WO2002021267A1

WO2002021267A1 - Information storage device and data distributing system

Info

Publication number: WO2002021267A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/001749
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sunao Takatori; Takashi Yokoi; Hisanori Kiyomatsu
Original assignee: Yozan Inc.
Priority date: 2000-09-04
Filing date: 2001-03-07
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2001241041A1; JP2002074026A

Abstract

An information storage device (5) for enhancing the convenience of the user for connection to a terminal of the server and setting of the charge method, comprising information storage means where information supplied to a communication terminal (1) of the user is stored, wherein the information includes information for connection of the communication terminal (1) to server terminals (2, 3) for controlling the communication service provided by a service provider and managing the charge through a communication network (4) and ID information managed by the server terminals, and the ID information corresponds to non-charge limit display information representing the limit of the reception of the free communication service provided by the service provider about the data communicated between the communication terminal (1) and the server terminal.

Description

Description Information storage device and data distribution system

The present invention relates to an information storage device and a data distribution system using the information storage device, and more particularly to a data distribution system suitable for data distribution of game software. Background art

Conventionally, game software sold for personal computers and home-use game machines is generally stored on a predetermined storage medium in a CD-ROM or a special cartridge, and the game software is stored on the CD-ROM or the special cartridge. Instructions on the contents and operation methods are provided in the attached form.

In recent years, game software has a wide variety of types and many contents are very advanced, and many manufacturers produce and sell new one after another. However, at the moment, there is a fairly high price for a single game, so buyers must be careful when purchasing new game software. On the other hand, when launching new games, game software retailers and others provide services that allow them to try out games for free, but even in this case, it is difficult to form a queue. I could not play the game in a good environment, because my turn was not turned around, time per person was limited, people were around and I could not concentrate on the game .

Under such circumstances, when purchasing a new game, a system that allows the user to try it out in a good environment, such as at home, and make a study is desired.

In addition, even popular game software gradually gets tired, and game software of the same type of game series With the release of software from manufacturers and the emergence of game software that has been upgraded for the same type of game due to improvements in programming technology, etc. The period during which a single game can be enjoyed is limited. So, for example, if there are no game enthusiasts around the game software purchaser, you will not play with other people in this game or borrow and borrow game software that you have with each other. The enjoyment period becomes very short compared to the high price.

Under such circumstances, there has been a demand for a system in which a new game can be played at a relatively low price for a certain period of time without purchasing expensive software such as a CD-ROM.

On the other hand, with the advancement of communication technology, not only personal computers, but also home-use game machines and mobile phones have been added with a function to connect to communication networks such as the Internet. On the other hand, a service for transmitting data from a server terminal device via a communication network has become widespread. For example, game software can be downloaded from the server-side terminal device to various communication terminal devices via the Internet or a commercial communication network, or users of each communication terminal device can play a competitive game, There is a data distribution system in which a user of a communication terminal device plays a game while performing real-time communication between the terminal device and the communication terminal device in real time. According to such a data distribution system, it is possible to collect charges according to the connection time to the server-side terminal device and the amount of data communicated with the server-side terminal device. You can try it out in a comfortable environment, and you can play at a relatively low price for a certain period of time without purchasing expensive software such as a CD-ROM. For this reason, data distribution systems using such communications are expected to spread rapidly in the future, and more server-side terminal devices are expected to participate in the system.

However, in a data distribution system using such communication, for example, when connecting to a server-side terminal device via the Internet, the server-side terminal to be connected to is required. It is necessary to search for the URL (Unifom rm Resource Locator) to the homepage provided by the device, and it is necessary to set the billing method for each connection to each server terminal device As a result, convenience for the user was not sufficient, and improvement was desired. Disclosure of the invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an information storage device for user convenience in connection to a server-side terminal device and setting of a billing method, and a data distribution system using the information storage device. .

A first configuration of an information storage device according to the present invention is an information storage device including an information storage unit that stores information to be supplied to a user's communication terminal device. At least the connection information for the communication terminal device to connect to the server terminal device that controls and charges the communication service provided by the service provider via the communication network, and is managed by the server terminal device. ID information is stored in the communication service, and the ID information indicates the limit of data that can be transmitted and received between the communication terminal device and the server terminal device in the communication service without being charged by the service provider. It is characterized by the information corresponding to the charge limit display information.

A second configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention is the information storage device according to the first configuration, wherein the non-billing limit display information is transmitted and received between a communication terminal device and a server-side terminal device in a communication system in a communication service. The information according to claim 1, characterized in that it is information indicating a limit on the number of packets that can receive service provision without being charged.The third configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention is the first configuration. Wherein the ID information stored in the information storage means is a registration ID registered in a database managed by the server-side terminal device and information corresponding to the non-billing limit display information on the registration ID. I do.

A fourth configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention is the information storage device according to the first configuration, The second column shows the billing payment method that shows how to pay the bill when the data transmitted and received between the communication terminal device and the server terminal device exceeds the limit indicated in the non-billing limit display information in the communication service. The display information is stored.

A fifth configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention is the information storage device according to the first configuration, wherein the communication terminal device is connected to the server-side terminal device via the communication network using the connection information. Is stored.

In a sixth configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention, in the first configuration, a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a communication terminal device is provided, and the transmission / reception unit is stored in the information storage unit. The transmitted information is transmitted to the communication terminal device.

A seventh configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth configuration, the transmitting and receiving means transmits and receives a radio signal to and from a communication terminal device.

In an eighth aspect of the information storage device according to the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the information storage means includes a volatile storage medium in which the non-charge limit display information is stored in a rewritable manner. The information is rewritten based on data transmitted from the server-side terminal device to the communication terminal device.

A ninth configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the first configuration, a card-shaped device main body for storing the information storage means and the transmission / reception means is provided. In a tenth configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the ID information stored in the information storage means is prepaid display information indicating that the information storage device is a prepaid article of a predetermined amount. The non-billing limit display information is characterized in that a predetermined amount of the prepaid display information is a limit for receiving service provision without being charged by the service provider side.

According to a eleventh configuration of the information storage device according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the information storage means stores free distribution display information indicating that the information storage device is a free distribution product. Features.

The first configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention is capable of performing data communication with a server terminal device for controlling and charging management of a communication service provided by a service provider, and with the server terminal device via a communication network. Communication terminal device and communication terminal As information to be supplied to the device, at least information storage means storing connection information for connecting the communication terminal device to the server terminal device via the communication network, and ID information managed by the server terminal device. The server-side terminal device can receive the service provision of the data transmitted / received from / to the communication terminal device in the communication service without being charged by the service provider side. The communication terminal device connects to the server terminal device based on the connection information, transmits the ID information to the server terminal device, and manages the ID information as information corresponding to the non-billing limit display information indicating the limit. The server-side terminal device checks the non-charging limit display information corresponding to the received ID information and does not exceed the limit for receiving service without being charged. In this case, a communication service for the communication terminal device is started without charging.

In a second configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the server-side terminal device displays a non-charging limit display corresponding to the ID information while providing a communication service to the communication terminal device. It is characterized by monitoring whether or not the service provision limit has been exceeded without being charged while rewriting information, and controlling communication services based on the monitoring result.

According to a third configuration of the overnight delivery system according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the server-side terminal device includes a service server that provides a communication service to the communication terminal device, and a service server. And a charging server that manages charging for communication services provided by the service server to the communication terminal device while transmitting and receiving information between the servers. The charging server stores the non-charging limit display information corresponding to the ID information. The non-charging limit display information is sequentially rewritten based on the information transmitted from the service server, and the rewritten data is transmitted to the service server. Based on the above data, it is monitored whether or not the service provision limit has been exceeded without being charged.

A fourth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention is the data distribution system according to the third configuration, wherein the charging server generates non-charging limit display information based on information on a data amount transmitted and received between the service server and the communication terminal device. It is characterized by rewriting sequentially. According to a fifth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention, in the third configuration, the charging server, based on the information on the amount of data transmitted from the service server to the communication terminal device, displays the non-charging limit display information. It is characterized by rewriting sequentially.

In a sixth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention, in the third configuration, the service server forcibly terminates a communication service for the communication terminal device when the service server exceeds a service provision limit without being charged. It is characterized by the following.

A seventh configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention is the data distribution system according to the third configuration, wherein the service server temporarily suspends the communication service for the communication terminal device when the service is provided without being charged. And transmitting to the communication terminal device a message for prompting purchase of a product related to the communication service. An eighth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention is the data distribution system according to the third configuration, wherein the service server temporarily suspends the communication service for the communication terminal device when exceeding a service provision limit without being charged. Then, data for inquiring about whether to continue the communication service is transmitted to the communication terminal device.

In a ninth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention, in the third configuration, the service server includes a first transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from the communication terminal device via the communication network; A second transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data; and a data storage unit for storing at least data to be transmitted to the communication terminal device. The charging server includes: a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from the service server; Database storage means for storing the ID information of each information storage device and the non-billing limit display information corresponding to each ID information as a database, and database management means for managing a database. I do.

According to a tenth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the information storage device includes transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a communication terminal device; And transmitting each information stored in the information storage means to the communication terminal device.

The eleventh configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention is the first configuration in which The information storage device is a smart card. According to a twelfth configuration of the data distribution system according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the non-billing limit display information is transmitted and received in a packet system between the communication terminal device and the server-side terminal device in a communication service. Is characterized by information indicating the limit on the number of buckets that can receive service provision without being charged.

According to a thirteenth configuration of the overnight distribution system according to the present invention, in the first configuration, data transmitted and received between the server terminal device and the communication terminal device is data on game software. Features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a data distribution system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication terminal and an IC card used by a user.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of processing performed by the communication terminal and the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the service server and the billing server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the processing performed by the service server.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the processing performed by the charging server. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the entire system, and shows processing until the service by the service server is started.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the processing of the entire system, and shows processing after the service is started by the service server.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 (l a, 1 b, · · · In) Communication terminal (communication terminal)

2 Service server (server side terminal device) 3 Billing server (server terminal)

4 Internet (communication network)

5 (5 a, 5 b, · · · 5n) IC card (information storage device) 11 CPU

12 Operation input section

13 Transceiver

14 Display

15 External storage

16 IZF section

17 Speaker

18 microphone

19 Communication unit

21 Control unit

22 External storage unit (data storage means)

23 Transceiver (First transceiver, Second transceiver)

24 Display

25 Operation input section

31 Control unit (database management means)

32 External storage unit (database storage means)

33 Transceiver (Transceiver)

34 Display

35 Operation input section

50 Main unit

51 Control unit

52 Communication unit (Transmission / reception means)

53 Memory (Information storage means) Best mode for carrying out the invention Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a data distribution system in which a server-side terminal device distributes data on game software to a communication terminal device in a packet manner using an in-net network. Will be described.

First, an overall configuration of a data distribution system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in Fig. 1, this overnight delivery system includes a service server 2, which is a server-side terminal device for controlling communication services provided by a service provider, and an internet connection network as a communication network. Communication terminal 1 (la, lb,... In) that can communicate with service server 2 via communication terminal 4 and an information storage device that can send and receive signals to and from communication terminal 1. And a charging server 3 as a server-side terminal device that manages charging for a communication service provided from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1.

Although only one service server 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for convenience of explanation, actually, the number of service servers 2 (2a, 2b, · 2 n) exists. There is no particular limitation on the billing server 3, but it is assumed to be one in this embodiment.

The communication terminal 1 is a terminal device capable of performing data communication with the service server 2 via a predetermined communication network such as the Internet 4, and as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a personal computer 1a, a game dedicated machine 1 It includes the form as b, the form of the mobile phone In having the telephone function, and various other terminal devices.

In this embodiment, the Internet network 4 is used as a communication network, but it is a matter of course that another commercial communication network or the like may be used.

The service server 2 distributes data on software related to the game to the communication terminal 1 connected via the Internet 4. The billing server 3 manages billing for a communication service provided from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1 while communicating with the service server 2.

IC card 5 as an information storage device is a plastic with a card-like outer shape It is a smart card in which a semiconductor chip such as a CPU and a memory is incorporated in a device main body 50 composed of the above.

As long as the IC card 5 can transmit and receive signals to and from the communication terminal 1 described above, the connection form with the communication terminal 1 is not limited. Either a non-contact type IC card 5a that transmits and receives a signal by contact, or a contact type IC card 5b that transmits and receives a signal to and from the communication terminal 1 via a wire such as a connector may be used.

Here, the non-contact type IC card 5a does not need to be connected to the communication terminal 1 via a connector or the like, and thus is suitable for a case where the communication terminal 1 is small, such as a mobile phone 1n. This has the advantage of increasing the number of types of communication terminals 1 that can be connected.

On the other hand, the contact-type IC card 5b has high reliability when transmitting and receiving signals, and therefore has good operability even when the data inside the card is rewritable, as described later. There is an advantage.

The following mainly describes the case where the non-contact type IC card 5a is used.

In this embodiment, the information storage device uses a smart card from the viewpoint of reliability, information storage, disposal or reusability, versatility, etc. Can be realized by the information storage device described above.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram for explaining the configuration of the communication terminal 1 (la, lb,... In) and the IC card 5 (5a, 5b,... 5n) used by the user. It is. Note that FIG. 2 shows the configuration of only the communication terminal 1a and the IC card 5a, but other communication terminals 1b, 1c, etc., and the IC cards 5b, 5c'-, etc. Has the same configuration as that described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal 1 includes a CPU 11 for controlling the entire terminal, an operation input unit 12 having a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick and a handle, and a transmission / reception including a modem. Unit 13, a display unit 14 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, etc., an external storage unit 15 for storing various data, and a printer, an external storage device, another personal computer, and other external devices for connection. Inter A face unit (IZF unit) 16, a speaker 17 for outputting voice, a microphone 18 for inputting voice, and a communication unit 19 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card 5 are provided.

The CPU 1 of the communication terminal 1 sends a signal to the transmitting / receiving unit 13, the display unit 14, the external storage unit 15, the I / F unit 16, the speaker 17, and the communication unit 19 based on the control program and the input operation by the operation input unit 12. A control signal is output to control these units. Further, the CPU 11 controls each unit based on signals received by a communication unit 19 and a transmission / reception unit 13 described later.

The operation input unit 12 is for inputting various data to be transmitted to the service server 2 by a key input, a mouse click, or the like, or an operation of a joystick, a handle, or the like.

The transmission / reception unit 13 receives data transmitted from the service server 2 via the Internet 4 based on the control signal of the CPU 11, and supplies the received data to the CPU 11. Further, the transmission / reception unit 13 sends the data output from the CPU 11 based on the operation of the operation input unit 12 to the service server 2 via the Internet 4.

The display unit 14 displays an input screen for transmitting various data to the service server 2 and an execution screen of the game based on data of various game software transmitted from the service server 2.

In the communication terminal 1, a predetermined OS (operating system), a communication program for connecting to the Internet 4 and performing data communication, and the like are stored in the external storage unit 15, which the CPU 11 reads out and executes. I do.

For example, in the communication terminal 1, the telephone line L connected to the Internet 1 and the transmitting / receiving unit 13 are connected by wire, and the telephone number to the Internet 4 to be connected and the service server 2 provide When the URL (Unifrm rm Resource Locator) information to the homepage is input by the input operation of the operation input unit 12, the service server is controlled by the CPU 11 via the transmission / reception unit 13 and the telephone line L. A connection signal for line connection to 2 is transmitted to the internet 4. When receiving the connection signal transmitted from the communication terminal 1, the Internet 4 performs processing for establishing a connection with the service server 2.

When the line is connected to the service server 2, the transmission / reception unit 13 receives image data, audio data, and the like of the game software sent from the service server 2 via the Internet 4. Under the control of the CPU 11, the image data is displayed on the display unit 14, and the audio data is output as a vocal sound from the speaker 17 and the data required by the user is input through operation. It is stored (downloaded) in the external storage unit 15 based on the input operation by the unit 12. The operation input unit 12 of the communication terminal 1 is also operated when performing various settings for transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card 5 via the communication unit 19.

On the other hand, the IC card 5 transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the IC card 5 communicates with the communication terminal 1 via the communication section 19 of the communication terminal 1. A communication unit 52 as a transmission / reception unit for transmitting and receiving the evening, a memory 53 as an information storage unit for storing various information described later, and a control unit 51 for controlling the communication unit 52 and the memory 53. have.

In the non-contact type IC card 5a, the control unit 51 reads out each information in the memory 53 and supplies the information to the communication unit 52 together with the control signal, so that the communication unit 52 These pieces of information are output in the form of wireless signals. As the radio signal, radio waves, infrared rays, and the like can be used, and a specific transmission / reception method does not matter. In the case where the IC card 5 is of the contact type described above, for example, the communication unit 52 and the communication unit 19 of the communication terminal 1 may be configured using connectors.

In this embodiment, each IC card 5 is a prepaid card manufactured by a service provider having the service server 2 and sold to the user of each communication terminal 1. The sales amount of the IC card 5 is sold in several stages, such as 500 yen, 100 yen, 200 yen, and so on. In another embodiment, the IC card 5 may be distributed to users as a so-called trial version.

In the memory 53 of the IC card 5, at least the communication terminal 1 The connection information for connecting to the service server 2 via 4 and the ID information managed by the charging server 3 are stored.

¹ Here, the ID information in the memory 53 has a different ID for each IC card in order to identify the IC cards 5a, 5b,. As a form of the ID 5 information, for example, the service server 2 uses the IC card to

! Information indicating the limits of access to services, or prepaid or free distribution

! Or information indicating the amount of the payment, or information indicating the amount of money if the payment is prepaid.

On the other hand, the connection information in the memory 53 includes the telephone number information for the communication terminal 1 to connect to the Internet 4 and the URL (Unifo rm Rem) for the communication terminal 1 to connect to the homepage of the service server 2. s ou rce Lo cator) Includes information on information, etc.

Other information stored in the memory 53 includes, for example, connection program information for the communication terminal 1 to automatically connect to the homepage of the Internet service 4 and the service server 2 using the connection information. Alternatively, non-charging limit display information described later in detail managed by the charging server 3 may be included.

The memory 53 may be either a read-only ROM type or a readable / writable RAM type, or may be a combination of these. In the present embodiment, the non-contact type IC card 5a is of ROM type 0, and the contact type IC card 5b has a configuration in which ROM and RAM are combined.

Here, when the ROM and the RAM are combined, for example, the ID information, the connection information, and the connection program information are stored in the ROM, and the non-billing limit display information is stored in the RAM. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the charging server 3 can check whether the non-billing limit display information has been illegally rewritten by a user or the like.

Next, an overview of the operations of the communication terminal 1 and the IC card 5 and the processing performed by the communication terminal 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the communication terminal 1 receives various information from the IC card 5 in step S1. Specifically, by bringing the communication unit 52 closer to the communication unit 19 of the communication terminal 1 in the case of the contactless IC card 5a, the communication unit 5 2 Is connected to the communication unit 19 of the communication terminal 1, the IC card 5 and the communication terminal 1 start communication, and data on various information in the memory 53 of the IC card 5 is transferred to the communication terminal 1. Sent to.

When receiving the various information, the communication terminal 1 temporarily stores the information in the external storage unit 15 or a memory (not shown) in the CPU 11, and uses the connection information of the various information to connect to the Internet 4. And it connects to the homepage of the service server 2 (step S2). When connecting to the service server 2, the communication terminal 1 displays, for example, the above-mentioned telephone number information and URL information on the display unit 14 when receiving various information from the IC card 5, and allows the user to operate the operation input unit. You just need to enter these phone numbers and URLs in the operation of 1 and 2. If the connection program information has also been received, the CPU 11 controls the transmission / reception unit 13 to automatically connect to the home page of the Internet 4 and the service server 2 based on the connection program information. I do.

Then, when connecting to the homepage of the service server 2, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 1 controls the transmission / reception unit 13 to transmit the ID information of the various information once stored to the service server 2 ( Step S 3), and waits for the service by the service server 2 to start. When the data about the game is received from the service server 2 by the transmission / reception unit 13, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 1 performs a predetermined process on the data, and based on the processed data, the display unit 14. Then, the game is started by controlling the speaker 17 (step S4). Next, the configuration of the service server 2 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the service server 2 includes a control unit 21 for controlling the entire device, an external storage unit 22 including a hard disk drive, a transmission / reception unit 23 including a modem, a CRT or a liquid crystal display. A display unit 24 including a display and the like, and an operation input unit 25 using a keypad mouse or the like are provided.

The control unit 21 of the service server 2 controls each unit based on the processing program. U. The details of this control will be described later. The external storage unit 22 of the service server 2 stores the processing program and software related to various games. The transmission / reception unit 23 transmits / receives data to / from the communication terminal 1 accessed via the Internet 4 based on the control signal of the control unit 21. The transmission / reception unit 23 also transmits / receives data to / from the charging server 3 overnight.

The service server 2 provides a service for transmitting data about software related to the game via the transmission / reception unit 23 to the communication terminal 1 connected via the Internet 4. Prior to this, the charging server 3 performs authentication, and the authentication result is performed after the service server 2 checks the authentication result. In the present embodiment, the service is provided from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1 by performing communication between the service server 2 and the communication terminal 1 while the user operates the operation input unit 1 of the communication terminal 1. It is a service that allows users to play games in real time by operating 2.

The method of providing services from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1 is not limited to this.For example, the entire data of predetermined software related to a game is transmitted from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1, The communication terminal 1 may download it, terminate the connection between the service server 2 and the communication terminal 1 after the download is completed, and play the game on the communication terminal 1 alone. Such a service is effective, for example, when the data capacity of the entire software related to the game is relatively small, and saves connection communication costs and communication traffic to the service server 2 and the Internet 4. When this download method is adopted, for example, the execution of the game software may be a software program with a time limit, a frequency limit, and the like.

Next, an outline of the processing performed by the service server 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the connection with the communication terminal 1 is established via the Internet 4, the control unit 21 of the service server 2 requests the communication terminal 1 to transmit ID information, and is used by the user. Wait for ID information of IC card 5 to be transmitted from communication terminal 1. (Step S11) When the ID information is received by the transmission / reception section 23, the received ID information is stored in a memory or the like, and the transmission / reception section 23 is controlled so as to be transmitted to the billing server 3 (Step S12). ).

Next, the control unit 21 of the service server 2 waits for the authentication result information and the non-charging data amount display information described later to be transmitted from the charging server 3 (step S13). When the data is received by the transmission / reception unit 23, it is determined whether or not to start the service based on the received information (step S14), and under the conditions where the service can be provided, the data on the game software is transmitted to the communication terminal. The transmission / reception section 23 is controlled to transmit to the terminal 1 (step S15), and communication service for the communication terminal 1 is started. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the service is not available, the process is terminated without starting the service. The specific criteria for whether to start the service will be described later.

After the start of the communication service, the control unit 21 of the service server 2 receives the operation input signal for the game from the communication terminal 1 by the transmission / reception unit 23, and the screen and sound of the game corresponding to the operation input are received. The transmission / reception unit 23 is controlled to transmit the data to the communication terminal 1. The control unit 21 transmits and receives data on the game software to and from the communication terminal 1. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 23 is controlled so that data on the number of communication packets communicated with the communication terminal 1 is transmitted together with the ID information to the billing server 3 (step S16). The data transmitted from the charging server 3 described above is received by the transmission / reception unit 23 and is checked.

In this embodiment, the data on the number of communication buckets transmitted from the service server 2 and the communication terminal 1 (the number of communication packets) is described. The information is not limited to this, but may be, for example, information on only the amount of data (the number of communication packets) transmitted from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1. Information on only the data amount (the number of communication packets) transmitted to the service server 2 may be used. During the communication service, the control unit 21 monitors whether or not a connection termination item has occurred with the communication terminal 1 (step S17). Proceeding to step 8, after confirming whether or not the service can be terminated for the communication terminal 1, the transmission / reception unit 23 is controlled to terminate the connection with the communication terminal 1.

Here, the terminating connection means, for example, a case in which the transmission / reception unit 23 receives a command from the communication terminal 1 to end the connection with the service server 2, a case in which a so-called game over has occurred, a case in which the communication terminal For example, when the download of 1 is completed, and when the control unit 21 determines that the service should be terminated based on data transmitted from the charging server 3 described later.

Next, the configuration of the charging server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, the billing server 3 communicates with a control unit 31 for controlling the entire apparatus, an external storage unit 32 including a hard disk drive or the like in which a database is stored, and a service server 2. A transmission / reception unit 33 composed of a modem or the like for performing the operation, a display unit 34 composed of a CRT or a liquid crystal display or the like, and an operation input unit 35 using a keypad mouse or the like are provided.

The billing server 3 communicates with the service server 2 via the transmission / reception unit 33. The communication between the billing server 3 and the service server 2 does not go through the Internet 4 for convenience of explanation in each figure, but the communication goes through the Internet 4 and other communication networks. Of course. The external storage unit 32 of the charging server 3 stores information on each ID of each IC card 5a, 5b,... '5η, and non-charging limit display information corresponding to each ID. It is individually registered for each ID as a base. Here, the non-billing limit display information is information indicating a limit to which the service can be provided without being charged by the service provider for data transmitted and received between the communication terminal 1 and the service server 2. In the embodiment, non-charging data amount display information indicating the total data amount that can receive the service without being charged from the service provider is stored. More specifically, as the non-charging data amount display information, information on the number of communication buckets for which the communication terminal 1 can receive service provision from the service server 2 without being charged. Is stored.

In addition, the non-billing limit display information may be, for example, information on a limit on communication time to the service server 2, information on a limit on the number of times of connection to the service server 2, or Such information may be included.

In this embodiment, the number of communication packets corresponding to the sales amount of the IC card 5 is stored as the non-charging data amount display information. Specifically, for example, assuming that ¥ 10 per packet, the sales amount of the IC card 5 becomes ¥ 500, ¥ 100, and ¥ 200 as described above. The number of communication packets that can receive the service from the service server 2 is set to be 50 buckets, 100 buckets, 200 buckets, etc., respectively, so that the amount of non-charging data is large. When distributing the IC card 5 to users as a so-called trial version as described above, the amount of non-billing data may be set to a small value.

In this embodiment, every time a new IC card 5 is manufactured, information on the ID of the new IC card and information on the non-billing data amount (number of communication packets) corresponding to each ID are provided. Are notified from the service server 2 and sequentially added to the database of the external storage unit 32 and registered. The control unit 31 of the accounting server 3 performs each process for managing the database of the external storage unit 32. Also, the control unit 31 collates the data received from the service server 2 with the database in the external storage unit 32, authenticates the IC card 5 used by the communication terminal 1, and determines the authentication result. The process of transmitting the data of (1) to the service server 2 is performed. Further, the control unit 31 appropriately updates the non-charging limit display information (non-charging data amount display information) corresponding to the registration ID of the database based on the data received from the service server 2 to update the database. I do.

In addition, the control unit 31 calculates the billing amount for the service received by the communication terminal 1 based on the data received from the service server 2, and transmits the data on the calculated billing amount to the transmitting / receiving unit 3 3 To send to the service server 2 via Do.

Next, an outline of the processing performed by the control unit 31 of the charging server 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the control unit 31 of the charging server 3 receives the ID information of the IC card 5 sent from the service server 2 by the processing of step S12 described above by the transmission / reception unit 33 (step S21), the control unit 31 The registered ID of the database stored in the storage unit 32 is compared and collated, and authentication is performed as to whether or not the ID is registered in the database (step S22), and the result of the authentication is shown. The transmission / reception unit 33 is controlled to transmit the authentication result information to the service server 2 (step S23). At this time, the control unit 31 reads out the non-charging data amount display information on the non-charging data amount (the number of communication packets) corresponding to the registered ID from the database and transmits the information to the service server 2.

Next, the control unit 31 of the billing server 3 waits for ID information and data on the number of communication buckets to be transmitted from the service server 2 by the processing of step S16 described above, and transmits these to the transmission / reception unit 3 3 (Step S24), the non-charging data amount display information in the database is rewritten so as to subtract (subtract) the number of used communication packets, and the registration data for the registration ID is updated (step S24). 5) In the next step S26, the transmission / reception unit 33 is controlled so that the updated non-charging data amount display information, that is, the information on the number of usable buckets after deduction is transmitted to the service server 2.

Hereinafter, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, operations and processing contents of each device in the data distribution system of the embodiment will be described based on specific examples. Here, Fig. 7 shows the processing flow of each device until the service by the service server 2 is started, and Fig. 8 shows the processing flow of each device after the service is started by the service server 2. ing. In this example, a case where non-billing limit display information is stored in the memory 53 of the IC card 5 will be described.

In the data distribution system, as described above in step S1, first, the IC card 5 and the communication terminal 1 start communication (step S41), and the communication terminal 1 Each piece of information including the ID information, the connection information, and the non-billing limit display information stored in the memory 53 of the node 5 is acquired (step S42).

The communication terminal 1 that has obtained these pieces of information is connected to the Internet 4 in step S43 by the CPU 11 operating the transmitting and receiving unit 13 using the telephone number information of the connection information. By sending the URL information of the connection information to the Internet 4, the homepage of the service server 2 is accessed, and communication with the service server 2 is started. The communication terminal 1 transmits the ID information and the non-billing limit display information to the service server 2 at the start of the communication with the service server 2.

Then, the service server 2 receives the ID information and the non-charging limit display information from the communication terminal 1 in step S44 and stores them, and starts communication with the charging server 3 (step S45). Then, the ID information and the non-billing limit display information are transmitted to the billing server 3 (step S46).

Then, the charging server 3 performs authentication based on the received ID information and the non-charging limit display information (step S47), and provides the authentication result information and the non-charging data amount display information (the number of usable packets) as a service. Send to server.

The authentication performed by the charging server 3 in step S47 includes determining whether the ID information transmitted from the service server 2 is registered on a data basis (step S47). The processing of S22) and the non-charging data amount display information sent from the service server 2 indicates that the data amount (the number of packets) is the non-charging data amount registered corresponding to the registration ID in the database. A determination is made as to whether or not the number of available buckets in the display information matches.

Upon receiving the authentication result information from the billing server 3, the service server 2 determines whether to start the above-described service in step S14 based on the authentication result (step S49). ). More specifically, the service server 2 confirms that the ID of the IC card 5 used by the user of the communication terminal 1 is valid and the use right of the user has been confirmed, and that the amount of non-billing data of the IC card 5 has been confirmed. Assuming that the display information has not been tampered with and the number of usable packets is not zero, the service for data distribution to communication terminal 1 is started. Further, in step S49, the service server 2 waits for selection of data to be downloaded from the communication terminal 1, for example, when performing a data download service, and waits for selection of data to be downloaded from the communication terminal 1. Judgment is made as to whether or not it can be delivered within the range of the number of available packets. If it can be delivered, the download service is started. If the number of available packets is insufficient, other data or other services Data for prompting the user to select a service may be transmitted to the communication terminal 1.

On the other hand, when the service server 2 provides a service for playing a game between the communication terminal 1 and the service server 2 in real time, the service server 2 waits for the selection of game software performed by the communication terminal 1, for example. Based on the game software selected by the terminal 1, data on the initial screen of the game is transmitted to the communication terminal 1.

In the following, a description will be given of a case in which the service of the shogi game software that is played in real time between the communication terminal 1 and the service server 2 is performed in the present system with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

In this case, when the service is started, the service server 2 transmits data relating to the initial screen of the shogi game to the communication terminal 1 (step S51), and the communication terminal 1 receiving the data sends the data to the communication terminal 1. Then, an initial screen based on this data is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S52).

Subsequently, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 1 monitors the output signal of the operation input unit 12 to determine whether or not an input relating to the operation of the game by the user has been performed. The data about the input is transmitted to the service server 2 (step S53). In this example, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation of moving the shogi piece one hand (pointing one hand), and the user operates the operation input unit 12 to “point one hand”. By performing the operation, the data of the one move is transmitted to the service server 2 (for example, “first sixty-six steps”). Then, the service server 2 receiving this data executes a process related to the operation of the user of the communication terminal 1 (step S54), and obtains data corresponding to the data received from the communication terminal 1 (for example, “ 8 steps back))) and generate The screen data to be transmitted is transmitted to the communication terminal 1 (step S55).

In parallel with this process, The service server 2 determines the number of data packets (for example, one bucket) transmitted from the communication terminal 1 to the service server 2 in step S53 and the data packet transmitted in step S55 from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1. The number of packets in the evening (for example, one packet) is monitored, information on the number of packets is transmitted to the billing server 3 (step S56), and data received from the billing server 3 and the communication terminal 1 are waited for. State.

Next, in step S57, the billing server 3 receiving the information on the number of buckets deducts (subtracts) the number of received packets from the number of available packets for the ID, and stores the database as described above. In the next step S58, the data on the number of available buckets after deduction is transmitted to the service server 2.

Then, the service server 2 which has received the data on the number of usable buckets after deduction determines whether there is a number of usable packets, and if so, returns to step S54 to return from the communication terminal 1. After receiving the received data, the processes in steps S54 to S59 are similarly repeated. By repeating this process, the shogi game will progress with the match between the user and the service server 2 '.

While the shogi game is in progress, the charging server 3 deducts (subtracts) the number of communicable packets, and the number of communicable packets in the database is gradually reduced. When the number of communicable packets becomes zero, the service server 2 notifies the billing server 3 in step S58.

If the number of communicable packets becomes zero, the service server 2 may delete all data such as the ID related to the IC card 5 and remove the data from the database registration. good.

On the other hand, if the service ends before the number of communicable buckets becomes zero, the service server 2 stores the database registration in that state for the next access by the communication terminal 1. Keep it.

If it is determined in step S59 that there is no usable bucket, the server The service server 2 proceeds to step S60, does not accept the received data from the communication terminal 1, notifies the communication terminal 1 that there is no usable packet, and communicates in the next step S61. Terminate the communication service to terminal 1. In this example, in step S61, the service server 2 terminates the game of shogi against the communication terminal 1 midway and terminates the service forcibly.

The other processing performed by the service server 2 in step S61 includes temporarily interrupting the communication service for the communication terminal 1 and providing an article related to the communication service (for example, a CD storing the shogi game software). — Data for prompting the purchase of (R OM) may be transmitted to the communication terminal 1.

Further, as another processing performed by the service server 2 in step S61, the communication terminal 1 temporarily interrupts the communication service for the communication terminal 1 and sends data to the communication terminal 1 asking whether to continue the communication service. If the communication service is not to be continued, it is forcibly terminated, and if the communication service is to be continued, a charging method is selected. What is necessary is just to adopt the form of charging regardless of the IC card 5.

If the non-charging data amount display information in the IC card 5 is stored in the RAM of the memory 53, the end of the communication service for the communication terminal 1 in step S61. At this time, predetermined notification data is transmitted from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1 and a process of rewriting non-charging data amount display information in the RAM of the IC card 5 based on the notification data is performed. Is also good.

As described above, according to the data distribution system of the embodiment, the game software can be sold substantially by selling the IC card 5 as a prepaid card, and the selling price of the IC card 5 can be reduced. Since the game software can determine the amount of time that can be played with the game software, the user can arbitrarily determine the amount of money for the game, and the user can set his own price.

In addition, when a so-called trial version of an IC card 5 in which relatively little non-billing limit display information about a game is set is distributed free of charge for sale or sales promotion, the user can actually use the communication terminal 1 To play the game, and if you like It is also possible to purchase the official version of game software such as CD-ROM.

In addition, when a small game software manufacturer devises a new game and promotes the new game, a trial version with relatively small non-billing limit display information is set as described above. When the IC card 5 is distributed free of charge, the user can select a billing payment method regardless of the IC card 5 for the amount exceeding this amount of money, allowing the company to use its own without relying on a conventional software distribution channel. It is possible to achieve various effects such as that it is possible to promote sales of the software. '

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a system for distributing game software data from the service server 2 to the communication terminal 1 has been described. The data to be delivered to the device 1 is not limited to this, and includes, for example, data of various application software, moving image data of movies, etc., still image data of photo albums, audio data of music, etc. It can be applied to the distribution of various data that should be charged, such as and MIDI data.

The data in the memory 53 of the IC card 5 also exceeded the limit indicated in the non-billing limit display information for data transmitted / received between the communication terminal 1 and the server terminal in the communication service. Charging / payment method display information indicating the method of paying for the bill in the case (for example, the effect of performing credit card settlement) may be stored.

In the above-described embodiment, the server side terminal device is configured to be divided into the charging server 3 and the service server 2 as independent devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the case of having a charging manager, etc., it is a matter of course that both the processing performed by the charging server 3 and the processing performed by the service server 2 may be performed by a single terminal device. .

Other embodiments of the non-charging limit display information and the processing performed by the control unit 31 of the charging server 3 include, for example, a non-charged ID for each of the IC cards 5a, 5b,. Information about the amount of money (remaining amount of money) corresponding to the amount of gold data (number of communication packets) is stored in the external storage unit 32, and based on the notification of the number of used packets from the service server 2 (step S56) Then, in step S57, the amount corresponding to the number of used packets (used amount) is calculated, and the amount obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount is set as a new remaining amount in the database of the external storage unit 32. May be sequentially rewritten. Industrial applicability

Since the present invention is configured as described above, an information storage device for improving user's convenience for connection to a server-side terminal device and setting of a billing method, and data using the information storage device It is possible to provide a distribution system, which is extremely useful in industry.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An information storage device including information storage means for storing information to be supplied to a user's communication terminal device, wherein the information storage means includes at least a service provider as information to be supplied to the communication terminal device. The connection information for connecting the communication terminal device to the server terminal device that controls the communication service to be provided and manages the funds through the communication network, and the ID information managed by the server terminal device are as follows. The ID information is stored in the communication service, and the data transmitted / received between the communication terminal device and the server-side terminal device is a non-charged data indicating a limit of receiving service provision without being charged by the service provider side. An information storage device characterized by information corresponding to limit display information.

2. The non-charging limit display information is limited to a limit on the number of packets that can be provided without being charged for data transmitted / received between the communication terminal device and the server-side terminal device in the bucket system in the communication service. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the information is information that is indicated.

3. The ID information stored in the information storage means is a registration ID registered in a database managed by the server-side terminal device and information corresponding to the non-charging limit display information on the registration ID. 2. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The information storage means includes, in the communication service, a method of paying a charge when data transmitted / received between the communication terminal device and the server-side terminal device exceeds a limit indicated in the non-charge limit display information. 2. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein charge payment method display information is stored.

5. The information storage means stores connection program information for connecting the communication terminal device to the server-side terminal device via the communication network using the connection information. Item 1. An information storage device according to item 1.

6. A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the communication terminal device, wherein the transmission / reception unit transmits each information stored in the information storage unit to the communication terminal device. 2. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted.

7. The information storage device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission / reception unit transmits / receives a radio signal to / from the communication terminal device.

8. The information storage means includes a volatile storage medium in which the non-billing limit display information is rewritably stored, and the non-billing limit display information is transmitted from the server-side terminal device to the communication terminal device. 7. The information storage device according to claim 6, wherein the information storage device is rewritten based on data.

9. The information storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a card-shaped device main body for storing the information storage means and the transmission / reception means.

10. The ID information stored in the information storage means includes prepaid display information indicating that the information storage device is a prepaid article of a predetermined amount. The unpaid limit display information includes the prepaid display. 2. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined amount of the information is set as a limit for receiving service provision without being charged by the service provider side.

11. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the information storage means stores free distribution display information indicating that the information storage device is a free distribution item.

12. A server terminal for controlling and charging management of a communication service provided by a service provider; a communication terminal capable of data communication with the server terminal via a communication network; The information to be supplied to the terminal device includes at least connection information for connecting the communication terminal device to the server terminal device via the communication network, and ID information managed by the server terminal device. An information storage device having information storage means for storing the ID information, wherein the server-side terminal device transmits the ID information to and from the data transmitted and received between the communication terminal device and the communication terminal device in the communication service. The communication terminal device manages the information as information corresponding to non-charging limit display information indicating a limit of service provision without being charged by the service provider side; Connects to the server-side terminal device based on the connection information, transmits the ID information to the server-side terminal device, and the server-side terminal device receives the non-charging corresponding to the received ID information. By comparing the limit display information, A data delivery system for starting the communication service for the communication terminal device without charging if the service provision limit is not exceeded.

13. While the server-side terminal device provides the communication service to the communication terminal device, the server-side terminal device receives the service without being charged while rewriting the non-charging limit display information corresponding to the ID information. 13. The data distribution system according to claim 12, wherein the data distribution system monitors whether or not a limit has been exceeded, and controls the communication service based on the monitoring result.

14. The server-side terminal device transmits and receives information between a service server that provides a communication service to the communication terminal device and the service server. A charging server that manages charging for the communication service provided to the server, wherein the charging server stores non-charging limit display information corresponding to the ID information, based on information transmitted from the service server. Then, the non-billing limit display information is sequentially rewritten, and the rewritten data is transmitted to the service server, and the service server is configured based on the rewritten data transmitted from the charging server. 13. The data distribution system according to claim 12, wherein monitoring is performed to determine whether a service provision limit without charge has been exceeded.

15. The charging server according to claim 14, wherein the non-charging limit display information is sequentially rewritten based on information on an amount of data transmitted and received between the service server and the communication terminal device. Data distribution system as described.

16. The charging server according to claim 14, wherein the non-charging limit display information is sequentially rewritten based on information on the amount of data transmitted from the service server to the communication terminal device. Data distribution system as described.

17. The data distribution system according to claim 14, wherein the service server forcibly terminates a communication service for the communication terminal device when a service provision limit is exceeded without being charged. ,

1 8. The service server exceeds the limit for receiving service 15. The data distribution system according to claim 14, wherein the communication service for the communication terminal device is temporarily interrupted, and data for prompting purchase of an article related to the communication service is transmitted to the communication terminal device.

19. If the service server exceeds the limit of receiving the service without being charged, the service server temporarily suspends the communication service for the communication terminal device and inquires whether to continue the communication service. 15. The data distribution system according to item 14, wherein the data is transmitted to the communication terminal device.

20. A first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the communication terminal device via the communication network, and a second transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the billing server. And a data storage unit storing at least data to be transmitted to the communication terminal device. The charging server includes: a transmission / reception unit configured to perform data transmission / reception with the service server; A database storage means for storing the ID information and the non-billing limit display information corresponding to each ID information as a database, and a database management means for managing the database. Item 14. A data distribution system according to item 14.

21. The information storage device includes a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the communication terminal device, and the transmission / reception unit transmits each information stored in the information storage unit to the communication terminal device. The data delivery system according to claim 12, wherein the data is transmitted.

22. The data delivery system according to claim 12, wherein the information storage device is a smart card (SmartCard).

23. The non-charging limit display information indicates the limit of the number of buckets that can receive service provision without being charged for data transmitted and received between the communication terminal device and the server-side terminal device in the bucket system in the communication service. 13. The data distribution system according to claim 12, wherein the data is information.

24. The data distribution system according to claim 12, wherein data transmitted and received between the server-side terminal device and the communication terminal device is data on game software.