JP2002230442A - System, method, and device for information rental, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to use desired information on a rental basis. SOLUTION: An information center 1 rents, e.g. music information to a user terminal up to a specified time limit at a request from the user terminal 3, and when the specific time limit is reached, the information center 1 instructs the user terminal 3 to inhibit use of the rented information. When the user terminal 3 sends a rental time-limit change request to the information center 1 before the rental time limit is reached, the information center 1 makes charge adjustments, so that the set rental time limit is changed and the charge is also changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information rental system, an information rental method, an information rental apparatus for receiving information provided in a communication environment such as the Internet.
And a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of information processing,
2. Description of the Related Art A use form of information using so-called shareware, in which a user can use data such as a program acquired using a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or the Internet communication or the like for a predetermined period, has become widespread. In this use mode, the various types of information acquired by the user from the outside include a system in which the use is prohibited while existing in the user's personal computer or the like when the predetermined period has elapsed, or the various types of information described above. A method is generally available in which information can be "purchased (purchased)" and can be used continuously thereafter.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional technology, various types of information obtained by the user from the outside are in the form of "trial" or "purchase" with or without charge, and are referred to as "rental". Different from form.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information rental system, an information rental method, an information rental device, and a computer-readable storage medium that utilize user-desired information in a rental system.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, an information rental system according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, an information rental system for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected to enable two-way communication via a telecommunication line, wherein the information center responds to a request from the user terminal An information rental means for renting desired information to the user terminal so as to be usable until a predetermined time limit, and prohibiting use of the rented information when the predetermined time limit is reached;
The user terminal requests the information center to rent the desired information, and includes a use unit that can use the obtained desired information.

In a preferred embodiment, when the use of the rented information cannot be prohibited, the information rental means provided in the information center sends an e-mail indicating that the use of the rented information is prohibited to the user terminal. Good to send.

[0008] In the user terminal, for example, when the user terminal is operating and the desired information is being rented, the use means notifies the user that the desired information is being rented, and sends the desired information from the information center. When the use of the URL is prohibited, it is preferable to make it unavailable.

[0009] An information rental system having another configuration for achieving the above object is an information rental system for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected to enable two-way communication via a telecommunication line. , The information center responds to a request from the user terminal,
When renting desired information to the user terminal so that it can be used until a predetermined time limit, and when a request for extending the rental period is acquired from the user terminal within a predetermined time period after the arrival of the predetermined time limit, in response to the request for extension, An information rental unit for changing a predetermined time limit and adjusting a charge, wherein the user terminal requests the information center to rent the desired information, and uses the acquired desired information. And a period extending means capable of requesting an extension of a rental period within a predetermined period after the predetermined period has expired for the desired information.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, when the rental period is extended by the period extension unit, the use unit provided in the user terminal may make the desired information available for the extended period.

An information rental system having another configuration for achieving the above object is an information rental system for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected to enable two-way communication via a telecommunication line. , The information center responds to a request from the user terminal,
When renting desired information to the user terminal, and obtaining information indicating the end of the rental of the desired information, the information terminal includes an information rental unit for performing accounting settlement, and the user terminal is provided with the desired information at the information center. Requesting the rental of information and using the available means that can use the obtained desired information, and information indicating the end of the rental of the desired information to the information center, and transmitting the desired information by the using means. And rental end means for prohibiting use of the service.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the rental end means provided in the user terminal may automatically notify the information center of information indicating the rental end when a predetermined rental period has elapsed.

The above-mentioned object is to provide an information rental method having a configuration corresponding to the above-mentioned information rental system, an information rental device such as a computer which operates as an information center included in the information rental system, and the information rental device is provided by a computer. The present invention is also achieved by a computer-readable storage medium storing a program code to be realized.

[0014]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information rental system, an information rental method, an information rental apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium that utilize user-desired information in a rental system.

That is, according to the first, eighth, and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the user of the user terminal can obtain desired information (for example, music data or the like) obtained online without purchasing the desired information. Until the expiration date, the user can use (for example, reproduce) in a rental (rental) form, and when the predetermined period has elapsed, the use of the desired information in the user terminal is prohibited from the outside. It is economical and efficient for operators that do it.

According to the second, ninth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, the user of the user terminal can obtain desired information (for example, music data or the like) acquired online without purchasing the desired information. The rental period can be used until the expiration date, and the rental period can be extended from the user terminal within a predetermined period after the expiration of the predetermined period, which is highly convenient for the user.

Further, claim 3, claim 10, and claim 13
According to the invention, the user of the user terminal can use desired information (for example, music data, etc.) acquired online in a rental (rental) form without purchasing, and indicates the end of the rental of the desired information. Since the accounting is performed when the information is obtained from the user terminal, the independence of the user can be respected, and it is efficient for the operator who rents the information.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to almost certainly notify that use is prohibited.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the user terminal is mounted on a moving body such as an automobile, the information center is notified that the user terminal is operating together with the moving body. Since the use prohibition of the desired information is instructed when it is performed, it is efficient.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to realize the convenience of the user of the user terminal and the efficient billing settlement.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an information rental system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of an information rental system according to a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes the Internet as an example of a telecommunication line. Reference numeral 1 denotes a Web server connectable to the Internet 2, which is an information center that rents (rents) information to an external device in the present embodiment. As a device configuration of the information center 2, a general server computer and a communication interface can be applied, and thus detailed description in the present embodiment is omitted. Reference numeral 4 denotes a general Internet service provider (hereinafter, provider) that can be connected to the Internet 2.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an information center 1 in this embodiment.
It is a user terminal that can receive more information rental. The user terminal 3 may be a stationary personal computer that can be connected to the Internet 2 via a provider 3 connected using a public telephone line or the like, or a base station 5 connected using a public wireless telephone line or the like. An information processing apparatus such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA) connectable to the Internet 2 through the Internet is assumed. Since the device configuration itself of the user terminal 3 in each of these modes is currently common, detailed description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 are connected to each other by a general communication protocol capable of performing Internet communication and software (software program) functions such as an Internet browser function. UR unique to information center 3
In response to input of L (Uniform Resource Locator), the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 are connected via the Internet 2 so as to be capable of two-way communication, and can transmit and receive various data for information rental described later. Becomes

In this embodiment, the information rented from the information center 1 to the user terminal 3 has a predetermined data format (for example, MP3, Solid Audio, Liquid Audio).
In the case where the music information is reproduced on the user terminal 3, the received music information is stored in a storage device such as a RAM.
It is assumed that a hardware or software playback driver corresponding to the music information is caused to function in the user terminal 3, but the information to be rented may be various software programs.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the information rental system according to the first embodiment.

When the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 are connected via the Internet 2 so as to be capable of two-way communication, as shown in FIG. When the desired music title and period are acquired, the information center 1 sets a charge (charge collection) and a rental expiration date according to the content of the acquired information, and sets music information (rental contents) desired by the user of the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3
Deliver to. Thereby, the user of the user terminal 3 can arbitrarily reproduce the received music information until the rental expiration date comes. Here, the rental period is a period during which a user can use music information in a rental manner (the same applies hereinafter).

Also, if a rental term change request is transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the information center 1 before the above-mentioned rental term arrives, the information center 1 charges to change the currently set rental fee. Make adjustments.

When the rental period has expired, the information center 1 responds to the user terminal 3 by issuing a reproduction prohibition instruction from the information center 1 to prohibit the use of the music information. In 3, the music information existing in the terminal itself is automatically deleted or invalidated according to the instruction.

In order to issue a reproduction prohibition instruction from the information center 1 as described above, it is necessary to recognize the operation state of the user terminal 3. Therefore, when the user terminal 3 is mounted on a mobile object such as a car, a predetermined signal (operating notification signal) is issued to notify the information center 1 that the terminal is operating, for example, at the time of activation. Send Alternatively, the information center 1 transmits an e-mail notifying the reproduction prohibition to the user terminal 3.

Next, the individual operations of the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 will be described to explain the details of the operation of the above-mentioned information rental system.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the control processing of the information center 1 in the first embodiment, and show the procedure executed by a CPU (not shown) of the information center 1.

Referring to FIG.
2: When a unique URL of the information center 1 is input to a browser operating on any of the unspecified number of user terminals 3 existing in the city, the user terminal 3 connects to the information center 1. It is determined whether a request has been made (step S1). If no connection request has been detected, the process proceeds to step S4. If a connection request has been detected, a menu screen (not shown) for music information rental for the user terminal 3 is displayed. The data is transmitted (step S2).

In this embodiment, the description language of various screen data (Web pages) such as a menu screen transmitted from the information center 1 to the user terminal 3 is, for example, a general HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Is adopted.

Steps S3 to S5: In response to an operation on the user terminal 3 on which the above menu screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not data requesting music information rental has been received (step S3), and the data is not received. Sometimes, other predetermined processing (for example, transmission / reception of e-mail, etc.) is performed (step S4). When the data is received, music information that the user of the user terminal 3 wants to rent is specified by communication with the user terminal 3, and The rental conditions such as the rental period are specified (step S5).

Steps S6 to S8: Step S
It is determined whether the user terminal 3 has performed a confirmation operation to confirm the information content specified in step 5 (step S6). If the confirmation operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the confirmation operation is performed. In this case, the music information (rental content) specified in step S5 is distributed to the target user terminal 3 and a charging (charge collection) process is performed according to the specified condition (step S7). Various conditions such as music information, rental expiration date, rental fee to be charged, etc.
Is identifiably stored in a database (not shown) (step S8).

Steps S9 to S11: It is determined whether an in-operation notification signal indicating that the target user terminal 3 is operating has been received (step S9). If no such signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S12. When the signal is received, step S4 is performed in order to prohibit the use of the music information for which the rental expiration date has arrived and which has been determined in step S6 and stored in step S8.
For the user terminal 3 that has received the notification signal during operation,
A playback prohibition signal is transmitted (step S10), and information about the user terminal 3 stored in the information center 1 is deleted (step S11).

Steps S12 and S13: It is determined whether a term change signal including a request to change the rental term and a new rental term after the change has been received from the user terminal 3 (step S12). If the signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S14. If the signal has been received, the rental period and the rental fee determined in step S6 and stored in step S8 are updated according to the received information (step S1).
3).

Steps S14 and S15: It is determined whether there is music information (user terminal 3) whose stored rental period has passed (step S14). If the period has not passed, the routine returns. If the time has elapsed, a reproduction prohibition signal including data specifying the prohibition target music information is transmitted to the target user terminal 3 in order to prohibit reproduction of the rented music information (step S15).

The above steps S15 to S15
The processing in each of the steps 17 assumes that the user terminal 3 and the information center 1 are always connected via the Internet 2, so that the user terminal 3 is connected to, for example, a personal computer performing a so-called dial-up connection. In the case of a computer, it is preferable to transmit the above-mentioned in-operation notification signal before performing the processing in step S15.

Steps S16 to S18: Based on the reproduction inhibition signal transmitted in step S15, it is determined whether or not the reproduction is successfully inhibited (step S16). If the reproduction is inhibited, the process proceeds to step S19. It is determined whether to continue (step S17).
When the reproduction is prohibited by the reproduction prohibition signal within the predetermined time in the determination of step S17, the process returns.
If the reproduction prohibition is not successful even after the lapse of the predetermined time, an e-mail notifying the reproduction prohibition is transmitted to the target user terminal 3 in order to almost certainly notify that the use is prohibited (step S18).

Step S19: Since the success of the reproduction inhibition has been confirmed in the judgment of step S16, the information on the user terminal 3 stored in the information center 1 is deleted.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a control process of the user terminal 3 in the first embodiment.
The procedure executed by the CPU (not shown) of the user terminal 3 will be described.

In the figure, steps S21 and S22: When the unique URL of the information center 1 is inputted into the operating browser, the user terminal 3
Determines whether a connection request has been made to the information center 1 (step S21). If no connection request has been detected, the process proceeds to step S28. If a connection request has been detected, the process proceeds to step S2 in FIG. The menu screen data is received from the information center 1, and a menu screen corresponding to the data is displayed on the display of the user terminal 3 (step S22).

Steps S23 to S25: It is determined whether or not music information rental has been requested on the displayed menu screen (step S23). If not requested, other predetermined processing started by the user (for example, spreadsheet or document) (Step S24), and when requested, data for specifying rental conditions such as music (songs) to be rented and a rental term specified by the user on the screen being displayed on the display are transmitted to the information center. 1 (step S25).

Steps S26 and S27: It is determined whether or not an operation for confirming (confirming) the music (song) to be rented and the contents of the rental conditions specified in step S25 has been performed on the displayed screen (step S25). S
26) When the operation is not detected, step S2
8 and when the operation is detected, step S
The music information (including the rental period) specified at 25 is received from the information center 1, and the received information is stored in a storage device or the like (step S27).

Steps S28 to S30: It is determined whether or not the current control cycle is the first processing immediately after the start of the start of the user terminal 3 (step S28). If the processing is the second or subsequent processing, the process proceeds to step S31. If it is the first process, it is determined whether or not the own terminal (the user terminal 3) has music information whose rental period has expired (step S29). If it is determined in step S29 that there is music information for which the rental period has expired, an operation notification signal indicating that the user terminal 3 is operating is transmitted to the information center 1 (step S29).
30).

Steps S31 and S32: It is determined whether or not a reproduction inhibition signal has been received from the information center 1 (step S31). If the signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S33. If the signal has been received, the received reproduction inhibition has been received. The reproduction of the music information in the terminal specified by the data included in the signal is prohibited, and the music information is deleted from the storage device or the like (step S32).

Steps S33 and S34: It is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation for changing the rental period (step S33). If the operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S35. A term change signal including the new rental term is transmitted to the information center 1 and stored in a storage device or the like (step S34).

Steps S35 to S37: It is determined whether or not the user has performed a music information reproduction operation (step S35). If the operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step S42. If the operation is performed, the operation is performed. It is determined whether the music information instructed to be reproduced is data within the rental period (step S36). If it is determined in step S36 that the music information to be reproduced is within the rental period, the process proceeds to step S41. If the rental period has passed, a warning to that effect is given to the user (step S37).

Steps S38 to S40: In response to the warning in step S37, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a confirmation operation to intentionally reproduce the music information (step S38). A signal is transmitted to the information center 1 (step S39),
When the operation is performed, a term change signal including a new rental term after the change is transmitted to the information center 1 and stored in a storage device or the like (step S40).

Step S41: The music information instructed to be reproduced is reproduced.

Step S42: Other predetermined processes such as e-mail and document creation are performed according to the user's operation.

Here, the software program for controlling the user terminal 3 described above is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM before the use of the present system.
Provided to the user and stored in a storage device such as a hard disk of the user terminal 3 in advance, or described in the HTML format every time the user terminal 3 is connected to the information center 1 to use the present system. Information center 1
User terminal 3 together with the Web page data of
The method of acquiring a software program in which the functions of the control processing (FIGS. 5 and 6) are described (the same applies to the second and third embodiments described later).

More specifically, in the latter case, the software program in which the control processing function of the user terminal 3 is described is described by, for example, a method of describing using a JavaScript tag, or the user terminal 3 is a so-called Java virtual machine. If a browser having the function described above can be executed, a method of externally acquiring a Java applet together with data of a Web page to be displayed can be adopted. In this case, an unspecified large number of information processing apparatuses connectable to the Internet 2 can be targeted as the user terminal 3 without distributing the software program for the processing in advance, which is economical and efficient. is there.

According to the first embodiment described above, the user of the user terminal 3 rents (rents) music information obtained online from the information center 1 via the Internet 2 without purchasing the music information until a desired predetermined period. The information center 1 prohibits the use of the desired information in the user terminal 3 when the predetermined period elapses, and the user rents the information. It is economical and efficient for people.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment which can be realized with the same hardware configuration as the information rental system according to the above-described first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an information rental system according to the second embodiment.

The information center 1 and the user terminal 3
As in the embodiment, in a state where the connection is made via the Internet 2 so as to allow two-way communication, as shown in FIG. ), The information center 1 sets a charge (charge collection) and a rental period according to the content of the acquired information, and distributes music information (rental content) desired by the user of the user terminal 3 to the user terminal 3. I do. This allows
Until the rental period comes, the user of the user terminal 3 can arbitrarily reproduce the received music information.

If the user terminal 3 sends a rental expiration change request to the information center 1 before the above expiration of the rental expiration, the information center 1 charges to change the currently set rental fee. Make adjustments.

Further, in the present embodiment, if a rental extension request is transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the information center 1 before a predetermined period (for example, about several weeks) has elapsed after the expiration of the rental period, the information center 1 performs charging adjustment so as to collect additional rental fee.

In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, when a predetermined period has elapsed after the rental period has expired, or when a user deletes music information being rented by the user. By the processing of the user terminal 3 itself, the rented music information is deleted or invalidated.

Next, the individual operations of the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 will be described to explain the details of the operation of the information rental system described above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process of the information center 1 according to the second embodiment, and shows a procedure executed by a CPU (not shown) of the information center 1.

In the figure, steps S51 to S58: Processing similar to the processing in each of the steps S1 to S8 of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment is performed.

Steps S59 and S60: It is determined whether or not there is music information (user terminal 3) stored for a predetermined period after the expiration of the rental period (step S5).
9) If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S61. If the predetermined period has elapsed,
The information about the user terminal 3 stored in the information center 1 is deleted (step S60).

Step S61, Step S62: It is determined whether a rental extension signal has been received from the user terminal 3 within a predetermined period after the expiration of the rental period (step S61).
When the signal is not received, the process returns. When the signal is received, charging adjustment is performed according to a new predetermined period, and the calculated fee and the new predetermined period are stored in a storage device or the like (step S62).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control process of the user terminal 3 in the second embodiment, and shows a procedure executed by a CPU (not shown) of the user terminal 3.

In the figure, steps S71 to S77: Step S21 of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.
The same processing as the processing in each of the steps S27 to S27 is performed.

Step S78, Step S79: Whether or not there is music information for a rental period and a predetermined period after the expiration of the rental information in the rental music information existing in the terminal, or a user's manual. It is determined whether the operation of deleting the music information being rented by the operation has been performed (step S78). If the corresponding music information does not exist in the own terminal, the process proceeds to step S80, and the corresponding music information exists in the own terminal. If so, the music information is deleted or invalidated (step S78).

Steps S80 and S81: It is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation for changing the rental period (step S80). If the operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S82. Is stored in a storage device or the like (step S81).

Steps S82 to S88: Steps S35 to S in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment
A process having substantially the same configuration as the process in each step of 42 is performed (however, when the confirmation operation is not performed in step S85, the process directly proceeds to step S88 without transmitting the in-operation notification signal, and in step S86, the period change signal Without sending a rental extension signal).

According to the above-described second embodiment, the user of the user terminal 3 rents (rents) music information obtained online from the information center 1 via the Internet 2 without purchasing the music information until a desired time limit. The rental period can be extended from the user terminal within a predetermined period after the predetermined period has arrived, which is convenient for the user.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment which can be realized with the same hardware configuration as the information rental system according to the above-described first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an information rental system according to the third embodiment.

When the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 are connected via the Internet 2 so as to be capable of two-way communication, as shown in FIG. When the desired music title and period are acquired, the information center 1 sets a charge (charge collection) and a rental expiration date according to the content of the acquired information, and sets music information (rental contents) desired by the user of the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3
Deliver to.

In the present embodiment, the music information received from the information center 1 to the user terminal 3 is transmitted for a predetermined period after the user of the user terminal 3 performs an operation for terminating the rental or after the rental expiration date has arrived. When you do
By the processing of the user terminal 3 itself, the rented music information is deleted or invalidated. Further, when a rental end operation is performed on the user terminal 3, the information center 1 performs a billing settlement.

If the user terminal 3 transmits a rental extension request to the information center 1 before a predetermined period (for example, about several weeks) has elapsed after the rental period has expired, the information center 1 Adjust billing to collect additional charges. Next, the individual operations of the information center 1 and the user terminal 3 will be described to explain the details of the operation of the information rental system described above.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control process of the information center 1 according to the third embodiment, and shows a procedure executed by a CPU (not shown) of the information center 1.

In the figure, steps S91 to S98: Processing similar to the processing in steps S1 to S8 in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment is performed.

Steps S99 and S100: It is determined whether a rental end signal has been received from the user terminal 3 (step S99). If the signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S101. If the signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S101.
The accounting for the user terminal 3 stored in the information center 1 is performed, and the information on the user terminal 3 is deleted (step S100).

Step S101, Step S102: It is determined whether a rental extension signal has been received from the user terminal 3 within a predetermined period after the expiration of the rental period (step S10).
1) If the signal is not received, the process returns. If the signal is received, charging is adjusted according to a new predetermined period, and the calculated fee and the new predetermined period are stored in a storage device or the like (step S62).

FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing a control process of the user terminal 3 in the third embodiment, and show a procedure executed by a CPU (not shown) of the user terminal 3.

In the figure, steps S111 to S117: Step S117 of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.
The same processing as the processing in each of the steps 21 to S27 is performed.

Steps S118 to S120: It is determined whether or not music information currently rented existing in the terminal includes music information immediately before the expiration of the rental period (for example, several days before) or after the elapse of the rental period (step S118). If the corresponding music information does not exist in the own terminal in this determination, the process proceeds to step S121, and if the corresponding music information exists in the own terminal, it is determined whether the own terminal is set to the automatic rental end mode (step S119). ). If the automatic rental end mode is detected in step S119, the process proceeds to step S122. If the mode is not detected, the music information being rented includes music information immediately before or after the rental expiration. Is issued to warn the user (Step S12)
0).

Here, the automatic rental end mode is an operation mode in which the rental end is notified to the information center 1 by automatic processing of the user terminal 3 and the corresponding music information is deleted or invalidated.

Step S121: It is determined whether or not a rental end operation has been performed at the terminal itself. If the operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S124, and if the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S122.

Steps S122 and S123: Since the automatic rental end mode is detected in the judgment of step S199, or the rental end operation by the user is detected in the judgment of step S121, the target music information is stored from the storage device or the like. At the same time, the rental end signal is transmitted to the information center 1 (step S123).

Steps S124 and S125: It is determined whether the terminal is in the automatic rental end mode setting and the user has performed an operation for changing the rental period (step S124), and if not, the process proceeds to step S126. If the determination is satisfied, the automatic rental end mode setting and the changed new rental expiration date are updated and stored in a storage device or the like (step S125).

Steps S126 to S132: Processing having the same configuration as the processing in each of the steps S82 to S88 in FIG. 9 in the second embodiment is performed.

If the automatic rental end mode is detected in step S199, the process proceeds to step S199.
Prior to deleting or invalidating the target music information in step 122, a step is provided for confirming to the user whether or not the processing in step S122 may be performed. The process proceeds to step S122 only when confirmed, and when it cannot be confirmed, the process proceeds to step S125, where the resetting of the automatic rental end mode and the new rental expiration date may be updated and stored.

According to the third embodiment described above, the user of the user terminal 3 rents (rents) desired music information obtained online from the information center 1 via the Internet 2 without purchasing it. When the rental end time is reached, the rental is automatically terminated by the processing of the user terminal 3 when the automatic rental end mode is set, so that the user can also rent the information. It is economical and efficient for operators. If the automatic rental end mode is not set, the rental can be continued until an operation for terminating the rental is performed, so that the autonomy of the user can be respected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of an information rental system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an information rental system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information center 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information center 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the user terminal 3 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the user terminal 3 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an information rental system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information center 1 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the user terminal 3 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an information rental system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information center 1 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a user terminal 3 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the user terminal 3 according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: information center, 2: internet, 3: user terminal, 4: provider, 5: base station,

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An information rental system for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected to enable two-way communication via an electric communication line, wherein the information center responds to a request from the user terminal. An information rental means for renting desired information to the user terminal so that the information can be used until a predetermined time limit, and prohibiting use of the rented information when the predetermined time limit has expired; An information rental system comprising a use unit that requests rental of the desired information and that can use the obtained desired information. 2. An information rental system for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected to enable two-way communication via a telecommunication line, wherein the information center responds to a request from the user terminal. When renting desired information to the user terminal so that it can be used until a predetermined time limit, and obtaining a request to extend the rental period from the user terminal within a predetermined period after the predetermined time period has arrived, An information rental unit for changing a predetermined time limit and adjusting charging, wherein the user terminal requests the information center to rent the desired information and uses the acquired desired information. And a period extending means capable of requesting an extension of a rental period within a predetermined period after the arrival of the predetermined period for the desired information. Information rental system, characterized in that to obtain. 3. An information rental system for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected to enable two-way communication via a telecommunication line, wherein the information center responds to a request from the user terminal. Renting desired information to the user terminal, and, when obtaining information indicating the end of the rental of the desired information, comprising: an information rental means for performing a billing settlement; and the user terminal transmits the desired information to the information center. Requesting the rental of the information, and using the available means that can use the acquired desired information, and information indicating the end of the rental of the desired information to the information center, and transmitting the desired information by the using means. An information rental system, comprising: rental end means for prohibiting use of information. 4. In the information center, when the use of the rented information cannot be prohibited, the information rental means transmits an electronic mail indicating that use of the rented information is prohibited to the user terminal. The information rental system according to claim 1, wherein: 5. In the user terminal, when the user terminal is operating and the desired information is being rented, the use means notifies the user of the rental and informs the user of the rental of the desired information. 2. The information rental system according to claim 1, wherein when the use is prohibited, the state is disabled. 6. The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the use unit makes the desired information available for an extended period when a rental period is extended by the period extension unit. Item 2 information rental system. 7. The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the rental termination unit automatically notifies the information center of the information indicating the termination of the rental when a predetermined rental expiration date has arrived. The information rental system described in 3. 8. An information rental method for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected so as to be capable of two-way communication via a telecommunication line, comprising: Rent the desired information to the user terminal so that it can be used until a predetermined time limit, and when the predetermined time limit has come, use of the rented information from the information center to the user terminal is prohibited. How to rent information. 9. An information rental method for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected so as to be capable of two-way communication via a telecommunication line, comprising the steps of: While renting desired information to the user terminal so that it can be used until a predetermined time limit, and obtaining a rental period extension request from the user terminal within a predetermined period after the predetermined time period has arrived, in accordance with the extension request, An information rental method, wherein a predetermined period is changed at the information center and charging is adjusted. 10. An information rental method for renting information to a user terminal from an information center connected so as to be capable of two-way communication via a telecommunication line, the method comprising the steps of: While renting desired information to the user terminal, the information center performs billing settlement when acquiring information indicating the end of the rental of the desired information, and the user terminal reports the information indicating the end of the rental. An information rental method, wherein use of the desired information is prohibited according to the following. 11. An information rental device for renting information to a user terminal connected bidirectionally communicable via an electric communication line, wherein the information rental device receives desired information from the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. An information rental apparatus, comprising: an information rental unit for renting the information to be usable until a predetermined time limit, and prohibiting use of the rented information when the predetermined time limit has come. 12. An information rental apparatus for renting information to a user terminal connected so as to be capable of two-way communication via a telecommunication line, the information rental apparatus comprising: Is rented so that it can be used until a predetermined time limit, and when a request to extend the rental period is obtained from the user terminal within a predetermined time period after the predetermined time limit has arrived, the predetermined time limit is changed and charging is performed according to the request for extension. An information rental device comprising an information rental unit for adjusting the information. 13. An information rental apparatus for renting information to a user terminal connected so as to be capable of two-way communication via a telecommunication line, the information rental apparatus comprising: An information rental device for renting the desired information and, when acquiring information indicating the end of the rental of the desired information, providing an information rental means for performing accounting settlement. 14. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program code for operating a computer as the information rental apparatus according to claim 11. Description: