JP2004355458A - Service distribution system. user registration device, user registration method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service distribution system capable of registering one or a plurality of uncharged users of pay services other than charged users. <P>SOLUTION: A first user terminal device 110, a user registration device 120, and a service distribution device 122 are connected via a communication network 100. When the first user 130 makes registration to use a service from the service distribution device 122, the first user 130 can set a second user groups 136 consisting of one or the plurality of users other than the first user himself or herself as the users. By constituting the system in such a manner, the first user 130 being charged can use the pay service by charging, and the second user groups not being charged can also use the service. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[0001] The present invention relates to a service distribution system, a user registration device, a user registration method, and a computer program for these.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in paid services such as streaming content distribution via a communication network (network), users of the paid services have been charged.
[0003]
Also, in ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and mobile phones, there are cases in which the pay service user and the billing target are different, such as “family members”, but this is done in a community where livelihoods are shared. Of representatives will be billed. Furthermore, organizations that cooperate with companies etc. can be regarded as one of the communities. Therefore, the pay service user and the person to be charged did not differ in the relationship between friends who did not share a living or management.
[0004]
Further, when the user of the pay service entrusts the charge processing of the pay service to another person, and the user who is in a one-to-one relationship and the person to be charged eventually differ (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-82860). Gazette) is known, but it was only possible to change the billing destination of the pay service.
[0005]
For this reason, in content-based paid services, the only criteria for receiving paid services is whether or not users need them, and there is no room for other criteria.
[0006]
This is equivalent to paying for and buying products for your own use. However, if a product is a tangible product, in addition to the purpose of using it for yourself, purchasing for the purpose of giving it to another person is a community framework where the purchaser of the product and the user of the product share their livelihood and management. Has been done beyond.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2002-82860
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is no such concept for network services. Therefore, as compared with the above-mentioned tangible goods, the range of use in terms of distribution of services is narrow, and the threshold for receiving services is high. In addition, the user of the product is generally tolerant of the money spent for purchasing the product for others. Also in this regard, a distribution service similar to the commodity as the tangible object is desired.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional registration system in which a chargeable person is a pay service user, and an object of the present invention is to provide one pay service user who is not a chargeable person. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved service distribution system, a user registration device, a user registration method, and a computer program capable of registering a plurality of users.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a user terminal device connected to a communication network, and a service distribution device connected to the communication network and providing a pay service to the user terminal device A service distribution system comprising: a first user terminal device owned by a first user who bears a charge for the pay service; and a group of one or more second users who do not bear a charge. A chargeer registration means for registering a first user who is a chargeable person, and a first user registration means for registering the first user as a pay service user by a charging action. A user registration comprising a second user group registering means for registering each user of the second user group as a pay service user, set by the first user within the settable number; And further comprising a device, service delivery system is provided. Here, the pay service includes services with a fixed monthly fee such as streaming contents and mail distribution services.
[0010]
With such a configuration, the first user who is the chargeable user can not only register himself / herself as a user of the pay service by the charging act, but also each individual of the second user group who is a pay service user who is not a chargeable person. Users can be registered. It should be noted here that the first user is a person to be charged including the usage fee of the second user group, but the first user pays for the second user group. is not.
[0011]
Further, the user registration device includes a user registration means for registering all of the second user group as a pay service user, and a communication network for all of the second user group that the user can be registered as a pay service user. And a registerable transmission means for transmitting the information by a transmission means including an electronic mail and a direct mail.
[0012]
According to such a configuration, the first user can register the second user group as an available user instead of a user, and the second user group receives a notification as to whether or not to use the above-mentioned paid service, and finally receives the second user group. Use registration of the above-mentioned paid service can be performed at will of each user in the user group. In addition, the second user group who is not a chargeable user cannot register himself and set another user as a user of the pay service. However, if the second user group does not wish to register for use of the service, it is possible to transfer the right of the service user to another user.
[0013]
When the first user stops charging, the user registration device deletes registration of the first user and the second user group, and the first user and the second user are deleted by the registration deletion unit. The information processing apparatus may further include a registration deletion transmitting unit configured to transmit the deletion of the registration of the user group to the second user group via the communication network. At this time, provision of the pay service to the first user and the second user group may be stopped by the registration deletion unit. Here, the case where the first user stops charging includes the case where the first user actively stops using the pay service, and the case where the fee is not paid for some reason. Further, the registration and deletion means may be executed after a predetermined period after the transmission by the deletion transmission means is completed. Here, the deletion transmitting means may transmit the service stop and the time when the service is stopped.
[0014]
With such a configuration, when the first user who is a chargeable person intends to stop paying the fee and stop using the pay service, the second user group is not surprised by the sudden stop of the use of the pay service. That effect is transmitted via a communication network. The second user receives the transmission and accepts the suspension of use, or if the user wants to continue the paid service, becomes a new chargeable person, or sets another chargeable person as a paid service user. You can continue to use the paid service by having them get it.
[0015]
In the user registration device, the settable number of the first user may be determined according to a fee paid by the first user.
[0016]
In the determination of the settable number, for example, if up to three persons including the person to be charged can use the paid service by one charging operation, and if it is desired to register another person as an available person, additional information is added. By paying a fee, the number of available users can be increased, for example, two people can be added.
[0017]
Further, the user registration device is configured to, when at least one second user in the second user group becomes a person to be charged for the pay service separately from the first user, The use of the pay service to the second user by the charging operation of the second user and the use of the pay service to the second user by the charging operation of the second user can be registered in an overlapping manner. In the service distribution system according to the present invention, if the user wants to use the above-mentioned paid service alone or wants to use it by another person, he simply needs to register the service use and perform a charging operation. However, in the case where the second user who has begun using the first user's favor favors the above-mentioned paid service and further recommends the use registration to another person, the use of the paid service to the second user by the first user's billing action is performed. And the use of the fee-based service to the second user by the second user's own billing action overlaps. Here, in such a configuration, duplication is possible, and the charge for the duplication is not considered. This can reduce the complexity of the process due to duplication of users. From another viewpoint, the second user who has duplicated the use of the paid service can reduce the fee to be paid when the second user becomes a new chargeable person.
[0018]
Further, the user registration device sets a login ID required at the time of use registration, use, or withdrawal of the pay service in common among a plurality of users including the first user, and further sets a new charge. The same login ID may be set between a plurality of users including the second user formed by the action. As a result, the login ID once set for the first user can be used by the second user group, and at least one second user in the second user group can use the pay service separately from the first user. When the user becomes a chargeable person, the third user group such as the second user and a third user group including one or a plurality of users who can use the paid service set within the settable number free of charge. A group based on one user can use the same login ID.
[0019]
With this configuration, a group based on the first user as described above can be managed as one group with one login ID. Further, as described above, when the use of the pay service is duplicated by the second user becoming a new chargeable person, the first user stops the charging operation and the pay service by the first user charging operation is stopped. Even if the login ID of the second user cannot be used, the login ID of the pay service by the second user's own billing action is the same, so that the login ID does not need to be changed and seamless use is possible. Further, since it is not necessary to individually manage a login ID set by another person and a large number of login IDs set by oneself, the trouble of reissuing and re-registering the login ID due to insufficient management is eliminated.
[0020]
The present invention also provides a user registration device that is one device of the service distribution system, and also provides a computer program that causes a computer to function as the above-described user registration device. Further, there is provided a user registration method for realizing user registration of the service distribution system.
[0021]
Further, the user registration device and the service distribution device can be realized by a single device, and may be connected via a separate communication network (LAN: Local Area Network).
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0023]
(First Embodiment of Service Delivery System)
FIG. 1 shows a system block diagram relating to a paid service (hereinafter, simply referred to as a service) subscription to a service distribution system.
[0024]
The service distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a first user terminal device 110, a second user terminal device 112, a third user terminal device 114, a user registration device 120, and a service distribution device connected to the communication network 100. It is composed of a device 122.
[0025]
The communication network 100 includes, for example, a network of the Internet, which is a public line network, and each of the devices is connected by a telephone line or the like.
[0026]
The first user terminal device 110 indicates a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or the like owned or used by the first user 130. The first user 130 transmits a service from the service distribution device 122. Required when using.
[0027]
In the user registration device 120, use information for the first user 130 to use the service from the service distribution device 122 is registered. Here, the usage information indicates information identifying the user such as the name, address, age, e-mail address, and billing method of the first user 130.
[0028]
The service distribution device 122 distributes at least a service requested to the first user 130, for example, a streaming content, a mail distribution service, etc., in accordance with the usage information registered in the user registration device 120.
[0029]
In the service delivery system according to the present embodiment, when the first user 130 attempts to use the service from the service delivery device 122, first, the first user 130 sends his / her own usage information to the user registration device 120 via the first user terminal device 110. Is registered (140). The first user 130 is processed in the user registration device 120 as a chargeable user and a user, and can use the service from the service distribution device 122 (142).
[0030]
At the time of registration (140), the first user 130 registers a second user group 136 including a second user 132 and a third user 134 as users or users of the service. As a result, the second user 132 and the third user 134 can use the service from the service distribution device 122 via the second user terminal device 112 and the third user terminal device 114 (144). At this time, the second user 132 and the third user 134 do not need to pay a fee despite the fact that the above-mentioned service can be used (146). In the present embodiment, the number of service users that can be set is two. Accordingly, the first user 130 can set the second user 132 and the third user 134.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed process of the service distribution system.
[0032]
Here, the user registration device 120 includes a charger registration unit 150, a first user registration unit 152, a user registration unit 154, a registration enable transmission unit 156, a second user group registration unit 158, It comprises an authentication database 162, a charging database 164, a user database 166, and a user database 168. Words in the DB in the figure indicate a database, and the same applies to other figures hereinafter.
[0033]
The charger registration means 150 receives an application for service use from the first user 130, and is authenticated as a user in the authentication database 162. When this authentication process is completed, the first user 130 is registered in the charging database 164 as a charging target. The registration in the charging database 164 is performed by charging the first user 130 for a service fee according to the user information and confirming the charging operation of the first user 130.
[0034]
The first user registration means 152 registers the first user 130 in the user database 168 in response to the first user 130 being registered in the charging database 164. Thus, the first user 130 can use the service from the service distribution device 122.
[0035]
The user registration means 154 registers the usage information including the e-mail addresses of all the second users 136 who are service users other than the first user 130 in the user database 166. This user is set by the first user 130 at the same time as the first user 130 applies for the use of the service. In addition, the setting of the available user may be a form of waiting for registration of the first user 130 in the charging database 164 and further requesting the first user 130 to apply for an additional user. May be set by online input from the registration screen to be set. This user can be arbitrarily set by the first user 130 as long as it is up to the settable number of the service, or the user can be set not to be set.
[0036]
The registrable transmission means 156 receives the fact that the second user group 136, which is a user, is registered in the user database 166, and informs all the second user group 136 that the service can be registered. The information is transmitted via the communication network 100. Usually, the use information of the second user group 136 registered by the first user 130 is transmitted by an e-mail to an e-mail address. When such an electronic mail is transmitted, the transmission may include a message or the like from the first user 130. It is also conceivable to transmit the information offline, for example, by mail.
[0037]
The second user group registration means 158 is used by the user database 168 when the second user group 136, which is notified that the service can be used by the registrable transmission means 156, desires to use the service. Each user of the second user group 136 that has indicated the intention of is registered. Here, the intention to use means, when the transmission by the registrable transmission means 156 is performed by e-mail, using the login ID and the password described in the e-mail and using the web ( Web) logging in to a page, inputting usage information as a user online, and setting a new login ID and password. Thus, each user of the second user group 136 can use the service from the service distribution device 122 free of charge.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing more detailed processing of the service distribution system. Here, as a user registration method for performing service registration of the first user 130 and the second user group 136, a charger registration step 200, a first user registration step 202, a user registration step 204, a registration enabled transmission Step 206 and a second user group registration step 208 are shown.
[0039]
In the charger registration step 200, the charger registration means 150 of the user registration device 120 receives an application for service use from the first user 130 (S210), and uses the use information of the first user 130 obtained by the application in an authentication database. 162 to authenticate the user (S212). When this authentication processing (S212) is completed, the authentication result is returned to the billing party registration means 150 (S214). Here, if the first user 130 is authenticated, the billing party registration unit 150 charges the first user 130 for a service fee according to the user information (S216). In response to this request, when the first user 130 performs a charging act (S218), the first user 130 is registered in the charging database 164 as a charging target (S220).
[0040]
In the first user registration step 202, the first user registration means 152 receives the notification of the chargeable person registration from the charge database 164, or the first user registration means 152 updates the charge database 164 at regular intervals. By monitoring, the chargeable person registration information of the first user is obtained (S230). After confirming the billing person registration, the first user 130 is registered in the user database 168 (S232).
[0041]
The service distribution device 122 refers to the user in the user database 168 (S234) and provides the service to the first user 130 (S236).
[0042]
In the above-mentioned available user registration step 204, the available user registration means 154 sets a second user group 136 which is a user other than the first user 130 received from the first user 130 (S240). Further, the user registration means 154 registers the usage information including the e-mail addresses of all the second users 136 in the user database 166 (S242).
[0043]
In the registration possible transmission step 206, the second user group 136 registered as a user in the user registration step 204 is confirmed (S244). When the confirmation is completed, the second user 132 and the third user 134, which are the users of the second user group 136, are notified of the availability by e-mail or the like (S246).
[0044]
In the second user group registration step 208, the second user 132 and the third user 134, which are the users of the second user group 136 notified of the availability in the registration possible transmission step 206, enter the designated URL (Uniform). A resource locator or an e-mail address is displayed (S260). The second user group registration means 158 receives this, and approves the second user 132 and the third user 134 (S264). When this authentication processing (S264) ends, the authentication result is sent to the second user group registration means 158. A reply is sent (S266). Here, when the service use of the second user 132 and / or the third user 134 is authenticated, the second user group registration unit 158 stores the use information of the second user 132 and / or the third user 134 in the user database 168. Is registered (S268).
[0045]
The service distribution device 122 further refers to the user in the user database 168 (S270) and provides the service to the second user 132 and the third user 134 (S272).
[0046]
(Second embodiment of service distribution system)
FIG. 4 is a system block diagram relating to service withdrawal of the service distribution system.
[0047]
As in the first embodiment, the service distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a first user terminal device 110, a second user terminal device 112, and a third user terminal device 114 connected to the communication network 100. It comprises a person registration device 120 and a service distribution device 122.
[0048]
In the service distribution system according to the present embodiment, when the first user 130 intends to stop using the service from the service distribution device 122, the first user 130 first sends the service to the user registration device 120 via the first user terminal device 110. An offer to withdraw is made (310). When the withdrawal process is completed, the service cannot be used after waiting for the past charging service period to elapse (320).
[0049]
The second user group 136 including the second user 132 and the third user 134 who have been or have been able to receive the service due to the charging of the first user 130 is also in a predetermined period after the unsubscribe process of the first user 130 is completed. After elapse, the service cannot be used (322).
[0050]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed process of the service distribution system.
[0051]
Here, the user registration device 120 includes a registration deletion unit 340, a registration deletion transmission unit 342, an authentication database 162 of the user registration device 120 in the first embodiment, a charging database 164, and a user database. 166 and a user database 168.
[0052]
The registration deletion means 340 receives an offer to withdraw from the service from the first user 130, and is authenticated as a user in the authentication database 162. When the authentication process is completed, the usage information of the first user 130 is deleted from the charging database 164 and the user database 168. However, until the service period due to past billing has elapsed, the first user 130 is not deleted from the user database 168 until the period has elapsed since the user is an authorized service user. It is also possible to continue using the service within a predetermined period until the end of the period by performing a charging operation again.
[0053]
The second user group 136 that has been or has been able to receive the service due to the charging of the first user 130 also cannot use the service from the service distribution device 122. That is, the registration deletion unit 340 deletes the usage information on the second user group 136 from the user database 166 and the user database 168 in addition to deleting the usage information of the first user 130.
[0054]
The registration deletion transmitting means 342 confirms the withdrawal request of the first user 130 so that the second user group 136 is not surprised by such sudden stoppage of use of the service. introduce. Usually, the use information of the second user group 136 registered by the first user 130 is transmitted by an e-mail to an e-mail address. It is also conceivable to transmit the information offline, for example, by mail. The second user 132 receives the notification and accepts the suspension of use, or becomes a new chargeable person if he wants to continue the paid service, or sets another chargeable person as a paid service user. You can continue to use paid services by having them do so.
[0055]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing more detailed processing of the service distribution system. Here, a registration deletion step 400 and a registration deletion transmission step 402 are shown as a user registration method in which the first user 130 withdraws and the second user group 136 stops using the service.
[0056]
In the registration deletion step 400, the registration deletion means 340 of the user registration device 120 receives an application for service withdrawal from the first user 130 (S410), and transmits the usage information of the first user 130 obtained by the application to the authentication database 162. Then, authentication of identity verification is performed (S412). When the authentication process (S412) is completed, the authentication result is returned to the registration deletion unit 340 (S414). Here, when the first user 130 is authenticated, the registration deletion unit 340 waits until the service period for charging the first user 130 until now has elapsed, and then deletes the first user from the charging database 164 and the user database 168. The usage information about the second user group 136 is deleted from the usage information about the user 130 and the user database 166 and the user database 168 (S416).
[0057]
In the registration deletion transmitting step 402, the second user group 136 confirms that the second user group 136 has been deleted from the user database 166 and the user database 168 (S420). Then, a service stop guidance is transmitted to the second user 132 or the third user 134 of the second user group 136 by e-mail or the like so that the second user group 136 is not surprised by a sudden stop of the use of the service ( S422). The second user 132 receives the transmission and accepts the suspension of use, or becomes a new chargeable person when continuing the paid service, or sets another chargeable person as a paid service user. You can continue to use paid services by having them do so. If there is no new use application during this time, the registration is deleted after a certain period of time, and the service distribution device 122 refers to the user in the user database 168 or the like (S430), and the first user 130 and the second user 132 and the third user 134 can no longer use the service (S432).
[0058]
(Third Embodiment of Service Delivery System)
FIG. 7 is a system block diagram related to service expansion of the service distribution system.
[0059]
The service distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a first user terminal device 110, a second user terminal device 112, a third user terminal device 114, and a fourth user terminal device 500 connected to the communication network 100. It comprises a person registration device 120 and a service distribution device 122.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the first user 130, the second user 132, and the third user 134 are already charged by the first user 130 so that the first user terminal 110, the second user terminal 112, and the The service from the service distribution device 122 is used via the three-user terminal device 114 (144).
[0061]
The second user 132 uses the service with the courtesy of the first user 130. Here, a case is considered where the second user 132 also likes this service, and further wants to recommend the use of the service to the first user 130 and the fourth user 502 which does not correspond to the second user group 136. In this case, the fourth user 502 can be set as a service user by performing the procedure shown in the first embodiment, with the second user 132 becoming a new chargeable person.
[0062]
Similarly to the use registration of the first user 130 described above, first, the second user 132 registers own use information in the user registration device 120 via the second user terminal device 112 (510). The second user 132 is processed in the user registration device 120 as a chargeable person, and overlaps with the use of the service by the first user 130 to the second user 132 due to the charge action of the first user 130. (520).
[0063]
Further, at the time of registration of the second user 132 (510), a third user group 504 including the fourth user 502 is registered as a user of the service, so that the fourth user 502 becomes the fourth user terminal device 500. The service from the service distribution device 122 can be used via (522). At this time, there is no need for the fourth user 502 to pay a fee even though the fourth user 502 can use the service.
[0064]
For the second user 132, the use of the first user 130 for billing and the use of the second user 132 themselves for billing are duplicated. Not performed. For example, when the use of the service is duplicated in this way, if the fee to be paid by the new second user 132 can be reduced, it may be troublesome due to the duplication. That is, as will be described later, the second user 132 becomes a single billable person due to the withdrawal of the first user 130, but it is necessary to correct the reduced payment fee to a normal fee at this time. It is troublesome to come.
[0065]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the first user 130 recommends the use of the service to a new user other than the second user 132 and the third user 134, the first user 130 can be a new billing target. . Further, the number of possible settings can be increased by adding a fee paid by the first user 130 from another viewpoint.
[0066]
For example, if the service allows registration of up to two users other than the user at a charge of 300 yen (settable number = 2), the first user 130 pays this fee and the second user 132 The three users 134 can be registered as available users. Also, with this service, the number of users who can make settings can be increased by additional charges. The additional charge is 100 yen for the addition of two persons. When the first user 130 wants to register another user as a user, the settable number can be increased by paying the additional charge.
[0067]
(Fourth embodiment of service distribution system)
FIG. 8 shows a system block diagram relating to service expansion and individual unsubscription of the service distribution system.
[0068]
According to the above-described embodiment, the first user 130, the second user 132, the third user 134, and the fourth user 502 are charged by the first user 130 and the second user 132 individually. In this state, a service from the service distribution device 122 is used via the first user terminal device 110, the second user terminal device 112, the third user terminal device 114, and the fourth user terminal device 500.
[0069]
In the service delivery system according to the present embodiment, when the first user 130 intends to stop using the service from the service delivery device 122, the service is first sent to the user registration device 120 via the first user terminal device 110. Apply for withdrawal from use (550). When the withdrawal process is completed, the first user 130, the second user 132, and the third user 134 can use the service based on the billing action of the first user 130, waiting for the service period based on the past billing to elapse. Disappears (552).
[0070]
At this time, since the second user 132 can use the service to the second user 132 by the self-charging action (use overlapping state), even if the first user 130 withdraws, the service is continuously used. (520).
The fourth user 502 using the service by the charging action of the second user 132 can be similarly used continuously (522). In addition, the first user 130 who has stopped charging and the third user 134 who is a service user based on only the first user 130 performs a new charging operation or does not become a user based on another user's charging operation. As long as the service is not used (552).
[0071]
(Fifth Embodiment of Service Delivery System)
In the embodiment described above, the service user is registered in the user database 168. The use information registered in the user database 168 includes individual login IDs and passwords required when registering, using, or canceling the use of the service.
[0072]
FIG. 9 shows a registration form of use information, particularly a login ID and a password. In FIG. 9, the user configuration by one user and the login ID that can be used in the configuration are shown horizontally, and the relationship between the user to be charged and the user who is not the user to be charged is vertically shown. Registered under each user name is a password for each user.
[0073]
Here, the first user 130 is registered as a person to be charged, the second user 132 of the service user by this charging action is registered as user 1, and the third user 134 is registered as user 2. Further, when the second user 132 among them becomes a new billing target person, the fourth user 502 becomes the user 1 by the billing action.
[0074]
Focusing on the second user 132 in this process, since the login ID 620 of the second user registration 610 in the user 1 column is different from the login ID 622 of the second user registration 612 in the charging target column, a problem may occur with the login ID. There is. For example, if the first user 130 stops charging and the login ID 620 of the service based on the charging operation of the first user 130 cannot be used, the second user 132 may use the service based on the charging operation of the second user 132 itself. A new login ID 622 must be used. Further, when a large number of other login IDs are managed, it may not be known which login ID is appropriate.
[0075]
FIG. 10 shows a registration form of the login ID and the password according to the present embodiment.
[0076]
Here, as in FIG. 9, the first user 130 is registered as a person to be charged, and the second user 132 of the service user by this charging action is registered as the user 1 and the third user 134 is registered as the user 2. Further, when the second user 132 among them becomes a new billing target person, the fourth user 502 becomes the user 1 by the billing action. However, regarding the login ID, since the login ID 620 of the second user registration 610 in the first user row and the login ID 630 of the second user registration 612 in the charging subject row are the same, the first user 130 as described above is used. Can be managed as one group with one login ID.
[0077]
When such login ID management is performed, even if the first user 130 stops charging as described above and the login ID 620 of the service due to the charging operation of the first user 130 becomes unavailable, the above-described operation is performed. Since the login ID 630 of the service based on the charging action of the second user 132 itself is the same, there is no need to newly set a login ID. Further, since it is not necessary to individually manage a login ID set by another person and a large number of login IDs set by oneself, troublesome operations such as reissuance and re-registration of the login ID due to insufficient management are eliminated.
[0078]
Further, when the second user password 640 of the second user registration 610 in the first user column and the second user password 642 of the second user registration 612 in the charging target user column are the same, there is no trouble such as resetting the password. . When the login ID and the password are the same as described above, when the second user 132 is newly set as a billing target, the input of the login ID and the password of the service by the charging operation of the first user 130 is requested. Recognize as a user.
[0079]
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious 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 changes naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood to belong.
[0080]
For example, the authentication database 162, the billing database 164, the user database 166, and the user database 168 of the user registration device 120 do not need to be in the user registration device 120, and are connected via the communication network 100. Or via a separate communication network (LAN). Further, the user registration device 120 and the service distribution device 122 may be realized by one device, or may be connected via a separate communication network (LAN: Local Area Network).
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the first user who is a chargeable person can receive a service he or she is receiving free of charge to one or more acquaintances within a settable number of the service. Can be provided.
[0082]
As a result, the second user group who is not the chargeable person registered by the first user thanks the first user who is the chargeable person. Therefore, if the second user group subscribes to another service at another opportunity, the first user is set as a thankful user as a thank you. Further, in order to thank the user, a service that the first user is likely to enjoy is troublesomely searched, and the first user is set as an available user. With such a chain of delivery, a situation can be created in which the user is required to subscribe to the above-mentioned service, although this is not necessary. Under such circumstances, there is an effect that service consumption is increased.
[0083]
In addition, services that have received a good impression when used by the first user can not only be indirectly recommended to the second user group and the like, but also can be actively registered as available users. It is expected that users who are hesitant to use services on the Internet will have higher availability and that services will be spread more quickly.
[0084]
Further, when the first user who is a chargeable user withdraws from the service, the second user group registered as a user of the service due to the first user's billing act cannot use the service. It becomes difficult to unsubscribe from the service on your own. As a result, the service usage fee is continuously paid for a long time or semi-permanently, and the continuity of the service usage is enhanced.
[0085]
In addition, the partner who shares the use of the service is determined by the setting of the first user, so that the partner who uses the same service is known. Therefore, there is also a chance to naturally come into contact with the topic of the service, and we will refrain from giving negative remarks due to concern for the other party, and it is expected that factors for maintaining the status quo, such as the service usage relationship, will become stronger.
[0086]
Furthermore, from each other's reasons, it seems that the opportunity to use the service will also increase, and if it is a kind of e-mail magazine distribution service, the possibility of reading will be higher than other e-mail magazines. Therefore, an effect that a higher advertisement fee can be set than before can be expected.
[0087]
In addition, in such a service setting, when a new chargeable user comes out of a service user who is not a chargeable user, duplicate registration is enabled, so the actual number of service users is larger than the formal service user. And the benefits of duplication can be obtained as the service spreads.
[0088]
From these facts, it seems that the service model is effective in promoting the subscription and continuing to use the service model such as the monthly flat-rate billing, which is not the pay-as-you-go billing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram relating to a service subscription of a service distribution system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed process related to joining a service of the service distribution system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating more detailed processing related to joining a service of the service distribution system.
FIG. 4 is a system block diagram relating to service withdrawal of the service distribution system.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed process regarding withdrawal of a service of the service distribution system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a more detailed process relating to service unsubscription of the service distribution system.
FIG. 7 is a system block diagram relating to service expansion of the service distribution system.
FIG. 8 is a system block diagram relating to service expansion and individual unsubscription of a service distribution system.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing registration information of service information, in particular, a login ID and a password.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a registration form of a login ID and a password according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 communication network
110 first user terminal device
120 User registration device
122 Service distribution device
130 First user
132 Second user
136 second user group
150 Charger registration means
152 first user registration means
154 User registration means
156 Registerable transmission means
158 Second User Group Registration Means
340 Registration deletion means
342 Registration deletion transmission means

Claims (19)

A service distribution system, comprising: a user terminal connected to a communication network; and a service distribution device connected to the communication network and providing a paid service to the user terminal.
The user terminal device includes a first user terminal device owned by a first user who bears a charge for the pay service, and a user terminal device owned by one or more second user groups who do not bear a charge. ;
Charger registration means for registering a first user who is a chargeable person; first user registration means for registering the first user as a user of a pay service by a charging operation; setting within a settable number of first users A service registration system, further comprising a second user group registration unit for registering each user of the second user group as a pay service user. A user registration unit for registering all of the second user group as a pay service user; and a user registration unit for registering as a pay service user via a communication network that the second user group can be registered as a pay service user. 2. The service distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising: a registerable transmission unit for transmitting. A registration deletion unit for deleting registration of the first user and the second user group when the first user stops charging; a first user and a second user group by the registration deletion unit; Further comprising a registration deletion transmitting means for transmitting to the second user group via the communication network that the registration is deleted. The provision of the pay service to the first user and the second user group by the registration deleting means is further provided. The service distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the service distribution system is stopped. The service distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the user registration device determines the settable number of the first user according to a fee paid by the first user. The user registration device is configured to charge the first user when at least one second user in the second user group becomes a chargeable person of the pay service separately from the first user. 2. The service delivery according to claim 1, wherein the use of the pay service to the second user by the act and the use of the pay service to the second user by the second user's own billing action can be registered in duplicate. system. The user registration device sets a login ID required at the time of registration, use, or unsubscription of the pay service in common among a plurality of users including the first user, and further sets a new charging action. The service distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the same login ID is set between a plurality of users including the second user to be formed. A user registration device connected via a communication network to a plurality of user terminal devices including a first user terminal device owned by a first user and a service distribution device for providing a pay service to the user terminal device And a charger registration means for registering a first user who is a chargeable person; a first user registration means for registering the first user as a user of a pay service by a charging operation; A second user group registering means for registering each user of a second user group consisting of one or a plurality of users who can use the paid service free of charge as a user of the paid service. , User registration device. User registration means for registering all of the second user group as users of the pay service; and registerable transmission means for transmitting, via a communication network, all of the second users to be registered as users of the pay service. The user registration device according to claim 7, further comprising: When the first user stops charging, a registration deletion unit for deleting registration of the first user and the second user group; and a registration of the first user and the second user group is deleted by the registration deletion unit. Further comprising: a registration deletion transmitting unit that transmits to the second user group via a communication network; the provision of the pay service to the first user and the second user group is stopped by the registration deletion unit. The user registration device according to claim 7, wherein: The user registration device according to claim 7, wherein the settable number of the first user is determined according to a fee paid by the first user. In a case where at least one second user in the second user group becomes a person to be charged for the paid service separately from the first user, the second user is charged to the second user by the act of charging the first user. 8. The user registration apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the use registration of the pay service and the use of the pay service to the second user by the second user's own billing action can be registered in an overlapping manner. A login ID required at the time of registration, use, or unsubscription of the pay service is set in common among a plurality of users including the first user, and a second user formed by a new billing action is set. 12. The user registration device according to claim 11, wherein the same login ID is set between a plurality of users including the user. A computer program that causes a computer to function as the user registration device according to claim 7. A plurality of user terminal devices including a first user terminal device owned by a first user and a service distribution device for providing a pay service to the user terminal device are connected via a communication network, and at least the first user is A registration method for using the paid service:
A charger registration step of registering a first user who is a chargeable person; a first user registration step of registering the first user as a user of a pay service by a charging action; A second user group registration step of registering each user of a second user group consisting of one or a plurality of users who can use the paid service free of charge as a user of the paid service. Registration method. After the first user registration step, a user registration step of registering all of the second user group as a pay service user; and establishing a communication network for all of the second user group to be able to register as a pay service user. Further comprising: a registrable transmission step of transmitting the information via the second user group in the second user group registration step. 15. The user registration method according to claim 14, wherein: A registration deletion step in which the registration of the first user and the second user group is deleted when the first user stops charging; and the registration of the first user and the second user group is deleted by the registration deletion means. And transmitting the registered service to the second user group via a communication network. The provision of the paid service to the first user and the second user group is stopped by the registration deletion step. The user registration method according to claim 14, wherein 15. The user registration method according to claim 14, wherein the settable number of the first user is determined according to a fee paid by the first user. In a case where at least one second user in the second user group becomes a person to be charged for the paid service separately from the first user, the second user is charged to the second user by the act of charging the first user. 15. The user registration method according to claim 14, wherein the use of the pay service and the use of the pay service to the second user by the second user's own billing action can be registered in duplicate. A login ID required at the time of registration, use, or unsubscription of the pay service is set in common among a plurality of users including the first user, and a second user formed by a new billing action is set. 19. The user registration method according to claim 18, wherein the same login ID is set between a plurality of users including the user.

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