Token type content providing system and token type content providing method and portable user terminal

• US 20020169892A1
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
• Inventors: Shiohara, Hisako, Doi, Syunsuke, Taura, Takahisa, Tanaka, Kiyoshi, Akutsu, Akihito, Shigeyoshi, Hiroki, Tonomura, Yoshinobu, Miyaoku, Kento
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives

Abstract

A token type content providing system is provided, in which the system includes a portable user terminal and a linkup server, the portable user terminal includes: a part for obtaining a token from an information notification medium; a part for sending the token to a linkup server; and a part for receiving content information; the linkup server includes: a part for determining one or more content identifier corresponding to the token by using a token table database; a part for obtaining one or more items of content information corresponding to the one or more content identifier; a part for selecting one or more items of content information by referring to the attribute information, and sending a part or the whole of selected content information to the portable user terminal.

Claims

1. A token type content providing system comprising a portable user terminal and a linkup server, said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for connecting to a network by radio;

a part for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

a part for sending said token to a linkup server via a network; and

a part for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token via a network;

said linkup server comprising;

a part for receiving said token via a network;

a part for determining one or more content identifier corresponding to said token by using a token table database which manages a token table which has information on correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier;

a part for obtaining one or more items of content information corresponding to said one or more content identifier by using a content information database which manages content information including attribute information of content for each content identifier;

a part for selecting one or more items of content information by referring to said attribute information, and sending a part or the whole of selected content information to said portable user terminal.

3. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said portable user terminal further comprising a content obtaining part for obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location.

4. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said linkup server further comprising:

a content obtaining part for obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location; and

a sending part for sending said content to said portable user terminal.

5. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said content information includes coupon information.

6. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 5, said token type content providing system further comprising a service terminal and a coupon authentication server,

said portable user terminal further comprising a part for sending said coupon information to said service terminal;

said service terminal comprising;

a part for receiving said coupon information from said portable user terminal;

a part for sending said coupon information to a coupon authentication server, and receiving result of authentication of said coupon information from said coupon authentication server; and

a part for determining whether a coupon service can be provided;

said coupon authentication server comprising;

a part for authenticating said coupon information; and

a part for sending result of authentication to said service terminal.

7. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, said portable user terminal further comprising a automatic marking part for obtaining said token automatically at a timing based on a condition set beforehand.

8. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said content information includes graphics information indicating content corresponding said content information and icon information on pictures;

said portable user terminal further comprising;

a memory part for storing said content information; and

a user interface part for displaying icon information included in said content information;

wherein said portable user terminal displays said icon information for notifying said user of existence of said content information in said memory part when said content information is stored in said memory part.

9. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, said portable user terminal further comprising a part for allowing said user to select said icon information;

wherein said portable user terminal accesses a network address indicated by a resource location included in said content information, obtains content of said network address and displays said content when said user selects said icon information.

10. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, said portable user terminal further comprising:

a part for sending content information stored in a memory part to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

a part for receiving content information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

11. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for obtaining a user identifier on starting;

a part for sending said user identifier to a user management server which manages users;

a part for obtaining user content information and user information corresponding to said user identifier from said user management server, and storing said user content information and said user information in a memory part;

a part for displaying icon information included in content information in said user content information for notifying said user of existence of content information in said memory part.

12. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said token includes one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal at the time when said portable user terminal obtains said token;

said portable user terminal comprising a part for obtaining one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal;

said token table database comprising a part for managing correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier.

13. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said token is barcode information or character string information;

said information notification medium presents barcode information or character string information;

said portable user terminal comprising a laser scanner part for reading said barcode information or said character string information;

said token table database manages information indicating correspondence relationship between said barcode information or said character string information and said content identifier.

14. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said token is radio wave signal information transmitted by radio;

said information notification medium transmits said radio wave signal information;

said portable user terminal comprising a radio wave signal receiving part for obtaining radio wave signal information;

said token table database manages information indicating correspondence relationship between said radio wave signal information and said content identifier.

15. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said token is a telephone number;

said information notification medium presents said telephone number;

said portable user terminal comprising a part for inputting said telephone number or a camera device, and a character recognition part for recognizing and reading a telephone number character string from an input image;

said token table database manages information indicating correspondence relationship between said telephone number and said content identifier.

16. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 6, said service terminal comprising a part for sending a coupon information use notification to said coupon authentication server when said service terminal provides said coupon service.

17. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 5, said portable user terminal further comprising:

a part for sending received coupon information to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

a part for receiving coupon information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

18. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said content information includes presentation control information;

said portable user terminal comprising a content presentation part for presenting said content by using a method specified by said presentation control information.

19. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said presentation control information includes information on order of presenting contents;

said content presentation part in said portable user terminal presents one or more contents in order determined by using information on presentation order included in said presentation control information.

20. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said presentation control information includes a keyword or a genre identifier indicating corresponding content;

said portable user terminal comprising a part for determining presentation order of contents and whether said content should be presented by using said keyword or said genre identifier indicating corresponding content.

21. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 18, said token obtaining part in said portable user terminal comprising a part for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token;

said linkup server comprising a conversion part for converting said content on the basis of said presentation control information and said terminal environment information.

22. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

23. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 21, said conversion part comprising a geometrical conversion part for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

24. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 1, said token obtaining part in said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

a conversion part for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

25. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 18, said token obtaining part in said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

a conversion part for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

26. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

27. The token type content providing system as claimed in claim 24, said conversion part comprising a geometrical conversion part for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

30. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said portable user terminal obtains content from a content server by using said resource location.

31. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said linkup server performing the steps of:

obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location; and

sending said content to said portable user terminal.

32. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said content information includes coupon information.

33. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 32, said token type content providing system further comprising a service terminal and a coupon authentication server,

said portable user terminal performing the step of sending said coupon information to said service terminal;

said service terminal performing the steps of;

receiving said coupon information from said portable user terminal;

sending said coupon information to a coupon authentication server;

said coupon authentication performing the steps of;

receiving and authenticating said coupon information; and

sending result of authentication to said service terminal;

said service terminal performing the steps of;

receiving result of authentication of said coupon information from said coupon authentication server; and

determining whether a coupon service can be provided on the basis of the result.

34. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, said portable user terminal comprising a automatic marking part for obtaining said token automatically at a timing based on a condition set beforehand;

said portable user terminal automatically obtaining said token by instruction of said automatic marking part.

35. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said content information includes graphics information indicating content corresponding said content information and icon information on pictures;

said portable user terminal performing the steps of;

storing said content information in a memory part; and

displaying said icon information for notifying said user of existence of said content information in said memory part when said content information is stored in said memory part.

36. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 35, said portable user terminal comprising a part for allowing said user to select said icon information;

said portable user terminal accessing a network address indicated by a resource location included in said content information, obtaining content of said network address and displaying said content when said user selects said icon information.

37. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

sending content information stored in a memory part to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

receiving content information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

38. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

obtaining a user identifier on starting;

sending said user identifier to a user management server which manages users;

obtaining user content information and user information corresponding to said user identifier from said user management server, and storing said user content information and said user information in a memory part;

displaying icon information included in content information in said user content information for notifying said user of existence of content information in said memory part.

39. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said token includes one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal at the time when said portable user terminal obtains said token;

said portable user terminal obtaining one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal;

said token table database managing relationship between said token and said content identifier.

40. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said token is barcode information or character string information;

said information notification medium presenting barcode information or character string information;

said portable user terminal reading said barcode information or said character string information;

said token table database managing information indicating correspondence relationship between said barcode information or said character string information and said content identifier.

41. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said token is radio wave signal information transmitted by radio;

said information notification medium transmitting said radio wave signal information;

said portable user terminal obtaining radio wave signal information;

said token table database managing information indicating correspondence relationship between said radio wave signal information and said content identifier.

42. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said token is a telephone number;

said information notification medium presenting said telephone number;

said portable user terminal inputting said telephone number or recognizing and reading a telephone number character string from an input image;

said token table database manageing information indicating correspondence relationship between said telephone number and said content identifier.

43. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 33, said service terminal sending a coupon information use notification to said coupon authentication server when said service terminal provides said coupon service.

44. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 32, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

sending received coupon information to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

receiving coupon information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

45. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said content information includes presentation control, information;

said portable user terminal presenting said content by using a method specified by said presentation control information.

46. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said presentation control information includes information on order of presenting contents;

said portable user terminal presenting one or more contents in order determined by using information on presentation order included in said presentation control information.

47. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said presentation control information includes a keyword or a genre identifier indicating corresponding content;

said portable user terminal determining presentation order of contents and whether said content should be presented by using said keyword or said genre identifier indicating corresponding content.

48. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 45, said portable user terminal obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token;

said linkup server converting said content on the basis of said presentation control information and said terminal environment information.

49. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 48, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

50. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 48, said linkup server performing a geometrical conversion for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

51. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 28, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

52. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 45, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

53. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 51, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

54. The token type content providing method as claimed in claim 51, said portable user terminal performing geometrical conversion for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

2. A token type content providing system comprising a portable user terminal and a linkup server, said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for connecting to a network by radio;

a user information management part for managing user information on users;

a terminal information management part for managing terminal information on portable user terminals;

a part for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

a part for sending said token, said user information and said terminal information to a linkup server via a network; and

a part for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network;

said linkup server comprising;

a part for receiving said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network;

a part for determining one or more content identifier corresponding to said token by using a token table database which manages a token table which has information on correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier;

a part for obtaining one or more items of content information corresponding to said one or more content identifier by using a content information database which manages content information including attribute information of content for each content identifier; and

a part for selecting one or more items of content information by referring to said user information, said terminal information and said attribute information included in said content information, and sending a part or the whole of selected content information to said portable user terminal.

28. A token type content providing method used for proving content on a network in a token type content providing system comprising a portable user terminal and a linkup server, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

connecting to a network by radio;

obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

sending said token to a linkup server via a network; and

said linkup server performing the steps of;

receiving said token via a network;

determining one or more content identifier corresponding to said token by using a token table database which manages a token table which has information on correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier;

obtaining one or more items of content information corresponding to said one or more content identifier by using a content information database which manages content information including attribute information of content for each content identifier; and

selecting one or more items of content information by referring to said attribute information, and sending a part or the whole of selected content information to said portable user terminal;

said portable user terminal receiving said content information.

29. A token type content providing method used for proving content on a network in a token type content providing system comprising a portable user terminal and a linkup server, said portable user terminal performing the steps of:

connecting to a network by radio;

managing user information on users by using a user information management part;

managing terminal information on portable user terminals by using a terminal information management part;

obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

sending said token, said user information and said terminal information to a linkup server via a network; and

said linkup server performing the steps of;

receiving said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network;

determining one or more content identifier corresponding to said token by using a token table database which manages a token table which has information on correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier;

obtaining one or more items of content information corresponding to said one or more content identifier by using a content information database which manages content information including attribute information of content for each content identifier; and

selecting one or more items of content information by referring to said user information, said terminal information and said attribute information included in said content information, and sending a part or the whole of selected content information to said portable user terminal;

said portable user terminal receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network.

55. A portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising said portable user terminal and a linkup server, said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for connecting to a network by radio;

a part for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

a part for sending said token to a linkup server via a network; and

a part for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token via a network.

57. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, comprising:

a display part including a display of a thin card shape for displaying said content;

a voice originating part for outputting voice; and

a network communication part for performing communication over a network;

wherein said portable user terminal is formed as a thin shape.

58. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, comprising:

a display function part including said token obtaining part, said display part displaying content, said voice originating part for outputting voice and a first wireless communication part for performing wireless s communication; and

a network gateway part including said network communication part and a second wireless communication part for performing wireless communication;

wherein communication is performed between said first wireless communication part and said second wireless communication part.

59. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 57, wherein said display part includes a permeable display and a part for overlaying said content on originating information printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium.

60. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said portable user terminal further comprising a content obtaining part for obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location.

61. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, wherein said content information includes coupon information.

62. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, said portable user terminal further comprising a automatic marking part for obtaining said token automatically at a timing based on a condition set beforehand.

63. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, wherein said content information includes graphics information indicating content corresponding said content information and icon information on pictures;

said portable user terminal further comprising;

a memory part for storing said content information; and

a user interface part for displaying icon information included in said content information;

wherein said portable user terminal displays said icon information for notifying said user of existence of said content information in said memory part when said content information is stored in said memory part.

64. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 63, said portable user terminal further comprising a part for allowing said user to select said icon information;

wherein said portable user terminal accesses a network address indicated by a resource location included in said content information, obtains content of said network address and displays said content when said user selects said icon information.

65. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, said portable user terminal further comprising:

a part for sending content information stored in a memory part to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

a part for receiving content information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

66. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for obtaining a user identifier on starting;

a part for sending said user identifier to a user management server which manages users;

a part for obtaining user content information and user information corresponding to said user identifier from said user management server, and storing said user content information and said user information in a memory part;

a part for displaying icon information included in content information in said user content information for notifying said user of existence of content information in said memory part.

67. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, wherein said token includes one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal at the time when said portable user terminal obtains said token;

said portable user terminal comprising a part for obtaining one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal;

said token table database comprising a part for managing correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier.

68. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 61, said portable user terminal further comprising:

a part for sending received coupon information to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

a part for receiving coupon information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

69. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, wherein said content information includes presentation control, information;

said portable user terminal comprising a content presentation part for presenting said content by using a method specified by said presentation control information.

70. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 69, wherein said presentation control information includes information on order of presenting contents;

said content presentation part in said portable user terminal presents one or more contents in order determined by using information on presentation order included in said presentation control information.

71. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 69, wherein said presentation control information includes a keyword or a genre identifier indicating corresponding content;

said portable user terminal comprising a part for determining presentation order of contents and whether said content should be presented by using said keyword or said genre identifier indicating corresponding content.

72. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 69, said token obtaining part in said portable user terminal comprising a part for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token;

said linkup server comprising a conversion part for converting said content on the basis of said presentation control information and said terminal environment information.

73. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 72, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

74. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 55, said token obtaining part in said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

a conversion part for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

75. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 69, said token obtaining part in said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

a conversion part for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

76. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 74, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

77. The portable user terminal as claimed in claim 74, said conversion part comprising a geometrical conversion part for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

80. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said method further comprising the step of obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location.

81. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, wherein said content information includes coupon information.

82. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, said content information obtaining method further comprising the step of obtaining said token automatically at a timing based on a condition set beforehand.

83. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, wherein said content information includes graphics information indicating content corresponding said content information and icon information on pictures;

said content information obtaining method further comprising the steps of;

storing said content information; and

displaying icon information included in said content information for notifying said user of existence of said content information in said memory part when said content information is stored in said memory part.

84. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 83, wherein said portable user terminal accesses a network address indicated by a resource location included in said content information, obtains content of said network address and displays said content when said user selects said icon information.

85. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, said content information obtaining method further comprising the steps of:

sending content information stored in a memory part to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

receiving content information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

86. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, said content information obtaining method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a user identifier on starting;

sending said user identifier to a user management server which manages users;

obtaining user content information and user information corresponding to said user identifier from said user management server, and storing said user content information and said user information in a memory part;

displaying icon information included in content information in said user content information for notifying said user of existence of content information in said memory part.

87. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, wherein said token includes one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal at the time when said portable user terminal obtains said token;

said portable user terminal obtaining one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal;

said token table database managing correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier.

88. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 81, said content information obtaining method further comprising the steps of:

sending received coupon information to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

receiving coupon information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

89. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, wherein said content information includes presentation control, information;

said portable user terminal presenting said content by using a method specified by said presentation control information.

90. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said presentation control information includes information on order of presenting contents;

said portable user terminal presenting one or more contents in order determined by using information on presentation order included in said presentation control information.

91. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 89, wherein said presentation control information includes a keyword or a genre identifier indicating corresponding content;

said portable user terminal determining presentation order of contents and whether said content should be presented by using said keyword or said genre identifier indicating corresponding content.

92. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 89, said portable user terminal obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token;

said linkup server converting said content on the basis of said presentation control information and said terminal environment information.

93. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 92, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

94. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 78, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

95. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 89, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

96. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 94, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

97. The content information obtaining method as claimed in claim 94, said step of converting comprising a geometrical conversion step of adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

56. A portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising a portable user terminal and a linkup server, said portable user terminal comprising:

a part for connecting to a network by radio;

a user information management part for managing user information on users;

a terminal information management part for managing terminal information on portable user terminals;

a part for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

a part for sending said token, said user information and said terminal information to a linkup server via a network; and

a part for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network.

78. A content information obtaining method used by a portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising said portable user terminal and a linkup server, said content information obtaining method comprising the steps of:

connecting to a network by radio;

obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

sending said token to a linkup server via a network; and

receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token via a network.

79. A content information obtaining method used by a token type content providing system comprising a portable user terminal and a linkup server, said content information obtaining method comprising the steps of:

connecting to a network by radio;

managing user information on users;

managing terminal information on portable user terminals;

obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

sending said token, said user information and said terminal information to a linkup server via a network; and

receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network.

98. A computer program for causing a portable user terminal to obtain content information used by a portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising said portable user terminal and a linkup server, said computer program comprising:

program code means for connecting to a network by radio;

program code means for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

program code means for sending said token to a linkup server via a network; and

program code means for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token via a network.

100. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said computer program further comprising program code means for obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location.

101. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, wherein said content information includes coupon information.

102. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, said computer program further comprising program code means for obtaining said token automatically at a timing based on a condition set beforehand.

103. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, wherein said content information includes graphics information indicating content corresponding said content information and icon information on pictures;

said computer program further comprising;

program code means for storing said content information; and

program code means for displaying icon information included in said content information for notifying said user of existence of said content information in said memory part when said content information is stored in said memory part.

104. The computer program as claimed in claim 103, said computer program comprising:

program code means for accessing a network address indicated by a resource location included in said content information, obtaining content of said network address and displaying said content when said user selects said icon information.

105. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, said computer program further comprising:

program code means for sending content information stored in a memory part to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

program code means for receiving content information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

106. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, said computer program comprising:

program code means for obtaining a user identifier on starting;

program code means for sending said user identifier to a user management server which manages users program code means for obtaining user content information and user information corresponding to said user identifier from said user management server, and storing said user content information and said user information in a memory part;

program code means for displaying icon information included in content information in said user content information for notifying said user of existence of content information in said memory part.

107. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, wherein said token includes one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal at the time when said portable user terminal obtains said token;

said computer program comprising;

program code means for obtaining one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal;

said token table database managing correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier.

108. The computer program as claimed in claim 101, said computer program further comprising:

program code means for sending received coupon information to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

program code means for receiving coupon information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

109. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, wherein said content information includes presentation control information;

said computer program comprising;

program code means for presenting said content by using a method specified by said presentation control information.

110. The computer program as claimed in claim 109, wherein said presentation control information includes information on order of presenting contents;

said computer program comprising;

program code means for presenting one or more contents in order determined by using information on presentation order included in said presentation control information.

111. The computer program as claimed in claim 109, wherein said presentation control information includes a keyword or a genre identifier indicating corresponding content;

said computer program comprising;

program code means for determining presentation order of contents and whether said content should be presented by using said keyword or said genre identifier indicating corresponding content.

112. The computer program as claimed in claim 109, said computer program comprising:

program code means for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token;

said linkup server converting said content on the basis of said presentation control information and said terminal environment information.

113. The computer program as claimed in claim 112, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

114. The computer program as claimed in claim 98, said computer program comprising:

program code means for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

program code means for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

115. The computer program as claimed in claim 109, said computer program comprising:

program code means for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

program code means for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

116. The computer program as claimed in claim 114, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

117. The computer program as claimed in claim 114, program code means for converting comprising geometrical conversion program code means for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

120. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, wherein said content information includes a resource location, and said computer readable medium further comprising program code means for obtaining content from a content server by using said resource location.

121. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, wherein said content information includes coupon information.

122. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, said computer readable medium further comprising program code means for obtaining said token automatically at a timing based on a condition set beforehand.

123. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, wherein said content information includes graphics information indicating content corresponding said content information and icon information on pictures;

said computer readable medium further comprising;

program code means for storing said content information; and

program code means for displaying icon information included in said content information for notifying said user of existence of said content information in said memory part when said content information is stored in said memory part.

124. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 123, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for accessing a network address indicated by a resource location included in said content information, obtaining content of said network address and displaying said content when said user selects said icon information.

125. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, said computer readable medium further comprising:

program code means for sending content information stored in a memory part to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

program code means for receiving content information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

126. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for obtaining a user identifier on starting;

program code means for sending said user identifier to a user management server which manages users;

program code means for obtaining user content information and user information corresponding to said user identifier from said user management server, and storing said user content information and said user information in a memory part;

program code means for displaying icon information included in content information in said user content information for notifying said user of existence of content information in said memory part.

127. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, wherein said token includes one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal at the time when said portable user terminal obtains said token;

said computer readable medium comprising;

program code means for obtaining one or more items of time information, position information of said portable user terminal, orientation information of said portable user terminal, and moving direction information of said portable user terminal;

said token table database managing correspondence relationship between said token and said content identifier.

128. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 121, said computer readable medium further comprising:

program code means for sending received coupon information to another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system; and

program code means for receiving coupon information sent from another portable user terminal connected to said token type content providing system.

129. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, wherein said content information includes presentation control, information;

said computer readable medium comprising;

program code means for presenting said content by using a method specified by said presentation control information.

130. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 129, wherein said presentation control information includes information on order of presenting contents;

said computer readable medium comprising;

program code means for presenting one or more contents in order determined by using information on presentation order included in said presentation control information.

131. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 129, wherein said presentation control information includes a keyword or a genre identifier indicating corresponding content;

said computer readable medium comprising;

program code means for determining presentation order of contents and whether said content should be presented by using said keyword or said genre identifier indicating corresponding content.

132. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 129, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token;

said linkup server converting said content on the basis of said presentation control information and said terminal environment information.

133. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 132, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

134. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 118, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

program code means for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

135. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 129, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for obtaining terminal environment information in addition to said token; and

program code means for converting said content by using said terminal environment information.

136. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 134, wherein said terminal environment information includes relationship between position of information related to content which is printed, described or displayed on said information notification medium and position of a display part of said portable user terminal.

137. The computer readable medium as claimed in claim 134, program code means for converting comprising geometrical conversion program code means for adjusting position relationship between the image of information related to content printed, described or displayed on the information notification medium and the image of content displayed on said display part of said portable user terminal used by being overlaid on the information of the image.

99. A computer program for causing a portable user terminal to obtain content information used by a portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising said portable user terminal and a linkup server, said computer program comprising:

program code means for connecting to a network by radio;

program code means for managing user information on users;

program code means for managing terminal information on portable user terminals;

program code means for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

program code means for sending said token, said user information and said terminal information to a linkup server via a network; and

program code means for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network.

118. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a portable user terminal to obtain content information used by a portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising said portable user terminal and a linkup server, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for connecting to a network by radio;

program code means for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

program code means for sending said token to a linkup server via a network; and

program code means for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token via a network.

119. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a portable user terminal to obtain content information used by a portable user terminal in a token type content providing system comprising said portable user terminal and a linkup server, said computer readable medium comprising:

program code means for connecting to a network by radio;

program code means for managing user information on users;

program code means for managing terminal information on portable user terminals;

program code means for obtaining a token, from an information notification medium, which is information which may be used for specifying content;

program code means for sending said token, said user information and said terminal information to a linkup server via a network; and

program code means for receiving content information which is obtained by said linkup server by using said token, said user information and said terminal information via a network.