JPH08171393A - Information processing terminal and information presentation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an information processing terminal capable of automatically collecting an information rental fee without manual aid by a charging communication network and also gaining information without manual aid. CONSTITUTION: This terminal is provided with a first communication controller 27 capable of accessing to an information center 3 through an information communication network 7, a second communication controller 28 capable of accessing to a charging center 1 through the charging communication network 5 having a charging function and a hard disk 33 for storing the musical data received from the information center 3 through the information communication network 7, and when the musical data from the information center 3 are received, the charging communication network 5 is called, and the charging is received.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is effective for use in an information providing system and a system capable of transmitting actual information from an information center to an information processing terminal and having a function of charging a usage fee for the actual information Information processing terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various videotex communication systems have been put to practical use, such as the captain system in Japan. Videotex communication is a conversational image information communication that connects a user terminal to an information center via a communication network and provides, for example, character / graphic information stored in the information center in response to a request from the user terminal. . And
The communication network has a charging function in order to collect the fee of the information provided from the information center. This communication network (referred to as a billing communication network) is composed of, for example, a telephone network and a videotex communication processing unit (VCP), and connects to an information center.
In addition to exchange, it is possible to charge the information fee provided. Therefore, by using this billing function, it is possible to collect information charges on behalf of others. There is also a so-called dial queue to system that uses such a billing communication network. The usage fee in this case is calculated by the hourly unit.

[0003]

However, in the conventional system using such a billing communication network, since information is transmitted by the billing communication network, it is specified by the protocol of the billing communication network. To be Specifically, even when a request for transmitting information at a higher speed or a case where the switching method is other than circuit switching, etc., these cannot be realized because they are defined by the above protocol.

As another problem, arbitrary information cannot be bidirectionally communicated, and the communicable information is limited to information relating to a predetermined communication operation defined by a system including a communication protocol. Therefore, for example, the operation information of the information processing terminal cannot be uploaded to the information center, and only the terminal profile can be uploaded for the predetermined communication operation defined in the system.

Therefore, even if information is provided from the information center to the information processing terminal and the information fee is charged, it is not known whether the information is normally downloaded to the information processing terminal side. Due to a failure on the information processing terminal side,
Even if the download cannot be performed normally, you will only be charged, which may cause trouble.

[0006] For example, when the user side thinks that the information usage fee should not be paid because the information has not been transmitted, but the user is charged and the fee is automatically collected, , When the charges are automatically deducted, the charges cannot be deducted, so that the user is reminded of the charges. In these cases, as the user, even though the information has not been received, the user has been charged without permission, which may cause troubles such as filing a complaint.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to automatically collect the information usage fee by a billing communication network without human intervention, and at the same time, to collect information. An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing system that can be acquired without human intervention and an information processing terminal effective for use in the system.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems, Actions and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a first communication means capable of accessing an information center through an information communication network having an information communication function, and a charging communication network having a charging function. Second communication means accessible to the billing center via the terminal, terminal side real information storage means for storing the real information received from the information center via the information communication network, and the real information An information processing terminal comprising: an information processing execution means capable of executing a predetermined process according to the above; and a charging processing request means for requesting a charging processing by the charging function of the charging communication network.

The invention according to claim 2 is further provided with operation information transmitting means for transmitting terminal operation information to the information center via the information communication network. Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the information processing terminal according to claim 1 or 2, and actual information storage means for storing actual information,
An information center having an actual information transmitting means for transmitting the actual information stored in the actual information storage means via the information communication network, and an accounting control means for executing an accounting using an accounting function of the accounting communication network. An information providing system characterized by comprising a charging center.

According to this information providing system, real information can be transmitted from the information center through the information communication network by the real information transmitting means, and in the information processing terminal, the first communication means allows the real information to be transmitted from the information center. The received real information is stored in the terminal-side real information storage means, and the information processing execution means can execute a predetermined process using the real information.

As the actual information, not only mainly textual information such as weather forecast information and traffic information, which are also adopted in the conventional captain system, but also karaoke performance information and game software information can be considered. Since the information communication network used for transmitting these actual information is not limited to a predetermined communication protocol like the other charging communication network, if a high speed communication network is adopted, for example, karaoke Even a relatively large amount of information such as performance information and game software information can be transmitted in a short time. Further, even if the billing communication network is limited to the circuit switching system, if it is an information communication network of another system, it is possible to adopt the packet switching system as necessary.

The second communication means of the information processing terminal is
The charging communication network having the charging function can be accessed, and the charging processing requesting means can request the charging processing by the charging function of the charging communication network. In response to the request for this billing process, the billing center can execute billing using the billing function of the billing communication network. Therefore, the usage fee of the information used by the information processing execution means of the information processing terminal can be automatically collected without the need for human intervention through the billing communication network.

Further, the operation information transmitting means of the information processing terminal according to claim 2 can transmit the terminal operation information to the information center via the information communication network. The terminal operation information is an operation history of the information processing terminal. For example, processing execution history by the information processing execution means (number of times, date and time, etc.), power ON / OFF date and time of the terminal itself, history of failure,
Although it has been described that the actual information can be received from the information center via the information communication network, the reception history, the history of the billing request by the billing requesting means, and the like.

Since the terminal operation information can be uploaded to the information center in this way, the following effects are produced. For example, even if information is provided from the information center to the information processing terminal and the information fee is charged, it is not known whether the information is normally downloaded to the information processing terminal side. Even if normal downloading cannot be performed due to a failure of the information processing terminal side, only the charge is charged, which may cause trouble. Therefore, in the information center, the actual information is actually received by the information processing terminal side from the actual information transmission history and the actual information reception history obtained from the above terminal operation information (the failure history may also be considered). You can judge whether it was true. Further, for example, when the actual information is sent first and then the accounting process is performed in accordance with the request for the accounting process from the information processing terminal, the accounting process of the accounting process obtained from the transmission history of the actual information and the terminal operation information is performed at the information center. From the request history, it is possible to know the information processing terminal for which the billing process for the transmitted actual information has not been performed. Therefore, for example, in an information center,
It can be suitably used to create a list of terminals that have not been charged and send a reminder letter.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the actual information storage means stores the actual information in a state in which at least a part of the actual information cannot be used as it is. The actual information transmitting means transmits the unusable actual information to the information processing terminal, and the billing processing requesting means of the information processing terminal requests the billing center to transmit the key information. Requesting a billing process, and the billing control means, in response to the billing request, enables a key for enabling at least a part of the actual information in a state where it cannot be used as it is. Transmitting information through the billing communication network,
By transmitting the key information, the billing using the billing function by the billing communication network is executed, and the information processing executing means is enabled by the key information transmitted in response to the request for the key information. The information providing system is characterized by executing a predetermined process using the actual information.

As described above, the usage fee of the information used by the information processing execution means of the information processing terminal can be automatically collected without the need for human intervention by passing through the charging communication network. However, for example, when the actual information is sent first and then the billing process is performed in accordance with the billing process request from the information processing terminal, there is a risk of misuse.
That is, it is possible that only the actual information is acquired from the information center and the fee is not paid, that is, the charging process is not requested.

Claim 4 is made as a countermeasure. That is, at the time when the information processing terminal receives the actual information from the information center, the actual information stored in the terminal-side actual information storage means is in an unusable state as it is, at least in part. Key information is required to enable it. Therefore, when the billing process requesting unit requests the billing center to transmit the key information, the key information is transmitted from the information center, and the information processing executing unit of the information processing terminal is enabled by the transmitted key information. Predetermined processing can be executed using the obtained actual information.

Then, the information center transmits the key information through the billing communication network, and by transmitting the key information, the billing using the billing function by the billing communication network is executed.
As a result, the predetermined processing using the real information can be executed in the information processing terminal only after the charging is executed, and thus the illegal use described above cannot be performed.

Depending on the content of the actual information, the predetermined processing may be able to be executed by using only a part of the actual information. For example, when the real information is a plurality of types of game software or karaoke performance information of a plurality of songs, it is possible to use only a certain type of game or use a certain limited number of karaoke songs. In addition, since it is not possible to pay the full amount at one time, there are cases where it is desired to use only this game for this month and pay for that amount, and next month for the next game to pay for that amount. The one described in claim 5 is preferable in such a case.

According to the configuration, in the information providing system according to claim 4, the billing processing request means of the information processing terminal can request transmission of only a part of the key information, and the billing control means of the billing center. Is an information providing system characterized in that it transmits only the requested part of the key information and charges a fee corresponding to the part of the transmitted key information.

In this case, the billing processing requesting means of the information processing terminal requests transmission of only a part of the key information, and the billing control means of the charging center transmits only the requested part of the key information. At the same time, the fee corresponding to the part of the transmitted key information is charged. With this, for example, in the case of a game, by requesting only key information about a desired game among a plurality of games, only that game can be used, and a charge only for that is required.
It will be convenient for users.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing system of an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing terminal which is a component of the system.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this information providing system, a billing center 1 and a plurality of information processing terminals 10 are connected via a billing communication network 5, and an information center 3 is also provided.
And a plurality of information processing terminals 10 are connected to each other via the information communication network 7. The billing center 1 and the information center 3 are also connected.

The billing communication network 5 has a function of billing for information charges, such as a videotex communication network or a dial queue to communication network. In Japan today, Videotex network and dial queue two network are known as the representative ones. The dial queue-to network is basically a time-based pay-as-you-go calculation, and the videotex network can set an arbitrary fee for each information content,
It is used in so-called captain systems.

A videotex communication network will be described as an example of the charging function. Specifically, the videotex communication network is, for example, a public telephone line connected to each information processing device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VCP).
It consists of and. This VCP connects / exchanges to / from the billing center 1 of a public telephone line (currently, a public telephone line dialing a special number 166 and a 5-digit billing center number) trying to access the videotex communication network, and a user terminal. Management of a certain information processing device and subscriber management to the charging center 1, charging of communication charges and information usage charges collected by the telephone company, conversation control between the information processing device and the charging center 1, protocol conversion and code / Provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as pattern conversion.

On the other hand, the information communication network 7 is also used for transmitting information from the information center 3 to the information processing terminal 10 or, if necessary, transmitting operating information of the information processing terminal 10 to the information center 3. To be done. The information communication network 7 is not limited to the predetermined communication protocol like the charging communication network 5 and therefore, for example, one capable of high speed communication can be adopted. Alternatively, even if the billing communication network 5 is limited to the circuit switching system, the information communication network 7 of the other system can adopt the packet switching system as necessary.

The configuration of the information processing terminal 10 will be described. Here, it will be described as a terminal capable of performing karaoke performance processing. As shown in FIG. 2, the central control unit 31 executes a predetermined charging control process according to the charging control program 31a. The central control unit 31 includes a terminal operation information storage device 32 and a terminal side actual information storage means. Corresponding to the hard disk 33 as an example, the audio reproducing circuit 35 as the information processing executing means and the screen display controller 26, the first communication controller 27 for the information communication network corresponding to the first communication means, and the second communication means. Second communication control device 2 for billing communication network
8 is connected, a mixer amplifier 38 is connected to the audio reproduction circuit 35, and a television monitor 29 is connected to the screen display control device 26. A speaker 41 and a microphone 43 are connected to the mixer amplifier 38.

Since the first communication control device 27 is for connecting to the information communication network 7, for example, a device capable of high speed communication is adopted as the information communication network 7, or a circuit switching system and a packet are used. When a switch system that can be switched is used, a communication control device that can support them is used. In addition, the second communication control device 2
Since 8 is for the billing communication network 5, a communication control device corresponding to the communication protocol of the billing communication network 5 is naturally used.

It should be noted that the hard disk 33 previously stores information on several thousand karaoke songs, and further,
New song data can be received from the information center 3 and stored in the hard disk 33. The karaoke piece information for one piece of music is composed of piece number information, which is identification information for identifying pieces of music, and substance information. The substantive information in this is MIDI (Mu
sical Instrument Digital Interface) performance information, lyrics information and background video information. The background video information is encoded video information corresponding to each song.

In the case of new song data received later, scramble information is added so that the karaoke song information cannot be used as it is. In order to use, the billing communication network 5 is connected through the second communication control unit 28, and the central control unit 31 makes the billing control program 3
When a predetermined charging process using the charging function by the charging communication network 5 is performed by executing 1a, the scramble is released and the karaoke music information can be used as normal karaoke piece information.

The execution of the predetermined charging control processing by the central control unit 31 according to the charging control program 31a corresponds to the execution of the processing as the charging processing requesting means in the present invention. Further, the central controller 31 also corresponds to operation information transmitting means. The process for requesting the billing process and the process for transmitting the operation information will be described in detail later.

When the karaoke piece information becomes available, the user selects the piece to be sung by operating the operation panel (not shown) or the remote controller. Then, the central control unit 31 executes a karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. In brief,
The central control unit 31 stores performance information, lyrics information and background image information corresponding to the selected song on the hard disk 33.
The performance information is transferred to the audio reproduction circuit 35, and the lyrics information and the background image information are transferred to the screen display control device 26.

The performance information output to the voice reproduction circuit 35 is converted into an analog performance signal, then sent to the mixer amplifier 38 to be electrically amplified, and the user's singing voice input via the microphone 43. And is mixed in a proper ratio. The mixed audio signal is output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41.

On the other hand, the lyrics information output in synchronization with the performance information is displayed on the television monitor 29 after being combined (superimposed) with a background video signal, which will be described later, in the screen display control device 26. As a result, the TV monitor 29
Is displayed in a state where the lyrics telop is combined with the background image.

The terminal operation information storage device 32 stores the terminal operation information which is the operation information of the information processing terminal 10. The central control device 31 communicates information as necessary or periodically. It can be transmitted to the information center 3 via the network 7. The terminal operation information is an operation history of the information processing terminal 10 itself. For example, karaoke performance history (number of times, date and time, etc.)
Although it has been stated that the new song data can be received from the information center 3 via the information communication network 7, the date and time of power ON / OFF of the terminal itself, the history regarding the failure, and the like, but via the reception history and the charging communication network 5. It is a history of billing information requests to be made.

Next, the configurations of the charging center 1 and the information center 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The billing center 1 includes a host computer 51, a storage device 53, and an input device 55.
, Communication control device 57, printer 59, CRT 61
It has and. The storage device 53 is for storing various control programs for operating the host computer 51, billing information for each of the information processing devices 10, and the like. The host computer 51 corresponds to the charging control means on the charging center side shown in the claims.

Various commands can be input from the input device 55. For example, a billing record or the like can be created based on billing information for each information processing terminal 10 stored in the storage device 53. Can be printed by the printer 59 or displayed on the CRT 61.

On the other hand, the information center 3 has the same structure as that of the billing center 1, and includes a host computer 71 and a storage device 7.
3, an input device 75, a communication control device 77, a printer 79, and a CRT 81. The storage device 73 is
It stores various control programs for operating the host computer 71, new song data to be transmitted to the information processing terminal 10, distribution record of the new song data, and operation information transmitted from each of the information processing terminals 10. It is for. The storage device 73 is used as the actual information storage means shown in the claims and the host computer 7
1 corresponds to the actual information transmitting means.

Various commands can be input from the input device 75. For example, the operating information and distribution record of each information processing device 10 stored in the storage device 73 can be stored in the printer 7.
It can be printed or displayed on the CRT 81. The communication control device 5 of the charging center 1
7 and the communication control device 77 of the information center 3 are connected to each other so that information can be communicated with each other.

Next, referring to the communication sequence diagram between the information processing terminal 10 and the information center 3 shown in FIG. 4, for the processing relating to the reception of the new song data in the information providing system of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration. Show. Information processing terminal 10
Sends a password to the information center 3, and after connecting, sends the password to the information center 3. The information center 3 receives this via the communication control device 77, and the host computer 71 performs terminal verification using a telephone number, password, etc.,
If it is an information processing terminal registered in the information center 3,
Return verification successful. After the information processing terminal 10 receives this collation normality and the information center 3 becomes ready for reception,
Inquiries about the existence of the new song data are made.

The information center 3 accepts this inquiry, searches for new song data stored in the storage device 73, and transmits the inquiry response to the information processing terminal 10. That is, it is an answer indicating whether or not there is new song data. The information processing terminal 10 determines whether or not there is new song data based on the answer result, and if there is new song data, requests the information center 3 to transmit the new song data. In response to this request, the information center 3 reads the corresponding new song data from the storage device 73 and transmits it to the information communication network 7 via the communication control device 77.

The information processing terminal 10 receives the new song data transmitted via the information communication network 7 and stores it in the hard disk 33. Next, regarding the processing related to charging, the information processing terminal 10 and the charging center 1 shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a communication sequence diagram between the communication device and

In the information processing terminal 10, when the user inputs an instruction, for example, the information processing terminal 10 is connected to the billing communication network 5 to call the billing center 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing terminal 10 sends a call to the billing center 1, and after connecting, sends the password to the billing center 1. The billing center 1 receives this via the communication control device 57, the host computer 51 performs terminal verification with a telephone number, a password, etc. If the information processing terminal is registered in the charging center 1, it returns normal verification. . The information processing terminal 10 transmits the above-mentioned billing information request after the collation normality is received and the billing center 1 becomes ready for acceptance.

When this billing information request is made from the billing center 1, the billing center 1 reads the billing information for billing a predetermined fee from the storage device 53, and the information processing terminal 10 through the billing communication network 5. Send to. This fee is
For example, it may be a fixed amount for each month, or may be changed according to the number of new song data.

In this way, the billing center 1 transmits the billing information through the billing communication network 5, whereby the billing communication network 5
The billing function is used for billing. For example, the corresponding information processing terminal 10 is charged 1000 yen or 2000 yen. This billing record is accumulated in the charge file corresponding to each information processing terminal 10, and is collected together with the normal telephone charge, for example.

When the billing information is received, the information processing terminal 10 descrambles the new song data to obtain karaoke song information that can be used for normal karaoke performance. The operation related to the karaoke performance has been described above, and will be omitted here. The information providing system of this embodiment described above has the following effects.

From the information center 3, the first communication control unit 2
7 can be transmitted to the information processing terminal 10 as actual information via the information communication network 7, and the information processing terminal 10 stores the new song data received from the information center 3 in the hard disk 33. Karaoke performance processing can be executed using the new song data.

The information processing terminal 10 can also access the charging communication network 5 and can send a charging information request to the charging center 1. For this billing request,
The charging center 1 can execute charging using the charging function of the charging communication network 5. Therefore, the fee for using the new song data used by the information processing terminal 10 can be automatically collected without the need for human intervention by passing through the charging communication network.

Since the information communication network 7 is not limited to a predetermined communication protocol like the charging communication network 5, if a high speed communication network is adopted, for example, the karaoke piece information of the above embodiment or the game. Even a relatively large amount of information such as software information can be transmitted in a short time. Further, even if the billing communication network 5 is limited to the circuit switching system, if the information communication network 7 of another system is used, it is possible to adopt the packet switching system as necessary.

Further, the terminal operation information stored in the terminal operation information storage device 32 can be transmitted from the information processing terminal 10 to the information center 3. For example, the execution history (number of times, date and time, etc.) of karaoke performance and power ON / O of the terminal itself.
The history of FF date and time, the history of failure, the reception history of new song data from the information center 3, the history of charging information request made through the charging communication network 5, and the like.

In this way, the terminal operation information is sent to the information center 3
Since it can be uploaded to, the following effects occur. For example, even if new music data is provided from the information center 3 to the information processing terminal 10 and the charge for the provided new music data is also charged, is the new music data always downloaded to the information processing terminal 10 in a normal state? I don't know. For example, due to a failure of the information processing terminal 10 side, even if the normal download cannot be performed, only the charge is charged, which may cause a trouble. Therefore, the information center 3 receives the new song data from the transmission history of the new song data and the reception history of the new song data obtained from the terminal operation information (the failure history may be considered). It can be judged whether it was done. Further, for example, when the new song data is sent first and then the billing process is performed in accordance with the billing process request from the information processing terminal 10, the billing process obtained from the transmission history of the new song data and the terminal operation information is performed in the information center 3. From the request history of 1, the information processing terminal 10 that has not been charged for the transmitted new song data can be found. Therefore, for example, in the information center 3, the list of the uncharged information processing terminals 10 can be preferably used to send a reminder letter. Further, it may be considered to be based on the charging record of each information processing terminal 10 stored in the storage device 53 of the charging center 1 and the transmission history of new song data stored in the storage device 73 of the information center 3. In other words, if the host computer 51, 71 of both the centers 1, 3 as a collating means collates the billing record and the transmission history, the information processing terminal 10 which has not yet been billed for the transmitted new song data is more reliable. I understand. This prevents fraud in which the charging information is not actually transmitted from the charging center 3 and the charging is not actually performed, but the information processing terminal 10 pretends that the charging processing is requested. It is effective to do.

That is, if the fraud is not considered, the request history of the billing process obtained from the terminal operation information becomes the actual billing record as it is, so there is no problem even if the above is done, but as described above, the information processing terminal 10 is used. Therefore, for example, when a fraudulent request is made to the pseudo host so that the actual charge is not made, the request history itself of the charge process becomes unreliable. Therefore, such fraud can be prevented and reliable charge collection can be realized by matching the actual charge record stored in the storage device 53 of the charge center 1.

The actual information transmitted from the information center 3 is mainly karaoke performance information and game software information, and mainly weather forecast information and traffic information, which are also used in the conventional captain system. Text information is also possible. An information communication network 7 having a communication speed or an exchange method that is optimal for transmitting these various types of actual information can be used.

Further, as described above, the information processing terminal 10
It is possible to automatically collect the usage fee of the new song data received by the user through the billing communication network 5 without any human intervention, but after receiving the new song data first, When the billing process is performed in accordance with the billing process request from the information processing terminal 10, there is a risk of misuse. That is, it is possible that only the new song data is acquired from the information center 3 and the fee is not paid, that is, the charging process is not requested.

As a countermeasure, in the above embodiment, when the information processing terminal 10 receives new song data from the information center 3 and stores it in the hard disk 33, scramble information is still added to the new song data. Yes, it cannot be used as it is. In order to be able to use this, it is necessary for the charging communication network 5 to perform a predetermined charging process. By doing so, even if the new song data is acquired in advance, it is a condition that the billing process is performed in order to use the new song data, so that the above-mentioned fraud can be prevented.

When there are a plurality of new song data, it may be possible to use only a part of them. That is,
There are several genres of songs, such as enka and pops, but in some cases, only the enka is desired. In such a case, for example, the charging center 1 is requested to charge a fee corresponding to the new song data of only enka, and the charging center 1 transmits the charging information corresponding to only the requested new song data, Charges for new song data for Enka. Then, in the information processing terminal 10, if only the new song data of the enka is descrambled, the above object can be achieved and various requests of the user can be met.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as described above, and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the billing center 1 and the information center 3 are configured independently and each has the host computer 51, 71, but a service having both functions is provided. It may be configured as a center. In that case, the host computer, the input device, the printer, and the CRT may be integrated. It is also conceivable to provide a single storage device to store the control program for the billing process and the control program for the information transmission process, and to provide an area for storing the results related to each.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing terminal which is a component of the information providing system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing configurations of a charging center and an information center, which are components of the information providing system.

FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram between the information processing terminal and the information center.

FIG. 5 is a communication sequence diagram between an information processing terminal and a billing center.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Billing center 3 ... Information center 5 ... Billing communication network 7 ... Information communication network 10 ... Information processing terminal 26 ... Screen display control device 27 ... First communication control device 28 ... Second communication control device 29 ... Television monitor 31 ... Central Control device 32 ... Terminal operation information storage device 33 ... Hard disk 35 ... Audio reproduction circuit 38 ... Mixer amplifier 41 ... Speaker 43 ... Microphone 51, 71 ... Host computer 53, 73 ... Storage device 55, 75 ... Input device 57, 77 ... Communication control Device 59, 79 ... Printer 61, 81 ... CR
T

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first communication means capable of accessing an information center via an information communication network having an information communication function, and a second communication means capable of accessing a charging center via a charging communication network having a charging function. A terminal-side actual information storage unit for storing actual information received from the information center via the information communication network; and an information processing execution unit capable of executing a predetermined process using the actual information. An information processing terminal, comprising: a billing process requesting unit that requests a billing process by a billing function of the billing communication network. 2. The information processing terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising operation information transmitting means for transmitting terminal operation information to the information center via the information communication network. . 3. The information processing terminal according to claim 1, a real information storage unit for storing real information, and the real information stored in the real information storage unit, the information processing through the information communication network. An information providing system comprising: an information center having an actual information transmitting means for transmitting to a terminal; and a billing center having a billing control means for executing billing using a billing function by a billing communication network. 4. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the actual information storage means of the information center stores the actual information in a state in which at least a part of the actual information cannot be used as it is. The real information transmitting means transmits the real information in the unusable state to the information processing terminal, and the billing processing requesting means of the information processing terminal requests the billing center to transmit the key information to perform billing processing. In response to the request for the billing process, the billing control unit provides key information for enabling at least a part of the real information in a state in which it cannot be used as it is in the billing communication. The information processing execution means responds to the request for the key information by transmitting the key information via the network and executing the charging using the charging function by the charging communication network by transmitting the key information. An information providing system, characterized in that a predetermined process is executed by using the actual information made usable by the transmitted key information. 5. The information providing system according to claim 4, wherein the billing process requesting unit of the information processing terminal can request transmission of only a part of the key information, and the billing control unit of the billing center, An information providing system, characterized in that only the requested part of the key information is transmitted and a fee corresponding to the part of the transmitted key information is charged.