JP2002042001A - Information image using system, information image processor, control server for information image processor, and program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suitable fee charging system for an information image using system. SOLUTION: In this information image using system 100 for guiding a terminal 120 connected via a network according to an information image to desired information of an information provider by registering the information image in an information disclosing server 114 to the information provider 112 with image information and related information for causing prescribed operation on the basis of the image information by an operator as one treating unit, information about a user of an information image processing means for using the information image in the terminal is registered in this control server via the network, and a charging rate is changed according to the user information, and can be properly charged by performing charging processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to information operations performed between information processing apparatuses such as computers interconnected via a network such as the Internet. More specifically, the present invention relates to an information image utilization system performed through an "information image" in which image information and related information that causes an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information are handled as one handling unit. Etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the amount of information provided from an unspecified number of information disclosure servers connected via the Internet has become enormous. A user can access a desired information disclosure server by operating an information terminal device such as a personal computer connected to the Internet, and obtain desired information. The so-called WWW (World W
In the ide Web environment, it is a problem for the server side as an information provider how to efficiently guide as many users to the information provided by the server side.

[0003] As a method for guiding a user on the Internet, a button in which an address of an information disclosure server is associated with an image file or the like, for example, a banner advertisement is known. The user can easily be guided to predetermined information by performing a specific operation such as clicking on the banner advertisement without a complicated operation such as inputting a character string such as a URL. However, these banner ads can only guide users to individual information destinations associated with the buttons, and it is difficult to manage the buttons.
As a method for guiding the user more effectively, a method using a so-called “information image” in which image information and related information that causes an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information are processed as one handling unit. Has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-083291).

[0004] This information image can be collectively handled by representing a plurality of operations with one image, and can guide the user to a plurality of pieces of information cyclically or manage a plurality of pieces of information as a group. Since the user can be guided to that group, the information provider can be a very effective user guiding means. In addition, since the information image does not have the image information alone as the image file but has the image information and the related information as one handling unit, it is easy to manage the image information. It is also possible to track usage.

[0005] By using such an information image, an information provider can guide more users to his / her information. For example, if the information provider is a seller of a certain product, the information image can be used to appeal to the user who is a consumer by using various information on the product to differentiate it from competitor products. It is possible to advance the sales strategy of the product in an advantageous manner. further,
If the tracking of the use status of the information image as described above is used together, the information provider can also acquire valuable marketing information reflecting the trends of customers.

[0006] As described above, since the information image has a high economic added value, even if the information provider is charged, the information image is used to guide the user to desired information. ， There is a need to develop one's own business in an advantageous manner.

[0007]

[0005] However, there are various users who use information images, and there are those who actively use the information guided by the information images to take actions such as purchasing. Some people access information and pass by. Therefore, there is a problem in that simply guiding the user to various information provided by the information provider using the information image does not lead to a desired result for the information provider, for example, sale of a product. In addition, there is a need for information providers to collect marketing information at the same time as using information images and to obtain information that is advantageous for their own business development. Furthermore, it is preferable to construct an environment that allows information providers to collect and manage information that is attractive to information providers even for those who intend to develop various businesses using information images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of an environment using an information image, and can effectively collect and manage information on a user who accompanies the use of an information image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved information image utilization system and the like.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an information provider is provided with an image information and an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information. Information use system for registering an information image in which an information image with related information that causes a problem as one handling unit in an information disclosure server, and guiding a terminal connected via a network to information desired by the information provider according to the information image Information image processing means for enabling the information image to be used in a terminal, registration means for registering information on a user of the information image processing means in each terminal in a management server via a network, and registration in the registration means Evaluation means for evaluating the obtained information on the user, and charging processing means for performing charging processing in accordance with the evaluation by the evaluation means. Configuration that is provided.

[0010] According to this configuration, information on the user can be collected and managed in response to the use of the information image processing means for making the information image usable at the terminal, so that high value-added information reflecting customer trends can be collected. The environment of the image utilization system can be constructed. Further, since there is provided charging processing means for performing charging processing according to the evaluation by the evaluation means, the charging rate can be changed according to the added value of the information image, and the economic value of the information image can be further increased. It is possible to increase.

[0011] Here, the "information provider" generates an information image so as to guide the user to desired information, and registers the information image in the information disclosure server via a network or other means. An information terminal such as a possible computer. For example, an information terminal or the like owned by a merchandise seller who intends to sell merchandise by providing information on the merchandise via the Internet corresponds to this.

The "image information" can be specified based on image specifying information such as a file name or identification information embedded therein, and is displayed as an image on an information display device as a client. It acts on.

An "information image" is a unit in which image information and related information that causes an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information are handled as one handling unit, and work such as transmission on a network is performed. This can be realized by a single handling process. The "operator" is a person who operates the information image on the terminal, and may be the registered user who uses the information image processing means or another person. In addition, the “predetermined operation” includes all information processing that can be realized in the terminal. For example, the terminal is guided cyclically to a plurality of pieces of information, or the terminal is connected in parallel to information managed as one group. It also includes the action of inducing the target. In the “related information”, in addition to the programmatic description of these operations, various information such as information about the information provider who provided the information image and information about the user of the information image that can be added later can be included. included.

The "information disclosure server" is, for example, a site from which a registered information image can be browsed, and acts so as to provide the information image and other information to a terminal accessing the site via a network. Things.

The "terminal" is a so-called information terminal device, information display device, client, or the like, and includes, for example, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, and a home appliance having an information terminal function. Has a function of displaying and operating an information image by incorporating the information.

The "information image processing means" is, for example, an information image support program having a function of allowing an information image to be displayed and operated on the terminal by being incorporated into the terminal by a user. May be configured to display and operate the information image by displaying the information image, or the information image may be configured to be displayed and operated on the web browsing software window as plug-in software of the web browsing software. Alternatively, the information image may be displayed and operated on the desktop screen by operating in the background.

The "registering means" has a function of prompting the user to input information on the user of the information image processing means, transmitting the input information to the management server via a network, and registering the information.

The timing for prompting the user to register information can be requested, for example, when the user downloads the information image processing means and incorporates it into the terminal. Or, it can be requested when actually using the information image, or repeatedly at appropriate intervals,
It is possible to set so as to prompt input of information at various timings. Prompting the user to input information at an appropriate time is effective when necessary information is not registered at the time of initial introduction.

The registered contents include, in addition to personal identification information such as a user's name and a place of residence, various kinds of information such as various kinds of preference information of the user and various kinds of history information of the user, which are useful for marketing. Furthermore, the registered contents can be divided into essential information items that do not permit activation of the information image processing means without registration of the information and supplementary information items that do not require registration of the information for activation. is there. Of course, all registration contents may be configured as essential information items, or conversely, may be configured as supplementary information items.

The "management server" is a server device such as a computer connected to a terminal via a network, and has a function of managing user-related information transmitted from the terminal. This management server may be configured as the same as the information disclosure server, or may be configured as a separate server. If possible, the management server may incorporate any combination of registration means, evaluation means, and accounting processing means.

The "evaluation means" has a function of evaluating information on the registered user based on various criteria. Generally, the value of an information item relating to a registered user is not uniform across all information items, and its importance differs for a side who needs the information, for example, an information provider. For example, if the information provider is a merchandise seller, the purchasing power of the user is an important item. The evaluation means can enhance the added value of the registered information by analyzing and evaluating the registered information quantitatively or qualitatively based on various criteria. For example, when quantitative evaluation is performed, the user who has completed registration of all items has the highest priority, and the user who has not registered all items has the lowest priority. When qualitative evaluation is performed, for example, a user with high purchasing power can be evaluated as having the highest priority. The results of these evaluations can be distributed to information providers, etc., for a fee or free of charge.

The "charging processing means" performs charging processing in accordance with the evaluation by the evaluation means. For example, a configuration can be made such that a high charging rate is imposed on an information image used by a user whose priority is evaluated by the evaluation means to be high. The target of the billing process is
Typically, it is an information provider that provides information images,
The invention is not limited to this, and various charging processes can be performed according to the business model. For example, a configuration can be made so that the information disclosure server is charged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the image information and the related information which causes the operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information are defined as one handling unit. An information image processing apparatus for enabling a terminal to use the selected information image in a terminal, comprising a registration unit for registering information on a user of the information image processing unit in each terminal to a management server via a network. Is provided.

According to this configuration, when the terminal can use the information image, it is possible to collect information on the user of the information image processing means. For example, on the management server side, based on the information, It is possible to construct a business model that performs optimal billing processing.

Here, “information provider”, “image information”,
The respective configurations of "information image", "terminal", "information image processing means", "registration means", "management server", etc. can be inferred from the corresponding configuration of the invention according to the first aspect. It is. However, in the invention according to the second aspect, the functional configurations corresponding to the “evaluation means” and the “charging processing means” of the invention according to the first aspect are incorporated in the “management server”. It is necessary to keep in mind.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, an information image in which the image information and related information which causes the operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information as one handling unit is stored in the terminal. A management server of the information image processing device that manages the information image processing device to be made available and provides the information image to a terminal connected via a network is provided with information on a user of the information image processing means in each terminal. And a registration means for collecting and registering the information, and an evaluation means for evaluating information about the user registered in the registration means.

According to this configuration, the information server can collect information on the user of the terminal in which the information image processing means is incorporated. For example, the management server can store the information in the information server. Based on this, it is possible to construct a business model for performing an optimal charging process.

Here, "information provider", "image information",
The respective configurations of "information image", "terminal", "information image processing means", "registration means", "evaluation means" and the like are inferred from corresponding configurations of the invention according to the first or second aspect. It is possible. However, in the invention according to the third aspect, note that the functional configuration corresponding to the “management server” of the invention according to the first aspect is incorporated in the “management server of the information image processing means”. There is a need to.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program recording medium holding a program for realizing the information image processing device according to the second aspect of the present invention in an information terminal device.

Here, the "information terminal device" includes first to third
The invention relates to the "terminal" in the invention according to the aspect of the present invention, and includes, for example, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, and a home appliance having an information terminal function, and displays and operates an information image by incorporating at least an information image processing means. It has a function that can perform.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program recording medium holding a program for causing a management server of an information image processing apparatus to function as a management server according to the third aspect of the present invention.

Here, the "management server" refers to the first to third
A server such as a computer connected to a terminal via a network, and has a function of managing information about the user transmitted from the terminal.

Regarding other configurations and features of the present invention,
The embodiments will be described below and the accompanying drawings will be apparent.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an information image utilization system and the like according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same function and configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

(1. System Configuration of Information Image Utilization System) First, the system configuration of the information image utilization system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the information image utilization system 100 comprises an information provider 112, an information image publishing server 114, an information image processing apparatus providing and managing server 116, an information sender 110, and a plurality of clients 122-. 1,
122-2,..., 122-n
20 and a network 130 such as the Internet for connecting the information sender 110 and the information receiver 120 so as to enable two-way communication.

The object exchanged between the information sender 110 and the information receiver 120 via the network 130 is an information image, various types of information guided through the information image, and the information image is transmitted to the client side. This is an information image processing device that can be used by the user, and various types of user information and the like provided from the client in exchange for the provision of the information image processing device. These details will be described later.

Information provider 1 constituting information transmitter 110
12, an information image disclosure server 114, and an information image processing apparatus providing and managing server 116 are information terminals such as computers, respectively. Although FIG. 1 shows that the components are interconnected by a closed network, they are actually connected via an open network 130 so as to be capable of two-way communication.

The information provider 112 generates an information image so as to guide the user to desired information, and a computer or the like capable of registering the information image in the information disclosure server via a network or other means. Information terminal. For example, an information terminal or the like owned by a merchandise seller who intends to sell merchandise by providing information on the merchandise via the Internet corresponds to this.

The information image publishing server 114 is, for example, a site from which registered information images can be browsed, and is configured to provide the information image and other information to a terminal accessing the site via a network. Information terminal such as a computer.

Information image processing apparatus providing and managing server 1
Reference numeral 16 denotes a server device such as a computer connected to a terminal via a network. The server device 16 provides an information image processing device in response to a request from the client, or receives a user transmitted from the client as a price for providing the information image processing device. It has a function to manage information about Further, in the present embodiment, the information image processing apparatus providing and managing server 116 manages user information,
It has a function of performing a predetermined charging process, the details of which will be described later.

In the illustrated example, the information providers 112,
The information image publishing server 114 and the information image processing apparatus providing and managing server 116 are each configured as separate hardware, but may be configured as common hardware in any combination depending on the system configuration. It is possible. Further, each function of the information provider 112, the information image publishing server 114, and the information image processing apparatus providing and managing server 116, which will be described later, is configured as common or separate hardware in any combination for each function. It goes without saying that it is possible.

The clients 120-1 to 120-n constituting the information receiver 120 are so-called information terminal devices, which have at least a function of displaying and operating information images by incorporating information image processing means. is there. More specifically, the client includes, for example, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, and a home appliance having an information terminal function.

The network 130 is configured such that information data formatted according to a predetermined protocol can be distributed bidirectionally, as represented by the Internet. In the present embodiment, the network 130 is the Internet that is open to the public. However, depending on the system configuration, a closed environment such as a LAN or WAN may be used.

(2. Structure of Information Image) Next, the structure of an information image that plays a central role in the information image utilization system shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

The "information image" handled in the present embodiment is one in which the image information and related information which causes the operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information are treated as one handling unit. Work such as transmission in a single handling process.

As described above, the information image is characterized by (1) being composed of image information and related information, and (2) being capable of processing the image information and related information as one handling unit. And

(2.1. Image Information) “Image information” is information that can be specified based on image specification information such as a file name or identification information embedded therein.
The data stream acts to be displayed as an image on an information display device as a client, and more specifically, is a data stream relating to an image in various formats such as a GIF format, a JPG format, and a PCX format.

(2.2. Related Information) “Related information” means
This is basic information when the operator of the terminal wants to perform a specific operation using the image information as a clue. That is, the related information is information associated with the information image or the image information. For example, when the operator of the terminal wants to refer to information on a specific server, the information (URL or IP Address). When a specific program is to be operated, the program name or the program itself may be used. For example, it can be used as instruction information for acquiring new image information from a server.

In order to process the image information and the related information having the above configuration as one handling unit, according to the present embodiment, the image information and the related information are identified by using a method described below. Related information and other information can be embedded in the image information.

(2.3. Structure of Image Information Including Information) Regarding the structure of an information image in which related information is included, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The information included in the image information may be, for example, related information or an identifier for specifying the image.

FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplifying a format of an information image in which related information is embedded.

Here, the image information is an image in the GIF format as an example. The format of the image data does not need to be in the GIF format, but may be in the JPG format or the PCX format.

The start section 201 is a field provided for identifying that this information is GIF-format image information, and is assigned a character string “GIF” and its version.

The coloration table image data 203 is image data in which predetermined pixels are arranged in order from left to right and from top to bottom. Here, in the case of GIF, encoding is performed using the LZW algorithm of a variable length code.

The comment expansion unit 205 includes text information that does not constitute graphic information in the GIF data stream. It can include all information such as graphics, annotations related to the names of production persons and descriptions, or other control information and information that is not graphic data.

The end unit 206 indicates that a series of data streams started from the start unit 201 has ended, and means that other parameter information or the like does not follow.

Start unit 201 and color scheme table image data 203
The information 202 other than the above information can be included in the interval 202 and the interval 204 between the color scheme table image data 203 and the annotation extension unit 205. For example, it is possible to assign information including parameters defining a region of the display device necessary for an image to be drawn, such as a screen width, a screen height, and a color resolution.

The related information 207 is stored in the comment extension
Are arranged as they are or after performing a process such as encryption, and are combined as one piece of image information.
As a result, as a result, the image information as a data stream can include related information and an identifier therein.

Although all of the above description has been made in the GIF format, the image format of another format may be recorded in an area separated from the image information.

Next, another form of embedding in image information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying another format of image information in which related information is embedded.

Also in this case, the image information is a GIF format image. Also in this example, the format may not be GIF format, but may be JPG format, PCX format, or the like.

The start section 301 is a field provided to identify that this information is GIF format image information, as described above, and is assigned a character string “GIF” and its version. is there.

In the color scheme image data 303, pixels are arranged image data arranged in order from left to right and from top to bottom. Here, the image information 307 and the related information 308 are stored in a watermark format. Thus, the related information is visually invisible as it is, and the image information is mixed 309 so as to be visually recognizable as it is. Here, the information thus mixed 309 is encoded using the LZW algorithm of a variable length code.

The comment extension unit 305 includes text information that does not become graphic information in the GIF data stream. Although this field is not particularly required in this example, if necessary, the information provider can use the field freely.

The end unit 306 indicates that this data stream has ended, and means that other parameter information or the like does not follow.

In this image example as well, all the processing was performed in the GIF format. However, the image format in another format may be recorded in an area separated from the image information.

(3. Information Image Usage Relationship Between Server and Client) Next, in the information image utilization system according to the present embodiment, a server (information disclosure server, management The relationship between the server and the client (information terminal device) will be described with reference to FIG.

The server 401 is a device such as a computer that provides a corresponding information image in response to an information image acquisition request of the client 403 functioning as an information display device. The server 401 is, for example, a site from which a registered information image can be browsed, and acts to provide the information image and other information to a terminal accessing the site via a network. Information disclosure server 114 in the information image utilization system 100 shown in FIG.
It corresponds to.

The client 403 communicates with the server 401
Information display device, or information terminal device, or simply a terminal connected to a computer via a network, and capable of displaying and operating an information image by incorporating at least an information image processing means described later. It has. More specifically, the client 403
For example, the first management area 404 and the second management area 405 having different functions can be operated therein. Note that the client 403 corresponds to the clients 120-1 to 120-n in the information image using system 100 shown in FIG.

The first management area 404 displays an image obtained from the server 401. In the case of a graphic image described later, the information provision window 50 is used.
2, 605 and an information providing frame 803.

The second management area 405 is displayed by incorporating an information image processing device to be described later.
When a specific image is designated in the management area 404, the content is registered, and the content is displayed.
When the operator of the terminal specifies an image to be displayed here by operating means (not shown), at least one related information is displayed based on the operation, and some processing based on the information is started. Is controlled to select these and activate some processing based on the information. Speaking of the graphic images described later, the one-touch windows 504, 605,
And the one-touch frame 802.

The server 402 is connected to the client 403 via a network, and provides an information image processing apparatus under the control of the second management area 405, and registers and manages user information provided from the client 403. Or an information processing device such as a computer that performs a billing process. Therefore, the server 402
Corresponds to the management server 116 of the information image processing apparatus in the information image utilization system 100 shown in FIG.

Here, the server 401 and the server 40
2 are described as being different from each other, but needless to say, they may be the same depending on the nature of the information to be supplied or the server construction specifications.

The second management area 405 and the first management area 404 in the client 403 are controlled by programs. That is, among the information images related to the image information displayed in the second management area 405, the related information contained therein is interpreted by a program constituting the information image processing apparatus that controls the second management area 405, and the operation is performed. The user can execute an operation corresponding to the related information specified by the user.

As will be described later, communication of related information and the like is performed between the first management area 404 and the second management area 405. In general, for the communication between processes and between threads, various realization methods can be selected. For example, a control unit that controls two areas can communicate using a common memory space. It is also possible to perform data communication between the first management area 404 and the second management area 405 by creating another new process and communicating with this process.

In particular, Microsoft's wi
When using Internet Explorer and using Internet Explorer to control the first management area, it is easy to use COM (Component Object Model). The details of communication using COM are described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-083291.

(4. Display Example of Information Image Processing Apparatus)
An example of a graphic image displayed by incorporating the information image processing device into the client (information terminal device) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(4.1 Example of Graphic Image Suitable for Computer) First, as an information terminal device, Wind
ows (registered trademark) 9x, Windows NT,
When a computer that supports an OS capable of graphic display, such as Windows 2000 or Linux, is used, it is preferable to adopt the look and feel shown in FIG.

The display screen 501 is, for example, a CRT display screen, a TFT liquid crystal screen, or a screen of a display device incorporated in eyeglasses worn on the human body, and is used to enable a human to visually grasp information from the information terminal device. Works. In this drawing, the boundary portion of the display screen 501 is the outermost frame of the display device, but the frame may be displayed on the display device.

The one-touch window 504 is a window for displaying at least images (or image information such as photographs, the same applies hereinafter) 505 and 506 under the management of the information image processing device incorporated in the information terminal device. The one-touch window 504 displays at least one piece of related information when the operator of the information terminal device specifies the image 505 by operating means (not shown), activates some processing based on the information, and displays a plurality of pieces of information. Can select them and activate some processing based on the information.

That is, on the display screen 501, this one-touch window 504 is a special management area for guiding a specific operation by using the images 505 and 506 as clues (that is, in the second management area 405 shown in FIG. 4). The terminal operator can implement a new operation by using the image displayed in this area as a clue. If a mouse is provided as an operation means, a popup menu appears by right-clicking the mouse.
It is preferable that the related information is displayed here and one of the plurality of related information is specified by left-clicking.

The information providing window 502 is a frame for displaying at least the image 503 and the like. When the operator of the terminal of the information display device specifies an image to be displayed in this frame by operating means (not shown), A new image is displayed on the one-touch window 5 based on this operation.
04 is additionally registered.

At this time, the one-touch window 50
The image added to 4 is specified and the information provision window 5
The image displayed in 02 may be displayed as it is, or may be replaced with another image as needed. In the information providing window 502, in addition to the image, the character information 50 is displayed.
7 or the like may be displayed.

That is, on the display screen 501, the information providing window 502 displays an image or the like to interest the operator of the terminal, and the terminal operator performs an operation for specifying the image. One-touch window 50
4 is acting as a management area that leads to registration.

When a pointing device such as a mouse is provided in the operating means for a specific operation by the operator of the display / operation terminal, an image for which a pointer is to be registered is designated, and the image is moved to the one-touch frame 502 to be displayed. A so-called drag-and-drop user interface technique, as schematically shown by an arrow 508 in the figure, may be used.

Using this user interface is advantageous, for example, when using browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator as the information providing window 502.

(4.2. Another Graphic Image Example Suitable for Computer) As another interface example, windows as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be used.

The display screen 601 acts so that humans can visually recognize information from the display device, such as a cathode ray tube display surface, a TFT liquid crystal screen, and a screen of a display device incorporated in eyeglasses worn on the human body.

The information display registration window 602 functions as an interface that allows the operator to perform operations for displaying and registering images obtained from the information provider.

The information provision tab 603 is an interface element for selecting a management area provided in the area of the information display registration window 602, and when this becomes active, the image sent from the information provider is displayed as the first information. It can be displayed in the management area 605. And
When the operator of the information terminal device specifies an image to be displayed here by operating means (not shown), a new image is displayed based on this operation when the one-touch tab 604 is activated. Management area 606
Has been added.

The one-touch tab 604 is an interface element for selecting a management area provided in the area of the information display registration window 602, and when activated, causes the second management area 606 to be displayed and the first management area 606 to be displayed. With respect to the image for which registration has been instructed in the area 605, a new image relating to the image can be displayed in the second management area 606. When the operator of the information terminal device specifies an image to be displayed here by operating means (not shown), at least one related information is displayed based on the operation, and some processing based on the information is started. In the case where there are a plurality of items, they can be selected and some processing based on the information can be started.

That is, the information display registration window 602
Above, the second management area 606 includes the images 607 and 609
Is used as a management area for guiding a specific operation, and the terminal operator can realize a new operation using the image displayed in this area as a clue.

The use of this user interface is advantageous because the information display registration operation can be completed in a small display area when the area of the display screen 601 is small or the screen resolution is low.

(4.3. Another Graphic Image Example Suitable for Digital Television or PDA) Next, the present invention will be described with reference to a digital television or PDA (Personal Data As).
In the case where the present invention is applied to a portable terminal such as a “sistence”, it is preferable to adopt a look and feel as shown in FIG.

The display screen 801 functions so that humans can visually recognize information from the display device, such as a cathode ray tube display surface, a TFT liquid crystal screen, and a screen of a display device incorporated in eyeglasses worn on the human body. Although the boundary portion of the display screen 801 is the outermost frame of the display device in this drawing, the frame may be displayed on the display device to be implemented.

The one-touch frame 802 functions similarly to the one-touch window, and is a frame for displaying at least an image (image information such as pictograms or photographs; the same applies hereinafter) 808. When the user designates the image 808 by operating means (not shown), at least one piece of related information is displayed, and some processing based on the information is activated. Can be started.

That is, on the display screen 801, the one-touch frame 802 functions as a special management area for guiding a specific operation using the image 808 as a clue, and the image displayed in this area is displayed. As a clue, the operator of the terminal can realize a new operation.

The information providing frame 803 functions in the same manner as the information providing window, and is a frame for displaying at least images 805, 806, etc., and is operated by operating means (not shown) by the operator of the terminal of the information display apparatus. When an image displayed in this frame is specified, a new image is added to the one-touch frame 802 based on this operation.

The image added at this time may be the image specified and displayed in the information providing frame 803 as it is, or may be replaced with another image as needed. The information providing frame 803 may display character information 807 in addition to the image.

That is, on the display screen 801, the information providing frame 803 displays an image or the like to interest the operator of the terminal, and the terminal operator performs an operation for specifying the image. This serves as a special management area that leads to registration in the one-touch frame 802.

In the case of a specific operation by the operator of the display operation terminal and registration in the second management area 802, when a pointing device such as a mouse is provided in the operation means, an image for which a pointer is to be registered is designated, and this is designated. A so-called drag-and-drop user interface technique of moving and dropping on the one-touch frame 802 may be used.

[0102] The content display surface 804 is a frame for displaying content such as a movie in digital broadcasting, for example, and is an area used for displaying information desired by an operator of the terminal. Note that this content is not limited to a moving image and the like, and includes all information such as a still image and text broadcast information that stimulates and transmits human vision.

(5. Relationship between Management Server and Client of Information Image Processing Apparatus) Next, information images can be displayed and operated on the client side, user information is managed on the management server side, and billing processing is included. An example of a configuration for constructing a system for performing a predetermined process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the management server 910 of the information image processing apparatus and the client terminal 920 are connected via a network 930 such as the Internet capable of two-way communication. Note that the management server 910 shown in FIG.
1 corresponds to the management server 116 shown in FIG. 1, and the client terminal 920 shown in FIG.
The network 930 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the arbitrary one of 1 to 120-n, and corresponds to the network 130 shown in FIG.

(5.1. Configuration of Management Server of Information Image Processing Apparatus) The management server 910 of the information image processing apparatus includes a provision apparatus 912 of the information image processing apparatus, a registration apparatus 914,
It is an information terminal device such as a computer configured to include an evaluation device 916 and a charging unit 918.

Here, the information image processing apparatus is an information image support program having a function of enabling an information image to be displayed and operated on the terminal when the user incorporates the information image into the terminal. The information image may be displayed and operated by displaying a window, or the information image may be displayed and operated on the web browsing software window as plug-in software of the web browsing software. Alternatively, the information image may be displayed and operated on the desktop screen by operating in the background. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the second management area 405
Is an information image support program for controlling the information image.

The providing means of the information image processing apparatus includes a storage device in which an information image processing program constituting the information image processing apparatus is stored, and transmits information to the client terminal 920 in response to a request from the client terminal 920. It is possible to transmit an installation file for the image processing program. The method of loading the information image processing program into the user terminal will be described later.

The registration device 914 on the management server 910 side
It operates in pair with the registration device 926 of the information image processing unit 924 incorporated in the client terminal 920, and prompts the user of the client terminal 920 to input information on the user of the information image processing program. Has a function of transmitting the registered information to a management server via a network and registering the information.

Here, the registration contents requested by the management server 910 to the client and the terminal 920 include, in addition to personal identification information such as a user's name and residence, various user preference information, various user history information, and the like. Various information that is useful for marketing is included. Furthermore, the registered contents can be divided into essential information items that do not permit activation of the information image processing means without registration of the information and supplementary information items that do not require registration of the information for activation. is there. Of course, all registration contents may be configured as essential information items, or conversely, may be configured as supplementary information items. A specific example of the registration method will be described later.

The evaluation device 916 includes registration devices 914 and 92
6 has a function of evaluating information about the registered user based on various criteria. Generally, the value of an information item relating to a registered user is not uniform across all information items, and its importance differs for a side who needs the information, for example, an information provider. For example, if the information provider is a merchandise seller, the purchasing power of the user is an important item. The evaluation means can enhance the added value of the registered information by analyzing and evaluating the registered information quantitatively or qualitatively based on various criteria. For example, when quantitative evaluation is performed, the user who has completed registration of all items has the highest priority, and the user who has not registered all items has the lowest priority. When qualitative evaluation is performed, for example, a user with high purchasing power can be evaluated as having the highest priority. The results of these evaluations can be distributed to information providers, etc., for a fee or free of charge.

The accounting processing means 918 performs an accounting process in accordance with the evaluation by the evaluation device 916. For example,
A high charging rate may be imposed on an information image used by a user whose priority is evaluated by the evaluation means to be high. The target of the billing process is typically an information provider that provides an information image, but is not limited to this. Depending on the business model,
Various billing processes can be performed. For example, a configuration can be made so that the information disclosure server is charged.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the information image processing device providing device 912, the registration device 914, the evaluation device 916, and the accounting processing means 918 are connected to the management server 910.
Although the example in which it is integrated into the inside is shown, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It goes without saying that devices such as a program having the function of each component can be configured separately or in common by an arbitrary combination.

(5.2. Configuration of Client Terminal) As described above, the client terminal 920 is what is called an information terminal device, an information display device, a client, or simply a terminal. It has a function of displaying and operating an information image by incorporating at least an information image processing means, including a portable information terminal and a home appliance having an information terminal function.

The client terminal 9 according to the present embodiment
Reference numeral 20 includes a Web browser management unit 922 such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, and an information image processing unit (information image support program) 924. Explaining with reference to the client terminal 404 shown in FIG.
The web browser management unit 922 corresponds to a device configuration such as a program that controls the first management area 404, and the information image processing unit 924 corresponds to a device configuration such as a program that controls the second management area 405.

The information image processing unit 924 downloads a program for supporting the display and operation of the information image from the information image processing device providing device 912 of the management server 912 of the information image processing device, as will be described later. It functions by incorporating it into the registration device 920 and the information image display and operation unit 928.
It has.

The registration device 926, as described later, cooperates with the registration device 914 of the management server 910 to prompt the user for user registration when the information image support program 924 is installed, and to input the user information. , Network 9
It has a function of transmitting to the registration device 914 of the management server 910 via the H.30. Furthermore, the registration device 926 is configured to prompt the user to input the user information again when the user actually uses the information image when the expected registration of the user information cannot be obtained at the time of the initial introduction, or It is possible to make a request repeatedly at appropriate intervals or to prompt the input of information at various timings.

(6. Introduction of Information Image Processing Program and User Registration Method) Next, the information image processing program is transferred from the management server 910 to the client terminal 920 so as to configure the client terminal 920 as shown in FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, Windows 9x and Windows N are used as information terminal devices.
T, Windows 2000, Linux, etc., in which a computer that supports an OS capable of displaying graphics is used and a look and feel as shown in the figure is used as an example. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes can be made according to the information terminal device or OS to which the present invention is applied.

The display screen 1001 is, for example, a CRT display screen, a TFT liquid crystal screen, or a screen of a display device incorporated in eyeglasses worn on the human body. The display screen 1001 enables a human to visually grasp information from the information terminal device. Works. Although the boundary portion of the display screen 1001 is the outermost frame of the display device in this drawing, the frame may be displayed on the display device to perform the operation.

The information providing window 1002 is a frame for displaying images 1003, 1004, and 1006 related to the information image, a character phrase 1007 for attracting the user, and the like. Furthermore, this information providing window 10
02, a button 1008 for downloading an information image processing apparatus (information image support program) that enables the use of an information image at the client terminal on the user side.
Is displayed. The user cannot use the information images 1003, 1004, and 1005 unless the information image support program is installed in his or her client terminal. Therefore, the user who wants to use the information images 1003, 1004, and 1005 operates the button 1008. By doing so, it becomes possible to move to the download site of the information image support program. The operation of button 1008 is
For example, in the case of a terminal that can use interface means such as a mouse, a pointer 1009 that can be operated with a mouse
Is placed on the button 1008 and a predetermined operation such as clicking is performed.

FIG. 11 shows a display screen 1100 of the download site of the information image support program activated by operating the button 1008. This download site 1100 has a plurality of one-touch tabs 1101, 11
It is composed of a plurality of frames that can be activated by the operations of 02 and 1103. In the illustrated example, a user registration frame 1104 activated by a user registration one-touch tab 1102 is shown.

In the frame for user registration 1104, a button 1105 for moving to a site where personal information necessary for user registration is entered, a character phrase 1106 for displaying character information prompting the user to register, , A logo 1107 related to the information image support program is displayed. The user can select one-touch tabs 1101, 1102,
When the user obtains necessary information and decides to download the information image support program while operating 1103, the user operates the pointer 1108 to activate the button 1105 and moves to the input site for user registration.

FIG. 12 shows an example of an input site for user registration. Input screen 1200 for user registration
5 shows an input item of information about a user requested instead of permitting use of the information image support program. The input items can be composed of, for example, required input items and optional input items. In the example shown in the figure, the required input items are alphabetic and kanji names 1201, 1
Basic items for identifying a user, such as an electronic mail address 202 and an electronic mail address 1203, are included. Optional input items include
The illustrated example includes personal information such as addresses 1204, 1205, 1206, telephone number 1207, and fax number 1208, and also includes a questionnaire item 1210 for obtaining user preference information.

Note that the input items shown are merely examples, and
The input items can be arbitrarily changed according to the contents that the distributor or the administrator of the information image support program wants to collect from the user. In the illustrated example, the information image support program is distributed free of charge to the user who inputs the predetermined information. However, in the case of distributing the information image support program for a fee, the user is required to input the user's credit number. Or a link to a predetermined collection site.

A confirmation button 1211 and a reset button 111 are provided below the input screen 1200 for user registration.
212 are provided. When the user has finished inputting the necessary items and wants to proceed to the next step, the confirmation button 121
Operate 1 On the other hand, if the user wants to delete the contents input by the user, the user operates the reset button 1212.

FIG. 13 shows a confirmation screen 1300 of the input screen 1200 for user registration shown in FIG. The confirmation screen 1300 includes information 13 entered by the user on the input screen 1200 for user registration shown in FIG.
01 is displayed. The user checks the information 1301 entered by himself on this screen, and operates the send button 1302 when he / she wants to perform registration with the displayed contents. On the other hand, when an error is found on the confirmation screen 1300 or when the user does not want to register information, the user can operate the reset button 1303 to delete the input content.

FIG. 14 shows a notification screen 1400 indicating that the user registration has been completed. On the notification screen 1400, a download button 1402 is displayed together with a message 1401 on registration completion. And
By operating the download button 1402, the user can download the information image support program provided by the management server 910 to a predetermined storage location of the client terminal 920. Further, the user activates the installation program included in the downloaded information image support program in advance at the client terminal 920, thereby causing the client terminal 92 to operate.
0, the information image support program is installed, and thus the information image can be displayed and operated on its own client terminal 920.

(7. Method for Evaluating User Information) Next, FIG.
An example of a method for evaluating user information in the information image utilization system or the like according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In the evaluation of user information, taking the system configuration shown in FIG. 9 as an example, the evaluation of user information is performed by the evaluation device 916 of the management server 910.
0 from the registration device 926 of the information image processing unit 924 to the registration device 91 of the management server 910 via the network 930.
4 is performed on the information transmitted.

[0129] First, the evaluation device 916
It is waiting for the user information to be transmitted to the registration device 914 of No. 0 (S1501). When the user information is input to the registration device 914, the evaluation device 916 first sets the required items (names 1201, 120 in the configuration example shown in FIG. 12).
It is checked whether the user has input 2 and the e-mail address 1203 (S1502). In the case of the present embodiment, the input of the required items is set as the download permission condition of the information image processing program, so that the user who does not input the required items is prohibited from downloading the information image processing program to the client 920. Notify (S150
3).

On the other hand, in step S1502, when the input of the essential items is confirmed, the client 920 is permitted to download the information image processing program.
To the client (S1504) and the client 920
Can download the information image processing program to its own terminal by a predetermined procedure.

In this embodiment, the configuration is adopted in which the downloading of the information image processing program is permitted on condition that the registration of the essential items is permitted. Needless to say, it is also possible to adopt a configuration as an arbitrary input item. Conversely, it is needless to say that a configuration in which all the items are required inputs can be adopted.

Further, the evaluation device 916 determines in step S1
At 508, it is determined whether any item has been input.
Here, the optional items include, for example, the configuration of FIG.
Address 1204, 1205, 1206, Phone number 120
7, Fax number 1208, and preference information 1210
And the like. Such information can be valuable information with high added value in understanding the future trends of customers. Therefore, it is possible to assume a business model that determines the economic value of the information image utilization system according to the presence or absence of such information.

In the present embodiment, processing for changing the charging rate applied to the subsequent charging processing (S1507) is performed according to the presence or absence of the input of an arbitrary item. That is, if it is determined in step S1505 that there is no input of any item, a low billing rate is applied (S150).
6) If it is determined that an arbitrary item has been input, a high billing rate is applied (S1508).

In the present embodiment, the billing rate is changed in accordance with the presence or absence of the input of an arbitrary item. However, the input user information and the trend of the user are positively evaluated. Alternatively, a configuration for changing the charging rate may be adopted. For example, the credibility of user information to which information about a credit card has been input is dramatically increased, so that a higher charging rate can be applied. Alternatively, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the inquiry processing is performed with the user information registered in another database, the authenticity of the registered user information is confirmed, and then the charging rate is changed. The basis and method of changing the charging rate can be changed depending on the business model to be adopted. However, as long as the method of evaluating the input user information and changing the charging rate is adopted, the present method is not changed. It is understood that they belong to the technical scope of the invention.

(8. Billing Process) As described above, the billing processing device 918 performs the billing process in accordance with the billing rate determined by the evaluation device 916 of the management server 910. Various forms can be considered for a business model that employs the information image utilization system according to the invention.

(8.1. Business Model for Billing Information Provider) Referring to the information image utilization system 100 shown in FIG.
A business model for performing a billing process for the information provider 112 registered in No. 4 is conceivable. The information provider 112
Since it is possible to publish the information image to the information image publishing server 114 and effectively guide the information recipient 120 to desired information, the information image processing apparatus management server 910 is provided to the information image processing apparatus. It is conceivable to pay a fee according to the provision of the user information that has downloaded. In this case, according to the present embodiment, different charging rates are applied according to the value of provided user information.

In the above example, the user is charged for the provision of the user information downloaded from the information image processing apparatus. However, it is determined whether the user has actually used the information image provided by the information provider. In addition, there are business models that determine the charging rate, and various business models such as a business model that determines the charging rate according to the price of the product purchased by the user in response to the information image. It is understood that no matter which business model is adopted, they all belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

(8.2. Business Model for Charging Information Disclosure Server) Information Image Utilization System 10 in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 0, a business model for charging the information image publishing server 114 that publishes the information image can be considered. The information image publishing server 114 has the possibility of increasing the number of users accessing the site provided by the information image disclosure server 114 by publishing the information using the information image and increasing the economic value of the site provided by the information image publishing server.
It is conceivable that the information image processing apparatus is downloaded to the management server 116 of the information image processing apparatus, and that the information image processing apparatus is paid for an event that the information image utilization rate increases.

Also in this case, the economic value of the information image publishing server greatly depends on the quality of the user who downloads the information image processing apparatus. It is possible to apply the information image utilization system or the like according to the present embodiment in which the rate is changed.

(8.3. Business Model for Charging Users of Information Image Processing Apparatus) Referring to the information image utilization system 100 of FIG. 1, the information receiver 120 receiving the information image is charged. A business model for processing is conceivable. In this case, the user who uses the information image needs to download the information image processing device for a fee. In this case, the charging rate (download fee) must be changed according to the registered contents of the user. Can be considered.

For example, an information image processing apparatus is provided free of charge to a user who registers useful information (address, name, credit card number, etc.) for the information provider 112 and the information image publishing server 114. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the information image processing device is provided for a fee to the user.

In addition to the above, it is possible to envisage various types of billing processing according to the business model. However, as long as the billing rate is changed according to the registered user information, any business model can be used. Regardless, it is understood that it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

(9. Operation of Information Image Utilization System) Next, referring to FIG. 16, the information image processing system 1600 which charges the information provider and the public server at different charging rates according to the user information will be described. Information and a flow of processing according to an embodiment will be described. Note that the information provider 11 constituting the information image processing system 1600
2, the management server 116, the public server 114, and the information receiver (client) 120 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

First, the information provider 112 generates an information image and registers it in the management server 116 and the public server 114 (S1601, 1602). Management server 11
6 registers the information provider 112 and prepares for a billing process described later. In the illustrated example, the information provider 112
Has shown a configuration in which registration is performed with respect to the management server 116, but the information provider 112 performs registration only with the public server 114, and the
May be configured to provide information on the information provider 112 to the user.

When an information image is posted on the information disclosure server 114, the client 120 can arbitrarily access the information disclosure server 114 and use the information image (S1603). However, the client 12
In order to enable the information image to be displayed and operated on the terminal 0, it is necessary to incorporate an information image processing support program into the terminal of the client 120. For this purpose, the client 120 requests the public server 114 to download the information image processing support program (S160).
4). The public server 114 transfers the download request from the client 120 to the management server 116 (S1).
606).

Next, information about the user is exchanged between the management server 116 and the client 120 (S1606). When the management server 116 permits the client 120 that has completed the user registration to download, the client 120 downloads the information image processing apparatus to its own terminal (S1607). Thereafter, the client 120 can obtain desired information by moving back and forth between the public server 114 and the information provider 112 while being guided by the information image (S16).
08, S1609).

On the management server 116 side, the collected user information is evaluated, or the subsequent user's trend (how the information image is actually used) is evaluated.
It is possible to apply a charging rate to the information provider 112 or the public server 114 by applying a different charging rate according to the registered user information.

(9. Distribution of Program) The functions of the management server and client (including the information terminal device and the like) realized in the above embodiments can all be realized by software. For this purpose, the necessary software is a CD-ROM, DVD
-It can be distributed by a recording medium such as a ROM.

Although the preferred embodiments of the information image utilization system and the like according to the present embodiment have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples.
It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and those modifications naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood to belong.

[0150]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the charging process is performed at a different charging rate according to the information on the user of the information image processing means. It is possible to provide high-value user information, and it is possible to construct a high-value-added system that performs appropriate charging.

Further, according to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to construct an information image processing apparatus and a management server suitable for constructing a system having a high added value as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of an information image utilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an information image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another configuration diagram schematically showing an information image according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a management area realized in the client according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a drag-and-drop operation for registering an information image from a first management area to a second management area, which is realized in the client according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example for registering an information image from a first management area to a second management area realized in the client according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example for registering an information image from a first management area to a second management area realized in the client according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example for registering an information image from a first management area to a second management area realized in the client according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing a relationship between a management server and a client according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a download operation of the information image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a download operation of the information image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a download operation of the information image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a download operation of the information image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a download operation of the information image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the evaluation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an information flow of the information image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Information image utilization system 112 Information provider 114 Information image disclosure server 116,910 Information image processing device management server 120,920 Information receiver (client) 130,930 Network 912 Information image processing device providing device 914 Registration device 916 Evaluation Device 918 Billing device 922 Web browser management unit 924 Information image processing unit 926 Registration device 928 Information image display and operation unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tohru Hayatsu 4-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sai Virgin.com (72) Inventor Mariko Noda 4-chome Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 35 Inside Sai Virgin.com Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiji Kanai 4-35 Inside Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Junya Noda Kitagawa Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Shinagawa 4-chome 7-35 Sai Virgin.com F-term (reference) 5B049 AA02 AA06 BB49 CC01 FF01 GG00

Claims (33)

[Claims] An information provider registers an information image in an information disclosure server, in which an image information and related information that causes an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information as one handling unit are provided by an information provider. In an information image utilization system for guiding a terminal connected via a network to information desired by the information provider according to an information image, an information image processing means for enabling the information image to be used in the terminal; Registration means for registering information about the user of the information image processing means in a management server via a network; evaluation means for evaluating the information about the user registered in the registration means; and accounting processing in accordance with the evaluation by the evaluation means An information image utilization system, characterized by comprising a billing means for performing the following. 2. The information image utilization system according to claim 1, wherein said evaluation means evaluates the information image put in a usable state in said terminal and information on said user in association with each other. 3. The information image using system according to claim 2, wherein said evaluation means further evaluates information relating to an operation of the information image put in a usable state in said terminal. 4. The information image utilizing system according to claim 1, wherein said registration means prompts registration of information about said user when said information image processing apparatus is taken into said terminal. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the registration unit prompts registration of unregistered predetermined information about the user when the information image is made usable by the information image processing unit. The described information image utilization system. 6. The information image using system according to claim 4, wherein said registration means repeatedly prompts registration of unregistered predetermined information on said user at predetermined intervals. 7. An information image processing apparatus, wherein an information image in which a terminal uses image information and related information that causes an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information as one handling unit is usable in a terminal. An information image processing apparatus, comprising: registration means for registering information about a user of the information image processing means in each terminal via a network to a management server having at least a billing function. 8. The information image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the management server evaluates information on the user registered in the registration unit, and performs a charging process according to the evaluation. . 9. The information image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the registration unit associates and registers the information image put into a usable state in the terminal and information about the user. 10. The information image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the registration unit further registers information relating to an operation of the information image in a usable state in the terminal in association with the information image. 11. The information image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the registration unit prompts registration of information about the user when the information image processing apparatus is loaded into the terminal. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the registration unit prompts registration of unregistered predetermined information about the user when the information image is made usable by the information image processing unit. An information image processing apparatus as described in the above. 13. The information image using system according to claim 11, wherein said registration means repeatedly prompts registration of unregistered predetermined information on said user at predetermined intervals. 14. An information image processing apparatus which manages an information image processing apparatus which makes it possible to use an information image in a terminal in which image information and related information which causes an operator to perform a predetermined operation based on the image information are handled as one handling unit. Registering means for collecting and registering information on a user of the information image processing means in each terminal in a management server of the information image processing apparatus for providing the information image to a terminal connected via a network; A management server for an information image processing apparatus, comprising: an evaluation unit that evaluates information about the user registered in the registration unit; and a charging unit that performs a charging process according to the evaluation by the evaluation unit. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the information image put in a usable state in the terminal in association with information on the user.
4. The management server of the information image processing apparatus according to 4. 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the evaluation unit further evaluates information relating to an operation of the information image in a usable state in the terminal in association with each other.
A management server for the information image processing apparatus according to item 1. 17. The management of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the registration unit prompts registration of information on the user when the information image processing apparatus is loaded into the terminal. server. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said registering means prompts registration of unregistered predetermined information relating to said user when said information image is made usable by said information image processing means. The management server of the information image processing apparatus described in the above. 19. The information image using system according to claim 17, wherein said registration means repeatedly prompts registration of unregistered predetermined information on said user at predetermined intervals. 20. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 7. 21. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 8. 22. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 9. 23. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 10. 24. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 11. 25. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 12. 26. A program recording medium storing a program for causing an information terminal device to function as the information image processing device according to claim 13. 27. A program recording medium storing a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 14. 28. A program recording medium storing a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 15. 29. A program recording medium storing a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 16. 30. A program recording medium storing a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 17. 31. A program recording medium holding a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 18. 32. A program recording medium storing a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 19. 33. A program recording medium storing a program for causing a management server to function as the management server of the information image processing apparatus according to claim 20.