JP3324893B2 - Information fee billing system and information providing terminal used therein - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing terminal which can receive information from an information center storing information via an information communication network and provide the information to users. The present invention relates to a billing system for collecting a fee for the distributed information and an information providing terminal used for the billing system, and more particularly to a technology using a billing communication network such as Videotex.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication karaoke system that has become widespread has a configuration in which a large number of music data is stored in advance in a communication karaoke terminal installed in a store or the like, and new music is distributed from a host computer through a telephone line. ing. Collection of the fee accompanying the distribution of the new song is performed by a method in which the song data distribution company directly goes to a store or the like of the karaoke terminal installation company or has the bank account transfer.

[0003] However, if the karaoke data distribution company becomes unable to manage the karaoke terminal installation business using the karaoke terminal due to the resale of the karaoke terminal or the like, the music data distribution service to the karaoke terminal and the same service thereafter. There is a problem that it is difficult to collect fees for

In addition, such management of a karaoke terminal installation company and collection of a fee for music data distribution have been a heavy burden on the music data distribution company. Accordingly, the applicant has considered constructing a toll collection system using a charging network such as a videotex system or a dial queue two system which has been put into practical use in recent years.

[0005] This videotex system is well known in Japan as a captain system.
This system has been put to practical use as interactive image information communication in which a user terminal is connected to an information center via a Videotex communication network, and character information is provided from the information center in response to a request from the user terminal. ing. In order to collect the fee for the information provided from the information center, the above-mentioned videotex communication network has a billing function, and the fee can be collected in units of information.

The dial queue two system connects a user terminal to an information center via a public line, and adds an information fee per unit time set for each information center to a public line usage fee to be used. The charge is collected by calculation.

[0007]

However, even if a system using such a billing communication network is adopted,
Unless the following problems are solved, it will be difficult to operate a sound information provision business. In other words, it is a monthly settlement method that actually collects the fee charged via the charging communication network, so it is difficult to collect the information fee if the fee exceeds the payment ability of the terminal installer during that time. This may cause a great obstacle to the operation of the system.

[0008] Further, if the terminal installer receives information distribution beyond his or her own ability to pay, there is a possibility that a problem such as the recent bankruptcy of a card may occur. In addition, a system in which music data is stored in advance in the karaoke terminal device and a fee is charged every time a performance service is performed using the music data, in addition to collecting such data distribution fee. Is also conceivable. In this case as well, the use of the Videotex communication network makes it possible to collect fees without having to go to the office every time. However, here again, the problem of the occurrence of bad loans and excessive debt Comes as well.

Such problems are not limited to the communication karaoke system, but are common to various information providing systems in the future multimedia society. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide not only a troublesome fee collection but also an information fee billing system for enabling a more sound information providing business operation and an information providing terminal used therein. I do.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems, operation and effect] claim 1
The present invention provides an information providing terminal capable of executing an information providing service to a user based on information stored therein, and billing information corresponding to a price for executing the information providing service. the a information fee charging system and a charging center to perform charging for terminal by transmitting to those the information providing terminal, the amount or the amount of information that the information providing terminal can perform an information providing service An upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit with respect to the charging information.
And sends the data for the 0 yen billing to the information providing terminal,
The information providing terminal performs information processing based on the data for the 0 yen billing.
It characterized in that it is impossible the execution of the service.

[0011]

According to this information fee charging system, when receiving a charge for performing the above information providing service , the information providing terminal sets the upper limit of the amount or the amount of information which can provide the information providing service. Is checked, and if not, a charging process is executed to enable the information providing service. In contrast,
If it is determined that the upper limit is exceeded, the charge center
0 yen billing data is sent to the information providing terminal as money information
The information providing terminal uses the information service based on this data.
Make the screw impossible .

[0013] Further , the invention according to claim 2 provides a scrambling device.
An information providing terminal capable of performing an information providing service to a user based on information stored therein in a state in which the information providing service is provided, and a price for executing the information providing service. billing information and decryption key corresponding to a Bei obtain information billing system and charging center to perform charging for terminal by transmitting with respect to the information providing terminal, said information providing terminal performs information providing service Upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit relating to the amount or amount of information that can be provided, and when the current information providing service is performed and the upper limit is not exceeded, the charging center is set to the charge section.
The information and the decryption key to the information providing terminal,
The information providing terminal scrambles information based on the decryption key.
It is characterized in that the mumble is released .

According to this information fee charging system,
When receiving a charge for executing the information provision service,
The information providing terminal can provide an information providing service
Whether the amount exceeds the upper limit of the amount or amount of information
Is checked, and the billing process is executed only when the
It is. Here, the information providing terminal in the present invention
The information of the state where the message is applied is stored internally and billed
In processing, the billing information and the decryption key are
Transmitted to the information providing terminal. The information providing terminal then scans the information based on the received decryption key.
Uncramble.

[0015] The invention according to claim 3 stores information.
And an information communication network from the information center.
Information providing service to the user based on the information
An information providing terminal which is adapted to be running screw, the
When the information providing terminal receives information distribution from the information center
Connected to the information providing terminal via a charging communication network,
Provide billing information equivalent to the value of the distributed information
By sending to the service terminal
And a charging center for executing the information.
When trying to receive information distribution from the information center
Information billing system with distribution request means for requesting
The information communication network is different from a billing communication network.
Network, and the information providing terminal can receive the distribution.
To set an upper limit on the amount or amount of information
And the result of the distribution of the information providing terminal is stored.
Means for storing the information,
The terminal is stored in the upper limit setting means and the result storage means.
Check the contents and exceed the above limit if this distribution is performed
If not, request the charging from the charging center.
A distribution request is made to the information center after completion.
I do.

According to this information fee charging system, when the information center distributes information to the information providing terminal,
The information providing terminal is connected to the charging center. Here, in the current charging communication networks such as the captain system and the dial queue two, the calling side (the side that made the call) is charged, so the information providing terminal calls the charging center and connects. Will be. However, it is possible to change the configuration of the charging communication network so that the receiving side (the side receiving the call) is charged by the collect call method, as is already in practical use in public telephone lines. Therefore, the connection here may be a call originating from the terminal or a call originating from the charging center as long as the information providing terminal is charged.

[0017] Thus the information supplying terminal when the charging center is connected, charging center transmits the charging information corresponding to the consideration of the information distributed to those the information providing terminal.
As a result, billing to the information providing terminal via the billing communication network is executed.

Here, the information transmitted from the charging center to the information providing terminal may be the actual information to be delivered, as in a normal Videotex system, but the information communication network is provided separately from the charging communication network. In those cases, simple dummy data is sufficient. Further, the information itself distributed by the information center to the information providing terminal may be, for example, information as a decryption key. This can be done by storing information as scramble information in the information providing terminal in advance, and decrypting or converting the information into a form that can be provided by receiving the decryption key and providing it to the user. Because you can. In this case, dummy data may be transmitted from the charging communication network, and a decryption key may be transmitted from the information communication network. If the charging communication network also serves as the information communication network, the charging information may be transmitted to the decryption key. May be transmitted.

[0019] As can be seen in the previous sections, information Horyo information information center delivers the charging system is, of course if the same information that is provided as a service from it the information providing terminal, the mere decryption key as It also includes cases that are unusual. Further, the billing communication network and the information communication network may be different or may be the same. Although the information center and the billing center are conceptually expressed as different things, it goes without saying that one center may have both functions. When the information center and the charging center are installed separately, a communication means for performing distribution between the two centers is separately required.

In the distribution of information and the execution of billing, the information providing terminal receives the distribution of information from the information center.
Request it to do so,
At the time of communication, the storage contents of the upper limit setting means and the result storage means
And make sure that the maximum is not exceeded for this distribution.
Request the billing center to bill and wait until the billing is completed.
Request to the information center. Also, if you exceed the upper limit
Do not make a billing request to the billing center,
Neither is the distribution request to the information center made.

As a result, the information providing terminal cannot receive the information distribution exceeding the preset upper limit, thereby preventing information transactions exceeding the payment ability of the terminal installer. . As a result, in the information fee charging system of the present invention, its sound operation is ensured.

[0022] Incidentally, keep the a and information communication network and billing network different from, in particular, leave accumulated actual information to the information center, which was distributed to the terminal, based on the actual information itself is the terminal In the system for providing information services by using the system, the following functions and effects are particularly excellent.

That is, when it is assumed that the actual information is, for example, new song data for karaoke performance or a considerably large amount of information such as game software,
By using a communication network suitable for distributing such large information, it is faster than distributing actual information using a charging communication network, and the reliability of data is higher. This is because an optimum system configuration according to the type of information to be received by the providing terminal can be realized.

[0024] The upper limit setting means, record storage means, the remaining amount storage means may be given to the information center or the accounting center side may be provided with the information providing terminal side. Such information
A valid information providing terminal in order to realize Horyo billing system, as which gave the maximum checking the information providing terminal side, can be used, such follows.

First , the present invention is applied to the system according to the first aspect.
Effectively, as described in claim 4, for service
And information storing means for storing the information, through the billing network
To the SL and billing network connecting means for connecting the charging center
Provide information service using the service information
When executing, request the charging center to execute charging.
An information providing terminal comprising:
When data for 0 yen billing is received from the billing center
Makes it impossible to execute information services.
Information providing terminal.

Also, the present invention is applicable to the system according to the second aspect.
Advantageously, as described in claim 5, scrambling
Information that stores service information with
An information providing terminal comprising: storage means; charging communication network connection means for connecting to a charging center via a charging communication network; and distribution request means for requesting information distribution from the information center when receiving the distribution. And the information providing terminal is
An upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit on the amount or the amount of information that can provide information services, this information Hisage
When the service does not exceed the upper limit
Receives the decryption key from the charging center and
Information supplying terminal, characterized in that for releasing the scramble of the information based on the No. decryption key is considered. Claims
Claims that are effective for use in the system described in claim 3 are:
As shown in FIG. 6, an information communication network connection means for connecting to an information center via an information communication network, an information storage means for storing information distributed from the information center, and a charging via a charging communication network Charging communication network connection means for connecting to the center;
An information providing terminal comprising: a distribution requesting unit for requesting the information distribution from the information center when the information providing terminal intends to receive the information distribution; Upper limit setting means for setting the information , and the result of distribution received by the information providing terminal is stored.
Performance storage means, and the upper limit is set at the time of the distribution.
The contents of the setting means and the result storage means are checked, and if the distribution does not exceed the upper limit when the current distribution is performed , the section
Requests a charge from the gold center, waits for the charge to be
Information providing terminal and performs a delivery request to the data is considered
Can be obtained .

Of course, the system of the present invention cannot be realized without these information providing terminals. Claim
According to the information providing terminal shown in FIG. 6, the information distributed from the information center via the information communication network can be stored and accumulated in the information storage means. Then, the stored / accumulated information is provided according to the user's request. That is, the information providing terminal functions as, for example, a system for receiving information distribution in order to supplement the latest information from the information center. Such a function can be said to be similar to a new song replenishment function such as a communication karaoke system that is currently in practical use.

[0028]

Compared to the case where the information center or the charging center manages such an upper limit, the method in which the terminal manages itself is advantageous in that the center does not need to store data for management. Also, if the center manages, every time there is a distribution request from the terminal, it will be checked whether it exceeds the upper limit, and each time a distribution request from each terminal takes a corresponding time, According to the above-described terminal of the present invention, there is a problem that it takes a very long time to process a distribution request from a large number of terminals and the waiting time on the terminal side becomes long. This has the effect of eliminating this.

By the way, these information providing terminals may be provided with upper limit changing means for changing the set contents of the upper limit. This means that if you exceed the upper limit, you will not be able to receive information distribution, so it is necessary to change the upper limit to enable distribution of more information or higher information within the range of your own ability to pay. This is because it may occur.

Also in these information providing terminals, the information communication network connection means is a connection means to a communication network different from the charging communication network connection means, and information provided as a service is provided by a communication network suitable for distribution of such information. This is because it is desirable to use, to ensure quickness and data reliability.

[0032]

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a network karaoke system will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication karaoke terminal device A includes a central processing unit 1, a communication control device 2, an auxiliary storage device 3, an input control device 4, a screen output device 5, and an audio output device 6. The information center terminal device B includes a central processing unit 7 and a communication control device 8
And an auxiliary storage device 9 and an input / output control device 10.

The central processing unit 1 of the communication karaoke terminal A and the central processing unit 7 of the information center terminal B have a CPU,
It is composed of a computer with a built-in ROM, RAM, interface and the like. In addition, the communication karaoke terminal device A
The communication control device 3 of the information center terminal device B and the communication control device 8 of the information center terminal device B have a built-in modem and serve as a communication interface unit with the videotex network X.

Auxiliary storage device 2 of communication karaoke terminal A
Has a karaoke data storage area and a related data storage area. In the karaoke data storage area, karaoke data such as MIDI data for karaoke performance and lyrics telop data are stored. In the related data storage area, the telephone number of the information center terminal B, the telephone number of the own station, the performance fee of the karaoke data, etc. Related data is stored. Further, the input control device 4 transmits key input data from the numeric keypad panel to the central processing unit 1. The numeric keypad panel
A key for inputting a song number, a start key for a karaoke song, a stop key for a karaoke song, and the like are provided. Further, the screen output control device 6 controls the title and the lyrics telop of the karaoke song,
CR for karaoke song performance permission message and performance additional message due to karaoke usage fee over for a certain period of time
Output to T. Further, the audio output control device 7 outputs a karaoke performance song to a speaker.

The auxiliary storage device 8 of the information processing center terminal device B has a karaoke terminal device charging data storage area and a charging dummy data storage area. In the karaoke terminal device billing data storage area, charge upper limit data (for example, daily upper limit, weekly upper limit, monthly upper limit, etc.) and usage fee accumulation amount data (for example, daily performance, weekly upper limit, etc.) for each karaoke terminal device A are stored. Results, monthly results, etc.) are recorded. In the charging dummy data storage area, charging dummy data and the like for each amount of money are recorded. Further, a CRT and a keyboard are connected to the input / output control device 10.

Next, the contents of the control processing in the network karaoke system of this embodiment will be described. First, the processing content of the karaoke performance routine on the side of the communication karaoke terminal device A will be described with reference to FIG.

When this routine is started, first, a signal is read from the numeric keypad panel (S10).
It waits until the start key is turned on (S12). The start key is operated when the user instructs the start of the performance after completing the music selection.

When the start key is turned on, it is next determined whether or not the selection number of the music to be started for performance is correct (S14). Here, if the selection number is incorrect, this routine ends. Whether the selection number is present or not is determined by comparing the music number input from the numeric keypad with the music number stored in the auxiliary storage device 2.

If the selection number is correct, first, processing for connecting to the information center terminal is executed (S16). Then, it is determined whether or not the connection has been established (S18). In this connection process, first, as shown in the communication sequence of FIG.
The communication karaoke terminal A calls the telephone number of the information center terminal to make a call connection. Then, the password of the karaoke terminal device A is transmitted, and the password is received and collated on the information center terminal side.
Wait for a reply. And, when the password OK is not returned or when the information center terminal is crowded and the connection does not work,
An information center terminal connection error message is output, and the process exits from this routine (S20).

On the other hand, if the connection is successful,
As described above, an inquiry is made as to whether or not karaoke performance may be performed (S22). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the information center terminal B waits for the charging information (dummy data only for charging by the videotex network X) corresponding to the usage fee of the karaoke performance to be transmitted. A disconnection process is performed (S24).

After executing the disconnection processing in this way, it is determined whether or not the karaoke performance service may be performed (S2).
6). This determination is NO if the charging information received earlier is dummy data meaning 0 yen charging, and C
A message indicating that the service charge upper limit has been exceeded is displayed on the RT (S28). However, if the charge dummy data is a predetermined fee, the result is YES, and necessary data such as the selected karaoke performance MIDI data and lyrics telop display data is read out (S30), and the karaoke performance is executed (S32). ).

On the other hand, on the information center terminal side, a charging control routine as shown in FIG. 4 is executed during this time. This routine waits for an incoming call connection from the karaoke terminal (S40), and executes connection processing when the incoming call is confirmed (S42). Then, when the reception OK is returned after receiving and verifying the password as shown in FIG. 3, it waits for an inquiry about service availability from the karaoke terminal side (S44). If there is an inquiry as to whether or not the service is available, the charge upper limit data and the usage amount accumulation data for the karaoke terminal are read from the auxiliary storage device 8 (S4).
6, S48).

Then, the charge upper limit data and the usage charge storage data are compared in magnitude, and it is checked whether or not the charge exceeds the upper limit (S50). At this time, the check may be performed from the viewpoint of whether or not the usage fee up to the previous time has exceeded the upper limit, or may be checked from the viewpoint of whether or not the upper limit is exceeded when the current usage fee is added.

As a result of checking that the usage fee has been exceeded, if it is determined that the usage fee has been exceeded, the dummy data for the 0 yen billing is read from the auxiliary storage device 8 (S5).
2). As described above, the dummy data for 0 yen billing makes the karaoke terminal device A that has received the data unable to perform a karaoke performance. However, when it is determined that the usage fee does not exceed, the charging dummy data as the current usage fee is read (S54).

Then, the read dummy data is transmitted to the karaoke terminal device A (S56), and a disconnection process is executed (S58). Then, the result of this charging is added to the usage fee accumulation data and updated (S6).
0). Thus, in the network karaoke system of the present embodiment, when performing a karaoke performance, an inquiry is made to the information center terminal to enable the karaoke performance only within a range not exceeding the upper limit stored in the information center terminal. I have. Therefore, from the information center's point of view, it is possible to effectively prevent a problem that a karaoke performance is performed beyond the payment ability of the karaoke terminal installer and a bad debt is generated. In addition, it is possible to prevent a karaoke terminal installer from using karaoke beyond his or her own paying ability and suffering from excessive debt.

By the way, once this upper limit is set, it may not be changed as it is.
You may want to change this as needed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the system configuration is such that the upper limit setting can be changed based on an application from the karaoke terminal installer. This upper limit setting change is performed in a charge upper limit setting routine in the information center terminal as shown in FIG.

In this routine, first, the auxiliary storage device 8
Wait for the operation of the instruction key to read the usage upper limit data from (S70, S72). Then, when such an instruction is issued, a process of reading the usage upper limit data from the auxiliary storage device 8 into the RAM of the central processing unit 1 is executed (S74). Then, based on the application, a data editing process of updating the upper limit data in the RAM with the new usage upper limit input by the operator is performed (S76), and after the write key is operated (S78), the new data is processed. The use upper limit data is written in the auxiliary storage device 8 (S80). In addition,
During this time, if the stop key is operated, the processing exits from this processing and the setting of the upper limit data is not changed.

Thus, the upper limit data can be freely increased or decreased according to the request of the karaoke terminal installer. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately respond to changes in needs. Next, a second embodiment will be described. The network karaoke system of the second embodiment has the same basic hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment, but differs in that upper limit data and usage result data are stored in the auxiliary storage device 2 of the communication karaoke terminal device A. ing. The karaoke data stored in the auxiliary storage device 2 is stored in a scrambled state so that the performance cannot be executed as it is, and the encryption key for descrambling this scramble is used as billing information from the information center terminal. The system is configured so that a karaoke performance can be performed only after receiving the message.

The processing contents of the karaoke performance routine on the side of the communication karaoke terminal device A are also different from those of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, S10 to S10 of the first embodiment are performed until the selection number is confirmed.
14 (S100 to S104), but thereafter reads the charge upper limit data and the usage amount accumulation data of the karaoke terminal from its own auxiliary storage device 2 (S10).
6, S108). Then, the charge upper limit data and the usage charge accumulation data are compared in magnitude, and it is checked whether the use charge exceeds the upper limit (S110). As a result of checking the usage fee excess, if it is determined that the usage fee is exceeded, a message indicating that the upper limit has been exceeded is displayed on the CRT (S112).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the upper limit is not exceeded, a connection process to the information center terminal is executed as in S16 to S20 of the first embodiment. Exit (S114-S
118). On the other hand, when the password is OK, the transmission of the decryption key is requested, and the disconnection processing is executed after the reception (S120, S122). Then, the scrambled karaoke data is read out (S124), the scramble is released by the received decryption key, and the karaoke performance is executed (S126).

The above communication sequence is as shown in FIG. 7. After the password OK is returned, the information center terminal waits for a transmission request of the decryption key from the karaoke terminal and transmits the accounting information with the decryption key. Will be configured. In each of the above embodiments, the karaoke data is stored in the communication karaoke terminal and the usage fee is automatically charged each time the karaoke data is used. Instead, only the karaoke menu may be stored, and the performance may be performed by receiving the karaoke data together with the billing information from the information center. Such a system configuration is the same as a normal Videotex communication system, but it provides a new type of service that was not considered in the conventional Videotex communication system in that it determines whether or not use is possible based on the upper limit setting. In particular, sound management of a network karaoke system using a hardware resource called Videotex Network X by taking a technical measure of setting an upper limit in advance and comparing the result with the cumulative use result. As a result, excellent technical effects can be expected.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
And a data distribution host C in addition to the information center terminal device B. The data distribution host C is characterized in that it is connected to the communication karaoke terminal device A through the public line network Y. The data distribution host C stores and stores all karaoke data, and the karaoke terminal device A is configured to store and store the karaoke data distributed from the host C in the auxiliary storage device 2. I have. Then, the karaoke terminal device A selects the karaoke data from the karaoke data stored and stored in the auxiliary storage device 2.
It provides a service of reading and playing data in response to a request from a user, and is configured to charge a fee for receiving distribution of a new song.

The karaoke terminal device A can set the upper limit for receiving a new song in one month in its auxiliary storage device 2 and further distribute the new song in the one month. It is also configured to store how much of the usage amount remaining after setting the upper limit remains based on the actual results. Then, when trying to receive the distribution of a new song, it is checked whether or not the upper limit is exceeded, and only when the upper limit is not exceeded, a charge is requested to the information center, and after the completion of the charge, the distribution to the distribution host C is performed. Configured to make the request.

The communication sequence of this system is as shown in FIG. When trying to receive a new song, the karaoke terminal first connects to the information center terminal via the videotex network X, and inquires whether there is a new song. When the new song menu is received, the upper limit over check is performed as described above, and within the range not exceeding the upper limit, a song to be distributed from the new song menu is transmitted, and billing information (dummy data) is transmitted. Wait to come. Then, after receiving the billing information, the line of the videotex network X is cut off, and then the distribution host C is called and connected by the public line network. Then, a distribution request for the new song data is transmitted. Upon receiving the distribution request, the distribution host C transmits the new music data specified by the distribution request. Then, the karaoke terminal device A cuts off the connection with the distribution host C after completing the reception of the new music data.

As described above, the present invention may be applied as an upper limit setting for distribution of a new song. Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be further implemented in various modes.

For example, the communication sequence and the system configuration are not limited to those of the embodiment.
The information center terminal for billing is not limited to a separate one, and may be configured as an integrated type. Also, regarding the upper limit change described in the first embodiment, it is not possible to completely change the upper limit, but it is limited to within 10% of the initial set value, or it is impossible to withdraw in the past payment results. It is more preferable to add a restriction that a change of the upper limit is not permitted for a certain karaoke terminal device. In the case where restrictions are imposed by past payment results, information on whether or not a problem has occurred in past payment results is stored for each karaoke terminal device,
If there is a request to change the upper limit, go to this stored content,
It is preferable to determine whether or not to restrict, and notify the terminal to be restricted that the upper limit cannot be changed.

Further, the application of the present invention is not limited to the network karaoke system, but it goes without saying that the present invention may be applied to a distribution network for game software.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a network karaoke system according to first and second embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a karaoke performance process in the communication karaoke terminal device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a communication sequence diagram between the communication karaoke terminal device and the information center terminal device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a charging control routine in the information center terminal device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a charge upper limit setting routine in the information center terminal device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a karaoke performance process in the communication karaoke terminal device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram between the communication karaoke terminal device and the information center terminal device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a network karaoke system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a communication sequence diagram between the communication karaoke terminal device, the information center terminal device, and the data distribution host of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

[Entire system] A: Communication karaoke terminal device, B
... Information center terminal device, C: data distribution host, X: videotex network, Y: public line network. [Communication karaoke terminal device] 1 .... Central processing unit, 2.
··· Communication control device, 3 ··· auxiliary storage device, 4 ··· input control device, 5 ··· screen output device, 6 ··· audio output device. [Information center terminal device] 7. Central processing unit, 8.
..Communication control device, 9 ... Auxiliary storage device, 10 ...
Input / output control unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-289619 (JP, A) JP-A-62-245764 (JP, A) JP-A-62-298265 (JP, A) JP-A-62-29864 278870 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 15/00 H04M 11/08

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information providing terminal capable of executing an information providing service for a user based on information stored therein, and charging information corresponding to a price for executing the information providing service. And a billing center that performs billing for the terminal by transmitting information to the information providing terminal, the amount of information that the information providing terminal can perform the information providing service. Or an upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit relating to the amount of money, and when the information providing service of this time exceeds the upper limit, the charging center sets the charging information.
To send the data for 0 yen billing to the information providing terminal,
The information providing terminal uses the data for the 0 yen billing to obtain information.
An information fee billing system characterized in that execution of an information service is not possible . 2. Internally stored in a scrambled state
And an information providing terminal which is adapted to be executed to provide information services to the user based on information that, providing the information to the billing information and decryption key corresponding to the consideration for performing the information service a charging center and Bei obtain information billing system for performing charging for terminal by transmitting to the terminal, sets an upper limit on the amount or the amount of information that the information providing terminal can perform an information providing service Equipped with an upper limit setting means, which exceeds the above upper limit when this information provision service is performed
If there is no such account, the billing center
A reading key is transmitted to the information providing terminal, and the information providing terminal
Unscramble information based on this decryption key
Information fee billing system, characterized in that that. 3. An information center storing information, and an information providing terminal capable of executing an information providing service to a user based on information distributed from the information center via an information communication network. If, when the information providing terminal receives the distribution from the information center of the information, the charging information is connected via the information providing terminal and billing network, corresponding to the consideration of the information that is the delivered to the person the information providing terminal A charging center for executing charging for the terminal by transmitting the information to the information providing terminal, wherein the information providing terminal includes a distribution requesting unit for requesting the distribution of the information from the information center when the distribution is requested. The information communication network is a communication network different from a billing communication network.
Ri, includes an upper limit setting means for the information providing terminal sets an upper limit on the amount or the amount of information that can receive distribution, and a record storage means for storing a record of the information providing terminal has received the delivery, the delivery In doing so, the information providing terminal sets the upper limit
The contents of the means and the result storage means are checked, and when the current distribution is performed and the upper limit is not exceeded, the charge
Requests billing from the information center and waits for the billing to be completed before the information center
An information fee billing system , wherein a distribution request is made to a user. 4. An information storage for storing service information.
Storage means and a charging communication network connection to a charging center via the charging communication network.
Information using connection means and the stored service information.
Charging request means for requesting the charging center to execute charging when executing the provided service
An information providing terminal comprising: a case where data for 0 yen billing is received from the billing center;
Is characterized by making it impossible to execute information services
Information providing terminal. 5. A service for scrambled service
Information storage means for storing the information of the information center, charging communication network connection means for connecting to the charging center via the charging communication network, and distribution requesting that information is to be received from the information center. An information providing terminal comprising a requesting means, wherein the information providing terminal is capable of performing an information providing service.
Upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit relating to the amount or amount of information to be transmitted, and when the present information providing service is performed, the upper limit is exceeded.
If not, receive the decryption key from the charging center
And decrypts the information based on the decryption key.
An information providing terminal characterized in that it is excluded . 6. An information communication network connection means for connecting to an information center via an information communication network, an information storage means for storing information received from the information center, and a charging center via a charging communication network. An information providing terminal comprising: a charging communication network connecting means for connecting to the information center; and a distribution requesting means for requesting information distribution from the information center when the information center receives the distribution. Upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit relating to the amount or amount of information that can be provided, and a result storage means for storing the result of distribution of the information providing terminal, and at the time of the distribution, the upper limit setting means and the result storage means Is confirmed, and if the current distribution does not exceed the upper limit , a request is made to the charging center for charging.
An information providing terminal for making a distribution request to an information center after completion of charging . 7. The information providing terminal according to claim 6 , wherein said information communication network connection means is a connection means for a communication network different from the charging communication network connection means. 8. The information providing terminal according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the information providing terminal, characterized in that it comprises an upper limit changing means for changing the settings of upper limit.