JP2002024570A - Contents information outputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents information outputting device for realizing contents selling capable of holding portability just like a paper book, and executing accounting processing only to a read information part just like electronic distribution. SOLUTION: In a portable contents information outputting device 11, a memory 21 holds contents information or advertisement information, and an outputting means 23 reads and outputs information from a memory 21 based on an output instruction accepted from a user by an output instruction accepting means 22, and a control means 24 controls the outputted situation of the information, and a rewriting means 25 rewrites the information held by the memory 21, and a recording means 26 records the information accepted from the user by the information accepting means 22. In an external reading device 12, a reading means 31 reads the control contents of the control means 24 of the contents information outputting device 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable content information output device for holding and outputting content information and a content information providing system using such a device. The present invention relates to a system for selling, browsing, charging, and collecting information on electronic contents as an output device, and selling or renting the display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, existing contents (for example, images of a book) are distributed on paper or distributed by communication including the Internet. In the distribution of paper books, content information senders print advertisements and the like, as needed, to retailers at retail outlets. In the distribution (electronic distribution) of electronic contents, the contents are transmitted to the display terminal (or server) of the viewer. In general, the display terminal is owned by the viewer.

FIG. 4A shows an outline of content sales (distribution) using a paper book according to a conventional example. In this case, the information sender delivers the content information printed on paper (paper book) to the intermediate retail store, and the intermediate retail store sells the paper book to the information receiver.

[0004] However, in printing paper, the printing cost and the distribution cost are high, and the unsold product becomes excessive inventory or is disposed of as garbage (discarded), so that a large amount of resources are consumed (reduction of paper consumption). , Waste reduction and transport energy reduction cannot be achieved). Furthermore,
As the amount of information increases, paper books (display devices) become heavier and heavier, and buyers (recipients of information) purchase content that they do not want (each time). Even paying for them could have had disadvantages. Furthermore, when the contents to be browsed are distributed in a plurality of books, it is necessary to purchase all of these books, and the number of books increases, which causes a problem that it is inconvenient to carry around. .

FIG. 4B shows an outline of content sales (distribution) by electronic distribution according to a conventional example. In this case, the information sender transmits the content information to the information receiver's terminal (display device) by communication, and the information receiver browses the received content information using the terminal, for example, the information portion viewed by the user. Pay only for the fee. Further, the terminal of the information receiver is generally owned by the information receiver, and the information receiver can return information to the terminal of the information sender using his / her own terminal, for example.

[0006] However, in electronic distribution represented by the Internet, it is possible to select and purchase only necessary contents, but it is necessary to compare a plurality of contents at the same time as when selecting a book in a conventional bookstore. And it is difficult to publish advertisements, which are an important source of income for magazine publishers. In addition, the viewer must always have a receiving device and a display device (for example, a computer). However, since a display device requiring a large display area, such as a manga, is large and heavy, it is inconvenient to always carry it. there were. Therefore, there is no convenience such as easy purchase and browsing when the user is interested, like a conventional book.

[0007] An example of the prior art relating to an electronic book will be introduced. For example, in the “e-book distribution device, e-book receiving device, and e-book billing system” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-112857, the e-book is prevented from being illegally copied, and The management of the billing for the copy of the document has been performed. In addition, for example, in “Electronic book distribution system using book purchase certificate and its device” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-113049, a service for a person who desires to acquire an electronic book is finely switched. .

[0008] Further, for example, in the "book advertisement / sales system and advertisement / sales method" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-76338, it is possible to give an electronic book the same feeling as browsing in a bookstore. Have been done. In addition, for example, in an “e-book system” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-113050, the degree of freedom of selection when purchasing an e-book and the purchase cost are reduced.

[0009]

As described in the above-mentioned conventional example, the above-described problems exist in the conventional content sales by the paper book and the conventional content sales by the electronic distribution, respectively. It has been desired to realize content sales that can solve various problems. The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation. For example, it is possible to charge only for an information portion that is browsed, such as electronic distribution, while ensuring portability, such as a paper book. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content information output device and a content information providing system capable of realizing such content sales (distribution).

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the content information output device according to the present invention is configured as a portable device, and holds and outputs content information as follows. That is, the memory holds the content information, the output instruction receiving means receives the output instruction of the content information from the user, reads and outputs the information from the memory based on the output instruction received by the output means,
The management means manages the output status of the content information (for example, the access status to the content information stored in the memory).

[0011] Therefore, since the output status of the content information is managed, it is necessary to charge only the information portion output (for example, used by the user), for example, by electronic distribution, based on the management content. In addition, for example, it is possible to perform investigation and information collection on the output status of the content information. In addition, for example, portability such as a paper book is secured, and the content information stored in the memory is output and used by a user. The device can be distributed.

Here, the medium of the content information is not particularly limited. For example, image information, character information,
Also, audio information can be used. The type of the content information is not particularly limited. For example, information such as a manga or a movie can be used as the image information.
For example, information such as a magazine or a newspaper can be used as the character information, and information such as music can be used as the audio information.

Although the structure of the content information is not particularly limited, for example, when information of a plurality of contents is stored in a memory, the title information and the content information are added to the information of each content. This configuration is preferable because the user can select the content information desired to be output (used) by referring to the title. Note that the memory does not necessarily need to hold a plurality of pieces of content information, and for example, a single (one) piece of content information may be held.

The output instruction receiving means may be of various types, and may be composed of, for example, key buttons. The content information may be output in various ways. For example, as described above, a method of instructing information to be output based on a title (may be an abstract or the like), or a method of instructing each information, for example, For example, a method of instructing information to be output based on a preset number (for example, information A is the “1” -th information or the like) can be used. Further, for example, a mode can be used in which information is output in a preset order when a predetermined key button is pressed.

[0015] The information read out from the memory may be output in various ways. For example, image information or character information may be displayed on a screen, or audio information may be output from a speaker. For example, a mode in which image information, character information, or audio information is output from the content information output device to (outside) the device can be used.

Further, in the content information output device according to the present invention, the memory holds the advertisement information, the output means reads and outputs the advertisement information from the memory, and the management means manages the output status of the advertisement information. . Therefore, since the output status of the advertisement information is managed, for example, the output status of the advertisement (that is, the usage status by the user) based on the management content.
In this case, the charge of the billing can be changed in accordance with the information, and, for example, investigation or information collection on the output status of the advertisement information can be performed.

Here, the advertisement information may be of various types, for example, information corresponding to the content (manga, magazine, etc.) of the content information to which the advertisement information is added. The advertisement information may be included in the content information, for example, or may exist as information independent of the content information. The memory according to the present invention may be composed of a plurality of memories. For example, the advertisement information and the content information may be held in separate memories. Also, the memory
For example, it may be built in the content information output device, or an external memory may be used.

In one embodiment of the content information output device according to the present invention, the management means sets, as an output status of the content information, an information portion output from the content information held in the memory or another information portion. Information that specifies at least one of the information portions (that is, not output) is managed. Therefore, billing can be performed based on the output information portion and the information portion not output.

Here, as a method of managing the output information portion and the other information portions, a method in which only one of them is specified (directly) may be used, and both of the information portions may be specified (directly). ) May be used. If either one is specified, the other is specified based on (indirectly) the same. Further, as the information for specifying the output information portion and other information portions, for example, flag information can be used, and the flag state (for example, “Yes” or “N”) corresponding to each information portion can be used.
o "), it can be managed whether or not each of the information portions has been output.

Further, in such an embodiment, specifically, for example, content information (information part according to the present invention) output from a plurality of pieces of content information and other content information (information part according to the present invention) ), And, for example, a page (information portion referred to in the present invention) output from (one) content information including information of a plurality of pages and other pages (books). The information for specifying the information portion according to the invention is managed.

In another embodiment of the content information output apparatus according to the present invention, the management means manages information on the number of times information has been output as the output state of the content information. Therefore, charging can be performed based on the number of times information is output (for example, for each content, etc.) (for example, the number of times or frequency of use by a user). Further, in the content information output device according to the present invention, as another embodiment, a time limit or an output frequency limit may be provided for the output of the content information based on, for example, the contents of a contract in advance.

Here, the mode of managing the output status of the content information is not necessarily limited to the one described above, and various modes may be used.
It is also possible to manage information for specifying the time at which the information was output (for example, for each content or without specifying the content) and information for specifying the amount of the output information. In the present invention, a plurality of types of management modes may be used in combination. Further, the content information output device according to the present invention desirably has a function of approving that a user is charged before outputting paid content information to the output device (by the output unit).

In the management means, for example, information relating to the output status of content information and advertisement information (for example,
The output information portion and the information specifying the number of times of output are stored and managed in a memory. In this case, for example, a memory that holds content information and advertisement information is shared. It may be used, or a memory separate from the memory may be used, for example. Also, various modes may be used to manage the output status of the advertisement information, for example, as in the case of the content information described above.

Further, in the content information output device according to the present invention, a fee for outputting the content information is determined based on the management content of the management means. Therefore, the output status of the content information (for example, as described above, the output information portion, the output count, the output time, and the like, and combinations thereof)
Alternatively, based on the output status of the content information and the advertisement information, it can be used for a service that determines a fee for the output of the content information.

In such a service, as a specific example,
The user pays a fee for only the information portion used (browsing or the like) by the user, or changes (eg, reduces) the fee related to the output of the content information when the advertisement information is used (browsing or the like) by the user. ) Can be realized.

Here, as an example, the fee for the output of the content information can be determined based on the management content of the content information output device read out by a device external to the content information output device.
Further, as another example, the content information output apparatus itself may be configured to manage the amount of the fee for outputting the content information. That is, in the content information output device according to the present invention, the management unit manages the information on the fee related to the output of the content information as the output status of the content information.

In the content information output device according to the present invention, the memory holding the content information is a rewritable memory, and the rewriting means rewrites the information held in the memory. Therefore, the content information and the advertisement information stored in the memory can be rewritten (including, for example, additionally writing, or deleting a part or all of the information). For example, the content information desired by the user is stored in the memory. It becomes possible to write, for example, to reuse the content information output device.

The information written to the memory of the content information output device by the rewriting means is supplied to the content information output device from a device (floppy disk, database, or the like) external to the content information output device. In this case, the rewriting means has a function of writing information input from an external device to the content information output device into a memory of the content information output device.

Further, in the content information output device according to the present invention, the information receiving means receives information on the content information from the user, and the information received by the recording means is recorded. Therefore, for example, it is possible to receive information such as a comment, a response to a questionnaire, and an order from a user who uses the content information, and record the received information in association with, for example, the corresponding content information (the title thereof). .

Here, the information receiving means may be of various types, and may be composed of, for example, key buttons. Further, as the recording means, for example, a memory for recording information can be used. As this memory, for example, a memory for holding content information and advertisement information may be used in common, or for example, the memory may be used. A separate memory may be used.

Also, in the present invention, as a preferred embodiment,
A content information output device according to the present invention is configured using electronic paper for displaying and outputting image information and character information on a screen, for example. The details of the electronic paper will be described later.

In the above description, the content information output device having a configuration provided with other means in addition to the memory has been described. For example, a component for storing content information (or advertisement information) and information relating to the output status is replaced with content information. As the storage device, an embodiment in which the same content information output device as described above is configured by incorporating the content information storage device into another device may be used.

That is, the content information storage device according to the present invention stores the content information (or the advertisement information) and also reads the situation (for example, the accessed situation) from which the stored content information (or the advertisement information) is read. The information to be managed is stored. Here, the content information storage device is, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD having a storage area for storing content information (or advertisement information) and a storage area for storing information for managing a state in which the content information is read. -It can also be composed of a ROM or the like.

In the content information providing system according to the present invention, the following content information is provided by using the portable content information output device as described above. The content information output device holds the content information in a memory, reads and outputs the information from the memory based on an output instruction received from a user, and manages the output status of the content information.

That is, the content information output device is carried by the user, outputs information based on the output instruction received from the user, and manages the output status of the content information. The system includes a reading unit for reading the management content of the content information output device, and a fee for outputting the content information to the user is determined based on the read result (the management content).

Therefore, for example, the content information output device holding the content information in the memory is lent to the user, and the content information output device is used by the user, whereby the content information output device is output (used by the user). It is possible to realize a service in which the user is charged only for the information portion.

Here, the reading means may be provided in, for example, a device external to the content information output device, or may be provided in, for example, the content information output device itself. In the case where the reading means is provided outside the content information output device, the reading means and the content information output device are connected by wire and the management contents are read by the wire, or the reading means and the content information output device are connected. A mode in which the device communicates wirelessly and the management content is read wirelessly can be used.

Further, in the content information providing system according to the present invention, the content information output device further stores the advertisement information in the memory, reads and outputs the advertisement information from the memory, and manages the output status of the advertisement information. . Then, the content of management of the content information and the advertisement information of the content information output device is read by the reading means, and a fee for output of the content information is determined based on the read result (the content of the management).

Accordingly, for example, a content information output device holding the content information and the advertisement information in the memory is lent to the user, and the content information output device is used by the user, thereby outputting the content information (used by the user). A service can be realized in which a fee for the information portion is charged to the user based on the output status of the advertisement information.

As a mode in which the user pays the fee for the content information, for example, it is possible to use a post-payment method for paying a fee for the information output after using the content information output device. Prepaid (paid) such that after paying an extra fee and using the content information output device, a fee for information not output is refunded.
It is also preferable to use a method.

That is, in the content information providing system according to the present invention, first, a fee corresponding to all content information held by the content information output device is paid in advance by the user. Then, after the content information output device is used by the user, the management content of the content information output device is read by the reading unit, and the content information held by the content information output device is read out based on the read result. The amount corresponding to the fee corresponding to the information portion other than the information portion output at (i.e., the information portion not output) is refunded to the user. As a form of payment, for example, a fee for content information can be settled in a fixed period unit (for example, one month) and debited by a credit card or the like.

FIG. 3 specifically shows a configuration example of the content information output device and the reading means according to the present invention as described above. For example, in the content information output device 11 lent to the user, the memory 21 holds the content information and the advertisement information, and the receiving unit 22 (constituting the output instruction receiving unit and the information receiving unit) receives the output instruction from the user. Receiving and outputting means 23 outputs, for example, the information instructed from the information held in memory 21 based on the output instruction, and management means 24 manages the output status. In the content information output device 11, the receiving unit 22 receives information such as a comment from the user, and the recording unit 26 records the information.

On the other hand, when the content information output device 11 used by the user is collected, for example, the reading means 31 provided in the reading device 12 reads out the management contents of the management means 24 of the content information output device 11. The fee for outputting the content information to the user is determined based on the read result. Further, the reading means 31 of the reading device 12 reads information recorded in the recording means 26 of the content information output device 11, for example, and the user can collect comments based on the read information.

For the collected content information output device 11, for example, the content information and the advertisement information held in the memory 21 are updated by the rewriting means 25 or rewritten with other information. ,
The reuse of the content information output device 11 is realized.

Here, as the content information output device according to the present invention, it is preferable to use electronic paper for electronically displaying and outputting information on a screen such as paper, for example.
As such electronic paper, for example, Japanese Patent Application No.
Such as a display device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 324155 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1), for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 11-12 / 1999.
It is possible to use a document viewer device described in Japanese Patent No. 5158 (hereinafter referred to as Document 2).

The display device described in the above document 1 includes, for example, an electrically rewritable display means which is made of, for example, a two-tone monochromatic ferroelectric liquid crystal and requires information to be displayed and output on the display means. When the rewriting is completed, the power supply can be stopped after the rewriting is completed, and the information on the display means can be displayed and output as it is, so that effects such as low power consumption can be realized.

It should be noted that the ferroelectric liquid crystal has a memory property, and can retain display contents without receiving power supply, and has a property that display contents can be electrically rewritten. are doing. Further, as the display means having such a memory property, for example, a liquid crystal such as a color ferroelectric liquid crystal or a cholesteric liquid crystal described in JP-A-2-254420 can be used.
Instead of a liquid crystal, it is also possible to use a memory property such as electrophoresis or magnetic induction.

Further, the document viewer device described in Document 2 includes, for example, a storage device capable of storing display information for a plurality of screens and a display device having a memory function. The display information can be switched for each screen and displayed on a display device, and when such a display screen is changed, power is supplied and the change is performed, while the display screen is changed after the change is completed. By stopping the power supply, the effect such as low power consumption can be realized.

As the electronic paper, for example, an OS using a VRAM or the like for storing information in the form of display data is used.
It is also preferable to use a device having a function of displaying and outputting information on a screen without intervening (Operating System). Further, as a medium for holding display contents, for example, a medium for holding display contents without power supply is preferably used,
For example, a device that includes a power supply such as a solar cell and holds display contents using the power of the power supply may be used.

The electronic paper as described above is preferable because it can exhibit both effects of, for example, the ability to promptly read an electronic document and the characteristic that it can be immediately and easily viewed anywhere in a paper document at any time.

[0051]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of content sales by a content information providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the system of the present example, the content information output device according to the present invention is constituted by electronic paper, and sales of content information, collection of media (electronic paper), and collection of content information are performed using the electronic paper. It charges usage fees. Thus, in this example, instead of the conventional paper-based print media, electronic media represented by electronic paper is used.

In this example, the information sender sends an intermediate retail store (for example, a home delivery store, a bookstore, or a convenience store).
The content distribution up to this point uses communication via the Internet or the like. Specifically, the information sender distributes content information (for example, electronic books, music, and various data) to an intermediate retail store by communication. In addition, in an intermediate retail store, content information distributed from an information sender is downloaded before sale and stored in, for example, its own recording device.

At the intermediate retail store, before selling the electronic paper, the content information downloaded from the information sender is written in a memory in the electronic paper, and the electronic paper storing the content information is consumed. To sell to others. Here, the electronic paper is rented (rented) or purchased in advance from an intermediate retail store, for example, from a media rental company or a media sales company. On the other hand, these media companies perform maintenance of electronic paper by receiving payment of maintenance fee for electronic paper from an intermediate retail store.

A user (information receiver) who wants to view electronic paper purchases electronic paper storing necessary (desired) content information of a book at an intermediate retail store, like a normal book. Then, the content information is received for each electronic paper. Alternatively, the user selects or additionally installs necessary content information, for example, at the time of purchasing electronic paper at an intermediate retail store (for example, writes content information spanning a plurality of books into a memory in the electronic paper as necessary). By purchasing the electronic paper on which the content information is written, the user can receive the desired content information together with the electronic paper. In this example, the electronic paper (display device) is purchased each time by the user and returned after use.

As described above, the content of the content information written on the electronic paper can be determined based on the intention of the information transmitter, the intermediate retail store, and the (terminal) user who is the customer at the intermediate retail store, for example. As an example, the present invention uses a portable content information output device that holds content information in a memory, reads and outputs information from a memory based on an output instruction received from a user, and manages the output status of the content information. In the content information providing system, the distribution (transmission) of content information (and advertisement information) from the information sender to the retail store is performed using various communication means represented by the Internet, At the retail store, the content of information to be written to the content information output device is changed depending on the intention of the information sender side, the retail store side, or the user side (or the intention of a plurality of persons among them). Then, the information to be written is written to the content information output device. Then, the content information output device is sold to the user.

Further, for example, the preferences (of contents and advertisements) of the (end) user as a customer and the history of writing on electronic paper (contents of information written on electronic paper, etc.) performed by the user in the past can be stored in a retail store. For example, content information (or advertisement information) suitable for such preference and writing history can be automatically selected and written on electronic paper. As an example, the present invention uses a portable content information output device that holds content information in a memory, reads and outputs information from a memory based on an output instruction received from a user, and manages the output status of the content information. In the existing content information providing system, information on the user's preference and past writing history (either information or both information may be recorded) and the information (one of the information may be recorded). The content information (or the advertisement information) according to the information (or the both information) may be (selected) and written to the content information output device. Then, the content information output device is sold to the user.

For a user who regularly purchases content information using electronic paper, the content information (or advertisement information) designated by the user or the user is provided in order to reduce the time for writing the information. In response to a request from a customer (for example, the user or another person), content information (or advertisement information) matching the user's preference is written in advance in an internal memory of the electronic paper or an external memory. You can also put it.

As described above, the electronic paper of this example is lent out (to the user) with the content information (or advertisement information) written therein, and is collected after being used (by the user). As an example, the present invention uses a portable content information output device that holds content information in a memory, reads and outputs information from a memory based on an output instruction received from a user, and manages the output status of the content information. In the content information providing system, the content information output device is lent out with the content information (or advertisement information) written therein, and the content information output device is collected after the content information output device is used. Then, the content information output device is reused, for example.

Next, the user operates a button or the like provided on the purchased electronic paper to display desired information from the content information held in the electronic paper, for example, on a screen and browse the information. I do. In addition, the user can download information desired by the user, for example, from content information held in electronic paper to an external device (eg, a user's computer).

When the content information in the electronic paper is used (browsed, etc.) by the user in this way, the electronic paper manages the usage status of the information (browsing and download execution status) by the user. Thereby, for example, which information portion in the content information held by the user is browsed or downloaded by the user is stored. The information managed by the electronic paper with respect to the information output is not particularly limited, and is not limited to the information as to which information portion is used, for example, the number of times the information is used,
It may be usage time, some combination of these, etc.
Further, it may be information on the amount of a fee related to the use of the content information.

In the electronic paper of this embodiment, for example, an external communication device (for example, a mobile phone or a PH
S (Personal Handy phone System, etc.) and the electronic paper are connected to use the communication function of the communication device, or, for example, built in the electronic paper (for example, the external By using a communication function (similar to the function of the communication device), information other than the information written in the memory is linked to the content of the content information (or advertisement information) written in the memory of the electronic paper. Can be received (acquired) by the electronic paper and output. As an example, the content information output device according to the present invention has a function of communicating and connecting with (an external device of) the content information output device.
Various information such as eb information can be obtained.

The electronic paper that has been read (browsed, etc.) by the user can be used, for example, at a store near the user (eg, a bookstore or a convenience store), and is common to the above-mentioned intermediate retail store. May be collected) or by home delivery and payment of the fee (in this example,
As described below, a refund is performed.

That is, since the usage status of the content information by the user is stored in the electronic paper as described above, at the time of collection, the stored content is read out by the reading device and used (browsing, etc.) by the user. The fee to be paid by the user (in this example, a refund amount, as described later) is determined so that only the information portion is charged. In this example, the maintenance fee for the electronic paper is also included in the fee to be paid by the user and collected from the user.

In the electronic paper of this embodiment, for example, a (dedicated) ID card can be used for user authentication. A memory is provided in the ID card, and the memory stores, for example, information (ID) for identifying a user, information about contents, information about user's preference and past writing history, and the like. Information related to the billed amount is recorded. The ID card has a function of confirming (authenticating) the user and simultaneously writing, for example, content information suitable for each user on the electronic paper, and a function of performing a payment procedure by withdrawal. I have.

As an example, the content information output device according to the present invention uses an ID card to perform user authentication based on information (ID) stored in a memory in the ID card. Further, as another example, in the content information output device according to the present invention, information on the content or user's preference, past writing history, and information on the billing amount are recorded in the memory in the ID card. Then, based on the information recorded on such an ID card, for example, content information (or advertisement information) to be written is determined, and settlement is performed by, for example, debit.

Here, in this example, when the user purchases the electronic paper, a predetermined fee (for example, a sum of a fee to be paid when all the content information is browsed and a maintenance fee or a total fee or more) Is paid by the user, and when the user returns the electronic paper, the difference obtained by subtracting the media maintenance fee and the price of the browsed content information from the amount of the predetermined fee (that is, the difference) For example, a payment method is used in which a fee for the information portion that has not been browsed is refunded to the user. In addition, in actual payment, it is more effective to use collective clearing by a prepaid card or card withdrawal.

Further, in this example, since the electronic paper purchased by the user is returned again,
By utilizing this, a system in which a collector of electronic paper receives information such as an impression of a user, a response to a questionnaire, and an order can also be incorporated into the system. That is, the user who purchased the electronic paper operates buttons and the like provided on the electronic paper and inputs information such as impressions to the memory in the electronic paper as necessary, and thereafter,
By returning the electronic paper, the collector of the electronic paper can collect information based on electronic data that could not be obtained with a paper book such as an impression, a questionnaire, or an order. In addition, as an example, information collected by electronic paper can be transmitted to an information sender via an intermediate retail store.

Various means can be used as means for communicating the information additionally written by the customer (end) user and written on the electronic paper. For example, it is preferable to use the Internet. As an example, the present invention uses a portable content information output device that holds content information in a memory, reads and outputs information from a memory based on an output instruction received from a user, and manages the output status of the content information. In the content information providing system, a terminal device that reads information (for example, answer information related to a questionnaire) written (by a user) into (the memory of) the content information output device (for example, at the time of collection of the content information output device), By transmitting the information to a terminal of a designated information collector via the Internet, a questionnaire information collection system or the like that receives and collects answer information to a questionnaire (related to contents and contents of advertisements) can be realized.

As another example, according to the present invention, a portable information processing apparatus that holds content information in a memory, reads out the information from the memory based on an output instruction received from a user, outputs the information, and manages the output status of the content information. In a content information providing system using the content information output device, an advertisement (for example, provided by the content information output device) written into (the memory of) the content information output device by a user (for example, when the content information output device is collected) Order information).
By transmitting the information to a terminal device for reading the information and a terminal device of a designated information collector via the Internet, for example, it is possible to realize an order system or the like that receives and collects order information related to advertisements (and contents). it can.

In the content information output apparatus according to the present invention, for example, a time limit or an output frequency limit (either one or both) may be provided for the output of content information. Can also. Specifically, for example, information on a time limit is stored in (a memory of) the content information output device, and when content information (or, for example, content information and advertisement information) is output for a time corresponding to the time limit, The content information output device may be configured to stop outputting information. For example, the content information output device (memory)
And the content information output device stops outputting information when content information (or, for example, content information and advertisement information) is output a number of times corresponding to the number of outputs. can do.

Further, for example, by storing advertisement information together with content information on electronic paper and selling it to a user, if the advertisement information is browsed by the user, a charge for charging the user based on the browsing situation is given. Can be varied (for example, reduced). As an example, when the advertisement information is browsed by the user, the fee can be reduced, and the reduced fee can be collected from the advertisement requester. It should be noted that the use (viewing etc.) of the advertisement information is also managed by the memory in the electronic paper, for example, as in the case of the content information.

In this example, the system for selling or collecting electronic paper storing content information (or advertisement information) is described. For example, a storage device storing content information (or advertisement information) is sold or collected. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which a user who has purchased the storage device outputs and uses the content information and the like held in the storage device using his or her own computer. It is to be noted that various information (other than those described above) can be stored in such a storage device. For example, information on a time limit and an output frequency limit on output of content information and the like can be stored. For example, information for making a communication connection with the outside (for example, information of an address to be connected) can be stored.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of a procedure of a process performed in the content information providing system of the present example will be described, and a flow of various information such as content information will be described. FIG. 1 shows a content provider and an information sender 1 that provide content information and the like, and a retail store (intermediate) that sells and collects a content display device (in this example, electronic paper) storing the content information and the like. Retailer) 2, a viewer (user) 3 who purchases a content display device and browses content information and the like, an information manager 4 who manages information and the like relating to customers, and sells and rents a content display device. The example of the procedure of the process performed by the content display device sales and rental person 5 to be performed is shown.

First, the content provider and the information sender 1 create data of the content information and attach the advertisement information to the content information by using a terminal device such as a computer (Step S).
1) The information is converted into a communication signal (distribution signal) (step S2), and the distribution signal is transmitted (distributed) to the retail store 2 by the communication means (step S3).

Next, in the retail store 2, using a terminal device such as a computer, a distribution signal transmitted from the content provider and the information transmitter 1 is received by the communication means (step S4), and the received distribution signal is transmitted. Is converted into content information or advertisement information and recorded in a recording device (step S5), and the obtained content information or advertisement information is written into a memory in the content display device by content writing means (step S6).
The content display device on which the information is written is sold to the viewer 3 (step S7).

Next, the viewer 3 purchases the content display device from the retail store 2, browses the content information and the advertisement information held in the content display device (step S8), and obtains the necessary information. Information such as an impression or a response to a questionnaire is additionally written in a memory in the content information display device by the additional writing means in accordance with (Step S)
9). In the content display device, the content recording unit records and manages the browsing status of the content information and the advertisement information by the viewer 3 (step S10).

Next, when the use of the content display device purchased by the viewer 3 is completed, the content display device is returned from the viewer 3 to the retail store 2. In this case, in the retail store 2, for example, by using a terminal device such as a computer, the management contents of the content display device are read out, and the use status regarding the information portion browsed by the viewer 3 is detected by the detecting means (step S11). ),
Based on the detection result, the charging fee calculating means calculates the charging fee for the viewer 3 (step S14), and thereby the usage fee for the content information and the like with the viewer 3 are settled.

At the retail store 2, the additional information input to the content display device by the viewer 3 is read out and detected by the detecting means (step S12), and the detected additional information is transmitted as a distribution signal by the content provider and the communication means. It transmits (distributes) the information to the information sender 1 (step S13), and transmits (distributes) the detected additional record information and the information on the calculated charging fee to the information manager 4 as a distribution signal to the information manager 4 (step S13). S1
5).

Then, the content provider and the information sender 1 receive the additional information transmitted as the distribution signal from the retail store 2 by using the terminal device such as a computer, for example, by the communication means (step S16) and receive the additional information. The distribution signal is converted into postscript information (step S17),
The additional information (information such as impressions and responses to the questionnaire) is processed as customer information (step S18).

The information manager 4 uses the terminal device such as a computer, for example, to receive the additional information and the information on the charging fee transmitted as the distribution signal from the retail store 2 and process it as customer information (step S1). S19),
The information and the processing result are stored in the database as needed (step S20).

The content display device sales and rental person 5 sells or rents the content display device to the retail store 2 (step S21), and performs maintenance of the content display device (step S21). S22).

As described above, in the content information providing system of the present example using electronic paper or the like, while ensuring portability like a paper book, for example, only the information part browsed like electronic distribution is used It is possible to realize content sales that can be charged by paying, and change of charges (such as discounts) due to provision and browsing of advertisement information.
In addition, it is possible to realize the collection and management of additional information from the user.

Here, the configurations of the content information output device and the content information providing system according to the present invention are not necessarily limited to those described above, and various configurations may be used. Further, the application field of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described fields, and the present invention can be applied to various fields.

The various processes performed in the content information output device and the content information providing system according to the present invention include, for example, a processor executing a control program stored in a ROM on a hardware resource including a processor and a memory. For example, each functional unit for executing the processing may be configured as an independent hardware circuit. Further, the present invention can be understood as a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM storing the above-described control program, and the control program is input from the recording medium to the computer and executed by the processor. Thereby, the processing according to the present invention can be performed.

[0085]

As described above, in the content information output device and the content information providing system according to the present invention, it is possible to charge only for, for example, viewed content, thereby reducing waste and energy loss. It is possible to achieve the effect of combining the advantages of electronic content that can be used with the advantages of a paper book that can be easily purchased at any time, for example.
In addition, it is easy to place advertisements that were difficult with electronic content distribution, and it is also possible to browse contents that span multiple books, which was difficult with paper books, using a single medium (content information output device), Information such as comments and orders can be collected electronically. In this way, by utilizing both the merits of a paper book and the merits of electronic content distribution, for example, sales of content information that is more energy-efficient and more convenient than before, and media (content information output) apparatus)
And a system for charging for collection of content, browsing of content information, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of content sales by a content information providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed in the content information providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of content sales according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Content provider and information sender 2.
Retail store, 3 ... Reader (user), 4 ... Information manager, 5 ... Content display device sales and rental person, 1
1. content information output device, 12. reading device,
21 .. memory, 22 .. (output instruction, information) receiving means, 23 .. output means, 24 .. management means, 25 ..
. Rewriting means, 26... Recording means, 31... Reading means,

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A portable device for holding and outputting content information, comprising: a memory for holding content information; an output instruction receiving means for receiving a content information output instruction from a user; A content information output device, comprising: output means for reading and outputting information from a memory; and management means for managing an output state of the content information. 2. The content information output device according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory for holding advertisement information; an output unit for reading and outputting the advertisement information from the memory; A content information output device characterized by management. 3. The content information output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the managing unit determines, as the output status of the content information, an information portion output from the content information held in the memory or other information. A content information output device for managing information for specifying at least one of the information portions of the content information. 4. The content information output device according to claim 1, wherein the management means manages information on the number of times the information has been output as the content information output status. Characteristic content information output device. 5. The content information output device according to claim 1, wherein a fee for output of the content information is determined based on the management content of the management means. Output device. 6. The content information output device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit manages information on a fee related to output of the content information as an output status of the content information. Output device. 7. The content information output device according to claim 1, wherein the memory that holds the content information is a rewritable memory, and the memory that holds the content information is a rewritable memory. Content information output device characterized by comprising means. 8. The content information output device according to claim 1, further comprising: an information receiving unit that receives information related to the content information from a user; and a recording unit that records the received information. A content information output device, comprising: 9. The content information output device according to claim 1, wherein the content information output device is configured using electronic paper. 10. While storing content information,
A content information storage device for storing information for managing a situation in which stored content information is read. 11. A content using a portable content information output device that stores content information in a memory, reads and outputs information from a memory based on an output instruction received from a user, and manages an output state of the content information. An information providing system, wherein a content information output device is carried by a user, outputs information based on an output instruction received from the user, manages an output status of content information, and manages contents of the content information output device. A content information providing system comprising: a reading unit that reads out a content information; and a fee for outputting the content information to the user is determined based on the read result. 12. The content information providing system according to claim 11, wherein the content information output device further stores the advertisement information in a memory, reads and outputs the advertisement information from the memory, and controls the output status of the advertisement information. A content information providing system for managing content of the content information output device, the content of the content information and the advertisement information being read by a reading unit, and determining a fee for output of the content information based on the read result. 13. The content information providing system according to claim 11, wherein a fee corresponding to all content information held by the content information output device is paid in advance by a user, and the content information output device is After the content information output device is used by the user, the management content of the content information output device is read out by the reading unit, and based on the read result, the information content other than the information portion output in the content information held by the content information output device is read out. A content information providing system, wherein an amount corresponding to a fee corresponding to an information portion is refunded to the user.