JP2002170061A - Contents providing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict connection to the Internet and to restrict the utilization of contents to be downloaded. SOLUTION: This contents providing system includes a user terminal 1, a host computer 2 interposed between the user terminal 1 and the Internet 3, and a prepaid card 6 recording a prepaid card characteristic number therein. The user terminal 1 transmits the prepaid card characteristic number of the host computer 2 along with the demand of the download of the contents opened on the Internet 3, while the host computer 2 transmits the contents from the Internet 3 to the user terminal 1 only when the prepaid card characteristic number corresponds to the contents. When the fare related to the downloaded exceeds the fare designated by the user, the host computer transmits no content from the Internet 3 to the user terminal 1. The prepaid card 6 pays only the connecting fare to the Internet 3 and the content of a prescribed charge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a content providing system and a content providing method, and more particularly, to a content providing system and a content providing method for restricting use of the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An Internet connection system for paying a connection fee using a prepaid card is commercially available from Map Japan, Micropack. Furthermore, an Internet charging system using a prepaid card with a limited expiration date is known. In such a billing system, access to the Internet during a predetermined period can be restricted. Further, there is known an Internet billing system in which a prepaid card reader encrypts / decrypts data in a user data area of a prepaid card and downloads a key from a host device. In such an Internet billing system, prepaid cards are managed for each user, and data confidentiality is improved.

[0003] A known prepaid fee processing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-67310 is a system for providing contents on a computer network, and collects fees using a prepaid card. The prepaid fee processing device includes a first device that receives content from a user and provides content, and a second device that retains a prepaid balance for each user. A means for subtracting the fee for using the paid content;
The device has means for holding the deducted prepaid balance.

[0004] Such a prepaid fee processing device enables real-time dynamic access control required for prepaid fee processing every time a user requests, and provides an access performance that does not cause discomfort to the user. It is possible to obtain. However, when using the contents on the Internet, the prepaid fee processing device cannot restrict the connection and the use of the contents more than necessary by managing the fee settlement for a regular period.

[0005] A role-playing game using contents published on the Internet is known. Such content is divided, and the role playing game is developed by appropriately obtaining necessary content from the Internet. There is a demand for a system that is used when a child plays such a role playing game at home and restricts Internet connection and use of contents.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a content providing system and a content providing method for restricting Internet connection and restricting use of downloaded content.

[0007]

Means for solving the problem are described as follows. The technical items appearing in the expression are appended with numbers, symbols, etc. in parentheses (). The numbers, symbols, and the like are technical items that constitute at least one embodiment or a plurality of the embodiments of the present invention, in particular, the embodiments or the examples. Corresponds to the reference numerals, reference symbols, and the like assigned to the technical matters expressed in the drawings corresponding to the above. Such reference numbers and reference symbols clarify the correspondence and bridging between the technical matters described in the claims and the technical matters of the embodiments or examples. Such correspondence / bridge does not mean that the technical matters described in the claims are interpreted as being limited to the technical matters of the embodiments or the examples.

[0008] A content providing system according to the present invention comprises:
It includes a user terminal (1), a higher-level device (2) interposed between the user terminal (1) and the Internet (3), and a prepaid card (6) on which a prepaid card unique number is described. The user terminal (1) sends the prepaid card unique number to the higher-level device (2) together with the request for downloading the content published on the Internet (3), and the higher-level device (2) sends the prepaid card unique number to the content. The content is transferred from the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1) only when the terminal supports (1). The prepaid card (6) pays only for a predetermined content, and the content downloaded to the user terminal (1) is restricted.

The prepaid card (6) further describes the remaining number of prepaid card usage frequencies. The user terminal (1) transmits the remaining frequency to the host device (2) together with the request, and the host device (2) If the fee for downloading exceeds the remaining number, the content is not transferred from the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1). The user
Content cannot be downloaded beyond the prepaid card usage frequency.

[0010] When the charge related to the download exceeds the charge specified by the user,
Content is not transferred from the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1). The user notifies the higher-level device (2) of the amount initially paid during the predetermined period. The user cannot download the content beyond the notified amount.

[0011] The fee related to the download includes a connection fee for the Internet (3) and a price for the content.
The prepaid card (6) pays only the Internet (3) connection fee and predetermined paid content. For example, it prevents children from using the Internet (3) more than necessary at home or downloading harmful contents for a fee.

A content providing method according to the present invention comprises a content providing device (2) connected to the Internet (3), a user terminal (1) connected to the content providing device (2), and a prepaid card unique number. Is a method of providing paid content published on the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1) by using a system consisting of a prepaid card (6) described therein. And transmitting the content from the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1) only when the prepaid card unique number corresponds to the content. The prepaid card (6) pays only for a predetermined content, and the content downloaded to the user terminal (1) is restricted.

In the prepaid card (6), the remaining number of the prepaid card usage frequency is further described. When the remaining frequency is transmitted from the user terminal (1), and when the fee for downloading exceeds the remaining frequency, the content is From the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1). Due to such a ban,
The user cannot download content beyond the prepaid card usage frequency.

[0014] The method further includes prohibiting transfer of the content from the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1) when the fee for the download exceeds the fee specified by the user. The user initially notifies the higher-level device (2) of the amount to be paid during the predetermined period.
The user cannot download the content beyond the notified amount.

The content providing apparatus according to the present invention is interposed between the user terminal (1) and the Internet (3), and transmits the content requested by the user terminal (1) from the Internet (3) to the user terminal (1). A content providing device (2) to be transferred, a prepaid card unique number acquiring means for acquiring a prepaid card unique number acquired from a user terminal (1), and the content being transmitted to the Internet only when the prepaid card unique number corresponds to the content. (3) transfer means for transferring from the (3) to the user terminal (1). The user terminal (1) transmits the prepaid card unique number described on the prepaid card (6) owned by the user to the content providing device (2). The content downloaded to the user terminal (1) is restricted by the prepaid card unique number.

A remaining number acquiring means for acquiring the remaining number of the prepaid card use number acquired from the user terminal (1);
A prohibition unit for prohibiting execution of the transfer unit when the charge related to the transfer unit exceeds the remaining number. The prepaid card (6) further describes the remaining number of prepaid card usage. Due to such prohibition, the user cannot download content beyond the prepaid card usage frequency.

When the fee related to the download exceeds the fee specified by the user, the program further includes another prohibiting device for prohibiting execution of the transfer device. The user initially notifies the higher-level device (2) of the amount to be paid during the predetermined period. The user cannot download the content beyond the notified amount.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, in an embodiment of a content providing system according to the present invention, a higher-level device is interposed between a user terminal and the Internet. The user terminal 1 belongs to a user and is a data processing device exemplified by a personal computer and a game machine. The user terminal 1 includes a browser 4, a prepaid card recognition unit 5, and a prepaid card 6. The browser 4 browses or downloads content published on the Internet 3. The prepaid card recognition unit 5
According to an instruction from the user terminal 1, the information written on the prepaid card 6 is read and updated.

The prepaid card 6 is a magnetic card or an IC card, and is used to pay an Internet connection fee and a fee for predetermined content. The prepaid card 6 describes a prepaid unique ID number and a prepaid usage frequency. The prepaid unique ID number is used for authentication of the prepaid card 6, and specifies browsable contents. The prepaid card 6 is sold at a prepaid card store exemplified by a convenience store, and a plurality of types having different prepaid usage counts are provided to the user.

The host device 2 is an ISP (Internet).
An information processing apparatus exemplified by a Service Provider (Server) server, and serves as a terminal server that connects the user terminal 1 to the Internet 3. The host device 2 includes a user verification unit 7, a charging unit 8, a prepaid card verification unit 9, and a payment window distribution unit 10.

The user collating unit 7 records a user name and a password in association with each other, and authenticates a user who logs in to the higher-level device 2 based on the user name and the password received by the higher-level device 2. The billing unit 8 measures the time during which the user terminal 1 is connected to the Internet 3 and records the user and billing information in association with each other. The information related to charging includes a payment method designated by the user, an Internet connection fee payment date, and a monthly payment amount.

The prepaid card collating unit 9 is a host device 2
Identifies which electronic material is requested based on the acquired content unique ID number, and converts the Internet connection fee and the content usage fee into the usage frequency of the prepaid card 6. The payment counter distribution unit 10 records the type of the prepaid card 6 and the prepaid card store specified when the user purchases the prepaid card 6 additionally.

The content providing system according to the present invention is
Further, a content server 11 and a prepaid card store terminal 12 are provided. The content server 11 publishes the content on the Internet 3 for a fee. The prepaid card store terminal 12 stores the prepaid card 6
If the user does not pay the prepaid card 6 by the designated date, the user is notified via the Internet 3 to that effect.

FIG. 2 shows an example of contents published by the contents server 11. Its contents 1
3 is a program content 14-i (i = 1,
, And electronic material 15-j (j = 1, 2, 3,...), Which is data exemplified in an image or text, and is structured. The electronic material 15-j is used by the content 14-i. Content 14-i is:
Each has a different content unique ID number.
The content 14-1 is recorded in advance on a recording medium such as a CD and is initially provided to the user terminal 1, or is initially provided to the user terminal 1 by download. The content 14-i ′ (i ′ ≧ 2) is provided to the user terminal 1 by downloading. Electronic material 15-
j is provided to the user terminal 1 by download.

The contents 14-i are obtained by appropriately converting predetermined contents 14-i or electronic materials 15-j to predetermined URLs.
From the host device 2 via the host device 2. For example, the electronic materials 15-1 to 15-3 are downloaded during execution of the content 14-1, and are used by the content 14-1. The contents 14-2 to 14-3 are downloaded and executed during execution of the content 14-1.
The electronic material 15-4 is downloaded and used during execution of the content 14-2. The electronic material 15-5 is downloaded and used during the execution of the content 14-3.

Content distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM has a limited capacity. Such content 12 increases in capacity by downloading,
You can enjoy big contents. Content 1
If 2 is a role-playing game program,
By updating the electronic material 15-j appropriately, a game that is constantly updated can be enjoyed.

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the browser 4.
The user sets the prepaid card 6 in the prepaid card recognition unit 5 and activates the browser 4. When the browser 4 is activated, first, the prepaid card recognition unit 5 is activated (step S1), and the prepaid unique ID number and the remaining number of prepaid usage frequencies displayed on the prepaid card 6 are displayed on the user terminal 1. You. The user terminal 1 transmits the prepaid unique ID number and the remaining number to the host device 2.

The host device 2 activates the prepaid card collating unit 9 in response to the access of the user terminal 1. The prepaid card collation unit 9 generates a conversion frequency obtained by converting the Internet connection fee into a prepaid usage frequency (step S2). The host device 2 determines whether or not to connect to the Internet 3 based on the remaining frequency obtained from the user terminal 1 and the conversion frequency obtained from the prepaid card collating unit 9 (step S3). If the remaining frequency is smaller than the conversion frequency, the user terminal 1 is not permitted to connect to the Internet 3 and is disconnected from the host device 2 (step S4). If the remaining frequency is equal to or greater than the conversion frequency, the user terminal 1
Is permitted to connect to the Internet 3, and the process of connecting to the Internet 3 starts (step S5).

FIG. 4 shows that the user terminal 1 is connected to the Internet 3
Is shown. The user terminal 1 transmits the user name and the password to the host device 2. Host device 2
Matches the acquired user name with the password based on the user matching unit 7 to recognize the user (step S
11). When the authentication is completed, the host device 2 acquires a method of paying the user's Internet 3 connection fee from the billing unit 8 (step S12). When the payment method is not based on the prepaid card, the host device 2 connects to the Internet 3 by a procedure corresponding to the payment method (step S13).

When the payment method is the prepaid card 6, the host device 2 acquires the Internet connection fee payment date and the monthly payment amount designated by the user from the charging section 8 (step S14), and calculates the Internet connection fee this month. calculate. The prepaid card collation unit 9 generates a conversion frequency obtained by converting the Internet connection fee of this month into a prepaid usage frequency (step S15). The host device 2
The Internet access of the user terminal 1 is permitted based on the remaining frequency of the prepaid usage frequency and the conversion frequency obtained from the user terminal 1 (step S16).

If the remaining frequency of the prepaid usage frequency is equal to or greater than the conversion frequency, the host device 2 executes a connection process between the user terminal 1 and the Internet 3 (step S17). If the remaining number of prepaid usage frequency is smaller than the conversion frequency,
The host device 2 displays a message prompting the user terminal 1 to purchase an additional prepaid card 6 (step S18).

If the user purchases a new prepaid card, the user inputs the information to the user terminal 1 and
Send to The higher-level device 2 acquires the prepaid card fee type and the prepaid card store from the payment window sorting unit 10, and displays them on the user terminal 1 (step S2).
0). The user selects a prepaid card fee type and a prepaid card store and inputs them to the user terminal 1 (step S21). The user terminal 1 transmits the fee type of the selected prepaid card and the prepaid card store to the host device 2.

The host device 2 compares the conversion frequency with the sum of the frequency of use of the prepaid card newly purchased by the user and the remaining frequency of the previous prepaid card 6 (step S22). If the total is equal to or greater than the conversion frequency, the host device 2
Executes a connection process between the user terminal 1 and the Internet 3 (step S23). If the user does not purchase a new prepaid card (step S18; NO), the host device 2 disconnects from the user terminal 1 (step S19).

At home, the parent who is the payer buys the child with the prepaid card 6, so that the child cannot use the Internet 3 more than necessary.
Parents can use the Internet 3 systematically.

FIG. 5 shows the operation when the content being executed downloads an electronic material. When the content requires an electronic material (or content) during execution, the user terminal 1 requests the higher-level device 2 to acquire the electronic material (content) from the specified URL (step S31). The user terminal 1 sends the content unique ID number of the content being executed together with this request to the host device 2
Send to

Prepaid card collation section 9 of host device 2
Identifies which electronic material is requested based on the acquired request and the content unique ID number (step S32). At this time, if the prepaid card unique ID number previously obtained from the user terminal 1 does not correspond to the requested electronic material, the download of the electronic material is refused. The billing unit 8 acquires the charge of the requested electronic material, and the prepaid card collation unit 9 converts the charge into a prepaid usage frequency to generate a conversion frequency (step S33). When there are a plurality of electronic materials to be downloaded, the prepaid card collating unit 9 collectively converts the charges of the plurality of electronic materials into a prepaid usage frequency to generate a conversion frequency.

The host device 2 compares the converted frequency with the remaining frequency of the prepaid card usage frequency (step S3).
4). If the remaining frequency of the prepaid usage frequency is equal to or less than the conversion frequency, the host device 2 displays a message prompting the user terminal 1 to purchase an additional prepaid card (step S35). If the user has newly purchased the prepaid card, the host device 2 transmits the requested content to the user terminal 1 (step S36).

If the user does not purchase a new prepaid card and the remaining number of prepaid usage frequencies is equal to the conversion frequency, the host device 2 transmits the requested content to the user terminal 1 and The connection is disconnected (step S39). If the user does not purchase a new prepaid card and the remaining number of prepaid usage frequencies is less than the conversion frequency, the host device 2 does not permit the user terminal 1 to download the requested content (step S38).

If the remaining frequency of the prepaid usage frequency is larger than the conversion frequency (step S34; (converted value)> 0),
The host device 2 calculates the monthly usage fee for this month. If the monthly usage fee for this month exceeds the specified monthly usage fee,
The higher-level device 2 sends the additional purchase of the prepaid card to the user terminal 1
To prompt the user to purchase a prepaid card (step S42). If the monthly usage fee of this month is equal to or less than the specified monthly usage fee, the higher-level device 2 downloads the requested electronic material (step S41).

In the content providing system according to the present invention, the contents which are not changed are written and distributed on a CD-ROM,
The latest information is downloaded from the Internet 3. By checking the prepaid card unique ID number of the prepaid card 6 at the time of downloading, confidential information can be downloaded.

In the content providing system according to the present invention, a character developed by a user is uploaded, and in order for another user to use the character, an action game such as clearing a certain content can be obtained. Can be provided. Such a game can motivate the user to achieve the game.

FIG. 6 shows an operation in which the prepaid card store sells the prepaid card 6. When the prepaid card 6 is purchased by the user terminal 1, the prepaid card store mails the user a prepaid card and a bill for the prepaid card (step S51). The invoice contains the specified date of payment. The prepaid card store checks whether or not the user has paid by the designated date (step S5).
2).

If the user has not paid for the payment by the designated date, the prepaid card store notifies the host device 2 via the prepaid card store terminal 12 that the prepaid card has been delinquent. In response to the notification, the host device 2 disconnects the user terminal 1 from the Internet 3 (step S54). If the user pays by the designated date, the host device 2 is connected to the Internet 3 as it is (step S53).

By such downloading, the monthly usage fee does not exceed the monthly usage fee specified by the user, and the use of the Internet connection can be restricted.

[0045]

The content providing system and the content providing method according to the present invention can restrict the connection to the Internet and the use of the content to be downloaded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a content providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing content used by the content providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a browser.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of connecting a user terminal to the Internet.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of downloading an electronic material from a content.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of additionally purchasing a prepaid card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... User terminal 2 ... Host apparatus 3 ... Internet 4 ... Browser part 5 ... Prepaid card recognition part 6 ... Prepaid card 7 ... User verification part 8 ... Billing part 9 ... Prepaid card verification part 10 ... Payment window distribution part 11 ... Content server 12 ... Prepaid card retailer terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 17/00 G06K 17/00 R

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A user terminal, comprising: a higher-level device interposed between the user terminal and the Internet; and a prepaid card on which a prepaid card unique number is described. The prepaid card unique number is transmitted to the host device together with a request for downloading the content to be published to the host device, and the host device transmits the content from the Internet only when the prepaid card unique number corresponds to the content. A content providing system for transferring the content to the user terminal. 2. The prepaid card according to claim 1, wherein the prepaid card further includes a remaining number of prepaid card usage frequencies, the user terminal transmits the remaining frequency together with the request to the higher-level device, A content providing system that does not transfer the content from the Internet to the user terminal when a fee related to the download exceeds the remaining number. 3. The content providing system according to claim 2, wherein the higher-level device does not transfer the content from the Internet to the user terminal when a fee related to the download exceeds a fee specified by a user. 4. The content providing system according to claim 2, wherein the fee related to the download includes an Internet connection fee and a price for the content. 5. A system comprising a content providing device connected to the Internet, a user terminal connected to the content providing device, and a prepaid card in which a prepaid card unique number is described, using the Internet. A content providing method for providing paid content published to the user terminal to the user terminal; and transmitting the prepaid card unique number to the content providing device together with a request for downloading the content from the user terminal; Transferring the content from the Internet to the user terminal only when the unique number corresponds to the content. 6. The prepaid card according to claim 5, wherein the prepaid card further includes a remaining number of prepaid card usage frequencies, wherein the remaining frequency is transmitted from the user terminal to the content providing device; Prohibiting transfer of the content from the Internet to the user terminal when the residual count is exceeded. 7. The content according to claim 6, further comprising prohibiting transfer of the content from the Internet to the user terminal when the fee for the download exceeds a fee specified by a user. Delivery method. 8. A content providing device, interposed between a user terminal and the Internet, for transferring content requested by the user terminal from the Internet to the user terminal, wherein a prepaid card unique number acquired from the user terminal And a transfer means for transferring the corresponding content from the Internet to the user terminal only when the prepaid card unique number corresponds to the content. apparatus. 9. The transfer method according to claim 8, wherein: a residual count acquisition unit for acquiring a residual count of the prepaid card usage count acquired from the user terminal; and if the charge related to the transfer unit exceeds the residual count, the transfer is performed. A content providing apparatus further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting execution of the unit. 10. The content providing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising another prohibition means for prohibiting execution of said transfer means when a charge related to said download exceeds a charge specified by a user.