JP2008176669A - Portable terminal, portable terminal program, content providing system, and providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal automatically selecting provided and stored data according to a use situation. <P>SOLUTION: During off-line, valid period of content data stored in a memory is hourly determined. An elapsed time of the content data except an already paid folder is calculated (S111). When the elapsed time of the data except an expired folder exceeds a first prescribed time (S112: YES), the data are moved to the expired folder as expired data (S113). When the content data moved to the expired folder exceeds a second prescribed period, the content data are deleted as a final expired data (S115). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a mobile terminal program, a content providing system, and a providing apparatus.

In recent years, with the development of networks, a wide variety of data has been handled online. The use of online data is constantly increasing due to broadband and low prices, while the use of offline data is also progressing. In offline use, in addition to purchasing paid data for online connection and downloading media such as CDs and DVDs that store data, a large amount of data that may be used in advance It is distributed in such a way that you will be charged when you actually use the data later. For example, in the accounting control method and apparatus for offline data described in Patent Document 1, a DVD in which a plurality of contents are stored in advance is distributed free of charge, and the user designates the contents that the user wants to use from among the plurality of contents later. , Use is permitted.
JP-A-11-272762

  However, in the above conventional method, content data is stored in a medium that can be used in a large amount. Therefore, even if the distributed data remains unused, there is no particular problem. However, there is a possibility that the user may use it when connecting offline. When a certain amount of data is automatically distributed in large quantities in advance when it is connected online and stored in a flash memory of a portable terminal with limited capacity, it is necessary to leave unused data as it is to save space for unnecessary data. The problem of lacking occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal capable of automatically selecting provided and stored data according to usage conditions.

  In order to achieve the above object, a mobile terminal according to claim 1 of the present invention is a mobile terminal that receives provision of content from a providing device, and displays content for displaying the content, and requests the content from the providing device. Terminal-side requesting means, receiving means for receiving content from the providing device, storage means for storing a plurality of contents received by the receiving means, and display means from among the contents stored in the storage means A selection unit for selecting content to be displayed; a deletion determination unit for determining content to be deleted from among the content stored in the storage unit, for which usage fee payment has not been completed; and the deletion determination And deleting means for deleting the deleted content that should be deleted by the means from the storage means

  In addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1, the portable terminal described in claim 2 of the present invention has a payment deadline for the used content when registered as used by the use presence / absence registration means. Payment deadline setting means to be set; payment deadline arrival judging means for judging whether or not the payment deadline set by the payment deadline setting means has arrived; and whether or not payment has been made for the used content Payment determining means, wherein the deletion determining means is, as the deleted content, content determined by the payment deadline determining means that the payment deadline has arrived and that payment has not been made by the payment determining means It is characterized by determining.

  Further, in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the mobile terminal described in claim 3 of the present invention pays for the used content when it is registered as used by the use presence / absence registration means. A warning deadline setting means for setting a warning deadline, a warning deadline judgment means for judging whether or not a warning deadline set by the warning deadline setting means has arrived, and whether or not payment has been made for the used content The content that has been determined that the warning deadline has arrived by the payment judgment means for judging whether the warning deadline has arrived and that the payment judgment means has not made payment has been selected by the selection means In this case, the information processing apparatus is characterized by comprising notification means for notifying that the payment due date is almost over.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 2 or 3, the mobile terminal described in claim 4 of the present invention further includes an acquisition unit that acquires an identifier certifying execution of payment for the content from the providing device, The payment determination means determines that payment has been made when an identifier corresponding to the used content has been acquired by the acquisition means.

  Further, in the mobile terminal according to claim 5 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the deletion determining means determines content that has passed a predetermined period as deleted content. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any of the first to fifth aspects, the deletion determination unit has a storage capacity of content occupying the storage unit of a predetermined capacity. When the content exceeds the predetermined capacity, it is determined that the content with the oldest date and time stored in the storage means is deleted until it falls within the predetermined capacity.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the deletion determining unit has a predetermined number of contents occupied in the storage unit. If it exceeds, the content stored in the storage means is determined to be deleted until the predetermined number is reached.

  A portable terminal program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as the seed processing means according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  A content providing system according to claim 9 of the present invention includes a server storing content, a providing device connected to the server via a network, and providing content received from the server, and the providing device. A content providing system comprising a mobile terminal that receives and displays content, wherein the providing device receives from the server a device-side request unit that requests content from the server in response to a request from the mobile terminal Content transmitting means for transmitting the content to the portable terminal, the portable terminal receiving content from the providing apparatus, display means for displaying the content, terminal-side request means for requesting the content from the providing apparatus, Among the contents stored in the storage means and the payment means Selection means for selecting content to be displayed on the display means from contents that have not been completed, use presence / absence registration means for registering use / non-use of contents stored in the storage means in the storage means, and storage means Delete determination means for determining content to be deleted from contents stored as unused, and deletion means for deleting the deleted content that should be deleted by the deletion determination means from the storage means It is characterized by that.

  In the portable terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention, the terminal-side request unit requests content from the providing device, receives the content by the reception unit, and stores the content in the storage unit. The content selected by the selection means from the stored contents is displayed on the display means. Further, among the stored contents, the contents to be deleted are determined from the contents for which the payment of the usage fee has not been completed, and are deleted from the storage means. Accordingly, a plurality of contents can be received and stored without clearly deciding whether to use them, and desired contents can be displayed and browsed from among them. It is determined whether or not the content that has not been browsed should be deleted due to payment expiration or the like, and is automatically deleted without the user's own judgment and deletion. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a lot of contents regardless of necessity, and to decide later whether or not to use them, and to enjoy the desired contents without reducing the storage capacity.

  In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the mobile terminal described in claim 2 of the present invention sets and sets the payment due date when the content is registered as used. The due date is determined by the payment due date determining means. Then, the content that has reached the payment deadline and has not been paid is determined as the deleted content. Therefore, you are charged only for the content you use, not all of the content you receive, so you only have to pay within a specified period after using it. The payment can be made after use. If the payment is made only for use, the content will be deleted when the time limit is exceeded, which also has the effect of prompting payment.

  Further, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the portable terminal described in claim 3 of the present invention sets the payment deadline by the warning deadline setting means when the content is registered as used. The set deadline is determined to be due by the warning deadline arrival judging means. Then, the warning deadline has arrived, and it is notified that the payment deadline is close to the content that has not been paid. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to pay before the payment due date and the content is deleted.

  In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2 or 3, the mobile terminal described in claim 4 of the present invention acquires an identifier for used content, so that the identifier is acquired. It can be determined that payment has been made.

  Further, in addition to the effects of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the mobile terminal according to claim 5 of the present invention is determined as deleted content when a predetermined period has elapsed since the content was received. Therefore, a predetermined period of time has passed without being used, and it is not necessary for the user to manually delete content that seems unnecessary.

  In addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the mobile terminal described in claim 6 of the present invention is deleted from the oldest content when the storage capacity of the content exceeds a predetermined capacity. Therefore, even if a large amount of content is downloaded repeatedly, the memory capacity is not compressed. Also, there is no need to repeat the deletion manually.

  Moreover, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the mobile terminal according to claim 7 of the present invention deletes from old contents when the number of stored contents exceeds a predetermined number. So, even if you download a lot of content, the number of cases is monitored and deleted from the old one, so there is no need for manual deletion.

  Moreover, the portable terminal program according to claim 8 of the present invention can exhibit the operational effects of the invention according to any of claims 1 to 7 by being executed by a computer.

  In the content providing system according to claim 9 of the present invention, the providing apparatus acquires content from the server according to a request from the mobile terminal and transmits the content to the mobile terminal. In the portable terminal, the content selected by the selection means from the stored contents is displayed on the display means. Further, among the stored contents, the contents to be deleted are determined from the contents for which the payment of the usage fee has not been completed, and are deleted from the storage means. Therefore, the mobile terminal can receive and store a plurality of contents without clearly deciding whether or not to use them, and display and browse desired contents from among them. It is determined whether or not the content that has not been browsed should be deleted due to payment expiration or the like, and is automatically deleted without the user's own judgment and deletion. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a lot of contents regardless of necessity, and to decide later whether or not to use them, and to enjoy the desired contents without reducing the storage capacity.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of the content providing system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the content providing system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the content providing system 100 includes a mobile terminal 1 that can display and browse content, a providing device 2 that the mobile terminal 1 connects to download content, stores content, and provides it on demand The content server 3 is configured to transmit to the device 2.

  The portable terminal 1 is a portable terminal provided with a display panel 16 for browsing content. The mobile terminal 1 includes a CPU 11 that controls the entire mobile terminal 1, and includes a ROM 12 that stores a program, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores data, a timer 10 that measures the passage of time, and a clock 19 that measures the current time. Are connected to the CPU 11. A memory 14 that stores content data downloaded from the providing device 2, user information, and a usage key (described later) of the content for which payment has been made is also connected to the CPU 11. Further, a transmission / reception unit 15 that requests content from the providing device 2 and receives content data and usage key data is also connected to the CPU 11. Further, the display panel 16 that displays content is connected to the CPU 11 via the display control unit 17. An input unit 18 for inputting a usage key and an evaluation value of the browsed content data is also connected to the CPU 11. The transmission / reception unit 15 corresponds to a terminal side request unit and an acquisition unit of the present invention. The input unit 18 corresponds to the selection unit of the present invention.

  The providing device 2 is a device that is always connected to the content server 3 via a network and can be connected to the portable terminal 1 by wire or wirelessly. The providing device 2 may be a general-purpose personal computer, or may be a dedicated device installed in a street or a station kiosk, for example. The providing device 2 includes a CPU 21 that controls the entire providing device 2, and a ROM 22 that stores a program and a RAM 23 that temporarily stores data are connected to the CPU 21. A hard disk 24 that stores content data received from the content server 3 is also connected to the CPU 21. Further, the transmission / reception unit 25 that requests content from the content server 3 and receives content data and usage key data, receives user information and content request from the portable terminal 1, and transmits the usage key and content data is also connected to the CPU 21. Has been. The display panel 26 that displays a message to the user when the mobile terminal 1 is connected is connected to the CPU 21 via the display control unit 27. The transmission / reception unit 25 corresponds to the apparatus-side request unit and the content transmission unit of the present invention.

  The content server 3 stores content data, is a general-purpose server that connects to a plurality of providing devices 2 and transmits content data in response to requests from the respective providing devices 2. The content server 3 includes a CPU 31 that controls the entire content server 3, and a ROM 32 that stores a program and a RAM 33 that temporarily stores data are connected to the CPU 31. A hard disk 34 that stores content data and usage key information distributed to users who have paid for the content is also connected to the CPU 31. Further, a transmission / reception unit 35 that receives a content request from the providing apparatus 2 and transmits content data and a use key according to the request is also connected to the CPU 31.

  Next, the memory 14 of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The memory 14 corresponds to the storage means of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the memory 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the memory 14 has a content data folder 141 for storing content data downloaded from the providing device 2, a paid folder 142 for storing content data for which payment of a usage fee (billing) of content has been completed, At least a due date folder 143 for storing content data for which the payment due date has arrived or content data for which a predetermined period has passed without being used, and a user information storage area 144 for storing user information of the mobile terminal 1 are provided. Yes. The content data downloaded from the providing device 2 is first stored in the content data folder 141. When the content is displayed and used, billing occurs and the payment deadline is counted. When charging occurs, the contents data folder 141 remains as it is. When the payment is executed, a usage key is issued for the content data. Therefore, the usage key is registered and moved to the paid folder 142. If the payment due date arrives without payment, it is moved to the due date folder. Even if a predetermined time elapses without being displayed, the folder is moved to the due date folder. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the storage location of each content data is a separate folder. The physical storage location may not be divided, and it is only necessary that the type of each data can be identified by a method such as attaching an identifier to the content data.

  The user information stored in the user information storage area 144 includes information for specifying the mobile terminal 1, user ID, information for specifying content data (chargeable data) requiring payment, and browsing status of content data (when (Browsing frequency, browsing frequency, evaluation value for contents, etc.) and the like can be set as appropriate.

  Next, regarding the operation of the content providing system 100 having the above configuration, processing in the portable terminal 1, the providing device 2, and the content server 3 will be described in order. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of general processing (mobile terminal general processing) of the mobile terminal 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a data time limit determination process executed in the mobile terminal general process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a modification of the data time limit determination process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the data display process executed in the mobile terminal general process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of general processing (providing device general processing) of the providing device 2. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of general processing (content server general processing) of the content server 3.

  First, processing of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The portable terminal 1 repeatedly executes the general process shown in FIG. 3 when the power is turned on. First, it is determined whether or not it is connected to the providing device 2 (S1). If connected (S1: YES), connection (online) processing (S2 to S8) with the providing device 2 is executed. If not connected (S1: NO), it is determined whether or not the expiration date of the content data stored in the memory 14 has arrived, and the expired data is deleted or the selected content data is displayed. Processing is executed (S9 to S16).

  First, online processing will be described. When connected to the providing device 2 (S1: YES), the user information and content data distribution request stored in the memory 14 is transmitted to the providing device 2 (S3). The content data distribution request is a request for content data specified by the user. For example, the content data distribution request requests the user to select content in a field in which the user is frequently used, or the location and time at which the user is present. It may be requested to select corresponding content data.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a use key has been received from the providing device 2 (S3). As will be described later, in the content providing system 100 of the present embodiment, content data is transmitted from the providing device 2 to the mobile terminal 1, and the usage fee is paid for the content only after the content is used (viewed) on the mobile terminal 1. Duty occurs (charged). When the usage fee is paid, a usage key is issued from the content server 3 and transmitted to the portable terminal 1 via the providing device 2. In this step, it is determined whether or not the usage key thus issued has been received.

  If the use key has not been received (S3: NO), the process proceeds directly to S5. When the usage key is received (S3: YES), the received content data corresponding to the usage key is moved to the paid folder 142 (S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a payment completion signal has been received (S5). The content providing system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that a usage fee (billing) can be paid to the content via the providing device 2 installed in a store or the like. Therefore, as will be described later, in the providing device 2, when content data to be charged exists in the mobile terminal 1 when the mobile terminal 1 is connected, a message prompting payment is displayed and the payment is accepted. When payment is completed, a payment completion signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal 1. In addition, even when there is no content data to be charged, a payment completion signal indicating that payment is unnecessary is transmitted. In S5, it is determined whether the payment completion signal transmitted in such a flow has been received.

  If the payment completion signal has not been received (S5: NO), it is determined whether or not communication has been disconnected by the providing device 2 (S6). As will be described later, in the providing apparatus 2, when there is content data to be charged but payment is not executed, the distribution of the next content data is not performed and the connection with the portable terminal 1 is disconnected after waiting for a predetermined time. Therefore, in S6, it is determined whether or not the communication has been disconnected in this way. If the communication is not disconnected (S6: NO), it is still waiting, so the process returns to S3 to make a use key reception determination. When the communication is disconnected (S6: YES), the process proceeds to S10 and offline processing is executed.

  When the payment completion signal is received (S5: YES), a content data distribution request is transmitted to the providing device 2, new content data transmitted from the providing device 2 is received, and the content data folder 141 in the memory 14 is received. (S7). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that new content data transmitted from the providing device 2 is content data in a field registered in advance for each user. However, for example, content data corresponding to the location and time where the user is present may be automatically selected on the providing device 2 side and transmitted.

  After the reception is completed, the communication is disconnected (S8). Next, a timer count is started by the timer 10 in order to execute the expiration date determination of the content data stored in the memory every hour (S9).

  When one hour has passed (S10: YES), content data expiration judgment processing is executed (S11), and the timer count is started again to see the next one hour (S9). Details of the time limit determination processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If one hour has not yet elapsed (S10: NO), it is determined whether or not an input of a use key has been received from the input unit 18 (S12). Payment for content data subject to billing can be made from the providing device 2 as described above, but is not limited to this, payment at a store in a predetermined store, online transfer, payment by bank or post office But you can do it. In such a case, the use key can be distributed off-line from the content server 3 by mail or the like without using the providing device 2. As described above, when the use key is distributed without using the providing device 2, the contents are input from the input unit 18. Therefore, in S12, it is determined whether or not there has been such use key input.

  If there is no use key input (S12: NO), the process proceeds to S14. If there is a use key input (S12: YES), the content data corresponding to the input use key is moved to the paid folder 142 (S13).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the content data to be browsed has been selected (S14). For the selection of data, for example, a content list screen such as a table of contents may be displayed on the display panel 16 so that the user can select it.

  If no content data is selected (S14: NO), the process returns to S1 and the above processing is repeated. When the content data is selected (S14: YES), a data display process for displaying the selected data is executed (S15). Next, it is determined whether or not the browsing has been completed and the user has released the data selection state (S16). If the data selection has not been completed (S16: NO), the content data to be browsed is selected. It returns to the process (S14) which judges whether it exists. If the data selection is completed (S16: YES), the process returns to S1 and the process is repeated. Details of the data display processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the data time limit determination process executed in the general process will be described. First, the elapsed time X is calculated for each piece of content data excluding the content data stored in the paid folder 142, that is, the content data in the content data folder 141 and the expiration date folder 143 (S111). Here, the elapsed time X is obtained by subtracting the storage date from the current date. When the content data is unused, the storage date / time is the date / time input to the mobile terminal 1 or the date / time when the content data was issued (can be set as appropriate). The storage date and time is stored in the user information storage area 144 corresponding to each content data when each content data is downloaded to the mobile terminal 1. When the content data is browsed, the date and time used for the first time in the data display process described later is updated as the storage date and time.

  Next, in the content data for which the elapsed time X is calculated, it is not in the due date folder 143, and the calculated elapsed time X exceeds the first predetermined time ("time 1" in FIG. 4). It is determined whether or not there is any (S112). If there is content data whose elapsed time X exceeds the first predetermined time (S112: YES), the content data is moved to the due date folder 143 assuming that the due date has arrived (S113). Then, the process returns to the general process.

  If there is no content data whose elapsed time X exceeds the first predetermined time (S112: NO), then the calculated elapsed time X is the second predetermined time ( In FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not there is an item exceeding “time 2”) (S114). If there is content data whose elapsed time X exceeds the second predetermined time (S114: YES), the content data is deleted as the final expiration date (S115), and the process returns to the general processing. If there is no content data whose elapsed time exceeds the second predetermined time (S114: NO), the process returns to the general process.

  Through the data expiration date determination process, content data that has not been received in the paid folder 142 and has reached the expiration date (the first predetermined time has elapsed) is moved to the expiration date folder 143. Here, the content that has expired is content that has no display results (unused content), that has passed the first predetermined time since download or content issuance, and has already been used, There are two types of content, that is, the first predetermined time after the billing has occurred. In addition, the content data in the folder with the expiration date that has expired (the second predetermined time has elapsed) is deleted. Therefore, the downloaded one that has not been used and the second predetermined time has elapsed is automatically deleted. In addition, even if the second predetermined time has passed without being paid despite being used and charged, it is also deleted and cannot be browsed. Further, in a later data display process, if an attempt is made to display an item in the deadline folder 143, the process is performed so that a warning is issued.

  In the data expiration date determination process of FIG. 4 described above, the expiration date or the final expiration date is determined based on the elapsed time, and the data is moved or deleted. In addition to this, the determination of the time limit can also be made based on the memory capacity and the number of cases. Such a modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the capacity occupied in the memory by data remaining in the content data folder 141 that has not been moved to the paid folder 142 and the due date folder 143 is the first predetermined capacity (“capacity 1” in FIG. ]) It is determined whether the following is true (S211). If it exceeds the first predetermined capacity (S211: YES), the content data with the oldest storage date / time is moved to the due date folder as the due date data (S212), and the process returns to S211. Then, in S211, the process of moving from the old data to the due date folder 143 in order is repeated until the data in the content data folder 141 falls below the first predetermined capacity.

  If the content data that has not been paid or the due date has not reached the first predetermined capacity (S211: YES), then it has not been moved to the paid folder 142 and the due date folder 143, and remains in the content data folder 141. It is determined whether the number of data is equal to or less than the first predetermined number N (S213). If the number exceeds the first predetermined number (S213: NO), the content data with the oldest storage date / time is moved to the due date folder 143 as the due date data (S214), and the process returns to S213. Then, in S213, the process of moving from the old data to the due date folder 143 in order is repeated until the data in the content data folder 141 becomes equal to or less than the first predetermined capacity.

  If the content data that has not been paid or the due date has not reached the first predetermined number (S213: YES), then the total amount of data in the due date folder 143 is the second predetermined capacity (“capacity 2” in FIG. 5). ]) It is judged whether it is the following (S215). If it exceeds the second predetermined capacity (S215: YES), the content data with the oldest storage date is deleted as the last expired data (S216), and the process returns to S215. Then, in S215, the process of deleting the oldest data in order is repeated until the data in the due folder 143 reaches the second predetermined capacity or less.

  If the total amount of data in the expiration folder is less than or equal to the second predetermined capacity (S215: YES), it is next determined whether the number of data in the expiration folder is equal to or less than the second predetermined number M (S217). ). If the second predetermined number is exceeded (S217: NO), the content data with the oldest storage date is deleted as the last expired data (S218), and the process returns to S217. Then, in S213, the process of deleting the oldest data in order is repeated until the data in the due folder 143 falls below the second predetermined capacity. Then, when the number of data in the deadline folder reaches the second predetermined number (S217: YES), the process returns to the general processing.

  According to the data expiration date determination process of the above modification, the capacity and number of unused content data occupying the memory 14 are monitored, and when they exceed a predetermined value, they are moved to the expiration date folder 143 in order from the oldest one. In addition, the capacity and number of content data moved to the deadline folder 143 are monitored, and when the content data exceeds a predetermined value, the oldest one is deleted. Therefore, regardless of the elapsed time, when the memory 14 has a capacity, it is possible to store content data for a long time.

  Next, a data display process executed in the general process will be described with reference to FIG. When content data is selected in the general process, a data display process is started. First, it is determined whether or not the selected content data is content data in the paid folder 142 (S151). If the data is in the paid folder 142 (S151: YES), since the payment has already been made, the data is displayed on the display panel as it is (S158), and the process returns to the general processing.

  If it is not data in the paid folder (S151: NO), it is next determined whether or not billing target data (data that has already been displayed once and changed to billing target) has been selected (S152). If the data is not to be charged (S152: NO), it is determined whether or not the data is selected for one minute or more (S153). If one minute or more has not elapsed (S153: NO), the data is displayed on the display panel as it is (S158), and the process returns to the general processing.

  When one minute or more has elapsed since the data was selected (S153: YES), the content data is changed to the chargeable data, and the storage date and time of the content data stored in the user information storage area 144 is set to the first time. The display date is changed (S155). By processing in this way, it is not subject to billing for one minute, you can confirm somewhat what kind of content data it is, and if you select wrong content data, you can cancel the selection immediately You will not be charged. Further, by changing the storage date and time to the current date and time when the content data is displayed here, it is possible to determine whether the payment due date has arrived or the final due date has expired in the above-described data term determining process.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the selected content data is in the expiration folder 143 (S156). The content data that is in the expiration folder 143 (S156: YES) and is not subject to billing (S152: NO) has never been displayed, but is first downloaded from the storage date and time when it is downloaded or issued to the mobile terminal 1 The predetermined time has passed. By the processing in S155, the content data expiration date determination is performed starting from the initial display date and time. Therefore, the content data folder 141 that is the original position is moved from the deadline folder 143. Then, the data display is continued (S158), and the process returns to the general processing.

  If the selected content data is data to be charged (S152: YES), it is next determined whether or not the content data is in the expiration folder 143 (S160). If it is not in the due date folder 143 (S160: NO), it is an object to be charged but the payment due date has not yet arrived, so the data is displayed on the display panel as it is (S158), and the processing returns to the general processing.

  If it is in the expiration date folder 143 (S160), the data is displayed in a state indicating the expiration date (S161), and the process returns to the general processing. The status indicating that the due date has arrived can be displayed in various ways, such as displaying a message that the due date for payment has been reached, sounding a warning sound, or reducing the display drive power to make it more difficult to see than usual. Can be adopted.

  Next, general processing (providing device general processing) of the providing device 2 to which the mobile terminal 1 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when the power supply is turned on and the providing device general process is started, it is first determined whether or not the portable terminal 1 is connected (S21). And if it is not connected (S21: NO), it will wait as it is.

  When the mobile terminal 1 is connected (S21: YES), user information transmitted from the mobile terminal 1 is received (S22). As described above, the user information includes information for specifying billing target data. Therefore, it is determined whether or not charging target data is included in the received user information (S23).

  If there is no data to be charged (S23: NO), the payment procedure and the usage key issuance procedure are unnecessary, and the process directly proceeds to S30. If there is data to be charged, timer count is started by the timer 10 (S24). Then, a payment request message is displayed on the display panel 26 (S25). Next, it is determined whether or not the payment is completed (S26). Here, it is assumed that the providing device 2 itself accepts payment, but payment may be completed separately in the store and the proof may be input.

  If payment has not been completed (S26: NO), it is determined whether or not 10 minutes have passed with reference to the timer count started in S24 (S27), and if 10 minutes have not passed (S27: NO), Returning to S26, the payment completion determination is repeated. Even if 10 minutes have elapsed (S27: YES), if payment has not been made, communication with the portable terminal 1 is disconnected as it is (S33), and the process returns to S21 to wait for connection from another portable terminal 1. As described above, when payment is not performed even though there is data to be charged, content data scheduled to be distributed next cannot be downloaded. In this way, when it is desired to download new content data next time, an incentive for used payments will work and the payment rate will increase.

  When the payment is completed (S26: YES), a signal requesting issuance of a use key for the content data for which payment has been completed is transmitted to the server (S28). Then, it receives the usage key transmitted from the server and transmits it to the portable terminal 1 as it is (S29). As described above, when the payment and the use key are transmitted, and when there is no data to be charged (S23: NO), a payment completion signal is transmitted to the portable terminal 1 (S30). Then, a content request signal is transmitted to the server (S31). The requested content may be uniform regardless of the mobile terminal 1, or may be selected according to the received user information. There may be changes depending on the time.

  When the content data is transmitted from the content server 3, it is received and transmitted to the portable terminal 1 (S32). Since the online processing with the portable terminal 1 is completed, the communication is disconnected (S33), and the process returns to S21 to wait for the next portable terminal 1 to connect. The providing device 2 repeatedly executes the above processing.

  Next, general processing (content server general processing) performed by the content server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. When the general process is started, the content server 3 first determines whether or not a use key request signal has been received from the providing device 2 (S41). If the use key request signal has not been received (S41: NO), the process proceeds to S43 to determine whether or not the content request signal has been received.

  When the use key request signal is received (S41: YES), a use key for the requested content data is issued and transmitted to the requesting provider device 2 (S42). Next, it is determined whether or not a content request signal has been received (S43). If the content request signal has not been received (S43: NO), the process returns to S41 to determine whether to receive the use key request signal.

  When the content request signal is received (S43: YES), the requested content data is taken out from the hard disk 34 and transmitted to the providing apparatus 2 (S44). Then, in order to wait for reception of a new use key request signal and content request signal, the process returns to S41. The content server 3 repeatedly executes the above general processing.

  As described above, according to the content providing system 100 of the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal 1 is connected to the providing device 2, a charge is generated in the previously downloaded content data, and the payment deadline has come. If there is something, you are prompted to make a payment. If payment is made, a usage key for the content is issued from the content server 3 and transmitted from the providing device 2 to the portable terminal 1. After payment has been executed for all the content that has expired and the usage key has been transmitted, the providing device 2 requests new content data from the content server 3, and the content is distributed accordingly and sent to the mobile terminal 1. It is done. The content data downloaded to the mobile terminal 1 is not obliged to pay a usage fee at the time of downloading, but is charged when displayed and viewed, and calculation of the payment deadline is started. Therefore, the user of the mobile terminal 1 downloads a large amount of content to be browsed without scrutinizing it, decides whether to browse slowly later, and pays the fee after displaying only those of interest. be able to. Content distributors do not get usage fees at the time of distribution, but do not distribute the next content unless they pay after the usage, so new content will continue to be distributed and viewed. There is an advantage that it is easy to receive payment from users who want to. Further, the portable terminal 1 performs deadline management offline, and if a predetermined period has passed without being used, it is determined that the user has not been interested and is deleted. In addition, with respect to content that has not yet been paid even though the payment due date has arrived, when the content is displayed, notification is made with a message or display state to prompt payment. Furthermore, content that has not been paid is deleted so that it cannot be used later. Therefore, the user of the mobile terminal 1 automatically deletes the content data that is not used after a predetermined period of time, so that the user does not have to worry about the remaining memory capacity for storing the content data. A large amount of content data can be downloaded and used. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of performing manual deletion. Moreover, since the user of the portable terminal 1 does not continue to use the content data without paying, the willingness to distribute the content data from the providing device 2 is not impaired.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 11 that executes the change processing to the accounting object data in S155 of FIG. 6 corresponds to the use presence / absence registration unit of the present invention. Further, the CPU 11 that determines whether or not the second predetermined period has elapsed in S114 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the deletion determination means of the present invention. Further, the CPU 11 that deletes the last expired data in S115 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the deleting means of the present invention. Further, the CPU 11 that changes the storage date and time of the billing data in S155 of FIG. 6 corresponds to the payment deadline setting means of the present invention. Further, the CPU 11 that determines the elapse of the second predetermined period in S114 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the payment due date arrival determining means of the present invention. Further, the CPU 11 that determines the input of the use key in S3 and S12 of FIG. 3 corresponds to the payment determination means of the present invention. CPU11 which judges progress of the 1st predetermined period by S112 of FIG. 4 is equivalent to the warning deadline arrival judgment means of this invention.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a content providing system 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a memory 14. FIG. It is a flowchart of the general process (mobile terminal general process) of the portable terminal. It is a flowchart of the data time limit judgment process performed in a portable terminal general process. It is a flowchart of the modification of a data time limit judgment process. It is a flowchart of the data display process performed in a portable terminal general process. It is a flowchart of the general process (providing apparatus general process) of the providing apparatus. It is a flowchart of the general process (content server general process) of the content server 3.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mobile terminal 11 CPU
14 Memory 15 Transmission / Reception Unit 16 Display Panel 17 Display Control Unit 18 Input Unit 2 Providing Device 21 CPU
24 hard disk 25 transmission / reception unit 26 display panel 27 display control unit 3 content server 31 CPU
34 hard disk 35 transmission / reception unit 100 content providing system 141 content data folder 142 paid folder 143 due date folder 144 user information storage area

Claims (9)

A mobile terminal that receives content from a providing device,
Display means for displaying content;
Terminal-side request means for requesting content from the providing device;
Receiving means for receiving content from the providing device;
Storage means for storing a plurality of contents received by the receiving means;
Selecting means for selecting content to be displayed on the display means from the contents stored in the storage means;
Deletion determining means for determining content to be deleted from among contents stored in the storage means, for which usage fee payment has not been completed;
A portable terminal comprising: deletion means for deleting, from the storage means, deleted content that should be deleted by the deletion determining means. A payment deadline setting means for setting a payment deadline for a usage fee for the content when the content stored in the storage means is used;
Payment due date determination means for determining whether or not the payment due date set by the payment due date setting means has arrived;
The deletion determination unit determines, as the deleted content, content determined to have reached a payment due date by the payment due date determination unit from content that has not been paid for the usage fee. The portable terminal as described in. Warning deadline setting means for setting a warning deadline for payment for the content when the content stored in the storage means is used;
Warning deadline arrival judging means for judging whether or not the warning deadline set by the warning deadline setting means has arrived;
Payment determination means for determining whether payment for the used content has been made; and
A notification means for notifying that the payment due date is approaching when content that has been determined that the warning due date has been reached by the warning due date determination means and the usage fee payment has not been completed is selected by the selection means; The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is provided. Obtaining means for obtaining an identifier certifying execution of payment for the content from the providing device;
The said deletion determination means determines the content which should be deleted from the content in which the identifier corresponding to the said used content is not acquired by the said acquisition means, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Mobile device.   The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deletion determining unit determines content that has passed for a predetermined period as deleted content.   When the storage capacity of the content occupying the storage means exceeds a predetermined capacity, the deletion determination means determines to delete the content with the oldest date and time stored in the storage means until it falls within the predetermined capacity. The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   When the number of contents occupying the storage means exceeds a predetermined number, the deletion determination means determines to delete contents whose date and time stored in the storage means are old until the predetermined number is reached. The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A portable terminal program for causing a computer to function as various processing means of the portable terminal according to claim 1. A content providing system comprising a server storing content, a providing device connected to the server via a network, and providing the content received from the server, and a portable terminal that receives and displays the content provided from the providing device There,
The providing device includes:
Device-side request means for requesting content from the server in response to a request from the portable terminal;
Content transmitting means for transmitting content received from the server to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
Display means for displaying content;
Terminal-side request means for requesting content from the providing device;
Receiving means for receiving content from the providing device;
Storage means for storing a plurality of contents received by the receiving means;
Selecting means for selecting content to be displayed on the display means from the contents stored in the storage means;
Deletion determining means for determining content to be deleted from among contents stored in the storage means, for which usage fee payment has not been completed;
A content providing system comprising: deletion means for deleting the deleted content that should be deleted by the deletion determination means from the storage means.

Images