JPH08237395A - Communication type information providing system and information providing terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable providing information through an optimum communication route. CONSTITUTION: A user operates the multipurpose input key 32 of an information providing terminal and inputs the kind of service whose information is required to be provided. The information providing terminal 10 identifies the inputted service kind by following the control of CPU 31, judges whether or not it is required to obtain information from an information center 10 based on the service kind, a telephone number corresponding to the service kind is read from a corresponding table inside a hard disk 33 when it is necessary to obtain information from the information center 1, it is requested to distribute information by accessing the information center 1. When it is required to obtain information on KARAOKE music, access is executed to the information center by the use of free-dial (registered trademark) and the distribution of information on KARAOKE music is requested. When it is required to obtain animation information, its distribution through a packet communication network is requested. When it is required to obtain still image information, its distribution through a videotex network is requested.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention selects desired information from a plurality of types of information accumulated in an information center, distributes the selected information from the information center through a communication network, and distributes the information. The present invention relates to a communication type information providing system capable of executing an information providing service to a user based on the provided information and an information providing terminal used for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an information providing service to terminals on a communication network using a public line,
For example, regarding the charging method, there are fixed charges, pay-as-you-go (for example, based on the amount of information provided or communication time, etc.), free, etc. Also, as the line to be used, general public line, dial queue toll-free packet Those with various charge systems such as exchange networks and videotex are provided. The information service provider has fixedly selected an appropriate one from these various charging systems and lines.

[0003]

However, considering that the information center stores a plurality of types of information and selectively distributes the plurality of types of information to the terminals, there are the following problems. In other words, when the service contents to provide information are uniform, as described above, there is no problem even if an appropriate one is selected from various charging methods and lines and fixedly used. However, if a plurality of types of information are fixedly used on a single line when the service contents to provide information are diversified, the used line may be unsuitable depending on the service contents.

[0004] For example, it is preferable that the weather forecast information and the like be provided by using a service such as a dial queue two that charges according to the communication time, but the amount of information is enormous and the transfer time is long. It is unsuitable to use dial queue two for a service for providing moving image information and the like that requires. For a large amount of information such as moving image information, it is preferable to use one having a higher communication speed.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the information providing terminal selects desired information from a plurality of types of information held by the information center and has it delivered, For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication type information providing system and an information providing terminal that enable distribution via a communication route suitable in terms of communication cost, communication speed, and the like.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems, Actions and Effects A communication type information providing system of the present invention made to achieve the above object comprises an information center for accumulating a plurality of types of information.
The information center has information selecting means for selecting desired information from a plurality of types of information stored therein, and the information selected by the information selecting means is distributed from the information center via a communication network. And an information providing terminal adapted to execute an information providing service to the user based on the distributed information, wherein the communication network is a physical The information providing terminal is provided with a plurality of communication paths set by at least one of a network configuration and a communication protocol being different, and the information providing terminal, based on the type of information selected by the information selecting means, Via the communication route selected by the route selecting means and the communication route selected by the route selecting means. Characterized by comprising a network connection means for connecting the motor.

According to this communication type information providing system, the information providing terminal selects desired information from a plurality of types of information accumulated in the information center by the information selecting means,
The information selected by the information selecting means is distributed from the information center via the communication network, and the user is provided with the information providing service based on the distributed information.

Here, the communication network has a plurality of communication paths set by different physical networks and / or communication protocols. Then, the route selecting means of the information providing terminal selects a communication route used to have the information center deliver the information based on the type of information selected by the information selecting means, and the communication network connecting means, The information center is connected via the communication route selected by the route selecting means.

As described above, the route selecting means selects a communication route to be used to have the information center deliver the information based on the type of the selected information, and through the selected communication route. The information can be distributed from the information center. Therefore, when trying to distribute all of a plurality of types of information through a single communication path, some information may be best distributed from that communication path in terms of communication cost, communication speed, etc. Since there is some information that is not suitable for distribution on the route, it was not possible to realize a distribution that would be advantageous for both parties.
For example, if an advantageous communication path is set according to the content of the information, distribution can be performed on the most suitable communication path for each.

The route selection by the route selection means is based on at least one of the communication speed and the communication cost when the information selected by the information selection means is distributed as described in claim 3. Then, it is conceivable to select a communication path used for information distribution from the information center.

For example, when a dial queue toll-free dial, a digital communication network, a videotex network, etc. are provided as communication paths, the weather forecast information is distributed by dial queue-to which charges according to the communication time. For moving image information, which is an enormous amount of information, it is conceivable to use, for example, a digital communication network capable of high-speed communication with high reliability. In addition, even if the same image information is used, still image information can be selected via a videotex network without using a digital communication network, so that it is possible to select information suitable for each information content. It can be realized by the present invention. Other than the above, for example, there is a packet switching network. In the case of a packet-switched network, it is charged by the amount of data, so
It is suitable for data communication where the amount of data sent at one time is relatively small and the communication density is low.

[0012] When distributing information, there are cases where it is sufficient to simply distribute the information, and there are cases where it is necessary to collect a consideration according to the distributed information. In such a case, in the case of the above-mentioned communication path example, a network having a function of charging a predetermined amount of money by transmitting information like dial cue-toe or videotex (hereinafter referred to as a charging communication network). Called), it is possible to perform billing processing as well as information distribution by using it. However, if the accounting process is not taken into consideration, information distribution via other communication paths may be more appropriate. For example, it is a case where the above-mentioned moving image information is distributed through a digital communication network. Distributing the moving image information through the billing communication network has an advantage that the billing process can be executed together with the information distribution, but has a disadvantage in that the communication time becomes very long. Therefore, if it is desired to prioritize the profit on the communication time, it is necessary to distribute the data through a communication path having a high communication speed without a charging function and collect the charge by another means.

Regarding this charge collection,
It may be possible to collect the charge directly from the owner of the information providing terminal, but it is very troublesome. Therefore, the communication information providing system according to claim 2 can easily realize the charge collection. In the system according to claim 1, the configuration is such that at least one of the communication paths provided in the communication network distributes information via the communication path, thereby charging an information providing terminal of a distribution destination. Further, the information center is connected to the information providing terminal via the billing communication network when the information providing terminal receives information distribution through a communication route other than the billing communication network. However, it is characterized by having a function of executing charging for the terminal by transmitting charging information corresponding to the price of the distributed information to the information providing terminal.

According to the communication type information providing system of the present invention, when the information providing terminal receives the information distribution through the communication route other than the billing communication network, the information providing terminal and the information center are connected via the billing communication network. To do. Here, in the current billing communication network such as the captain system and dial queue two, the calling side (calling side) is charged, so the information providing terminal side calls the information center to connect. It will be. However, as has already been put to practical use in public telephone lines, it is possible to change the configuration of the charging communication network so as to charge the called side (the side receiving the call) by the collect call method. Therefore, the connection here may be made by the terminal side or the information center side as long as the information providing terminal side is charged.

When the information providing terminal and the information center are connected via the billing communication network in this way, the information center transmits billing information corresponding to the price of the distributed information to the information providing terminal. As a result, the charging of the information providing terminal via the charging communication network is executed.

Here, when the information center distributes the actual information through a communication path other than the billing communication network, the information transmitted from the information center to the information providing terminal via the billing communication network may be simple dummy data. Is. Further, the scrambled actual information may be transmitted from the information center, and the decryption key for descrambling this may be transmitted together with the billing information. The actual information referred to here is the information finally used for the service provided by the information providing terminal, such as the moving image information and the music information for karaoke performance described above.

In the system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication path for delivering the actual information and the path for transmitting the billing information, that is, the billing communication network are different from each other.・ To be effective. That is, when it is assumed that the actual information or the actual information with scramble is a large amount of information such as new song data for karaoke performance or game software, such large information is distributed. The information providing terminal should receive it in that the use of a suitable communication network is faster than the distribution of actual information by using the billing communication network and the reliability of the data is high. The optimum system configuration according to the type of information becomes possible. And there is no hassle in collecting fees.

Further, in the present system, actual information may be distributed via the information communication network on condition that the charging by transmitting the charging information via the charging communication network is completed. In this way, it is preferable to prevent so-called unnecessary data removal. It should be noted that, of the information centers, the charging function for transmitting the charging information via the charging communication network may be independently set as the charging center, and the information center may have only the function of transmitting only the actual information. In any case, it can function as an information center when it is connected to the information providing terminal via the information communication network that can deliver information, and when it is connected via the billing communication network. Can function as a charging center, and as long as the completion of charging by the part having a function as a charging center is transmitted to the part having a function as an information center by some means, both centers are separate. It doesn't matter whether you are one or the other.

Here, as a concrete means for the information center to deliver the actual information on condition that the billing is completed by transmitting the billing information through the billing communication network, the billing process is directly performed inside the information center. The method of confirming the completion of can be adopted. In the case where the billing center and the information center are separately configured as described above, the two centers are connected using a communication network or the like, and the billing center notifies the information center of the completion of billing. You may do it. Or, instead of exchanging information between both centers,
When the information providing terminal receives the dummy data with the billing information or the data as the decryption key, it may be notified to the information center. Of course, other methods are not excluded as long as they are technically feasible.

The information providing terminal suitable for the above-mentioned communication type information providing system can be constructed as follows. For example, as described in claim 4, it is possible to connect to the information center via a communication network having a plurality of communication paths set by at least one of physical network configuration and communication protocol being different. Communication network connection means, information selection means for selecting desired information from a plurality of types of information stored in the information center, and the information based on the type of information selected by the information selection means And a route selecting means for selecting a communication route to be used for delivering the information from the information center, and the communication network connecting means connects to the information center via the communication route selected by the route selecting means. It is characterized by being configured as follows.

Alternatively, as described in claim 5, in the information providing terminal according to claim 4, information is transmitted from the information center through a communication path other than a charging communication network which is one of the communication paths included in the communication network. When receiving the distribution, the communication network connecting means may connect to the information center via the charging communication network to request the transmission of the charging information corresponding to the price of the distributed information.

Alternatively, as described in claim 6, in the information providing terminal according to claim 4, the route selection means has a communication speed and a communication cost when the information selected by the information selection means is distributed. The communication path used for information distribution from the information center may be selected based on at least one of the above.

Of course, in realizing the communication type information providing system of the present invention, it is not limited to these terminals, and the terminals of the above three examples are provided as long as they have the same purpose, action and effect. Needless to say, it includes one using a terminal different from.

According to the communication type information providing system and the information providing terminal of the present invention as described above, the information providing terminal selects the desired information from a plurality of types of information held by the information center and distributes it. In this case, it is possible to exert a remarkable action and effect that the service content provided with the information can be distributed through a communication path suitable in terms of communication cost, communication speed, and the like.

According to the communication type information providing system and the information providing terminal as claimed in claims 2 and 4, even when the information is delivered from the information center through the communication route other than the charge communication network, the information is transmitted via the charge communication network. Since a predetermined charging process can be performed by connecting to the information center, it becomes possible to select the most appropriate information regarding the distribution of the information used for the information providing service, considering only the distribution speed, for example. In other words, in the past, even if there is another communication speed that can be delivered in a short time, there is an advantage that information distribution and billing processing can be performed together, so the communication speed is low. It is said that the distribution on the charging communication network is selected, but in the case of the present invention, since the charging can be performed on the charging communication network, for the distribution of the information, for example, a communication route considering only the communication speed is taken into consideration. It is more preferable because it can be selected.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a communication type information providing system embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The system is configured to be capable of providing various information such as displaying karaoke performance, text information and image information.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of communication-type information provision and telephone carrier side equipment as an embodiment will be described.
In FIG. 1, an information center 1 and an information providing terminal 10 are a communication type information providing system of the present invention, and a public line network 5 and a fee collection agency system 9 are facilities of a telephone operator.

The communication type information providing system shown in FIG. 1 is a minimum configuration example, and is composed of one information center 1 and one information providing terminal 10. Actually, each of the above devices 1, 1
There may be a plurality of 0s, and in general, there are a plurality of information providing terminals 10 for one information center 1. Further, the information providing terminal 10 can be connected to the information center 1 via the public line network 5 by the telephone company, and the information center 1 can also be connected via the dedicated line 7 connected to the fee collection agency system 9. Is configured to connect with. In this embodiment, a videotex communication network is assumed as the charge collection agency system 9 and the dedicated line 7.

First, the outline of the configuration and functions of the information providing terminal 10 will be described. The information providing terminal 10 includes a central control unit 31, a multipurpose input key 32 as an information selecting unit for inputting various instructions, a hard disk 33,
An image information memory 34, a sound reproduction circuit 35, a screen display control device 26, and a communication control device 27 are provided. A mixer amplifier 38 is connected to the sound 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.

The information providing terminal 10 receives karaoke song information required for karaoke performance from the information center 1 for a fee and stores or accumulates it in the built-in hard disk 33, or still image information or moving image from the information center 1. Image information is provided and stored / stored in the image information memory 34. When performing a karaoke performance, the karaoke piece information corresponding to the request of the karaoke user is read from the hard disk 33, converted into an audio signal and output, and a background image is displayed at a predetermined timing according to the performance of the karaoke piece. The still image information or the moving image information stored for the purpose is read out from the image information memory 34, reproduced, and displayed on the television monitor 29.

To further explain the karaoke performance,
The central control unit 31 executes the karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. The central control unit 31 reads the karaoke music information corresponding to the requested music from the hard disk 33, and the karaoke music information in the karaoke music information is read. The performance information is transferred to the voice reproducing circuit 35, and the lyrics information in the karaoke piece information is transferred to the screen display controller 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 and electrically amplified, and at the same time, the user's singing voice input via the microphone 43 and an appropriate performance. Mixed in proportion. 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 combined (superimposed) with the still image information or the moving image information read out from the image information memory 34 and reproduced in the screen display controller 26. It is displayed on the television monitor 29. As a result, the TV monitor 29
Is displayed in a state where the lyrics telop is combined with the still image as a background image.

The information providing terminal 10 can receive various kinds of information other than the karaoke piece information and the image information from the information center 1 and output the information to, for example, the television monitor 29 to provide the information. However, the type / content of the information and the method of requesting the distribution of the information will be described later.

Next, the structure of the information center 1 will be described.
The information center 1 includes a host computer 51, an information storage device 53, an input device 55, a communication control device 57, a fee collection agency system communication unit 58, a printer 59, and a printer 59.
It is equipped with RT61.

The host computer 51 controls the operation of the entire information center device according to various control programs. The information storage device 53 stores various information that can be distributed to the information providing terminal 10. Further, the operation information of each information providing terminal 10, distribution records of various information, billing records, and the like can be stored in the information storage device 53. Various commands can be input from the input device 55. For example, operating information stored in the information storage device 53, distribution records, billing records, etc. can be printed by the printer 59 or displayed on the CRT 61. You can

Various information stored in the information storage device 53 will be described. First, as for karaoke, there are the above-mentioned karaoke piece information, still image information and moving image information used as a background image. Text information includes weather forecast information, sports event holding information, traffic information, and the like. Note that weather forecast information, traffic information, and the like may be stored as still image information because it may be easier to understand when viewed as image information in addition to characters.

Further, the communication control device 57 is for performing data communication with the information providing terminal 10 through the public line network 5 which is a facility of the telephone carrier, while the charge collecting agency system communication part 58 is dedicated. The line 7 is used to connect to the fee collection agency system 9 and perform data communication with the information providing terminal 10 via the fee collection agency system 9 (and via the public line network 5). This route is the videotex network. According to this videotex network, a billing process associated with information distribution is executed. This billing process is performed as follows.

That is, the information center 1 is connected to each information providing terminal 10 via the billing communication network through the dedicated line 7 and the fee collection agency system 9 and adds the billing information of a predetermined amount to each information providing terminal 10. By transmitting the still image information, the billing for the terminal is executed. This fee is
In the form of adding to the telephone charge for the information providing terminal 10,
It is collected by the telephone company, deducted the fee, and passed to the still image information distribution company.

In the communication type information providing system of the present embodiment configured as above, the information providing terminal 10 can request the information center 1 to deliver desired information,
Information corresponding to the request is distributed from the information center 1. The information distribution will be described.

The information center 1 can communicate with the information providing terminal 10 via the public line network 5 and the dedicated line 7 as described above, but in the present embodiment, at least the following three types of communication routes are used for information communication. Communication with the providing terminal 10 is possible. The three types of communication paths do not necessarily mean communication paths that are physically separate bodies, but also include protocols. Specifically, there are three types of toll free, digital communication networks, and videotex networks. Is.

The videotex network is a billing communication network capable of transmitting information and performing billing processing through the network, but there is also a dial queue to network as a billing communication network. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a dial queue to network instead of the videotex network, or to provide four or more types by adding a dial queue to network or packet switching network as a matter of course to have a videotex network. is there. Note that the dial queue-to-network has a fixed charge amount on an hourly basis, whereas the video-tex network allows the charge amount to be set arbitrarily. If only one of the above is provided, the videotex network is often preferable in that various charging processes can be performed. Further, in the case of a packet switching network, since it is a pay-as-you-go billing based on the amount of data, it is suitable for data communication in which the amount of data sent at one time is relatively small and the communication density is low.

Then, the information storage device 53 of the information center 1
For each of the various types of information stored in (1), it is set which communication path (1) to (3) is used for distribution. In this embodiment, the "Karaoke song information" is distributed by the free dial. Also, the "moving image information" is distributed through the digital communication network. Then, "text information for weather forecast information, sports event holding information, traffic information, etc., or still image information for use as weather forecast information or as background image of karaoke" is distributed by the videotex network of. Is being done.

On the other hand, the information providing terminal 10 is provided with a correspondence table of the service contents of these information providing and the telephone numbers in the hard disk 33, and reads out the telephone numbers corresponding to the selected service from the correspondence table and the information center 1
And the information center 1 determines which of the above communication routes is required to be delivered in accordance with the accessed telephone number, and if it is delivered by the videotex network, for example. It determines which information is requested, such as weather forecast information, sports event holding information, traffic information, etc., and delivers the corresponding information.

Details of the information request and information distribution will be described below. First, the operation of the information providing terminal 10 is shown in FIG.
A description will be given based on the flowchart. Information provision terminal 1
At 0, the user operates the multipurpose input key 32 to input the type of service for which information is desired to be provided (step 10; hereinafter, the step is simply referred to as S). Then, in S11, the type of the input service is identified, and in S13, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to acquire information from the information center 1 based on the service type.

Then, if the determination in S13 is affirmative, that is, if it is necessary to acquire information from the information center 1, S15
Then, the telephone number corresponding to the service type is read from the correspondence table in the hard disk 33, the information center 1 is accessed by the telephone number, and the distribution of information through the predetermined communication path is requested. That is, when the karaoke piece information is desired to be acquired, the information center 1 is accessed by a toll-free number to request distribution of the karaoke piece information. If you want to obtain moving image information, request distribution of karaoke song information through a digital communication network, and use weather image information, sports event holding information, traffic information, or still image information to be used as a background image of karaoke. When it is acquired, it requests distribution via the videotex network.

In subsequent S17, the information distributed from the information center 1 via the predetermined communication path is received as a response to the distribution request in S15, and the predetermined service is provided in S19. On the other hand, in the case of negative determination in S13, that is, when it is not necessary to acquire information from the information center 1, it means that the information providing service is based on the information stored in the information providing terminal 10, and the process proceeds to S21. ,
Determine if it is a paid service. And
If it is a paid service (S21: YES), S23
Then, the billing information request corresponding to the service is transmitted to the information center 1.

This is the case, for example, when the game software information is already stored in the hard disk 33 of the information providing terminal 10 and the game software information is read so that the user can play the game. In this case, it is not necessary to have the information center 1 distribute the game software information itself, but it is necessary to collect the service charge because playing the game is a paid service. Therefore, the transmission of the billing information of the amount corresponding to the service charge is requested.

Then, after the billing information is received in S25, the process proceeds to S19 to provide a predetermined service. In other words, it is possible to play the game after executing the billing first. On the other hand, if the negative determination is made in S21, that is, if the service is not a paid service, there is no need for charging, and therefore the process proceeds directly to S19 to provide a predetermined service.

The operation of the CPU 31 of the information providing terminal 10 has been described above. The information distribution request corresponding to the requested service and the received information reception, the accounting information transmission request and reception, and the requested service provision are provided. Perform each processing of. Next, the operation of the information center 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

In the information center 1, the process is executed from the step S30 after the power is turned on. In S30, initialization of the entire device such as reset of the communication control device 57 is performed. And S31
Then, it is checked whether or not there is a connection request from the information providing terminal 10. If there is, the process proceeds to S33, and if there is not, the process of S31 is repeated to enter the standby state.

In S33, the connection with the information providing terminal 10 is performed in response to the connection request from the information providing terminal 10. After the connection is completed, the process proceeds to S35, and the request from the information providing terminal 10 is received. After the reception of this request is completed, the process proceeds to S37, and if the request is for distribution of information for service provision, information according to the request is distributed to the information providing terminal 10 through a communication path according to the service content, or charging If it is an information request, the billing information of a predetermined amount according to the request is transmitted via the videotex network.

That is, in S37, if the distribution request for the karaoke piece information is made, the free distribution of the karaoke piece information is executed based on the toll-free system. Further, for example, in the case of a distribution request for moving image information used as a background image of karaoke, distribution via the digital communication network is executed. Then, when distribution of weather forecast information, sports event holding information, traffic information, or still image information to be used as a background image of karaoke is requested, information corresponding to the request is distributed via the videotex network. To do. Further, if it is a request to transmit the billing information, the billing information is transmitted via the videotex network.

When the distribution of the service providing information or the transmission of the billing information is completed in S37, the process proceeds to S39 and the connection with the information providing terminal 10 is released. After the connection release process is completed, the process proceeds to S41, and the information delivery record and billing record are recorded in the information storage device 53.

After the result recording process is completed, the process proceeds to S31 and the above process is repeated. As described above, the videotex network is used in the case of distributing weather forecast information, sports event holding information, traffic information, or still image information for use as a background image of karaoke, or transmitting only billing information. It In this case, the information providing terminal 10
The charge collection agent system 9 existing between the communication path of the information center 1 and the information center 1 is applicable based on the billing information transmitted at the time of distribution of weather forecast information or the billing information when only the above billing information is transmitted. The operator who installs the information providing terminal 10 collects the charges by adding the telephone charges.

The function of the charge collection agency system 9 which is the telephone company side equipment in this case will be described. As mentioned above,
When the information providing terminal 10 has the weather forecast information and the like delivered from the information center 1, the fee collection agency system 9
Data is exchanged via. At this time, the charge collection / representation system 9 provides information about which information providing terminal 10 has received which pay information from the information center 1,
It is acquired as a billing record from a position located in the middle of data exchange. Based on this charging record, the information provision fee is calculated by referring to the fee list registered in advance as the one in the communication type information providing system.

The telephone business operator collects the calculated information provision fee in a form to be added to the telephone fee when the telephone fee is charged to the information providing terminal installation operator who is the owner of the information providing terminal 10 which has read the pay information. It provides a service to hand over to music data distributors who are information providers. As such, it is well known as a videotex conducted by NTT.

FIG. 4 shows a communication sequence diagram in the case of passing through the videotex network such as distribution of weather forecast information and transmission of only billing information. FIG. 4 shows a communication sequence between the information providing terminal 10 and the information center 1. First, the information providing terminal 10 makes a call to the information center 1 via the videotex communication network to establish a connection. Then send the password. The information center 1 performs terminal verification based on this password, and if the terminal is registered in the communication-type information providing system, the verification result is returned.

After the information providing terminal 10 receives this collation normality and the information center 1 becomes in the accepting state, the information providing terminal 10 transmits the information distribution request or the accounting information request when only the accounting is executed. The information center 1 transmits to the information providing terminal 10 information corresponding to this request, that is, weather forecast information and billing information as a consideration of the information, or billing information of a predetermined amount when only billing is performed.
In response to this, the information providing terminal 10 disconnects from the information center 1.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the communication type information providing system of the present embodiment, the information providing terminal 10 selects the desired information from the plurality of types of information accumulated in the information center 1. Can be selected to request the distribution, and based on the information distributed in response to the request, the information providing service such as the karaoke performance processing and the display of the weather forecast information is executed.

Here, the information center 1 and the information providing terminal 10
Is capable of communication through three types of communication paths, which are a free dial, a digital communication network, and a videotex network. Regarding various information stored in the information storage device 53 of the information center 1, karaoke song information is available by toll-free, moving image information is available from the digital communication network, and weather forecast information and sports events are available via the videotex network. Character information for holding information or traffic information or still image information for use as weather forecast information or as a background image of karaoke,
It is supposed to be delivered respectively.

The information providing terminal 10 has a hard disk 33 having a correspondence table of these information providing service contents and telephone numbers. The telephone number corresponding to the selected service is read out from the correspondence table and sent to the information center. In the information center 1, the information center 1 determines which of the above communication routes is required to be delivered according to the accessed telephone number, and if it is delivered by the videotex network, for example, the weather forecast It determines which information is requested, such as information, sports event holding information, traffic information, etc., and delivers the corresponding information.

Therefore, when it is attempted to distribute all of a plurality of types of information through a single communication path, there are some pieces of information in which the distribution through that communication path is optimal in terms of, for example, communication cost and communication speed. However, since there is also information that is very unsuitable for distribution on that communication path, it is not possible to realize a distribution that is advantageous for both parties, but in the present embodiment, for example, a communication path that is advantageous depending on the content of the information is set. If set, distribution can be performed via the most suitable communication route for each.

For example, the weather forecast information is considered to be a suitable communication path even if it is distributed through the videotex network without the need for a particularly long time for distribution. However, the videotex for a large amount of moving image information is videotex. If you try to distribute via the network, the distribution time will be very long. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the delivery time can be shortened as much as possible by using the digital communication network having a higher communication speed, and the reliability is high in the digital communication network, which is preferable.

When the information is distributed, it may be necessary to simply distribute the information, and in some cases, it may be necessary to collect the price or the like according to the distributed information. For example, in the above embodiment, the weather forecast information distributed by the videotex network is charged. In this case, by using the videotex network, the fee collection will be easy. That is, in order to collect the charges separately, it is possible to collect the charges directly from the owner of the information providing terminal 10 or the like, for example, manually, but this is very troublesome. Therefore, in this embodiment, this fee collection can be performed by the videotex network, which is very convenient.

Further, in the above embodiment, the information providing terminal 10
The user is allowed to play a game game by reading the game software information stored in the game software, and there is a paid service for playing the game game. And
In order to collect the service charge, by having the information center 1 send the charge information of the amount corresponding to the service charge via the videotex network, it is possible to execute the game after executing the charge first. I am trying to become. It should be noted that, in the case of this game, a fee is charged when playing the game, but it is conceivable to charge a fee for information distributed other than the above-mentioned videotex network and to collect the fee. For example, when delivering karaoke piece information or moving image information, it may be desired to collect a consideration for the information. However, for example, if moving image information that is supposed to be distributed by a digital communication network is distributed by a videotex network, there is an advantage that the charging process can be executed together with the information distribution, but the communication time becomes very long. The other disadvantage is that it will be lost.

Therefore, if it is desired to prioritize the benefit of the communication time (that is, the benefit of being able to transmit in a short time), there is no billing function, but distribution in a digital communication network with a high communication speed cannot be yielded. Therefore, it is conceivable that only the charging process for collecting the fee is performed by the videotex network.

This is similar to the above game,
Charging is performed by having the information center 1 transmit the charging information. For example, according to the above embodiment, when the information providing terminal 10 requests the information center 1 to distribute the moving image information, first, the charging information for charging the requested moving image information fee. May be transmitted to the information providing terminal 10 via the videotex network for charging processing, and then the moving image information may be distributed via the digital communication network. In this way, if the moving image information is distributed via the digital communication network on the condition that the charging by transmitting the charging information via the videotex network is completed, so-called information can be eliminated. Preferred to prevent.

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, if the moving image information is distributed via the digital communication network on the condition that the charging by transmitting the charging information via the videotex network is completed, so-called unnecessary information removal can be prevented. Although the above is preferable, the billing information may be transmitted after the distribution of the moving image information. In this case, for example, the moving image information may be transmitted in a scrambled state, and the decryption key for canceling the scramble may be transmitted later together with the billing information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication type information providing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing main processing of the information providing terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main process of the information center of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram when a videotex network according to the embodiment is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information center 5 ... Public line network 7 ... Dedicated line 9 ... Charge collection agency system 10 ... Information providing terminal 26 ... Screen display control device 27 ... Communication control device 29 ... Television monitor 31 ... Central control device 32 ... Multipurpose input key 33 ... hard disk 34 ... image information memory 51 ... host computer 53 ... information storage device 55 ... input device 57 ... communication control device 58 ... charge collection system communication unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication H04M 15/08 H04N 7/16 C H04N 7/16 7/173 7/173 9466-5K H04L 11 / 20 C

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information center having a plurality of types of information stored therein, and an information selecting means for selecting a desired one from the plurality of types of information stored in the information center. An information providing terminal adapted to have the information selected by the selecting means be delivered from the information center via a communication network and to provide an information providing service to a user based on the delivered information. In the communication type information providing system, the communication network includes a plurality of communication paths set by at least one of a physical network configuration and a communication protocol being different, and the information providing terminal A route selecting means for selecting a communication route used to have the information center deliver the information based on the type of the information selected by the information selecting means; Communicatively information providing system characterized in that a communication network connecting means for connecting to the information center via the communication path selected by the path selection unit. 2. The communication-type information providing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of communication paths provided in the communication network distributes information through the communication path, thereby providing information to a distribution destination. The information center is configured as a charging communication network that charges the terminal, and when the information providing terminal receives information distribution via a communication path other than the charging communication network, the information center charges the information providing terminal and the charging. A communication-type information providing system having a function of executing a billing to a terminal by connecting through a communication network and transmitting billing information corresponding to the price of the distributed information to the information providing terminal. system. 3. The communication type information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the route selection unit is at least one of a communication speed and a communication cost when the information selected by the information selection unit is distributed. A communication-type information providing system, characterized in that a communication path used for information distribution from the information center is selected based on one. 4. A communication network connection means connectable to an information center via a communication network having a plurality of communication paths set by at least one of physical network configuration and communication protocol being different. An information selecting unit for selecting a desired one from a plurality of types of information accumulated in the information center; and the information from the information center based on the type of the information selected by the information selecting unit. Path selecting means for selecting a communication path to be used for distribution, and the communication network connecting means is configured to connect to an information center via the communication path selected by the path selecting means. An information providing terminal characterized by being installed. 5. The information providing terminal according to claim 4, wherein when the information is delivered from the information center through a communication path other than a billing communication network, which is one of the communication paths included in the communication network, the communication network An information providing terminal configured to connect to an information center via the billing communication network by a connecting means and request transmission of billing information corresponding to the price of the distributed information. 6. The information providing terminal according to claim 4, wherein the route selecting unit is at least one of a communication speed and a communication cost when the information selected by the information selecting unit is distributed. An information providing terminal for selecting a communication path used for information distribution from the information center based on the above.