JP2003016289A - System and method for providing contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide stream type contents with which a rate corresponding to the quality of contents can be selected. SOLUTION: A contents providing server 30 for providing the stream type contents to the terminal of a user on the Internet 1 is provided with a contents menu providing function 301 for presenting the menu of contents to a user 10, a compression rate selecting function 302 for making the user 10 select the compression rate of contents after contents are selected out of the menu of contents presented to the user 10, a data compressing function 303 for compressing the contents with the data compression rate selected by the compression rate selecting function 302, a contents transmitting function 304 for transmitting the contents compressed by the data compressing function 303 to the user, and rate demanding function 305 for demanding the rate to the user 10 after the user 10 views the contents.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and method for providing contents to a user from a server via the Internet, and more particularly to a system and method for providing stream contents such as music and movies.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art Realization of high-speed and large-capacity Internet environment based on wavelength multiplexing technology, and communication of 15 to 200 times 9.6 kbit / s in next-generation mobile phones used in mobile communication networks and the like. With the increase in transmission capacity such as realization of speed, the possibility of various services increases, and distribution of stream-based contents such as music and movies is also expanding as one of the services.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional example relating to the distribution of the stream-based contents described above. This conventional example is a billing and settlement system for information distribution described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-270309 and its server, and in the distribution of pay streaming content performed on a network, the quality of content actually viewed by a user The purpose is to provide an information distribution system that can collect appropriate charges. Specifically, assuming that the server will deliver the highest quality content, the basic fee is the fee for the highest quality content delivery. As shown in the figure to charge the user as
The server 400 includes an electronic payment module 401, a content distribution module 402, a viewing fee settlement module 40.
3, the content distribution module 402 distributes the content with an amount of information (quality) by which the content reproduction module 501 of the user terminal 500 can reproduce the content in real time, and the amount of information regarding the quality of the received content, the number of frames per second, Information such as the distribution band is accumulated and returned to the server 400 after the reproduction is completed. The viewing fee settlement module 403 evaluates information regarding the quality of the received content to obtain a consideration, and determines the refund amount from the basic fee and the consideration. Then, the electronic payment module 401 refunds according to the refund amount.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the content distribution is always assumed to be the highest quality that can be achieved by the server, and after the reproduction is finished, the price is calculated by the quality, and the basic charge and the consideration are calculated. It is a refund, and not only users who always demand the highest quality, but also users who place importance on price rather than quality and that quality may be poor if the price is cheap .

Further, in general, downloading of contents on the network is charged by the transfer time of data, especially in a mobile communication network. However, if the data is compressed, the data amount of the contents is reduced accordingly. , The data transfer time can be shortened, but the quality of the content is deteriorated. As described above, it is important to allow the user to select the content quality when downloading the content because the priority is given to the quality or the price according to the purpose of use of the content. However, since the above-mentioned conventional example does not consider the selection of the compression rate from the beginning, there is a problem that the user's request that the price is low even if the quality of the content is poor cannot be satisfied.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a content providing system for providing content at a quality (compression rate) designated by a user and collecting a fee according to the quality (compression rate). It is intended to be provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a content providing method performed by the above system.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a content providing method for realizing the above method in the form of installing a content providing server in another content provider and entrusting maintenance and management of the server for a fee or free of charge. It is an object.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a business method in which the collection of money from a user is entrusted to another content company for a fee or free of charge, and the content price is collected from the company entrusted. .

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a content provided with a content providing server for providing content to a user's terminal via the Internet or a mobile communication network. In the system, the content providing server includes a content menu providing unit that provides a menu of the content to the user, and the user after selecting a predetermined content from the menu of the content. A compression rate selection unit that allows a user to select the compression rate of the predetermined content, a data compression unit that compresses the predetermined content according to the data compression rate selected by the compression rate selection unit, and a compression by the data compression unit. The content transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined content thus generated to the user, and the user After watching the predetermined content,
It is characterized by further comprising: a charge requesting means for changing the price according to the compression rate and charging the charge to the user.

The invention according to claim 2 relates to the content providing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the compression rate selecting means causes the user to directly specify the compression rate of the predetermined content. There is.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 relates to the content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the compression rate selecting means causes the user to specify a price corresponding to the compression rate of the predetermined content. By this, the compression rate of the predetermined content is indirectly selected.

The invention according to claim 4 relates to the content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the compression rate selecting means causes the user to specify a quality corresponding to the compression rate of the predetermined content. By this, the compression rate of the predetermined content is indirectly selected.

The invention according to claim 5 relates to the content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content transmitting means causes the user to download the predetermined content. It has a feature.

The invention according to claim 6 relates to the content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the terminal of the user is a personal computer.

The invention according to claim 7 relates to the content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user's terminal is a portable information terminal.

The invention according to claim 8 relates to the content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user's terminal is a mobile phone.

Further, the invention according to claim 9 relates to the content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the payment of the fee charged by the fee claiming means is a credit settlement or an account debit. , Or cash transfer.

The invention of claim 10 is the same as that of claim 1.
The content providing system according to any one of 1 to 9 is characterized in that the content providing server is provided within a content provider whose business is to provide the content.

The invention according to claim 11 is the same as claim 1.
According to the content providing system described in 0, the content provider is characterized by mounting the content providing server on its own content server.

The invention according to claim 12 is the same as claim 1
The content provider system according to 0 or 11 is characterized in that the content provider is an Internet service provider or a mobile communication provider.

The invention according to claim 13 is the same as claim 1.
The content providing system according to any one of 0 to 12 is characterized in that the content provider is provided with another content provider that entrusts the content provider with the provision of the content and the collection of the price.

The invention according to claim 14 is the same as claim 1.
In connection with the content providing system according to 3, the other content provider charges a management commission to outsource the management of the content providing server to the content provider,
It is characterized in that a content providing fee collection agent commission fee for collecting the content providing fee on behalf of the user is paid and, conversely, the content providing fee is received.

The invention according to claim 15 provides the invention according to claim 1.
The content providing system according to any one of 1 to 14 is characterized in that the content is stream-based content such as music and movies.

The invention according to claim 16 is a content providing method for providing content to a user's terminal from a content providing server via the Internet or a mobile communication network, wherein the content is provided to the user. A step of providing a menu, a step of selecting a predetermined content from the menu of the content provided to the user and selecting a compression rate of the predetermined content, and a step of selecting the predetermined rate according to the selected data compression rate. Of compressing the specified content, transmitting the compressed predetermined content to the user, and paying the user a price according to the compression rate after viewing the predetermined content. And charging the fee.

The invention according to claim 17 is the same as claim 1.
According to the content providing method described in No. 6, the step of selecting the compression rate is to allow the user to directly specify the compression rate of the predetermined content, or to allow the user to set a price corresponding to the compression rate of the predetermined content. Alternatively, it is characterized in that the compression ratio of the predetermined content is indirectly selected by designating the quality.

The invention according to claim 18 is the same as claim 1.
According to the content providing method described in 6 or 17, the transmitting step is characterized by causing the user to download the predetermined content.

The invention described in claim 19 is the same as claim 1.
In the content providing method according to any one of 6 to 18, the user's terminal is a personal computer,
It is characterized by including personal digital assistants and mobile phones.

The invention according to claim 20 is the same as claim 1
According to the content providing method described in any one of 6 to 19, the payment of the fee charged in the step of charging the fee is performed by credit card settlement, direct debit, or cash transfer.

The invention according to claim 21 is the same as claim 1.
The content providing method according to any one of 6 to 20 is characterized in that the content providing server is provided in a content provider whose business is to provide the content.

The invention according to claim 22 is the same as claim 2
Regarding the content providing method described in 1, the content provider is characterized in that the content providing server is installed in its own content server.

The invention according to claim 23 is the same as claim 2
The content providing method described in 1 or 22 is characterized in that the content provider is an Internet service provider or a mobile communication provider.

The invention according to claim 24 is the same as claim 2
The content providing method described in any one of 1 to 23 is characterized in that the content provider is provided with another content provider entrusting the content provider with the collection of the price.

Further, the invention of claim 25 is the same as claim 2
According to the content providing method described in 4, the other content provider provides the content provider with a management consignment fee for entrusting the management of the content providing server and a content providing fee on behalf of the content provider. It is characterized in that it pays the fee collection agency commission and, on the contrary, receives the content providing fee.

The invention according to claim 26 is the same as claim 1.
The content providing method according to any one of 6 to 25 is characterized in that the content is a stream-based content such as music or a movie.

As described above, according to the present invention, in particular, the content providing server is used to provide the content at the quality (compression rate) designated by the user, and the quality (compression rate) is provided.
It is a system that collects the price according to.

The following three business methods can be considered as business methods. The first business method is
A second business method is a method of providing contents such as music and movies at a quality (compression ratio) specified by a user using a content providing server, and collecting a price according to the quality. By providing the provided server in another content provider and outsourcing the maintenance and management of the server for a fee or free of charge, provide content such as music and movies at the quality (compression rate) specified by the user, And the third business method is to collect the price according to the quality, and the third business method is to collect the price from the user to another content company for a fee or free of charge, and collect it from the company that outsources the content price. Is the way to do it.

[0038]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in detail using examples. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a content providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the content providing system of this example will be described in detail. The content providing system of this example is connected to the Internet 1 or the mobile communication network 2 or to both the Internet 1 and the mobile communication device 2, and provides stream-type content such as music and movies in the quality specified by the user. And a content providing server 30 that charges a fee corresponding to the quality,
Using a PC terminal 100 such as a personal computer,
Using one or a plurality of users 10 who access the content providing server 30 via the Internet 1 and a mobile terminal 200 such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), the content providing server 30 via the mobile communication network 2. It is composed of one or a plurality of users 20 who access the. The user may be any one of the user 10 using the PC terminal and the user 20 using the mobile terminal 200, or both users. The content providing server 30 provides the content of the quality requested by the users 10 and 20, and can charge the users 10 and 20 a fee according to the quality of the content. Further, the content providing server 30 may conclude a user contract for providing content with the PC terminal 100 or the mobile terminal 200 as an initial setting.

The content providing server 30 has a content menu providing function 301 and a data compression rate selecting function 30.
2, data compression function 303, and content transmission function 3
04 and a billing function 305.

The contents menu providing function 301 has a function of providing a menu of contents to the users 10 and 20. The compression rate selection function 302 is used by the users 10, 20.
It has a function of selecting the data compression rate of the content requested by. The data compression function 303 has a function of compressing data based on the selected data compression rate. The content transmission function 304 has a function of transmitting the content including the compressed data to the users 10 and 20. The charge billing function 305 has a function of charging a charge according to the content selected by the users 10 and 20 and the data compression rate.

The method of designating the compression rate in the compression rate selection function 302 may be a numerical value such as a compression rate of 50%, or some options may be prepared in advance in the compression rate selection function 302. good. Alternatively, the compression rate and the price may be associated in advance, and the price may be designated to indirectly specify the compression rate. Specifying a price means
For example, it means to specify whether to purchase the content at the list price or half price of the list price. When purchasing the content at the list price, the full rate (1/1), and when purchasing at the list price half the data is 1 It compresses to / 2. Of course, if the data is compressed in half, the amount of data in the content is halved, so the quality is worse than at full rate. Further, compressing the data in half when purchasing at a half price of the list price is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and the price and the compression rate do not necessarily have to be the same ratio. Further, it is also possible to associate the compression rate with the quality in advance and indirectly specify the compression rate by designating the quality. To specify the quality means to specify the quality from the best, excellent, good and bad, for example, and indirectly to specify the compression rate as in the case of specifying the price described above. It is also possible to select a sample digest of paid or free content.

The data compression function 303 has a function of compressing data at an arbitrary compression rate and a function of compressing content at a compression rate designated by the compression rate selection function. Further, the content may be prepared by being compressed in advance at a predetermined compression rate.

The content transmission function 304 is used by the user 1
It has a function of transmitting the content or the sample digest of the content compressed by the data compression function 303 to the PC terminal 100 of the user 10 or the mobile terminal 200 of the user 20 in accordance with the requests 0 and 20. This transmission is performed by uploading the content to the users 10 and 20.

The billing function 305 is used by the users 10, 20.
Has a function of charging a fee according to the selected content and compression rate. Also, if you provide a sample digest, it may be paid or free. The payment method of the fee may be credit payment, direct debit, cash transfer, etc., but is not particularly limited.

Although the content providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the content menu providing function 301, the compression rate selecting function 302, and the data compressing function 3 of the content providing server 30 in this system are described.
03, the content transmission function 3.4 is incorporated into programs such as a content menu providing program, a compression ratio selection program, a data compression program, and a content transmission program, and is automatically executed by the operation of the users 10 and 20. It can also be configured as follows.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the content providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The operation of the content providing system of this example will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, the user 10 or the user 20 uses the PC terminal 100 or the mobile terminal 200 to access the content providing server 30 via the Internet 1 or the mobile communication network 2, and the content menu providing function in the content providing server 30. From 301, select a content such as a movie or music to be downloaded. Next, the content having the desired compression rate is selected from the content menu provided by the content providing server 30. As a method of selecting the compression rate in the compression rate selection function 302, the compression rate may be directly specified by a numeral such as 50%.
Alternatively, some options may be prepared in advance in the compression rate selection function 302 and selected from these options. Next, the data compression function 303 compresses the content data, and the content data compressed by the content transmission function 304 is sent to the user 10 or the user 20. In the figure, the transmission is performed at any of full rate (1/1), 1/2 compression, 1/4 compression, and sample digest.
It is not limited to this. In the case of specifying the price, for example, an example of specifying whether to purchase the content at the list price or half price of the list price is explained.If you purchase the content at the list price, full rate, half price of the list price. If you want to purchase at, you should compress the data by half. As a matter of course, if the data is compressed to 1/2, the data amount of the content is halved, so that the quality becomes worse as compared with the full rate. Also,
A sample digest can also be selected to determine whether to purchase the content. The sample digest prepares a short content as a content sample corresponding to each compression rate, and provides it to the users 10 and 20 for a fee or for free.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a content providing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the content providing method of this example, the selection of the content by the users 10 and 20 (step SP1) and the selection of the compression rate of the content by the content providing server 30 (step S).
P2), compression of content data (step SP3),
Content transmission (step SP4), user 10,
20 includes content viewing (step SP5), content fee billing by the content providing server 30 (step SP6), and content fee payment by the users 10 and 20 (step SP7).

More specifically, first, the user 1
0 and 20 select the content to be viewed from the content menu displayed by the content menu providing function 301 of the content providing server 30 (step SP
1) The users 10 and 20 themselves determine which of quality and price is important to determine the compression rate of content data, and the compression rate selection function 30 of the content providing server 30.
2 is notified (step SP2). Next, the data compression function 303 of the content providing server 30 allows the user 1
The content is actually compressed at the compression rate requested by 0 and 20 (step SP3), and the compressed content is transferred from the content transmission function 304 of the content providing server 30 to the PC terminals 100 and portable terminals 200 of the users 10 and 20. Send (step SP4). The users 10 and 20 view the content with the content reproduction function in the PC terminal 100 and the mobile terminal 200 (step SP5), and the users 10 and 2
After 0 views the content, the content providing server 3
The charge request function 305 of 0 charges the user a charge according to the compression rate (step SP6), and the user 1
0 and 20 pay the charged amount by direct debit or credit settlement (step SP7).

In particular, selection of compression rate and the like (step SP2)
As described above, the compression rate itself can be designated, the price of the content can be designated, and the quality of the content can be designated. That is, when the users 10 and 20 specify the compression rate of the content, the full rate (1/1). 1/2, 1/4, 1
You can also specify a fraction such as / 8, or 100%, 8
You can also specify it as a percentage, such as 0% or 40%. Further, when the users 10 and 20 specify by the price of the content, they can actually specify the price as 2000 yen, 1000 yen, 500 yen, etc., or 40 yen / min, 20 yen /
It is also possible to specify the price per unit time such as minutes and 10 yen / minute. Furthermore, when the users 10 and 20 specify the quality of the content, it is possible to specify the best, good, bad, or the like.

Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a content providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the content providing system of this example, the content providing server 30 is provided in the content provider 3. Content provider 3
Is, for example, an Internet service provider or a mobile communication carrier, and prepares a dedicated content providing server 30 or implements the function of the content providing server 30 in its own content server to provide users with information such as music and movies. Provides stream contents. The price can be charged according to the content and compression ratio specified by the users 10 and 20, and can be collectively charged by credit card settlement, direct debit, etc. Further, it is also possible to make a payment by a method using a prebate card, which allows small amount billing / payment for each content, as compared with a payment in which a credit card is numbered and transmitted. Also, in the case of a mobile communication carrier, it may be possible to make a bill at the time of billing the telephone charge. Furthermore, a sample digest of the content can be provided for free or for a fee prior to purchase.

Third Embodiment FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a content providing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The content providing system of this example includes two content providers, and the first content provider 3a does not prepare the content providing server 30 by itself, but the second content provider 3b includes the content providing server. Install 30. The second content provider 3b is, for example, an Internet service provider or a mobile communication provider, and installs a dedicated content providing server 30 or mounts the function of the content providing server 30 on its own content server for use. Sell streaming content such as music and movies to people. Second
The content provider 3b is a provider of the content sales, but can also collect the payment. The first content provider 3a does not need to prepare the hardware by itself by outsourcing the server management or the collection of charges to the second content provider 3b for a fee or free of charge, and the server is installed, maintained, and operated. The effect is that it is released from management, etc., and is also released from the user's payment collection work. Regarding the collection of the price, the first content provider 3a may directly collect the payment from the users 10 and 20 by credit settlement or direct debit.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and the design is changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Even this is included in this invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the system is constructed via the Internet 1 or the mobile communication network 2, but the system is not limited to this, and the system may be constructed using another network or a dedicated line.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the PC terminal, the mobile phone, and the PDA terminal are used as the user's terminals, but a system capable of connecting to the Internet by using the recent Internet connection-dedicated device and TV is used. Use,
A similar system can be constructed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the content is compressed by selecting the compression rate of the content, the price of the content, the quality of the content, etc., but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to select the compression rate by setting the upper limit price.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the content provider is the internet service provider or the mobile communication provider, but the content provider is not limited to this and may be any other organization.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the selection of the content type and the selection of the compression rate are performed separately.
The present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure these to be performed simultaneously.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the payment can be made with a credit card, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a small amount of charge / payment can be made for each content as compared with a payment in which the credit card is numbered and transmitted. You can also make payments using a rebate card.

[0058]

As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the price system changes according to the quality of contents such as sound quality and images, so that the same contents can be priced according to the desired quality. And can provide quality and price according to the purpose of use of the content.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a content providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the content providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a content providing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a content providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a content providing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Internet 2 mobile communication networks 3 content providers 3a First content provider 3b Second content provider 10, 20 users 30 content providing server 100 PC terminal 200 mobile terminals 301 Content provision function 302 Compression rate selection function 303 Data compression function 304 Content transmission function 305 Billing function

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) G06F 17/60 ZEC G06F 17/60 ZEC 13/00 520 13/00 520B

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A content providing system comprising a content providing server for providing content to a user's terminal via the Internet or a mobile communication network, wherein the content providing server provides the user with the content of the content. Content menu providing means for providing a menu, compression rate selecting means for allowing the user to select a compression rate of the predetermined content after the user selects the predetermined content from the menu of the content, A data compression unit that compresses the predetermined content at the data compression rate selected by the compression rate selection unit; a content transmission unit that transmits the predetermined content compressed by the data compression unit to the user; After the viewer views the specified content, the compression is applied to the user. Contents providing system characterized in that a billing means for billing the rates vary prices according to. 2. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the compression rate selecting means causes the user to directly specify the compression rate of the predetermined content. 3. The compression ratio selecting means indirectly selects the compression ratio of the predetermined content by causing the user to specify a price corresponding to the compression ratio of the predetermined content. The content providing system according to claim 1. 4. The compression rate selection means indirectly selects the compression rate of the predetermined content by allowing the user to specify a quality corresponding to the compression rate of the predetermined content. The content providing system according to claim 1. 5. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the content transmitting means causes the user to download the predetermined content. 6. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the user's terminal is a personal computer. 7. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the user's terminal is a portable information terminal. 8. The content providing system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the user is a mobile phone. 9. The content provision according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the payment of the charge requested by the charge requesting means is made by credit card settlement, direct debit, or cash transfer. system. 10. The content providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the content providing server is provided in a content provider whose business is to provide the content. . 11. The content providing system according to claim 10, wherein the content provider mounts the content providing server on its own content server. 12. The content providing system according to claim 10, wherein the content business operator is an Internet service provider or a mobile communication business operator. 13. The content provider according to claim 10, further comprising another content provider entrusting the content provider with the provision of the content and the collection of the price.
The content providing system described in. 14. The other content provider entrusts the content provider with a management entrustment fee for entrusting the management of the content providing server and a content provision fee collection agent for collecting the content provision fee on behalf of the content provider. 14. The content providing system according to claim 13, wherein the fee is paid and the content providing fee is received. 15. The contents providing system according to claim 1, wherein the contents are stream contents such as music and movies. 16. A content providing method of providing content to a user's terminal from a content providing server via the Internet or a mobile communication network, the method comprising providing a menu of the content to the user. Selecting a predetermined content from a menu of the content provided to the user and selecting a compression rate of the predetermined content; and compressing the predetermined content with the selected data compression rate, Sending the compressed predetermined content to the user, and after the user views the predetermined content, the user changes the price according to the compression rate and charges the fee. A method of providing content, comprising: 17. The step of selecting the compression ratio causes the user to directly specify the compression ratio of the predetermined content, or specifies the price or quality corresponding to the compression ratio of the predetermined content to the user. The content providing method according to claim 16, wherein the compression ratio of the predetermined content is indirectly selected by performing the operation. 18. The content providing method according to claim 16, wherein the transmitting step causes the user to download the predetermined content. 19. The content providing method according to claim 16, wherein the user terminal includes a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or a mobile phone. 20. Payment of the fee charged by the step of charging the fee, credit payment, direct debit,
20. The content providing method according to claim 16, wherein the content is provided by cash transfer. 21. The content providing server is provided in a content provider whose business is to provide the content.
The method for providing contents according to any one of 1. 22. The content providing method according to claim 21, wherein the content provider mounts the content providing server on its own content server. 23. The content providing method according to claim 21, wherein the content provider is an Internet service provider or a mobile communication provider. 24. The content provider according to claim 21, further comprising another content provider entrusting the content provider with the provision of the content and the collection of the price.
Content provision method described in. [Claim 25] The other content provider entrusts the content provider with a management entrustment fee for entrusting the management of the content providing server and a content provision fee collection agent entrusted to collect the content provision fee on behalf of the content provider. 25. The content providing method according to claim 24, characterized in that the fee is paid and, conversely, the content providing fee is received. 26. The content is stream-based content such as music or a movie.
25. The content providing method according to any one of 25 to 25.