CN1816971B - Reproduction device, information setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

Set information transmission means (1c) transmits set information (local information) on the broadcast reception of a reproduction device (1) itself to an external device. The external device returns list information such as a broadcast station name which can be received by the reproduction device (1), the broadcast station identification information, and frequency corresponding to the set information, which is received by list information reception means (1d). The broadcast station name in the list information received is displayed on display means (1e). The user confirms the broadcast station name displayed and performs input operation. According to this input operation, recording means (1f) records a part of the received list information in a recording medium while correlating the components (such as frequency and a broadcast station name, broadcast station identification information).

Description

Reproducing device and information setting method

technical field

The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus capable of receiving and reproducing a broadcast signal selected by calling a previously set receiving frequency, and an information setting method and an information setting program for setting the receiving frequency. the

Background technique

In recent years, broadcasting stations such as FM broadcasting often provide information related to programs transmitted from their stations and songs broadcast in the programs via the Internet. Therefore, recent audio equipment having a function of receiving radio waves has been equipped with an Internet connection function in consideration of a service that allows audio equipment to obtain related information such as broadcast songs through the Internet. According to this service, when a user finds a favorite song among broadcast songs while listening to FM radio, the user can access a server providing information, and can receive and display information related to the song on a display of an audio device. It is also possible to store relevant information received. the

Meanwhile, audio devices can receive radio broadcasts by tuning a reception frequency to a specific value. To facilitate this operation, recent audio equipment has a plurality of pre-set receivable frequencies so that the audio equipment can be tuned only by specifying a number through key operation. Also, some audio equipment has a function to automatically set the receivable frequencies mentioned above. the

In order to provide services using such information as described above, it is necessary to designate a server or a web page that provides information of broadcasting stations corresponding to preset receivable frequencies. In addition, a receivable area of a broadcast signal is specific to each radio station, and thus a plurality of radio stations respectively existing in different areas may use the same broadcast frequency in some cases. Therefore, radio stations cannot be identified solely on the broadcast frequency. Use an identification number called a "call sign" assigned to a broadcasting station. the

For example, in the previously described information providing service, the service management server for managing the above information providing service is equipped with another server that provides other related information such as programs and broadcast songs of each broadcasting station. The service management server includes a table linking broadcast frequencies, areas, and call signs to each other, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) linking call signs and providing website information corresponding to broadcasting stations of the call signs. the

In order to preliminarily set a broadcasting frequency in an audio device, the broadcasting frequency and information specifying its reception area (such as zip code, etc.) are transmitted to the service management server. Based on this received information and the like, the service management server specifies the call sign of the broadcasting station whose signal the audio device is receiving, and notifies the audio device of the call sign. use In this way, the broadcasting frequency and the call sign can be stored in the audio device linked to each other. the

In addition, in order to obtain information related to programs and the like, the user specifies a broadcasting station through an audio device according to a preset number, and then the corresponding call sign is transmitted to the service management server. The service management server transmits URL information providing a website corresponding to the call sign to the audio device. As a result, the audio device can access the URL, and can obtain information on programs, broadcast songs, and the like. the

Note that there are conventional receivers that are tuned exactly to receive broadcast signals. Among the information about the tuning and previously stored in the memory, the receiver stores in the preset memory information concerning the tuning of the broadcast channels receivable in the area selected by the user, which is linked to the user operable key operation unit Tuning operation keys. At this time, information items respectively related to tuning of a plurality of broadcast channels identified as broadcasting the same program are stored close to each other in the tuning change direction of the tuning operation key (see Patent Document 1, for example). the

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-308135 (paragraph numbers [0041] to [0078], FIG. 1 ). the

As described above, when a broadcasting frequency or a call sign is set in advance, there are actually cases where the call sign cannot be properly specified in a method of specifying a call sign and its reception frequency based on information of a specified area such as a zip code. For example, if a radio broadcast is received by cable TV, the cable TV station will assign a different frequency than the original broadcast frequency. In some cases, cable TV broadcasts radio broadcasts that would otherwise not be available in one area because they are specific to another distant area. In these cases, the service management server as described above cannot designate the call sign corresponding to the reception frequency of such broadcasting. the

Contents of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a reproducing apparatus that receives and reproduces broadcast signals and can preset frequencies and call signs that are correctly linked with each other corresponding to reception areas and reception methods. the

The present invention also has another object of providing an information setting method capable of presetting frequencies and call signs correctly linked with each other corresponding to a receiving area and a receiving method in a reproducing apparatus receiving and reproducing broadcast signals. the

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproducing device capable of receiving and reproducing a broadcast signal selected by invoking a preset receiving frequency, characterized by comprising: a broadcast signal receiving device receiving a specific frequency broadcast signal; broadcast signal reproduction device, which reproduces the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal receiving device; setting information transmission device, which transmits the broadcast reception of the reproduction device itself and the setting information set by the user to the external device; list information reception means for receiving list information detected by the external device as a list including broadcast station names, broadcast station identification information, and station frequencies of receivable broadcast stations corresponding to the setting information; display means for displaying the list information included in the list information received by the list information means for broadcasting station names in the list information received; and recording means for recording each part of the received list information on a recording medium based on a user's input, wherein the parts are linked to each other. the

In this device, the broadcast signal receiving means receives a broadcast signal of a specific frequency, and the received broadcast signal is reproduced by the broadcast signal reproducing means. Furthermore, the setting information transmitting means transmits, to the external device, setting information set by the user and related to broadcast reception of the reproducing apparatus itself. For example, the external device receiving the setting information detects the broadcasting station name of the broadcasting station receivable by the reproducing apparatus, its broadcasting station identification information and its frequency, and returns the information and the frequency as list information. List information receiving means receives list information from the external device. Based on a user's input, the display means displays broadcasting station names included in the received list information, and the recording means records respective parts of the received list information on a recording medium, wherein the respective parts are linked to each other. Accordingly, the user checks the names of receivable broadcasting stations on the display device, and performs an input operation for causing the recording device to perform recording. Thus, frequencies, broadcasting station names, and broadcasting station identification information of receivable broadcasting signals correctly linked to each other can be recorded. Furthermore, these linked items of information can be called back at a later time to perform tuning and, for example, information identifying the selected broadcast station can be communicated. the

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information setting method for setting a receiving frequency in advance in a reproducing apparatus that receives and reproduces a broadcast signal, characterized by including: a setting information transmitting step of transmitting the information set by the user to an external device and setting information related to broadcast reception of the reproducing apparatus itself; a list information receiving step of receiving list information detected by an external device as a broadcasting station name including a receivable broadcasting station corresponding to the setting information, broadcasting station identification information of the station, and a list of station frequencies; a display step of displaying broadcast station names included in the received list information; and a recording step of recording respective parts of the received list information on a recording medium based on a user's input, wherein the respective parts are linked to each other . the

In this method, in the setting information transmitting step, setting information set by a user and related to broadcast reception of the apparatus itself is transmitted to the external device. For example, the external device receiving the setting information detects the broadcasting station name of the broadcasting station corresponding to the setting information receivable by the reproducing apparatus, its broadcasting station identification information and its frequency, and returns the information and frequency as list information. In the list information receiving step, list information is received from the external device. In the display step, broadcast station names included in the received list information are displayed. In the recording step, each part of the received list information is recorded on a recording medium based on user input, wherein the parts are linked to each other. Therefore, the user checks the names of receivable broadcasting stations displayed in the display step, and performs an input operation for recording onto the recording medium in the recording step. Thus, frequencies, broadcasting station names, and broadcasting station identification information of receivable broadcasting signals correctly linked to each other can be recorded. Furthermore, these linked information items can be called back at a later time to perform the tuning and, for example, information identifying the selected radio station can be transmitted. the

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method in which: a reproducing device that receives and reproduces a broadcast signal transmits setting information set by a user and related to broadcast reception of the reproducing device itself to a portal server, and the user ID and password; an entry server that issues an authentication ticket so that the reproducing apparatus can access a plurality of service servers executes authentication processing based on the user ID and password, and when authentication is permitted, transmits list information as information including possible information corresponding to setting information. receiving a list of broadcasting station names of broadcasting stations, broadcasting station identification information of stations, and station frequencies; and reproducing means displaying the broadcasting station names included in the received list information, and recording each part of the received list information On the recording medium, the parts thereof are linked to each other. the

According to the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the user checks the name of the receivable broadcasting station on the display means, and performs an input operation for causing the recording means to record. Thus, frequencies, broadcasting station names, and broadcasting station identification information of receivable broadcasting signals correctly linked to each other can be recorded in advance. Furthermore, these linked information items can be called back at a later time to perform tuning, and for example information identifying the selected broadcast station can be transmitted to correctly specify the information providing server corresponding to the selected broadcast station. the

According to the information setting method of the present invention, the user checks the name of the receivable broadcasting station displayed in the display step, and performs an input operation for recording on the recording medium. Thus, frequencies, broadcasting station names, and broadcasting station identification information of receivable broadcasting signals correctly linked to each other can be recorded in advance. Furthermore, these linked information items can be called back at a later time to perform tuning and eg information identifying the selected broadcast station can be transmitted to correctly specify the information providing server corresponding to the selected broadcast station. the

A reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes: identification information transmitting means for transmitting broadcasting station identification information included in the list information recorded by the recording means to an external device; and position information receiving means for transmitting from The external device receives position information indicating a position of a provider on the network that provides related information related to broadcast contents of respective broadcast stations corresponding to the broadcast station identification information transmitted from the identification information transmission means. the

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the operating principle of the network system to which the present invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a structural example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of an overall service server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a program module configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing flow in the overall service server when providing call sign and URL designation services picture;

Figure 8 is a table showing an example database included in the overall service server;

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the entire processing flow in the terminal device when the frequency is preset;

Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing flow in the terminal device when manually presetting information about the broadcast station list;

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a screen display example of a screen that lists and displays a broadcasting station name;

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of broadcasting station list reception processing;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the music-related service providing system in this embodiment;

14 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of functional circuit blocks of a client terminal;

Fig. 15 is a tree diagram showing directory structure;

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the functional circuit block of the portal server;

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the functional circuit blocks of the music data distribution server;

Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the functional circuit block of the sales server;

Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the functional circuit blocks of the radio broadcast information distribution server;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a user authentication process between a client terminal and an entry server;

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the user authentication processing procedure between the client terminal and the music data distribution server;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a music data distribution service providing process;

Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing the sales service provision process;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a radio broadcast information (on-air list information) distribution service providing processing procedure (1); and

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a radio broadcast information (now-on-air information) distribution service providing processing procedure (2). the

label interpretation

1. Reproducing device 1A. Broadcasting signal receiving device 1B. Broadcasting signal reproducing device

1C. Setting information transmission device 1D. List information receiving device 1E. Display device

1F. Recording device 2. Designated server for broadcasting stations

3. Network 4. Program information server

1000 music related service providing system 1002 client terminal 1003 entrance server

1004 music data distribution server 1005 sales server

1006 Radio broadcast information distribution server 1007 Internet wireless server

1008 accounting server

Detailed ways

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. the

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the operating principle of a network system to which the present invention is applied. Referring to Fig. 1, an outline of the present invention will be described. the

The network system shown in FIG. 1 has a structure in which a reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied and a broadcasting station specifying server 2 which performs processing for specifying a broadcasting station are connected to each other through a network 3 . The network 3 is also connected to a program information server 4 that provides information related to programs and songs broadcast by radio stations. the

The reproducing apparatus 1 has a broadcast receiving function to receive, reproduce, and output broadcasts; and a setting function to transmit information about an area where the reproducing apparatus 1 is installed to a broadcast station specifying server 2, receiving information for designating receivable broadcast stations. list information and pre-set its frequency. The broadcast receiving function is realized by a broadcast signal receiving device 1a which receives a broadcast signal of a specific frequency from an electric wave or cable, and a broadcast signal reproducing device 1b which reproduces the received broadcast signal. In addition, the setting function is also realized by the setting information transmitting means 1c, list information receiving means 1d, displaying means 1e and recording means 1f. the

The setting information transmission means 1c transmits broadcast reception on the reproduction apparatus 1 itself to an external device (in this case, the broadcast station designation server 2). The setting information is set by the user, and includes, for example, area information indicating an area in which the reproduction apparatus 1 is installed, and the like. This setting information may be input by the user before the information is transmitted to the broadcasting station specifying server 2 . Alternatively, information previously set by the user may be transmitted. For example, when registering online to receive an information providing service from the program information server 4, the registration information may be recorded in the reproducing apparatus 2 at one time. The setting information transmission means 1c can read or transmit a part of this information as setting information. the

The list information receiving means 1d receives list information corresponding to the setting information detected by the broadcast station specifying server 2 . The list information is a list consisting of broadcasting station names, broadcasting station identification information, and frequencies receivable by the reproducing apparatus 1 . the

The display means 1e displays the broadcasting station names in the list information received by the list information receiving means 1d. In this way, the user confirms receivable broadcast stations. The recording means 1f links the parts of the received list information with each other based on the input made by the user, and records those parts in the recording medium. Thus, the user can preset receivable broadcasting station names, broadcasting station identification information, and frequencies linked to each other. In addition, the user can select a station by calling previously set information and setting a frequency in the broadcast signal receiving device 1a. the

Then, the operation of the above-mentioned network system will be described. the

The setting information transmission device 1c operates when the process of setting the reception frequency in advance in the broadcast signal receiving device 1a is performed. For example, the user changes the receiving frequency of the broadcast signal receiving device 1a, and sequentially sets the receiving frequency in advance. Alternatively, this type of preset operation can be automatically performed by the playback device 1 . After the preset frequency is finished, the setting information transmission means 1c transmits the setting information to the broadcasting station specifying server 2 . the

After receiving the setting information from the reproducing apparatus 1, the broadcast station specifying server 2 searches an unshown database to specify a broadcast station receivable by the reproducing apparatus 1 as a sender. Specifically, for example, broadcast stations receivable in the area where the reproduction apparatus 1 is installed are specified. Then, a list including the names of those broadcasting stations, their broadcasting station identification information and their frequencies is created and transmitted to the reproducing apparatus 1 . the

The reproducing apparatus 1 receives list information from the broadcasting station specifying server 2 through the list information receiving means 1d. Then, the broadcast station name in the received list information is shown by the display means 1e. The user views and checks the names of broadcasting stations in the list information through the display device 1e. Make sure that the name is correct as the target assigned to the preset frequency. Then, the user can preliminarily set the mutually linked parts of the list information, such as frequency, broadcasting station name, and broadcasting station identification information, in the recording medium through the recording device 1f. the

Alternatively, after the list information is received by the list information receiving means 1d, broadcast station names and broadcast station identification information corresponding to those of the preset frequencies listed in the list information may be automatically preset by the recording means 1f. Then if there is any frequency remaining, the name of the broadcasting station in the list information is displayed by the display device 1e and can be recorded by the recording device 1f according to the user's manual input, a part of the list information is linked with the remaining frequencies. the

According to the operation of the recording means 1f, the recording means records, for example, interlinked frequencies actually receivable by the broadcast signal receiving means 1a, their broadcasting station names, and their broadcasting station identification information. When any broadcast is received later, the recorded information is recalled and its frequency is set in the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1a. Tuning can thus be achieved. the

In addition, the reproducing apparatus 1 can obtain information on programs received from broadcasting stations and broadcast songs from the program information server 4 . In order to obtain this service, it is necessary to know the address information (URL etc.) of the program information server 4 or the information providing website corresponding to the broadcasting station. Furthermore, to know such address information, it is necessary to correctly specify the target broadcasting station. Broadcasting station identification information can be used to specify these stations. the

For example, when a user wants to obtain information on a song received by the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 a and broadcast from a broadcast station, broadcast station identification information corresponding to the broadcast station is transmitted to the broadcast station specifying server 2 . Then, the URL corresponding to the broadcast station is received from the broadcast station specifying server. Related information can be obtained by accessing the received URL. the

According to the reproducing apparatus 1 as described above, the user can check the name of the broadcasting station displayed on the display apparatus 1e with respect to the preset frequency, and can preset the information linked to the frequency in the list information corresponding to the frequency, while Check its name. Therefore, even in the case where the frequency received by the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1a includes frequencies other than those originally receivable by electric waves, the broadcast station name and broadcast station identification information can be correctly transmitted. This situation also occurs in the case where radio broadcasting is received by cable TV and the allocation of radio broadcasting frequencies is different from that of air waves. Even in this case, the preset processing can be correctly performed with simple operations, and address information of servers and websites providing information on programs actually received from broadcasting stations can be correctly obtained. the

Among the preset frequencies, there may be preset frequencies not included in the received information, and their broadcasting Station name and radio station identification information cannot be preset. In this case, transmission of list information including information related to other broadcasting stations not included in the transmitted setting information from the reproducing apparatus 1 to the broadcasting station specifying server 2 may be requested. This situation occurs where cable television makes it possible to receive radio broadcasts from long-distance broadcast stations that cannot normally be received in an area by air waves. In this case, list information concerning broadcasting stations that are not included in the local information as setting information (ie, cannot be received in the area) is requested. the

After receiving the list information transmitted in response to the request from the broadcast station specifying server 2, the list information receiving means 1d displays the broadcast station names included in the list information on the display means 1e, like the aforementioned processing. In this way, the names of broadcasting stations that cannot be received in the local area can be displayed on the display device 1e. Then, the user can select a broadcasting station name among the displayed names, and can preset the broadcasting station name and corresponding broadcasting station identification information correctly linked with the actual receiving frequency through the recording device 1f. the

Then, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the above network system example. In the following description, the process of storing (storing) related information related to a song or an album to an auxiliary memory is referred to as "clip". Information stored by clipping is thus called "clip information". the

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. the

The terminal device 10 is connected to various types of servers through the network 30 . For example, network 30 is the Internet. The servers include, for example, a CD title information providing server 31, a radio station server 32, a music distribution server 33, a CD shop server 34, an Internet wireless server 35, an overall service server 36, and the like. the

The CD title information providing server 31 provides song titles and album titles of purchasable music CDs (compact discs). the

The broadcasting station server 32 is a server managed by a broadcasting station 37 of FM broadcasting and television (TV) broadcasting. The broadcast station 37 broadcasts by radio via an antenna 38 . The radio station server 32 provides related information services of radio songs. the

The function of providing related information realized by the broadcast station server 32 is roughly divided into the following two types. The first function is to provide information about songs that are currently on the air (on air). The second function is to provide a list (broadcast list) of songs that have been broadcast or will be broadcast (where the broadcast list includes information related to songs) in response to a request from the terminal device 10 . For example, the broadcast station server 32 broadcasts related information of songs in a specified program, or broadcasts related information of songs within a specified time period. the

The music distribution server 33 is a server that provides a service of distributing digital audio data (song data) of songs. For example, the music distribution server 33 provides music data only to the terminal device 10 of the paid user. In addition, the music distribution server 33 can also provide information on distributed music and its presentation audio data. the

The CD shop server 34 provides services such as receiving music CD mail orders. The CD store server 34 Also provides distribution services for distributing demo audio data, etc., and provides information on sales of songs on CDs. the

The Internet wireless server 35 is a server for passing audio programs through a wide area network like the Internet or the like. the

The overall service server 36 serves as a point of contact (entry point) for providing services through the network 30, and as an intermediary for providing various overall services using the server. For example, the server distributes to the terminal device 10 information (for example, URL) indicating a supplier source of information on broadcast songs. In addition, the server distributes to the terminal device 10 the call sign of a broadcasting station at a frequency corresponding to the receivable area. In addition, the server performs processing of a registration process to be performed by the user with the above-mentioned various overall services, and performs processing of an authentication process to be performed with these services. the

Thus, a plurality of servers implement a service providing information on songs or albums on the network 30 . That is, each server serves as a source of songs and songbooks on the network 30. the

The music distribution server 33 and the CD shop server 34 are purchasable music servers. Therefore, if the user accesses the purchasable music server by operating the terminal device 10, the user can actually purchase a song or an album through the network 30. The user of the terminal device 10 can purchase and download song data from the music distribution server 33 by purchasing on the music distribution server 33 . In addition, the user of the terminal device 10 can also ask the server to deliver the music CD to the user's home through the purchase process to the CD shop server 34 . the

The terminal device 10 locally stores the source of the song or album in a recording medium such as a CD 29a, an MD (MiniDisk) 29b, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 21, or the like. The CD 29a and MD 29B are portable recording media, and can be easily connected to or disconnected from the terminal equipment 10. Various local sources prepared for the terminal device 10 differ depending on the purpose or model of the terminal device 10 . In addition, the terminal device 10 can receive broadcast content through the antenna 26 . the

The local sources of songs or songbooks shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples. That is, any recording medium can be used as a local source of a song or an album by recording a song or an album on the medium as long as the recording medium exists locally in the terminal device 10 . the

The terminal device 10 also has a clip information storage unit 21a that stores clip related information (logical information). This clip information storage unit 21 a is an auxiliary storage unit in the terminal device 10 . For example, a part of the storage area of the HDD 21 can be used as the clip information storage unit 21a. Note that the terminal device 10 can clip not only songs but also albums. Therefore, it is possible to clip the entirety of an FM broadcast or an album CD including many songs of interest, so that information about a collection of songs of interest can be recorded by one clipping operation. the

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the overall service server 36 . the

The whole overall service server 36 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 36a. CPU 36a communicates with RAM (random access memory) 36b, hard disk drive (HDD) 36c, graphics processing unit 36d, The input interface (I/F) 36e is connected to the communication interface 36f. the

The RAM 36b temporarily stores programs of the OS (Operating System) and at least part of application programs executed by the CPU 36a. The RAM 36b also stores various data necessary for processing performed by the CPU 36a. HDD 36c stores OS and application programs. In addition, the HDD 36c stores a database storing the names, call signs (described later) and frequencies of interlinked receivable broadcasting stations for each specific area; and another database storing call signs and broadcasts corresponding to the call signs The station's related information provides the URL of the server. the

The graphics processing unit 36d is connected to a display device 36h. The graphics processing unit 36d operates according to commands from the CPU 36a to display images on the display device 36h. The input interface 36e is connected to a keyboard 36i and a mouse 36j. The input interface 36e transmits the signals sent by the keyboard 36i and the mouse 36j to the CPU 36a through the bus 36g. the

The communication interface 36f is connected to the network 30 . The communication interface 36f transmits and receives data with other computers via the network 30 . the

According to the hardware configuration described above, the processing functions of this embodiment can be realized. Although FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the overall service server 36, each of the other servers can be realized by a similar hardware configuration. the

The terminal device 10 in this embodiment also functions as an audio device having a function of playing back songs. the

FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the terminal device 10 . the

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment has the same appearance as system components generally used. The terminal device 10 includes a device main body 10 , speakers 25 a , 25 b and a remote controller 40 . The device main body 10a has a function of playing back CDs and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), a function of recording/reproducing MDs, and a function of receiving FM broadcasts and TV broadcasts. Audio signals generated by the device main body 10 are supplied to the speakers 25a, 25b, and sound is output from the speakers 25a and 25b. the

The device main body 10 a also has a display device 17 . The display device 17 displays related information of the song being played, related information stored by clips, and the like. the

The remote controller 40 is an input device for remotely controlling the device main body 10a. The remote controller 40 has a plurality of operation keys. When the user presses an operation key, a signal corresponding to the pressed key is sent from the remote controller 40 to the device main body 10a. the

Provided as operation keys include direction keys 41a to 41d, an input key 42, function selection keys 43a to 43c, a tool key 44, a reverse key 45, and the like. the

The direction keys 41 a to 41 d are used to move a cursor or a focus point displayed on the display device 17 . The four direction keys 41a to 41d correspond to the directions "up", "down", "left" and "right", respectively. A cursor or the like moves in a direction corresponding to the pressed direction key. the

The input key 42 is used, for example, to determine whatever is displayed on the display device 17 . the

Function selection keys 43a to 43c are used to select functions. For example, these three function selection keys 43a～43c are respectively Corresponding to usage functions, tuner functions, and local content management functions of the overall service. When any one of the function keys 43a to 43c is pressed, the device main body 10a switches to an operation mode corresponding to the function of the pressed function selection key. the

The tool key 44 is a key for displaying a tool menu on the display device 17 . In the tool menu, commands corresponding to the contents displayed on the display device 17 are displayed. The user can select any command from the tool menu to make the terminal device 10 execute the processing corresponding to the command. For example, the user can select an arbitrary command by operating the arrow keys 41 a to 41 d and pressing the enter key 42 . Then, processing corresponding to the selected command is performed by the device main body 10a. the

The return key 45 is a key for returning the displayed content on the display device 17 to the state of the most recently displayed content. the

The remote controller 40 may also have various other operation keys different from those shown in FIG. 4, for example, a volume control key for a music CD, a play key, a stop key, and the like. the

Then, the internal configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described. the

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 . The terminal device 10 shown in FIG. 5 makes it possible to manage, record, and reproduce various sources such as songs. the

The CPU 11 performs overall control and computation processing on the entire terminal device 10 based on the started programs. For example, the CPU 11 performs communication operations for operations via the network 30, input/output operations regarding users, reproduction or clipping of contents from media, storage and necessary management of contents on the HDD 21, processing based on clip information via the network 30 information search, etc. Compatible content data that can be recorded and reproduced by the terminal device 10 of the present invention are audio content data, video content data, and the like. The CPU 11 exchanges control signals and data with each circuit part through the bus 12. the

A ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 stores operating programs executed by the CPU 11, a program loader, various calculation coefficients, parameters used in the programs, and the like. The RAM 20 expands programs executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 20 is also used as a data area and/or task area required when the CPU 11 executes various processes. the

The operation input section 15 includes various operators such as operation keys and a jog wheel (JogDial) and a touch panel provided on the casing of the terminal device 10 . A keyboard or mouse for operating a GUI (Graphical User Interface) may be provided as the operation input unit 15 . Information input through the operation input unit 15 is subjected to predetermined processing by the input processing section 14, and is transmitted to the CPU 11 as an operation command. The CPU 11 executes necessary calculations and controls so that on-device operations corresponding to input operation commands can be obtained. the

For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like is also connected as the display device 17 to display various information. When the CPU 11 supplies display data to the display processing section 16 according to various operating states, input states, and communication states , the display processing section 16 causes the display device 17 to perform a display operation based on the supplied display data. For example, the display device 17 displays the content of related information provided from a server or the like, or the content of clip information. If a song is searched through the network 30, the search result is displayed on the display device 17. the

Both the media drives 19a and 19b are drives capable of recording/reproducing (reproducing only on some recording media) content such as songs recorded in a portable storage medium. Note that the types of recording media that can be recorded or reproduced by each of the media drives 19a and 19b are not limited to one type. That is, it is possible to record/reproduce data on/from various types of recording media. For example, the media drive 19a is used to reproduce content on CDs and DVDs, while the media drive 19b can record/reproduce content to/from MDs. the

Portable recording media for recording such as songs and the like should not be limited to optical recording media such as CD, DVD. For example, the content may be stored in a recording medium composed of a semiconductor memory like a flash memory. In this case, a reader/writer for the flash memory is connected to the bus 12 . the

The user inserts a storage medium (CD, DVD, MD, etc.) in which arbitrary content has been stored into the media drives 19 a and 19 b , and performs a predetermined operation on the remote controller 40 . Thus the user can listen to songs and the like. For example, when the user instructs the reproduction of the media drive 19a by operating the remote controller 40, the CPU 11 instructs the media drive 19 to reproduce the content. In response, the media drive 19a accesses the specified content in the inserted recording medium, and reads the content. the

If the read content is audio content, the content or the like is decoded by the CPU 11 when necessary, and then transferred to the audio output processing unit 24. The audio output processing unit 24 performs processing such as sound field processing by such as equalizing, volume control, D/A conversion, amplification, and the like. The audio output processing unit 24 then outputs sound from the speaker 25 . Note that the speaker unit 25 is composed of a plurality of speakers 25a, 25b shown in FIG. 4, and can output stereo sound. the

The contents reproduced by the media drives 19a, 19b can be stored in the HDD 21 as audio data files under the control of the CPU 11. The format of the audio data file may be digital audio data corresponding to the music CD format according to 16-bit quantization at a sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz. Alternatively, in order to save the capacity of the HDD 21, the format may be compressed audio data subjected to compression processing according to a predetermined method. Although the compression method is not particularly limited, it is possible to use an ATRAC (Advanced Transform Acoustic Coding (trademark)) method, an MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) method, or the like. the

For example, the tuner 27 is an AM/FM radio tuner, and demodulates a broadcast signal received through the antenna 26 based on the control of the CPU 11. Of course, the tuner 27 may be a TV tuner, a satellite broadcast tuner, a digital broadcast tuner, or the like. The demodulated broadcast audio signal is subjected to necessary processing by the audio output processing unit 24 and output from the speaker unit 25 as broadcast sound. the

The communication processing unit 22 executes encoding processing of transmission data and decoding processing of reception data based on the control of the CPU 11. The network interface 23 transmits the transmission data encoded by the communication processing unit 22 to a predetermined external network-compatible device through the network 30 . In addition, the network interface 23 transmits signals transmitted from external network compatible devices to the communication processing unit 22 . The communication processing unit 22 transmits the received information to the CPU 11 . The information received through the network 30 may be, for example, information on programs on FM broadcasts, information on songs included in titles of music CDs. the

The infrared communication unit 28 communicates with the remote controller 40 by using wireless communication means such as infrared radiation. Further, the infrared communication unit 28 performs a predetermined mode on a signal supplied from the remote controller 40, and inputs the signal to the CPU 11 as an operation command. The CPU 11 performs calculations and controls necessary to obtain device operations in response to input operation commands. the

The configuration of the terminal device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, but may be further changed. For example, a change may be made so that an interface connected to a peripheral device may be added according to a communication method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, Bluetooth, or the like. The HDD 21 can be used to store audio content downloaded via the network 30 through the network interface, and audio content transmitted through an interface such as USB, IEEE 1394. In addition, various terminals such as a terminal for connecting a microphone, an external earphone, etc., a video output terminal corresponding to DVD reproduction, a connection line terminal, an optical digital connection terminal, etc. may also be provided. In addition, such as a PCMCIA slot, a memory card slot, etc., enabling data exchange with an external information processing device or an audio device may be provided. the

Next, the configuration of the program modules of the system of the present embodiment will be described. Note that the program modules are information describing processing performed by the terminal device 10 capable of executing predetermined functions based on the program modules. In the following description, the functions realized by executing the program modules will be used as the names of the program modules. the

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of program modules. the

The program modules of the terminal device 10 are constructed to run on the OS. Due to the function of the program module, the terminal device 10 can communicate with the CD title information providing server 31, broadcast station server 32, music providing server 33, CD store server 34, overall service server 36, Internet wireless server 35 and other various servers. the

The HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) message program 111 realizes various processes between servers such as the CD title information providing server 31, the broadcasting station server 32, the CD shop server 34, the overall service server 36, etc. by HTTP communication. The communication device program 112 is a communication module that enables various communications with the overall service server 36 and the like. the

Placed in the higher layer side of the communicator program 112 is: the CODEC (codec) of the translated content The content reproduction module 113 reproduces content, and the copyright protection information management module 114 deals with copyright protection. In the higher layer side of the content reproduction module 113, an Internet radio tuning/reproduction module 118 that performs tuning/reproduction of Internet radio broadcasts is provided. A song purchase/reproduction module 119 that manages purchase of songs and playback of demo songs is provided in the higher layer side of the copyright protection information management module 114 . the

An XML (Extensible Markup Language) browser 151 is provided on the higher layer side of the Internet radio tuning/reproducing module 118 and the song purchasing/reproducing module 119 . The XML browser 151 translates the contents of the XML files sent from the respective servers, and displays them on the screen of the display device 17 . Content input by the user is translated by the XML browser 151 when the terminal device 10 is in the overall service utilization mode. And the XML browser 151 sends processing requests and the like corresponding to the input content to other modules. In addition, processing requests corresponding to input contents are sent from the XML browser 151 to other modules. The song selected by the user through the XML browser 151 is purchased by the song purchase/reproduction module 119, and is written in the HDD 21 by the hard disk content controller 117. the

The communication device program 112 is connected to the verification library 131 of the library 130 . The authentication library 131 executes processing for authenticating such as the overall service server 36 and other individual servers. the

Furthermore, in the higher layer side of the communication device program 112, a database access module 115, a content data access module 116, and a hard disk content controller 117 are provided. The database access module 115 accesses various databases constructed in the HDD 21. The content data access module 116 accesses content stored in the HDD 21. The hard disk contents controller 117 manages the contents stored in the HDD 21. the

In the higher layer side of the hard disk content selector 117, a related information display module 120, a tuner tuning/reproduction/recording module 121, and a song purchase/reproduction module 119 are provided. The related information display module 120 displays the title and artist name of the song broadcast by the radio station on the display device 17 . The tuner tuning/reproducing/recording module 121 performs tuning of radio stations, and records song content received from the radio stations into the HDD 21. the

For example, a song received from a radio station through the audio user interface (audio UI) 152 is recorded into the HDD 21 through the content data access module 116. the

The related information display module 120 receives the title and artist name of the song currently broadcast from the radio station from the CD title information providing server 31, the broadcasting station server 32, etc. via the HTTP message program 111, through the tuner tuning/reproducing/recording module 121 as relevant information. The module 120 then displays the relevant information on the display device 17 via the audio user interface 152 . the

Relevant information displayed on display device 17 , such as via audio user interface 152 , may be temporarily stored in clip library 132 of library 130 . In addition, the relevant information can finally be accessed through the database access module 115 according to the user Instructions are stored in HDD 21. the

Furthermore, program modules included in the terminal device 10 are a CD playback module 141, and an HDD reproduction module 142 for reproducing data from the HDD 21. The reproduced result is output through the audio data processing section 24 and the speaker 25 . the

Then, clipping processing using the above terminal device 10 will be described. the

The terminal device 10 can clip information on songs and albums existing in the terminal device 10 and in storage media on the network 30, and can store the information as clips. One of the most basic clipping processes is to obtain information related to a song on air (on air) from the corresponding broadcast station server 32 while receiving FM broadcast or the like. For example, in this case, the terminal device 10 accesses the broadcast station server 32 corresponding to the broadcast station 37 at a fixed time interval of about 30 seconds to obtain the latest relevant information (related to any songs that have been broadcast or will be broadcast). When the terminal device 10 detects a clipping operation taken by the user, the terminal device 10 stores relevant information obtained at this time as clipping information. the

The clipped related information includes not only the title of the song and its artist name, but also the identification ID of the album containing the song. The user then accesses the music distribution server 33, the CD shop server 34, etc. using, for example, the terminal device 10, and notifies these servers of the identification ID of the album in the clip information. Thus, the user can implement the process of purchasing an album. the

In clip processing, it is possible to store information as clip information not only in units of songs but also in units of albums. For example, when clipping is performed while receiving broadcasting, a song list (broadcast list) broadcast in a broadcast program at the clipping time can be taken as one unit and stored as one clipping information item. the

The information acquired by the clipping process from the broadcast server 32 and storable is not limited to songs or albums including songs being broadcast now. The user can designate a date and/or a time period as a search condition through the terminal device 10 and transmit the condition to the broadcast station server 32 . Then, the user obtains the song or song collection as the search result. From the acquired information, the user selects and clips a desired portion, and stores it as clip information. the

In order to obtain relevant information from the broadcast station server 32 through clipping, the terminal device 10 needs to obtain and know the information source of the broadcast station corresponding to the receiving frequency. In the network system according to the present embodiment, the overall service server provides URLs of related information providers for each broadcasting station. In this service, a call sign is used as identification information for specifying a broadcasting station. Accordingly, the terminal device 10 transmits the call sign to the overall service server 36, and then receives the URL searched by the overall service server 36, thereby enabling access to the URL. the

In addition, the receivable area of broadcast signals from FM radio stations is limited. There are cases where a plurality of broadcasting stations located in distant areas are equal broadcasting frequencies. Therefore, the receiving frequency does not always correspond to the call sign. The overall access server 36 thus provides the following services: receiving area information from the terminal device 10, And the broadcasting station list is provided as information listing the correspondence between names, call signs and frequencies of receivable broadcasting stations in the area. the

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the overall service server 36 provides a list of broadcasting stations. the

In step S11 , information specifying an area is received from the terminal device 10 . The server determines that the reception request for the broadcast station list has been received, and proceeds to step S12. The information received at this time may include area name, zip code, long-distance code, area name and so on. the

In step S12, an area corresponding to the received information is specified, and information on receivable broadcasting stations in the area is extracted from the database in the HDD 32c. the

In step S13, broadcasting station list information as a list of corresponding information including frequencies, broadcasting station names, call signs, etc. linked to each other is transmitted to the terminal device 10 based on the extracted information. the

In step S14, completion of processing is determined. If the processing has not been completed, the flow returns to step S11 and waits for a signal from the terminal device 10 . the

In the above processing, a plurality of frequencies may be received together with information specifying an area, such as a district name or a zip code. If the frequency of the broadcast station receivable in the corresponding area is equal to the received frequency, the name of the broadcast station and the call sign of the frequency may be transmitted. Also, in this processing, if there is a frequency not equal to any frequency of a receivable broadcasting station among the frequencies received from the terminal device 10, the frequencies of other broadcasting stations receivable in the area, the name of the broadcasting station, and A list of call signs. the

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of a database provided by the overall service server 36 that provides a list of broadcasting stations. the

As shown in FIG. 8 , the overall service server 36 has a database for storing the frequency of the transmission radio wave, the name of the broadcasting station, and the call sign for each receivable area where the radio wave is receivable. Therefore, when an area is designated as a search key, an information list combining receivable frequencies in the area, their broadcasting station names, and their call signs is extracted and transmitted as a broadcasting station list. The overall service server 36 also has a database linking various information items for designating an area, such as zip codes and area names, to area names on the database shown in FIG. 8 . the

Meanwhile, the terminal device 10 has a function of instructing pre-stored (pre-set) to-be-received frequencies and a preset number linked to each other, and instructing selection and reception of a corresponding frequency equal to a preset number. Therefore, when presetting the reception frequency, the terminal device 10 utilizes the service of the overall service server 36 as described above to pre-set the names and call signs of broadcasting stations receivable by the terminal device 10, which are linked with the reception frequency. Afterwards, the segment-by-segment device 10 may obtain and access the URL of the relevant information provider. Therefore, it is possible to use the service of acquiring related information from the broadcasting station server 32 easily. the

However, the terminal device 10 does not always receive radio broadcasts through electric waves. For example, there are terminal devices 10 Situation of receiving radio broadcasting through cable TV cable. In this case, the frequency at which the radio broadcast is transmitted will be different from the frequency at which the radio broadcast is transmitted. In another case, radio broadcasts of long-distance broadcast stations that are not normally receivable in the area may be transmitted and provided. In these cases, the terminal device 10 cannot link the frequency with the call sign based only on the area information. the

Therefore, when the receivable frequency in the area included in the broadcast station list information received from the overall service server 36 is different from the preset frequency, the terminal device 10 lists and displays the broadcast stations in the broadcast station list information on the display device 17. name. Thus, the user can make an input operation to select from names, so that presets can be realized by accurate and simple operations according to areas or reception methods. the

Processing in the terminal device 10 at the time of preset frequency will now be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the entire processing flow in the terminal device 10 when the frequency is preset. the

In this embodiment, two types of preset methods are prepared for the terminal device 10, namely, automatic preset and manual preset. The user can select and use either one. In automatic preset, a frequency receivable for broadcasting is automatically detected (auto-tuned), and a preset number is assigned thereto. In addition, the detected frequencies are stored automatically linked with the broadcast station name and call sign. In manual preset, these processes are performed according to operation input from the user. Operational input from the user is basically given through the remote controller 40 . the

In step S21, a preset method is selected according to user's operation input. If automatic preset is selected, the flow advances to step S22. Otherwise, if manual preset is selected, the process proceeds to step S26. the

In step S22, the receiving frequency is gradually changed to automatically detect the frequency at which broadcasting is received. Then, the detected frequencies assigned the preset numbers are stored in sequence. the

In step S23 , the terminal device 10 transmits information specifying an area in which the terminal device 10 is installed, and performs a process of receiving a list of broadcasting stations from the overall service server 36 . The processing of step S23 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 12 . the

In step S24, the same frequencies as those preset in step S22 are picked out one by one from the received broadcast station list, and the broadcast station names and call signs linked to the frequencies are stored, which are linked to the corresponding preset numbers. the

In step S25, it is determined whether the broadcasting station name and call sign have been stored against all the preset numbers stored in step S22. If the name and callsign have been stored against all digits, then processing ends. Alternatively, if there are any preset numbers on which other frequencies than those included in the broadcasting station list are stored, the process proceeds to step S28, where the presets relative to those preset numbers are performed by the user's manual input. . the

Otherwise, if manual preset is selected at step S21, the receiving frequency is changed according to the user's operation at step S26. Each frequency for receiving broadcasts and a preset number assigned to each frequency are stored. the

In step S27 , the terminal device 10 transmits information specifying the area in which the terminal device 10 is installed, and performs a process of receiving a list of broadcasting stations from the overall service server 36 . This step is the same as step S23 and will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12 . the

In step S28, a process of storing a list of received broadcast stations according to user's operation is performed for each preset number. the

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of presetting the information of the broadcasting station list by manual operation corresponding to the above-mentioned step S28. the

In step S31, the broadcasting station names are listed and displayed on the display device 17 to allow the user to make a selection for each preset number for storing the broadcasting station names and call signs. In this process, broadcasting station names are extracted, listed, and displayed from the broadcasting station list received in the previous step S23 or S27 or in the later-described step S38. The screen also displays instruction items to display a list of broadcast station names in another area than the list and display areas. The user is thus allowed to select the item. A screen display example at this time is shown in FIG. 11 described later. the

In step S32, by using the direction keys 41a and 41b and the enter key of the remote controller 40, a broadcasting station name is selected and decided from the displayed list. Then, the flow advances to step S33. the

In step S33, the name of the broadcasting station and the corresponding call sign selected in step S32 are extracted from the received broadcasting station list, and stored in link with the corresponding preset number. the

In step S34, if the processing has not been completed for all preset numbers, the flow returns to step S31 and continues processing for the next preset number on which the broadcasting station name and call sign have not been stored. the

In step S35, if the broadcast station name is not selected from the display screen listing the broadcast station names displayed in step S31, but an item for requesting broadcast station listing of another area different from the listed area is selected , the flow proceeds to step S36. Otherwise, if the preset of the broadcasting station name is not performed for the current preset number, the flow proceeds to step S34. the

A screen for selecting a reception area is displayed on the display device 17 at step S36. The user selects and determines an area by using the direction keys 41a and 41b and the enter key. the

In step S37, information indicating the selected area is transmitted to the overall service server 36 to request a list of broadcasting stations corresponding to the area. the

In step S38, a list of broadcasting stations corresponding to the requested area is received. Then, the process returns to step S31, where the broadcast station names in the received broadcast station list are displayed as a list, and the user's next operation input is obtained. If the flow proceeds from this process to steps S35-S38, it is possible to select and pre-set the name and call sign of an arbitrary broadcasting station in another area. the

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen display listing and displaying the broadcasting station names of the previous step S31. the

In the screen shown in FIG. 11, the selected preset number and reception frequency are displayed in the display portion 171, and the names of the broadcasting stations in the broadcasting station list are listed and displayed in the listing portion 172. Displayed under section 172 is an instruction item 173 for requesting listing of another regional broadcast station. Also, the focus is moved to any one of the broadcasting station names in the list display portion 172 by the direction keys 41a and 41b, and the broadcasting station name is determined by the input key. Thus, the name of the broadcasting station and the corresponding call sign can be preset. In addition, the focus can be moved to command item 173 and the item is determined. Thus, the broadcasting station name and call sign of another area can be obtained from the overall service server 36, and the broadcasting station name can be displayed on a similar screen. the

In the process, names of broadcasting stations receivable by electric waves and their call signs in the area where the terminal device 10 is installed are in a list form so that the user can select from the list. As a result, these types of information can be stored accurately linked with the number and frequency of presets by simple operations not only when manual preset is selected but also when automatic preset is selected. Therefore, even when radio broadcasting is transmitted through cable TV at a frequency different from that transmitted through electric waves, the broadcasting station name and call sign can be easily and accurately preset. the

An instruction item for requesting to display a list of broadcasting stations of another area is provided on a listing screen displaying names of broadcasting stations. The corresponding list of radio station names is fetched and further listed, displayed, and made selectable. Thus, even when a broadcast of another area that cannot be received by electric waves is transmitted by cable TV or the like, the name and call sign of its broadcasting station can be easily preset. the

The URL of the corresponding broadcast station server 32 is acquired from the overall service server 36 by using the call sign preset by this type of processing. Information about programs of radio stations being received can be obtained by accessing this URL. Therefore, regardless of the form of receiving broadcasts, the initial setting for acquiring information about broadcasting station programs actually received through the terminal device 10 can be accurately performed by simple operations. the

Then, a supplementary description of the broadcasting station list processing in steps S23 to S27 in FIG. 9 will be added. the

In order to receive the broadcasting station list, the information of the designated area can be transmitted to the overall access server 36, as mentioned above, its most basic method is to make the user input and transmit the area name, zip code, long-distance code, etc. through user operation. However, since the terminal device 10 has no ten keys, a character input keyboard, etc., the input operation for such information is preferably simplified as much as possible, or the necessity of the input operation is preferably eliminated. the

On the other hand, in order to receive a service from the broadcasting station server 32 that provides related information concerning programs and songs (currently broadcasting), an initial registration process is required. In this embodiment, this registration process is performed by the overall service server 36 . the

In the registration process, the user ID and password identifying the user are registered in the overall service server 36, together with the user's personal information such as the user's name and address. It is also possible for a user to use multiple terminal devices to receive services It is possible. Therefore, the user can register an arbitrary name for each terminal device. Furthermore, when a user accesses the overall access server 36 from a terminal device and transmits a call sign, the user authenticates by notifying the user's ID, password, and terminal device name. If the user is determined to be a valid user, the user can obtain the URL of the broadcast station server 32 corresponding to the call sign, and can use the service. the

Therefore, information specifying an area (such as address, zip code, etc.) is included in the registration information of each user registered for the service of providing related information. By using this information when requesting a list of radio stations, the user avoids typing. This is achieved, for example, by recording registration information to the terminal device in the registration process. the

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for receiving a broadcast station list. For example, in the following processing, a zip code is used as information specifying an area. the

In step S41, it is determined whether the registration for the service of providing related information has been completed. This determination is made based on, for example, whether registration information exists in the HDD 21 of the terminal device 10. If the registration information exists, the flow advances to step S42. If the registration information does not exist, the flow advances to step S43. the

In step S42 , the zip code in the user address is extracted from the registration information stored in the terminal device 10 , and transmitted to the overall service server 36 . Then, the processing flow advances to step S45. the

On the other hand, an input screen of the zip code is displayed on the display device 17 at step S43. Furthermore, at step S44, the input zip code is transmitted to the overall service server 36, and the flow advances to step S45. the

In step S45, the broadcasting station list transmitted from the overall service server 36 is received. The received broadcasting station list is temporarily stored in RAM 20, for example. the

Thus, if the registration for the related information providing service has been performed in advance, it is not necessary to input information for specifying an area, so that the user's operability can be improved. The registration information stored in the terminal device is used in the above processing example. However, the overall service server 36 may extract area information such as a zip code from registration information of a user who accesses the server to request a broadcast station list, and may transmit a broadcast station list corresponding to the request. In this case, for example, when accessing the overall access server 36 from a terminal device, the user ID, password, and name of the user's terminal device are notified according to the user's input operation. the

When a program describing the processing content is processed by the CPU of the terminal device 10, the processing function of the terminal device 10 as described above is realized. Alternatively, a similar program can be realized by the CPU of the computer so that the processing functions as described above are realized by the computer. A program describing the processing content can be recorded on the terminal device 10 or a computer-wide recording medium. Such recording media are magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, semiconductor memories, and the like. The magnetic recording device may be HDD, floppy disk (FD), CD-ROM, CD-R (recordable)/RW (rewritable), or the like. The magneto-optical recording medium may be an MO (Magneto-Optical) disc or the like. the

For example, in the case of distributing programs, portable recording media such as DVDs, CD-ROM, etc. Alternatively, the program may be stored in the storage of a server computer, from which the program may be transferred to another computer over a network. the

The terminal device 10 or the computer executing the program first stores the program recorded on the portable recording medium or transferred from the server computer into the storage device of the terminal device 10 . For example, in the case of the terminal device 10, the program is stored in the HDD 21 or the like. Then the terminal device 10 or computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. Note that the terminal device 10 or the computer can directly read the program from the portable recording medium, and execute processing according to the program. Alternatively, processing may be performed according to the received program every time the program is transferred from the server computer. the

As described above, the network system is constructed to realize a service of providing now-broadcasting information to the terminal device 10 while the terminal device 10 receives programs from preset broadcasting stations. Then, the music-related service providing system 1000 shown in FIG. 13 will be described as a specific example of the network system with reference to FIGS. 14 to 25 . The music-related service providing system 1000 has a single registration function. the

The service of providing now airing information will be described in detail later mainly with reference to FIG. 25 . In this case, the above-mentioned program information server 4 corresponds to the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 . The broadcast station specifying server 2 described above corresponds to the entry server 1003, for example. The reproduction apparatus 1 (terminal device 10) described above corresponds to the client terminal 1002, for example. The above-mentioned network 3 corresponds to the network NT 1000, for example. the

(1) Music-related service provision system

(1-1) System Configuration

In FIG. 13 , reference numeral 1000 denotes an entire music-related service providing system, which includes a client terminal 1002 of a user who signs a contract with the music-related service providing system 1000, an entry server 1003 that manages the client terminal 1002, and provides information to the client terminal 1002. A plurality of servers 1004-1008 provide various music-related services. the

In the case of this embodiment, the music data distribution server 1004 provides the client terminal 1002 with a music data distribution service of music data having an Media Audio), RealAUDIO G2 music codec, and formats such as MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3). the

A sales server 1005 provides a sales service of selling CDs (Compact Disks) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) to users through the client terminal 1002 . the

In addition, the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 provides the client terminal 1002 with a radio broadcast information distribution service for distributing radio programs, music, and the like in radio broadcasts transmitted from radio stations. the

In addition, the Internet wireless server 1007 communicates to the client terminal through the network NT 1000 corresponding to the Internet. A terminal 1002 provides an Internet radio broadcast service which broadcasts radio broadcast data in the form of streaming distribution. the

In addition, the accounting server 1008 is configured to execute an accounting process in response to a request from the portal server 1003 or the like to charge various fees to the user. the

(1-2) Configuration of client terminal 1002

(1-2-1) Functional circuit block configuration of the client terminal 1002

Then, the hardware configuration of the functional circuit blocks of the client terminal 1002 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, when the user operates the operation input section 1020, the operation input section is composed of various operation keys provided on the casing of the client terminal 1002 or on the surface of a remote controller (not shown), and the client terminal 1002 An operation is recognized, and an input operation signal corresponding to the operation is sent to the input processing unit 1021 . the

The input processing unit 1021 converts the input operation signal from the operation input section 1020 into a specific operation command, and sends the command to the control unit 1023 through the bus 1022 . the

The control unit 1023 controls operations based on commands and control signals given from circuits connected through the bus 1022 . the

The display control unit 1024 performs digital-to-analog conversion on video data supplied through the bus 1022 , and sends an analog video signal obtained as a result of the conversion to the display unit 1025 . the

The display unit 1025 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and may be directly mounted on the surface of the casing in some cases or provided externally in other cases. the

When the processing results from the control unit 1023, and various video data like analog video signals are supplied to the display unit 1025, the display unit 1025 displays video based on the analog video signals. the

The audio control unit 1026 performs digital-to-analog conversion processing on audio data supplied via the bus 1022 , and sends the resulting analog audio signal to the speaker 1027 . The speaker 1027 outputs sound based on the analog audio signal supplied from the audio control unit 1026 . the

The external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 reads and reproduces content data recorded in an external recording medium such as a memory stick (trademark), and records content data as a recording target on the external recording medium. the

When the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 reads audio data as content data from the external recording medium, the unit supplies the read video data to the display control unit 1024 through the bus 1022 . the

Then, the display control unit 1024 converts the video data read as content data from the external recording medium by the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 into an analog video signal, and supplies the signal to the display unit 1025 . the

When the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 reads as content data from the external recording medium When receiving audio data, the control unit 1023 sends the content data to the storage medium 1029 in the client terminal 1002 through the bus 1022 . the

Then, the audio control unit 1026 converts the audio data read as content data from the external recording medium by the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 into an analog audio signal, and supplies the signal to the speaker 1027 . the

In addition, the control unit 1023 can transmit the content data read from the external recording medium by the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 to the storage medium 1029 through the bus, and store the content data in the storage medium 1029 (hereinafter referred to as Storage of content data in the storage medium 1029 is also referred to as ripping). the

When video data such as image data or video data is read from the storage medium 1029 as content data, the control unit 1023 supplies the read video data to the display control unit 1024 via the bus 1022 . the

Furthermore, when reading audio data as content data from the storage medium 1029 , the control unit 1023 supplies the read audio data to the audio control unit 1026 via the bus 1022 . the

In addition, the control unit 1023 can read music data from the storage medium 1029 and transfer it to the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028, so that the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028 can record the music data on the external recording medium. on the media. the

The broadcast signal receiving unit 1030 receives radio broadcast waves transmitted from broadcast stations and supplies them to the tuner unit 1031 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1023 , the tuner unit 1031 extracts a radio broadcast signal of a broadcast frequency corresponding to a radio station designated by the operation input section 1020 , for example, among the radio broadcast waves received by the broadcast signal receiving unit. The tuner unit 1031 performs predetermined processing on the extracted signal, and sends the audio data obtained as a result of the predetermined processing to the audio control unit 1026 . the

The audio control unit 1026 converts the audio data supplied from the tuner unit 1031 into an analog audio signal, and sends the signal to the speaker 1027 . Thus, the sound of a radio program broadcast from a radio station is output from the speaker 1027, so that the user can listen to the sound of the radio program. the

The control unit 1023 can also transmit the audio data obtained by the tuner unit 1031 to the storage medium 1029 and store the audio data. Thus, the sound of a radio program can be recorded. the

In addition, the control unit 1023 can be connected to the network NT1000 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, and can access the portal server 1003 and other servers 1004-1007 on the network NT1000. Therefore, the portal server 1003 and any of the other servers 1004 to 1007 can send and receive various information and data. the

The encoder/decoder unit 1034 decodes the compressed and encoded content data received from the network NT 1000 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, or, the compressed and encoded content data is read from the storage medium 1029 and an external recording medium Pick. The unit 1034 then sends the decoded content data to the display control unit 1024, the audio control unit 1026, and the like. the

Also, the encoder/decoder unit 1034 compresses and encodes uncompressed content data read from an external recording medium or audio data supplied from the tuner unit 1031, etc., and transmits the compressed and encoded content data to the storage medium 1029. the

Thus, the content data compressed and encoded by the encoder/decoder unit 1034 is stored in the storage medium 1029 under the control of the control unit 1023 . the

The copyright management unit 1035 generates copyright management information corresponding to content data downloaded from the network NT 1000 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032 in sequence, or corresponding to content data recorded externally through the external recording medium recording and reproducing unit 1028. The content data read from the media. the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, copyright management information generated in the copyright management unit 1035 is registered in the recording medium 1029, which is linked with content data. the

In addition, when the copyright management unit 1035 is used to register the content data linked with the copyright management information from the storage medium 1029 to a specific external recording medium, and transfer the content data linked to the copyright management information from the specific external recording medium When registered in the storage medium 1029, the copyright management unit 1035 appropriately updates the content of the copyright management information corresponding to the content data to protect the copyright corresponding to the content data. the

The page information generation unit 1036 translates and continues to receive the page information such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) file or HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file from the network NT 1000 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and produces to be displayed on the display unit 1025 display video data, and send the video data to the display control unit 1024. the

Authentication processing unit 1037 performs authentication processing to transmit authentication information to any one of portal server 1003 and other servers 1004-1007 through communication control unit 1032 and network interface 1033 on network NT1000 connected through network interface 1033. the

The authentication information storage unit 1038 stores authentication information required when the authentication processing unit 1037 accesses the entry server 1003, other servers 1004 to 1007, and the like. the

The radio broadcast display control unit 1039 continuously sends a request signal to the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 corresponding to the radio station that transmits the received radio broadcast through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, the request signal is used to request the user concerned to listen to the radio broadcast at present. radio broadcast information. the

As a result, the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 continues through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit The unit 1032 receives radio broadcast information transmitted from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 on the network NT 1000, and sends the received radio broadcast information to the display control unit 1024. Thus, the unit 1039 enables the display unit 1025 to display radio broadcast information including the title of a currently received radio program, the title and artist name of a currently received song, and the like. the

(1-2-2) Directory management

The control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 manages content data to be stored in the storage medium 1029 using the directory structure shown in FIG. 15 . First, any number of "folder" directories can be created in a layer under the "root" directory, where the number of "folder" directories is within a limited range. For example, the "folder" directory is created to correspond to the category to which the content belongs, the owning user, and the like, respectively. the

Any number of "album" directories can be created in a layer below the "folder" directory, wherein the number of "album" directories is within a limited range. For example, each "album" directory corresponds to an album title. In the layer below the "folder" directory, one or more "track" files belonging to any "album" directory are stored. Each "track" file constitutes a song, or content. the

This type of directory management related to content data is realized by database files stored in the storage medium 1029 . the

(1-3) Functional circuit block configuration of the entrance server 1003

Then, the hardware configuration of the functional circuit blocks of the portal server 1003 will be described with reference to FIG. 17 . The control unit 1050 in the portal server 1003 controls the operations of the respective circuits connected through the bus 1051 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1050 , the communication control unit 1052 transmits and receives various information with the client terminal 1002 or any one of the other servers 1004 to 1008 through the network interface 1053 . the

ID (identification) information and user-associated password information of users who have completed the contract with the management agency of the music-related service providing system 1000 are linked to each other and registered in the customer database unit 1054 as customer information. the

The page information storage unit 1055 stores page information and the like managed by the management agent of the music-related service providing system 1000 . the

The page information is written in XML language or the like, and includes URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information for accessing the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, radio information distribution server 1006, Internet wireless server 1007, and the like. the

When the user ID information and password information transmitted from the client terminal 1002 are successively received through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, the authentication processing unit 1056 checks whether the received user ID information and password information have been registered in the customer database 1054 as Customer information, which is handled as user authentication. the

After the user authentication processing is completed, the authentication processing unit 1056 issues a message indicating the result of the user authentication processing Entry verification result information (for example, verification session ID information described later), and temporarily store the sent entry verification result information in the verification information storage unit 1057 . the

At this time, if the user is authenticated as a valid user as a result of the user authentication process through the authentication processing unit 1056, the control unit 1050 continuously transfers the signee stored in the page information storage unit 1055 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053. The page information and the entry verification result information are sent to the client terminal 1002. the

The control unit 1050 may be arranged such that if, as a result of the user authentication process by the authentication processing unit 1056, the user is verified not to be a valid user, the control unit 1050 continuously transmits to the client terminal 1002 via the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053 Authentication error information and failed authentication notification page information indicating failed authentication. the

When as a result of performing the authentication process on the user from the music data distribution server 1004, the sales server 1005, the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006, etc., the authentication processing unit 1056 continuously receives data from the client terminal 1002 of the user through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052. When obtaining and sending the entrance verification result information (for example, the verification ticket described later), the verification processing unit 1056 uses the received entrance verification result information and the entrance verification result information corresponding to the user temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1057 as Compare. the

In this way, the verification processing unit 1056 performs a confirmation process to check whether the entry verification result information is correct, as a verification process for verification result information received from the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, radio broadcast information distribution server 1006, etc. . The authentication processing unit 1056 then returns confirmation result information indicating the confirmation result to the music data distribution server 1004, the sales server 1005, the radio information distribution server 1006, etc. successively through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053. the

The frequency information storage unit 1058 stores the following information linked to each other: an area code, such as a postal code capable of specifying an area; frequency information, indicating a broadcasting frequency at which radio broadcasts can be received in the area indicated by the area code; a radio station that broadcasts a radio broadcast program The name of the radio station (hereinafter referred to as the radio station name); and the call sign, unique identification information for each radio station. the

The URL storage unit 1059 stores the following information linked to each other: a call sign unique to a radio station used for radio broadcasting; and URL information (hereinafter specifically referred to as now-broadcasting information) capable of acquiring radio broadcasting information from a corresponding Provided by the radio station with the call sign, it refers to the radio program currently broadcast, including the title of the radio program, the title of the song broadcast at the current time, etc. the

(1-4) Functional circuit block configuration of music data distribution server 1004

Then, referring to FIG. 17, the hardware configuration of the functional circuit blocks of the music data distribution server 1004 will be described. the The control unit 1070 in the music data distribution server 1004 controls the operations of circuits connected via the bus 1071 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1070, the communication control unit 1072 transmits/receives various information and various data such as content data with the client terminal 1002, the portal server 1003, and the like through the network interface 1073. the

User ID information and password information of users who have completed a contract with the management agent of the music data distribution server 1004 are registered in the customer database unit 1074 as customer information. However, if the authentication processing unit 1075 has the ability to perform authentication processing for authenticating a user based on the entry authentication result information issued from the entry server 1003 and transmitted from the client terminal 1002, it is not necessary to pass through the customer database unit 1074. the

The page information storage unit 1076 stores page information for music data distribution, which introduces downloadable music data managed by the music data distribution server 1004 . the

Page information for music data distribution is written in XML language or the like, and allows a user using the client terminal 1002 to select music data desired by the user. the

When the control unit 1070 receives a page information acquisition request signal transmitted from the client terminal 1002 via the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072 for requesting page information of music data distribution, then in response to the received page information acquisition request signal, The control unit 1070 continuously transmits the page information for music data distribution stored in the page information storage unit 1076 to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073 . the

When the authentication processing unit 1075 continuously receives the user ID information and password information of the user using the client terminal 1002 transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072, the authentication processing unit 1075 confirms the received user ID information and password information are registered as customer information in the customer database unit 1074 as user authentication processing. the

In another user authentication method other than user authentication processing using user ID information and password information, the authentication processing unit 1075 continuously receives data sent from the portal server 1003 and transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072. The entry verification result information (for example, the verification ticket described later). Then the unit 1075 continuously transmits the received entry verification result information to the entry server 1003 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073 . the

In response to the transmission of the entry confirmation result information to the entry server 1003, the verification processing unit 1075 continuously receives the confirmation result information returned from the entry server 1003 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072 as the verification processing (i.e., the above-mentioned The result of confirmation processing). Based on the received confirmation result information, the authentication processing unit 1075 confirms whether the user is a valid user who has completed the contract with the management agent of the music-related service providing system 1000 . the

After the user authentication processing is completed, the authentication processing unit 1075 sends out server authentication result information (for example, service session ID information described later) indicating the result of the user authentication processing. the

At this time, if the user is authenticated as a valid user as a result of user authentication processing by the authentication processing unit 1075, the control unit 1070 transmits page information for music data distribution, and server Verification result information is sent to the client terminal 1002, and the page information is stored in the page information storage unit 1076 for the signatory. the

Otherwise, if the user is authenticated as not a valid user as a result of the user authentication process by the authentication processing unit 1075, the control unit 1070 transmits authentication error information and failure indication information to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073 continuously. The failed verification notification page information of the verification is stored in the page information storage unit 1076 . the

Meanwhile, the authentication information storage unit 1077 temporarily stores server authentication result information issued by the authentication processing unit 1075 , and also stores various types of authentication information necessary for the authentication processing unit 1075 to perform authentication processing on a user using the client terminal 1002 . the

The music data storage unit 1078 stores a plurality of music data items compression-encoded in the above-mentioned ATRAC3 format, MP3 format, etc., in which the music data items are respectively associated with search keywords such as content ID information items. the

When a download request signal containing a search keyword for searching music data that the user wants to download is continuously received through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072, and is transmitted to the client terminal 1002 as a music data distribution The result of the page information is transmitted from the client terminal 1002, and the signal also requests the download of the music data to be downloaded, and the search unit 1079 picks a retrieval keyword from the download request signal. the

Then, based on the search key, the search unit 1079 searches for music data that the user wants to download among a plurality of music data items in the music data storage unit 1078, and satisfies the retrieval condition indicated by the search key. the

Thus, the control unit 1070 continuously transmits the retrieved music data to be downloaded to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073 . the

At this time, the control unit 1070 also continuously transmits charging information to the accounting server 1008 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073. The charging information is used to charge for downloading music data to the client terminal 1002, so that the accounting server 1008 can Charging processing of charging the user corresponding to the download of the music data is performed. the

(1-5) Functional circuit block configuration of sales server 1005

Next, a hardware configuration based on functional circuit blocks of the sales server 1005 will be described with reference to FIG. 18 . The control unit 1090 controls the operations of various circuits connected through the bus 1091 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1090, the communication control unit 1092 transmits and receives various information with the client terminal 1002, the portal server 1003, and the like through the network interface 1093. the

User ID information and password information of users who have completed a contract with a management agent of the sales server 1005 are linked to each other and registered in the customer database unit 1094 as customer information. However, if the authentication processing unit 1095 has a function of performing authentication processing for authenticating a user based on the entry authentication result information issued by the entry server 1003 and transmitted from the client terminal 1002, the customer database unit 1094 need not be provided. the

The page information storage unit 1096 stores page information of boxed media sales managed by the sales server 1005, and introduces boxed media such as CDs and DVDs to be sold. the

Note that the page information for boxed media sales is written in XML language or the like, and enables the user of the client terminal 1002 to select boxed media such as CDs and DVDs that the user wants to purchase. the

When the control unit 1090 receives a page information acquisition request signal transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092 for requesting boxed media sales page information, the control unit 1090 responds to the received page information acquisition request signal, continuously transmits the boxed media sales page information stored in the page information storage unit 1096 to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093. the

When the authentication processing unit 1095 continuously receives user ID information and password information of the user using the client terminal 1002 transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092, the authentication processing unit 1095 confirms the received user ID information and password information. Whether password information is registered as customer information in the customer database unit 1094 is processed as user authentication. the

In another user authentication method other than the user authentication process using user ID information and password information, the authentication processing unit 1095 continuously receives data sent from the portal server 1003 and transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092. The entry verification result information (for example, the verification ticket described later). Then the unit 1095 continuously transmits the received entry verification result information to the entry server 1003 through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093 . the

In response to the transmission of the entry confirmation result information to the entry server 1003, the verification processing unit 1095 continuously receives the confirmation result information returned from the entry server 1003 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092 as the verification processing (i.e., the above-mentioned The result of confirmation processing). Based on the received confirmation result information, the verification processing unit 1095 confirms whether the user is a valid user who has completed the contract with the management agent of the music-related service providing system 1000 . the

After completing the user verification process, the verification processing unit 1095 sends server verification result information (for example, service session ID information described later), indicates the result of user authentication processing. the

At this time, if the user is authenticated as a valid user as a result of the user authentication processing by the authentication processing unit 1095, the control unit 1090 continuously transmits the page information for boxed media sales, and The server verification result information is sent to the client terminal 1002, and the page information is stored in the page information storage unit 1096 for the signatory. the

Otherwise, if the user is not a valid user after verification as a result of the user verification process by the verification processing unit 1095, the control unit 1090 sends a verification error message and an indication failure message to the client terminal 1002 continuously through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093. The failed verification notification page information of the verification is stored in the page information storage unit 1096 . the

Meanwhile, the authentication information storage unit 1097 temporarily stores server authentication result information issued by the authentication processing unit 1095 , and also stores various types of authentication information required for the authentication processing unit 1095 to perform authentication processing for a user using the client terminal 1002 . the

The boxed medium information storage unit 1098 stores information related to various boxed media such as CDs and DVDs to be sold (hereinafter referred to as boxed media information), which is related to search keywords such as boxed media ID information, etc. couplet. the

When media information request signals requesting boxed media information on specific boxed media such as CDs, DVDs, etc. are continuously received through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092, the information is transmitted to the client terminal 1002 as As a result of page information for boxed media sales is transmitted from the client terminal 1002, the search unit 1099 selects a search keyword for searching a specific boxed media from the received media information request signal. the

Then, based on the search key, the search unit 1099 searches boxed media information of a specific boxed medium satisfying the retrieval condition indicated by the search key among a plurality of boxed media information items in the boxed media information storage unit 1098 . the

Thus, the control unit 1090 continuously transmits the searched boxed media information to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093 . In this way, boxed media information about a particular boxed media is reproduced to the user. the

As a result, when the control unit 1090 continuously receives a purchase request signal from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092 to request the purchase of the above-mentioned specific boxed media, the control unit 1090 executes a purchase process such as shipping the specific boxed media Shipping process to the user using the client terminal 1002. the

The control unit 1090 also continuously transmits the charging information through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093 The charging information is sent to the accounting server 1008, and the charging information is used to charge the user who purchased the specific boxed media, so that the accounting server 1008 can charge the user corresponding to the purchase of the specific boxed media to perform charging processing. the

In addition, after the accounting server 1008 completes the billing process for the user, the control unit 1090 continuously transmits the purchase completion page information indicating that the purchase process of the boxed media is completed to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093. the

(1-6) Functional circuit block configuration of the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006

Next, referring to FIG. 20, the hardware configuration of the functional circuit blocks based on the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 will be described. The control unit 1110 in the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 controls the operations of the respective circuits connected through the bus 1111 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1110, the communication control unit 1112 transmits and receives various information and data with the client terminal 1002, the portal server 1003, etc. through the network interface 1113. the

User ID information and password information of users who have completed a contract with the management agent of the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 are linked to each other and registered in the customer database unit 1114 as customer information. However, if the authentication processing unit 1115 has a function of performing authentication processing for authenticating a user based on the entry authentication result information issued by the entry server 1003 and transmitted from the client terminal 1002, the customer database unit 1114 need not be provided. the

The page information storage unit 1116 stores the page information distributed by broadcast list information for obtaining radio broadcast information (hereinafter specifically referred to as broadcast list information), which is managed by the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 and involves A radio program broadcast by a radio station of the information distribution server 1006 . the

Note that the page information of broadcast list information distribution is written in XML language or the like and includes an input box, etc., so that the user of the client terminal 1002 can input the date/time of the radio program, program name, etc., as the broadcast list information that the user wants to obtain. search for the keyword. the

The broadcast list information storage unit 1117 stores broadcast list information generated by listing: the title of the radio program that has been broadcast from the radio station corresponding to the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006; the program broadcast start time and its end time; The title and artist name of the song broadcast in the program, the song broadcast start time, etc. the

When the control unit 1110 receives a page information acquisition request signal from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1113 and the communication control unit 1112 for requesting page information for broadcast list information distribution, the control unit 1110 responds to the received page information acquisition request signal, the page information distributed by the broadcast list information stored in the information storage unit 1116 is transmitted continuously through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113 Send it to the client terminal 1002. the

As a result, a broadcast list information request signal containing a search keyword for searching desired broadcast list information that the user wants to acquire and requesting download of broadcast list information is transmitted from the client terminal 1002, wherein the search keyword is included in the broadcast list information. Enter information on the information distribution page. The search unit 1118 continuously receives broadcast list information request signals through the network interface 1113 and the communication control unit 1112, and then selects search keywords from the received broadcast list information request signals. the

Then, based on the search key, the search unit 1118 searches all the broadcast list information in the broadcast list information storage unit 1117 for a predetermined range part consistent with the retrieval condition indicated by the search key, as the broadcast list information that the user wants to acquire. . the

Thus, the control unit 1110 continuously transmits the searched broadcast list information to be acquired to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113 . the

Now broadcasting information storage unit 1119 stores now broadcasting information, including: the program name of the radio program broadcast from the radio station corresponding to radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 at present, program broadcast start time and end time thereof; and broadcasting in this radio program The title of the song, artist name, song broadcast start time, etc. the

When the authentication processing unit 1115 continuously receives user ID information and password information of the user using the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1113 and the communication control unit 1112, these information are sent from the client terminal together with the now broadcast information request signal requesting to obtain the now broadcast information. 1002 transmission, the verification processing unit 1115 confirms whether the received user ID information and password information are registered as customer information in the customer database unit 1114 as user verification processing. the

In another user authentication method other than user authentication processing using user ID information and password information, the authentication processing unit 1115 continuously receives data sent from the portal server 1003 and transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1113 and the communication control unit 1112. The entry verification result information (for example, the verification ticket described later). Then the unit 1115 continuously transmits the received entry verification result information to the entry server 1003 through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113 . the

In response to the transmission of the entry confirmation result information to the entry server 1003, the verification processing unit 1115 continuously receives the confirmation result information returned from the entry server 1003 through the network interface 1113 and the communication control unit 1112, as performing verification processing on the entry verification result information (that is, the above-mentioned The result of confirmation processing). Based on the received confirmation result information, the verification processing unit 1115 confirms whether the user is a valid user who has completed the contract with the management agent of the music-related service providing system 1000 . the

After completing the user verification process, the verification processing unit 1115 sends server verification result information (for example, service session ID information described later), indicates the result of user authentication processing. the

At this time, if the user is authenticated as a valid user as a result of user authentication processing by the authentication processing unit 1115, the control unit 1110 continuously transfers the now broadcast information storage unit 1119 stored in the now broadcast information storage unit 1113 through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113. The broadcast information and the server authentication result information are sent to the client terminal 1002, and the page information is stored in the page information storage unit 1116 for the signatory. the

Otherwise, if the user is not verified as a valid user as a result of the user authentication process by the authentication processing unit 1115, the control unit 1110 sends an authentication error message and an indication failure message to the client terminal 1002 continuously through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113. The failed verification notification page information of the verification is stored in the page information storage unit 1116 . the

Thus, when the user requests to acquire the now-on-air information and the user is verified as a valid user, the control unit 1110 distributes the now-on-air information. However, the control unit 1110 does not allow the user to receive a radio information distribution service such as the radio broadcast information distribution service provided by the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 when the user is not verified as a valid user. the

Meanwhile, the authentication information storage unit 1120 temporarily stores server authentication result information issued by the authentication processing unit 1115 and also stores various types of authentication information required when the authentication processing unit 1115 performs authentication processing for a user using the client terminal 1002 . the

(1-7) Overview of processing in the server

Then, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 to 26, the processing performed between the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003, and the communication between the client terminal 1002 and the distribution server 1004 including the music data distribution server 1005, the sales server 1005, and the radio broadcast information distribution will be described. The processing performed by the server 1006 among other servers. the

(1-7-1) User authentication process between the client terminal 1002 and the entry server 1003

First, user authentication processing performed between the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003 will be described with reference to FIG. 21 . the

When an operation of turning on the client terminal 1002 is performed, or the user presses a specific operation key on the operation input part 1020, the user of the client terminal 1002 of the user contracted with the management agent of the music-related service providing system 1000 starts authentication request processing, And the operation input signal recognized by the operation input part 1020 is converted into an operation command by the input processing unit 1021 and provided. the

When the client terminal 1002 starts authentication request processing, the control unit 1023 generates a connection request signal containing authentication session ID information and the like temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 at step SP1000, and continuously passes through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033 transmits the generated connection request signal to the entry server 1003 . the

Note that, whenever the client terminal 1002 is connected with the portal server 1003 to perform various processing such as user authentication processing, the authentication session ID information is issued by the portal server 1003 from identifying each communication connection state (ie session). Identification information. the

When used for user authentication processing or the like, the authentication session ID information has a predetermined validity period (for example, about 1 minute) with respect to the point of time when the portal server 1003 issues it. the

Therefore, if the authentication session ID information cannot be provided to the portal server 1003 within the valid period, the client terminal 1002 which obtains the authentication session ID information from the portal server 1003 determines that the communication connection state specified by the authentication session ID information is disconnected by the portal server 1003. the

Thus, the portal server 1003 prevents authentication session ID information issued in the past from being erroneously used by a provider contract user who is not with the music-related service providing system 1000 . the

The authentication session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 is issued from the portal server 1003 when the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003 are once connected for communication to perform a user authentication process and the like. the

When the connection request signal is transmitted from the client terminal 1002, in step SP1001, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 receives the connection request signal continuously through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, and transmits to the authentication processing unit 1056 the Authentication session ID information, etc. in the connection request signal. the

Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 1050, the authentication processing unit 1056 executes a user authentication process based on the authentication session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 as a connection request signal. the

As a result, if the verification processing unit 1056 may not be able to verify that the user of the client terminal 1002 is a valid user because the validity period specified by the verification session ID information etc. The interface 1053 sends authentication error information indicating an authentication error to the client terminal 1002 . the

In step SP1002, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 successively receives authentication error information transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032. In response to this information, the control unit 1023 reads user ID information, password information, etc. stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038, and continuously transmits the read user ID to the entrance server 1003, etc. through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033. information, password information, etc. the

In step SP1003, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 continuously receives user ID information, password information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, and transmits the received user ID information, password information, etc. to the verification processing unit 1056. the

Then under the control of the control unit 1050, the authentication processing unit 1056 detects whether user ID information, password information, etc. received from the client terminal 1002 are included in the client information registered to the client database unit 1054 as user authentication processing. the

As a result, if the user of the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user, then under the control of the control unit 1050, the authentication processing unit 1056 sends out authentication session ID information about the state of the communication connection between the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003 at this time. etc., as entry verification result information, and verification session ID information and the like are temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1057. the

Then, the control unit 1050 transmits the authentication session ID information and the like sent to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1056 to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053 successively. the

In step SP1004, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives authentication session ID information and the like transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and transmits the received authentication session ID information and the like to the authentication processing unit 1037. the

Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 1023 , the authentication processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the authentication session ID information and the like received from the portal server 1003 in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

Then the control unit 1023 continuously sends the page information acquisition request signal for requesting page information from the portal server 1003 to the portal server 1003 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, and receives and temporarily stores in the authentication information storage unit from the portal server 1003. The authentication session ID information in 1038. the

In step SP1005, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 continuously receives the page information acquisition request signal, authentication session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, and transmits the received authentication session ID information etc. are sent to the verification processing unit 1056. the

Under the control of the control unit 1050, by comparing the verification session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 with the verification session ID information sent to the client terminal 1002 in the above-mentioned step SP1003 and temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1057 , the authentication processing unit 1056 executes user authentication processing. the

As a result, in step SP1006, if the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user, the authentication processing unit 1056 determines that the request to acquire page information from the client terminal 1002 is an authorization request, and extends the request issued to the client terminal 1002. Verify the validity period of the session ID information. the

Therefore, the control unit 1050 reads the page information requested by the user from the page information storage unit 1055, and continuously sends the read page information, a verification dialogue with an extended validity period to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053. ID information, etc. the

In step SP1007, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives the page information transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and the authentication session ID information having an extended validity period, and transmits the received page information The information is sent to the page information generation unit 1036, and the verification session ID information with an extended validity period is sent to the verification processing unit 1037. the

Based on the page information supplied from the control unit 1023, the page information generation unit 1036 generates video data of a page embedded with links to the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006, and the page information generation Unit 1036 sends the generated video data to display control unit 1024 . the

The display control unit 1024 performs digital-to-analog conversion on the video data supplied from the page information generation unit 1036, and transmits the analog video signal thus obtained to the display unit 1023, thereby causing the display unit 1025 to display the page of the portal server 1003 based on the analog video signal for the video. the

Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 1023, the authentication processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the authentication session ID information having the extended validity period and received from the portal server 1003 in the authentication information by rewriting the authentication session ID information having no extended validity period. storage unit 1038. In this way, the authentication processing unit 1037 updates the authentication session ID information temporarily stored in the above-mentioned step SP1004 to the authentication session ID information having an extended validity period. the

(1-7-2) User authentication process between client terminal 1002 and each server 1004-1006

Next, referring to FIG. 21, user authentication processing performed between the client terminal 1002 and the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 will be described. the

In this case, there is this type of user authentication processing (hereinafter referred to as an indirect access authentication process), which is performed in such a manner that the client terminal 1002 once obtains page information from the entry server 1003 as described above with reference to FIG. It is then used to access the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 according to the links embedded in the page information. the

There is another type of user authentication processing (hereinafter referred to as a direct access authentication process), which is performed in such a manner that the client terminal 1002 does not obtain page information from the portal server 1003, but information etc. to directly access the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006. the

The indirect access authentication process can be carried out in the same manner as described above, wherein the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 are arbitrarily combined with the client terminal 1002 combine. the

The direct access authentication process can be performed in the same manner as described above, in which the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 are combined with the client terminal 1002 arbitrarily. the

The indirect access authentication process differs from the direct access authentication process only in the manner of acquiring URL information used to access the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 from the client terminal 1002. After the URL information is obtained, indirect access verification processing and direct access verification processing can be performed in the same procedure. the

Therefore, hereinafter, for simplicity of description, the music data distribution server 1004 is taken as a representative access target, and direct and indirect access authentication processing are representatively described together as one user authentication processing. the

First, in step SP1010, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 sends music data continuously through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033 according to the URL information embedded as a link in the page information or the URL information registered as a bookmark in advance. The distribution server 1004 transmits the service session ID information read from the authentication information storage unit 1038, and requests and acquires page information about music data distribution (in the case of the sales server 1005 and the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006, they can be packaged in boxes, respectively). The page information acquisition request signal of the media sales page information and broadcast list information distribution page information instead). the

Note that the service session ID information is identification information issued by the music data distribution server 1004, the sales server 1005, and the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 accessed by the client terminal 1002 to identify the connection between the client terminal 1002 and the music data distribution server 1004. , the sales server 1005, and the communication connection of the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 to perform each communication connection state (ie, session) at any time of various processing such as user authentication processing. the

When used for user authentication processing or the like, the authentication session ID information has a predetermined validity period (for example, about 1 minute) of the point of time issued by the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006. the

Therefore, if the authentication session ID information cannot be provided to the music data distribution server 1004, the sales server 1005, and the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 as the signer within the validity period, then any one of the authentication session ID information is obtained from the servers 1004～1006. The client terminal 1002 determines that the communication connection state specified by the authentication session ID information is disconnected by the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 as issuers. the

Thus, the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 prevent authentication session ID information issued in the past from being erroneously used by users who have not contracted with the management agent of the music-related service providing system 1000. the

The authentication session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 is distributed from the music data as the access target when the client terminal 1002 and the music data distribution server 1004, the sales server 1005, and the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 are connected for communication. The server 1004, sales server 1005, and radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 issue to perform user authentication processing and the like. the

In step SP1011, the control unit 1070 of the music data distribution server 1004 continuously receives the page information acquisition request signal, service session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072, and transmits them to the authentication processing unit 1075. Received service session ID information. the

Under the control of the control unit 1070 , the authentication processing unit 1075 performs user authentication processing by comparing the received service session ID information and the like with the service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1077 . the

As a result, if the verification processing unit 1075 cannot verify that the user of the client terminal 1002 is a valid user, for example, possibly because the validity period of the service session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 has expired, the verification processing unit 1075 determines that the client terminal 1002 issues a request to acquire A request for page information of music data distribution is an invalid request. the

In addition, if the verification processing unit 1075 cannot verify that the user of the client terminal 1002 is a valid user, the control unit 1070 transmits verification error information indicating a verification error and a store identifying the music data distribution server 1004 continuously through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073. The code is transmitted to the client terminal 1002. the

In step SP1012, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 successively receives authentication error information and shop codes transmitted from the music data distribution server 1004 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032. Based on the received authentication error information, the control unit 1023 recognizes that the user is not a valid user authenticated by the music data distribution server 1004, and the control unit 1023 temporarily stores the store code received from the music data distribution server 1004 in the authentication information storage unit 1038. the

Then, the control unit 1023 generates a verification ticket issuing request signal, which requests the entrance server 1003 to send a verification ticket for accessing the music data distribution server 1004, and continuously passes the generated verification ticket issuance request through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033. The signal, the store code of the music data distribution server 1004, authentication session ID information, etc., which have been received from the entry server 1003 and temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038, are transmitted to the portal server 1003. the

In step SP1013, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 continuously receives the verification ticket issuance request signal, store code, verification session ID information, etc. sent from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, and sends them to the verification processing unit 1056 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1050 , the authentication processing unit 1056 performs user authentication processing by comparing the authentication session ID information and the like with the authentication session ID information stored in the authentication information storage unit 1057 . the

As a result, if the verification processing unit 1056 cannot verify that the user of the client terminal 1002 is a valid user, possibly because the validity period of the verification session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 has expired, for example, the verification processing unit 1056 determines that a pair of A request to validate a ticket is an invalid request. the

In addition, if the authentication processing unit 1056 cannot authenticate the user of the client terminal 1002 as a valid user, the control unit 1050 continuously transmits authentication error information indicating an authentication error to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053. the

Otherwise, if, for example, the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user because the validity period of the authentication session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 has not yet expired, the authentication processing unit 1056 determines that the client terminal 1002 is compliant with issuing the authentication ticket. Request is a valid request. the

If the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1056, the control unit 1050 moves to step SP1018 described below. the

In step SP1014, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives authentication error information and the like transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032. Then the control unit 1023 reads the user ID information, password information, etc. stored in the verification information storage unit 1038, and continuously transmits the read user ID information, password information, etc. to the portal server through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033 1003. the

In step SP1015, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 continuously receives user ID information, password information, etc. Send to the verification processing unit 1056. the

Under the control of the control unit 1050, the authentication processing unit 1056 checks whether received user ID information, password information, etc. are included in the customer information registered to the customer database unit 1054, thereby performing user authentication processing. the

As a result, if the user of the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user, then under the control of the control unit 1050, the authentication processing unit 1056 sends out authentication session ID information about the state of the communication connection between the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003 at this time. , as the entry verification result information, and will be temporarily sent to Authentication session ID information and the like of the terminal client 1002 are stored in the authentication information storage unit 1057 . the

Then, the control unit 1050 continuously transmits the authentication session ID information and the like sent to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1056 to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053 . the

In step SP1016, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives authentication session ID information and the like transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and temporarily stores the received authentication session ID information and the like in the authentication information storage unit 1038. the

Then the control unit 1023 generates a verification ticket issuance request signal that requests the verification ticket from the entrance server 1003, and continuously passes the generated verification ticket issuance request signal through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, and is temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1038 The store code in the store, the verification session ID information temporarily stored at this time, etc. are transmitted to the portal server 1003. the

In this embodiment, the store code is temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 of the client terminal 1002. The present embodiment is not limited thereto, if the store code can be sent and received continuously when the processing of steps SP1012 to SP1016 is executed between the client terminal 1002 and the entry server 1003, then the store code is not temporarily stored in the client terminal 1002 in step SP1016 It is possible to send the store code to the entry server 1003 in the verification information storage unit 1038 of the store. the

In step SP1017, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 continuously receives the verification ticket issuance request signal, store code, verification session ID information, etc. sent from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, and sends them to the verification processing unit 1056 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1050 , the authentication processing unit 1056 performs user authentication processing by comparing the received authentication session ID information and the like with the authentication session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1057 . the

As a result, if, for example, the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user because the validity period of the authentication session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 has not expired, the authentication processing unit 1056 determines that the client terminal 1002 issues a request for an authentication ticket is a valid request. the

If the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1056, the control unit 1050 moves to the next step SP1018 described later. the

In step SP1018, under the control of the control unit 1050, based on the shop code and verification ticket issuance request signal received from the client terminal 1002 in the previous step SP1017, the verification processing unit 1056 issues a verification ticket, etc., as enabled to the shop code. The access verification result information of the music data distribution server 1004. the

Under the control of the control unit 1050, the verification processing unit 1056 temporarily stores the issued verification ticket, etc. It is stored in the authentication information storage unit 1057, and the validity period of the authentication session ID information etc. sent to the client terminal 1002 is extended. the

Therefore, the control unit 1050 continuously transmits the authentication ticket and the like, together with the authentication session ID information and the like having the valid period extended by the authentication processing unit 1056, to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053. the

In step SP1019, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives authentication tickets and the like transmitted from the portal server 1003 and authentication session ID information with an extended validity period and the like through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and transmits the received The verification session ID information and the like are sent to the verification processing unit 1037. the

Then, the control unit 102 continuously transmits the authentication ticket and the like received from the portal server 1003, and an authentication request signal to the music data distribution server 1004 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033. the

In addition, under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the verification session ID information and the like having the extended validity period and received from the portal server 1003 in the verification information storage by rewriting the verification session ID information before the extension of the validity period. Unit 1038. In this way, the authentication session ID information or the like temporarily stored at the above-mentioned step SP1016 is updated to the authentication session ID information having an extended effective period. the

In step SP1020, the control unit 1070 of the music data distribution server 1004 successively receives an authentication request signal, an authentication ticket, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072. the

The control unit 1070 then continuously transmits the authentication ticket etc. received from the client terminal 1002 and an authentication ticket confirmation request signal for requesting confirmation of the authentication ticket etc. to the portal server 1003 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073. the

In step SP1021, the control unit 1050 of the entrance server 1003 receives the verification ticket confirmation request signal, verification ticket, etc. sent from the music data distribution server 1004 continuously through the network interface 1053 and the communication control unit 1052, and transmits the received verification ticket confirmation request signal , the verification ticket, etc. are sent to the verification processing unit 1056. the

Then, under the control of the control unit 1050, the verification processing unit 1056 compares the received verification ticket etc. with the verification ticket etc. The authentication ticket received by the music data distribution server 1004 performs a user authentication process. the

As a result, if the authentication processing unit 1056 confirms the authentication received from the music data distribution server 1004 Ticket etc. is valid verification ticket etc., then control unit 1050 is sent to music data distribution server 1004 by communication control unit 1052 and network interface 1053 confirmation result information continuously, and this confirmation result information represents that received verification ticket etc. is valid verification ticket . the

In step SP1022, the control unit 1070 of the music data distribution server 1004 successively receives confirmation result information transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072, and transmits the received confirmation result information to the confirmation processing section 1075. the

Under the control of the control unit 1070, the authentication processing unit 1075 issues service session information on the state of the communication connection between the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003 at this time as server authentication result information in response to the confirmation result information, and the authentication processing unit 1075 temporarily stores the issued service session information and the like in the authentication information storage unit 1077. the

Further, the control unit 1070 continuously transmits the service session ID information and the like issued from the authentication processing unit 1075 to the client terminal 1002 to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073 . the

In step SP1023, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives service session ID information and the like transmitted from the music data distribution server 1004 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and temporarily stores the received service session ID information and the like in Verification information storage unit 1038. the

Therefore, the control unit 1023 continuously transmits to the music data distribution server 1004 the page information acquisition request signal requesting the page information of the music data distribution through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, together with the page information received from the music data distribution server 1004 and temporarily stored in the verification page. Service session ID information in the information storage unit 1038 and the like. the

In step SP1024, the control unit 1070 of the music data distribution server 1004 continuously receives the page information acquisition request signal, service session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1073 and the communication control unit 1072, and transfers the received service session ID information and the like are transmitted to the authentication processing unit 1075 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1070, the authentication processing unit 1075 compares the service session ID information etc. received from the client terminal 1002 with the service session ID sent to the client terminal 1002 in step SP1022 and temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1077. information to perform the user authentication process. the

As a result, if, for example, the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user because the validity period of the service session ID information received from the client terminal 1002 has not expired, then the verification processing unit 1075 determines that the information for acquiring music from the client terminal 1002 A request for page information for data distribution is a valid request. the

If the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1075, the control unit 1070 moves to the next step SP1025. the

In step SP1025, the control unit 1070 reads the page information of the music data distribution requested by the user from the page information storage unit 1076, and extends the validity period of the service session ID information etc. issued to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1075. the

Further, the control unit 1070 continuously transmits to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1072 and the network interface 1073 the page information of music data distribution read from the page information storage unit 1076, and the service session with the validity period extended by the authentication processing unit 1075. ID information, etc. the

In step SP1026, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives page information of music data distribution transmitted from the music data distribution server 1004 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and service session ID information having an extended effective period, etc., The received music data distribution page information is sent to the page information generation unit 1036 , and the service session ID information and the like received from the music data distribution server 1004 are sent to the authentication processing unit 1037 . the

Therefore, under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the service session ID information and the like having the post-extension validity period and received from the music data distribution server 1004 in the verification session by rewriting the service session ID information and the like before the validity period extension. In the information storage unit 1038. In this way, the service session ID information temporarily stored in the previous step SP1023 is updated to the service session ID information having an extended effective period. the

Furthermore, the page information generation unit 1036 generates video data based on the page information of music data distribution, and transmits the video data to the display control unit 1024 . the

Therefore, the display control unit 1024 performs digital/analog conversion processing on the video data supplied from the page information generation unit 1036, and sends the analog video signal thus obtained to the display unit 1025 to display music on the display unit 1025 based on the analog video signal. Data distribution page. the

(1-7-3) Provision of music-related services

Referring then to FIGS. 22 to 25, the music-related service providing process to be performed will be described after completing the communication between the client terminal 1002 and the music data distribution server 1004, sales server 1005 or radio information as described above with reference to FIG. 21. Executed after the user authentication process performed between the distribution servers 1006, during which the client terminal 1002 receives information from the music data distribution page using page information on the music data delivery page, boxed media sales page, and broadcast list information delivery page, etc. The server 1004, the sales server 1005, and the radio information distribution server 1006 are music data delivery services, transaction services, and radio information delivery services. the

(1-7-3-1) Music data delivery service provision process

Referring first to FIG. 22, a processing procedure for providing music data distribution during which the client terminal 1002 receives the music data distribution service from the music data distribution server 1004 will be described. the

In step SP1030, when a control command to select a part of the music data distribution page displayed as video on the display screen 1025 is input from the input processing unit 1021, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 generates a request in response to the input control command A download request signal for downloading music data to be downloaded. the

Then, the control unit 1023 transmits the download request signal to the music data distribution server 1004 continuously through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, together with service session ID information, etc., which are issued by the music data distribution server 1004 and temporarily stored. In the authentication information storage unit 1038. the

In step SP1031, the control unit 1070 of the music data distribution server 1004 continuously receives download request signals, service session ID information, etc. The service session ID information. the

Under the control of the control unit 1070 , the authentication processing unit 1075 performs user authentication processing by comparing service session ID information etc. received from the client terminal 1002 with service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1077 . the

As a result, if the user requesting to download music data using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1075, the control unit 1070 proceeds to the next step SP1032. the

In step SP1032, based on the search keyword included in the download request signal, the search unit 1079 searches for music data to be downloaded among a plurality of music data items in the music data storage unit 1078, that is, those satisfying the retrieval condition indicated by the search keyword. music data. the

Furthermore, when music data is searched by the search unit 1079, the control unit 1070 extends the validity period of the service session ID information etc. issued to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1075, and then proceeds to the next step SP1033. the

In step SP1033, the control unit 1070 reads the music data to be downloaded by the search unit 1079 from the music data storage unit 1078, and continuously transmits the read desired music data, It is transmitted to the client terminal 1002 together with the service session ID information and the like having the validity period extended by the authentication processing unit 1075 . the

In step SP1034, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives music data to be downloaded from the music data distribution server 1004, service session ID information and the like having an extended validity period transmitted from the music data distribution server 1004 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032. The control unit 1023 stores the received music data in the storage medium 1029, and communicates the service received from the music data distribution server 1004 ID information and the like are sent to the authentication processing unit 1037 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the service session ID information received from the music data distribution server 1004 with the extended validity period in the verification information storage unit 1038 by rewriting the service session ID information before the validity period extension. middle. In this way, the service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 is updated to the service session ID information having an extended validity period or the like. the

Thus, the client terminal 1002 can download the music data that the user wants to obtain by using the music data distribution service provided by the music data distribution server 1004 . the

(1-7-3-2) Sales service provision process

Then, referring to FIG. 24, the processing procedure for providing a sales service when the client terminal 1002 receives the sales service from the sales server 1005 will be described. the

In step SP1040, when a control command to select a part of the boxed media sales page displayed as a video on the display screen 1025 is input from the input processing unit 1021, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 responds to the input control command to generate A media information request signal that requests specific boxed media information. the

Then, the control unit 1023 continuously transmits the media information request signal, together with the service session ID information, etc., to the sales server 1005 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, and the service session ID information, etc. are sent by the sales server 1005 and temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1038. the

In step SP1041, the control unit 1090 of the sales server 1005 continuously receives the media information request signal, service session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092, and transmits the received information to the authentication processing unit 1095. Service session ID information. the

Under the control of the control unit 1090 , the authentication processing unit 1095 performs user authentication processing by comparing the service session ID information etc. received from the client terminal 1002 with the service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1097 . the

As a result, if the user requesting boxed media information on the boxed media using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1095, the control unit 1090 proceeds to the next step SP1042. the

In step SP1042, based on the search keyword included in the media information request signal, the search unit 1099 searches boxed media information of a specific boxed media among a plurality of boxed media information items in the boxed media information storage unit 1098, namely Boxed media that meet the retrieval conditions indicated by the search keyword. the

Furthermore, when the boxed media information is searched by the search unit 1099, the control unit 1090 extends the validity period of the service session ID information etc. issued to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1095, and then proceeds to the next step SP1043. the

In step SP1043, the control unit 1090 reads the boxed media information searched by the search unit 1099, and continuously passes through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093 the read boxed media information together with the information extended by the verification processing unit 1095. The service session ID information and the like of the valid period are transmitted to the client terminal 1002. the

In step SP1044, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032 specific boxed media information transmitted from the sales server 1005, service session ID information with an extended validity period, and the like. The control unit 1023 sends the received boxed media information to the page information generation unit 1036 , and sends the service session ID information and the like received from the sales server 1005 to the authentication processing unit 1037 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the service session ID information received from the sales server 1005 with the extended validity period in the verification information storage unit 1038 by rewriting the service session ID information before the validity period extension. In this way, the service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 is updated to the service session ID information having an extended validity period or the like. the

Furthermore, the page information generation unit 1036 generates video data based on the boxed media information supplied from the control unit 1023 , converts the generated video data into analog video signals, and transmits these signals to the display unit 1025 . the

The control unit 1023 thus displays the boxed media information as a video on the display unit 1025 based on the analog video signal, and then proceeds to the next step SP1045. the

In step SP1045, when the control command of requesting to purchase the boxed media corresponding to the boxed media information displayed as video on the display screen 1025 is input from the input processing unit 1021, the control unit 1023 generates a request to buy in response to the inputted control command. Buy request signal for boxed media. the

Then, the control unit 1023 continuously transmits the purchase request signal, together with service session ID information (that is, service session ID information with an extended validity period) etc. to the sales server 1005 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, the service session ID information etc. are received by the sales server 1005 and temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038. the

In step SP1046, the control unit 1090 of the sales server 1005 continuously receives the purchase request signal, service session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the network interface 1093 and the communication control unit 1092, and transmits the received service to the authentication processing unit 1095. Session ID information. the

Under the control of the control unit 1090 , the authentication processing unit 1095 performs user authentication processing by comparing the received service session ID information and the like with the service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage section 1097 . the

As a result, if the user who requested to purchase the media box using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1095, the control unit 1090 proceeds to the next step SP1047. the

In step SP1047, the control unit 1090 executes the purchase process, such as shipping the requested boxed media to the user using the client terminal 1002, and continuously passes the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093 to the user who purchased the boxed media. The charging information of the charge is transmitted to the accounting server 1008, thereby enabling the accounting server 1008 to execute the charging process corresponding to the user's purchase of the boxed media. the

Furthermore, the control unit 1090 causes the authentication processing unit 1095 to extend the validity period of the service session ID information and the like issued to the client terminal 1002 . the

After completing the charging process, in step SP1048, the control unit 1090 continuously transmits the purchase completion information indicating that the boxed media purchase is completed, and the service session ID with the validity period extended by the authentication processing unit 1095 through the communication control unit 1092 and the network interface 1093. Information and the like are transmitted to the client terminal 1002 . the

In step SP1049, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives the purchase completion information and the service session ID information transmitted from the sales server 1005 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and transmits the received purchase completion information to the page information The generation unit 1036 transmits the service session ID information received from the sales server 1005 to the verification processing unit 1037 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the service session ID information having the extended validity period and received from the sales server 1005 in the verification information storage unit 1038 by rewriting the service session ID information before the validity period extension , thereby updating the content of the service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

In addition, the page information generation unit 1036 generates video data based on the purchase completion page information supplied from the control unit 1023 , converts the generated video data into analog video signals, and transmits these signals to the display unit 1025 . the

Thus, the client terminal 1002 can allow the user to purchase a desired boxed media using the sales service provided by the sales server 1005. the

(1-7-3-3) Broadcast list information distribution service provision process

Then, referring to FIG. 24, the processing procedure for providing the radio broadcast information distribution service when the client terminal 1002 receives the radio broadcast information distribution service from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006, particularly the broadcast list information distribution service will be described. the

In step SP1060, when a search keyword for searching desired broadcast list information is input to the input box on the broadcast list information distribution page displayed as a video on the display screen 1025, and corresponds to the input search keyword When the control command of the letter string is input from the input processing unit 1021, the client The control unit 1023 of the mobile terminal 1002 generates a broadcast list information request signal requesting download of broadcast list information to be downloaded. the

Then, the control unit 1023 continuously transmits the broadcast list information request signal to the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033, together with service session ID information, etc., which are provided by the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 received and temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

In step SP1061, the control unit 1110 of the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 receives the broadcast list information request signal, service session ID information, etc. Send the received service session ID information. the

Under the control of the control unit 1110 , the authentication processing unit 1115 performs user authentication processing by comparing service session ID information etc. received from the client terminal 1002 with service session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1120 . the

As a result, if the user requesting broadcast list information using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1115, the control unit 1110 proceeds to the next step SP1062. the

In step SP1062, based on the search key included in the play list information request signal, the search unit 1118 searches all play list information for desired play list information within a specified range meeting the retrieval condition indicated by the search key. the

Furthermore, when the broadcast list information is searched by the search unit 1118, the control unit 1110 extends the valid period of the service session ID information etc. issued to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1115, and then proceeds to the next step SP1063. the

In step SP1063, the control unit 1110 reads the broadcast list information searched by the search unit 1118, and continuously transmits the read broadcast list information together with the validity period extended by the verification processing unit 1115 through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113. The service session ID information and the like are transmitted to the client terminal 1002. the

In step SP1064, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032 specific broadcast list information transmitted from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006, and service session ID information with an extended effective period, etc. The control unit 1023 sends the received broadcast list information to the page information generation unit 1036 , and sends the service session ID information and the like received from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 to the authentication processing unit 1037 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 rewrites the service before the validity period is extended. service session ID information, temporarily store the service session ID information received from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 in the verification information storage unit 1038 with an extended post-validity period, thereby updating the service session ID information temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1038 Content. the

In addition, the page information generation unit 1036 generates video data based on the broadcast list information supplied from the control unit 1023, converts the generated video data into analog video signals, and transmits these signals to the display unit 1025, thereby displaying on the display unit 1025 based on An analog video signal displays the video data as a video. the

Thus, the client terminal 1002 allows the user to obtain desired broadcast list information using the radio broadcast information distribution service provided by the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 . the

(1-7-3-4) Current broadcast information distribution service provision process

Then, referring to FIG. 25 , the radio broadcast information distribution service providing processing procedure during which the client terminal 1002 receives the Now On Air information distribution service as the radio broadcast information distribution service from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 will be described. the

A radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 is provided for each radio station (or call sign) to provide now broadcast information. the

In some cases, initially, the client terminal 1002 does not store the URL information of the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 corresponding to the broadcasting station. the

Therefore, a process for providing a radio broadcast information distribution service will be described below with reference to an example in which URL information of a radio broadcast information distribution server is managed by the portal server 1003 according to call signs of radio stations, respectively. the

This radio broadcast information distribution service process providing procedure assumes a situation where when the client terminal 1002 requests the portal server for frequency information indicating the broadcast frequency in order to automatically pre-set the broadcast frequency of each radio station, verify session ID information, etc. It is not temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . Therefore, the client terminal 1002 first transmits user ID information, password information, and the like to the portal server 1003 . the

In step SP1070, when an operation command requesting to automatically pre-set the broadcasting frequency of each radio station is input from the input processing unit 1021, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 responds to the command, successively passes through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033 sends a frequency information request signal to the entrance server 1003, and the information requests frequency information on broadcast frequencies receivable by each radio station, together with the area code input by the user, user ID information, password information, etc. stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

In step SP1071, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 receives frequency information request signals, area codes, user ID information, password information, etc. The user ID information and password information received by the terminal 1002 information and the like to the verification processing unit 1056. the

Under the control of the control unit 1050 , the authentication processing unit 1056 performs user authentication processing by comparing user ID information, password information, etc. received from the client terminal 1002 with customer information registered in the customer database unit 1054 . the

As a result, if the user using the client terminal 1002 is verified as a valid user by the verification processing unit 1056, and the request to acquire frequency information from the client terminal 1002 is a valid request, the verification processing unit 1056, under the control of the control unit 1050, Authentication session ID information and the like regarding the state of the communication connection between the client terminal 1002 and the portal server 1003 at this time are issued, and the issued authentication session ID information and the like are temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1057 . the

If the user is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1056, the control unit 1050 proceeds to the next step SP1072. the

In step SP1072, based on the area code received from the client terminal 1002, the control unit 1050 searches, lists, and reads a frequency corresponding to the area code among a plurality of frequency information, radio station names, and call signs in the frequency information storage unit 1058 information, radio station name and call sign. the

Therefore, the control unit 1050 continuously transmits to the client terminal 1002 the frequency information, the radio station name, and the call sign listed and read from the frequency information storage unit 1058 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053, together with the verification process passed in the preceding step SP1071. The unit 1056 sends the authentication session ID information and the like to the client terminal 1002. the

In step SP1073, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives the list of frequency information, radio station names, and call signs transmitted from the portal server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and sends the authentication dialogue received from the portal server 1003 to ID information and the like are sent to the authentication processing unit 1037 , and a list of frequency information, radio station names, and call signs is sent to the display control unit 1024 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1023 , the authentication processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the authentication session ID information and the like received from the portal server 1003 in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

The display control unit 1024 transmits the list of frequency information, radio station names, and call signs supplied from the control unit 1023 to the display unit 1025 , thereby displaying the list on the display unit 1025 . the

Further, the control unit 1023 stores the frequency information, radio station name, and call sign selected based on the selection command input from the input processing unit 1021 at this time in the storage medium 29 as preset values, and proceeds to the next step SP1074. the

In step SP1074, the control unit 1023 controls the tuner unit 1031 to extract, from radio broadcast waves, a radio broadcast broadcast on a broadcast frequency corresponding to the tuning control command supplied from the input processing unit 1021. broadcast signal. the

The tuner unit 1031 thus extracts a radio broadcast signal broadcast on the broadcast frequency from the radio broadcast wave received by the broadcast signal receiving unit 30, and performs predetermined processing such as decoding on the signal, and transmits the audio data obtained as a result to Audio control unit 1026 . the

Accordingly, the audio control unit 1026 converts the audio data supplied from the tuner unit 1031 into an analog audio signal, and sends the analog audio signal to the speaker 1027 . The sound of the selected radio program can thus be output. the

In step SP1075, under the control of the control unit 1023, the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 reads, from the storage medium 1029, the call sign stored corresponding to the frequency information representing the broadcast frequency according to the tuning control command, and the radio broadcast display control Unit 1090 continuously transmits the read call sign, together with the authentication session ID information temporarily stored in authentication information storage unit 1038, to portal server 1003 through communication control unit 1032 and network interface 1033. the

In step SP1076, the control unit 1050 of the portal server 1003 continuously receives the call sign, authentication session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053, and transmits the received authentication session ID information, etc. to the authentication session. processing unit 1056 . the

Under the control of the control unit 1050 , the authentication processing unit 1056 performs a user authentication process by comparing the received authentication session ID information and the like with the authentication session ID information temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1057 . the

As a result, if the validity period of the authentication session ID information and the like received from the client terminal 1002 has not expired. And when the user who sent the call sign using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated by the authentication processing unit 1056 as a valid user, the control unit 1050 proceeds to the next step SP1077. the

In step SP1077, the control unit 1050 searches, based on the call sign received from the client terminal 1002, the URL information linked to the call sign among the pieces of URL information in the URL storage unit 1059. the

Furthermore, the control unit 1050 extends the validity period of the authentication session ID information sent to the client terminal 1002 through the authentication processing unit 1056 . the

Then, the control unit 1050 reads the searched URL information from the URL storage unit 1059, and continuously transmits the read URL information to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1052 and the network interface 1053, together with the URL information extended by the authentication processing unit 1056. The validity period of the verification session ID information, etc. the

In step SP1078, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives the URL information transmitted from the entry server 1003 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and the authentication session ID information having an extended validity period, and transfers the received authentication session ID information, etc. are sent to the verification processing sheet Element 1037, send the URL information to the radio broadcast display control unit 1039. the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the verification processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the verification session ID information with the extended validity period received from the entry server 1003 in the verification information storage unit 1038 by rewriting the verification session ID information with an unextended validity period. , thereby updating the contents of the verification session ID information temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1038. the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 also temporarily stores the URL information provided by the control unit 1023 in the storage medium 1029, wherein the information linked with the call sign is also stored in the storage medium 1029. the

In addition, under the control of the control unit 1023, the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 continuously transmits a request to obtain the present information to the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033 based on the URL information temporarily stored in the storage medium 29 or the like. The now-on-air information request signal of the delivery information, together with the service session ID information that has been received from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 and temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

In the radio broadcast information distribution service providing process, the process of transmitting the now broadcast information request signal, service session ID information, etc. from the client terminal 1002 to the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 in step SP1078 corresponds to that of step SP1010 described with reference to FIG. deal with. the

Therefore, in this radio broadcast information distribution service providing process, after the process of step SP1078, the same user authentication process as that of steps SP1011 to SP1013 and steps SP1018 to SP1022 described above with reference to FIG. The broadcast information distribution server 1006 and the entry server 1003 are executed sequentially. Then, the procedure proceeds to the next step SP1079. the

In step SP1079, under the control of the control unit 1023, the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 of the client terminal 1002 continuously broadcasts to the radio through the communication control unit 1032 and the network interface 1033 again based on URL information etc. temporarily stored in the storage medium 1029. The information distribution server 1006 transmits the now broadcasting information request signal together with the service session ID information which has been received and temporarily stored in the authentication information storage unit 1038 . the

In step SP1080, the control unit 1110 of the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 receives the now broadcast information request signal, the service session ID information, etc. transmitted from the client terminal 1002 continuously through the network interface 1113 and the communication control unit 1112, and sends the information to the authentication processing unit 1115. Send the received authentication session ID information. the

Under the control of the control unit 1110, the verification processing unit 1115 executes by comparing the received service session ID information and the like with the service session ID information temporarily stored in the verification information storage section 1120. User authentication processing. the

As a result, if the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1115, the authentication processing unit 1115 determines that the request to acquire the now broadcast information from the client terminal 1002 is a valid request. the

Furthermore, when the user using the client terminal 1002 is authenticated as a valid user by the authentication processing unit 1115, the control unit 1110 extends the validity period of the service session ID information sent to the client terminal 1002 by the authentication processing unit 1115, and proceeds to the next step SP1081. the

In step SP1081, the control unit 1110 reads the now-broadcast information from the now-broadcast information storage unit 1119, and continuously transmits the read now-broadcast information to the client terminal 1002 through the communication control unit 1112 and the network interface 1113, together with the information provided by the verification process. Unit 1115 extends the validity period of the service session ID information, etc. the

In step SP1082, the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 continuously receives the now broadcast information transmitted from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 through the network interface 1033 and the communication control unit 1032, and the service session ID information having an extended validity period, and transmits the obtained The received service session ID information is sent to the authentication processing unit 1037, and the now broadcasting information is sent to the radio broadcast display control unit 1039. the

Under the control of the control unit 1023, the authentication processing unit 1037 temporarily stores the service session ID information having an extended validity period and received from the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 in the authentication information by rewriting the authentication session ID information having an unextended validity period. storage unit 1038, thereby updating the service session ID information temporarily stored in the verification information storage unit 1038. the

In addition, the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 transmits the now broadcast information provided by the control unit 1023 to the display unit 1025 through the display control unit 1024, thereby displaying the now broadcast information related to the radio program in the currently received radio broadcast on the display unit 1025. the

Then, in the radio broadcast information distribution service providing process, the client terminal 1002 periodically repeats the request to acquire the now broadcast information in step SP1079, and the radio broadcast information distribution server 1006 receives the acquisition request from the client terminal 1002, And the processing of steps SP1080 and SP1081 is executed in sequence. the

In this way, the client terminal 1002 can display on the display unit 1025 of the client terminal 1002 when the current broadcast information is updated at any time: the name of the currently received radio program, the program broadcast start time, the program broadcast end time, the The title and artist name of the song played on the radio program, the broadcast start time of the song, etc. the

In the program modules described with reference to FIG. 6, the HTTP message program 111 and the communication device program 112 can implement The same function as the communication control unit 1032 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 is now performed. the

The content reproduction module 113 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the encoder/decoder unit 1034 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the version protection information management unit 114 is a program module capable of realizing the same function as the version management unit 1035 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the Internet radio tuning/reproducing module 118 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the control unit 1023 and the audio control unit 1026 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the song purchase/reproduction module 119 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the control unit 1023 and the audio control unit 1026 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the XML browser 151 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the input processing unit 1021 and the page information generating unit 1036 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the hard disk content controller 117, the database access module 115, and the content data access module 116 are program modules capable of realizing the same functions as the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the authentication library 131 of the library 130 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the authentication processing unit 1037 and the authentication information storage unit 1038 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the clip library 132 of the library 130 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the control unit 1023 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the related information display module 120 is a program module capable of realizing the same function as the radio broadcast display control unit 1039 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

In addition, the tuner selection/reproduction/recording module 121 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the control unit 1023, hard disk control section 1026, and tuner unit 1031 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. the

Furthermore, the audio user interface 152 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the input processing unit 1021 , the control unit 1023 , and the display control unit 1024 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the CD playback module 141 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the audio control unit 1026 and the external recording medium recording/reproducing unit 1028 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

Furthermore, the HDD reproduction module 142 is a program module capable of realizing the same functions as the control unit 1023 and the audio control unit 1026 of the client terminal 1002 described earlier with reference to FIG. 14 . the

The overall service server 36 described with reference to FIG. 3 is configured such that the CPU 36a Each circuit unit is controlled by each program in the device 36c, etc., thereby realizing the same functions as the communication control unit 1052, authentication processing unit 1056, etc. of the portal server 1003 (FIG. 16). The hard disk drive 36c of the overall service server 36 is configured to realize the verification information storage unit 1057, the URL storage unit 1059, the frequency information storage unit 1058, the page information storage unit 1055, and the customer database unit of the entrance server 1003 under the control of the CPU 36a. 1054 and so on to achieve the same function. the

The above-described embodiments refer to the client terminal 1002 (reproducing apparatus 1 and terminal apparatus 10) receiving a broadcast signal corresponding to a frequency (reception frequency) selected by a user operation or the like among various types of broadcast signals output from radio stations. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is applicable to a case where the client terminal 1002 (reproducing apparatus 1 and terminal device 10) receives a radio program from an Internet radio server based on the URL of the Internet radio server selected by user operation or the like. the

In addition, a radio broadcast broadcast from a radio station receivable by the client terminal 1002 is applied to the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be configured such that the client terminal 1002 receives Internet radio broadcasts or satellite radio broadcasts, and acquires information related thereto and radio broadcast information. Alternatively, the client terminal 1002 may receive a television broadcast broadcast from a television station, and acquire various types of broadcast information on various programs in the television broadcast from a server on the network NT1000. the

Furthermore, the above-described embodiments have been described with reference to the case where hardware circuit blocks, functional circuit blocks, and program modules are installed on the client terminal 1002 (reproducing apparatus 1 and terminal device 10) (FIG. 6). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but they can be installed on various terminals other than the client terminal 1002, such as cellular phones, personal computers, and the like. Any terminal in which hardware circuit blocks, functional circuit blocks, and program modules are installed can realize the same processing as the client terminal 1002 described above. the

Furthermore, the above embodiments have been described with reference to the case where the setting information includes area information (zip code or the like) indicating, for example, the area where the reproduction apparatus 1 is installed. In this area information, setting information may include user identification information uniquely assigned to a user of the reproduction apparatus 1 . Alternatively, the setting information may include device identification information uniquely assigned to the reproduction apparatus 1 . the

A case will now be described in which, for example, the reproducing apparatus 1 transmits setting information including user designation information to the broadcast station designation server 2 . There is a prerequisite that the broadcasting station specifying server 2 stores user identification information in the database of the server 2 itself, and broadcasting station information (broadcasting station name, broadcasting station identification information, broadcasting frequency, etc.), wherein the user identification information is linked with the broadcasting station information. After receiving the user identification information from the reproducing apparatus 1, the broadcasting station specifying server 2 searches the database to obtain broadcasting station information corresponding to the received user identifying information, and transmits list information including the obtained broadcasting station information to the reproducing apparatus 1. the

Then, a case where the reproducing apparatus 1 transmits setting information including device identification information to the broadcast station designation server 2 will be described. There is such a prerequisite that the broadcasting station specifying server 2 stores equipment identification information in the database of the server 2 itself, and broadcasting station information (broadcasting station name, broadcasting station identification information, broadcast frequency, etc.), where the device identification information is linked to the broadcast station information. After receiving the equipment identification information from the reproducing apparatus 1, the broadcasting station specifying server 2 searches the database to obtain broadcasting station information corresponding to the received equipment identifying information, and transmits list information including the obtained broadcasting station information to the reproducing apparatus 1. the

Industrial Applicability The present invention is applicable to a reproducing apparatus capable of receiving a broadcast signal selected by calling a reception frequency set in advance and reproducing the broadcast signal. the

Claims (10)

1. one kind can receive and reappear through calling in advance the reproducer of the broadcast singal that the receive frequency that is provided with selects, and comprising:

Broadcast receiver is used to receive the broadcast singal of CF;

The broadcast singal reproducer is used to reappear the broadcast singal that is received by said broadcast receiver;

Information transmission device is set, is used for transmitting to external equipment the information that is provided with broadcast reception and that be provided with by the user of relevant said reproducer itself, the said information that is provided with comprises that the said reproducer of expression receives the area information in the zone of broadcasting;

The list information receiving system is used to receive the list information that is detected by external equipment, as comprising the station name of aural corresponding to the received broadcasting station that information is set, the broadcasting station identification information in radio station and the tabulation of frequency of radio station;

Display unit is used for showing the station name of aural that is included in the list information that is received by the list information receiving system; And

Tape deck based on user's input, is recorded in the various piece of reception list information on the recording medium, and wherein various piece links mutually,

Said reproducer also comprises the solicited message conveyer; Be used for after receiving list information, operating the transmission solicited message in response to the user through the list information receiving system; The described request information request comprises and relates to the list information that is different from corresponding to the information in another broadcasting station in the said broadcasting station that information is set

Wherein, the list information that said list information receiving system sends from said external equipment in response to the described request message pick-up,

Said display unit demonstration is included in corresponding to the station name of aural in the list information of described request information, and

Said tape deck will record on the said recording medium corresponding to the various piece of the list information of described request information based on user input, and wherein various piece links each other.

2. reproducer as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises the frequency specified device, is used to change the frequency of the receive frequency of broadcast receiver with the appointment receiving broadcast signal,

Wherein, Said tape deck writes down on recording medium and meets included frequency and station name of aural in the said list information and broadcasting station identification information by the arbitrary frequency in the said frequency specified device specified frequency in the list information that receives through the list information receiving system, and its medium frequency, station name of aural and broadcasting station identification information be link each other automatically.

3. reproducer as claimed in claim 2; It is characterized in that; Said tape deck writes down on recording medium and does not meet included remaining frequencies and remaining at least station name of aural in the said list information and remaining broadcasting station identification information by the arbitrary frequency in the said frequency specified device specified frequency in the list information that receives through the list information receiving system, and wherein remaining frequencies, remaining station name of aural and remaining broadcasting station identification information are based on user's input and link each other.

4. reproducer as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the said information that is provided with is imported and record by the user in advance.

5. reproducer as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the said information that is provided with is imported by the user before transmitting through the said information transmission device that is provided with.

6. reproducer as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises:

The identification information conveyer is used for being included in the broadcasting station identification information through the list information of said recording device records to said external equipment transmission; And

Position information receiver; Be used for receiving the expression network and attend the positional information of supplier position from said external equipment, said supplier provide with corresponding to the relevant relevant information of broadcasted content from each broadcasting station of the broadcasting station identification information of said identification information conveyer transmission.

7. one kind is receiving and is reappearing the information setting method that receive frequency is set in the reproducer of broadcast singal in advance, comprising:

Information transfer step is set, transmits the information that is provided with broadcast reception and that be provided with by the user of relevant said reproducer itself to external equipment, the said information that is provided with comprises that the said reproducer of expression receives the area information in the zone of broadcasting;

The list information receiving step receives the list information that is detected by external equipment, as comprising the station name of aural corresponding to the received broadcasting station that information is set, the broadcasting station identification information in radio station and the tabulation of frequency of radio station;

Step display shows to be included in the station name of aural in the list information that receives; And

Recording step is recorded on the recording medium based on user's the input various piece with received list information, and wherein various piece links mutually,

Said method also comprises and do not receive the information request step, and after said recording step, the request external equipment transmits and comprises and relate to the list information that is different from corresponding to the information in another broadcasting station in the said broadcasting station that information is set,

Wherein, in said list information receiving step, receive the list information that does not receive the information request step and transmit from said external equipment in response to said,

In said step display, show to be included in response to the station name of aural in the said list information that does not receive the information request step and receive, and

In said recording step, will record on the said recording medium in response to the various piece of the said list information that does not receive the information request step and receive based on user's input, wherein various piece interlinks.

8. information setting method as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, also comprises the frequency given step, be used for wanting the frequency of received frequency with the appointment receiving broadcast signal in recording step change before,

Wherein, In said recording step; Record meets included frequency and station name of aural in the said list information and broadcasting station identification information by the arbitrary frequency in the said frequency given step specified frequency in the list information that receives through the list information receiving step on recording medium, and its medium frequency, station name of aural and broadcasting station identification information be link each other automatically.

9. information setting method as claimed in claim 8; It is characterized in that; In said recording step; Record does not meet included remaining frequencies and remaining at least station name of aural in the said list information and remaining broadcasting station identification information by the arbitrary frequency in the said frequency given step specified frequency in the list information that receives through the list information receiving step on recording medium, and wherein remaining frequencies, remaining station name of aural and remaining broadcasting station identification information are based on user's input and link each other.

10. communication means that is used to receive and reappear the reproducer of broadcast singal comprises:

Information transfer step is set; Transmit the information that is provided with of the broadcast reception that relates to said reproducer itself to portal server from said reproducer; And ID and password, the said information that is provided with comprises that the said reproducer of expression receives the area information in the zone of broadcasting

The list information transfer step; Send the portal server that allows said reproducer to visit the checking bill of a plurality of service servers and carry out the checking processing based on ID and password; And when allowing checking, transmit list information; As comprising the station name of aural corresponding to the received broadcasting station that information is set, the broadcasting station identification information in radio station and the tabulation of frequency of radio station, and

Show and recording step that reproducer is presented at the station name of aural that comprises in the list information that receives, and be recorded on the recording medium that wherein various piece links mutually based on user's input various piece with the list information that is received,

Said method also comprises and do not receive the information request step, after said demonstration and recording step, transmits to the portal server request and to comprise and relate to the list information that is different from corresponding to the information in another broadcasting station in the said broadcasting station that information is set,

Wherein, in said list information transfer step, do not receive the information request step and transmit list information from said portal server in response to said, and

In said demonstration and recording step; Show and be included in response to the station name of aural in the said list information that does not receive the information request step and receive; And will record on the said recording medium in response to the various piece of the said list information that does not receive the information request step and receive based on user's input, wherein various piece links mutually.

Images