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for screen customization information input on the customization registration screen in accordance with the operation of the operation section 341. When the above-mentioned screen customization information is input, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP265 to generate screen customization data by the request data generation part 344 and transmit it from the transmission part 345 to the data providing server 301, and proceeds to step SP266.

At this time, the data providing server 301 waits for screen customization data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 303 at step SP273. When the data providing server 301 receives the above-mentioned screen customization data through the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP274.

In step SP274, the data providing server 301 reads the content selection screen data from the content database 311 through the search section 315, processes based on the screen customization data, and transmits the obtained user customization screen data from the transmission section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303, and proceeds to step SP275.

On the other hand, in step SP266, the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for the customized screen data transmitted from the data providing server 301. When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives the customized screen data through the receiving section 346, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends it to the reproducing section 343 to display a customized screen based on the customized screen data, and proceeds to step SP267.

In step SP267, as a result of the customization screen displayed to the user by the reproducing part 343, if the current setting is not the desired customization specified by the above-mentioned user with the operation part 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 produces rearrangement data to pass the request The data generation section 344 generates screen customization information again, and sends it to the data providing server 301 from the transmission section 345, returns to step SP264, and repeats the loop processing steps SP264-SP265-SP267 again.

On the contrary, in step SP267, if the current order is the desired order specified by the user with the operation section 341, the portable dedicated terminal 303 proceeds to step SP268 to generate confirmation data by the request data generation section 344, and send it from the transmission section 345. is sent to the data providing server 301, and proceeds to step SP269 to complete the above processing in the portable dedicated terminal 303.

On the other hand, in step SP275, the data providing server 301 receives reorder data or confirmation data from the portable dedicated terminal 303 through the receiving section 312. When the data providing server 301 receives the recustomization data through the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 returns to step SP273, and repeats the loop processing steps SP273-SP274-SP275 again.

In step SP275, when the data providing server 301 receives confirmation data by the receiving section 312, the data providing server 301 proceeds to step SP276 so that the screen is customized as data added to the user registration information in the user database 310 and passed through the updating section 313 The user registration information is updated, and proceeds to step SP277 to complete the processing of the data providing server 301 described above. In this way, all custom processing through the data providing system 300 is completed.

The content providing processing procedure using custom screen data by the data providing server 301 and the portable dedicated terminal 303 in the data providing system 300 will be collectively described. Referring to FIG. 35(A), by adding the same reference numerals to the corresponding parts of FIG. 32(A), the portable dedicated terminal 303 enters the program RT24 from the start step, proceeds to step SP221, and sequentially executes the processing of the above-mentioned step SP221 and subsequent steps SP222 to send transmission request data to the data providing server 301, and proceed to step SP281.

At this time, referring to FIG. 35(B), by adding the same reference numerals to the corresponding parts in FIG. 32(B), the data providing server 301 enters the program RT25 from the start step, proceeds to step SP221, and executes the above-mentioned steps SP221 to SP223 in sequence. processing to receive transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 303, and proceeds to step SP291.

In step SP291, the data providing server 301 reads the screen customization data added to the user registration information of the user who requests content data from the user database 310 through the update section 313, processes based on the screen customization data through the search section 315 The content selection screen data is read from the content database 311, and the customized screen data thus obtained is transmitted from the transmission section 314 to the portable dedicated terminal 303, and proceeds to step SP225.

The data providing server 301 sequentially executes the above-described processing in steps SP225, SP226, and SP227, and then proceeds to step SP292 to complete the above-described processing in the data providing server 301.

On the other hand, in step SP281 , the portable dedicated terminal 303 waits for the customized screen data sent from the data providing server 301 . When the portable dedicated terminal 303 receives the customized screen data through the receiving section, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sends the customized screen data to the reproducing section 343 to display an external image of a shop such as a customized screen, and proceeds to step SP214.

In step SP214, the portable dedicated terminal 303 sequentially executes the above-described processing of SP214 to SP217, and then proceeds to step SP282 to complete the above-described processing of the portable dedicated terminal 303. In this way, all content providing processing by the data providing system 300 by means of customized screen data is completed.

According to the above-mentioned structure, in the data providing system 300, if the data providing server 301 receives customization request data from the portable dedicated terminal 303, the portable dedicated terminal 303 is only used as an agent and can only access the above-mentioned data providing server 301, the data providing The server 301 transmits customized registration screen data to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 as such. If screen customization information for a content selection screen is sent from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 to the data providing server 301 as screen customization data, the screen customization information is displayed on a customization registration screen based on the customization registration screen data. is input, the data providing server 301 receives and adds it to the corresponding user registration information in the user database 311, and registers the screen customization data.

Then, in the data providing system 300, if the data providing server 301 receives transmission request data from the user's portable dedicated terminal 303, the user registers the screen customization data through the data providing server 301, and the data providing server 301 reads the data from the user database 310. The above-mentioned screen customization data is fetched, and the content selection screen data is also read from the user database 311, and the above-mentioned read content selection screen data is processed based on the screen customization data and the customization screen data thus obtained is sent to the portable dedicated Terminal 303. Accordingly, the user selects desired content data on the customized screen obtained by customizing the above-mentioned content selection screen according to the user's request.

In the data providing system 300, since the portable dedicated terminal 303 can only access the data providing server 301 that provides content data, the content selection screen can be easily customized so as to conform to the user's taste (i.e. genre), the user using the above portable The dedicated terminal 303 obtains content data. In this way, the usability of the content selection screen can be significantly improved.

Also, in the data providing system 300, a content screen generated in advance by mixing a three-dimensional virtual reality space image representing an agent's store interior is sent from the data providing server 301 to the portable dedicated terminal 303 so that the user can easily Select content data. And the content selection screen can be customized according to the user's request. Therefore, the usability of the content selection screen described above is further improved.

Also, in this data providing system 300, when the data providing server 301 obtains screen customization data from the portable dedicated terminal 303, the selected screen is customized based on the above screen customization data content, and the user can confirm on the portable dedicated terminal 303 it. Therefore, the above-mentioned content selection screen can be appropriately customized as desired by the user.

In this data providing system 300, since the portable dedicated terminal 303 only accesses the data providing server 301 that provides content data, and when the user obtains content data, the content selection screen of the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 will be provided according to the user's request. The user who is customized to use the portable dedicated terminal 303 for obtaining content data can use the above-mentioned data providing system 300 extremely easily.

As a result, in the data providing system 300, the percentage of users who use the data providing server 301 (also a proxy) for the purpose of obtaining content data can be remarkably increased.

Also, in this data providing system 300, since the user can use the portable dedicated terminal 303 only accessible to the data providing server 301 through the purchase and rental system, in addition, there is no user who uses Internet equipment, although the user who owns the above equipment , users who are inexperienced in the operation of connecting to the Internet and have little knowledge of the Internet can easily obtain content data from the data providing server 301 .

Configured according to the above structure, the data providing server 301 sends a customized registration screen according to the customized request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303, and the customized request data is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303 for only one agent and only accessing the above-mentioned data providing server 301, And the data providing server 301 registers the screen customization data transmitted from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 in the user database 310 . Then, the data providing server 301 processes the content selection data, and transmits the customized screen data thus obtained to the portable dedicated terminal 303 based on the screen customized data read from the user database 310 in accordance with the transmission request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 303 . Therefore, the content selection screen can be easily customized so as to meet the taste of the user who obtains content data using the portable dedicated terminal 303, and the usability of the above content selection screen can be remarkably improved. Thus, a data providing system in which the user can easily select content data can be realized.

Note that, in the foregoing sixth embodiment, the data providing server 301 is installed in an agent. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The place where the data providing server 301 is installed may not be particularly specified if the data providing server 301 is connected to the Internet. And by providing a database to manage a plurality of agents in the data providing server 301 and storing the unique ID of each agent of the agent, by corresponding the content selection screen data in the above-mentioned database with the customized registration screen data, the previously corresponding Contents selection screen data and customized registration screen data of an agent or an agent arbitrarily selected can be provided to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 303 in accordance with an access from the portable dedicated terminal 303 .

In the aforementioned sixth embodiment, in the data providing server 301, content selection screen data is generated by the development tool provided from the content server. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content selection screen data may be produced by entrusting it to a company for producing content selection screen data etc. from the data providing server 301 .

In the aforementioned sixth embodiment, the content selection screen data inside an agency store represented by a three-dimensional virtual reality space image is provided by the data providing server 301 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided as content selection screen data as a home page generated by listing titles and the like of many content data and displaying them in a list.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 36, in the data providing system 390 for providing content selection screen data produced as a homepage, screen customization data D10 will be sent from a portable dedicated terminal 391 to a data providing system 390. In the server 392, for example, tunes (ie, content data) of custom arbitrary artists (or genres) are arranged in date order, and a background color specified in arbitrary colors can be used for content selection screen data. If after registering the received screen customization data D10 in the user database 393, the above-mentioned data providing server 392 receives transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 391, through a search section 394, based on the screen customization data read from the user database 393 Data D10, the data providing server 392 processes content selection screen data in the content database 395, and thus transmits the obtained customized screen data D11 to the portable dedicated terminal 391.

In this case, in the above-mentioned data providing system 390, if the data providing server 392 receives the screen customization data D10, the data providing server 392 determines whether a certain amount of content data satisfying the request through the above-mentioned screen customization data D10 has been stored. In content database 394 . If a certain amount of content data that can satisfy the request through the above-mentioned screen customization data D10 has not been stored in the above-mentioned content database 394, the data providing server 392 can generate content transmission request data D12 and send it to a content server 395, In order to read specified content data from the content database 396 in the above-mentioned content server 395 and provide it to the data providing server 392 . Therefore, the content screen data can be customized by further appropriately corresponding to the user's request. Note that supplying content data from the content server 395 to the data providing server 392 can be applied to the aforementioned sixth embodiment.

Also, in the aforementioned sixth embodiment, the data providing server 301 simply obtains many content data supplied from the content server and stores them in the content database 311. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the data providing server 301 may obtain compressed content data from a content server, store it in the content database 311, and provide the above-mentioned compressed content data to the portable dedicated terminal 303. Therefore, the limited capacity of the content database 311 in the data providing server 301 and the storage medium 340 in the portable dedicated terminal 303 can be effectively used for recording content data.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 37, in a content server, together with many content data, many data tables 400 in which the above-mentioned content data are represented by classification by type can be stored in a content database. And if the type of content data to be used for provision is designated, by the designation before the distribution of the content data from the data providing server starts, the content data of the designated type are randomly selected from the above-mentioned data table for the data providing server or each agent respectively. may be selected, and the above-selected content data sets "a" and "b" may be provided to different data providing servers or agents, respectively. Therefore, for the same type of content data, data providing servers can mutually provide part or all of different content data. As a result, the user can use many data providing servers dealing with the same type of content data.

(8) The seventh embodiment

Fig. 38 shows a data providing system 500 of the seventh embodiment. Corresponding to the above-mentioned portable special-purpose terminal 7A-7N with reference to Fig. 1-3 and can only visit above-mentioned data to provide the portable special-purpose terminal 502 of server 501, and the package that corresponds to above-mentioned reference Fig. 1-3 sales company 5 provides server 503 via Internet 504 are respectively connected to the data providing servers 501 corresponding to the agents 4A-4N mentioned above with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

The data providing server 501 has a user database 510 , a content database 511 and a packaged media database 512 . In the above-mentioned user database 510, user registration information including user information such as name, address, account number, etc. obtained from a user who wants to register and a user ID assigned to the above-mentioned user is stored, and the user is registered. Therefore, the user can use the data providing server 501 .

In the content database 511, as content data to be provided to the user, content data including many single songs (music) have been stored, and by listing content IDs unique to each of the above-mentioned content data, titles (titles of songs) ), sales price, rent, etc. content additional information generated a data table has been stored.

Moreover, the data providing server 501 makes a correspondence between the content data that is a single song and the equivalently exchangeable packaged media that store the same content data, and in the packaged media database 512, by listing the content data that is a single song The title of the package medium storing the above-mentioned content data is the title of the package medium of a single CD, the selling price of the package medium, package identification information unique to the package medium (hereinafter, this is called package ID), etc., according to the correspondence in the equivalent exchange Make a corresponding relationship between them to form a data table.

For example, if designation information on content data to be rented by a registered user as content designation data is sent from a portable dedicated terminal 502 (he/she borrows or rents it), the data providing server 501 receives it through a receiving section 515 and inputs to a received data judging section 516.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, information in the content specifying data D20 sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, such as user name, user ID, password, title of the content data D21 that the user wants to rent, indicates whether the equivalent exchange The equivalent exchange information that has been executed, the lease term, and the payment method of the rent have been stored.

In this case, the user ID stored in the content specifying data D20, the user ID assigned when the user registered in the data providing server 501 and has been stored in the portable dedicated terminal 502 that the above-mentioned user is using, the user ID is It is stored in various data transmitted from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 502 to identify the user.

The equivalent exchange information stored in the content designation data D20, when the user's purpose is to obtain the content data D21 and the user does not want the equivalent exchange, for example, is displayed as "0", on the contrary, when the user wants the equivalent exchange, the equivalent exchange information , for example displayed as "1".

The data providing server 501 recognizes the above-mentioned content specifying data D20 as data to obtain the content data D21 by receiving the data judging section 516 based on the equivalent exchange information stored in the content specifying data D20.

Then, through the received data judging section 516, based on the title of the content data D21 stored in the content specifying data D20, the data providing server 501 searches a data table in the content database 511, changes the title therein to the content ID, and generates a content read The control data D22 is taken, and sent to a content ID extracting section 517.

In this case, when the content reading control data D22 is generated from the content specifying data D20 by the received data judging section 516, the data providing server 501, through a user request searching section 518, based on the user ID stored in the content specifying data, The user database 510 is searched to detect user code names stored therein as user registration information through the user request search section 518 . And if the credit card has been designated as the way to pay the rental fee, the data providing server 501 detects the user's account number. Next, the data providing server 501 stores the above-mentioned detected user name and account number in the content reading control data D22 through the received data judging section 516 .

The data providing server 501 extracts the content ID from the content reading control data D22 through the content ID extracting section 517, and sends it to the content searching section 519 together with the content reading control data D22. The data providing server 501 searches the content database 511 through the above-mentioned content searching section 519 to read the content data D21 specified by the user, and transmits the read content data D21 and content reading control data D22 to the transmission data generating section 520.

The data providing server 501 adds the copy history information to the content reading control data D22, generates the header data D23, and adds the above-mentioned generated header data D23 to the content data D21 through the transmission data generating section 520, and then transmits the content data via the Internet 504. It is sent from the sending section 521 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 . Thus, the user can rent his/her designated content data D21.

In this case, the data providing server 501 has an unshown accounting section. When the user designates payment of the rental fee by credit card, the data providing server 501 performs billing by the billing section before sending the designated content data D21 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 of the above user. Therefore, based on the rental fee obtained according to the term of the rental content data D21 (that is, the charging amount to the user), the user account number in the user registration information, and the account number of an agent such as the data providing server 501 is equipped with, the data providing server 501 Generate billing data.

As a result, the data providing server 501 transmits the billing data generated by billing from the transmission section 521 to a designated settlement processing server (not shown) via the Internet 504, and if based on the above-mentioned billing data, the settlement processing server 104 notifies the data The providing server 501 has completed the electronic settlement process, and the data providing server 501 adds titles and content IDs such as the content data D21 rented by the user, the amount information of the rent paid by the user to the user registration information of the user in the user database 510, so as to update the user registration message. Thus, the data providing server 501 can grasp information such as the state of payment of the aforementioned rent on the content data D21 rented by the user, etc., through the user registration information.

At the same time, the data providing server 501 also notifies the transmission data generating section 520 of the notification received from the settlement processing server, and stores information on the amount of rent paid by the user for the content data D21 in the header data D23 through the above data generating section 520 in place of the account number. . In this manner, the data providing server 501 transmits the content data D21 with the added header data D23 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 if the user completes the payment of the rental fee. The portable dedicated terminal 502 is leased to a user.

In this manner, in the data providing system 500, the content data D21 is rented from the data providing server 501 to the user with the portable dedicated terminal 502. When the rental period of the above-mentioned content data D21 expires and the user brings the portable dedicated terminal 502 to an agency, the leased content data D21 is deleted for return.

Also, in the data providing system 500, if the portable dedicated terminal 502 is not brought to an agency although the rental period has passed, the content data D21 is deleted or changed to a state that cannot be reproduced by the above portable dedicated terminal 502 to be returned.

By the way, if the equivalent exchange request data indicating that the user wishes to exchange packaged media, (single CD) with the content data, (single) equivalent exchange owned by the user by renting, is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, the data providing server 501 receives it through the receiving section 515 and inputs it into the received data judging section 516 .

Now, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 40, in the equivalent exchange request data D30 sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, the full name of the user is represented, the user ID, the password, the title of the content data D21 displayed by the user for equivalent exchange, and Whether or not an equivalent exchange has been performed ("1" displayed) is stored.

The data providing server 501 determines that the above-mentioned equivalent exchange request data D30 is data for equivalently exchanging the packaged media content data D21, based on the equivalent exchange information stored in the equivalent request data D30 by the received data judging part 516, and The above-mentioned equivalent exchange request data D30 is sent to a user ID extracting section 525.

The data providing server 501 extracts the user ID from the equivalent exchange request data D30 through the user ID extraction section 525, and sends it to the user's update search section 518 along with the above-mentioned equivalent exchange request data D30.

Moreover, the data providing server 501 searches the user database 510 based on the user ID through the user update search part 518, and based on the user registration information thus obtained, detects the coded name of the user, the displayed content ID of the content data D21 for equivalent exchange, The payment method of the rental fee for the above-mentioned content data D21, and whether the above-mentioned rental fee has been paid, and whether the user who requested the equivalent exchange did not have any illegal acts in obtaining the content data D21 in the past, and sends the result of the detection and etc. The price exchange request data D30 goes to the judging section 526.

The data providing server 501, based on the detection result given from the user update search section 518, judges through the judgment section 526 whether or not the user is allowed to perform equivalent exchange.

Now, if the user has paid the rental fee for the content data D21 for the equivalent exchange, and the user has not violated the law in the past, the data providing server 501 allows the user to perform the equivalent exchange and stores the data of the user's encoded name, shown for The content ID of the content data D21 of equivalent exchange, the payment method of the rental fee, and the user's actual payment amount, which are detected in the equivalent exchange request data D30 by the update search section 518 of the user, so as to be generated by the judgment section 526 The equivalent exchange process data D31 is sent to the value judging section 527 .

The data providing server 501 searches a data table in the package media database 512 via a package search section 528 according to previously set search conditions to detect package media (single CDs) storing the same content data D21 as the same user owned And display the packaging media that can be exchanged equivalently with the content data D21 (single song) that can be used for equivalent exchange, and can read the above-mentioned detected packaging media title, selling price and package ID through the numerical judgment part 527.

Then, the data providing server 501 compares the rental fee paid by the user for the content data D21 (that is, the price for obtaining the content data D21 owned by the user) with the found selling price of the packaged media for equivalent exchange, and judges by the value Section 527 calculates their difference. At this time, for example, if the selling price of the packaged media is higher than the price of the obtained content data, the condition of equivalent exchange that the user pays the difference between them is set to substantially balance the exchange value of the user owning the packaged media with the content data D21 .

Data provides server 501 to store the title and the package ID of the encapsulated media that can be exchanged in equivalents, and the conditions of equivalent exchange in the equivalent exchange request data D31 (the basic balance user has the exchange value of encapsulated media and content data, and performs equivalent exchange The user pays the difference between the acquisition price and the selling price), and the equivalent exchange condition of the display data D32 is generated by the value judging part 527.

Data providing server 501 sends the equivalence exchange conditions shown by data D32 from sending part 521 to portable dedicated terminal 502 to notify user content data D21 from sending part 521 through supporting network 504 and can exchange encapsulation media in equivalence, and when using the equivalence exchange of encapsulation media The above-mentioned content data D21 informs the user that the user must pay the indicated difference according to the conditions.

As a result, if the exchange approval data indicating that the user agrees to equivalent exchange is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, the data providing server 501 receives it through the receiving section 515, inputs it into the received data judging section 516, and receives data from the above-mentioned Judging section 516 sends it to judging section 526 . Through the judgment section 526, based on the exchange acceptance data, the data providing server 501 confirms that the user has agreed to the equivalent exchange.

Next, the data providing server 501, based on the user registration information, according to the package ID of the packaged media that will be handed over to the user for equivalent exchange, the user's name, his/her address, etc., through the judging section 526, generates The packet delivers the information and sends it to the transmission data generating section 520.

The data providing server 501 generates package delivery order data representing package delivery order information through the transmission data generating section 520, and transmits it to the package providing server 503 from the transmitting section 521 via the Internet 504 so as to instruct the above-mentioned package providing server 503 to deliver packaged media to the user .

As a result, the delivery arrangement completion data indicating that the delivery arrangement has been completed is sent from the package providing server 503 via the support network 504, and the data providing server 501 receives it through the receiving section 515, and sends it to Judgment part 526 .

At this time, as the payment method of the balance included in the exchange approval data, if the user designates payment by credit card, as in the foregoing case, the data providing server 501 performs billing through the billing section, and receives the completion of electronic settlement from the settlement processing server. notify.

The data providing server 501 transmits the equivalent exchange approval information indicating that the equivalent exchange is approved and the delivery method of the encapsulation medium through the judging section 526 and transmits it to the transmission data generating section 520 . The data providing server 501 generates equivalent exchange approval data through the above-mentioned transmission data generating section 520, and transmits it from the transmission section 521 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 via the Internet 504 to notify the user that the equivalent exchange is approved.

If the user is notified to approve the equivalent exchange, the data providing server 501 adds information, such as the content ID of the content data D21 exchanged equivalently, the package ID of the packaged media, whether the user has paid the difference, and the difference (quantity), to the user database In the user registration information in 510, update the user registration information via the user's update search part 518 through the judgment part 526, and store the history of equivalent exchange.

In this manner, the content data D21 owned by the user is deleted from the portable dedicated terminal 502 to be returned (or shifted to a non-reproducible state). And if the packaged medium that the user orders its delivery to the package providing server 503 is delivered to the user, as shown in FIGS. The package medium is regarded as equivalent to the content data D21 owned by the user, and the package medium is exchanged with the content data D21.

In this case, when the user designates cash payment for the difference between the acquisition price of the content data resulting from equivalent exchange and the selling price of the packaging medium, the user uses bank transfer. And when the user designates prepaid card payment, the user makes payment using a request terminal or the like.

When the data providing server 501 receives the equivalent exchange request data D30 from the portable dedicated terminal 502, if the user does not pay the rental fee shown for the equivalent exchange content data D21, or if the user has any illegal acts in the past, the data The providing server 501 transmits, through the judging section 526, to the transmission data generating section 520 the equivalent exchange prohibition information indicating that the equivalent exchange is prohibited so as to prohibit the user from the equivalent exchange.

Data provides server 501 and produces the equivalence exchange prohibition data representing equivalence exchange prohibition information by sending data generation part 520, and sends it to portable dedicated terminal 502 from transmission part 521 via network 504 to notify user that data provides that server 501 does not Equivalent exchange is allowed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 38, if the user inputs designation information on rental content data with an operation portion 540, the portable dedicated terminal 502 recognizes the above designation information as content data information, for example, by the format of the designation information, and The information judging section 541 adds equivalent exchange information, display "0", to the designated information by an operation, and sends it to a request data generating section 542.

Portable dedicated terminal 502 generates content specifying data D20 representing specifying information and including user ID by request data generating section 542, and transmits it to data providing server 501 via Internet 504 from transmitting section 543.

As a result, if content data D21 with header data D23 added is sent from data providing server 501, portable dedicated terminal 502 receives it through a receiving section 544, and sends it to a recording control section 546 from a judging section. The portable dedicated terminal 502 records the content data D21 and the header data D23 on the storage medium 547 through the recording control section 546 described above. In this way, the user rents desired content data D21.

Thereafter, if the user inputs a reproduction command with the operation portion 540, the portable dedicated terminal 502 reproduces the content data D21 from the storage medium 547 through a reproduction control portion 548, and sends the above-mentioned reproduced content data D21 to a display control portion comprising a display control portion, a display part, a speaker or the like in a reproduction part 549, so that the user can enjoy content such as a single song.

In this case, the portable dedicated terminal 502 manages the lease term of the content data D21, which is detected from the header data D23 by the recording control section 545 and the reproduction control section 548. Although the rental period of the above-mentioned content data D21 has passed, if the user does not bring the portable dedicated terminal 502 into the agency, the portable dedicated terminal 502 deletes the content data D21 from the storage medium 547, or changes to a state in which the content data D21 cannot is reproduced by the reproduction control section 548 for return.

And if the user inputs an equivalent exchange table to ask, designate the content data D21 that is used for equivalent exchange with the operating part 540, the portable dedicated terminal 502 recognizes the above-mentioned equivalent exchange request by the equivalent exchange request and format, as an equivalent exchange user Owned content data D21 and package media request, and add equivalent exchange information by operating information judgment part 541, display "1", to above-mentioned equivalent exchange request, and send it to request data generation part 542.

In this case, the portable dedicated terminal 502 generates the equivalent exchange request data D30 representing the equivalent exchange request and including the user ID by the request data generating section 542, and transmits it to the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504 from the sending section 543.

As a result, if the equivalent exchange condition display data D32 is sent from the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504, the portable dedicated terminal 502 receives it by the receiving section 544, and transmits it to the reproducing section 549 from the judging section 545 so as to notify the user that the content data D21 The title of the packaged media that can be exchanged in equal value, and used as a condition for equivalent exchange, the user must pay the difference that occurs in the equivalent exchange.

If the user agrees to the equivalent exchange through the operation section 540, the portable dedicated terminal 502 adds, represented as "1", the equivalent exchange information to the approval information, and sends them to the request data generation section 542 by the operation information judging section 541. The portable dedicated terminal 502 generates exchange approval data representing the above approval and user ID through the above request data generating section 542, and transmits it from the sending section 543 to the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504.

If the equivalent exchange approval data is sent from the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504, the portable dedicated terminal 502 receives it by the receiving section 544, and sends it to the reproducing section 549 from the judging section 545 so as to inform the user that the equivalent exchange is accepted, and the packaging medium delivery method etc.

In this case, if the equivalent exchange prohibition data is sent from the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504, the portable dedicated terminal 502 receives it by the receiving section 544, and sends it to the reproducing section 549 from the judging section 545 so as to notify the user of the equivalent exchange Prohibited.

If the package delivery order data is sent from the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504, the package providing server 503 receives it through a receiving section 560, transfers it to a package ID extraction section 561, and delivers the order data from the package through the above-mentioned package ID extraction section 561 Extract the package ID and send it to a package search section 562 along with the above-mentioned package delivery order data.

Then, the package providing server 503 searches an inventory management database 563 based on the package ID, so as to detect the inventory of the packaged medium designated by the data providing server 501 and the storage position on the package shelf not shown by the package search section 562, and put information related to the above detection The information of the storage location of the package is sent to the package take-out control section 564 along with the package delivery order data.

Based on the information about the storage location, after taking out the specified packaged media from the packaged media storage shelf by the package take-out control section 564, the package providing server 503 packs the extracted packaged media and instructs a delivery center, not shown, to pass through a shipping/packaging The instruction section 565 delivers it to the user's address shown in the package delivery order data, and then, sends the delivery arrangement completion data from a transmission section 566 to the data providing server 501 via the Internet 504 .

In this way, as shown in FIG. 42, in the data providing system 500, if the equivalent exchange is approved between the user and the data providing server 501, the package providing server 503 delivers the packaged media equivalently exchanged with the content data to the user. .

Here, an equivalent exchange processing procedure by the data providing server 501, the portable dedicated terminal 502 and the package providing server 503 in the data providing system 500 will be collectively described. As shown in FIGS. 43(A) and 44(A), first, the portable dedicated terminal 502 inputs program RT30 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP351.

At step SP351, the portable dedicated terminal 520 waits for the user to input designation information for the rental content data D21 from the operation section 540. When the above-mentioned specifying information is input, the portable dedicated terminal 502 proceeds to step SP352 so as to generate the content specifying data D20 by the request data generating part 542, and sends it to the sending part 543 to send it to the data providing server 501, and then proceeds Go to step SP353.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 43(B) and 44(B), the data providing server 501 enters routine RT31 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP371. In the above step SP371, the data providing server 501 waits for content specifying data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 502. When the data providing server 501 receives the content specifying data from the receiving section 515, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP372.

In step SP372, data providing server 501 reads specified content data D21 from content database 511 via content search section 519, and transmits it from transmission section 521 to portable dedicated terminal 502, and proceeds to step SP373.

Now, in step SP353, the portable dedicated terminal 502 waits for the content data D21 sent from the data providing server 501. When the portable dedicated terminal 502 receives the content data D21 through the receiving section 544, the portable dedicated terminal 502 proceeds to step SP354 to record the content data D21 on the storage medium 547 through the recording control section 546, and proceeds to step SP355.

Thus, the portable dedicated terminal 501 rents the content data D21 designated by the user, and reproduces the content data D21 in response to the user's request, so that the user can enjoy it.

In step SP355, the portable dedicated terminal 502 waits for the user to input an equivalent exchange request using the operation section 540. The portable dedicated terminal 502 returns to step SP351, and repeats the following processing loop steps SP353-SP353-SP354-SP355 until an equivalent exchange request is input.

In step SP355, when the user inputs the equivalent exchange request with the operation section 540, the portable dedicated terminal 502 proceeds to step SP356 so as to produce the equivalent exchange request data D30 by the table calculation data generation section 542, and send it from the sending section 543 to the data providing server 501, and then proceeds to step SP357.

In step SP373, the data providing server 501 determines whether or not the equivalent exchange request data has been transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 502. The data providing server 501 returns to step SP371 and repeats the processing loop of the following steps SP372 and SP373 until the above-mentioned equivalent exchange request data D30 is received. In step SP373, when the data providing server 501 receives the equivalent exchange request data D30 from the portable dedicated terminal 502 through the receiving section 515, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP374.

In step SP374, the data providing server 501 checks the use history of the user, which is based on the user registration information of the user requesting the equivalent exchange, and judges by the judgment section 526 whether or not the equivalent exchange is permitted.

Obtaining a negative result in step SP374 means that the rental fee of the content data D21 displayed by the user for equivalent exchange has not been paid or the above-mentioned user may use equivalent exchange illegally because he/she has any illegal acts in the past. At this time, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP375 to transmit the equivalent exchange prohibition information generated by the judgment section 526 as the equivalent exchange prohibition data, from the transmission section 521 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 by the transmission data generation section 520. Next, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP376 to complete the above-mentioned processing by the data providing server 501 .

On the contrary, obtaining an affirmative result in step SP374 means that the user has not used the equivalent exchange illegally, because he/she has paid the rental fee of the content data D21 displayed by the user for the equivalent exchange, and he/she has not done so in the past. Illegal conduct. At this time, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP377.

In step SP377, data providing server 501 produces equivalent exchange condition display data D32, represents the condition of substantially balancing the exchange value of content data D21 that user has and the encapsulation medium that can exchange equivalently, by value judging part 527, from sending part 521 sends it to the portable dedicated terminal 502, and then proceeds to step SP378.

At this time, in step SP357 , the portable dedicated terminal 502 waits for the equivalent exchange condition display data D32 or the equivalent exchange prohibition data sent from the data providing server 501 . When the portable dedicated terminal 502 receives data through the receiving section 544, the portable dedicated terminal 502 proceeds to step SP358.

In step SP358, the portable dedicated terminal 502 determines by the judgment section 545 whether or not the data received by the reception section 554 is the equivalent exchange condition display data D32. When the above-mentioned received data is equivalent exchange prohibition data, the portable dedicated terminal 502 sends a notification via the reproducing section 549 which equivalent exchange is not allowed and proceeds to step SP359 to complete processing by the above-mentioned data providing server 501.

In step SP358, when the data of reception is equivalent exchange condition display data D32, portable dedicated terminal sends a notice through reproducing part 549, points out the condition of allowing equivalent exchange and equivalent exchange, and advances to step SP360 so that from sending Section 543 sends exchange approval data to data providing server 501, follows the operation of section 540 via user's operation, and proceeds to step SP361.

In step SP378, the data providing server 501 waits for the exchange approval data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 502. When the data providing server 501 receives the above-mentioned exchange approval data by the receiving section 515, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP379 to generate package delivery order data, deliver packaged media to the user by the judging section 526, and send it from the sending section 521 to The packet providing server 503, and then proceeds to step SP380.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 43(C) and 44(C), the package providing server 503 enters routine RT32 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP391. In the above step SP391 , the package providing server 503 waits for the package delivery order data sent from the data providing server 501 . When the package providing server 503 receives the package delivery order data through the receiving section 560, the package providing server 503 proceeds to step SP392.

In step SP392, by the package search section 562, based on the package delivery order data, the package providing server 503 confirms the storage location of the specified packaging medium on the package storage rack, and proceeds to step SP393 to take out the package storage by the package take-out control section 564. Packaged media specified on shelf. Then proceed to step SP394.

In step SP394, the package providing server 503 instructs the delivery center to package and deliver the packaged medium to the user through the shipping/packing instruction section 565. And proceeding to step SP395, the delivery arrangement completion data is sent from the sending section 566 to the data providing server 501. Then, the package providing server 503 proceeds to step SP396 to complete the above-mentioned processing by the package providing server 503 .

At this time, in step SP380 , the data providing server 501 waits for delivery schedule completion data transmitted from the package providing server 503 . When the data providing server 501 receives the delivery arrangement completion data by the receiving section 515, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP381 to generate equivalent exchange approval data by the judging section 526 and send it to the portable dedicated terminal 502 from the sending section 521. Next, the data providing server 501 proceeds to step SP376 to complete the above-mentioned processing by the data providing server 501 .

On the other hand, in step SP361 , the portable dedicated terminal 502 waits for the equivalent exchange approval data transmitted from the data providing server 501 . When the portable dedicated terminal 502 receives the equivalent exchange approval data through the receiving section 544, the portable dedicated terminal 502 notifies the user via the reproducing section 549 that the equivalent exchange is approved. Then, the portable dedicated terminal 502 proceeds to step SP359 to complete the above-mentioned processing by the portable dedicated terminal 502 . In this way, all equivalent exchange processing in the data providing system 500 is completed.

According to the above-mentioned structure, in the data providing system 500, when the content specifying data requesting rental content data D21 is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, the data providing server 501 sends the specified content data D21 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 as a response, and records it. In this mode, the content data D21 is leased to the user through the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 502 .

In this data providing system 500, if the equivalent exchange request data D30 for content data D21 (single song) owned by the renting user is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, the data providing server 501 detects the package storing the same content data D21. Media (single CD), through the above-mentioned data providing server 501, can exchange with content data D21 equivalently, and basically balance the use value of the content data D21 that the user has and the above-mentioned packaged media that detects, so that calculate the content data that the user has. Gets the difference between the price and the selling price of the packaged media.

In this manner, in the data providing system 500, the data providing server 501 sends the equivalent exchange condition display data D32 to the portable dedicated terminal 502 to display the title of the packaged media, which can be exchanged equivalently with the content data D21 owned by the user, and The user should pay the balance of the above-mentioned equivalent exchange as the condition of the equivalent exchange.

As a result, in the data providing system 500, if the equivalent exchange approval data that approves the equivalent exchange is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 502, the data providing server 501 makes the user pay the difference that occurred in the equivalent exchange, and sends the data from the portable dedicated terminal 502 The content data D21 owned by the user is deleted for return, and the packaged media is delivered to the above-mentioned user. In this way, the exchange value of the content data D21 owned by the user and the package medium storing the content data D21 is almost the same, and the content data D21 is used for the exchange of the package medium.

Thus, in the data providing system 500, when the user who rents the content data D21 with the portable dedicated terminal 502 wants to enjoy the content data D21 reproduced by another device, or when the user becomes concerned about the content data D21 via the portable dedicated terminal 502 When protecting security and wanting to perform security protection by packaging media, the exchange value of the above-mentioned content data D21 and package media is almost equal, and by exchanging package media and content data D21, content data D21 can be provided to users with minimum investment.

As a result, in the data providing system 500, the user can easily obtain content data D21 distributed via the Internet.

In the data providing system 500, an equivalent exchange between the contents data D21 and packaged media is performed, so that the user can use the system very easily.

Also, in the data providing system 500, only users using the portable dedicated terminal 502 that can only access the data providing server 501 can use equivalent exchange. Therefore, it almost prevents the above-mentioned user from illegally using the equivalent exchange of content data obtained from another server other than the data providing server 501, whose price is different from the price offered on the data providing server 501, or the user Illegal use of content data downloaded from packaged media for equivalent exchange.

According to the above structural configuration, the data providing server 501 transmits specified content data D21 to the portable dedicated terminal for recording and rental in accordance with a rental request from the portable dedicated terminal 502 used by the user. Then, if the portable dedicated terminal 502 requests to exchange the packaged medium with the rented content data D21, the data providing server 501 detects the packaged medium, which can be exchanged by the above-mentioned content data D21, and the display condition, which basically balances the content data D21 and the content data owned by the user. Encapsulates the exchange value of the medium. Therefore, even if the user obtains the content data D21 through distribution, the package medium is exchanged with the content data D21 available to the user with a minimum investment. Therefore, the user can easily obtain the content data D21 distributed via the Internet 504. In this way, a data providing system capable of popularly distributing content data can be realized.

Note that in the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the content data D21 rented by the user is equivalently exchanged for packaged media from the data providing server 501 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content data purchased by a user can be equivalently exchanged for packaged media from the data providing server 501 .

In this case, in the foregoing seventh embodiment, since the rented content data D21 is equivalently exchanged for package media, the above-mentioned content data D21 is deleted to be returned when the rental period has elapsed. However, when the content data purchased by the user is equivalently exchanged for the package medium storing the same content data, the above-mentioned user does not illegally possess different content data. Therefore, the content data of the equivalent exchange packaged media can be deleted, and the user can also keep it.

In the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the packaged media that can be equivalently exchanged by the content data owned by the user is delivered to the user by the data providing server 503 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the package media that can be equivalently exchanged by the content data owned by the user can be directly handed over to the user in the agency when the user returns the content data.

Moreover, in the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the content data D21 which is a single song owned by the user is equivalently exchanged for a package medium which is a single CD. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the content data D21 which is a single song owned by the user can be equivalently exchanged for a package medium which is a CD set.

In the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the content data and the package media that are equivalently exchanged are both music data (a single song and a single CD). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as content data and package media to be equivalently exchanged, such as movies, books, etc. can be used. Therefore, the convenience and multifaceted performance of a data providing system are remarkably improved, and the distribution of content data can be further popularized.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the portable dedicated terminal 502 notifies the data providing server 501 of the title as the identification information on the content data D21 being equivalently exchanged, and the data providing server 501 notifies the portable dedicated terminal 502 of the title, It serves as the identification information of the packaging medium exchanged equivalently with the content data D21. The present invention is not limited thereto, and the portable dedicated terminal 502 may notify the data providing server 501 of the content ID as identification information of the content data D21 exchanged equivalently, and the data providing server 501 may notify the portable dedicated terminal 502 of the package ID as the same content The data D21 can be equivalently exchanged and is used to encapsulate the identification information of the medium.

In the foregoing seventh embodiment, the user pays the difference in money so as to almost equalize the exchange value of the content data D21 and packaged media owned by the user by equivalent exchange. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the data providing server 501 can distribute points that can bring benefits, such as discounts, to users in accordance with rental and purchase of content data D21, and users can accumulate and use points to pay the difference, almost evenly The exchange value of the content data D21 owned by the user and the packaged media replaces part or all of the currency through equivalent exchange.

In the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the user rents the content data D21 from the data providing server 501 with the portable dedicated terminal 502 which can only access the above-mentioned data providing server 501, and exchanges the package medium equivalently with the rented content data D21. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the user can use other various types of equipment to purchase and rent content data from the data providing server 501 and then can exchange packaged media equivalently for the content data purchased or rented by the user, as long as it can be connected to the Internet. 504 equipment, such as a personal computer and a portable phone.

In this case, in the case where the data providing server 501 is used by a device other than the portable dedicated terminal 502, like a personal computer, a portable telephone, etc., server identification information to identify the data providing server 501 as a content data provider, is added to content data purchased or rented from the data providing server 501 with the above-mentioned equipment. If equivalent exchange is requested, when the data providing server 501 judges whether to allow the user equivalent exchange, the data providing server 501 determines that the content data displayed for equivalent exchange is provided by the data providing server 501 through the server identification information. If the user reveals that the content data for equivalent exchange has been obtained from another data providing server, the data providing server 501 prohibits the equivalent exchange, which can prevent the data providing server 501 from being subjected to the equivalence of content data provided by other data providing servers. exchange loss.

Moreover, when the user exchanges the leased content data equivalently with the package medium with a device other than the portable dedicated terminal 502, the data providing server 501 deletes the content data that has been recorded in the device for the equivalent exchange. When the device receives the exchange approval data, and according to the confirmation, it approves the equivalent exchange of the encapsulation medium and the above content data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from illegally performing equivalent exchange, and reusing the rented content data that can be equivalently exchanged by a device other than the portable dedicated terminal 502 .

(9) The eighth embodiment

The same reference numerals are added to corresponding parts in FIG. 45 in FIG. 38, showing a data providing system 600 of the eighth embodiment. The constituted data providing system 600 is similar to the data providing system 500 of the aforementioned seventh embodiment except for the structure of the data providing server 601 and the portable dedicated terminal 602 which can only access the above-mentioned data providing server 601.

In this case, when the data providing server 601 receives content specifying data from the portable dedicated terminal 602 through the receiving section 515, the data providing server 601 performs the same operation as that of the data providing server 501 of the seventh embodiment as described in connection with FIGS. 38 and 39 . The above-described processing is performed and the content data D21 to which the header data D23 is added is transmitted from the transmission section 521 to the portable dedicated terminal 602 via the Internet 504 . In this way, the specified content data D21 is rented to the user.

In this case, when the rental period of the content data D21 expires, if the user brings the portable dedicated terminal 602 into an agency, the leased content data D21 is deleted for return. If the user does not bring the portable dedicated terminal 602 into the agency although the above-mentioned rental period has elapsed, the content data D21 is deleted from the portable dedicated terminal 602 or rendered unreproducible to be returned.

Incidentally, in the data providing server 601, the user can equivalently exchange one or more content data D21 which is a single song owned by the user for package media which is a single CD or a CD set.

In particular, if the user sends equivalent exchange request data from a portable dedicated terminal to request, for example, possession of a plurality of content data D21 (single song) equivalent exchange package media (CD sets) by renting, the data providing server 601 receives through the receiving section 515 and input to the received data judging section 516.

Now, as shown in Figures 45 and 46, in the equivalent exchange request data D40 sent from the portable dedicated terminal 602, the full name of the user is represented, the user ID, the password, and the user shows a plurality of content data D21 for equivalent exchange. The title, and the equivalence exchange information of whether the equivalence exchange has been executed (shown content is "1"), have been stored.

The data providing server 601 sends the equivalent exchange request data D40 to the judgment section 610 through the received data judgment section 516 via the user ID extraction section 525 and the user update search section 518 sequentially.

The data providing server 601 judges through the judging section 610 whether or not the user's equivalent exchange is allowed, which is the same as the case described in conjunction with FIGS. 38 and 40 . When the data provided server 601 allowed the above-mentioned user equivalent exchange, the data provided server 601 stored in the equivalent exchange request data D40 about the encoded user name, the content ID of the content data D21 shown by the user for equivalent exchange, The payment method of the lease fee, and the information of the amount actually paid by the user, generate the equivalent exchange processing data D41, and send it to the value judging part 611.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 47(A)-47(C), a content data table 620 for content data D21 is stored in advance in the package media database 62 provided by the data providing server 601 for being a package of a single CD. A single data table 621 for media, and an album data table 622 for packaged media which is a CD set.

In this case, by making a correspondence between the title of the content data D21 sold or rented by the data providing server 601 and the content ID and making such a correspondence, for example, in order of ranking in the current year (hereinafter this is referred to as ranking points) Points, in this way, if the content data D21 is the first-place single obtained in the current year's ranking, 10 points are allocated to it due to considerable transfer requests, and if the content data is the last-place single, Since there are relatively few transfer requests, 1 point is allocated, in this way, points are distributed according to the time of publication (this is referred to as data points hereinafter), if content data D21 is released latest, since there are quite a few transfer requests, 10 points are allocated, And if the content data D21 is a very old single, since there are relatively few transfer requests, 1 point is assigned, by summing up these ranking points and date points, and the ranking points obtained by the content data D21, the date points and the total of the market value Points are used to form content data 620.

The single data table 621 is formed by making correspondence between the title of package media which is a single CD, package ID, market value including ranking points and date points, and selling prices. And the set data table 621 is formed by making correspondence between the title of the package medium which is a CD set, the package ID, including ranking points and date points, and selling prices.

The data providing server 601 searches the content database 620 in the package media database 612 via the package search part 528 according to the preset search conditions, so as to read out and distribute all the content data D21 respectively to the user for equivalent exchange. The total points of (single songs) are added up, and the total points of these plurality of content data D21 are calculated by the value judging section 611 (hereinafter this is referred to as total points).

The data providing server 601 searches the package media database 612 via the package search section 528 based on the total points calculated by the value judging section 611 for the package database 622 to detect one having the same total points as the above-mentioned total points for equivalent exchange. or more is a package medium of a CD set, and reads the title, package ID and sales price of the package medium detected above.

In this manner, if the data providing server 601 detects one or more packaged media that the user can exchange equivalently for a plurality of content data D21 displayed by the user, the data providing server 601 compares the selling price of the above-mentioned packaged media through the value judgment part 611, The rental fee of all these plurality of content data D21 that the user has paid, and calculate the difference, the exchange value of the plurality of content data D21 displayed by the user and the above-mentioned detected packaging medium is basically the difference.

Then, the data providing server 601 produces the equivalent exchange condition display data D42, by storing the title and the package ID of one or more exchangeable packaged media, the equivalent exchange condition set to represent that the user pays a difference, with the basic difference user The exchange value of the owned content data and packaged media for equivalent exchange, or the data providing server pays the difference, or the equivalent exchange is done without paying the difference because the selling price and the rental price are the same.

Then, the data providing server 601 sends the equivalent exchange condition display data D42 to the portable dedicated terminal 602 from the sending part 521 via the Internet 504, to notify the user, as shown in Figure 48 (A)-48 (C), the user can use multiple One or more packaged media for equivalent exchange of content data D21, and the conditions for equivalent exchange of packaged media with the above-mentioned content data D21.

As a result, if the user sends exchange approval data indicating approval of equivalent exchange and when there are a plurality of proposed equivalent exchangeable package media, from the package medium selected from these package media by the user of the portable dedicated terminal, the data The providing server 601 receives it through the receiving section 515 and sends it to the judging section 610 from the received data judging section 516 . Based on the exchange approval data and the selected package medium for the equivalent exchange, the data providing server 601 confirms that the user approves the equivalent exchange through the above-mentioned judging section 610 .

Then, the data providing server 601 generates the package delivery order information with the package ID of the package medium selected by the user for equivalent exchange through the judging section 610, and sends it to the sending data generating section 520, through which the sending data generating section 520 Package delivery order data is generated, and transmitted from the sending section 521 to the package providing server 503 via the Internet 504 .

Thereafter, the data providing server 601 executes the same processing as in the seventh embodiment described in conjunction with FIG. 38 so that a plurality of content data D21 owned by the user are equivalently exchanged for a package of a CD set by making a difference in their exchange value. media.

On the other hand, in the portable dedicated terminal 602 shown in FIG. 45, if the user inputs designation information of content data that the user wants to rent with the operation portion 540, the portable dedicated terminal 602 executes the seventh embodiment with reference to FIG. 38 in conjunction with the above. The same process as in the portable dedicated terminal 502 in , and the content data D21 is rented from the data providing server 601 to the user.

And, if the user inputs an equivalent exchange request of a plurality of content data D21 designated for equivalent exchange with the operation portion 540, the portable dedicated terminal 602 generates the above-mentioned equivalent exchange request in conjunction with reference to FIG. 46 by a request data generating portion 630 The data D40 is sent from the sending section 543 to the data providing server 601 via the Internet 504 .

As a result, when the equivalent exchange condition display data D42 is sent from the data providing server 601 via the Internet 504, the portable dedicated terminal 602 receives it through the receiving section 544, and sends it to the reproducing section 549 from the judging section 545 to notify the user The titles of one or more packaged media that can be equivalently exchanged with the content data D21, and each condition (paying or obtaining the balance, or not having the balance) for performing the equivalent exchange of these packaged media.

If the user sends the approval information of equivalent exchange with the operating part, and the package medium selected by the user for equivalent exchange from a plurality of package media is displayed, then the portable dedicated terminal 602 generates an expression indicating the above-mentioned approval and selection by the request data generation part 630. The exchange approval data of the encapsulated medium is transmitted from the transmitting section 543 to the data providing server 601 via the Internet 504 .

Thereafter, when sending the equivalent exchange approval data from the data providing server 601 via the Internet 504, the portable dedicated terminal 602 receives it by the receiving section 544, and sends it to the reproducing section 549 from the judging section 545 to notify the user to approve the equivalent exchange, The delivery method of the packaged media, etc.

In this case, if when sending equivalent exchange prohibition data from data providing server 601 via Internet 504, portable dedicated terminal 602 receives it by receiving part 544 and sends it to reproducing part 549 from judging part 545, to notify the user of equivalence Exchanges are not allowed.

Now, an equivalent exchange process in the data providing system 600 through the data providing server 601, the portable dedicated terminal 602 and the package providing server 503 will be collectively described. As shown in Figures 49(A) and 50(A), wherein the same reference numerals are added to corresponding parts in Figures 43(A) and 44(A), at first, the portable dedicated terminal 602 enters the program RT35 from the start step, Proceed to step SP351 and sequentially execute the above-described processing of step SP351 - step SP354, and proceed to step SP401.

In step SP401, the portable dedicated terminal 602 waits for the user to input an equivalent exchange request using the operation section 540 designating a plurality of content data D21 for equivalent exchange. The portable dedicated terminal 602 returns to step SP351 and repeats the following loop processing steps SP352-SP353-SP354-SP401 until the above-mentioned equivalent exchange request is input.

In step SP401, when inputting the equivalent exchange request via the operation section 540, the portable dedicated terminal 602 proceeds to step SP402 to generate the equivalent exchange request data D40 by the request data generating section 630, and transmit it to the data from the sending section 543. The server 601 is provided, and then proceeds to step SP357.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 49(B) and 50(B), wherein the same reference numerals are added to corresponding parts in FIGS. 43(B) and 44(B), the data providing server 601 enters the program from the beginning step RT36, proceeds to step SP371, and sequentially executes the processing of the above-mentioned steps SP371-SP375. In step SP374, when the data providing server 601 permits equivalent exchange by the user, the data providing server 601 proceeds to step SP411.

In step SP411, the data providing server 601 detects one or more packaging media having the same total points of a plurality of content data D21 owned by the user, and produces the equivalent exchange condition display data D42 by the value judging part 611, so as to exchange the condition display data D42 with the basic difference The above-mentioned detected encapsulated medium is exchanged with a plurality of content data D21, and transmits it from the sending section 521 to the portable dedicated terminal 602, and then proceeds to step SP412.

At this time, in step SP375 , the portable dedicated terminal 602 waits for the equivalent exchange condition display data D32 or the equivalent exchange prohibition data transmitted from the data providing server 601 . When the portable dedicated terminal 602 receives any data through the receiving section 544, the portable dedicated terminal 602 proceeds to step SP358. If the above received data is the equivalent exchange condition display data D42, the portable dedicated terminal 602 proceeds to step SP403.

In step SP403, the portable dedicated terminal 602 generates the exchange approval data representing the approval of the equivalent exchange by the request data generation part 630, and the package medium selected by the user from a plurality of package media through the operation of the operation part 540 for the equivalent exchange , transmits the above-generated exchange approval data from the transmission section 543 to the data providing server 601, and proceeds to step SP361. Thereafter, when the portable dedicated terminal 602 receives the equivalent exchange approval data through the receiving section 544, the portable dedicated terminal 602 proceeds to step SP404 to complete the above processing by the portable dedicated terminal 602.

Furthermore, in step SP412, the data providing server 601 waits for the exchange approval data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 602. When the data providing server 601 receives the above-mentioned exchange approval data through the receiving section 515, the data providing server 601 sequentially executes the following processing steps SP379-SP381, and proceeds to step SP413 to complete the above-mentioned processing by the data providing server 601. In this way, all equivalent exchange processing procedures in the data providing system 600 are completed.

According to the above structure, in the data providing system 600, if the content designation data requesting rental content data D21 is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 602 to the data providing server 601, the data providing server 601 sends the designated content data D21 to the portable dedicated terminal 602 and record it. Thus, the user can rent the content data D21 using the portable dedicated terminal 602 .

Next, in the data providing system 600, if the equivalent exchange request data D40 for one package medium (CD set) is equivalently exchanged by renting a plurality of content data D21 (single song) owned by the user, is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 602 to Data providing server 601, then above-mentioned data providing server 601 detects the total points of these plurality of content data D21, detects the packaging medium (CD set) having the same total points as the above-mentioned detected total points as an equivalently exchangeable package Media, and send the equivalent exchange condition display data of the display condition to the portable dedicated terminal 602. This condition makes the exchange value of the above-mentioned detected packaged media and the plurality of content data D21 owned by the user substantially equal.

As a result, in the data providing system 600, if the equivalent exchange approval data showing that the equivalent is approved and the encapsulation medium selected by the user for the equivalent exchange are sent from the portable dedicated terminal 602 to the data providing server 601, the equivalent exchange in the equivalent exchange The balance is determined, the multi-content data D21 owned by the user is deleted from the portable dedicated terminal 602 for return, and the packaged media is delivered to the above-mentioned user. In this way, the content data D21 owned by the user and the package medium which is a CD set are substantially equal in exchange value. And the content data D21 is exchanged into packaged media.

Thus, in this data providing system 600, when the data server 601 searches for equivalently exchangeable package media, it matches the total points of the plurality of content data D21 with the total points of the package media. Therefore, a plurality of content data D21 owned by the user can be equivalently exchanged for a package medium that stores the same or different content data as one CD set.

Then, in the data providing system 600, such matching is performed with points by the data providing server 601, for example, a plurality of content data D21 can be equivalently exchanged into a package medium that is a single CD, and even one content data D21 can be Equivalently exchanged for packaging media that is a CD set. In this way, the convenience of equivalent exchange can be significantly improved.

As a result, in the data providing system 600, the user can further significantly and easily use the system. If the current number of users of the present invention is increased in this way, the distributed content data D21 using the Internet can be further popularized.

According to the above configuration, the data providing server 601 transmits the content data D21 in accordance with the rental request from the portable dedicated terminal 602 used by the user to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 602 to record it and rent it. Thereafter, if the user requests from the portable dedicated terminal 602 to exchange equivalently the packaged media with the rented content data D21, the data providing server 601 detects the packaged media that can be exchanged into the above-mentioned content data D21, and by matching the above-mentioned selected content data D21 according to the market Points obtained by value and packaged media are only obtained points according to the market price, and conditions are displayed to basically balance the exchange value of the above-mentioned detected packaged media and content data D21 owned by the user. Therefore, in addition to the effect obtained by the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the convenience of equivalent exchange can be significantly improved. Thus, a data providing system capable of further popularizing content data distribution via the Internet can be realized.

Note that, in the aforementioned eighth embodiment, points are assigned to content data respectively, according to the ranking of the year and the date of first release of the package medium which is a single CD and the package medium which is a CD set. However the present invention is not limited thereto, except for the ranking of the year and the date of the first release, 1 point can be assigned to media that has sold quite a lot because its shortfall value is relatively low, and 10 points can be assigned to Almost no media was sold because of its relatively high shortage value. Also, points may be assigned according to one or a combination of ranking for the year, date the media was first published, and sales.

In the aforementioned eighth embodiment, the content data D21 rented by the user is equivalently exchanged from the data providing server 601 into packaged media. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the content data purchased by the user can be equivalently exchanged from the data providing server 601 into packaged media.

In this case, in the aforementioned eighth embodiment, since the rented content data D21 is equivalently exchanged into package media, the above-mentioned content data D21 is deleted for return when the rental period expires. However, when the user exchanges packaged media storing the same content data with the content data purchased by the user, since the above-mentioned user does not illegally own different content data, the content data that can be equivalently exchanged into packaged media can be deleted or kept by the user.

In the foregoing embodiments, the packaged medium for equivalent exchange of the content data D21 owned by the user is delivered to the user through the package providing server 503, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the packaged medium for the equivalent exchange of the content data D21 owned by the user is Agents can be handed directly to users.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned eighth embodiment, the portable dedicated terminal 602 notifies the data providing service server 601 of the title of the content data D21 to be equivalently exchanged as identification information and the data providing server 601 notifies the portable dedicated terminal 602 of the identification information. Encapsulated media title of information exchanged equivalently with content data D21. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the portable dedicated terminal 602 can notify the data providing server 601, as identification information, the content data ID of the content data D21 that is equivalently exchanged, and the data providing server 601 can notify the portable dedicated terminal 602, as identification information. For information, it is the package ID of the package medium that can be equivalently exchanged with the content data D21.

Also, in the foregoing eighth embodiment, the portable dedicated terminal 602 notifies the data providing server 601 only of the title of the content data D21 which is equivalently exchanged. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the portable dedicated terminal 602 may notify the data providing server 601 of information indicating the surcharge amount arbitrarily selected by the user and identification information on the content data D21 to be equivalently exchanged, and then perform equivalent exchange processing. By this means, the content data D21 can be exchanged for packaged media within the user's desired budget.

In the aforementioned eighth embodiment, the content data and package data that are equivalently exchanged are music data (single song and single CD). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of content such as movies or books can be used as content data and package media that are equivalently exchanged. Therefore, the convenience and versatility of a data providing system are remarkably improved, and the distribution of content data can be further popularized.

In the foregoing eighth embodiment, the difference is settled in currency for balancing the exchange value of the content data D21 and packaged media owned by the user. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. According to the lease and purchase of the content data D21, points that can bring benefits such as discounts to the user can be allocated and stored by the data providing server 601, and can be distributed and stored in the content data D21 owned by the above-mentioned user. The difference in exchange value with the packaged media used for equivalent exchange can be settled in points earned by the user in lieu of partial or full payment.

Moreover, in the aforementioned eighth embodiment, the renting of the content data from the data providing server 601 and the content data D21 of the above renting are equivalently exchanged into packaged media. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, content data can be purchased and rented from the data providing server 601 by other various types of equipment, and the content data of the above-mentioned purchase and rental can be exchanged into packaged media equivalently, as long as the equipment is connectable to the Internet 504 equipment, such as a personal computer and a portable telephone.

In this case, when the data providing server 601 is used by another device other than the portable dedicated terminal 602, such as a personal computer or a portable phone, server identification information for identifying the data providing server 601 as the above-mentioned content data provider is added in advance to content data purchased or rented from the data providing server 601 through the above-mentioned device. And when the user requests equivalent exchange, and then judge whether to allow the user equivalent exchange based on the server identification information, it is judged whether the content data for equivalent exchange displayed by the user is provided from the data providing server 601. If the content data displayed by the user for the equivalent exchange is obtained from another data providing server, the equivalent exchange is not allowed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the data providing server from being damaged by equivalent exchange with content data provided by another data providing server.

Moreover, when the user exchanges the content data or packaged media rented by the user by a device other than the portable dedicated terminal 602, the portable dedicated terminal 602 at this moment, that is, when the portable dedicated terminal 602 receives the exchange approval data from the above-mentioned device, After deleting the equivalently exchanged content data already recorded in the device, and obtaining confirmation, the equivalent exchange of the aforementioned content data with the package medium is approved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from performing an illegal equivalent exchange by reusing the rented content data which has already been subjected to an equivalent exchange once by a device other than the portable dedicated terminal 602 .

(10) The ninth embodiment

Fig. 51 shows a data providing system 700 of the ninth embodiment. A request terminal 702 having a configuration of a personal computer corresponding to the request terminal 702 used by the user 3 as described with reference to FIGS. -4N data providing server 703, one having a structure of a personal computer corresponding to the package providing server 704 of the above-mentioned sales company 5 with reference to FIGS. 1-3 , one having a structure of a personal computer corresponding to the above-mentioned reference to FIGS. 1-3 The advertiser/company server 705 of the advertiser/company site 6 of the advertiser/company site 6, and a portable dedicated terminal 706 corresponding to the portable dedicated terminal 7A-7N with reference to FIGS. The configuration corresponds to the system management server 701 of the system management site 2 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 .

As shown in FIG. 52, in the system management server 701, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 712, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 713, a display section 714, an input section 715, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 716 A bus 711 is connected to a control section 710 such as a CPU with a network interface 717 .

In this case, the control section 710 reads various programs previously stored in the ROM 713 and puts them on the RAM 712 . According to these various programs, the system management server 701 can perform processing similar to the update section 60 and the matching section 63 of FIG. 4 described above, the billing section 116 of FIG. 156, content ID extraction part 161, content search part 162 and transmission data generation part 164, above-mentioned advertiser/company information update part 213 with reference to Fig. 11, user information update part 215 and matching part 216, and above-mentioned reference Fig. 25 Match section 268.

In this case, according to various programs stored in the ROM 713 in advance, the system management server 701 executes processing similar to them. However, these various processes can be executed by installing a program storage medium storing these various programs in the system management server 701 .

Note that such program storage media for installing various programs in the system management server 701 to execute the aforementioned various processes and making them executable are not limited to package media, and may be, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or a DVD, Also, it may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, cable or wireless communication media of the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via each such as a root program and a modem A communication interface to store them.

The control section 710 records, stores and manages various information used in the entire system, such as user registration information and advertiser/company registration information, on a hard disk drive 716 .

Also, the control section 710 can transmit/receive various information such as user information, advertiser/company information, user introduction information and advertiser/company introduction information to/from the request terminal 702, the data providing server via the network interface 717 703, package providing server 704, advertiser/company server 705 and portable dedicated terminal 706.

In this manner, the system management server 701 having a personal computer agent can function similarly to the system management site 2 described above with reference to FIG. 1 according to various programs.

In this case, for example, the system management server 701 uses the input section 715 and the display section 714 to confirm various information recorded on the drive 717 of the hard disk, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 53, in the request terminal 702, a RAM 722, a ROM 723, a display section 724, an input section 725, a hard disk drive 726 and a network interface 727 are connected to a control section 720, such as a CPU through a bus 721's.

In this case, the control section 720 reads various programs stored in the ROM 723 in advance and puts them on the RAM 722 . According to these various programs, the requesting terminal 702 can perform processing similar to the following parts, the request data generation part 71 and the display control part 74 mentioned above with reference to FIG. 122, the judgment section 125 and the billing section 127, and the request data generation section 321 and the display control section 324 described above with reference to FIG.

In this case, according to various programs stored in the ROM 723 in advance, the requesting terminal 702 executes processing similar to them. However, these various processes can be executed by installing in the requesting terminal 702 a program storage medium in which these various programs have been stored.

Note that such program storage media for installing various programs in the system management server 702 to execute the aforementioned various processes and making them executable are not limited to package media, and may be, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or a DVD, Also, it may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, the Internet and cable or wireless communication media of digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via various communications such as a root program and a modem Interfaces can store them.

The control section 720 records, stores and manages various information used in the entire system, such as address information on an accessible system management server 701 and data providing server 703, on a hard disk of a hard disk drive 726.

Also, the control section 720 can send/receive various information such as user information and a content data transmission request to/from the system management server 701 and the data providing server 703 via the network interface 727.

In this case, in the request terminal 702, the input section 725 and the display section 724 are used when the user performs rental reservation or the like for sending content data from the portable dedicated terminal 706 to the data providing server 703.

As shown in FIG. 54, in the data providing server 703, a RAM 732, a ROM 733, a display section 734, an input section 735, a hard disk drive 736 and a network interface 737 are connected to a control section 730 through a bus 731, Such as a CPU.

In this case, the control section 730 reads various programs stored in the ROM 733 in advance and puts them on the RAM 732 . According to these various processes, the data providing server 703 can perform processes similar to those described above with reference to the content search section 62 and package search section 64 of FIG. Data judging section 155, recording control section 157, operation information judging section 158 and request data generating section 159, search section 315 and matching section 316 with reference to FIG. 28 mentioned above, received data judging section 516 with reference to FIG. 517, the user updates the search part 518, the content search part 519, the sending data generation part 520, the user ID extraction part 525, the judgment part 526, the value judgment part 527 and the package search part 528, and the judgment part 610 and the value of the above-mentioned reference figure 45 Judgment part 611.

In this case, according to various programs prestored in ROM 733, data providing server 703 executes processing similar to the following parts, described with reference to the content search section 62 and package search section 64 of FIG. 4, described with reference to FIG. Record control part 117, the received data judging part 155 with reference to Fig. 8, record control part 157, operation information judging part 158 and request data generation part 159, above-mentioned search part 315 and matching part 316 with reference to Fig. 28, above-mentioned reference Fig. 38 received data judgment section 516, content ID extraction section 517, user update search section 518, content search section 519, transmission data generation section 520, user ID extraction section 525, judgment section 526, value judgment section 527 and package search part 528, and the judging part 610 and the value judging part 611 mentioned above with reference to FIG. 45 . However, by installing a program storage medium storing these various programs in the data providing server 703, these various processes can be executed.

Note that such a program storage medium for installing various programs in the data providing server 703 to execute the aforementioned various processes and making them executable is not limited to package media, and may be, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD. , but also a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, cable or wireless communication media of the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via various programs such as a root program and a modem The communication interface stores them.

The control section 730 records, stores and manages content data that is provided to the portable dedicated terminal 706 by various information such as user registration information of users using agents used in the entire system on a hard disk of a hard disk drive 736 .

Also, the control section 730 can transmit/receive various information such as user information and package delivery order data to/from the system management server 701, the package providing server 704 connected via the above-mentioned system management server 701, and the request terminal via the network interface 737 702 and portable dedicated terminal 706.

In this case, in the data providing server 703, when the system management server 701 is requested for content data, when various information recorded on the hard disk drive 736 is confirmed, etc., the input section 735 and the display section 734 are used.

As shown in FIG. 55, in the package providing server 704, a RAM 742, a ROM 743, a display section 744, an input section 745, a hard disk drive 746 and a network interface 747 are connected to a control section 740 through a bus 741, Such as a CPU.

In this case, the control section 740 reads various programs previously stored in the ROM 743 and puts them on the RAM 742 . According to these various programs, the package providing server 704 can perform processing similar to the following. The package ID extraction section 561, package search section 562, package take-out control section 564 and shipping/packing instruction section 565 are described above with reference to FIG.

In this case, the package providing server 704 performs processing similar to them according to various programs stored in the ROM 743 in advance. However, these various processes can be executed by installing a program storage medium storing these various programs in the package providing server 704 .

Note that such a program storage medium for installing various programs in the package providing server 704 to execute the aforementioned various processes and make them executable is not limited to package media, and may be, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD. , but also a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, cable or wireless communication media of the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via each such as a root program and a modem A communication interface to store them.

The control section 740 records, stores and manages various information such as package media inventory and storage information on the hard disk of the hard disk drive 746 .

Also, the control section 740 can send/receive various information such as package delivery order data and delivery arrangement completion data to/from the data providing server 703 via the network interface 747 .

In this case, the package providing server 704 . For example, in confirming various information stored in the network interface 747, the input section 745 and the display section 744 are used.

As shown in Figure 56, in the advertiser/company server 705, a RAM 752, a ROM 753, a display section 754, an input section 755, a hard disk drive 756 and a network interface 757 are connected to a control via a bus 751 Part 750, like a CPU.

In this case, the control section 750 reads various programs previously stored in the ROM 753 and puts them on the RAM 752 . According to these various programs, the advertiser/company server 705 can perform processing similar to the following parts, the transmission control part 231, the display control part 234, the user selection part 237 and the transmission data generation part 238 mentioned above with reference to FIG.

In this case, the advertiser/company server 705 performs processing similar to them according to various programs stored in the ROM 753 in advance. However, these various processes can be executed by installing a program storage medium storing these various programs in the advertiser/company server 705 .

Note that such a program storage medium for installing various programs on the advertiser/company server 705 to execute the aforementioned various processes and make them executable is not limited to packaged media, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or A DVD, but also a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, cable or wireless communication media of the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via each such as a root program and a modem A communication interface to store them.

The control section 750 records, stores and manages various information such as distribution data provided via the Internet 707 on the hard disk of the hard disk drive 756 .

Also, the control section 750 can transmit/receive various information such as advertiser/company information and user introduction information to/from the system management server 701 via the network interface 757.

In this case, the package providing server 705 uses the input section 755 and the display section 754 in inputting advertiser/company information and the like.

As shown in FIG. 57, a portable dedicated terminal 706 has a function of recording/reproducing content data, and a terminal main body 770 which can be freely carried, which can be detachably connected to a bracket 711, which has a 770 a charging function and a communication function using the Internet 707 .

In this case, in the terminal body 770, a display portion 772 which is a liquid crystal display is placed on the front of the casing. Based on the image of the content data, various operation screens for obtaining the above content data and the like can be displayed on the above display portion 772 .

Below the display portion 772 on the front surface of the casing, a reproduction start button 773, a play/stop button 774 and a send button 775 are provided. Through these button means, a reproduction start command and a reproduction stop command for content data, and a send command to send various requests to the data providing server 703, etc. can be input.

In this case, on the front surface of the casing, a charging lamp 776 is provided, which notifies the user when the terminal main body 770 is charging, and an identification 777 of an agent who sells and leases the portable dedicated terminal 706 is shown.

On the top surface of the housing, a headphone jack is provided. On the right surface of the housing, a power button 779 and a volume control dial 780 are provided. Besides, on the left surface of the casing, there are provided a cancel button 781 and a rotary operation button 782 which can be rotated and freely pressed (hereinafter this is called a jog dial), which protrude slightly from the surface of the casing.

The terminal host 770 outputs the sound obtained by reproducing the content data from the headphone jack 778 to the headphone so as to allow the user to hear the sound. At this time, the user can control the volume through the volume control dial 780 .

Also, in the terminal body 770, when the operation screen and the like are displayed on the display portion 772, if the user rotates the jog dial 782, the operation screen is scrolled according to the operation. When the user erroneously inputs information or an order on the above-mentioned operation screen, the user can use the cancel button 781 to cancel it.

On the other hand, in the cradle 771, an AC (alternating current) adapter 790 is provided. If the AC adapter 790 is connected to a main battery or the like in a state where the terminal body 770 is installed, the battery in the terminal body 770 can be charged.

In the cradle 771, a standard combo jack 791, an audio output terminal 792 and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 793 are provided. Content data and the like received by communicating with the system management server 701 and the data providing server 703 through the above-mentioned standard combination jack 791 and the like are transmitted to the terminal main unit 770, and audio data obtained from the terminal main unit 770 is output from the audio output terminal 792 to An external speaker, etc., and content data obtained from the outside can be received from the USB port 793 and can be sent to the terminal host 770.

Now, the circuit configuration of the portable dedicated terminal 706 will be described with reference to FIG. 58 . First, in the cradle 771, a storage section 802, a USB controller 803, audio output terminal 792 and a modem 804 are connected to a CPU 800 via a bus 801. The power supply voltage received from the AC adapter 790 is converted into an internal voltage of a predetermined voltage through a power supply section 805, and the voltage is supplied to the CPU 800 and each circuit block so that the entire carriage 771 is driven.

In the terminal host 770, a flash memory 822, an LCD (liquid crystal display) controller 823, an amplifier 824, and an operation key controller 825 are connected to a CPU 820 via a bus 821. By supplying internal voltage from a battery circuit section 826 to the CPU 820 and each circuit block, the entire terminal main body 770 is driven.

When the terminal host 770 is installed on the bracket 771 , a power input terminal 831 is connected to a power supply terminal 830 in the bracket 771 . Accordingly, the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply section 805 in the above-mentioned cradle 771 via the power supply terminal 830 and the power input terminal 831 in sequence is input into the battery circuit section 826 and the battery is charged. Therefore, even if the terminal body 770 is detached from the cradle 771, the portable dedicated terminal 706 can be freely used.

If the terminal host 770 is mounted on the bracket 771, a main body side information input/output terminal 833 is connected to a bracket side information input/output terminal 832 provided in the bracket 771, so that data and various information can be Send to and receive from bay 771.

Actually, in the portable dedicated terminal 706, the USB terminal 793 of the cradle 771 can be connected to the data providing server 703 via a USB cable (not shown). The content data such as user's rental reservation etc. is input from the USB terminal 793 to the USB controller 803 in the cradle 771 by sending from the data providing server 703 via the USB cable, and the above-mentioned received content data is transmitted from the cradle side information input/output terminal 832 is sent to the end host 770.

In this case, the terminal host 770 inputs the content data sent from the cradle side information input/output terminal 832 of the cradle 771 in the CPU 820 from the main body side information input/output terminal 833 via an interface portion 834, and in the flash memory 822 Record content data in .

In this way, if the content data is recorded in the flash memory 822, the terminal host 770 inputs a reproduction start command given by the operation key controller 825 into the CPU 820, and reproduces the content data from the flash memory 822 according to the operation of the reproduction start button 773. , and the above-mentioned reproduced content data is sent from the amplifier 824 to the headphone jack 778 and the above-mentioned content data is sent from the LCD controller 823 to the display section 772 . Therefore, the user can enjoy the content.

Also, when various information such as a request to obtain content data is input via the operation key controller 825, the terminal host 770 inputs it into the CPU 820, and, sequentially via the interface portion 834 and the main body side information input/output terminal 833, send it from the aforementioned CPU 820 to the carriage 711.

At this time, the cradle 711 receives various information from the terminal host 770 from the cradle-side information input/output terminal 832, and transfers the above-mentioned received various information from the standard combination jack 791 and the system management server 701 to The modem 804 sends to the data providing server 703 and the like.

As a result, when various information such as content data is transmitted from the data providing server 703 etc. The information input/output terminal 832 sends the various information received above to the terminal host 770 .

The terminal host 770 inputs various information received from the main body side information input/output terminal 833 sent from the cradle 771 into the CPU 820 via the interface section 834, and notifies the user of the content of the information via the display section 772 and the headphone jack 778 , or record various information in the flash memory 822.

In this case, in the terminal host 770, the CPU 820 reads various programs stored in the ROM 840 in advance and puts them on the RAM 841. According to these various programs, the terminal host 770 can perform processing similar to the recording control section 81, the reproduction control section 84, and the request data generation section 86 described above with reference to FIG. 4, the request data generation section 241 described above with reference to FIG. The recording control section 245 and the reproduction control section 248, the above-mentioned request data generation section 270 with reference to FIG. 25, the above-mentioned reproduction control section 342 of FIG. 541, request data generation section 542, judgment section 545, recording control section 546 and reproduction control section 548, and request data generation section 630 described above with reference to FIG.

In this case, the terminal host 770 of the portable dedicated terminal 706 executes processes similar to those described above with reference to the recording control section 81 of FIG. Section 241, recording control section 245 and reproduction control section 248, the above-mentioned request data generation section 270 with reference to FIG. 25, the above-mentioned reproduction control section 342 with reference to FIG. Operation information judgment section 541, request data generation section 542, judgment section 545, recording control section 546 and reproduction control section 548, and request data generation section 630 mentioned above with reference to FIG. However, these various processes can be executed by installing a program storage medium storing these various programs in the terminal host 770 .

Note that such a program storage medium of various programs for executing the installation of the aforementioned various processes in the terminal host 770 of the portable dedicated terminal 706 and for making them executable is not limited to the package medium, and may be, for example, a floppy disk , a CD-ROM or a DVD, but also a semiconductor memory, a disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, the Internet and a cable or wireless communication medium of digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via, for example, a root program and a modem Various communication interfaces store them.

The cradle 771 stores various information such as addresses of accessible servers on a storage medium 802 so that the CPU 800 can communicate with the system management server 701 and the like in accordance with the above various information in the storage section 802 .

According to the above structure, in the data providing system 700, each of the system management server 701, request terminal 702, data providing server 703, package providing server 704 and advertiser/company server 705 has a configuration of a personal computer.

Therefore, in this data providing system 700, the system management server 701, the request terminal 702, the data providing server 703, the package providing server 704 and the advertiser/company server 705 as hardware need not be regenerated. Therefore, a system can be easily constructed only by installing various programs in an existing personal computer.

In the data providing system 700, as for the portable dedicated terminal 706, the hardware has been deliberately newly prepared without using a personal computer. This is because, by making the portable dedicated terminal 706 easy to carry and simplifying operation buttons, people who do not have a personal computer and people who are inexperienced in operating a personal computer can manage the portable dedicated terminal 706 easily.

According to the above structure, a system is constructed using the system management server 701, the request terminal 702, the data providing server 703, the package providing server 704 and the advertiser/company server 705 each having a personal computer. Therefore, a system can be easily constructed by using existing personal computers as the system management server 701, request terminal 702, data providing server 703, package providing server 704 and advertiser/company server 705.

(11) The tenth embodiment

FIG. 59 shows a data providing system 900 of the tenth embodiment, in which the same reference numerals are added to corresponding parts in FIG. 51 . The resulting data providing system 900 is the same as the data providing system 700 of the ninth embodiment except for the construction of a portable dedicated terminal 910 corresponding to the portable dedicated terminals 7A-7N described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 60, the portable dedicated terminal 910 has a function of recording/reproducing content data. A freely portable terminal host 911 can be freely disassembled and installed on a bracket 912 , and it has a charging function for the above-mentioned terminal host 911 and a communication function using the Internet 707 .

In the terminal body 911, a display portion 913 which is a liquid crystal display is provided on the front surface of the housing. Based on video of the content data, various operation screens for obtaining the above content data, etc. can be displayed on the above display portion 913 .

Below the display portion 913 on the front surface of the casing, a character input key group 914 having ten keys "0"-"9", a character type change key 915 and a cancel key 916 are provided. In a state where a content selection screen is displayed on the display portion 913, by using the character input key group 914 as ten keys, the user can input numbers for barcodes as identification information corresponding to the content in advance and can select Specify what to expect. At this time, by using the character input key group 914 together with the character type change key 915 and the cancel key 916, the user can input the title of the content, with Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana and Chinese characters), English letters (alphabet), Numerals and symbols, etc., and can optionally specify desired content.

In this case, on the front surface of the casing, when the terminal main body 911 is charging, a charging lamp 917 is provided, which can inform the user that it is charging, and an agency logo 918 for selling and leasing the portable dedicated terminal 910 is shown.

On the top surface of the housing, a headphone jack 919 and a microphone 920 are provided. On the right surface of the casing, a power button 921 and a volume control dial 922 are provided.

Besides, on the left surface of the case, there are provided a sending button 923 for sending various requests to the data providing server 703 etc., and a jog dial which can be rotated and pressed freely protruding slightly from the surface of the case 924.

Therefore, in the terminal body 911, in a state where an operation screen for reproducing content data is displayed on the display portion 913, by rotating and pressing the jog dial 924, the user can input various commands such as A reproduction start command and a reproduction stop command of content data.

The terminal host 911 thus outputs the sound obtained by reproducing the content data, from the headphone jack 919 to a headphone (not shown), and displays the video obtained by reproducing the above content data on the display portion 913 . Therefore, the user watches the content. At this time, the user can control the volume by adjusting the volume control dial.

As shown in FIG. 61, in the terminal body 911, a camera 925 for pattern recognition is provided at the upper center portion of the back of the casing. The terminal host 911 picks up an image of a barcode corresponding to content in advance through that camera 925, so that the user can selectively designate desired content. And by using the above-mentioned camera 925 together with the microphone 920, moving images and sounds for a predetermined time (several seconds) can be accepted for memo of desired information.

Also, at the lower part of the back of the casing, a detachable battery unit 926 is disposed. The battery voltage is supplied from the above-mentioned battery unit 926 to various internal circuits, and the power button 921 is pressed to start the portable dedicated terminal 910 .

In this case, at the bottom of the case, a connector to be described later is provided, and the terminal host 911 can be electrically connected to the bracket 912 via the above-mentioned connector. When the connector 928 of an AC adapter 927 connected to a main power source or the like is connected to the connector, the battery unit 926 can be charged directly without going through the cradle 912 .

On the other hand, in the bracket 912 (FIG. 60), a connector 929 is provided on the top surface of the housing. By connecting the connector of the end body 911 to the above-mentioned connector 929, the end body 911 can be electrically connected to the end body 911 (ie, the end body 911 can be installed).

In the bracket 912, a connector 928 of an AC adapter 927 is freely detachably attached. If the AC adapter 927 is connected to a main power supply or the like, a power supply voltage is supplied from the above-mentioned AC adapter 927 to each internal circuit in order to start the portable dedicated terminal 910 . If the terminal body 911 is electrically connected to the cradle 912, the power supply voltage is supplied from the AC adapter 927 to the battery part 926 of the above-mentioned terminal body 911 and the battery part 926 is charged.

In the cradle 912, a standard combo jack 930 for a public network with a relatively slow communication speed, and a jack 931 for Ethernet (trademark) which is much faster than the public network communication speed are provided (hereinafter referred to as for the Ethernet jack).

If the terminal host 911 is installed on the bracket 912, the terminal host 911 allows the user to arbitrarily select one of the public network and Ethernet (trademark) as the used communication line, and through the public network or Ethernet corresponding to the above selection A standard combination jack 930 of NET (trademark) or an Ethernet jack 931 communicates with the system management server 701 and the data providing server 703 .

Besides, in the cradle 912, a video output terminal 932 and an audio output terminal 933 are provided.

If the content data is reproduced under the state in which the terminal host 911 is mounted on the bracket 912, the terminal host 911 sends video and audio data forming the above-mentioned content data to an external device, such as a TV so that users can watch the content.

Here, the circuit configuration of the portable dedicated terminal 910 will be described with reference to FIG. 62 . First, in the terminal main body 911, a main CPU 940 for comprehensively controlling the entire circuits in the above-mentioned terminal main body 911 and the cradle 912 is provided.

Also, in the terminal main body 911, a sub CPU 941 which controls the start/stop of each circuit in the above-mentioned terminal main body 911 is provided, which also has a function as a man-machine interface.

When the power button 921 is pressed and a start command is given from an operation portion 942 comprising the above-mentioned button 921, character input key group 914, character type change key 915, cancel key 916, volume control dial 922, send button 923 and Jog dial 924, sub-CPU 941 acquires battery voltage supplied from battery unit 926 in internal power supply monitoring circuit 941A in which battery voltage is converted into various levels of predetermined levels, and sends them to the terminal Corresponding circuits in the host 911 to activate these circuits respectively.

Then, the sub CPUs 941 respectively control the start/stop of each circuit in the terminal main body 911 according to the processing content performed by the main CPU 940 . Therefore, wasteful consumption of the battery voltage of the battery unit 926 can be minimized.

When the terminal host 911 starts up, the main CPU 940 reads various programs previously stored in a system memory 943 which is a flash ROM via a memory bus B1, and puts them in an SDRAM 944.

Therefore, the main CPU 940 can perform the same processing as the recording control section 81, the reproduction control section 84, and the request data generation section 86 described above with reference to FIG. The reproduction control section 248, the above-mentioned reference to the request data generation section 270 of Fig. 25, the above-mentioned reference to the reproduction control section 342 of Fig. The generation section 542, the judgment section 545, the recording control section 546 and the reproduction control section 548, and the request data generation section 630 described above with reference to FIG. 45 follow various procedures.

Specifically, in the main CPU 940, before the portable dedicated terminal 910 sold and leased in the agency, the user specifies the content data to purchase and/or lease, add to the header data of the above-mentioned content data, and the user assigned in the user registration ID and the like are recorded as compressed codes in the memory for data 945 which is a flash ROM.

After the user has purchased and rented the portable dedicated terminal 910, if the user inputs a request to reproduce content data from the operation section 942, it passes through the sub CPU 941 and the I ² C bus B2 which is a serial bus (this is usually referred to as SM( system management) bus), the main CPU 940 reads the reproduction operation screen data from the system memory 943 via the storage bus B1 as a response, and sends the read reproduction operation screen data to a timing signal generator 946.

Based on the screen data and video data supplied from the main CPU 940, the timing generator 946 controls the display section 913 (controls the lighting time, lighting intensity, etc. of the liquid crystal for each of a plurality of pixels on the screen of the display section 913). Therefore, if reproduction operation screen data is supplied from the above-mentioned main CPU 940 , a reproduction operation screen based on the reproduction operation screen data is displayed on the display portion 913 .

In this state, when the content data to be reproduced and its reproduction are specified on the reproduction operation screen, one of the sub-CPUs 941 and the ^I2C bus B2 supplied from the operation part 942 in accordance with the operation sequence of the operation part 942 The content data specifying command and a reproduction start command are given to the main CPU 940, and the main CPU 940 reads specified compression-encoded content data (hereinafter this is referred to as compressed content data) from the data memory 945 via the memory bus B1.

Then, the main CPU 940 decodes the compressed content data read from the data memory 945 . In the audio data forming the video of the content data thus obtained, the main CPU sends and the video data to the timing signal generator 946, and converts the audio data into an analog audio signal in a digital/analog converter 947, and then passes through The headphone amplifier 948 sends this to the headphone jack 919.

Therefore, the main CPU 940 displays an image of the content on the display portion 913 via the timing signal generator 946 based on the video data, and outputs an image of the content from a headphone (not shown) connected to the headphone jack 919 based on the audio signal. sound so that the user can watch the content.

If a memo input command is given from the operation section 942 via the sub CPU 941 and the ^I2C bus B2 in sequence, the main CPU 940 acquires a subject through the camera 925 and accepts video data thus acquired within a predetermined time. At this time, the main CPU 940 acquires the surrounding sound through the microphone 920 within a predetermined time, sequentially passes through a microphone amplifier 949 and an A/D converter 950 to convert the acquired audio signal into digital audio data, and accepts it. The main CPU 940 compression-codes these video and audio data as memo data, and then transfers them to the data memory 945 via the memory bus B1 to record it.

In this case, at this time, if a character string such as a comment on the memo is sequentially passed through the sub-CPU 941 and the I ² C bus B2 according to the character input key group 914, the operation of the character type change key 915 and the cancel key 916 is changed from The operation part 942 is input as text data, and the main CPU 940 adds the above text data to the memo data and compression-codes them, and records it in the data memory 945 .

If a reproduction start command for memo data is supplied from the operation section 942 sequentially via the sub CPU 941 and the ^I2C bus B2, the main CPU 940 executes the same processing as the above-mentioned reproduction of the content data. Therefore, the user can confirm the content of the memo through the display portion 913 and the headset.

By the way, the main CPU 940 is electrically connected to a connector 953 provided on the bottom of the housing, sequentially through a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus B3, a designated bus B4 based on the PCI standard (hereinafter this is referred to as PCI bus) bus switch 951 and a protection circuit 952.

The protection circuit 952 has a function to protect circuits in the terminal host 911 from external static electricity, and to prevent unnecessary radiation generated by data (signal) processing in the terminal host 911 from being leaked to the outside.

Also, the protection circuit 952 detects whether the connector of the qualified bracket 912 has been connected to the connector 953, and notifies the main CPU of the detection result.

Main CPU 940 controls bus switch 951 according to the detection result that protection circuit 952 provides, so until the connector 929 of qualified bracket 912 is connected to connector 953, main CPU 940 interrupts the electrical connection with protection circuit 952, and only when qualified bracket When the connector 929 of the rack 912 has been connected to the above-mentioned connector 953, the main CPU 940 electrically connects the terminal host 911 to the protection circuit 952 via the bus switch 951.

Therefore, even if an electronic device other than the cradle 912 is wrongly connected to the connector 953 and the above-mentioned connector 953 is short-circuited, the main CPU 940 can protect itself from accidents and the like.

Here, the cradle 912 inputs the power supply voltage supplied from the AC adapter 927 connected to the main power supply or the like into the internal power supply monitoring circuit 955 in which the power supply voltage is converted into internal voltages of predetermined levels in multiple stages. , and provide them to each corresponding circuit in the above-mentioned bracket 912 to activate each of these circuits.

If the terminal main unit 911 is mounted on the bracket 912, in the power supply monitoring circuit 955, the power supply voltage is converted into a charging voltage at a predetermined level, and the above-mentioned charging voltage is transferred from the connector 929 via the connector 953 of the terminal main unit 911. Sent to battery unit 926 for charging.

In the state where the terminal host 911 is mounted on the bracket 912, an operation request for communication is given from the operation section 942 via the sub CPU 941 and the ^I2C bus B2 in sequence, and the main CPU 940 reads the communication from the system memory 943 via the memory bus B1. In response thereto, the above read communication operation screen data is sent to the timing signal generator 946 to display a communication operation screen data based on the communication operation screen data on the display section 913 .

In this state, when the user arbitrarily selects one of the public network and Ethernet (trademark) and the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the designated communication party on the communication operation screen by operating the operation part 942, the sequence passes through the sub- CPU 941 and I ² C bus B2 give a command to select a specified communication line, URL and a send command from the operation section 942, and the main CPU 940 generates access request data to the communication party specified by the above URL.

When Ethernet (trademark) is selected as the communication line for communication, the main CPU 940 compresses and encodes the access request data and sends the obtained compressed access request data to the carriage 912 from the connector 953, passing through a PCI bus B3 in sequence, Bus switch 951 , PCI-based bus B4 and protection circuit 952 . In the above-mentioned tray 912, the compressed access request data is sent from the Ethernet jack 931 through the connector 929, an Ethernet controller 956 and an Ethernet interface 957 to a communication party on Ethernet (trademark) in sequence.

As a result, when the access confirmation data from the communicating party in response to the access request is compressed encoded and sent via Ethernet (trademark), the main CPU 940 sequentially passes through the Ethernet interface 957 from the Ethernet jack 931 of the cradle 912, and the Ethernet The controller 956 and the connector 929 input the above-mentioned compressed coded access confirmation data (hereinafter, this is referred to as compressed access confirmation data) into the connector 953, and pass through the protection circuit 952 in sequence, based on the bus B4 of PCI, the bus switch 951 The above-mentioned access confirmation data from the connector 953 of the PCI bus B3 is decoded.

Now, from the system management server 701 that can communicate with the portable dedicated terminal 910 and the data providing server 703 on the proxy send the compressed access confirmation data (that is, the communication has been allowed), the above-mentioned system management server 701 and data providing An identification code unique to the server 703 (or proxy) has been stored.

On the other hand, in the data memory 945 in the terminal host 911, when the portable dedicated terminal 910 is sold or leased, the system management server 701 (that is, communication has been allowed) and the data providing server 703 (or agency) that can communicate ) unique identification code has been recorded.

Therefore, when the access confirmation data is decoded and the access confirmation data is generated, the main CPU 940 compares the identification code stored in the above access confirmation data with the identification code recorded in the data memory 945 in advance.

As a result, if the compared identification codes are the same, the main CPU 940 determines that the designated communicating party is a qualified communicating party, and thus continues the communication. Thus, the user can request transmission of content data, introduction of an advertiser/company, and the like.

On the contrary, if the compared identification codes are different or the identification code is not stored in the access confirmation data, the communication party designated by the main CPU 940 is different from the permitted communication party, and then the communication is forcibly stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent communication with the portable dedicated terminal 910 with a communication party not permitted for communication and illegal use of content data and the like.

In this manner, the main CPU 940 can only communicate with the communicating parties that provide permission to communicate, via Ethernet (trademark). As a result, if various screen data, such as compressed-coded advertiser/company introduction data and content selection screen data (hereinafter, these are referred to as various compressed screen data), are used for advertisements and for obtaining compressed The content data of the system management server 701 and the data providing server 703 that is a qualified communication party are sent via Ethernet (trademark), and the main CPU 940 accepts these various data through the same path as the aforementioned compressed access confirmation data, and necessary when decoding them.

In this case, when the main CPU 940 receives various compressed screen data, the main CPU 940 decodes them, and then transmits it to the timing signal generator 946, so that based on the various screen data (for introducing advertisers/companies screen, content selection screen, etc.) to display screens on the display section 913 via the timing signal generator 946.

When the main CPU 940 communicates with a communication party having communication permission via Ethernet (trademark), if various data, such as content transmission, are sequentially given from the operation section 942 via the sub CPU 941 and the I ² C bus B2, and thus the main CPU 940 follows the request Generate request data, the main CPU 940 compresses and encodes the generated request data, and sends the obtained compressed request data to qualified communication parties through the same path as the aforementioned compressed access request data via Ethernet (trademark).

In this case, in the main CPU 940, when selecting to designate desired content, the user can input the title of the desired content, the bar code number assigned in advance to the above content, etc., through the above-mentioned operation section 942.

At this time, the main CPU 940 can obtain an image of the barcode assigned to the content through the camera 925 . In this case, according to a predetermined image recognition program, the main CPU 940 can analyze the image of the barcode obtained from the camera 925, so that the selected specified content can be specified.

On the contrary, when the user selects the public network as a communication line for communication, the main CPU 940 compresses and encodes the access request data, and transmits the thus obtained compressed access request data as serial data to the sub CPU 941 via the I ² C bus B2 .

The sub CPU 941 functions as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Receiver) device. The sub CPU 941 converts the compressed access request data supplied from the main CPU 940 into parallel data, and then transfers it to the cradle 912 from the connector 953 via the protection circuit 952 . In the above-mentioned bay 912, the compressed access request data is sent from the standard combination jack 930 to the communicating party via the public network, passing through the connector 929 and a modem interface 958 in sequence.

As a result, if the compressed access confirmation data is sent from the communicating party via the public network, sequentially through the modem interface 958 and the connector 929, the main CPU 940 inputs the data from the standard combo jack 930 of the cradle 912 into the connector 953, protected The circuit 952 inputs it into the sub CPU 941 from the connector 953 and converts it into serial data, and then receives the serial data via the I ² C bus B2 to decode it.

Also, in this manner, the main CPU 940 compares the identification code stored in the access confirmation data obtained by decoding the compressed access confirmation data with the identification code recorded in the data memory 945 when using the public network.

Only when the compared identification codes are consistent, the main CPU 940 judges that the visiting communication party is a qualified communication party with communication permission, and continues communication using the public network.

Next, when various compressed image data such as advertiser/company introduction data and content selection screen data and compressed content data for advertisements and for acquisition are transmitted from the system management server 701, and in the main CPU 940 via the common When the network communicates with a communication party with communication permission, when the data providing server 703 is the above-mentioned communication party, the main CPU 940 receives these various data from the standard combination jack 930 into the sub CPU 941, and executes and uses the Ethernet (trademark) The above case is handled the same.

In the state where the main CPU 940 communicates with a communicating party having communication permission, via the public network, if various requests, such as transmission contents, are given to the main CPU 940 from the operation part 942 via the sub CPU 941 and the I ² C bus B2 in sequence, and thus Main CPU940 produces request data according to this request, and main CPU940 compresses and codes the above-mentioned generated request data, and transmits the compressed request data obtained in this way to a qualified communication party through the public network, and passes through a connection between sub-CPU941 and standard combination jack 930. path.

Incidentally, in Ethernet (trademark) and the public network, for example, when a content selection screen that is a three-dimensional virtual reality space image described above with reference to FIGS. The same process as the aforementioned portable dedicated terminal 303 of the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 28-37).

When the image of the user moves to the specified coordinate position on the content selection screen (the image of the first floor and the image of the second floor in the store), the main CPU 940 compresses and encodes the specified coordinate position data, indicating that the above-mentioned user image moves to the specified coordinate position. coordinate position, and then send the compressed coded data to the data providing server 703 via Ethernet (trademark) or public network selected at the same time.

At this time, when the data providing server 703 receives the designated coordinate position data from the portable dedicated terminal 910, the data providing server 703 compresses and encodes the content data for advertisement (that is, commercial data) designated by the above designated coordinate position data, and Ethernet (trademark) or the public network send the obtained compressed content data to the portable dedicated terminal 910, which is the same as the transmission path of the specified coordinate position data compressed and coded in the data stream, according to UDP/IP (User Data Protocol/Internet Protocol).

As a result, when accepting the compressed content data for advertisement sent from the data providing server 703, the main CPU 940 temporarily stores it in the ADRAM 944.

The main CPU 940 reads and decodes the compressed contents data for advertisement from the SDRAM 944, and among the video data and audio data forming the obtained contents data, the main CPU 940 sends the video data to the timing signal generator 946, and in the digital/analog converter The audio data is converted into an analog audio signal in 947, and then the audio signal is sent to the headphone jack 919 via the headphone amplifier 948.

Accordingly, the main CPU 940 displays an image of the content for advertisement on the display portion 913 through the timing signal generator 946 based on the video data, and outputs the sound of the content from the headphone connected to the headphone jack 919 based on the audio signal. In this way, the user can watch a part of the content, etc., in order to advertise.

In this manner, the main CPU 940 stream reproduces compressed content data for advertisement, which is streamed from the system management server 701, and the data providing server 703 is a qualified communication partner, by using the SDRAM 944 as a buffer.

When desired content data is selected and designated on the content selection screen on the display portion 913, which is a three-dimensional virtual reality space image, the main CPU 940 compresses and encodes the content designation data representing the above-mentioned selected and designated content data, and then transmits the compressed The encoded data is sent to the data providing server 703, via Ethernet (trade mark) or the public network selected at the same time.

At this time, when the data providing server 703 receives the content specifying data from the portable dedicated terminal 910, the data providing server 703 compresses and encodes the content data specified by the above content specifying data obtained by the data providing server 703 and obtains it via Ethernet (trademark) or public network. The compressed content data is sent to the portable dedicated terminal 910, which is the same as the transmission route of the compressed coded content designation data, according to TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

When receiving the obtained compressed content data sent from the data providing server 7903, the main CPU 940 temporarily stores it in the SDRAM 944, and transfers it to the data memory 945 via the memory bus B1 while using the above-mentioned SDRAM 944 as a buffer for the record.

In this manner, when the main CPU obtains various data such as compressed content data from the system management server 701 and the data providing server 703, the main CPU 940 uses the SDRAM 944 as a buffer. Therefore, these various data can be downloaded while preventing errors in processing these various data.

Besides, when the terminal main body 911 is mounted on the bracket 912, the main CPU 940 enables the user to connect the display part 913 and the headphone jack 919 of the terminal main body 911 or an external device, such as a television receiver, to the Arbitrary selection is made on the reproduction operation screen displayed on the display section 913 as the destination of the reproduced content data.

When the user selects the display portion 913 and the headphone jack 919 of the terminal main body 911 on the reproduction operation screen as the destination of the reproduced content data of the content data, and selects the designated display portion 913 and the headphone jack A command is given from the operation section 942, and according to it (a command to select specified content data and a reproduction start command) sequentially through the sub CPU 941 and the ^I2C bus B2, the main CPU 940 reproduces the compressed content data from the data memory 945 and decodes Reproduced data, this is the same as the aforementioned case, that is, the terminal host 911 is not mounted on the cradle 912 . In this way, the user can view content through the display portion 913 and headphones.

On the contrary, if the user selects the external device as the destination of the reproduced content data on the reproduction operation screen, a command to select and specify the external device is given from the operation section 942 via the sub CPU 941 and the I ² C bus B2 (using Selecting a command specifying content data and a reproduction start command), the main CPU 940 reads the specified compressed content data from the data memory 945 via the memory bus B1.

The main CPU 940 decodes the compressed content data, and among the video and audio data forming the obtained content data, the main CPU 940 converts the video data into an analog video signal at a digital/analog converter 959 for video, and then passes The protection circuit 952 transmits the video signal from the connector 953 to the cradle 912, and sends the video signal from the video output terminal 932 to an external device via the connector 929 in the above-mentioned cradle 912.

At this time, the main CPU converts the audio data forming the content data into an analog audio signal in the digital/analog converter 947, and then transmits the audio signal from the connector 953 to the cradle 912 via the protection circuit 952, through the above-mentioned cradle A power amplifier in 912 converts the audio signal into an analog audio signal of left and right channels, and then sends the audio signal to an external device from an audio output terminal 933 .

Therefore, the user can enjoy content, for example, through a large-screen display and a speaker with high-quality sound, by using not only the terminal main body 911 but also external devices.

Moreover, when the terminal body 911 was installed on the bracket 912, the main CPU 940 not only processed the content data but also the memo data, which was the same as the above-mentioned content data, so that the user could confirm the content of the memo, through the display of the terminal host 911 Part 911 and headphones and one of the external devices.

Note that in this tenth embodiment, the main CPU controls the system memory 943 and the data memory 945 via a control bus B5, and controls the D/A converter 947 and the A/D converter for video and audio via the I ² C bus B2. digital converter 950.

Also, when transmission request data requesting content data is generated, the main CPU 940 stores content specifying information specifying desired content in the above-mentioned transmission request data by its title, bar code, etc., whether the content data has been purchased and/or Rental, payment information (payment method, such as payment by credit card), user ID, etc. on the purchase price and rental fee for content data.

Whenever the data providing server 703 receives the above-mentioned transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 910, based on the user information (account number of the user) of the user making the request to transmit the content, the selling price and rental fee of the content data, and the agent's bank account number, The data providing server 703 performs accounting.

As a result, the data providing server 703 generates billing information on sales and rental of content data, and transmits the above-generated billing information to a settlement processing server on the Internet 707 . In the above-mentioned settlement processing server, electronic settlement processing based on accounting information is performed.

Therefore, the portable dedicated terminal 910 enables the user to obtain content data and pay for the above content data and rent at home without going to an agency.

According to the above construction, in this data providing system 900, a character input key group 914 having a ten-key arrangement is provided in a portable dedicated terminal 910. Therefore, the user can select and designate the content to be obtained by inputting the bar code number previously assigned to the content by using the above-mentioned character input key group 914 .

Furthermore, in this data providing system 900 , a camera 925 is provided in the portable dedicated terminal 910 . Therefore, an image of a barcode assigned to content in advance can be obtained through the above-mentioned camera 925 so that the user can selectively designate the content to be obtained.

Therefore, in this data providing system 900, when the user selects and specifies the obtained content in the portable dedicated terminal 910, the user can easily and selectively specify the desired content, only by simply inputting a number or the content obtained through the camera 925. An image of a barcode without entering multiple characters, such as the title of the above content, etc.

According to the above configuration, the portable dedicated terminal 910 is equipped with a character input key set 914 having a ten-key device and uses a camera 925 for image recognition. Therefore, in the portable dedicated terminal 910, in addition to the effects obtained in the aforementioned ninth embodiment, the user can easily and selectively specify desired content by inputting numbers with the character input key group 914 or simply by obtaining image of the barcode. Therefore, it is possible to realize a data providing system in which the portable proprietary terminal provides improved usability and easier use.

Note that, in the aforementioned tenth embodiment, in the portable dedicated terminal 910, the main CPU of the terminal main body 911 executes the same processing as the recording control section 81, reproduction control section 84, and request data generation of FIG. Part 86, the above-mentioned request data generating part 241 with reference to FIG. And the recording control section 347, the above-mentioned operation information judging section 541 with reference to FIG. Various programs are stored in the system memory 943 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and these various processes can be executed by installing in the terminal host 911 a program storage medium storing these various programs.

In this case, such a program storage medium for installing various programs in the terminal host 911 in the portable interrupt 910 to execute the foregoing various processes and make them executable is not limited to the package medium, and may be, for example, a floppy disk, A CD-ROM or a DVD, but also a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, cable or wireless communication media of the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via each such as a root program and a modem A communication interface to store them.

In the aforementioned tenth embodiment, based on the identification code, the portable dedicated terminal 910 can communicate only with designated communication parties that are allowed to communicate in advance. Yet the present invention is not limited thereto, after the user begins to use portable dedicated terminal 910, the user can re-sign a contract with an agent etc. to obtain the unique identification code of this agent, so that the user can use a portable dedicated terminal to communicate with a plurality of agents. etc. to communicate. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to prepare a portable dedicated terminal 910 for each agent, and one portable proprietary terminal 910 can be used as a common dedicated terminal for a plurality of agents and the like. In this way, the usability of the portable dedicated terminal 910 can be further improved.

In the foregoing tenth embodiment, the terminal body 911 of the portable dedicated terminal 910 operates on the battery voltage supplied from the detachable battery unit 926 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the terminal host 911 of the portable dedicated terminal 910 can work by installing an exchangeable primary battery pack, or the terminal host 911 can work by both the battery pack and the primary battery pack. Therefore, the primary battery pack can be easily exchanged when the user goes out, and the portable dedicated terminal 910 can be used for a long time.

Also, in the foregoing tenth embodiment, the data providing server 793 generates billing information each time the data providing server 703 receives content transmission request data, and executes electronic settlement processing in the settlement processing server based on the billing information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the data providing server 703 or the system management server 701 may generate billing information frequently and intensively, for example, once a month, once every two weeks, etc., or when the data providing server 703 receives Accounting information generated each time can be accumulated when transmitting request data, and settlement processing can be performed in the settlement processing server at regular intervals.

(12) Eleventh embodiment

Fig. 63 shows a data providing system 1000 of the eleventh embodiment. A requesting terminal 1002 corresponding to the above-mentioned user 3 (that is, the requesting terminal used by the user) with reference to FIGS. Portable dedicated terminal 1003 of 4N and which can only access data providing server 1001 is connected to data providing server 1001 corresponding to agents 4A-4N described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 via the Internet (not shown).

The data providing server 1001 has a user database 1010 for storing user registration information and user registration screen data and a content database 1011 for storing a plurality of content data and content selection screen data.

When registration request data requesting a user to register is sent from the requesting terminal 1002, the data providing server 1001 receives it through a receiving part 1012 and inputs it in the updating part 1013, based on the registration request data from the user database 1010 through the above-mentioned updating part 1013 The user registration screen data is read, and the above read user registration screen data is transmitted to the requesting terminal 1002 from a transmission section 1014 .

As a result, when the user information input by the user on the user registration screen based on the user registration screen data is transmitted from the requesting terminal 1002, the data providing server 1001 receives it through the receiving section 1012 and inputs it into the updating section 1013, assigning a User ID is given to the user requesting registration and it is added to the user information by the above-mentioned update section 1013, and stored as user registration information in the user database 1010, so as to register the user.

In this case, when the user is registered by the update section 1013, the data providing server 1001 generates registration completion data including the user ID and transmits it from the transmission section 1014 to the requesting terminal 1002.

In this manner, the data providing server 1001 notifies the user via the requesting terminal 1002 of the completion of the registration and the user ID.

When transmission request data requesting transmission of content data is transmitted from the requesting terminal 1002, the data providing server 1001 receives it through the receiving section 1012 and inputs it into a searching section 1015.

Based on transmission request data, data providing server 1001 reads content selection screen data from content database 1011 through search section 1015, and transmits the above read content selection screen data to requesting terminal 1002 from transmission section 1014.

As a result, when the user inputs predetermined information on the content selection screen based on the content selection screen data and predetermined data representing the above predetermined information is transmitted from the requesting terminal 1002, the data providing server 1001 receives it through the receiving section 1012 and inputs it to the search Section 1015.

Based on the predetermined data, the data providing server 1001 reads the content data specified by the predetermined data from the content database 1011 through the search section 1015, and transmits the above-mentioned read content data for recording from a dedicated terminal (not shown) to a A portable dedicated terminal (not shown) is directly connected to the above-mentioned dedicated terminal via a cable or the like before it is delivered to the user.

In this manner, the data providing server 1001 accepts a purchase or rental content data from the user and a prior reservation of the portable dedicated terminal 1003, and records the above content data to be purchased or rented to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 to be purchased or rented. Prepare them in the dedicated terminal 1003. Thus, when the user comes to an agency in which the above-mentioned data providing server 1001 is installed, the user's portable dedicated terminal is handed over for sale and rental.

Then, when transmission request data for content data is sent from the portable dedicated terminal 1003 purchased or rented by the user via the Internet (purchased or rented), the data providing server 1001 receives it through the receiving section 1012 and inputs it into the searching section 1015.

At this time, the data providing server 1001 reads the content selection screen data from the content database 1011 through the search section 1015 based on the transmission request data, and transmits the above-mentioned read content selection screen data to the user's portable dedicated terminal 1003 from the transmission section 1014 .

As a result, when the content data designation information input by the user on the content selection screen based on the content selection screen data and the content designation data representing the above designation information are transmitted from the requesting terminal 1003, the data providing server 1001 receives through the receiving section 1012 It is also entered into the search section 1015.

Based on the content specifying data, the data providing server 1001 reads specified content data from the content database 1011 through the search section 1015, and transmits the above read content data from the transmission section 1014 according to TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). to a portable dedicated terminal for recording.

In this manner, using the portable dedicated terminal 1003, the data providing server 1001 can sell and rent desired content data to users.

On the other hand, if the user inputs a user registration request via an operation section 1020, the request terminal 1002 generates registration request data representing the registration request by a request data generation section 1021, and sends it to the data providing server 1001 from a transmission section 1022 .

As a result, when the requesting terminal 1002 receives user registration screen data from the data providing server 1001 through a receiving section 1023, the requesting terminal 1002 sends it from a display control section 1024 to a display section 1025 so that the user registration screen data can be displayed based on the user registration screen data. A user registration screen is displayed on the above-mentioned display section 1025 .

Then, the user inputs user information on the user registration screen by operating the operating part 1020, the requesting terminal 1002 generates user information data by requesting the data generating part 1021, and sends it to the data providing server 1001 from the sending part 1022, and makes the data The provision server 1001 performs user registration.

In this case, when registration completion data as a result of user registration is sent from the data providing server 1001, the request terminal 1002 receives it through the receiving section 1023, and then transmits it to the display section 1025 from the display control section 1024 to notify The user completes the user registration and user ID, passing through the above-mentioned display portion 1025 .

Also, when the user inputs a content data transmission request via the operation section 1020, the request terminal 1002 generates transmission request data representing the transmission request through the request data generation section 1021, and sends the above-mentioned generated transmission request data to the data providing server from the transmission section 1022. 1001.

As a result, when the requesting terminal 1002 receives content selection screen data from the data providing server 1001 through the receiving section 1023, the requesting terminal 1002 transmits it from the display control section 1024 to the display section 1025 so as to be displayed on the basis of the content selection screen data A content selection screen is displayed on section 1025 .

Then, when the user inputs predetermined information on the content selection screen by operating the operating portion 1020, the requesting terminal 1002 generates predetermined data by requesting the data generating portion 1021, and sends it to the data providing server 1001 from the sending portion 1022. Accordingly, the user completes advance reservations for purchasing or renting content data and the portable dedicated terminal 1003 .

Incidentally, if a reproduction command is entered via an operation section 1041, under the situation that content data has been recorded in the internal recording medium 1040, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 purchased or leased by the user transfers the data from the recording medium 1040 through a reproduction control section 1042. reproduce content data that the user purchased or leased in advance, and transmit the above-mentioned reproduced content data to a reproduction section 1043 including a display control section, a display section, a speaker, etc., so that the user can enjoy the content .

When the user enters a content data transmission request via the operation section 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 generates transmission request data representing the transmission request by a request data generation section 1044, and sends it to the data providing server 1001 from a transmission section 1045.

As a result, when the portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives content selection screen data from the data providing server 1001 through a receiving section 1046, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 transmits it to the reproducing section 1043 to display a content selection screen based on the content selection screen data .

Next, when content designation information is input on the content selection screen according to the operation of the operation section 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 produces content designation data representing the designation information by the request data generation section 1044, and sends it to the data from the transmission section 1045. A server 1001 is provided.

Therefore, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives content data from the data providing server 1001 through the receiving section 1046, and records it on the recording medium 1040 through the recording control section 1047.

In this manner, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 can obtain (purchase or rent) content data from the data providing server 1001 via the Internet, and can reproduce it from the recording medium 1040, which is the same as obtaining the aforementioned content data by reservation in advance.

By the way, when the contents database 1011 is generated by obtaining many contents data from a contents server (not shown), which is a provider of contents data, and corresponds to the above-mentioned system management site with reference to FIGS. 1-3, The data providing server 1001 obtains a designated development tool to form a content selection screen from the above-mentioned content server.

The data providing server 1001 represents the inside of an agency, through three-dimensional images (hereafter, these are specifically called three-dimensional virtual reality space images), from the above-mentioned images by using a development tool to generate content selection screen data, so that the user can select content data, It is as if the user actually wanders in the agency's store and selects packaged media from a shelf through the above-mentioned three-dimensional virtual reality space image, and stores the above-generated content selection screen data in the content database 1011 .

In this case, the data providing server 1001 generates the content selection screen data, by using the three-dimensional virtual reality space image, almost faithfully reproducing the shelves in the agent's store, the checkout counter, the location of the stairs, and the arrangement of packaged media in the above-mentioned shelves ,etc.

In the data providing server 1001, the same content data as those in the many packaged media actually sold and rented in the agency have been stored in the content database 1011, corresponding to the three-dimensional virtual reality forming the content selection screen data space image.

Also, the data providing server 1001 updates the content selection screen data frequently or irregularly, by synchronizing with the time when new packaged media is placed on the shelf in the agency (that is, when a new package medium is obtained from the content server). content data), or when the internals of the agent were remodeled, etc.

Therefore, by selecting content data on the content selection screen, the data providing server 1001 gives the user the same feeling as the user actually selects the package medium in the agency store.

In fact, as shown in FIG. 64, content selection screen data composed of a plurality of image data in which a selection confirmation image 1055 of a two-dimensional image for confirming the content data selected by the user is added to the three-dimensional virtual reality space image , such as an appearance image 1050 of a store representing an agency appearance (entrance), an image 1051 of the first floor and an image 1052 of the second floor representing each floor of the store, by enlarging a plurality of shelves and placing packages by types in the store on them A shelf image 1053 for the media representation, and a content selection image 1054 showing an enlarged main spine of media packaged on a shelf so that the user can select content data.

In this case, in the external image of the store 1050, an enter button 1060 is provided to enter the store and switch the display to the first floor image 1051.

In the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052, the movement buttons 1061 and 1062 for switching the display to the second layer image 1052 or the first layer image 1051 as other layers are located in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image In the image of 1052, a shelf selection button 1063 for selecting each type of shelf and switching display to the shelf image 1053 is provided, and a button 1063 for switching display to the selection confirmation image 1055 after the user selects content data for purchase or rental is provided. Checkout counter button 1064.

In the image 1053 of the shelf, there is provided a detail button 1065 to switch the display to the content selection image 1054 according to the above-mentioned packaged media classified by the Japanese alphabet.

In the image 1050 of the outside of the store, the first floor image 1051 in the store, the image 1052 of the second floor in the store, and the content selection image 1054, an image 1066 representing a person of the user (hereinafter this is referred to as an image of the user) And an image 1067 of a person representing a clerk (hereinafter this is referred to as an image of a clerk) is displayed. By moving the above user image 1066 as if he was actually walking in the store and by superimposing it on the enter button 1060, on the move buttons 1061 and 1062, on the shelf selection button 1063, on the checkout counter button 1064, in the content selection image 1054 Encapsulating the main spine of the media, etc., or approaching it to them and selecting (clicking) any of these buttons, the user can input a specific command pre-assigned to the above-mentioned button image.

Besides, in the shelf image 1053 in the shop and the selection confirmation image 1055, an inverted cursor is displayed by being overlapped with a detail button 1065, a confirmation button 1068, a cancel button 1069, etc. (not shown), respectively. By moving the above-mentioned cursor and selecting designation (clicking) any one of these buttons, the user can input a command assigned to the above-mentioned button.

In particular, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 having received the content selection image data first displays the external image 1050 of the store of the content selection screen through the reproduction section 1043 . If the user moves the user image 1066 and selects the designation enter button 1060 in the store exterior image 1050 by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the image 1051 of the first floor in the store instead of the exterior image 1050 of the store.

If the user moves the user image 1066 and the designated moving button 1061 of the selection in the first floor image 1051 in the store by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the second floor image 1052 in the store instead of the above-mentioned first floor image 1051 in the store. .

In this manner, if the user moves the user image and selects one of the specified shelf selection buttons 1063 in the store first floor image 1051 or the store second floor image 1052 by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the shelves in the store. An image 1053 , corresponding to the designated shelf selection button 1063 selected above, instead of the store first floor image 1051 or the store second floor image 1052 .

If the user moves the cursor on the shelf image 1053 by operating the operating portion 1041 and selects to designate a detail button 1065, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays a content selection image 1054 corresponding to the button instead of the above-mentioned shelf image 1053.

By operating the operation part 1041, the user moves the user image 1066 in the content selection image 1054, and after selecting and specifying the content data as a package medium, if the user selects and specifies the moving button 1061 or 1062, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the store No. Instead of the above-mentioned content selection image 1054, a first-level image 1051 or a second-layer image 1052 in the shop may be used.

In this manner, for example, after the user selects and specifies desired content data, if the user moves the user image 1066 in the image 1052 on the second floor of the store and selects and specifies the checkout counter, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the selection confirmation image 1055 instead. The above-mentioned shop second layer image 1052 .

Now, in the selection confirmation image 1055, the title of the content data selected by the user, the user's name, user ID, password, etc. are displayed. By operating the operation section 1041 to move the cursor, the user can input the rental period or purchase of content data. If the user inputs the above rental period or purchase, thereby the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays a fee for rental or purchase of content data.

If the user moves the cursor and selects the designated confirmation button 1068 on the selection confirmation image 1055 by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 passes the request data generation part 1044, by using the information in the selection confirmation image 1055 as designation information, Content specifying data is generated, and the above-generated content specifying data is transmitted to the data providing server 1001 from the transmitting section 1045 . Therefore, the user can obtain content data specified by the user.

On the contrary, if the user moves the cursor on the selection confirmation image 1055 and selects the designation cancel button 1069 by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays, for example, a store first floor image 1051 instead of the above selection confirmation image 1055. Therefore, the user can select content data again.

In this case, the data volume of such content selection screen data is considerably large. Therefore, when the data providing server 1001 receives transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003, the data providing server 1001 first sends the data of the store exterior image 1050 to the above portable dedicated terminal 1003 as content selection screen data. Then, when the user selects the designation enter button 1060 on the above-mentioned store exterior image 1050, the data providing server 1001 receives the notification and transmits the data of the image 1051 of the store first floor to the portable dedicated terminal 1003. In this way, the data providing server 1001 receives a notification and sends corresponding image data to the portable dedicated terminal 1003, and each time, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 designates switching display to another image by entering button 1060, moving buttons 1061 and 1062, etc. , content selection screen data is formed on each image.

In addition, as shown in Figures 65(A) and 65(B), in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052, an advertisement viewing area 1080 is respectively set in front of the shelves classified by type, and the sub-users Can't see it on the image.

Also, in the advertisement viewing area 1080 in front of each shelf, one item of content data for each type of advertisement selected by the agency (that is, recommended by the agency) is assigned to the corresponding shelf.

When the user moves the user image 1066 to the advertisement viewing area 1080 in the front of each shelf in the first layer image 1051 or the second layer image 1052 by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 generates a representation including The type advertisement request data of the advertisement viewing area 1080 of the above-mentioned user image 1066 is sent to the data providing server 1001 from the sending section 1045 .

At this time, the data providing server 1001 receives genre advertisement request data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003 through the receiving section 1012 and inputs it into the searching section 1015 .

The data providing server 1001 reads a predetermined part (a part reproduced in only a few seconds) of the content data that has been distributed to the advertisement viewing area 1080 through the retrieval part 1015, and it is represented by the type advertisement request data as commercial data, and in accordance with UDP/IP (User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol) transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 from the transmission section 1014 as a stream.

The portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives commercial data from the data providing server 1001 through the receiving section 1046, transmits it to the reproducing section 1043, temporarily records it on the recording medium for buffer designation provided by the above-mentioned reproducing section 1043, and transfers it from the recording medium Commercial data is reproduced and the reproduced commercial data is output to a display section and a speaker.

When the user moves the user image 1066 to the front of each type of shelf in the first layer image 1051 or the second layer image 1052, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 stream reproduces the content belonging to the type assigned to the above-mentioned shelf for several seconds. In this way, the user watches the content recommended by the agent.

Here, when the portable dedicated terminal 1003 obtains a video such as a movie based on commercial data (hereinafter, this is referred to as a commercial video), the portable dedicated terminal 1003 passes through the first layer image 1051 or the second layer image 1052 through the reproduction section 1043. Partially overlay it to display a commercial video.

At this time, the user can move the user image 1066 between the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052 . Before the pre-set commercial video shown in several seconds is completed, if the user leaves the user image 1066 from the advertisement viewing area 1080, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 completes the display of the commercial video at the same time.

In this case, the user can move the user image 1066 among the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052 when the portable dedicated terminal 1003 obtains sound based on the business data (hereinafter this is called a business sound). Before the preset commercial sound output with several seconds is completed, if the user leaves the user image 1066 from the advertisement viewing area 1080, the portable dedicated terminal completes the output of the above-mentioned commercial sound at that time.

In the portable dedicated terminal 1003, the user who wishes to view a certain type of content makes the user stay in the advertisement viewing area in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052 by operating the operation portion 1041. Therefore, the user can watch the above-mentioned preset content lasting several seconds.

On the contrary, in the portable dedicated terminal 1003, by operating the operation part 1041, if the user who does not want to watch a certain type of content moves the user image in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052, by avoiding the advertisement viewing area 1080 , users can avoid watching the above content. Then, the user enters the user image 1066 into the advertisement viewing area 1080 , and the portable dedicated terminal 1003 quickly leaves the user image 1066 from the advertisement viewing area 1080 . Therefore, the user can avoid viewing the above-mentioned content.

As shown in FIG. 66, in the shelf image 1053, an enlarged button 1081 is provided for each frame in which packaged media are sorted by Japanese alphabet.

If the user moves the cursor and designates (clicks) an enlarged button 1081 on the shelf image 1053 by operating the operating portion 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 accepts the business content designation image 1082 from the data providing server 1001, which forms a content selection The screen corresponds to selecting the designated enlargement button 1081 and displaying it instead of the shelf image 1053 .

In this case, the commercial content specifying image 1082 displays, for example, a list of artist names sorted by the Japanese alphabet, and a cursor pointing to letters (not shown) of the artist names displayed in reverse. An item of content data of each artist selected by the agency for advertisement, such as a new song or a hit song (that is, recommended by the agency), is assigned to the name of each artist.

Therefore, when the user moves the cursor on the commercial content designation image 1082 by operating the operation part 1041 and selects the name of an artist who desires to be advertised, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 generates each of the above-mentioned selection designations by requesting the data generation part 1044. Personal advertisement request data of the artist name, and send it to the data providing server 1001 from the sending part 1045.

At this time, the data providing server 1001 receives personal advertisement request data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003 through the receiving section 1012 and inputs it into the searching section 1015 .

The data providing server 1001 reads a predetermined part (reproducible part of only a few seconds) of the content data assigned to the artist's name through the search section 1015, represented by the personal advertisement request data as commercial data, and converts the above-mentioned The read business data is sent from the sending section 1014 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 as a data stream.

The portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives commercial data from the data providing server 1001 through the receiving section 1046 and transmits it to the reproducing section 1043, temporarily records it on a recording medium for buffering the above-mentioned reproducing section 1043, and reproduces it from the recording medium. commercial data and output it to the display section and speakers.

Therefore, based on the commercial data reproduced as a data stream (for example, music video) lasting several seconds, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the video 1083 for advertisement instead of the commercial content specifying image 1082, and outputs and uses the commercial data based on the above-mentioned commercial data. The music used for the ad is of the same duration as the video for the ad. In this way, the user can watch new songs, hit songs, etc. of a desired artist, which are recommended by the agent.

In this case, when the video for advertisement is completed, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the commercial content specifying image 1082 through the reproduction section 1043 again.

In the commercial content specifying image 1082, a shelf button 1084 is provided.

When the user moves the cursor on the commercial content designation image 1082 and designates a shelf button 1084 selected by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 displays the image 1053 of the shelf corresponding to the button instead of the above-mentioned commercial content designation image 1082 .

Therefore, with the portable dedicated terminal 1003, the user can choose to designate an artist, and the user wants to watch its advertisement again. content data.

In this way, in the portable dedicated terminal 1003, when the user moves the user image 1066 in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052 represented by the three-dimensional virtual reality space, the user can obtain a movie, a book, etc. , a game etc. as a predetermined part of the content data of the business data, and can watch these movies, books, games, etc. for a few seconds, which is the same as the aforementioned situation, that is, the user watches a part of new songs and best-selling songs of artists.

Note that in the eleventh embodiment described above, the data providing server 1001 divides the content selection screen data into each image data and sequentially transmits them to the portable dedicated terminal 1003, and also transmits business data in the form of a data stream. Therefore, in the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 1003, the capacity of the recording medium 1040 can be prevented from becoming large.

When the portable dedicated terminal 1003 accepts commercial data, based on the commercial data, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 starts reproducing video for advertisement and sound for advertisement by performing fade-in processing based on the above-mentioned commercial data, and finishes reproduction by performing fade-out processing.

Therefore, in the portable dedicated terminal 1003, the content recommended by the agent can be gently displayed to the user through the eyes and ears of the above-mentioned user, instead of suddenly being emitted with a loud volume and high brightness. Meanwhile, when the user moves the user image 1066 on a plurality of advertisement viewing areas 1080 in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052, the above-mentioned contents recommended by the agent can be displayed to the user, through the Intervals are clearly shown in the video for the ad and in the music used for the ad.

In this case, when reproducing commercial data in a data stream, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 monitors the position of the user image 1066 in the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052, and monitors the position of the user image 1066 for the video for advertisement and the The sound performs fade-in processing and fade-out processing by a predetermined software for video/audio processing, according to the result of the above-mentioned monitoring and the data volume of the business data.

In the portable dedicated terminal 1003, fade-in processing and fade-out processing for video for advertisement and sound for advertisement can be easily performed by using software for video/audio processing.

Also, when the data providing server 1001 receives transmission request data from the request terminal 1002, the data providing server 1001 transmits content selection screen data including the data of each image with reference to FIGS.

Therefore, in the data providing server 1001, when the user preorders the purchase or rental of content data with the request terminal 1002, the content recommended by the agency can be displayed to the user.

Now, description will focus on a content providing process using content selection screen data by data providing server 1001 and portable dedicated terminal 1003 in data providing system 1000 . As shown in FIG. 67(A), first, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 enters routine RT40 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP501.

In step SP501, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 waits for the user to input a transmission request by operating the operation section 1041. When the above-mentioned transmission request is input, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP502.

In step SP502, portable dedicated terminal 1003 generates transmission request data by request data generating section 1044 and sends it from sending section 1045 to data providing server 1001, and proceeds to step SP503.

Now, as shown in FIG. 67(B), the data providing server 1001 enters routine RT41 from the start step, and proceeds to step SP511. In step SP511, the data providing server 1001 waits for a time to update the content selection screen data. When the update time comes, the data providing server 1001 proceeds to step SP512 to update the content selection screen data, and proceeds to step SP513.

In step SP513 , the data providing server 1001 waits for transmission request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 1003 . When the data providing server 1001 received the transmission request data by the receiving section 1012, the data providing server 1001 proceeded to step SP514 and read the content selection screen data from the content database 1011 by the searching section 1015, and sent it from the sending section 1014 to portable dedicated terminal 1003, and proceeds to step SP515.

At this time, in step SP503 , the portable dedicated terminal 1003 waits for content selection screen data transmitted from the data providing server 1001 . When the portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives the content selection screen data by the receiving part 1046, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 sends the content selection screen data to the reproducing part 1043 so as to display the external image 1050 of the shop which is the content selection screen, and proceed to step SP504.

In step SP504, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 starts a subroutine described later. When designation information is input on each image forming the content selection screen by the user's operation of the operation section 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 goes to step SP505.

In step SP504, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 generates content specifying data by requesting the data generating section 1044 and transmits it to the data providing server 1001 from the transmitting section 1045, and proceeds to step SP506.

At this time, at step SP515, the data providing server 1001 starts a subroutine described later. Data providing server 1001 appropriately reads each image data forming content selection screen data and business data from content database 1011 through search section 1015, and from transmission section 1014 and transmits it to portable dedicated terminal 1003. Next, when the data providing server 1001 receives content specifying data from the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 1003, the data providing server 1001 proceeds to step SP516.

In step SP516, based on the content specifying data, the data providing server 1001 searches the content database 1011 by the search section 1015, and proceeds to step SP517.

In step SP517, the data providing server 1001 transmits the content data read from the content database 1011, from the transmitting section 1014 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003, and then proceeds to step SP518 and completes the above processing by the data providing server 1001.

On the other hand, in step SP506, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 waits for content data transmitted from the data providing server 1001. When the portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives the above content data, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP507 to record the content data on the recording medium 1040 by the recording control section 1047 . Then, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP508 to complete the above-mentioned processing by the portable dedicated terminal 1003 .

Thus, the data providing server 1001 completes all content providing processing using the content selection screen data.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 68(A), the portable dedicated terminal 1003 starts a subroutine in step SP504 and proceeds to step SP521. In the above-mentioned step SP521 and the next step SP522, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 waits for an image specifying command input on each image, such as the image 1050 outside the store, to form a content selection screen displayed by the reproduction section 1043, which is in accordance with The operation of the operation section 1041 is combined with that described with reference to FIGS. 64 and 66 (that is, selecting the designated enter store button 1060, etc.), and entering an advertisement request (image 1051 of the first floor of the store, etc.) on the above-mentioned image.

In step SP521, when the user moves the user image 1066 in the store exterior image 1050 by operating the operation part 1041 and selects the designation enter store button 1060 or the like, and inputs an image designation command, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP523 to pass the request The data generation section 1044 generates image request data representing an image designation command which has been predistributed to the above-mentioned selection designation button, and transmits it from the transmission section 1045 to the data providing server 1001, and proceeds to step SP524.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 68(B), the data providing server 1001 starts a subroutine in step SP515 and proceeds to step SP541. In the above step SP541 and the next step SP542, the data providing server 1001 waits for image request data, genre advertisement request data or individual advertisement request data to be transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 1003. In step SP541, when the data providing server 1001 receives image request data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003 through the receiving section 1012, it proceeds to step SP543.

In step SP543, the data providing server 1001 searches the content database 1011 and reads specified image data through the search section 1015 based on the image request data, and transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 from the transmission section 1014, and proceeds to step SP544.

At this time, in step SP524 , the portable dedicated terminal 1003 waits for the image data transmitted from the data providing server 1001 . When the portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives image data through the receiving section 1046, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP525.

In step SP525, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 sends the received image data to the reproducing section 1043 to display a new image based on the received image data instead of the currently displayed image of the content selection screen. Next, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP526 to determine whether or not the confirmation button 1068 is selected and designated on the selection confirmation image 1055 .

Obtaining a negative result in this step SP526 means that the selection confirmation image 1055 has not been displayed by the reproduction section 1043, or although the above-mentioned selection confirmation image 1055 has been displayed, the confirmation button 1068 is not designated by selection because it is in the input designation purchase or lease. The period of the content data. At this time, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 returns to step SP521.

In step SP522, if the user moves the user's image 1066 to the advertisement viewing area 1080 in the first floor image 1051 or the second floor image of the store by operating the operation part 1041, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP527 so as to pass the request data generation part 1044 generates type advertisement request data representing advertisement viewing area 1080 where user image 1066 enters, and transmits it from transmission section 1045 to data providing server 1001, and proceeds to step SP528.

And, in step SP522, when the user selects the name of an artist selected on the commercial content designation image 1082 by operating the operating part 1041, the title of the content, etc., that is, the user wants to see its advertisement, then the portable dedicated terminal 1003 passes the request data The generating section 1044 generates personal advertisement request data indicating the above-mentioned selection-designated artist's name, the title of the content, etc., and transmits it from the transmitting section 1045 to the data providing server 1001, and then proceeds to step SP528.

At this time, in step SP542, the data providing server 1001 waits for genre advertisement request data or individual advertisement request data transmitted from the portable dedicated terminal 1003. When the data providing server 1001 has received the genre advertisement request data or the individual advertisement request data through the receiving section 1012, the data providing server 1001 proceeds to step SP545.

In step SP545, based on the type advertisement request data or individual advertisement request data, the data providing server 1001 searches the content database 1011 by the search section 1015, and transmits it to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 from the transmission section 1014, and proceeds to step SP544.

In step SP544, the data providing server 1001 determines whether the data providing server 1001 has received content specifying data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003, and sequentially repeats the loop processing steps SP541-SP542-SP543-SP544-SP545 until receiving the content specifying data, And send image data and business data, according to the image request data, type advertisement request data and personal advertisement request data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 1003.

Then, in step SP544, when the data providing server 1001 receives the content specifying data, the data providing server 1001 leaves this subroutine and proceeds to step SP516 of the processing in the data providing server 1001 described above with reference to FIG. 67(B).

On the other hand, in step SP528, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 waits for the commercial data transmitted from the data providing server 1001. When the portable dedicated terminal 1003 receives the commercial data through the receiving section 1046 , the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP529 to transmit the commercial data to the reproducing section 1043 . In this way, based on the commercial data the user views a portion of the content and said content is advertised to the user. Next, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 proceeds to step SP526.

Until an affirmative result is obtained in step SP526, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 returns to step SP521 and sequentially repeats the above-mentioned loop processing steps SP521-SP522-SP523-SP524-SP525-SP526-SP527-SP528-SP529. In this way, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 causes the user to select desired content data by displaying each image of the content selection screen, while switching the display of the mixed advertisement content through the reproduction section 1043 .

Then, in step SP526, when it is confirmed on the selection confirmation image 1055 of the content selection screen that the confirmation button 1068 has been selected and designated, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 leaves this subroutine and advances to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 1003 with reference to FIG. 67(A). Step SP505 in the processing procedure of the terminal 1003.

According to the above configuration, in this data providing system 1000, when the data providing server 1001 receives transmission request data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003, in response to this data providing server 1001 transmits a three-dimensional virtual reality space image, reproduced as an illustration image The content selection screen data in the interior of the agency store is sent to the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 1003.

In this data providing system 1000, by operating the operation part 1041, if the user moves the user's image 1066 to the advertisement viewing area 1080 in the first layer image 1051 or the second layer image 1052 of the content-based selection screen data, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 Send type advertisement data to the data providing server 1001.

As a result, in this data providing system 1000, a specified portion of content data assigned to the advertisement viewing area 1080 indicated by the type advertisement request data is sent from the data providing server 1001 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 as commercial data. In the portable dedicated terminal 1003, commercial data is reproduced in the form of a stream so that the user can view part of the content as an advertisement.

Thus, in this data providing system 1000, the title list of available content data is not simply displayed to the user using the portable dedicated terminal 1003. Rather, the user can actually watch or listen to a portion of the content.

Therefore, in the data providing system 1000, before obtaining the content, the user can confirm the content of the content based on the content data, and can accurately judge whether the content meets his/her taste.

Then, in the data providing system 1000, in the three-dimensional virtual reality space image for selecting content, when the user moves the user's image 1066 to the front of a shelf classified by type, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 makes the user view the The shelf type is used as part of the advertisement. Therefore, the user can select packaged media while confirming the content of the content as if the user were actually in the agency store. Thus, the user can select content while enjoying the content data.

In this case, in the data providing system 1000, even if the user moves the user's image 1066 in the three-dimensional virtual reality space image, if the user moves the above-mentioned user's image 1066 around the advertisement viewing area 1080 in front of a shelf, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 Commercial data is not reproduced in a data stream. And even if the user moves the user's image 1066 to the advertisement viewing area 1080, if the user immediately moves the above user's image 1066 to the outside of the advertisement viewing area 1080, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 stops reproducing commercial data with data stream.

Therefore, in this data providing system 1000, it can prevent the user who does not want to watch the advertisement contents from being difficult to easily select the contents data due to the interruption of the advertisement contents.

Moreover, in the data providing system 1000, by operating the operation part 1041 on the commercial content designation image 1082 forming a content selection screen, if the user selects the name of the artist who designates the advertisement content he wants to see, the title of the content data etc., then the portable dedicated terminal 1003 sends the personal advertisement request data to the data providing server 1001.

As a result, in this data providing system 1000, a predetermined portion of the content represented by the individual advertisement request data assigned in advance to artist name, content data title, etc. is transmitted from the data providing server 1001 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 as commercial data . In the portable dedicated terminal 1003, commercial data is reproduced as a stream, and the user views part of the content as an advertisement.

Therefore, in this data providing system 1000, contents classified by genre are not one-sidedly advertised from the data providing server 1001 to users. The user can actually hear and watch content that is displayed as part of the user's request as an advertisement.

Therefore, in this data providing system 1000, before obtaining the content data, the user can also confirm the content of the content based on the content data requested by the user.

According to the above configuration, content selection screen data including a three-dimensional virtual reality space image is transmitted from the data providing server 1001 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 . When the user moves the user's image 1066 to an arbitrary predetermined area, in the three-dimensional virtual reality space image in the above-mentioned portable dedicated terminal 1003, the commercial data corresponding to the predetermined area is a part of content data is sent from the above-mentioned data providing server 1001 to Portable dedicated terminal 1003 to reproduce it as a stream. Therefore, the user can actually hear and watch part of the content and can confirm the content of the above content. As a result, the user can accurately judge whether the content matches his/her own taste. Thus, a data providing system in which the user can easily select content data can be realized.

In the portable dedicated terminal 1003, if the user selects and specifies desired content data on the commercial content specifying image 1082 forming a content selection screen, the commercial data that is a part of the selected specified content data is sent from the data providing server 1001 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003. Dedicated terminal 1003 to reproduce it as a stream. Therefore, the user can actually hear and watch a part of the content requested by the user, and can confirm the content of the above content. Thus, a data providing system in which the user can select content data extremely easily can be realized.

Note that in the foregoing eleventh embodiment, when commercial data is reproduced in a stream, video and sound for advertisements are subjected to fade-in processing and fade-out processing. While the present invention is not limited thereto, when commercial data is reproduced as a data stream, video and sound for advertisements can be reproduced fixedly with original brightness and original volume without being subjected to fade-in and fade-out processing. Therefore, when the portable dedicated terminal 1003 reproduces commercial data in a stream, the processing load on the portable dedicated terminal 1003 can be reduced.

In the aforementioned eleventh embodiment, when the user moves the user's image 1066 to the advertisement viewing area 1080 among the first layer image 1051 and the second layer image 1052 representing the interior of the agency's store, which are three-dimensional virtual reality space images, the commercial Data is reproduced as a data stream. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. By preparing a plurality of three-dimensional virtual reality space images for one or more business data that have been allocated in advance, when the portable dedicated terminal 1003 updates the three-dimensional virtual reality space images according to the operation of the operation part 1041 ( That is, when the portable dedicated terminal 1003 switches the display), business data assigned to the above-mentioned realistic three-dimensional virtual display space image can be reproduced as a data stream. Therefore, the same effects as those of the aforementioned eleventh embodiment can be obtained.

In the foregoing eleventh embodiment, one item of content data is assigned to each advertisement viewing area 1080 for advertisement, and one item of content data is assigned to each selection item, such as in a commercial for advertisement. The content specifies an artist's name on the image 1082. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of content data may be assigned to each advertisement viewing area 1080 and each selection item for advertisements, respectively. Therefore, the user can actually hear or watch a part of many contents and can further easily select content data.

In the aforementioned eleventh embodiment, the data providing server 1001 generates commercial data from the contents data according to the advertisement request data every time when the advertisement request data is given from the portable dedicated terminal 1003. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the viewed data for a predetermined time based on the content data has been stored in the content database 1011 of the data providing server 1001 as commercial data, and is given from the portable dedicated terminal 1003. The above-mentioned data providing server 1001 can read the corresponding commercial data from the content database 1011 and send it to the portable dedicated terminal 1003. Therefore, the processing load in generating business data on the data providing server 1001 can be reduced.

In the aforementioned eleventh embodiment, when the user moves the user's image 1066 into the advertisement viewing area 1080 in the first layer image 1051 or the second layer image 1052 representing the three-dimensional virtual reality space image inside the agency store, the commercial data is displayed in the advertisement viewing area 1080. The data stream is reproduced. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Although the user's image 1066 is moved in the first layer image 1051 or the second layer image 1052, when the user's image 1066 turns to the front of a certain type of shelf (that is, when the user image 1066 When the eye turns to the front of the shelf), commercial data can be reproduced as a data stream. Therefore, the data providing system 1000 can accurately handle whether or not the user wishes to view the advertisement of the content, which is the same as the aforementioned eleventh embodiment.

In the aforementioned eleventh embodiment, the content database 1011 is provided in the data providing server 1001, and the above-mentioned data providing server 1001 transmits corresponding content data in the content data 1011 to the portable dedicated terminal 1003, according to the data from the portable dedicated terminal 1003 The content to send specifies the data. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the data providing server 1001 may send, for example, from a system management site, corresponding content data to the portable dedicated terminal 1003 according to the content specified data sent from the portable dedicated terminal 1003.

In the foregoing eleventh embodiment, a selection screen containing a three-dimensional virtual reality space image faithfully reproducing the inside of an agent's store as a three-dimensional virtual reality space is used to obtain content. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, a content selection screen containing a three-dimensional image that reproduces the inside of the agent as a simplified three-dimensional space or a three-dimensional image may be used, and a content selection screen containing a three-dimensional image that is arbitrarily generated may be used. does not care about the interior of the agent or the 3D image. Even if such a content selection screen is used, the same effects as those of the aforementioned eleventh embodiment can be obtained by providing the user with data for viewing content based on content data (commercial data).

Also, in the aforementioned eleventh embodiment, the commercial data obtained from the data providing server 1001 is reproduced by streaming. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and commercial data obtained from the data providing server 1001 may be recorded on the storage medium 1040 of the portable dedicated terminal 1003 so that the user can watch and preview the content at any timing by reproduction.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned eleventh embodiment, the data providing server 1001 and the portable dedicated terminal 1003 execute the content providing processing described above with reference to FIGS. 67 and 68 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Programs for performing content providing processing may be stored in advance in data providing server 1001 and portable dedicated terminal 1003, respectively, and content providing processing may be performed according to these programs, or through data providing server 1001 and portable dedicated terminal 1003. A program storage medium storing these programs is installed in the portable dedicated terminal 1003 to execute the above-mentioned content providing processing.

In this case, such a program storage medium for installing in the data providing server 1001 and the portable dedicated terminal 1003 for executing various programs and making them executable is not limited to package media, such as a floppy disk, a A CD-ROM or a DVD, but also a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., in which various programs can be temporarily or permanently stored. Also, means for storing various programs in these program storage media, such as a local area network, cable or wireless communication media of the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting can be used, and via each such as a root program and a modem A communication interface to store them.

(13) Other embodiments

Note that in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the data providing servers 101 and 151 described above with reference to FIGS. 5-10 are applied in the present invention as content providing means that provide content data. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content providing devices having other various structures can be widely applied, such as a content providing device formed by integrating a data providing server and a content server, as long as they can provide content data to a content obtaining device in response to Subscriber subscription information given from a designated terminal device.

Moreover, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the portable dedicated terminals 53 and 102 described above with reference to FIGS. data. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content obtaining apparatuses having other various types of structures can be widely applied as long as they can obtain predetermined content data given from a content providing apparatus corresponding to a terminal device.

In addition, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the data providing systems 100 and 150 described above with reference to FIGS. providing means and a content obtaining means for obtaining content data given from the content providing means. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content providing/obtaining systems having other various types of configurations can be widely applied, and a content providing apparatus can transmit content data to a content obtaining apparatus in response to a reservation given from a terminal device in these systems. .

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the requesting terminal 103 described above with reference to FIGS. 5-10 is applied as a prescribed terminal device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of terminal equipment such as a personal computer, portable telephone, and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can be widely applied as long as they can access a content providing device.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the content databases 111, 153 and 154 described above with reference to FIGS. 5-10 are applied as content data storage means for storing a plurality of content data. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of content data storage devices can be widely applied depending on a storage medium used as long as they can store a plurality of content data.

In addition, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the receiving section 115 described above with reference to FIGS. User identification information of a user of the content providing apparatus and content identification information on user desired content data desired by the user are received. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of user reservation information receiving means can be widely applied, depending on the applied communication method, as long as they can receive user reservation information transmitted from a terminal device.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the recording control sections 117 and 157 and the content search section 162 described above with reference to FIGS. The content data desired by the user of the content identification information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of search means can be widely applied depending on a storage medium used as long as they can search the content data desired by the user in the content data storage medium based on the content identification information.

In addition, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the recording control sections 117 and 157 described above with reference to FIGS. to the content acquisition device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of content data transmitting devices, such as a transmitting device having a wired or wireless connection to a content obtaining device, can be applied as long as they can transmit content data desired by the user to a content obtaining device. device in order to provide it to a user.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the receiving section 80 and transmitting section 87 connected to the Internet described above with reference to FIGS. 4-10 are applied as interface means accessible only to the content providing means. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and interface devices using other various types of wired and wireless communications can be widely applied as long as they can only access one content obtaining device.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the recording control section 81 described above with reference to FIGS. Received content data desired by the user. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and depending on a storage medium used, other various types of content data recording apparatuses can be widely applied as long as they can record content data desired by the user on a storage medium.

In addition, the storage medium 82 installed in each of the portable dedicated terminals 53 and 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 4-10 is applied as a storage medium in which content data desired by the user is recorded. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of storage media can be widely applied, such as a storage medium which can be detachably attached to a content obtaining apparatus.

In addition, the reproduction control means 84 and the reproduction section 85 described above with reference to FIGS. 4-10 are applied as reproduction/output means for reproducing and outputting content data desired by the user from a storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of reproduction/output devices can be widely applied as long as they can reproduce and output user-desired content data from a storage medium.

In addition, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the above-mentioned transmitting section with reference to FIGS. device identification information to a specified terminal device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of content obtaining device identification information transmitting means can be widely applied as long as they can transmit content obtaining device identification information to the content obtaining device in order to notify the user of a content obtaining device that is sold or rented.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the billing sections 116 and 156 described above with reference to FIGS. The payment information of the payment method for the rental or purchase of content data generates settlement information, and transmits the generated billing information to an external settlement processing device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and billing information generating devices having other various types of configurations can be widely applied as long as they can be paid according to the payment method of the user's identification of interest and charges and payment based on the specified payment rental or purchase of content data desired by the user. The information generates billing information, and transmits the generated billing information to an external settlement processing device.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the data providing server 1001 described above with reference to FIGS. 63 to 68 is applied as a content providing apparatus for providing content data according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content providing devices having other various types of structures, such as a personal computer, can be widely applied as long as they can provide preview data generated based on content data in response to a preview request data given from a data obtaining device .

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the portable dedicated terminal 1003 described above with reference to FIGS. 63-68 is applied as a content obtaining means for obtaining content data supplied from a content providing means according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content obtaining apparatuses having other various types of structures can be widely applied, such as a personal computer, a PDA, and a portable telephone, as long as they can request preview content data from the content providing apparatus and thus obtain data from the content providing apparatus. The device sends the preview data and reproduces it.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the data providing system 1000 described above with reference to FIGS. and a content obtaining means for obtaining content data provided from the above-mentioned content providing means. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and content providing/obtaining systems having other various types of structures such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a data providing/obtaining system constructed with optical communication technology can be widely applied as long as they are systems in which The content providing means can transmit the preview data generated based on the content data to the above-mentioned content obtaining means in accordance with a preview request given from the content obtaining means.

In addition, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the above-mentioned content database 101 with reference to FIGS. The storage device is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of image storage devices, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory, can be widely used as long as they can hold three-dimensional images so as to allow a user to select a desired image from a plurality of content data. content data.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the transmission request receiving means for receiving an image request from the content obtaining means as the receiving section 1012 described above with reference to FIGS. 63 to 68 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of transmission request receiving devices can be widely applied depending on the communication method used as long as they can receive an image request transmitted from a content obtaining device.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, image transmission means for transmitting a three-dimensional image to a content obtaining means in response to an image request as the transmission section 1014 described above with reference to FIGS. 63-68 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of image transmitting devices can be widely applied depending on the communication method used as long as they can transmit three-dimensional images to a content obtaining device in response to an image request.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the preview request reception of receiving a preview request transmitted from a content obtaining apparatus in accordance with the display state of a three-dimensional image as described above with reference to FIGS. device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of preview request receiving devices can be widely applied depending on the communication method used as long as they can receive a preview request sent from a content obtaining device according to the display state of a three-dimensional image.

In the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the data transmitting means for transmitting the content preview data based on the content data corresponding to a preview request to a content obtaining means as described above with reference to the transmitting section 1014 of FIGS. 63 to 68 is application. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of data transmitting means can be widely applied depending on the communication means used as long as they can be used to transmit content preview data based on content data corresponding to a preview request to a content obtaining means.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the input means for inputting various operation commands as the operation section 1041 described above with reference to FIGS. 63 to 68 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of input devices, such as an operation keyboard, a touch panel and a pointing device, can be widely used as long as they can input various operation commands.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, as described above with reference to FIGS. The image request sending means is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, depending on the communication method used, other various types of image request sending devices can be widely applied as long as they can send an image request to a content providing device in response to an image request input through an input device Order.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, the image receiving means for receiving a three-dimensional image transmitted from a content providing means in response to an image request as described above with reference to the receiving section 1046 of FIGS. 63 to 68 is application. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of image receiving devices are widely available depending on the communication method used as long as they can receive a three-dimensional image transmitted from a content providing device in response to an image request.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, as described above with reference to FIGS. The display control means that changes the display state of the three-dimensional image is applied by the state change command. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of display control devices, such as a CPU and a microprocessor, can be widely used as long as they can display three-dimensional images on a predetermined display device and are used to display a three-dimensional image according to an input device via an input device. The display state change command changes the display state of the 3D image.

Furthermore, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the display device for displaying a three-dimensional image as described above with reference to the reproduction section 1043 of FIGS. 63 to 68 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of display devices, such as a display device that is an external device for a content obtaining device, can be widely applied as long as they can display three-dimensional images.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, as described above with reference to FIGS. The preview request sending means is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and depending on the communication method used, other various types of preview request sending devices can be widely used as long as they can send a preview request to a content providing device in accordance with the display state of a three-dimensional image on a display device .

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, a data reception for receiving preview data transmitted from a content providing apparatus in response to a preview request as described above with reference to FIGS. 63 to 68 receiving section 1046 is applied. device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of receiving devices can be widely applied depending on the communication means used as long as they can receive preview data sent from a content providing device in response to a preview request.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned first to eleventh embodiments, reproducing means for reproducing preview data and content for a user to view content as described above with reference to the reproducing section 1043 of FIGS. 63-68 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other various types of reproducing devices can be widely applied, such as for a content obtaining device, an external device, a reproducing device, as long as they can reproduce preview data and contents for a user to view contents. .

In addition, in the foregoing first to eleventh embodiments, the storage medium used for buffering of the reproducing section 1043 as described above with reference to FIGS. A recording device for preview data is applied. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various other types of storage media can be widely used, such as a storage medium 1040 built in the portable dedicated terminal 1003 and a storage medium detachably attached to the portable dedicated terminal.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention can be used in a content providing/obtaining system comprising a content server on the Internet, portable dedicated terminals, personal computers and portable phones connected to the content server via the Internet.

Explanation of reference signs

100, 150, 1000... data providing system, 101, 151, 1001... data providing server,

53, 102, 1003...portable dedicated terminal, 104...settlement processing server,

111, 153, 1011... content database, 80, 115, 1012, 1046... receiving part,

116, 156...Account processing part, 81, 117, 157...Record control part,

87, 118, 1014, 1045...transmission part, 84...reproduction control part, 85...reproduction part,

152...content server, 1015...search part, 1041...operation part, 1043...reproduction part,

1044...request data generation part, 1051...image on the first floor, 1052...image on the second floor,

1053...the image of the shelf, 1066...the image of the user, 1080...the advertisement viewing area,

1082...commercial content designation image.

Claims (82)

1. a content provides/the acquisition system, comprises that the content that a content providing device that is used to provide content-data and are used to obtain the foregoing data that provided by content providing device obtains device, wherein,

The foregoing generator comprises:

Image memory device is used to store the 3-D view that the user expectation content-data that the user wants is selected in permission in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data;

The transmission requests receiving trap is used to receive an image request that obtains the device transmission from foregoing;

Picture transmitter device is used to send above-mentioned 3-D view and obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

The preview request receiving trap is used to receive a show state according to above-mentioned 3-D view and obtains the preview request that device sends from foregoing; With

Data sending device is used to send based on the preview data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request and obtains device to foregoing; With

Foregoing obtains device and comprises:

Input media is used to import various operational orders;

Image sends request unit, is used to send the image request order that above-mentioned image request is imported through above-mentioned input media with response to the foregoing generator;

Image received device is used to receive from the foregoing generator for responding the above-mentioned 3-D view that above-mentioned image request sends;

Display control unit is used for showing above-mentioned 3-D view and changes the show state that instruction changes above-mentioned 3-D view according to the show state through above-mentioned input media input on the display device of regulation;

The preview request dispensing device is used for the show state according to the above-mentioned 3-D view that shows on above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator;

Data sink is used to receive from the foregoing generator for responding the above-mentioned preview data that above-mentioned preview request sends; With

Transcriber is used to reproduce above-mentioned preview data.

2. the content according to claim 1 provides system, wherein:

Above-mentioned image memory device, storage comprises the people's of expression activity the above-mentioned 3-D view of portrait;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view;

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the above-mentioned position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

3. the content according to claim 2 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

4. the content according to claim 3 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

The flourishing device of above-mentioned data, the above-mentioned preview data that the transmission recovery time was shorter than corresponding to the recovery time of the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request obtains device to foregoing.

5. the content according to claim 3 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber comes out gradually and handles or fade out processing, and then according to above-mentioned preview request, streaming is reproduced the above-mentioned preview data that sends from the foregoing generator.

6. the content according to claim 1 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

Above-mentioned image memory device, storage comprises the above-mentioned 3-D view of the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the show state of above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

7. the content according to claim 6 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device, according to the show state of above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, the title that sends content-based data and/or foregoing data points out that the artistical above-mentioned preview request of the type of foregoing data, foregoing is to the foregoing generator.

8. the content according to claim 6 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

Foregoing obtains device, comprises the pen recorder that is used for writing down the above-mentioned preview data that is received by above-mentioned data sink on medium; With

Above-mentioned transcriber is used for reproducing above-mentioned preview data from said storing medium.

9. the content according to claim 6 provides/the acquisition system, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

10. one kind is used for obtaining the content that the content-data that provides from content providing device is provided device with content and provides/preparation method, wherein,

The foregoing generator comprises:

The transmission requests receiving step receives an image request that obtains the device transmission from foregoing;

The image forwarding step send to allow to select in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data the 3-D view of the user expectation content that the user wants to obtain device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

The preview request receiving step, the show state that receives according to above-mentioned 3-D view obtains the preview request that device sends from foregoing; With

Data sending step sends based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request and obtains device to foregoing; With

Foregoing obtains device and comprises:

The image request forwarding step, the image request instruction according to the input media input through being used to import various operational orders sends above-mentioned image request to the foregoing generator;

The image receiving step receives from the foregoing generator to responding the above-mentioned 3-D view that above-mentioned image request sends;

Show controlled step, on the display device of regulation, show above-mentioned 3-D view, and change instruction, change the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view according to show state through above-mentioned input media input;

The preview request forwarding step according to the show state that is presented at the above-mentioned 3-D view on the above-mentioned display device, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator;

The Data Receiving step receives from the foregoing generator to responding the above-mentioned preview data that above-mentioned preview request sends; With

Reproduce step, reproduce above-mentioned preview data.

11. the content according to claim 10 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step, the above-mentioned 3-D view that sends the people's who comprises the expression activity portrait obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

Above-mentioned demonstration controlled step changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step according to the above-mentioned position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

12. the content according to claim 11 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

13. the content according to claim 12 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, the above-mentioned preview data that the transmission recovery time was shorter than corresponding to the recovery time of the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request obtains device to foregoing.

14. the content according to claim 12 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber comes out gradually and handles and/or fade out processing, and reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream then is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

15. the content according to claim 10 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step sends the above-mentioned 3-D view that comprises the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request and obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

Above-mentioned demonstration controlled step changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of the above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step according to the show state of above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

16. the content according to claim 15 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step, according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of type, foregoing of expression foregoing data of title that sends content-based data and/or foregoing data is to the foregoing generator.

17. the content according to claim 15 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Foregoing obtains device, is included in the recording step that writes down the above-mentioned preview data that is received by above-mentioned Data Receiving step on the medium; With

Above-mentioned reproduction step is reproduced above-mentioned preview data from said storing medium.

18. the content according to claim 15 provides/preparation method, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

19. one kind is used to provide the content providing device of content-data to content acquisition device, comprises:

Image memory device is used to store the 3-D view that the user expectation content-data that the user wants is selected in permission in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data;

The transmission requests receiving trap is used to receive an image request that obtains the device transmission from foregoing;

Picture transmitter device is used to send above-mentioned 3-D view and obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

The preview request receiving trap is used to receive from the preview request of foregoing acquisition device according to the show state transmission of above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Data sending device sends based on the preview content data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request and obtains device to foregoing.

20. according to the content providing device of claim 19, wherein:

Above-mentioned image memory device, storage comprises the people's of expression activity the above-mentioned 3-D view of portrait; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving trap receives from the above-mentioned preview request of content providing device according to the position transmission of the above-mentioned portrait the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

21. according to the content providing device of claim 20, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device, according to the position of the above-mentioned portrait in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

22. according to the content providing device of claim 21, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device, the above-mentioned preview data that the transmission recovery time was shorter than corresponding to the recovery time of the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request obtains device to foregoing.

23. according to the content providing device of claim 19, wherein:

Above-mentioned image memory device, storage comprises the above-mentioned 3-D view of the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving trap receives from foregoing and obtains the above-mentioned preview request of device according to the show state transmission of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

24. according to the content providing device of claim 23, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request receiving trap, receive the type, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of foregoing of expression foregoing data of the title of content-based data and/or foregoing data, above-mentioned preview request is to obtain device from foregoing to send according to the show state of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device.

25. according to the content providing device of claim 23, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device sends above-mentioned preview data by TCP/IP (TCP) and obtains device to respond above-mentioned preview request to foregoing.

26. according to the content providing device of claim 23, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device, according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

27. one kind is used to provide the content providers method of content-data to content acquisition device, comprises:

The transmission requests receiving step receives an image request that obtains the device transmission from foregoing;

The image forwarding step send to allow to select in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data the 3-D view of the user expectation content-data that the user wants to obtain device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

The preview request receiving step receives one from the preview request of foregoing acquisition device according to the show state transmission of above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Data sending step sends based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request and obtains device to foregoing.

28. according to the content providers method of claim 27, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step, the above-mentioned 3-D view that sends the people's who comprises the expression activity portrait obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step receives from the above-mentioned preview request of content providing device according to the transmission of the position of the above-mentioned portrait the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

29. according to the content providers method of claim 28, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device, according to the position of the above-mentioned portrait in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

30. according to the content providers method of claim 29, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, the above-mentioned preview data that the transmission recovery time was shorter than corresponding to the recovery time of the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request obtains device to foregoing.

31. according to the content providers method of claim 27, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step sends the 3-D view that comprises the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request and obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step receives from foregoing and obtains the above-mentioned preview request of device according to the show state transmission of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

32. according to the content providers method of claim 31, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request receiving trap, receive the type, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of foregoing of expression foregoing data of the title of content-based data and/or foregoing data, above-mentioned preview request is to obtain device from foregoing to send according to the show state of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device.

33. according to the content providers method of claim 31, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device sends above-mentioned preview data by TCP/IP (TCP) and obtains device to respond above-mentioned preview request to foregoing.

34. according to the content providers method of claim 31, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device, according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

35. one kind is used to make content providing device to carry out content and provides the content of program that program memory medium is provided, and comprising:

The transmission requests receiving step receives an image request that obtains the device transmission from content;

The image forwarding step send to allow to select in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data the 3-D view of the user expectation content-data that the user wants to obtain device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

The preview request receiving step receives one from the preview request of foregoing acquisition device according to the show state transmission of above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Data sending step sends based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request and obtains device to foregoing.

36. the content according to claim 35 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step, the above-mentioned 3-D view that sends the people's who comprises the expression activity portrait obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step receives from the above-mentioned preview request of content providing device according to the position transmission of the above-mentioned portrait the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

37. the content according to claim 36 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, according to the position of the above-mentioned portrait in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

38. the content according to claim 37 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, the above-mentioned preview data that the transmission recovery time was shorter than corresponding to the recovery time of the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request obtains device to foregoing.

39. the content according to claim 35 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step sends the 3-D view that comprises the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request and obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step receives from foregoing and obtains the above-mentioned preview request of device according to the show state transmission of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

40. the content according to claim 39 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request receiving trap, receive the type, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of foregoing of expression foregoing data of the title of content-based data and/or foregoing data, above-mentioned preview request is to obtain device from foregoing to send according to the show state of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device.

41. the content according to claim 39 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device sends above-mentioned preview data by TCP/IP (TCP) and obtains device to respond above-mentioned preview request to foregoing.

42. the content according to claim 39 provides program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending device, according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

43. a content provides program, is used to make content providing device to carry out:

The transmission requests receiving step receives an image request that obtains the device transmission from foregoing;

The image forwarding step send to allow to select in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data the 3-D view of the user expectation content-data that the user wants to obtain device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

The preview request receiving step receives one from the preview request of foregoing acquisition device according to the show state transmission of above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Data sending step sends based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request and obtains device to foregoing.

44. the content according to claim 43 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step, the above-mentioned 3-D view that sends the people's who comprises the expression activity portrait obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing;

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step receives from the above-mentioned preview request of content providing device according to the device transmission of the above-mentioned portrait the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

45. the content according to claim 44 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, according to the position of the above-mentioned portrait in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

46. the content according to claim 45 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, the above-mentioned preview data that the transmission recovery time was shorter than corresponding to the recovery time of the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request obtains device to foregoing.

47. the content according to claim 43 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned image forwarding step sends the 3-D view that comprises the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request and obtains device to respond above-mentioned image request to foregoing; With

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step receives from foregoing and obtains the above-mentioned preview request of device according to the show state transmission of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device that is presented at regulation.

48. the content according to claim 47 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request receiving step, receive the type, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of foregoing of expression foregoing data of the title of content-based data and/or foregoing data, above-mentioned preview request is to obtain device from foregoing to send according to the show state of the above-mentioned option the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device.

49. the content according to claim 47 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step sends above-mentioned preview data by TCP/IP (TCP) and obtains device to respond above-mentioned preview request to foregoing.

50. the content according to claim 47 provides program, wherein:

Above-mentioned data sending step, according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view that is presented on the above-mentioned display device, send above-mentioned preview data with data stream and obtain the above-mentioned preview request that device sends from the foregoing generator with response to foregoing.

51. a content that is used to obtain the content-data that provides from content providing device obtains device, comprising:

Input media is used to import various operational orders;

The image request dispensing device, the image request instruction according to through above-mentioned input media input sends an image request to the foregoing generator;

Image received device is used to receive the 3-D view that the user expectation content-data that the user wants is selected in permission in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data, above-mentioned 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Display control unit is used for showing above-mentioned 3-D view on the display device of regulation, and changes instruction according to the show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view;

The preview request dispensing device according to the show state that is presented at the above-mentioned 3-D view on the above-mentioned display device, sends a preview request to the foregoing generator;

Data sink receives based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request, above-mentioned preview data be from the foregoing generator send with the response preview request; With

Transcriber is used to reproduce above-mentioned preview data.

52. the content according to claim 51 obtains device, wherein:

Above-mentioned image received device receives the above-mentioned 3-D view of the people's comprise the expression activity portrait, sends above-mentioned 3-D view to respond above-mentioned image request from the foregoing generator;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the position of above-mentioned portrait in the above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the above-mentioned position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

53. the content according to claim 52 obtains device, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

54. the content according to claim 53 obtains device, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber comes out gradually and handles and/or fade out processing, and streaming is reproduced from the foregoing generator for responding the above-mentioned preview data that above-mentioned preview request sends then.

55. the content according to claim 51 obtains device, wherein:

Above-mentioned image received device receives the above-mentioned 3-D view that comprises the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request, and above-mentioned 3-D view sends for responding above-mentioned image request from the foregoing generator;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

56. the content according to claim 55 obtains device, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device, according to the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of type, foregoing of expression foregoing data of title that sends content-based data and/or foregoing data is to the foregoing generator.

57. the content according to claim 55 obtains device, comprising:

Be used on medium, writing down the pen recorder of the above-mentioned preview data that receives by above-mentioned data sink, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber is used for reproducing above-mentioned preview data from said storing medium.

58. the content according to claim 55 obtains device, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

59. a content acquisition method that is used to obtain the foregoing data that provide from content providing device comprises:

The image request forwarding step, the image request instruction according to the input media input through being used to import various operational orders sends an image request to the foregoing generator;

The image receiving step receive to allow to select the 3-D view of the user expectation content-data that the user wants in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data, above-mentioned 3-D view sends for responding above-mentioned image request from the foregoing generator;

Show controlled step, on the display device of regulation, show above-mentioned 3-D view, and change instruction, change the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view according to show state through above-mentioned input media input;

The preview request forwarding step according to the show state that is presented at the above-mentioned 3-D view on the above-mentioned display device, sends a preview request to the foregoing generator;

The Data Receiving step receives based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request, and above-mentioned preview data sends for responding above-mentioned preview request from the foregoing generator; With

Reproduce the reproduction step of above-mentioned preview data.

60. according to the content acquisition method of claim 59, wherein:

Above-mentioned image receiving step receives the above-mentioned 3-D view of the people's comprise the expression activity portrait, this 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the position of the above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

61. according to the content acquisition method of claim 60, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

62. according to the content acquisition method of claim 61, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step is implemented to come out gradually and is handled and/or fade out processing, and streaming is reproduced from the foregoing generator for responding the above-mentioned preview data that above-mentioned preview request sends then.

63. according to the content acquisition method of claim 59, wherein:

Above-mentioned image receiving step receives the above-mentioned 3-D view comprise the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request, above-mentioned 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Above-mentioned demonstration controlled step changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

64. according to the content acquisition method of claim 63, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step, according to the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view, the artistical above-mentioned preview request that sends type based on the expression foregoing data of the title of this content-data and/or foregoing data, foregoing is to the foregoing generator.

65. the content acquisition method according to claim 63 comprises:

Recording step, the above-mentioned preview data that record is received by above-mentioned data sink on medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step is reproduced above-mentioned preview data from said storing medium.

66. according to the content acquisition method of claim 63, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

67. one kind is used to make content to obtain device and carries out the content acquisition program memory medium that content obtains program, comprising:

The image request forwarding step, the image request instruction according to the input media input through being used to import various operational orders sends an image request to the foregoing generator;

The image receiving step, receive to allow in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data, to select the 3-D view of the user expectation content-data that the user wants, above-mentioned 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Show controlled step, on the display device of regulation, show above-mentioned 3-D view, and change instruction, change the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view according to show state through above-mentioned input media input;

The preview request forwarding step according to the show state that is presented at the above-mentioned 3-D view on the above-mentioned display device, sends a preview request to the foregoing generator;

The Data Receiving step receives based on the content pre-viewing data corresponding to the foregoing data of above-mentioned preview request, above-mentioned preview data be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned preview request; With

Reproduce the reproduction step of above-mentioned preview data.

68. the content according to claim 67 obtains program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned image receiving step receives the above-mentioned 3-D view of the people's comprise the expression activity portrait, this 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the position of above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

69. the content according to claim 68 obtains program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

70. the content according to claim 69 obtains program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step comes out gradually and handles and/or fade out processing, and streaming is reproduced from the foregoing generator for responding the above-mentioned preview data that above-mentioned preview request sends then.

71. the content according to claim 67 obtains program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned image receiving step receives the above-mentioned 3-D view comprise the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request, above-mentioned 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Above-mentioned demonstration controlled step changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

72. the content according to claim 71 obtains program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step, according to the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view, the artistical above-mentioned preview request that sends type based on the expression foregoing data of the title of this content-data and/or foregoing data, foregoing is to the foregoing generator.

73. the content according to claim 71 obtains program memory medium, comprising:

This recording step, the above-mentioned preview data that record is received by above-mentioned Data Receiving step on medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step is reproduced above-mentioned preview data from said storing medium.

74. the content according to claim 71 obtains program memory medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned transcriber, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

75. one kind is used to make content to obtain the content acquisition program that device is carried out:

The image request forwarding step, the image request instruction according to the input media input through being used to import various operational orders sends an image request to the foregoing generator;

The image receiving step, receive to allow in the middle of a plurality of foregoing data, to select the 3-D view of the user expectation content-data that the user thirsts for, above-mentioned 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Show controlled step, on the display device of regulation, show above-mentioned 3-D view, and change instruction, change the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view according to show state through above-mentioned input media input;

The preview request forwarding step according to the show state that is presented at the above-mentioned 3-D view on the above-mentioned display device, sends a preview request to the foregoing generator;

The Data Receiving step receives based on the foregoing data content preview data corresponding to above-mentioned preview request, and above-mentioned preview data sends for responding above-mentioned preview request from the foregoing generator; With

Reproduce the reproduction step of above-mentioned preview data.

76. the content according to claim 75 obtains program, wherein:

Above-mentioned image receiving step receives the above-mentioned 3-D view of the people's comprise the expression activity portrait, this 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Above-mentioned display control unit changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the position of the above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request dispensing device according to the position of the above-mentioned portrait in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

77. the content according to claim 76 obtains program, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

78. the content according to claim 77 obtains program, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step is implemented to come out gradually and is handled and/or fade out processing, and streaming is reproduced from the foregoing generator for responding the above-mentioned preview data that above-mentioned preview request sends then.

79. the content according to claim 75 obtains program, wherein:

Above-mentioned image receiving step receives the above-mentioned 3-D view comprise the option that is used for the content pre-viewing request, above-mentioned 3-D view be from the foregoing generator send to respond above-mentioned image request;

Above-mentioned demonstration controlled step changes instruction according to the above-mentioned show state through above-mentioned input media input, changes the show state of above-mentioned option in the above-mentioned 3-D view; With

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step according to the show state of the above-mentioned option in above-mentioned 3-D view, sends above-mentioned preview request to the foregoing generator.

80. the content according to claim 79 obtains program, wherein:

Above-mentioned preview request forwarding step, according to the show state of above-mentioned 3-D view, the artistical above-mentioned preview request of type, foregoing of expression foregoing data of title that sends content-based data and/or foregoing data is to the foregoing generator.

81. the content according to claim 79 obtains program, wherein:

Recording step, the above-mentioned preview data that record is received by above-mentioned receiving step on medium, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step is reproduced above-mentioned preview data from said storing medium.

82. the content according to claim 79 obtains program, wherein:

Above-mentioned reproduction step, reproducing from the foregoing generator with data stream is the above-mentioned preview data that the above-mentioned preview request of response sends.

Images