WO2001033445A1

WO2001033445A1 - Method for distributing pay-information

Info

Publication number: WO2001033445A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/007465
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eiji Oishi; Hideyasu Akabane; Kazushi Kaneto; Nobuo Saito; Michiko Fukushima
Original assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-10-29
Filing date: 2000-10-25
Publication date: 2001-05-10
Also published as: JP3428979B2; TW476040B; AU7957200A

Abstract

By using a server of a pay-information distributor where pay information of a pay-information provider is recorded, servers of providers or a server of a selected provider connected to the server of the pay-information distributor, and a user terminal connected to the server of the provider and having provider member information, the server of the pay-information distributor that has received the pay-information request information from the user terminal through the server of the provider provides the user terminal with the pay information, charges the user, selects one of the providers on the basis of data on the charging, and claims the selected provider for payment.

Description

Description Method of distributing paid information Technical field

The present invention relates to a method, a system, and a program for distributing paid information over a network using a computer system. Background art

It is common practice to send paid information from a network server to a user over a network. The problem at this time is how to provide the paid information, how to transmit the paid information, charge the user, and collect the payment including the bill. In other words, it takes a great deal of labor and cost for paid information providers to independently construct these systems for users.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the paid information provider provides the paid information to a specific existing provider, and the provider transmits the paid information to a user who is a registered member. Then, when the provider bills the member user for a usage fee such as a network connection fee, the fee for transmitting the fee-based information is added to the fee, and the fee-based information provider is charged. The method is to collect the payment as provided.

However, in this method, paid information can be provided only to the registered member user of a particular provider, and the paid information provider cannot significantly increase the number of users who can receive the paid information. Was. In order to increase the number of users who can receive paid information, the paid information provider may provide paid information to multiple providers, but in this case, each paid information is stored on the server of the provider. In order to have a paid information provider, it is necessary to create paid information according to the specifications of each provider and provide it to each provider, which is a very troublesome task for paid information providers. I was further, Each provider has its own billing process, billing method, and payment processing method.Therefore, labor, cost, and technical know-how are required even in the initial stage to deal with these, and many operations are required. People and costs were needed.

In addition, as a paid information provider, in order to increase the number of access from users while watching the increase or decrease in the number of members of the provider, when switching the provision of paid information from one specific provider to another specific provider Also, as described above, even in the case where a distribution strategy of transmitting paid information only to the registered member user of a specific provider in advance is to be applied, as described above, the payment processing corresponding to each provider Problems have to be dealt with individually, such as the processing of claims and payments.

On the other hand, as a user, when accessing paid information, it is troublesome to input authentication information such as ID and password. Normally, the user had to enter not only the member ID assigned to the registered member of the provider but also the member ID of the credit company, which is required for payment such as billing and billing. Moreover, these input operations have to be performed every time the paid information is accessed, which is very troublesome for the user.

In addition, the member ID of the provider and the member ID of the credit company are extremely confidential information, and there was a problem in terms of security in transmitting and receiving the information over a network such as the Internet. Accordingly, the present invention provides a paid information provider provided by a paid information provider via the paid information distributor with a new paid information provider interposed between the paid information provider and the provider. As a result, the paid information provider can transmit the paid information to all the member users of the provider simply by providing the paid information to the paid information distributor, and also settle the payments such as billing and billing of the provider. Provide a paid information distribution method that can use the method.

In addition, the access request sent by the user from the terminal to the server of the paid information distributor through the network is limited to the unique information created by the server of the paid information distributor. work Provide a paid information distribution method that reduces the cost and increases the security of information on the network.

In addition, the present invention can utilize a provider that has acquired the largest number of users in existing services as a sales channel, and can utilize the fee settlement means of the provider, and can provide not only paid information providers but also paid services. For information distributors, there is no excessive burden on user management and billing, billing, and collection and other payment transactions, while ensuring the security of information related to user authentication and payment and ensuring unauthorized access. To prevent the loss of paid information and the loss of sales opportunities associated with such paid information, and to realize a paid information distribution method, a paid information distribution system, a server, and a recording medium that records the program, which can be realized by a low-cost network configuration. The purpose is to provide. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for distributing paid information on a network, comprising: a server of a paid information distributor recording paid information of a paid information provider; and a plurality of servers connected to the server of the paid information distributor. Or, using a member of a selected provider and a terminal of a user having provider member information connected to the server of the provider, receiving paid information request information from the terminal of the user via the server of the provider The paid information distributor server provides the paid information to the user terminal, performs a billing process for the user, selects the provider based on the billed data, and selects the provider. The gist is a method of distributing paid information that will be billed.

According to the present invention as described above, the paid information provider records the paid information only on the server of the paid information distributor, and the paid information provider transmits the paid information from the server of the paid information distributor via a plurality of or selected providers. Paid information can be provided to a large number of users who have provider information. Also, the present invention provides the above-mentioned paid information distribution method, wherein the paid information distributor The server is a method for distributing paid information that performs authentication processing based on paid information request information.

In addition, the present invention provides the fee-based information distribution method, wherein the fee-based information request information comprises: provider member information transmitted from a user terminal; This is a method for distributing paid information, which is paid information member information that is transmitted to the server.

Further, the present invention provides the fee-based information distribution method, wherein the server of the fee-based information distributor performs a process of selling the fee-based information to the fee-based information provider, and the fee-based information is distributed based on the sales-processed data. This is a method for distributing paid information, which processes payment to the information provider. The present invention also relates to a method for distributing paid information using a computer system, which receives a request from a user through a provider having a settlement means and an information providing means, and selects from among stored paid information. The gist is a method of distributing paid information that provides paid information corresponding to the request to the user.

With this invention, it is possible to use the provider as a sales channel to sell paid information in a wider market, and to use the payment settlement means already established in the provider. It is not necessary to build a new mechanism for settlement. Further, the present invention provides the method for distributing paid information according to the above method for distributing paid information, wherein the provider is an arbitrary provider selected by a user from a plurality of providers.

Further, according to the present invention, in the method for distributing paid information, the payment for the provision of the paid information is performed with the user through the provider, and the payment with the provider of the charged information is performed. This is a method of distributing paid information when paying for the provision of paid information.

Also, the present invention provides the paid information distribution method described above, wherein access permission information is previously given to the user, and when a request from the user is received, If the access permission information stored in advance in association with the user is compared with the access permission information included in the request and it is determined that the user is permitted access, paid information corresponding to the request is provided. This is the method of distributing paid information.

Further, the present invention is the paid information distribution method, wherein the access permission information includes information on a provider. The present invention also relates to a method for distributing paid information using a computer system, in which the paid information provided by the information provider is stored, and the access permission is provided from the user through a provider having a settlement means and an information providing means. When the request is received, access permission information is generated and provided to the user, the access permission information is stored in association with the user, and paid information request information based on the access permission information is received from the user. The access permission information included in the paid information request information is compared with the stored access permission information, and if it is determined that the user is permitted access, the paid information request information is included. Providing the corresponding paid information and the user paying for the provision of the paid information through the provider The main point is a method of distributing paid information, which is to be settled for payment of paid information with information providers.

The present invention also relates to a method for distributing paid information using a computer system, wherein paid information provided by an information provider is stored, and a plurality of providers having payment means and information providing means are provided. When an access permission request is received from the user through an arbitrary provider selected by the user, the access permission information is generated and provided to the user, and the access permission information is associated with the user and the provider. When the paid information request information based on the access permission information is received from the user, the access permission information included in the paid information request information is compared with the stored access permission information, and the user is referred to. If it is determined that the access is permitted, the It provides information, associated with the access permission information provider The gist is a method for distributing paid information for providing paid information with users through the provision of paid information through the provision of paid information with information providers.

According to these inventions, it is possible to prevent leakage of paid information due to unauthorized access or the like and loss of sales opportunities associated therewith. In addition, this makes it possible to appropriately maintain the economic value of paid information. Further, the present invention provides the fee-based information distribution method, wherein the access permission information includes user identification information for specifying a user and content identification information for specifying the fee information. Information distribution method.

Further, the present invention is the paid information distribution method, wherein the access permission information includes information on the date and time when the access permission information was generated.

Further, according to the present invention, in the distribution method of paid information described above, when receiving paid information request information based on the access permission information from a user, the access permission information is generated from the access permission information included in the paid information request information. This is a method of distributing paid information in which information on the date and time is extracted and whether or not provision of paid information is determined based on the information on the date and time. Also, the present invention provides a paid information distributor server that holds paid information provider paid information, and paid information on a network using a provider server connected to the paid information distributor server. The server of a paid information distributor receives paid information request information based on information sent from a terminal of a user from a server of the provider, and the user based on the paid information request information. The gist of the invention is a method of distributing paid information, which provides paid information to one terminal and transmits billing data based on the paid information to a server of the provider.

According to the present invention, paid information can be provided to the user terminal through the provider, and the provider can be charged based on the billing data relating to the paid information. Further, in the present invention, in the above-mentioned paid information distribution method, a server of the paid information distributor determines whether or not the paid information can be provided to a user terminal based on the paid information request information. It is a distribution method of paid information.

In the present invention, in the method for distributing paid information, the paid information request information may include information on a provider membership sent from the terminal of the user, and a provider membership managed by the server of the provider. This is a method of distributing paid information based on information on

Further, in the present invention, in the method for distributing paid information, the server of the paid information distributor performs a process related to payment of a fee for providing the paid information to the paid information provider based on the billing data. This is a method of distributing paid information. In addition, the present invention provides a method for managing paid information provision results information by a paid information distributor in order to manage provision information information of paid information, wherein access information indicating an access status of the user with respect to the paid information is provided. A first step of extracting according to a preset first condition, and a fee information report report to the fee information provider according to a preset second condition based on the extracted access information. The gist of the present invention is a paid information provision result information operation method including a second step of creating a paid information and a third step of outputting the paid information result report information to the paid information provider.

Thus, in the first step, access information is extracted according to a first condition set in advance. Further, in the second step, the fee-based information actual report information is created based on the access information extracted in the first step in accordance with the second condition set in advance. In the third step, by outputting the paid information actual report information, the paid information provider can refer to the paid information actual report information. Further, the present invention provides the paid information provision result information operation method, wherein the paid information result report information includes payment information to the paid information provider. This is a method of operating paid record information.

Further, the present invention provides the method for operating paid information provided result information, wherein the second condition is set according to the paid information provider. .

In addition, the present invention provides the paid information provision result information operation method according to the above paid information provision result information operation method, wherein the second condition is set by the paid information distributor.

Further, in the present invention, in the above-mentioned method for providing paid information, the access information extracted according to the first condition includes at least an access date and time, a user identification information, a provider identification information, and a paid information identification. This is a method of operating paid record information that includes paid information.

Further, the present invention provides the paid information provision result information operation method, wherein the paid information result report information includes access information created for each of the paid information and including access information aggregated for each of the providers. It is a method of operating information provision results information.

Further, the present invention provides the paid information provision result information operation method, wherein the payment information is prepared for each of the providers, and includes paid information provision result information including access information aggregated for each of the paid information. It is an operation method.

Further, the present invention is the provision result information operation method for paid information in which the display of the paid information is changed based on the access information in the above-mentioned paid information provision result information operation method.

Further, the present invention provides the paid information provision result information operation method, wherein a display of a link advertisement to the paid information is changed according to an access number and an access time to the paid information extracted from the access information. However, this is a method of operating information on the provision of paid information.

Further, the present invention provides the paid information provision result information operation method, wherein the paid information wherein the content of the paid information is changed based on the number of accesses to the paid information extracted from the access information and the access time. This is a method of operating the provided record information. Also, the present invention provides a fee information storage unit for storing fee information provided by an information provider, and a fee information for transmitting fee information based on a request from a user received through a provider having payment means and information providing means. An information transmission unit; and a payment data generation unit that generates payment data between the user and the information provider regarding the provision of the paid information and a payment data between the user and the information provider related to the provision of the paid information. The main point is a paid information distribution system.

Further, the present invention provides a fee information storage unit for storing fee information provided by an information provider, and a provider selected by a user among a plurality of providers having a payment means and an information providing means. A paid information transmitting unit that transmits paid information based on a request from the user that has received the data, and a payment provider selected by the user for payment settlement data between the user and the provision of the paid information.

The gist of the present invention is a paid information distribution system that includes a payment data generation unit that generates payment data for each paid service and an information provider for providing paid information.

According to these inventions, it is possible to provide paid information to the user based on the request from the user received through the provider, and to settle the charge of the charged information by using the payment settlement data described above. . Further, the present invention provides the fee-based information distribution system, wherein an access permission information storage unit for storing access permission information previously given to the user in association with the user, and receiving a request from the user. An access permission determination unit that compares the access permission information included in the request with the access permission information stored in the access permission information storage unit to determine whether the user is permitted to access. This is a paid information distribution system that provides paid information corresponding to the request when it is determined that access is permitted.

Further, the present invention is the paid information distribution system according to the above paid information distribution system, wherein the access permission information includes information on a provider. The present invention also provides a fee information storage unit for storing fee information provided by an information provider, and generates access permission information based on a request from a user received through a provider having payment means and information providing means. And an access permission information generating unit that provides the user with the access permission information, an access permission information storage unit that stores the access permission information in association with the user, and receives paid information request information based on the access permission information from the user. An access permission determining unit that compares the access permission information included in the paid information request information with the stored access permission information to determine whether the user is permitted access; If it is determined that the access is permitted, the paid information corresponding to the paid information request information is provided. Payment information distribution system comprising: a payment information transmitting unit; and a payment data generation unit that generates payment data between a user for providing the payment information and a payment provider for providing the payment information. Is the gist.

Further, the present invention provides a paid information storage unit for storing paid information provided by an information provider, and an arbitrary selected by a user among a plurality of providers having a settlement means and an information providing means. An access permission information generation unit that generates access permission information based on a request from a user received through a provider and provides the access permission information to the user, and stores the access permission information in association with the user and the provider. Upon receiving paid information request information based on the access permission information from the user, the access permission information storage unit compares the access permission information included in the paid information request information with the stored access permission information, and An access permission determining unit for determining whether or not the user is permitted to access; If it is determined that the fee information is provided, the fee information transmitting unit that provides the fee information corresponding to the fee information request information, and the payment settlement data between the user for the provision of the fee information and the provider for each provider selected by the user. The gist of the present invention is a paid information distribution system including a payment data generation unit that generates payment data with an information provider for providing paid information. The present invention also provides the fee-based information distribution system, wherein the access permission information includes user identification information for identifying a user and fee-based information. Is a paid information distribution system that includes the content identification information.

Further, the present invention provides the fee-based information distribution system, wherein the access permission information includes user identification information for specifying a user and content identification information for specifying the fee-based information. It is a distribution system.

The present invention is also the paid information distribution system according to the above paid information distribution system, wherein the access permission information includes information on the date and time when the access permission information was generated.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above fee-based information distribution system, when the access permission determining unit receives the fee-based information request information based on the access permission information from the user, This is a paid information distribution system that extracts information on the date and time when the access permission information was generated, and determines whether or not to provide paid information based on the information on the date and time.

In addition, the present invention provides the fee-based information distribution system, wherein the access permission determining unit receives the fee-based information request information based on the access permission information from a user, the access permission information included in the fee-based information request information. This is a paid information distribution system that extracts information on the date and time when the access permission information was generated from the server, and determines whether to provide paid information based on the information on the date and time. Further, the present invention provides a fee information storage unit for holding fee information, an access information storage unit for holding information for managing access to the fee information, and an access key based on a purchase request from a user. An access key issuance request receiving unit that receives the issuance request data via the first communication network; an access key is generated based on the access key issuance request data; and information about the access key is stored in the access information storage unit. An access key generating unit for transmitting the access key; receiving the fee information request data generated based on the access key; extracting the access key from the fee information request data; And search the access information storage section Thus, an access key determining unit for determining the validity of the paid information request data, and when the paid information request data is determined to be valid by the access key determining unit, the requested paid information is stored in the charged information storage unit. , A paid information distributor server having a paid information transmitting unit for transmitting through the second communication network, a member information storage unit for storing information about the user and billing information for the user, and a purchase from the user. A paid service registration processing unit that writes information based on the request to the member information storage unit, and an access that transmits access key issue request data that requests the issuance of an access key to access the paid information based on the purchase request The key issuance request section and the access to receive the access key corresponding to the access key issuance request data A provider server having a ski receiving unit and an access key transmitting unit for transmitting data based on the access key to the user, wherein the access key issuance request receiving unit transmits the access key transmitted by the access key issuance request unit The gist of the present invention is a paid information distribution system that receives the issuance request data and the access key receiving unit receives the access key transmitted by the access key generation unit. Also, the present invention provides a member information storage unit for storing information about a user and charging information for the user, a paid service registration processing unit for writing information based on a purchase request from a user into the member information storage unit, Access key issuance request requesting issuance of an access key to access paid information based on the access key issuance request section, and an access key corresponding to the access key issuance request data is received. The gist of the invention is a provider server including an access key receiving unit for transmitting data based on the access key to the user and an access key transmitting unit for transmitting data based on the access key to the user.

Also, in the present invention, in the server of the provider, the access key issuance request data includes user identification information for identifying a user and content identification information for identifying paid information to be purchased. This is the provider's server.

The present invention also provides the server of one of the above providers, wherein the data transmitted to the user from the access key transmitting unit includes the access to the user terminal. The provider's server that contains data that enforces processing of access to paid information based on keys.

The present invention also provides the server of the above-mentioned provider, wherein the data transmitted to the user from the access key transmitting unit includes a unity or resource location data based on the access key. Server.

The present invention also provides the server of the above provider, wherein the access key receiving unit writes billing information in the member information storage unit when the access key is normally received. It is.

Further, the present invention is the server of the provider, wherein the server of the provider has a billing processing unit for generating data for billing the user for fee information based on the billing data. Further, the present invention provides a fee information storage unit for holding fee information, an access information storage unit for holding information for managing access to the fee information, and an access key issuance request data stored in a first communication network. An access key issuance request receiving unit that receives an access key, generates an access key based on the access key issuance request data, stores information on the access key in an access information storage unit, and generates an access key that transmits the access key Receiving paid information request data generated based on the access key, extracting an access key from the paid information request data, and searching the access information storage unit based on the extracted access key. An access key discriminator for judging the validity of the paid information request data, and a paid information If the data is determined to be valid, a paid information distributor server that includes a paid information transmitting unit that reads out the requested paid information from the charged information storage unit and transmits the read paid information through the second communication network. And

Further, the present invention provides the paid information distributor, wherein the first communication network is different from the second communication network.

The present invention also provides the server for a paid information distributor, wherein the access key The issuance request receiving unit receives the access key issuance request data including user identification information for identifying a user and content identification information for identifying paid information, and the access key generation unit determines the user identification information and the content identification information. It is a server of a paid information distributor that generates an access key based on the information.

The present invention also provides the server for a paid information distributor, wherein the access key generation unit generates an access key based on a date and time, and stores information on the date and time in the access information storage unit; The key determination unit obtains the date and time when the access key was generated based on the access key extracted from the paid information request data, and based on a comparison result between the date and time and the date and time at the time of the access key determination, the paid information request De It is a server of a paid information distributor that determines the validity of overnight.

Also, the present invention provides the fee-based information distributor's server, wherein the access key determining unit receives the fee-based information request data based on the access key each time receiving the fee-based information request data, The paid information request server is a server of a paid information distributor for determining the validity of the paid information.

In the present invention, in the paid information distributor, the access key issuance request receiving unit includes an access key issuance request data including information on a communication address of a user terminal used when transmitting the paid information request data. The access key discriminating unit receives the communication address of the user terminal extracted from the access key issuance request data and the communication address of the user terminal that is the source of the paid information request data. Is a server of a paid information distributor that determines the validity of the paid information request data. By using these servers or systems, it is possible to realize distribution of paid information and settlement of the payment through a provider. Further, the present invention provides an access key issuance request reception process for receiving access key issuance request data, generating an access key based on at least the access key issuance request data, and storing information on the access key in an access information storage unit. Access key generation processing for storing and transmitting the access key; and generating the access key based on the access key. By receiving the paid information request data, extracting the access key from the paid information request data, and searching the access information storage unit based on the extracted access key, An access key determination process for determining validity, and a fee information transmission process for transmitting the requested fee information when the fee information request data is determined to be valid by the access key determination process, to the computer. The gist is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program to be executed is recorded.

According to this invention, an access key is generated based on the access key issuance request data received from one user's terminal, and when paid information request data is received from the user's terminal along with the access key, the access key is generated. The process of transmitting the paid information after judging the validity is realized by a computer, and the paid information can be safely distributed. Further, the present invention is the above-mentioned computer-readable recording medium, wherein in the access key issuance request receiving process, user-identification information for identifying a user and paid information are identified from the access key issuance request data. A content identification information to be extracted, and in the access key generation processing, an access key based on the user identification information and the content identification information.

Further, the present invention is the above-mentioned computer-readable recording medium, wherein in the access key generation processing, an access key is generated based on a date and time at the time of the processing, and information on the date and time is stored in the access key. In the access key discriminating process, the date and time when the access key was generated is obtained based on the access key extracted from the paid information request data, and the date and time and the access key discrimination time are stored. A computer-readable recording medium for determining the validity of the fee-based information request data based on a comparison result with the date and time.

Further, the present invention is the above-mentioned computer-readable recording medium, wherein in the above-mentioned access key determining process, each time the paid information request data based on the access key is received, the transmission source user terminal In comparison result about communication address A computer-readable recording medium for determining the validity of the paid information request based on the information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of information in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a reference diagram showing input means of the user terminal in the first embodiment. _C FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for accessing paid content according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a processing sequence diagram showing a procedure for accessing paid content according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a paid content top page displayed on a user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of paid content according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a WWW top page of a provider displayed on a user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a provider-specific content service guide screen displayed on one user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen example of a provider's entertainment content list displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an entrance page of paid content displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a paid service authentication screen displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paid content enrollment guidance screen displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a member paid service registration page displayed on one user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service registration page for a non-provider member displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service registration page for a provider-non-member displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for paid service stop processing displayed on the user terminal in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the interrelationship between the paid information provider, the paid information distributor, the provider, and the user in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a mutual relationship among a paid information provider, a paid information distributor, a provider, and a user in the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating and distributing sales report information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a structure and an example of intermediate data for creating sales report information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a first example of sales report information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a second example of sales report information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a format and data example of cycle definition information for each paid information provider according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure of settlement management using billing collation information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of billing matching information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the structure and data example of the content attribute information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment statement according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration for realizing a method for promoting sales of paid information using access information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a banner advertisement selected by the banner selecting unit according to the fourth embodiment is displayed.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which ranking information generated by the content generation unit according to the fourth embodiment is displayed.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment)

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a method for distributing paid information on a network will be described. An example of the overall system configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The paid information provider (100), who creates and / or provides the paid information (1), is distributed from the paid information provider (100). A server (201) of a paid information distributor (200) recording the paid information (1) provided and requested, and a server (301) of a plurality of providers (300); As a member user of the provider (300), the terminal (410) of the user (400) having the member information (302) of the provider such as a user ID and a password. The server of another provider may be interposed between the server of the paid information distributor (201) and the server of the provider (301).

Here, the network includes wired or wireless, and includes networks such as telephone lines, dedicated lines, and satellite communications.

In addition, paid information refers to paid content such as still images such as photos, videos, moving images such as movies, and / or text such as novels, etc., paid products such as personal computers, cameras, etc., air tickets, concert tickets, etc. Users and providers with information on product sales, such as paid tickets, etc., etc., expressed in images and / or characters, and information on provision of paid services, such as paid transportation, etc., in images, and / or characters, etc. Information about everything that is traded between and The provision of paid information to the user is performed by transmitting the information to the user's terminal and displaying it. Paid products and paid tickets are provided by mail or other means, and paid services are not supported. Depending on the type of service, this is done by providing services to users.

A “provider” corresponds to a service provider that provides services to potential consumers. This service provider includes, for example, a service provider that provides a connection service to a network, and is typically an Internet service provider (ISP) that provides a connection service to the Internet.

However, the term “provider” is not limited to Internet service providers that provide this network connection service, but includes banks, securities companies, credit card companies, other payment service providers, money lenders, other finance-related service providers, and electronic services. Members, contractors, accounts, such as money-related businesses, prepaid voucher-related businesses, terrestrial, satellite, cable, and other broadcasters or operators of broadcasting-like businesses, electric power providers, distributors, and transporters It manages information about holders (collectively referred to as users) and has means for directly or indirectly providing paid information to the user and means for paying for the paid information. Good.

The configuration and the flow of information according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The paid information provider (100) provides the paid information (1) to the paid information distributor (200). The paid information distributor registers the provided paid information in the server (201). The fee information (1) can be transmitted from the terminal of the fee information provider to the server (201) of the fee information distributor via a network, or the fee information can be stored on a recording medium such as a CD, FD, or DVD. It is also possible to record (1) and register it on the server (201) of the paid information distributor via this recording medium (1). Further, the paid information distributor (200) can also register its own paid information (1) in the server (201) while also serving as the paid information provider (100).

In addition, the paid information distributor server (201) can receive a plurality of paid information from a specific paid information provider, and can provide one or more paid information from a plurality of paid information providers. You can also receive.

In the present embodiment, each process is performed in several steps. First, a process of providing paid information between a user and a paid information distributor will be described. User (400) The paid information request information is transmitted from the terminal (401) to the server (201) of the paid information distributor (200) via the server (301) of the provider (300), and the server (201) receiving the paid information request information 201) sends the paid information (1) to the user terminal (401) and displays it. In this description, the paid information (1) is described as paid content.

When the user (400) requests provision of paid information, the paid information member information (202) corresponding to each paid information (1) is obtained from the server (201) of the paid information distributor (200), and The paid information member information (202) is recorded in the server (201) of the paid information distributor (200) in association with information on the user (400).

More specifically, the user's terminal (401) is a paid information distributor (20

0) server (20 1) or provider (300) server (30

The paid information notification display provided by 1) is displayed and the user is prompted to provide the paid information (1). When the user (400) requests the provision, the user first inputs (clicks) into the input means that accepts the input requesting acquisition of the paid information authorization information displayed on the paid information notification display. The provider member information (302) including the user ID and the password is input to the provider member information input means (402) for accepting the input of the provider member information provided by the server of the provider (301). The provider member information (302) is transmitted to the server (301) of the provider 1 and the server (301) performs authentication processing as to whether the user is a member of the provider. The authenticated provider one-member information (302) is transmitted to a paid information distributor server (201) via a dedicated line or a virtual private network (VPN). The server (201) creates paid information member information (202) corresponding to the provider member information (302) and the paid information (1). The paid information member information (202) is the information and provider of the user (400).

The information related to (300) is recorded in the server (201) in association with the information. The paid information member information (202) includes a provider identifier, a user identifier (a part of the provider member information, for example, a user ID, etc.), a creation date, and the like. Correlation with provider member information is possible.

The following describes the process of providing paid information (1) to the user after obtaining paid information member information (202). The terminal (401) of the user (400) displays the paid information notification display (402) provided by the server (201) of the paid information distributor (200) or the server (301) of the provider (300). Request the user to provide the paid information (1). When requesting the provision of paid information, the user (400) inputs the request information and the provider member information (302) to the input means (404). The provider member information (302) is transmitted to the server (301) of the provider, and the server (301) performs an authentication process on whether the user (400) is a member or not. The authentication process simultaneously authenticates whether the provider member information (302) has acquired paid information member information (202). After the authentication, if it has been acquired, the paid information member information (202) is transmitted to the paid information distributor server (201). The server (201) compares the received paid information member information (202) with the paid information member information (202) recorded in the server (201), and performs authorization processing, that is, permission for transmission of the paid information. It is determined whether the user has been granted. Then, if the paid information member information is acquired and it can be determined that the user is the authorized user, the paid information (1) is transmitted to the terminal (401) of the user and displayed on the terminal (401).

The paid information request information refers to information configured based on the provider member information (302) transmitted from the user terminal and the paid information member information (202) transmitted from the server (301) of the provider. In addition, the paid information member information (202) can be transmitted after being encrypted. At this time, the server (201) of the paid information distributor that has received the paid information member information (202) decrypts the information and performs processing such as authentication.

Next, a description will be given of charging and billing processing from a paid information distributor to a user in connection with provision of paid information. The paid information distributor's server (301) receives the paid information request information transmitted from the user's terminal (401) via the provider's server (301), performs authentication processing, and executes the paid information (1). ) And provide paid information to the user based on the authenticated paid information member information (202). It performs charging processing such as adding the price of the paid information in association with the paid information member information, which is information on the provider (300) involved in the provision of the information. Then, based on the charged data, a provider (300) corresponding to the paid information member (202) is identified and selected, and the provider member information (302) is provided to the provider (300). It performs payment processing such as billing for paid information for users (400) who have. The provider can be easily identified if the paid member information (202) has a provider identifier. Also, the provider identifier can be created automatically on the paid information distributor's server.

Here, the billing process from the paid information distributor (200) to the provider (300) can be performed from the paid information distributor server (201) to the provider one server (301) via a network, Well-known processing such as creating and sending a document from the server (201), or passing through a financial institution such as a bank or a credit company can be adopted.

In addition, the provider (300) charged from the server (201) of the paid information distributor has already been executed between the user (400) and the provider (300) for the user (400). On the day when the payment processing such as connection fee is performed, the payment information to the user (400) is added to the price of the paid information received from the paid information distributor server (201). Perform processing. Therefore, it is not necessary for the provider to separately make a request for collection of consideration for providing paid information to the user.

In addition, since the user (400) only needs to perform the payment process for the charge from the provider, there is no need to perform any special cumbersome processing such as paying the fee by accessing the paid information.

Then, the provider, which receives the request data on the compensation for providing the paid information from the server of the paid information distributor, provides the user having the provider member information—

(400) is billed. As the billing process, a well-known process can be adopted similarly to the billing process between the paid information distributor (200) and the provider (300). Next, a description will be given of a payment settlement process relating to payment of consideration for provision of paid information between the paid information distributor (200) and the paid information provider (100). The paid information distributor's server (201) receives the paid information request information from the user's terminal (401), performs an authentication process, and, based on the record of providing the paid information (1), stores the paid information (1). Perform payment settlement processing corresponding to sales to provider (100). That is, the paid information distributor (200) pays the fee to the paid information provider (100) based on the data that has been processed according to the record of providing paid information to the user. The sales process is based on the fee negotiated between the paid information provider and the paid information distributor. Such arrangements may include royalties according to the number of paid information provided, fixed charges for recording paid information on servers of paid information distributors, and fixed charges for each term such as monthly charges.

Payment processing from the paid information distributor (200) to the paid information provider (100) can be performed from the server (201) of the paid information distributor to the server of the paid information provider via a network or a server (200). 201), a well-known process such as creating and sending a document, or passing through a financial institution such as a bank or a credit company can be adopted.

The paid information distributor's server (201) receives paid information request information from the user's terminal (401) via the provider's server (201), performs authentication processing, and provides the paid information (1). Then, since payment processing is performed for the user and the paid information provider in connection with the provision of the paid information, based on the data used for the payment processing, the payment information for each provider is obtained. Distribution information such as the provision status, the provision status of paid information by user, and the provision status of paid information at each hour can be totaled. Accordingly, the distribution information can be provided to the paid information provider (100) using the distribution information.

Here, the distribution information providing process can be performed from the server of the paid information distributor (201) to the terminal of the paid information provider (100) via the network, or the server of the paid information distributor (201) A report such as a report can be prepared and reported from. Real-time distribution information provision processing can be performed through a network.

Each process performed by the paid information distributor server can be performed by one server. Yes, it can be distributed to multiple servers according to each process.

In the present embodiment, the server of the provider connected to the server of the paid information distributor may be a server of a plurality of providers or a server of one or more providers arbitrarily selected from a plurality of providers.

(Second embodiment)

In the following description of the second embodiment, an operation procedure viewed from the user's point of view, access control using an access key (access permission information), prevention of access key leakage, a content display method, and a plurality of methods corresponding to characteristics are described. It includes detailed technical matters such as the proper use of the network and prevention of outflow of paid content.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure until the user accesses the paid content. The operation procedure shown in this figure is started from the top page of the WWW of the provider (ISP) on the user terminal (step 701). When the user selects "Contents" from this top page, the "Content Service Guide" screen is displayed on the user terminal, and any genre is selected from the "Content list by genre" on this screen. Can be selected. When "entertainment contents" is selected from the list (step 702), a list of entertainment contents is displayed on one user terminal (step 703). When the user selects a specific content (hereinafter, referred to as content A) from the list (step 704), an entry page of the content A is displayed (step 705). The entrance page itself is free content, and no user is charged at this stage.

If this user is not registered as a service receiving qualifier for the paid content service and the paid service in the content A (step 706), the content A membership guide page (step 7) 1 Perform the registration operation from 1). If this user is a member who has contracted with this provider 1 (step 7 12), since the user has already established a payment method between the user and the provider, the user 1 Enter the necessary information on the paid service registration page (step 7 13), and the provider server The registration process is performed as a qualifying person for receiving one service (step 714). At this stage, the member information database 351 (member information storage unit) managed by the provider's server 301 records that the member has registered for paid service. Also, if the content is of a type that allows users to access the content for a fixed period of time (for example, one week, one month, one quarter, etc.), the provider's server must be used in this step. In, billing data for a certain period is generated even in the evening.

After the registration process based on the user's request (either immediately or after an interval), the user requests an access key (details of the access key will be described later). At that time, an access key is issued based on the registered information, and the user can access the paid information by using the access key.

If this user is not a member of the provider (step 7 12), a settlement method is established on the non-member user ID acquisition page by, for example, inputting a credit card number (step 7 15). ), The non-member user ID is issued from the provider server (step 7 16), and then the registration process of steps 7 13 and 7 14 is performed.

The user who has registered the paid service of the content A moves to the paid service authentication screen from the entrance page of the content A (step 705) and inputs information necessary for the authentication here (step 708). Thus, the user accesses the paid content page of the content A (step 709).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the WWW top page of the provider displayed on one screen of the browser of the user terminal in the above-mentioned step 701. In this example, the data of this top page is provided by a server called “www J” that exists in the domain of “t-net.ne.jp.” The “content” displayed on this top page The item is linked to the next Content Services Guide page.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen example of the above “content service guide”. One of the items in the “Content List by Genre” is “Entertainment”. Exists.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of the “entitlement content list” displayed on one browser screen in step 703. This screen in this example outlines three types of content: “fortune-telling,” “idol CLUB,” and “entertainment news.”

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen example of the “idle CLUB” entry page displayed in step 705 when “idle CLUB” is selected in step 704. A user who has already registered for the paid service for this content can select "MEMBER" to proceed to the authentication screen, and an unregistered user can perform the enrollment procedure by selecting "enrollment guide". Registered users can also select "Unsubscribe" to perform the withdrawal procedure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a paid service authentication screen displayed on one user terminal in step 708 described above. Registered users can perform an authentication procedure by entering their username and password on this screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the "idle CLUB" enrollment guidance screen displayed on the one user terminal in step 711. On the screen shown in this figure, a user with the provider's user ID can purchase and register a paid information service by selecting the “To service registration” item. You can purchase and register for the paid information service after selecting the “Start procedure” item and completing the enrollment procedure.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a member service registration page displayed on the user terminal in step 7 13 described above. You can register as a paid information service user by joining the user ID and password. In addition, the fee information in this example is a fixed monthly fee, and registration for this screen is used as a trigger to generate data for payment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the first page of the non-member service registration page displayed on the user terminal in step 7 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the second page of the non-member service registration page. On the screen shown in Fig. 17, the user's name, address, credit card information, etc. are required for payment. By entering the necessary information, users other than the connection members of the provider can be given a user ID for receiving paid services.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal in the service stop processing in step 710. By entering the user ID and password on the screen shown in this figure, a user who has registered for the paid information service can perform the withdrawal procedure.

Next, details of access control using an access key will be described. FIG. 6 is a processing sequence diagram showing a processing procedure of a terminal and a server until a paid service registered user receives distribution of paid content. Note that this processing procedure corresponds to the processing from step 708 to step 709 in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the user enters a user ID and password on the paid service authentication screen and performs a transmission operation, whereby a paid service authentication request is transmitted from the user's terminal 401 to the server 301 of the provider. (Step S 1). The server of the provider accesses the member information database 351 based on the received information and determines whether or not this user is a registered user. After confirming that the registration has been made (step S2), the access key issuance request is transmitted to the server 201 of the paid information distributor. This access key issuance request is a user ID given by the provider, a provider ID assigned by the paid information distributor to identify the provider, and a request content assigned by the paid information distributor to identify the requested content. A content ID is added to the content and transmitted (step S3). The personality of the user is uniquely specified by the combination of the provider ID and the user ID.

Here, the content ID includes information indicating a charging type and a content category. The charging type indicates the number of charges for each access and the period charge (period, for example, one week, one month, etc.) that allows free access regardless of the number of times. Indicates the category of the content, and is used as key information when analyzing access patterns or when granting access only to specific age groups, such as gambling information.

The paid information distributor server 201 that has received the access key issuance request Generate an access key based on the received information. An access key is a sequence of data used to determine the legitimacy of access to paid content.In order to prevent it from being easily forged, cryptographic technology should be used in the access key generation logic. . In the present embodiment, a predetermined operation is performed based on at least the provider ID, the user ID, the content ID, and the access key issue date and time, and the resulting character string is used as the access key. Note that this operation process is at least partially reversible, and there is an inverse operation that can obtain at least the provider ID, user ID, content ID, and access key issue date and time based on the generated access key. Is selected as described above.

Then, the server 2 0 1 paid information distribution who registers the access key issue information access management database ₂ 5 1 (access management information storage unit) (step S 4). The information registered here is the provider ID, user ID, content ID, access key issue date and time, billing type, and access key issued.

When this registration is completed, the paid information distributor server 201 returns URL information including the generated access key to the provider server 301 (step S5). Here, if the content requested by the user is of a type that charges each time access is made, at this stage, the server 301 of the provider records the billing information in the member information database 351. (Step S6). Further, even in the case of content of a type that allows a user to freely access for a certain period, information may be recorded as basic data for analyzing an access pattern.

If the access key is not issued correctly for any reason and an error status is returned in the access key response in step S5, the provider server 3 does not record the charge in step S6.

If the access key is successfully returned, the provider server 301 passes the access key to the user terminal 401 (step S7), and the user terminal 410 receives the access key. The server of the paid information distributor is accessed using the included URL (step S8). Upon receiving this, the paid information distributor's server 201 extracts the character string of the access key from the URL, and Check (determine) the correctness of one. Then, as a result of the check, when it is confirmed that the access key is valid, the IP address (communication address) of the user terminal 401 transmitted using the URL is associated with the access key. Then, after registering in the access management database 251 (step S9), the requested paid content is transmitted to the user terminal 401 (step S10). The data transmitted in step S10 corresponds to the top page of the paid content. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of the top page on the terminal of one user. In this figure, the character string “4880 dg 33333” included in the URL information shown in the “address” column corresponds to the access key. The user can access the hyperlinked page 7 ^ 'from this top page, but when accessing the link destination, the URL using the same access key as when accessing the top page is used. You will have access. The paid information distributor's server 201 also extracts the character string of the access key from the URL when accessing this link destination, checks the validity of this access key, and then transmits the content. I have. The number of links from the top page may be any number, or may be indirectly linked in multiple stages. When accessing each page of paid content, check the validity of the access key every time the page changes There is a need to.

In the present embodiment, the communication between the terminal and the server and between the server and the server shown in FIG. 6 is performed by HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). In step S7, the issued access key is embedded in a part of the URL indicating the top page of the paid content, and the URL is embedded in the “<META>” tag in the hypertext. It is sent in the form of a browser and operates on the user's terminal 401 with the function of a browser, without having to consciously input the URL or give a trigger for access, from receiving this hypertext After a certain period of time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed, the request in step S8 using this URL is automatically issued.

In the present embodiment, when the server 201 of the paid information distributor receives the request in step S8 from the user terminal, the server 201 of the general encryption technology In addition to the above checks, the following checks are also performed.

The first is to check the date and time. The sum of the processing time in each server, the processing time in the user's terminal, the waiting time specified in the above “<META>” tag, and the transmission delay time is usually on the order of several seconds to several tens of seconds. On the premise of this, an access request arriving after a lapse of a predetermined time from the access key issuance date and time is returned as an error without being determined to be valid.

The second is to check the IP address (communication address). When a content request is first received with a legitimate access key, the terminal's IP address is registered in the access management database 251, and when a second or subsequent content request with the same access key is received, It checks whether the IP addresses are the same and returns an error if they are different.

In this way, checking using the date and time and the IP address has led to strengthening security, such as preventing unauthorized access due to leakage of access keys and preventing theft of paid information.

In the IP address check described above, the IP address at the time of the content request in step S8 in FIG. 6 is registered in the access management database 251, and is checked at the time of a subsequent access request. Instead, the information of the IP address of the terminal 401 of the user is acquired when the access key issuance request in step S3, and the information is acquired when the access key issuance information is registered in step S4. It is also possible to register in the Access Management Data Base 251, and to check when receiving a content request in step S8 and subsequent steps.

Next, a content display method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of content display on the screen of the user terminal 401. In this figure, reference numeral 6001 denotes a frame on the browser screen, and 611, 612,... Represent frames in the browser screen 61, respectively. The screen configuration shown in the figure is realized by a frame function provided by a general hypertext description language. Here, the paid information (contents A) supplied by the paid information distributor server 201 is displayed in the frame 611, and the surrounding frames 612 are provided by the provider of the user's contracted partner. Servers supplied by server 301 The provider-specific information is displayed. Note that the frame configuration shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The information unique to one provider and the information common to a plurality of providers may be displayed by another configuration.

With such a display method, the paid information distributor does not need to consider any information unique to each provider, so even if the content is provided through multiple providers, And maintenance costs can be reduced. In addition, the link to the top page of the provider or the link to the content list page can be included in the provider-specific display information, which has the advantage of leading to sales opportunities for other paid content. .

Next, the use of multiple networks in the distribution of paid content described above will be described. Of the communication between the server and the terminal and between the server and the server shown in Fig. 6, in the communication in steps S1, S3, S5, and S7, the amount of transmitted information is relatively small, so the communication capacity must be considered so much. There is no, but high confidentiality is required to convey user authentication information. On the other hand, in the communication in steps S8 and S10, since the actual data of the content such as images, sounds, and videos is transmitted, the amount of transmitted information is large, but confidentiality is not so required. Therefore, in this example, the communication regarding issuance of an access key between the server 201 of the paid information distributor and the server 301 of the provider is performed in a closed network using a dedicated line (the first communication). Network), and the connection between the paid information distributor's server 201 and the user's terminal 401 via an open network (second communication network). Here, the open network is, for example, the Internet.

As for communication between the server 301 of the provider and the terminal 401 of the user, various communication means are used according to the convenience of the provider and the user. Specifically, many use telephone networks, CATV networks, and dedicated lines.

By properly using networks according to each characteristic as described above, necessary information confidentiality is ensured, and it is possible to use a relatively low-cost network for content transmission. Reduce the cost of necessary communication lines Can be. (Third embodiment)

FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrams showing the interrelationship between the paid information provider, the paid information distributor, the provider, and the user according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, according to the present embodiment, the paid information distributor creates a market for distributing the paid information provided by a plurality of various paid information providers, and The connection enables the market to be expanded and the market to be maintained and operated at low cost, so that paid information distributors have the opportunity to sell their information at low cost. Can be In addition, users will be able to purchase a wide variety of paid information easily and securely using payment methods already established with providers. In addition, providers will be able to earn commission income associated with the distribution of paid information, thereby increasing the asset value of their member organizations.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, exchange of paid information to be distributed and settlement of the price are performed between the paid information provider and the paid information distributor. In addition, the procedure necessary for accessing the paid information and the settlement of the price are performed between the provider and the user. This payment may be performed based on charging and billing processing from the paid information distributor to the provider, or may be performed based on charging information recorded in the member information data base of the provider. In addition, between the paid information distributor and the provider, the paid information access request from the user is processed, and the payment collected by the provider is settled. In addition, paid information is actually distributed between the paid information distributor and the user based on the processed access request. (Fourth embodiment)

The fourth embodiment provides a sales performance analysis method for paid information sold via a network.

A so-called database that accumulates sales performance data using database technology and analyzes the data from various perspectives to link sales promotion and product planning. —Small marketing is taking place. Such sales performance analysis requires not only the accuracy and precision of the underlying data, but also the promptness to generate an imminent action through analysis using the latest performance information.

The present embodiment is intended to satisfy the above-mentioned demands, and in a business type of distribution of paid information via a network, the distribution business operator operates from a downstream sales channel such as a provider. Accurate sales performance information can be obtained in real time, processed and analyzed, and provided to downstream sales channels and upstream paid information providers in a timely manner, leading to increased sales. Provide a paid information sales performance analysis method that can also be used to manage the settlement of provided charges.

The following describes a sales performance analysis system that uses information generated on a paid information distributor's server. Here, typical examples of the server of the paid information distributor are as described in the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sales information analysis system according to the embodiment. In FIG. 21, reference numeral 201 denotes a server of a paid information distributor, 100 denotes a paid information provider, 300 denotes a provider, and 400 denotes a user. Reference numeral 1291 denotes an access management database provided in the server 201 of the paid information distributor. The paid information provided by the paid information provider 100 is placed on the paid information distributor's server 201, and the user 400 is provided with the paid information through the authentication process in the provider 300. Access the distributor's server 201 to obtain paid information. At this time, detailed access logs for each user are stored in the access management database 1291.

Reference numeral 11010 denotes a sales performance analysis system that uses log information accumulated in the Access Management Database 1291. The sales performance analysis system 101 includes extraction means (extraction section) 101, tabulation means (tabulation section) 11012 and 101, sending means (sending section) 10 14, printing means (printing unit) 101 is provided, and the printing means 101 outputs a form 150. Here, the extraction means 1 101 extracts information from the access management database 1 291 in accordance with a preset extraction condition 1 0 2 1 (first condition), and obtains access information 1 0 3 1 Create Further, the paid information actual report information is created by the tabulation means 101 and 102. The paid information performance report information includes sales report information 103 and billing collation information 103 (payment information). The tabulation means 1 0 1 2, according to the tabulation conditions 1 0 2 2 (second condition) set in advance based on the access information 10 3 1, sales for providing to the paid information provider 1 0 0 Create report information 1 0 3 2 In addition, the tabulation means 110 13 is provided by the paid information provider 100 and the provider 1 in accordance with the tabulation conditions 102 3 (the second condition) set in advance based on the access information 103. The billing collation information 1 0 3 3 used for the settlement management between 3 and 0 is created.

Further, the printing means 101 prints the created sales report information 103 and the bill collation information 103 on a print medium such as paper, and outputs a form 105. The sending means 110 sends the created sales report information 103 to each of the paid information providers 100. The sending means 1004 may be attached to the paid information provider 1000 via e-mail or the like via a communication network such as displaying on a web system, or the paid information provider 100 You may access the sending means 10 14 yourself to view the paid information performance report information, or you may view the sales report information in the form of data recorded on a magnetic recording medium or in the form of a form printed on paper. 1 0 3 2 may be sent to the paid information provider 100.

Extraction rules 021 are based on the log information at the detail level stored in the access management database 1291, and at least the information that identifies the access date and time, the information that identifies the user, the information that identifies the provider, and the fee. The information is set to extract the identification information. As a result, the created access information 1031 holds the information items listed above at the detailed level, and it is possible to analyze sales performance information in detail. The tabulation conditions 102 2 can be set individually according to each paid information provider 100. As a result, the format of the sales report information created in accordance with the tabulation conditions 1002 set according to the paid information provider 100 is made unique according to the paid information provider 100. It becomes possible. Further, the tabulation conditions 1022 can be set by the server 201 of the paid information distributor. As a result, the tabulation conditions are provided on the server side of the paid information distributor by the function that cooperates with other functions or the function integrated with other functions as necessary. By setting 1022, it becomes possible to create sales report information according to the set conditions. It is possible to provide an interface for setting the tabulation conditions 102 in a form integrated with the function of the paid information distributor server 201 side. Further, by opening the use of the above-mentioned condition setting function to the paid information provider, it is possible to set conditions according to the individual needs of the paid information provider without the need for the paid information distributor.

In addition, the sales report information 103 is created by summarizing the access information for each individual content (paid information) by provider. As a result, it is possible to analyze detailed access information for each content, and it is also possible to analyze the characteristics of each provider as a sales channel. With such a configuration, it is possible to analyze the sales performance of each provider for each paid information using the sales report information.

The billing collation information 103 is created by summarizing access information by content for each individual provider. As a result, the billing collation information 103 can be used for collation verification with the sales statement delivered from each provider to the paid information distributor, and the content sellers at the provider can be used. It is also possible to analyze.

Next, the distribution procedure of sales report information will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure for distributing sales report information. First, the extracting means 101 extracts access information from the access management database 1291 based on the extraction condition 1021 (step S11 in Fig. 22). This access information includes at least date and time information, user identification information, provider identification information, and content identification information (paid information identification information). As a result, based on the access information, it is possible to perform analysis using the date and time, user, provider, and paid information as keys. Note that the user identification information is identification information assigned to the user by the provider.

Next, the tabulation means 1 0 1 2 tabulates the access information 1 0 3 1 based on the tabulation conditions 1 0 2 2 to create sales report information 1 0 3 2 (step S 2 in FIG. 22). 1 2). Further, the sending means 110 sends the created sales report information to the paid information provider (the same as step S13). FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the intermediate data for creating the sales report information 103. In the example of Fig. 23, five items from "2 U 0 0 3 0 0 0 1" to "2 U 0 0 3 0 0 0 5" belonging to the content classification represented by the code "2 U 0 0 3" Of content are subject to aggregation. In the access information 1031, the number of cases in a predetermined period is cross-tabulated by content and by provider.

FIG. 24 is an example of the sales report information 103 created by the tabulation means 101 and displayed on the web screen. In the example of Fig. 24, for a specific content, the access information (number of new registrations) totaled by ISP (Internet service provider) is replaced by other additional information (cumulative number of months, number of continuations of the previous month, number of valid cases of the current month, (Increase from the previous month). The ISP is a provider that provides Internet access to a user, and is an example of the “provider” in the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an example of another format of the sales report information 103 created by the tabulation means 110 12. The sales report information shown in Fig. 25 consists of a table of the number of accesses during each season in a month, a description of the number of accesses, and ranking information.

As described above, sales report information can be created in a plurality of different formats, and can be created in different cycles, for example, daily reports, weekly reports, and monthly reports. Tabulation conditions 1022 corresponding to each of these formats are set in advance. In addition, sales report information can be created in different formats and in different cycles for each paid information provider. FIG. 26 is a table showing an example of format definition data for each paid information provider. The example of the format definition data shown in Fig. 26 holds data indicating whether to create a daily report, weekly report, and monthly report for the format ID and sales report information for each paid information provider.

Next, the procedure for using the billing collation information for payment management associated with the distribution of paid information will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure of settlement management using the billing collation information. First, the extracting means 101 extracts access information from the access management database 1291 based on the extraction condition 1021 (step S2 in Fig. 27). 1). Next, the tabulation means 1013 performs a tallying process based on the access information 103 and the tabulation conditions 1023 to generate billing collation information 103 (the same as in step S2). 2).

FIG. 28 shows an example of the billing collation information 103 created in a form displayed on a web screen. In the example of Figure 28, for a particular ISP, access information (number of new registrations per month), aggregated by content, along with other additional information (list price, ISP sales, information provider sales, growth from the previous month) Is displayed.

Next, the paid information distributor analyzes the sales statement sent from the ISP and extracts the number of accesses for each content from the analysis (step S23 in FIG. 27). Then, the number of accesses is compared and confirmed between the sales statement from the ISP and the billing collation information (the same as step S24). Then, the payment unit information is read out from the content attribute information held in the sales performance information analysis system (step S27), and the payment amount is calculated from the payment unit information and the number of accesses (step S2). 8), prepare a payment statement in which the payment amount and other necessary items are entered (same in step S29), and send the payment statement to the paid information provider (same in step S30) . It is not always necessary for the paid information actual report information to include the billing collation information, and when it is included, it can be set by the paid information provider or the paid information distributor.

FIG. 29 is a table showing the structure and example of the content attribute information used in step S27. As shown in Figure 29, this data holds information such as the content classification name, content name, payment method, and amount (unit price) for each content.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the details of the payment statement created in step S29. In the example shown in Fig. 30, this payment statement can be completed for each content, and it is calculated by multiplying the unit price of each content, payment method, number of accesses this month, number of contract users, and the above unit price by the number of contract users The payment amount is included in this payment statement.

Next, a method for promoting sales of paid information using access information will be described. Fig. 31 shows the paid information distributor server 201 and the sales performance analysis system 101 It is a block diagram which shows the structure for realizing the sales promotion method of paid information in FIG. The sales performance analysis system 10010 is provided with an analysis means (analysis section) 11018, and the paid information distributor server 201 has a banner selection means 1229 and a content generation means 12 9 3 are provided. The analyzing means 10018 performs an analyzing process based on the access information 103 extracted according to the extracting condition 1021, and, based on the analysis result, a banner selecting means (banner selecting unit) 1 2992 or content generation means (content generation unit) 1293 changes the display of link information to paid information as described below.

Here, a specific example of the operation of the analyzing unit 11018, the banner selecting unit 122, and the content generating unit 1223 will be described. The analysis means 11018 analyzes the sales trends by provider, content, and date and time based on the access information 31. The analysis by date and time includes, for example, analysis by time of day such as "morning", "day", "evening", "night", "midnight to dawn", and more detailed 60-minute units Analysis by time of day, such as 30 minutes, analysis by time of day, such as “daytime”, “nighttime”, “late night”, etc., analysis by day of week, , Analysis at the beginning of the month, at the beginning of the month, at the end of the month, at the end of the month, seasonal or monthly analysis of the year, or during the New Year period, the Valentine's Day , "Golden Week", "Christmas Period", and other special periods, or analysis around that period. The user's purchase tendency and the number of users who access the Internet are different at each date and time at each of these breaks, so there is a wave of increase and decrease in sales volume. It can lead to effective promotion measures. In addition, since each user tends to be different for each provider, their behavior patterns, hobbies, and preferences are different. Analyzing this can lead to the implementation of similarly effective sales promotion measures.

Based on the analysis results of the analysis means 108, the banner selection means 1 292 can use banner ads (link advertisements) that are likely to be sold to users of a certain provider at the current time. Select and display to users of that provider. Figure 32 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the provider's homepage. In this screen, the area of banner advertisement 1091 is reserved for content advertisement distributed by paid information distributors. By displaying the banner selected by the banner selection means 1292 on the basis of the above-described analysis result in the advertisement area, the effect of maximizing the content sales can be obtained. Here, the banner advertisement on the provider's homepage has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the provider's homepage, and the above method may be applied to other advertisements on a network or the like. For example, the banner advertisement selected by the banner selection means 1292 may be displayed on the homepage of a portal site or the homepage of a paid information distributor.

Further, the content generation means 1293 generates a content based on the analysis result of the analysis means 1118. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the content generated by the content generation unit 1293. The example shown in Fig. 33 is ranking information of the number of accesses to paid content that is sold. In the descending order of the number of accesses, the link information 1092 (link advertisement) to the paid content and related additional information are displayed. It is displayed. The content generation means 1 293 updates this ranking in real time or at regular time intervals. In this way, the content generating means 1 293 generates the ranking information and displays it to the user, thereby increasing the user's willingness and interest to purchase popular hot-selling content. It has the effect of increasing sales and increasing overall sales.

Instead of simply generating the ranking information, the content of the paid information itself may be changed based on the analysis result of the number of accesses and the access time. For example, it is possible to increase sales opportunities by replacing paid information with a small number of accesses or paid information for which the number of accesses is likely to be decreasing with other paid information.

In addition to simply selecting banners and generating content such as rankings based solely on past sales performance, it also provides analysis results obtained from past sales performance and the timing and / or sales promotion of new paid content. The display of the link information may be changed in association with the campaign execution time. As a result, Analyzing sales performance using access information, change the content of banner advertisements on, for example, the website of a provider or the website of a portal site, and change the access ranking information of paid information according to the analysis results. Or you can. As a result, more users are guided to “sellable” paid information according to the time of day and user characteristics, so that sales opportunities for paid information are increased. In the above explanation, the "server of paid information distributor", "server of provider", "user terminal", and "sales performance information analysis system" are realized by computer systems. 'And all or a part of each process described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the computer 1 reads and executes this program to perform the above process. Here, the recording medium of the computer system refers to a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD_R〇M, a magnetic hard disk, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

Further, the above program may be transmitted from a combination system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium such as a telecommunication line. Here, the transmission medium of a telecommunication line refers to a metal wire, an optical fiber, an electromagnetic field, or the like having a physical property of transmitting a signal by electric or electromagnetic waves.

In addition, the member information storage unit (member information database), access management information storage unit (access management database), and paid information storage unit in the above explanation are floppy disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic hard disk, This is realized using a medium such as a magnetic tape or a semiconductor memory.

Also, in the above explanation, each processing performed on the “paid information distributor server”, each processing performed on the “provider server”, each processing performed on the “user terminal”, and the “sales performance analysis system” Each of the processes to be performed may be performed by a single computer, or may be performed by a plurality of computers or information processing devices. Conversely, processing of "paid information distributor server", processing of "provider one server one" and "user Part or all of the processing of the “one terminal” and the processing of the “sales performance analysis system” may be integrated into a single computer. Here, the “information processing device” includes not only a computer but also a communication device, a storage device, a display device, and the like. As described above, in the method of distributing paid information on the network, in the method of distributing paid information on the server of one or more providers connected to the server of the paid information distributor that records the paid information of the paid information provider, and connected to the server of the provider The paid information provider can perform the paid information providing process with the terminal of the user who has the member information of the provider, so the paid information provider records the paid information only on the server of the paid information distributor, and the paid information is recorded. It is possible to provide paid information from a server of an information distributor to a large number of users having member information of the provider via a plurality of or selected providers.

Also, the paid information provider may provide paid information to a specific provider via the paid information distributor's server, change the provision of paid information from one provider to another provider, or Provision methods such as providing paid information to the provider users in advance can be easily implemented.

In addition, the server of the paid information distributor collectively performs the billing process for each user in connection with the provision of the paid information and, based on the data subjected to the billing process, retrieves the provider member information held by the user. In order to select the corresponding provider and process the billing for the provider, the paid information provider and the paid information distributor unify the billing processing for each user via each provider. be able to. In addition, the server of the paid information distributor authenticates the paid information request information, thereby eliminating providers that the paid information distributor server does not permit, and charging the provider even if the provider's member information is acquired. It is possible to easily eliminate users who do not support the billing process.

In addition, the paid member request information transmitted from one user terminal to the paid member information transmitted from the provider one server to the paid member server is separated from the paid member information transmitted to the provider one server. The confidential information of provider-1 member information, which is confidential Since it is not used on the network of the information distributor server, the security of provider member information can be secured. In addition, when making a request to provide paid information, the user only needs to enter the provider member information and the provider's server simply inputs it to the terminal.The paid information member information is automatically processed after the provider's server performs authentication processing. Since the information is transmitted to the paid information distributor's server, the user does not have to perform any special operation to receive the paid information and is not bothered.

Also, the paid information provider only records the paid information on the server of the paid information distributor, and may receive the sales processing of the paid information accompanying the provision of the paid information and the payment processing based on the processed data. it can.

In addition, paid information can be distributed to a large number of users managed by the provider or the like through the provider or the like, so that the provider can be used as a sales channel to sell the paid information in a wider market. It is possible.

In addition, since the payment settlement means already established by the provider can be used, there is no need to construct a new settlement mechanism. Therefore, the paid information distributor and the paid information provider are not overburdened for payment. In order to use existing payments that have been established with confidentiality and security, information for payments such as credit card numbers on the Internet, etc., where information security is not complete, is used. It will be possible to sell paid information without having to pay. In addition, since information related to user authentication, such as user ID and password, is exchanged over a closed network such as a dedicated line, such information is exchanged over the Internet, etc., where information security is not complete. You don't have to

In addition, since the access key is issued by the server of the paid information distributor and the paid information is provided only for access using valid axes key, leakage of paid information due to unauthorized access etc. and loss of sales opportunities accompanying it Can be prevented. This also makes it possible to appropriately maintain the economic value of paid information. In addition, the access key is provided with date and time information, and when there is a request for paid information using this access key, the access key is checked by date and time. It is possible to prevent unauthorized access due to outflow of itself.

In addition, since the access key and the communication address of the terminal of the user who issued the request for the fee-based information using the access key are checked, it is possible to prevent unauthorized access due to the flow of the access key itself. .

In addition, since a highly confidential leased line is used to transmit authentication information and a relatively low-cost network such as the Inuichi Net is used to transmit the content itself, the paid information distribution system as a whole Good balance of network speed, security, and cost.

Further, according to the configuration as in the fourth embodiment, in the first step, the access information is extracted in accordance with a preset first condition, and in the second step, the access information is extracted in the first step. Based on the access information, the paid information actual report information is created in accordance with the second condition set in advance, and in the third step, the paid information actual report information created in the second step is output. The above access information is based on the sales performance information obtained by the paid information distributor in real time, and this sales performance information can be processed and analyzed by the above procedure and provided to the paid information provider in the evening Therefore, it is possible to implement product planning and sales promotion measures based on this information, which can lead to an increase in sales.

Also, since the paid information performance report information includes payment information to the paid information provider, payment management using the output paid information performance report information becomes possible.

Also, since the second condition is set according to the paid information provider, the format of the sales report information created according to the second condition may be unique to the paid information provider. It will be possible to respond to the needs of individual paid information providers in detail.

In addition, since the second condition is set by the paid information distributor, the second condition is provided by a function provided on the server side of the paid information distributor and cooperating with other functions or a function integrated with other functions as necessary. By setting the second condition, it is possible to create sales report information according to the set condition. Therefore, there is an effect that convenience as the whole system is improved.

Also, the access information extracted according to the first condition includes at least the access date Since it includes time, user identification information, provider identification information, and paid information identification information, it is possible to perform analysis based on access information using date and time, user, provider, and paid information as keys. It can be used for various types of marketing by individual, by demographics, and by provider.

Also, since the paid information performance report information includes access information created for each paid information and tabulated for each provider, such paid information performance report information is used to sell each paid information by provider. It is possible to analyze performance. As a result, it is possible to grasp the tendency of each provider and use it for various marketing by provider.

In addition, since payment information includes access information created for each provider and tabulated for each paid information, it is possible to analyze the sales performance of each provider by paid information using such payment information. It will be possible, and it will be possible to confirm the sales statement sent from each provider to the paid information distributor. In addition, since the display of the fee-based information is changed based on the access information, it is possible to increase sales opportunities for the fee-based information according to the access characteristics of the user and the access status of the fee-based information.

Also, since the display of link advertisements to paid information is changed according to the number of accesses and access time extracted from the access information, more users can be “sold” according to the access characteristics of each user's time zone. It is possible to increase sales opportunities for paid information.

In addition, since the contents of the fee-based information are changed based on the number of accesses and access time extracted from the access information, the contents of the fee-based information are changed according to the access characteristics of each user and the transition of the number of accesses. It is possible to increase information sales opportunities. The scope of the claims

1. A method of distributing paid information on a network,

A server of a paid information distributor that records paid information of a paid information provider, a server of a plurality of or selected providers connected to the server of the paid information distributor, and a provider member connected to the server of the provider one Using the terminal of the user who has the information,

A server of a paid information distributor that has received paid information request information from the terminal of the user via the server of the provider provides paid information to the terminal of the user, performs a charging process for the user, A method for distributing paid information, wherein the provider is selected based on the billed data, and billing is performed to the selected provider. 2. A paid information distribution method using a computer system,

Through a provider with payment and information provision means,

Provide paid information corresponding to the request from the stored paid information to the user.

Distribution method of paid information.

3. A method of distributing paid information using a computer system,

Remember the paid information provided by the information provider,

When an access permission request is received from a user through a provider having a payment means and an information providing means, access permission information is generated and provided to the user, and the access permission information is stored in association with the user, When receiving the paid information request information based on the access permission information from the user, the access permission information included in the paid information request information is compared with the stored access permission information to determine that the user is permitted access. If yes, Provide paid information corresponding to the paid information request information,

Make payment for the provision of the paid information with the user through the provider, and make payment for the provision of the paid information with the information provider.

Distribution method of paid information.

4. A distribution method of paid information using a computer system,

Remember the paid information provided by the information provider,

When an access permission request is received from the user through an arbitrary provider selected by the user among a plurality of providers having a payment means and an information providing means, access permission information is generated and provided to the user. And storing the access permission information in association with the user and the provider,

When receiving paid information request information based on the access permission information from the user, the access permission information included in the paid information request information is compared with the stored access permission information, and it is determined that the user is permitted access. If it is determined, the fee information corresponding to the fee information request information is provided,

Perform payment settlement for provision of paid information with the user through the provider associated with the access permission information, and perform payment settlement for provision of paid information with the information provider.

Distribution method of paid information.

5. A method of distributing paid information over a network using a paid information distributor server that holds paid information provider paid information and a provider server connected to the paid information distributor server. So,

The paid information distributor server receives paid information request information from the provider server based on the information sent from the user terminal, and provides the paid information to the user terminal based on the paid information request information. At the same time, distribution of paid information for transmitting billing data based on the paid information to the server of the provider 1 Method.

6. A paid information distributor that mediates the provision of paid information provided by a plurality of paid information providers to users via a plurality of providers using a network. So,

A first step of extracting access information indicating an access state of the user with respect to the paid information in accordance with a preset first condition;

A second step of creating, based on the extracted access information, paid information performance report information to the paid information provider in accordance with a preset second condition;

And a third step of outputting the paid information performance report information to the paid information provider.

7. A paid information storage unit that stores paid information provided by an information provider, and a paid information transmitting unit that transmits paid information based on a request from a user received through a provider having a payment unit and an information providing unit. ,

A payment data generating unit that generates payment data with the user for providing the paid information and payment data with the information provider related to providing the paid information;

A paid information distribution system equipped with

8. A paid information storage unit that stores the paid information provided by the information provider, and a user received through an arbitrary provider selected by the user among a plurality of providers having payment means and information providing means. A paid information transmitting unit for transmitting paid information based on the request of

Payment data that generates payment settlement data with the user for the provision of the paid information for each provider selected by the user and generates payment settlement data with the information provider for the provision of the paid information. Generator and

A paid information distribution system equipped with 9. A paid information storage unit that stores paid information provided by an information provider, and generates access permission information based on a request from a user received through a provider having payment means and information providing means, and generates the user. An access permission information generation unit for providing

An access permission information storage unit that stores the access permission information in association with the user;

When receiving the paid information request information based on the access permission information from the user, the access permission information included in the paid information request information is compared with the stored access permission information, and the user is permitted access. Access permission determining unit for determining whether the

A fee information transmitting unit for providing fee information corresponding to the fee information request information when it is determined that access is permitted;

A payment information distribution system comprising: a payment data generating unit that generates payment data with a user for providing paid information and a payment data with an information provider related to providing paid information.

10. A paid information storage unit that stores paid information provided by an information provider, and a user who has received through an arbitrary provider selected by the user among a plurality of providers having a payment means and an information providing means. An access permission information generator that generates access permission information based on the request from the user and provides the access permission information to the user;

An access permission information storage unit that stores the access permission information in association with the user and the provider;

When paid information request information based on the access permission information is received from the user, the access permission information included in the paid information request information is compared with the stored access permission information to determine whether the user is permitted access. Access permission determining unit for determining

A fee information transmitting unit for providing fee information corresponding to the fee information request information when it is determined that access is permitted; Payment data generation that generates payment settlement data with the user for the provision of paid information for each provider selected by the user and generates payment settlement data with the information provider for the provision of paid information Department and

A paid information distribution system equipped with

1 1. A paid information storage unit that holds paid information, an access information storage unit that holds information for managing access to the paid information, and an access key issuance request based on a purchase request from a user. An access key issuance request receiving unit that receives the access key via the first communication network, an access key is generated based on the access key issuance request data, information about the access key is stored in an access information storage unit, and the access key is received. An access key generating unit that transmits paid information request data generated based on the access key, extracts the access key from the paid information request data, and obtains access information based on the extracted access key. An access key determining unit that determines the validity of the paid information request data by searching a storage unit; When the paid information request data is determined to be valid by the unit, the charged information is read from the paid information storage unit, and the paid information transmitting unit that transmits the charged information through the second communication network. A distributor server,

A member information storage unit that stores information about the user and billing information for the user, a paid service registration processing unit that writes information based on the purchase request from the user to the member information storage unit, and access to the paid information based on the purchase request Access key issuance request unit that sends an access key issuance request data requesting the issuance of an access key to perform access key access, an access key receiving unit that receives an access key corresponding to the access key issuance request data, and an access key A provider server having an access key transmitting unit for transmitting data based on the

With

The access key issuance request receiving unit receives the access key issuance request data transmitted by the access key issuance request unit,

The access key receiving unit receives an access key transmitted by the access key generating unit. Paid information distribution system.

1 2. A member information storage unit for storing information about the user and billing information for the user;

A paid service registration processing unit that writes information based on a purchase request from a user into the member information storage unit;

An access key issuance request unit for transmitting an access key issuance request data requesting issuance of an access key for accessing fee-based information based on the purchase request; and an access key corresponding to the access key issuance request data is received. Access key receiving unit,

An access key transmitting unit for transmitting data based on the access key to a user;

1 3. A paid information storage unit that holds paid information,

An access information storage unit that holds information for managing access to the fee-based information; an access key issue request receiving unit that receives an access key issue request message via a first communication network;

An access key generation unit that generates an access key based on the access key issuance request data, stores information related to the access key in an access information storage unit, and transmits the access key;

The paid information request data generated based on the access key is received, the access key is extracted from the paid information request data, and the access information storage unit is searched based on the extracted access key to obtain the paid information request data. An access key determining unit that determines the validity of the information request data;

When the fee information request data is determined to be valid by the access key determining unit, the fee information transmitting unit reads the requested fee information from the fee information storage unit and transmits the read fee information through the second communication network;

A paid information distributor server equipped with. 1 4. Access key issuance request reception processing for receiving access key issuance request data;

An access key generating process of generating an access key based on at least the access key issuance request data, storing information on the access key in an access information storage unit, and transmitting the access key;

Receiving the fee information request data generated based on the access key, extracting the access key from the fee information request data, and searching the access information storage unit based on the extracted access key. An axesky determination process for determining the validity of the paid information request data;

When the fee information request data is determined to be valid by the access key determination process, a fee information transmission process of transmitting the requested fee information;

A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program that causes a computer to execute the program.