INFORMATION DISTRIBUTING METHOD AND SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

• US 20030069851A1
• Filed: 09/27/1999
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: ITO, SHUICHI, OBATA, MASAYUKI, SAKO, YOICHIRO
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information

Abstract

When the amount of money billed each time the information is distributed once is determined depending on the number of times that the information is distributed within a predetermined time period, the intention of information offerer and the estimation of user reflects automatically on the amount of money billed when the information is distributed.

Claims

1. An information distributing method for distributing information subjected to billing, characterized in that an amount of money billed every time said information is distributed once is determined depending on the number of times that said information is distributed within a predetermined time period.

2. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is one from a predetermined time point to a current time point.

3. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is a definite term from a predetermined time point.

4. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is one from an optionally set time point to a current time point.

5. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is one from a first optionally set time point to a second optionally set time point.

6. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is a definite term from an optionally set time point.

7. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is a definite term down to the current time point.

8. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said time period is one until an optionally set time point.

9. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

when said number of times of distribution reaches a previously set number of times or more, said amount of money billed for said information is raised.

10. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

when said number of times of distribution reaches a previously set number of times or more, said amount of money billed for said information is reduced.

11. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said amount of money billed for said information is determined depending on a value obtained by substituting said number of times of distribution for a previously set function.

12. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said information is audio information, video information, game information or book information, or any combination of them.

13. An information distributing method according to claim 1, wherein

said information is distributed by using wireless communication or wired communication.

14. An information distributing method for distributing information subjected to billing, characterized in that

an amount of money billed every time said information is distributed once is determined in a composite manner depending on the respective numbers of times that said information is distributed in a plurality of set terms.

15. An information distributing method for distributing information subjected to billing, characterized in that

a receiver selects at least one term of a plurality of set terms and an amount of money billed every time said information is distributed once is determined depending on the number of times that said information is distributed in said selected term.

16. An information distributing system for distributing information subjected to billing, comprising:

an information distributing means for distributing said information to a user; and

a transaction means comprised of a means for counting a number of distribution of said information to a user and a means for controlling a billing system depending on the number of distribution counted.

17. An information distributing system according to claim 16, wherein

said transaction means comprises a means for comparing the counted distribution number with a reference value.

18. A transaction method to control a billing system for information to be distributed, comprising the steps of:

a step for counting a number of distribution of said information to a user; and

a step for controlling a billing information depending on a counted number of distribution.

19. A transaction method according to claim 18, wherein

said step for controlling a billing information includes a step for comparing said counted number of distribution with a reference value.

20. A transaction system to control a billing system for information to be distributed, comprising:

a means for counting a number of distribution of said information to a user;

and

a means for controlling a billing information depending on a counted number of distribution.

21. A transaction system according to claim 20, wherein

said means for controlling a billing information includes a means for comparing said counted number of distribution with a reference value.