Information processing apparatus and information processing method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
- first storage means for storing a plurality of main information, the main information having identification data associated therewith;
second storage means for storing a plurality of sub-information including an advertising element associated respectively with the plurality of main information, the identification data providing a correspondence between at least some of the main information and at least some of the sub-information;
means for selectively retrieving the plurality of main information based on at least some of the plurality of sub-information selected by a user;
means for transmitting the retrieved main information;
means for billing the user a fee for the transmitted main information using one of a first billing method and a second billing method depending on history information supplied to the billing means, the history information indicating whether or not the main information is retrieved using at least some of the plurality of sub-information stored in the second storage means; and
means for controlling the billing means so that if the history information identifies that the advertising element was carried out, then the controlling means directs the billing means to execute the first billing method to discount the fee, and if the history information identifies that the advertising element was not carried out, then the controlling means directs the billings means to execute the second billing method to not discount the fee,wherein secondary information related to the plurality of main information stored in the first storage means is stored as the sub-information in the second storage means, and wherein the secondary information includes information related to an advertisement, a movie and a broadcast in which the main information stored in the first storage means is used.
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Abstract
An information processing apparatus in which main information is stored in a first storage unit and subinformation associated with the main information is stored in a second storage unit. The user selects the sub-information to retrieve the corresponding main information that is then transmitted to the user and the user is billed for the transmitted main information. In some instances the billing amount can be reduced.
34 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
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first storage means for storing a plurality of main information, the main information having identification data associated therewith; second storage means for storing a plurality of sub-information including an advertising element associated respectively with the plurality of main information, the identification data providing a correspondence between at least some of the main information and at least some of the sub-information; means for selectively retrieving the plurality of main information based on at least some of the plurality of sub-information selected by a user; means for transmitting the retrieved main information; means for billing the user a fee for the transmitted main information using one of a first billing method and a second billing method depending on history information supplied to the billing means, the history information indicating whether or not the main information is retrieved using at least some of the plurality of sub-information stored in the second storage means; and means for controlling the billing means so that if the history information identifies that the advertising element was carried out, then the controlling means directs the billing means to execute the first billing method to discount the fee, and if the history information identifies that the advertising element was not carried out, then the controlling means directs the billings means to execute the second billing method to not discount the fee, wherein secondary information related to the plurality of main information stored in the first storage means is stored as the sub-information in the second storage means, and wherein the secondary information includes information related to an advertisement, a movie and a broadcast in which the main information stored in the first storage means is used. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13)
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6. An information processing method, comprising:
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storing a plurality of main information having identification data associated therewith and a plurality of sub-information including an advertising element associated respectively with the plurality of main information, the identification data providing a correspondence between at least some of the main information and at least some of the sub-information; selectively retrieving the plurality of main information based on at least some of the plurality of sub-information selected by a user; transmitting the retrieved main information to the user; billing the user a fee for the transmitted main information using one of a first billing method and a second billing method depending on supplied history information indicating whether or not the main information is retrieved using at least some of the plurality of stored sub-information; and billing the user a discounted amount of the fee with the first billing method when the history information identifies that the advertisement element was carried out, or billing the user a non-discounted amount of the fee with the second billing method when the history information identifies that the advertising element was not carried out, wherein the sub-information is secondary information related to the plurality of main information stored in a storage unit, and wherein the secondary information includes information related to an advertisement, a movie, and a broadcast in which the main information storage in the first storage unit is used. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15)
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Specification