Communication system for distributing such message as advertisement to user of terminal equipment

• US 6,351,745 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GMO Internet Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NetZero Incorporated (B. Riley Financial, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fujita, Nobuyuki, Tsutsui, Yuichiro, Itakura, Yuichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Homere, Jean R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROBINSON, GRETA LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/125,894
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 707/526, 707/10, 707/102, 707/104, 709/203, 709/224, 709/217, 705/1, 705/14, 705/26, 705/52, 705/400
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/027 Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

In the communication network for distributing messages such as advertisements to terminal users, an information providing system provides the suitable information to each user. The system includes a terminal connected to a communications network, a user database for storing the characteristics of each user, a message database for storing messages, and a transmittal condition database for storing the user characteristics of the class of suitable recipients for each message. A message searcher searches for messages from the transmittal condition database based on the characteristics read out from the user database. A reader reads the retrieved messages from the message database and a transmitter transmits the messages to the terminal. An adder increases the value of a parameter associated with each user when the transmitted message is displayed on the terminal. A detector detects whether the user is active, and a stop means prevents the value of the parameter from being increased when the user is inactive.

Claims

1. A system connected to plural terminals through a communication network for having advertising messages transmitted to the terminals, the advertising messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the advertising messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective advertising message, the system comprising:

a first database which stores message IDs for the advertising messages in association with;

a charge limit of how many times to display the advertising, message to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to display the advertising message to all users,

a time period in which the advertising message may be displayed,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

a message searcher for selecting message IDs for transmitting from the first database using the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

a transmitter for transmitting message IDs selected by the message searcher to the terminals;

a request receiver for receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

a statistics processor for;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests,

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the links to additional information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first database also stores, for plural message IDs, characteristics of a class of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding advertising messages, the system further comprising:

a user database storing characteristics of plural users in association with a user ID of each user;

means for reading out the characteristics from the user database based on the user ID;

wherein the transmitter transmits the message ID which is retrieved by the message searcher.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an adder for increasing a value of a parameter when a message ID is transmitted by the transmitter;

means for offering a good or service to the user through the communication network;

means for determining prices of the good or service depending on the value of the parameter;

means for decreasing the value of the parameter when the user orders the good or service.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the first database has a first message ID which increases the value of the parameter when the corresponding advertising message is displayed, and a second message ID which does not increase the value of the parameter when the corresponding advertising message is displayed.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter has a notification means for providing the terminals with information which identifies the transmitter.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the adder increases the value of the parameter when the user inputs a correct answer to a question displayed in the advertising message.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an update information storage which stores update information being updated independently of the terminal;

an update information transmitter for transmitting the update information to the terminal a predetermined number of times through the communications network.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein;

the predetermined number of times is one;

the update information transmitter has a determination means for determining whether the update information has already been transmitted to the user, and for transmitting the update information when the determination means determines that the update information has not already been transmitted.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the update information transmitter has a counter for counting, for each user, the number times the update information has been transmitted, and the update information transmitter transmits the update information to a user when the update information has not been transmitted to that user the predetermined number of times.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the update information transmitter has a comparison means for comparing the time which has elapsed since the last transmission of the update information with a predetermined period of time, and the update information transmitter transmits the update information when the time lapse is longer than the predetermined period of time.

12. A system connected to plural terminals though a communication network for having messages transmitted to the terminals, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising, respective links to additionial information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message the system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting selected message IDs to the terminal the message IDs identifying messages;

a user database which stores characteristics of users of the terminals in association with user IDs;

a user ID receiver for receiving the user IDs from the terminals;

a characteristics reader for reading the characteristics from the user database;

a transmittal condition database which stores the message IDs in association with;

a charge limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to any given user'"'"'s terminal,

an absolute limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to all users,

a time period in which the message may be transmitted,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

a message searcher for selecting message IDs for transmitting from the transmittal condition database using characteristics read out from the user database by the characteristics reader, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

a request receiver for receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

a statistics processor for;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests,

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a statistics recording means having a storage for storing the fee due and the link count in association with the message IDs of the messages transmitted to the terminals.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

15. A system connected to plural terminals through a communication network for having messages transmitted to the terminals the messages further comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the messages being identified by message IDs, the system comprising:

a user database which stores characteristics of users of the terminals in association with respective user IDs;

a transmittal condition database which stores the message IDs in association with;

characteristics of a class of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding message,

a charge limit of how many times to transient the message ID to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to all users,

a time period in which the message ID may be transmitted,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

a user ID receiver for receiving the user IDs from the terminals through the communications network;

a characteristics reader for reading out the characteristics from the user database;

a message searcher for selecting message IDs for transmitting from the transmittal condition database based on the characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

a transmitter for transmitting message IDs selected by the message searcher to the terminals;

a request receiver for receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

a statistics processor for;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests,

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising

a user ID storage for storing the user ID of users who operate a message transmitted to the terminal in association with the message ID of the transmitted message, wherein:

the transmittal condition database stores the message ID in association with other message ID of a related message; and

the message searcher selects the message ID on a condition that the user ID storage stores the user ID of the user in association with the message ID of a related message.

17. A system connected to plural terminals through a communications network for having messages transmitted to the terminals, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the system comprising:

a transmittal condition database for storing plural message IDs which respectively identify messages to be transmitted to the terminals in association with;

a charge limit of how many times to transmit the message IDs to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to transient the message IDs to all users,

a time period in which the message ID may be transmitted,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

a transmitter for transmitting message IDs to the terminals based on the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

a usage database for storing a parameter which indicates an amount of display by the terminals of the messages corresponding to the message IDs transmitted to the terminals;

a request receiver for receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests retlective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

a statistics processor for;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests,

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein:

the transmittal condition database stores the message ID in association with characteristics of the class of users to whom it is appropriate to transmit the message;

the system further comprises;

a user database for storing the characteristics of users of the terminals,

a message searcher for selecting message IDs from the transmittal condition database based on the characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

an adder for increasing the value of a parameter when a message ID is transmitted by the transmitter;

means for selling a good or service to the user through the communications network;

means for determining the prices of the good or service depending on the value of the parameter;

a subtractor for decreasing the value of the parameter when the user orders the good or service.

20. The system of claim 21, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising a message database which has a first message ID which increases the value of the parameter when transmitted to the terminals, and a second message which does not increase the value of the parameter when transmitted to the terminals.

22. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

an update information storage which stores update information updated independently from the terminals;

an update information transmitter for transmitting the update information to the terminals a predetermined number of times through the communications network.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein:

the predetermined number of times is one;

the update information transmitter transmits the update information to those terminals to which the update information has not been transmitted.

24. A system connected to plural terminals through a communications network for having messages transmitted to the terminals, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the system comprising:

a database which stores message IDs which identify messages in association with;

characteristics of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding message,

a charge limit of how many times to display the message to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to display the message to all users,

a time period in which the message may be displayed,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

a transmitter for transmitting selected message IDs to the terminals;

a user database which stores characteristics of users of the terminals in association with a user ID for identifying the user;

a user ID receiver for receiving the user ID from the terminals through the communications network;

a characteristics reader for reading out the characteristics of the users from the user database;

a message searcher for selecting message IDs from the database for transmitting using the characteristics read out from the user database by the characteristics reader, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

a request receiver for receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

a statistics processor for;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests,

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

26. A system connected to plural terminals through a communications network for having messages transmitted to the terminals, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message the system comprising:

a message database which stores message IDs for identifying advertising messages;

a user database which is connected to the communications network and which stores characteristics of users of the terminals, in association with a user ID;

a transmittal condition database which stores message IDs in association with;

characteristics of a class of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding advertising message,

a charge limit of how many times to display the advertising message to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to display the advertising message to all users,

a time period in which the advertising message may be displayed,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

a user ID receiver for receiving the user IDs from the terminals through the communications network;

a characteristics reader for reading out the characteristics from the user database;

a message searcher for selecting message IDs from the transmittal condition database using the characteristics read out from the user database by the characteristics reader, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

a transmitter for transmitting the selected messages IDs to the terminals;

a request receiver for receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

a statistics processor for;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests,

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising:

a user ID storage for storing the user ID of users who operate an advertising message transmitted to the terminal, in association with the message ID of the advertising message, wherein;

the transmittal condition database stores the message ID of the advertising message in association with the message ID of related advertising messages;

the message searcher searches for the message ID stored in the transmittal condition database in association with the message ID of related advertising messages, which is further stored in the user ID storage in association with the user ID of the user who requested the advertising message.

28. A method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information, the method comprising:

registering the plural users to receive messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, texts, sounds and combinations thereof;

providing a database of identifiers of the registered users, the database further including for each registered user a parameter and a value of the parameter;

assigning an initial value for the parameter for a given registered user, the given registered user having a client device;

transmitting a message to the client device of the given registered user;

in response to the client device displaying the transmitted message, increasing the value of the parameter assigned to the given registered user by a first predefined amount;

receiving an order receipt response from an on-line merchant for an on-line purchase by the given registered user, the order receipt response including a cost amount;

querying the database to determine the value of the parameter assigned to the given registered user;

if the assigned value is at least as much as the cost amount, then transmitting a payment acceptance response to thereby approve the purchase authorization request from the on-line merchant;

subtracting the cost amount from the value of the parameter assigned to the given registered user.

29. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28, further comprising, in response to the client device of the given registered user performing a second predefined on-line action, increasing the amount of the parameter assigned to the given registered user by a second predefined amount, wherein the first predefined amount is different than the first predefined amount.

30. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28 wherein the predefined on-line action comprises displaying a particular on-line advertisement.

31. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28 wherein the predefined on-line action comprises responding to the display of a particular on-line advertisement.

32. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28 wherein the predefined on-line action comprises displaying a particular on-line message.

33. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28 wherein the initial value of the parameter is greater than zero.

34. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28, further comprising:

storing in the database information about a credit card account of the registered user, the information including a credit card number;

wherein if the assigned value is less than the cost amount, then using a conversion of the parameter to an actual currency to charge the credit card account of the given registered user an amount of actual currency equal to the difference between the assigned value and the cost amount.

35. The method of providing messages to client devices of users, the client devices connected to a data network for receiving information of claim 28, further comprising:

storing in the database information about a bank account of the registered user, the information including an account number;

wherein if the assigned amount is less than the cost amount, then using a conversion of the parameter to an actual currency to transfer from the bank account of the given registered user an amount of actual currency equal to the difference between the assigned amount and the cost amount.

36. A method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network, the advertising messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the advertising messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective advertising message, the method comprising:

providing a first database which stores message IDs for the advertising messages in association with;

a charge limit of how many times to display the advertising message to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to display the advertising message to all users,

a time period in which the advertising message may be displayed,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

selecting message IDs for transmitting from the first database using the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

transmitting the selected message IDs to the terminals;

receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests;

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the links to additional information.

37. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 36, wherein the first database also stores, for plural message IDs, characteristics of a class of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding advertising messages, the method further comprising:

providing a user database storing characteristics of plural users in association with a user ID of each user;

reading out the characteristics from the user database based on the user ID;

retrieving message IDs from the first database based on the characteristics read out from the user database.

38. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 36, further comprising:

increasing a value of a parameter when a message ID is transmitted by the transmitter;

offering a good or service to the user through the communications network;

determining prices of the good or service depending on the value of the parameter;

decreasing the value of the parameter when the user orders the good or service.

39. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 36 wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

40. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 38 wherein the first database has a first message ID which increases the value of the parameter when the corresponding advertising message is displayed, and a second message ID which does not increase the value of the parameter when the corresponding advertising message is displayed.

41. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 38 wherein the value of the parameter is increased when the user inputs a correct answer to a question displayed in the advertising message.

42. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 36 further comprising:

providing an update information storage which stores update information being updated independently of the terminal;

transmitting the update information to the terminal a predetermined number of times through the communications network.

43. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 42 wherein the predetermined number of times is one, the method further comprising determining whether the update information has already been transmitted to the user, and transmitting the update information when it is determined that the update information has not already been transmitted.

44. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 42 further comprising:

counting, for each user, the number times the update information has been transmitted;

transmitting the update information to a user when the update information has not been transmitted to that user the predetermined number of times.

45. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 44 further comprising:

comparing the time which has elapsed since the last transmission of the update information with a predetermined period of time;

transmitting the update information when the time lapse is longer than the predetermined period of time.

46. A method for having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the method comprising:

transmitting selected message IDs to the terminal, the message IDs identifying messages;

providing a user database which stores characteristics of users of the terminals, in association with user IDs;

receiving the user IDs from the terminals;

reading the characteristics from the user database;

providing a transmittal condition database which stores the message IDs in association with;

a charge limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to any given users, terminal,

an absolute limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to all users,

a time period in which the message many be transmitted,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

selecting message IDs for transmitting from the transmittal condition database using characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests;

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

47. The method for having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 46 further comprising storing the fee due and the link count in association with the message IDs of the messages transmitted to the terminals.

48. The method for having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 46, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

49. A method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network, the messages further comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the messages being identified by message IDs, the method comprising:

providing a user database which stores characteristics of users of the terminals in association with respective user IDs;

providing a transmittal condition database which stores;

the message IDs in association with characteristics of a class of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding message,

a charge limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to transmit the message ID to all users,

a time period in which the message ID may be transmitted,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

receiving the user IDs from the terminals through the communications network;

reading out the characteristics from the user database;

selecting message IDs for transmitting from the transmittal condition database based on the characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

transmitting selected message IDs to the terminals;

receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests retlective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests;

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

50. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communication network of claim 49, wherein the transmittal condition database stores at least one message ID in association with a message ID of a related message the method further comprising:

storing the user ID of users who operate a message transmitted to the terminals in association with corresponding message IDs;

selecting message IDs on a condition that the user ID storage stores the user ID of the user in association with the message ID of a related message.

51. A method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective messages, the method comprising:

providing a transmittal condition database for storing plural message IDs which respectively identify messages to be transmitted to the terminals in association with;

a charge limit of how many times to transmit the message IDs to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to transmit the message IDs to all users,

a time period in which the message ID may be transmitted,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information, transmitting message IDs to the terminals based on the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

storing a parameter which indicates an amount of display by the terminals of the messages corresponding to the message IDs transmitted to the terminals;

receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests;

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

52. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 51, wherein:

the transmittal condition database stores the message ID in association with characteristics of the class of users to whom it is appropriate to transmit the message;

the method further comprises;

providing a user database for storing the characteristics of users of the terminals,

selecting message IDs from the transmittal condition database based on the characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period.

53. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 51, further comprising:

increasing the value of a parameter when a message ID is transmitted;

selling a good or service to the user through the communications network;

determining the prices of the good or service depending on the value of the parameter;

decreasing the value of the parameter when the user orders the good or service.

54. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 51, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

55. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 53 further comprising providing a message database which has a first message ID which increases the value of the parameter when transmitted to the terminals, and a second message which does not increase the value of the parameter when transmitted to the terminals.

56. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 51, further comprising:

storing update information updated independently from the terminals;

transmitting the update information to the terminals a predetermined number of times through the communications network.

57. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 56, wherein:

the predetermined number of times is one;

the update information is transmitted to those terminals to which the update information has not been transmitted.

58. A method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the method comprising:

providing a database which stores message IDs which identity messages in association with;

characteristics of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding message,

a charge limit of how many times to display the message to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to display the message to all users,

a time period in which the message may be displayed,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

transmitting, selected message IDs to the terminals;

providing a user database which stores characteristics of users of the terminals in association with a user ID for identifying the user;

receiving the user ID from the terminals through the communications network;

reading out the characteristics of the users from the user database;

selecting message IDs from the database for transmitting using the characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests;

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

59. The method of having messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 58, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

60. A method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network, the messages comprising information in digital form in the form of at least one of images, text, sounds and combinations thereof, at least some of the messages further comprising respective links to additional information in digital form available to the terminals through the communications network and related to the respective message, the system comprising:

providing a message database which stores message IDs for identifying advertising messages;

providing a user database which is connected to the communications network and which stores characteristics of users of the terminals, in association with a user ID;

providing a transmittal condition database which stores message IDs in association with;

characteristics of a class of users to whom it would be appropriate to transmit the corresponding advertising message,

a charge limit of how many times to display the advertising message to any given user,

an absolute limit of how many times to display the advertising message to all users,

a time period in which the advertising message may be displayed,

a charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information;

receiving the user IDs from the terminals through the communications network;

reading out the characteristics from the user database;

selecting message IDs from the transmittal condition database using the characteristics read out from the user database, the charge limit, the absolute limit and the time period;

transmitting the selected messages IDs to the terminals;

receiving requests from the terminals through the communications network, the requests reflective of the terminals having activated the links to additional information;

counting a link count of how many times each of the links was activated, based upon receipt of the requests;

determining a fee due based upon the link count and the charge for when the terminals activate the link to additional information.

61. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 60, further comprising,

storing the user ID of users who operate an advertising message transmitted to the terminal, in association with the message ID of the advertising message, wherein:

the transmittal condition database stores the message ID of the advertising message in association with the message ID of related advertising messages,

message IDs are selected from the transmittal condition database in association with the message ID of related advertising messages, which is further stored in the user ID storage in association with the user ID of the user who requested the advertising message.

62. The method of having advertising messages transmitted to plural terminals connected to a communications network of claim 60, wherein the message ID comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).