Content display system and method

• US 20030043112A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. (KDDI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. (KDDI Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Hajime, Yamazaki, Shoichi, Morikawa, Daisuke, Warabino, Takayuki, Ota, Shinji, Ohashi, Masayoshi, Iwashita, Hideaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,429,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"

Abstract

A content display system is disclosed for offering, excellent multimedia content browsing/viewing environments to handheld device users, from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device. According to an aspect of the present invention, the content display system and method are adapted so that:

(1) a handheld device user selects a target content, which the user wants to display on a cooperating computer device, from contents displayed on the handheld device via a user interface of the handheld device;

(2) identification information about the target content is transferred from the handheld device to the cooperating computer device;

(3) the cooperating computer device acquires the target content based on the identification information from the server; and

(4) the acquisition of the contents by the handheld device, the transfer of the identification information from the handheld device to the cooperating computer device and the acquisition of the target content by the cooperating computer device from the handheld device are performed via different communications networks.

Claims

1. A content display system for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device:

said handheld device comprising;

I/O unit for receiving commands from and displaying contents to a user of the handheld device;

a first content processor for acquiring a content file for the handheld device from the server on the communication network and processing the content file to display to the user of the handheld device;

a first communication processing unit for accessing to the server;

a first user interface for making selection the user of the handheld device one of the presented contents which is desired to be processed by the cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device;

a content identification information acquisition unit for acquiring, from the content file, identification information specified via the first user interface unit; and

a second communication processing unit for exchanging commands and information with the cooperating computer device;

processing results from the first content processor being displayed via said I/O unit to the use of said handheld device;

said cooperating computer device, comprising;

a fourth communication processing unit for accessing to the server;

a third communication processing unit for exchanging commands and information with the handheld device;

a second content processor for acquiring the content file for the cooperating computer device from the server on the communications network and processing the content file to display to the handheld device user;

a first content processor controller for controlling, the content processing of the second content processor according to the contents of the content identification information transferred from the handheld device; and

an output unit for displaying the processing results to the user of the handheld device;

said first content processor acquiring the contents specified by the handheld device user via the first communication processing unit of said handheld device and displaying the contents via said I/O unit to the handheld device user;

said first user interface urging the handheld device user to select that a part of the contents displayed on the handheld device, which the handheld device user wants to display on the cooperating computer device;

when received completion of the content selection from the handheld device user, the first user interface instructing the content identification information acquisition unit to get the content identification information so that the content identification information acquisition unit obtains the identification information for identifying the content file;

the first content identification information thus obtained being transferred to the first content processing controller via the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device;

the first content processing controller, having received the first content identification information, presenting the first content identification information to the second content processor so that the second content processor acquires the content file concerning the first content identification information from the server via the forth communication processing unit; and

the second content processor processing the content file thus acquired so that processed results of the content file is displayed via said output unit to the handheld device user.

5. A content display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the handheld device carried by the handheld device user further comprises a cooperating computer device information management unit for managing at least one of identification information of the cooperating computer device and at least one of first address information necessary for performing communication with the cooperating computer device, and a forth user interface for presenting, to the handheld device user, said at least one identification information of the cooperating computer device and to urge it to select the cooperating computer device cooperated with the handheld device, whereby the second communication processing unit possess a function for establishing a communication channel to the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device selected by the handheld device user via the forth user interface.

6. A content display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the cooperating computer device further comprises a computer device information management unit for managing identification information of the cooperating computer device and first address information necessary for communicating with the cooperating computer device;

whereby the forth user interface presents the identification information of the cooperating computer device and first address information, which are acquired by the computer device information management unit, to urge it to select the cooperating computer device cooperate with the handheld device and acquires the selection contents from the handheld device, and

whereby the second communication processor unit of the handheld device possess a function for establishing a communication channel to the third communication processor unit of the cooperating computer device selected by the handheld device user via on the forth user interface.

7. A content display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the computer device information management unit further possess a function for managing, from the second content processor, a list of the classification of the second content processor provided on the cooperating computer device mounting the computer device information management unit;

the forth user interface on the handheld device urges the handheld device user to specify the desirable class of the second content processor and acquires the selection from the handheld device user;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device transfers the class of the second content processor specified on the forth user interface to the computer device information management unit of the cooperating computer device; and

the computer device information management unit on the cooperating computer device judges whether or not the cooperating computer device is has the content processor with the class specified by the handheld device user, so that the cooperating computer device returns the identification information and the first address information of the handheld device managed by the first handheld device information management unit in a case where the cooperating computer device is cooperative to the current handheld device.

8. A content display system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the computer device information management unit of the cooperating computer device manages identification information of the cooperating computer device provider for identifying the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device manages identification information of the cooperating computer device provider for identifying the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device cooperative of the handheld device;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device transfers, identification information of the cooperating computer device provider stored therein, to the computer device information management unit of at least one of the cooperating computer device, when the handheld device requests the cooperating computer device to present the first address information of the cooperating computer device; and

the computer device information management unit testss whether or not the identification information of the cooperating computer device provider presented thereto matches with the identification information of the cooperating computer device provider stored therein, so that the handheld device information management unit returns the identification information of the cooperating computer device provider and the first address information each stored therein, when the identification information of the cooperating computer device presented thereto matches with the identification information of the cooperating computer device provider stored therein.

9. A content display system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the handheld device establishes a communication channel with the cooperating computer device connectable by the first address information acquired in first when the handheld device acquires the identification information of the cooperating computer device and the first address information from at least one of the cooperating computer device.

10. A content display system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the handheld device comprises a handheld device location management unit so that the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device manages range of searching cooperating computer devices;

the cooperating computer device comprises a computer device location management unit for managing the geographical or physical occasion of the cooperating computer device;

the cooperating computer device transfers, to the handheld device, location information of the cooperating computer device acquired from the computer device location management unit on the cooperating computer device when the cooperating computer device transfers the identification information thereof and the first address information thereof;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device acquires the current location information of the handheld device from the handheld device location management unit on the handheld device and, further, picks up at least one cooperating computer device cooperative of the handheld device together, which locates within the range of distance from the current location information of the handheld device by the use of the location information of the handheld device and the location information transferred from at least one of the cooperating computer device; and

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device generates information representative of the positional relationship between the handheld device and picked-up cooperating computer devices and presents the positional relationship information via the forth user interface.

11. A content display system according to claim 10, in which the handheld device comprises a handheld device location management unit for the management of current geographical location thereof and a direction sensor unit for automatically detecting and obtaining direction to which a particular portion of the handheld device is directed;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device manages the range of searching cooperating computer device;

the cooperating computer device comprises, further, a computer device location management unit for managing current geographical location information thereof;

the cooperating computer device transfers, to the handheld device, location information of the cooperating computer device acquired from the computer device location management unit on the cooperating computer device when the cooperating computer device transfers the identification information thereof and the first address information;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device acquires the current location information of the handheld device from the handheld device location management unit on the handheld device, obtains, from the direction sensor unit, direction to which a particular portion of the handheld device is directed and further, picks up at least one cooperating computer device cooperative together with the handheld device, which locates within the range of distance in the particular direction from the current location information of the handheld device by the use of the current location information of the handheld device, the direction information of the handheld device and the location information of the cooperating computer device transferred from at least one of the current location information of the handheld devices; and

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device generates information representative of the positional relationship between the handheld device and picked-up cooperating computer devices and presents the positional relationship information via the forth user interface.

12. A content display system according to claim 10 or 11, in which the handheld device establishes a communication channel with the cooperating computer device positioned at geographically nearest the handheld device when the handheld device acquires the identification information thereof and the first address information from at least one of the cooperating computer device.

13. A content display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cooperating computer device information management server provided with a second computer device information management unit for managing the identification information and the first address information of the cooperating computer devices in correspondence with the cooperating computer device attributes, each of which is composed of at least the location of the cooperating computer device and the list of the content processors classes supported by the cooperating computer devices;

in which the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device manages second address information for establishing connection to the cooperating computer device of the cooperating computer device information management server provided by the owner or operator of the cooperating computer devices;

in which the handheld device comprises a handheld device location management unit for managing geographical position thereof;

the forth user interface on the handheld device urges the handheld device user to specify the class of the second content processor desirable to use and acquires the selection from the handheld device user;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device acquires, from the handheld device location management unit, the current location information of the handheld device;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device transfers, the class of the second content processor specified on the forth user interface and the current location information of the handheld device, to the second computer device information management unit on the cooperating computer device information management server which can access to the second address information; and

the second computer device information management unit on the handheld device information server returns by the use of the class of the second content processor and the current location information of the handheld device, the identification information, the address information and the location information of at least one of the cooperating computer device which locates in the specified range of distance from the handheld device and has the second content processor with the specified class;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device generates information representative of the positional relationship between the handheld device and the cooperating computer devices informed by the cooperating computer device information server and presents the positional relationship information via the forth user interface on the handheld device; and

the second communication processing unit establishes a communication channel to the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device, which is selected by the handheld device user.

14. A content display system according to claim 13, comprising:

a cooperating computer device information management server provided with a second computer device information management unit for managing the identification information and the first address information of the cooperating computer devices in correspondence with the cooperating computer device attributes, each of which is composed of at least the location of the cooperating computer device and the list of the second content processors'"'"' classes supported by the cooperating computer devices;

in which the handheld device further comprises a handheld device location management unit for managing geographical position thereof and a direction sensor unit for automatically detecting and obtaining direction to which a particular portion of the handheld device is directed;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device transfers, the class of the second content processor specified on the forth user interface, the current location information of the handheld device and the direction information acquired from the sensor unit, to the second computer device information management unit on the cooperating computer device information management server; and

the second computer device information management unit on the cooperating computer device information management server returns by the use of the class of the second content processor, the current location information of the handheld device and the direction information acquired, the identification information, the address information and the location information of at least one of the cooperating computer device which locates in the specified range of distance along the specified direction from the handheld device;

the cooperating computer device information management unit on the handheld device generates information representative of the positional relationship between the handheld device and the cooperating computer devices informed by the cooperating computer device information server and presents the positional relationship information via the forth user interface on the handheld device; and

the second communication processing unit establishes a communication channel to the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device, which is selected by the handheld device user.

15. A content display system according to claim 13 or 14, in which the second computer device information management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server, which is being requested from the handheld device to transfer the identification information and the first address information of the cooperating computer device, returns the identification information and the first address information of only one cooperating computer device nearest geographically to the handheld device.

19. A content display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the cooperating computer device comprises, a program file server unit for holding and managing program files flowing through a combination of the first user interface and the content identification information acquisition unit, a combination of the second user interface, the control information generator and the content processor controller, or the third user interface, said program files being downloaded and used by the handheld in order to cooperate with the cooperating computer device;

the handheld device comprises, a program execution manager for acquiring and executing said program files provided by the cooperating computer device;

the owner or the operator of the cooperating computer device registers, said program files, to the server unit of the cooperating computer device;

the handheld device acquires said program files from the server unit of the cooperating computer device when the handheld device establishes a communication channel between the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device; and

the program execution manager executes the acquired program files;

whereby the program execution manager of the handheld device establishes a function for cooperating with the cooperating computer device in the handheld device.

20. A content display system according to claim 19, further comprising a settlement server for issuing electronic money with settler'"'"'s identification information circulative over the network to clear the fee of use of the cooperating computer device and for collecting and managing information concerning the use of the electronic money;

in which the handheld device comprises a first electronic money management unit for managing the acquisition of the electronic money from the settlement server and the information concerning the use of the electronic money;

the cooperating computer device comprises a second electronic money management unit for managing the acquisition of the electronic money from the handheld device and for generating, for an electronic money, receipt data of the electronic money carrying at least identification information of the account-settler from which the electronic money is issued, identification information of the handheld device user which is the user of the electronic money, a program file name acquired, receipt date information of the electronic money, value information of the electronic money received, and identification information of the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device;

the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device registers, in the second electronic money management unit of the cooperating computer device, the name of program file, which can be provided to the handheld device user by the cooperating computer device, and first value information, which is a fee payable by the handheld device user for use of the program file;

the electronic money issuer registers, in the settlement server, electronic moneys corresponding to the second value information, which can be used by the handheld device user;

the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device responds to an instruction of the handheld device user with presenting the identification information of the handheld device user via the first communication processing unit to the settlement server, requesting it to issue the electronic money having third value information;

the settlement server issues the electronic money corresponding to the third value information, stores, the total amount of he third value information of the electronic money obtained by the handheld device user so that the supply of the electronic money is controlled so as to excess the second value information of the electronic money;

the first electronic money management unit stores the electronic money received from the settlement server;

the program execution manager of the handheld device transfers the program file name to be used to the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device;

the first electronic money management unit transfers the program file name to the second electronic money management unit of the cooperating computer device;

the second electronic money management unit presents the first value information of the requested program file to the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device;

the first electronic money management unit transfers the electronic money equivalent to the presented first value information to the second electronic money management unit and stores, as new second value information, a value obtained by subtracting the first value information of the electronic money transferred thereto from the second value information of the electronic money held in the first electronic money management unit;

the second electronic money management unit verifies value information of the electronic money transferred from the handheld device and sets in the program file server of the cooperating computer device the availability of the use of the program files to the handheld device from which the electronic money was transferred;

the second electronic money management unit generates the receipt data of the electronic money transferred from the handheld device and transfers the receipt data of the electronic money to the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device which is the payer of the electronic money;

the first electronic money management unit receiving the first receipt data of the electronic money urges the program execution manager of the handheld device to obtain the program file;

the program execution manager acquires the program file from the program file server of the cooperating computer device;

the second electronic money management unit presents to the settlement server the received electronic money and the receipt data so that the settler settles an account with the owner and the operator of the cooperating computer device on the base of the value of the electronic money and the receipt data of the electronic money; and

the settler settles an account with the handheld device user in the amount corresponding to his used or spent electronic money on the base of the record of the amount of electronic money obtained by the handheld device user.

22. A content display system according to claim 19, comprising:

an operation state indicator for presenting, to the handheld device user, selection results and processed results of content browsing/viewing operations performed on the cooperating computer device, and managing definition of operating state, which defines transition state of operations presentable to the handheld device user, by input event transferred from the control information generator;

in which the handheld device user performs input processing via the I/O unit on the handheld device;

the input events acquired in the I/O unit are transferred to the cooperating computer device;

when the input events from the handheld device transferred thereto are to change the selection of operation, the operating state indicator refers to the current operating state presented by the operating state indicator, then analyzes the correspondence or relationship between the contents of the input event transferred thereto and current operating state thereon, and updates the operating state, presented by the operating state indicator, based on the relationship;

when the contents of the input event are to change the state of execution of operation, the operating state indicator decides the next operation should be performed on the cooperating computer device, and transfers the information about the decided operation to the control information generator on the handheld device; and

the control information generator of the handheld device generates a control information corresponding to the transferred information about the next operation and the control information sent to the cooperating computer device and the operation indicated in the control information is performed.

2. A content display system for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device:

said handheld device comprising;

I/O unit for receiving commands from and displaying contents to a user of the handheld device;

a first content processor for acquiring a content file for the handheld device from the server on the communications network and processing the content file to display to the user of the handheld device;

a first communication processing unit for accessing to the server;

a second user interface for instructing to control a second content processor of the cooperating computer device and for making selection one of the contents displayed on cooperating computer device, which is desired to be processed by the handheld device;

a control information generator for generating control information employed for controlling operations of the second content processor in accordance with contents of instructions presented from the second user interface;

a content processor controller for controlling the content processing of the first content processor according to the contents of the content identification information transferred from the cooperating computer device; and

a second communication processing unit for exchanging commands and information with the cooperating computer device;

processing results from the first content processor being displayed via said I/O unit to the use of said handheld device;

said cooperating computer device, comprising;

a fourth communication processing unit for accessing to the server;

a second content processor for acquiring the content file for the cooperating computer device from the server and processing the content file to display to the handheld device;

a third communication processing unit for exchanging commands and information with the handheld device;

a second content processor controller for controlling, the content processing of the second content processor according to the contents of the control information transferred from the handheld device;

a content identification information acquisition unit for acquiring, from content file, content identification information specified via the second user interface; and

an output unit for displaying the processing results to the user of the handheld device;

the control information generator generates, according to the input content identification information applied by the handheld device user via the second user interface, control information which instructs the display of the contents on the cooperating computer device, so that the control information is transferred via the second communication processing unit and the third communication processing unit to the second content processor controller of the cooperating computer device;

the second content processor of the cooperating computer device acquiring the content file from the server via the fourth communication processing unit based on the control information so that processed result thereof is displayed to the handheld device user via the output unit of the cooperating computer device;

upon receiving the command concerning the initiation of displaying the content file on the handheld device, the second user interface presenting to the handheld device user a control menu for selecting the content to be processed on the handheld device;

the control information generator generating the control information from contents of selection processing performed on the control menu so that the control information is transferred, via the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device, to the second content processor;

the second content processor controller transferring the contents of the control information to the second content processor so that the second content processor moves or shifts the focused portion of the contents displayed on the cooperating computer device, the result of focus movement being output in visual format via the output unit to the handheld device user;

the handheld device user instructing via the second user interface whether the handheld device user wants to acquire into the handheld device the whole or partial area of contents displayed on the cooperating computer device;

the second user interface presenting the instruction from the handheld device user to the control information generator so that the control information generator generates the control information for acquisition of the instructed content and transfers the control information to the second content processor controller on the cooperating computer device via the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device;

the second content processor controller transferring the control information to the content identification information acquisition unit of the cooperating computer device;

when having received the control information indicative of selection of the whole contents, the content identification acquisition unit acquires, as the second content identification information, content identification information for identifying the whole content file;

when having received the control information indicative of selection of a partial area of the contents, the content identification information acquisition unit acquires, as the second content identification information, content identification information for identifying a content file which forms the currently focused area;

the content identification information acquisition unit transferring the second content identification information thus obtained to apply to the content processor controller of the handheld device via the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device and the second communication processing unit of the handheld device; and

the first content processor of the handheld device acquiring via the first communication processing unit of the handheld device the content file specified by the content processor controller of the handheld device and displaying the acquired content to the handheld device user via the I/O unit;

3. A content display system for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device according to claim 2, further comprising:

the handheld device user proposing, to the second user interface, the acquisition of content identification for the whole or for the focused part of the contents displayed on the cooperating computer device;

the second user interface instructing to the control information generator to obtain the content identification information so that the control information generator generates control information based on the instructions from the second user interface and transfers the control information to the second content processor controller in the cooperating computer device via the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device;

when having received the control information indicative of selection of the whole contents from the second content processor controller, the content identification information acquisition unit obtains, as the second content identification information, content identification information for identifying the whole content file;

when having received the control information indicative of selection of a focused part of the content file from the second content processor controller, the content identification information acquisition unit obtains, as the second content identification information, content identification information for identifying the content file forming the currently focused area; and

the content identification information acquisition unit transfers, the second content identification information thus obtained, to the content processor controller of the handheld device via the third communication processing unit of the cooperating computer device and the second communication processing unit of the handheld device;

the content processor controller stores the second content identification information thus received.

21. A content display system according to any one of claim 2 to 4, further comprising:

a settlement server for issuing electronic money with settler'"'"'s identification information to circulate the network for clearing the fee of the cooperating computer device and for collecting and managing information concerning the use of the electronic money;

in which the handheld device comprises a first electronic money management unit for managing the acquisition of the electronic money from the settlement server and the information concerning the use of the electronic money;

the cooperating computer device information management server connected through communication channels to the handheld device and the cooperating computer device comprises, a third electric money management unit for managing acquisition results of the electronic money from the handheld device, the used results of the electronic money acquired and the acquired results of program files in correspondence to the identification information of respective handheld device users, and for generating, for an electronic money, receipt data of the electronic money, which includes at least identification information of the account-settler from which the electronic money is issued, identification information of the handheld device user which is the user of the electronic money, a program file name acquired, receipt date information of the electronic money, value information of the electronic money received, and identification information of the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device;

the second computer device'"'"'s information management unit manages use-admission control information indicative of admission or non-admission in acquisition of program files in correspondence to the identification information of respective handheld device user;

the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device registers, in the third electronic money management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server, classification of content processor, which can be provided, by the cooperating computer device, to the handheld device users and value information requested by the use of the content processor;

the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device acquires the electronic money from the settlement server;

the cooperating computer device information management unit obtains, from the cooperating computer device information management server, a list of program file name, and urges the handheld device user via the forth user interface to select the program file so that selection results are returns to the cooperating computer device information management unit;

the cooperating computer device information management unit transfers a program file name to the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device, and transfers the program file name to the third electronic money management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server;

the third electronic money management unit presents value information, which is necessary to acquire and use the program file, to the first electronic money management unit of the handheld device;

the first electronic money management unit transfers the electronic money equivalent to the presented value information to the third electronic money management unit and stores, as new value information, a value obtained by subtracting the first value information of the electronic money transferred thereto from the second value information of the electronic money held in the first electronic money management unit;

the third electronic money management unit verifies the electronic money transferred from the handheld device and sets in the second computer devices'"'"' information management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server the availability of the use of the program files to the handheld device from which the electronic money was transferred;

the program execution manager of the handheld device responds to an instruction from the handheld device user with presenting at least the identification information of the handheld device user to the program file server of the cooperating computer device, requesting it to transfer a program file

the program filer server of the cooperating computer device sends the handheld device user identification information from the handheld device to the second computer devices'"'"' information management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server, requesting it to decide whether or not the handheld device be allowed to obtain its desired program file;

the second computer devices'"'"' information management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server decides the program files available to the handheld device, then generates a list of program file names and, by presenting the received handheld device user identification information to the third electronic money management unit of the cooperating computer device information management server, acquires the electronic receipt data of electronic money for the handheld device which acquires the program files;

the second computer devices'"'"' information management unit transfers the program file name list and the receipt data of electronic money to the program file server of the cooperating computer device;

the program file server of the cooperating computer device transfers the program files specified by the list of program file name and the receipt data of electronic money to the program execution manager of the handheld device;

the third electronic money management unit of the cooperating computer device'"'"'s information management server transfers the receipt data of electronic money to the settlement server; and

the settler settles an account with the owner or operator of the cooperating computer device based on the receipt data of electronic money thus collected.

4. A content display system for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device:

said handheld device comprising;

I/O unit for receiving commands from and displaying contents to a user of the handheld device;

a first content processor for acquiring a content file for the handheld device from the server on the communication network and processing the content file to display to the user of the handheld device;

a first communication processing unit for accessing to the server;

a first user interface for making selection the user of the handheld device one of the presented contents which is desired to be processed by the cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device;

a content identification information acquisition unit for acquiring, from the content file, identification information specified via the first user interface;

a second user interface for the handheld device user to control the second content processor of the cooperating computer device and to perform selection and designation of desirable content from contents displayed on the cooperating computer device;

a control information generator for generating control information employed to control the second content processor of the cooperating computer device in accordance with commands applied by the handheld device user via the second user interface;

a second communication processing unit for exchanging commands and information with the cooperating computer device;

a content processor controller for controlling the operation of the first content processor by the use of the content identification information applied from the cooperating computer device; and

a third user interface for switching between the first user interface and the second user interface;

processing results from the first content processor being presented via said I/O unit to the use of said handheld device;

said cooperating computer device, comprising;

a fourth communication processing unit for accessing to the server;

a second content processor for acquiring the content file for the cooperating computer device from the server and for processing the content file to display to the handheld device user;

a third communication processing unit for exchanging commands and information with the handheld device;

a first content processor controller for controlling, the content processing of the second content processor, by the use of contents of the content identification information transferred from the handheld device;

a second content processor controller for controlling, the content processing of the second content processor, in accordance with contents of the control information transferred from the handheld device;

a content identification information acquisition unit for acquiring, from the content file in the cooperating computer device, content identification information specified via the second content processor controller;

an output unit for displaying the processing results to the user of the handheld device;

the handheld device user performing by the use of the first user interface, content browsing/viewing environments including to display a content on the handheld device, to change the content display on the handheld device, to switch at an arbitrary stage the output destination of the content displayed on the handheld device to the cooperating computer device, or to change the content displayed on the handheld device while the displaying of the content on the cooperating computer device is kept on;

the handheld device user performing by the use of the second user interface, content browsing/viewing environments including to change the displayed content on the cooperating computer device, or to switch at an arbitrary state the output destination of the whole or focused part of the content displayed on the cooperating computer device to the handheld device; and

the handheld device user switching, at any time in an arbitrary stage, by instructing switching instruction to the third user interface, between the first user interface and the second user interface.

16. A content display system according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

outputting, a content by the content processor of the handheld device, via the I/O unit of the handheld device in response to instructions from the handheld device user in the content browsing/viewing operations through the use of the handheld device and the first cooperating computer device;

releasing by the second communication processing unit in response to an instruction from the handheld device user, the channel between the second communication processing unit and the third communication processing unit of the first cooperating computer device;

outputting continuously, by the content processor of the handheld device, at least one content in response to instruction from the handheld device user;

establishing, by the second communication processing unit in response to instructions from the handheld device user, a communication channel between the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the second cooperating computer device; and

performing, by the handheld device user, content browsing/viewing operations through the use of the handheld device and the second cooperating computer device.

17. A content display system according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

holding, by the content processor controller of the handheld device, identification information of a specified content file via the I/O unit of the handheld device in response to instructions from the handheld device user in the content browsing/viewing operations through the use of the handheld device and the first cooperating computer device;

releasing, by the second communication processing unit in response to an instruction from the handheld device user, the channel between the second communication processing unit and the third communication processing unit of the first cooperating computer device;

establishing, by the second communication processing unit in response to instructions from the handheld device user, a communication channel between the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the second cooperating computer device;

acquiring, by the content identification information acquisition unit of the handheld device in response to instruction of the handheld device user, the content identification information held by the content processor of the handheld device;

transferring the content identification information from the content identification information acquisition unit of the handheld device to the first content processor controller of the second cooperating computer device; and

acquiring, by the second content processor of the second cooperating computer device, the content file from the server corresponding to the first content identification information presented from the handheld device, and outputting the processed results via the output unit of the second cooperating computer device.

18. A content display system according to claim 16 or 17, comprising the steps of:

content browsing/viewing operations, by the handheld device user, through the use of the handheld device and the first cooperating computer device;

acquiring, by the content identification information acquisition unit of the first cooperating computer device, identification information of the specified content in response to the handheld device user, returning the identified information specified content to the content processor controller of the handheld device after adding thereon display control information, and holding by the content processor controller of the handheld device the identification information of the specified content file and the display control information returned;

continuously, by the content processor controller, the presentation of the content identification information to the content processor of the handheld device in consideration of the display control information;

releasing, by the second communication processing unit in response to an instruction from the handheld device user, the channel between the second communication processing unit and the third communication processing unit of the first cooperating computer device;

establishing, by the second communication processing unit in response to instructions from the handheld device user, a communication channel between the second communication processing unit of the handheld device and the third communication processing unit of the second cooperating computer device;

acquiring, by the content identification information acquisition unit of the handheld device in response to instruction of the handheld device user, the content identification information held by the content processor of the handheld device;

transferring the content identification information from the content identification information acquisition unit of the handheld device to the first content processor controller of the second cooperating computer device; and

acquiring, by the second content of the second cooperating computer device, the content file from the server corresponding to the first content identification information presented from the handheld device, and outputting the processed results via the output unit of the second cooperating computer device.

23. A content display method for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device:

comprising the steps of;

acquiring, by the handheld device, the content file specified by a handheld device user using the handheld device from the communication network and presenting the content acquired to the handheld device user;

urging the handheld device user to select the whole or a part of the content displayed on the handheld device, which the handheld device user wants to be processed on the cooperating computer device;

acquiring, the content identification information of the content specified by the handheld device user, by the use of the handheld device to which a content file is specified to be processed on the cooperating computer device;

transferring the content identification information to the cooperating computer device;

presenting, by the cooperating computer device having received the content identification information, the content identification information to the content processor therein so that the content processor acquires the content file concerning the content identification information from the server; and

processing, the content file thus acquired, by the content processor so that processed results of the content file is presented to the handheld device user.

24. A content display method for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device:

comprising the step of;

generating, by the handheld device, first control information which instructs acquisition of a content file corresponding to a content identification information presented by the handheld device user of the handheld device and process of the content file on the cooperating computer device, so that the control information is transferred to the cooperating computer device;

acquiring, by the cooperating computer device, the content file from the server corresponding to the specified content identification information from the handheld device so that processed result thereof is presented to the handheld device user;

presenting, a control menu for selecting the contents to be processed on the handheld device, by the cooperating computer device receiving the information concerning the initiation of displaying the content file on the handheld device, in relation to contents presented on the cooperating computer device to the handheld device user;

generating, from the handheld device, second control information by the use of the selected results processed on the control menu so that the second control information is transferred to the cooperation computer device;

altering, the focused portion of the contents displayed on the cooperating computer device, by the cooperating computer device, by the use of second control information so that processed result for altering the focused portion is displayed to the handheld device user;

instructing, by the handheld device user, to display the whole or partial area of contents displayed on the cooperating computer device;

generating, from specified instruction by the handheld device user, third control information, which is transferred to the cooperating computer device;

transferring the third control information from the handheld device to the cooperating computer device;

acquiring, to the cooperating computer device, content identification information the whole contents, as second content identification information, when having received the third control information indicative of acquiring the whole of content file;

acquiring, to the cooperating computer device, content identification information for identifying a content file which forms the currently focused area, as the second content identification information, when having received the content identification information indicative of acquiring a partial area of the contents;

transferring, from the cooperating computer device to the handheld device, the second content identification information; and

presenting, from the handheld device to the handheld device user, the content file specified in the second content'"'"' identification information.

25. A content display method for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device according to claim 24, further comprising:

comprising the steps of;

proposing, from the handheld device user to the handheld device, acquisition of first content identification information representative of the whole or partial focused area of the contents displayed on the cooperating computer device;

generating, from the handheld device, control information in correspondence to the acquisition of the contents so that the control information is transferred to the cooperating computer device;

acquiring, when having received the control information indicative of selection of the whole contents, the cooperating computer device, as the second content identification information, content identification information for identifying the whole content file of the contents displayed on the cooperating computer device;

acquiring, when having received the control information indicative of selection of a focused partial part of the content file, the content identification information acquisition unit, as the second content identification information, content identification information for identifying the content file forming the currently focused area of the contents displayed on the cooperating computer device; and

transferring, from the cooperating computer device to the handheld device, the second content identification information thus obtained, which is stored in the handheld device.

26. A content display method for displaying, multimedia contents delivered from a server of a communication network, by the use of a handheld device and a cooperating computer device cooperated to the handheld device:

comprising the steps of;

in order to switch, from the handheld device, a first transmission direction from the handheld device to the cooperating computer device and a second transmission direction from the cooperating computer device to the handheld device,

performing, by the use of the first user interface of the handheld device, content browsing/viewing environments including to present on the handheld device, to alter the content file on the handheld device, to alter at an arbitrary stage the output destination of the content file presented on the handheld device to the cooperating computer device, or to alter the content file presented on the handheld device without influence to the content display on the cooperating computer device;

performing, by the use of the second user interface of the handheld device user, content browsing/viewing environments including to alter the presented content file on the cooperating computer device, or to alter at an arbitrary stage the output destination of the whole or partial area of the presented content file on the cooperating computer device to the handheld device; and

switching, from the handheld device user, at any time in an arbitrary stage, by instructing switching instruction to the third user interface, between the first user interface and the second user interface.