WO1993012492A1

WO1993012492A1 - Information selling system

Info

Publication number: WO1993012492A1
Application number: PCT/JP1992/001634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masayoshi Son
Original assignee: Softbank Corporation
Priority date: 1991-12-16
Filing date: 1992-12-15
Publication date: 1993-06-24
Also published as: AU3096192A; JPH05165781A

Abstract

An information selling system, wherein chargeable and no-charge information stored in a CD-ROM is written in different logical formats, and the no-charge information of the CD-ROM mounted on a CD-ROM system (200) is readable by a personal computer (100), and further, the chargeable information of the CD-ROM is made readable by inputting a password into the CD-ROM system after its sales contract.

Description

Information K selling system

'T

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information sales terminal device, an information sales system, and a method capable of paying information and providing information free of charge. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, when a user receives a sales service of information such as a software program or a database, there are the following two sales methods.

(1) An information service company sells a portable storage medium in which software program information is stored, and the user purchases the portable storage medium. The user attaches the purchased portable storage medium to a small information processing device such as a personal computer, and then reads the information from the portable storage medium by the information processing device.

(2) Connect the host computer installed at the information service company and the terminal device installed at the user side via a communication line. The user uses the terminal device for the information service company Contact your host computer with the contents of the database you want to receive service for.

The host computer of the information service company performs a search based on the contacted database, transmits the information obtained as a search result to the communication terminal device of the user, and sells the information service. And user information necessary for billing the sales price are stored inside the device. The information service company bills the user by mail or the like based on the sales price information and user information stored in the host computer. .

In the first method, it is easy to add other information free of charge, for example, program price information, to the information sold for a fee. However, there is an advantage that the cost borne by the information service company is small. In addition, since the user receives the portable storage medium by mail or the like, there was a drawback if it took a long time from the purchase application to the receipt.

The second method has the advantage that the user can receive information promptly, but when the amount of information received by the user is large, the communication of information takes time. However, there is a drawback that communication line usage fees are high.

For this reason, the second method was not suitable for an information service company because the information service company could not provide information on the information provided free of charge. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an information sales terminal device, an information sales system, and a method capable of promptly selling information when necessary while providing free information to a user. To provide

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reading means for mounting a storage medium in which pay information to be sold for a fee is stored in advance and reading the pay information from the mounted storage medium, A password input means for inputting a password given for delivery of the pay information; a password input from the password input means and a predetermined registration password; Password collation means for collating the password, and the delivery of the pay information only when the result of the password collation is a match between the password and the registered password. Control means for permitting the information reading means to read the pay information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, free information to be provided free of charge is further stored in the storage medium, and the control means controls the passcode for the free information. The reading by the information reading means is permitted without collation of the information.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a type information input means for inputting the type and contents of ordered pay information, Password storage means for storing a password to be provided for the delivery of the information in association with the information, and a password corresponding to the type content input from the type information input means; A host device having extraction means for extracting the information by retrieval from a computer, and a storage medium in which the pay information to be sold for a fee is stored in advance, and the pay information is read from the mounted storage medium. Information reading means, a password input means for inputting a password given for delivery of the pay information, and a password input from the password input means. Password matching means for matching with the registered password, and as a result of the password matching, a match between the password and the registered password is obtained. If only characterized that you said e ingredients and information vending terminal and a control means for permitting the readback of the information the pay information that by the reading means for Technology of passing pay information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a recording medium in which pay information to be sold for a fee is stored in advance is mounted on an information reading device of an information sales terminal device, and a pass provided for delivery of the pay information is provided. A password is input, and the entered password is subjected to password matching with a predetermined registered password, and the password and the registered password are determined by the password matching. Only when a match is found, will the information be The pay information is read from the storage medium by an information reading device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a password provided for delivery of pay information is stored in a host device, and the type and content of the ordered pay information are input to the host device. In the host device, the password corresponding to the type of input is extracted by searching, and a recording medium in which the fee information to be sold for a fee is stored in advance is read out by the information selling terminal device. Enter the password given for the delivery of the pay information, and enter the password with the predetermined registration password for the entered password. Performs word matching, and reads out the information for information delivery only when the matching of the password and the registered password is obtained by the matching password. Stored by the device To read the body or found before Symbol pay information, characterized that you pass can pull the pay information which is the externally read device.

In the first and fourth embodiments of the present invention, pay information can be read from a storage medium using a password given to a user after a sales contract is concluded. Therefore, the storage medium can be distributed to the user before the sales contract, and the user can purchase the paid information on the storage medium as needed.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the free information on the storage medium can be freely read and viewed without password verification. Sick.

In the third and fifth embodiments of the present invention, a password corresponding to the paid information of the order is automatically extracted, so that the waiting time for the user to purchase the paid information can be reduced.

According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention,

-One (portable) storage medium can provide free information and paid information. In addition, paid information can be promptly provided to users after a sales contract is concluded. In addition, the selling price of programs and data is not fixed, but if the selling price can be changed by newly distributing storage media according to the price by other distribution methods and the frequency of purchase by users The effect is obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the telephone reception operation center 300 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the personal computer 100 and the CD-ROM system 200 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage area of the CD-R0M205 in FIG.

Fig. 5 shows the storage area of the CD-ROM 205 in Fig. 3. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a purchase procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a purchase procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 101 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 101 in FIG. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The figure shows the system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the software is connected to the public line 250.

7 "—Even The telephone sales operation at the base sales company is 300 and the telephone 160 is connected.

The delta occupancy reception operation center 300 is also connected to a plurality of communication terminal devices 400 and 410 via a communication line 350 such as a LAN (local area network).

Personal computer J record 100 and CD-ROM system

200 constitute a local information sales terminal device.

Prior to the description of the system operation, the circuit and operation of each component described above will be described.

Circuit of telephone reception operation center 300 in Fig. 1 Fig. 2 shows the configuration.

In FIG. 2, a host computer 301, for example, IBM3090 can be used, and first to third subcomputers 302 to 305, a keyboard 306, and a CRT (cathode tube). Display device 307 is commonly connected to the bus.

The host computer 301 stores user information about each user who distributes a CD-ROM, that is, a name, address, credit card tamper, and serial (identification) tamper in an internal storage device. I remember. In addition, the storage device also stores database-related service information provided to the user.

The host computer 301 performs a matching process on the user information in the storage device and a search process on the service information.

The first subcomputer 302 is connected to an automatic voice response exchange 303 such as an answering machine, receives order information and user (related) information via the automatic voice response exchange 303, and receives host information about the user information. The computer 301 is instructed to refer to the registration information, and based on the result of the inquiry, it is determined whether or not the information can be sold. When it is determined that sale is possible, the calculation password and the sales fee according to the present invention are transmitted to the telephone 160 on the user side via the automatic voice response exchange 303.

In addition, the first sub-computer 302 is a software · After the contract for the information service has been concluded with the database sales company, the operation password (to be described later) for reading the information from a specific part of the CD-ROM is provided, and the automatic voice response exchange 303 To the telephone set 160 on the user side via the.

The second sub-computer 304 exchanges information with the first and second communication terminal devices 400 and 410 installed at the store side.

The third sub-computer 305 stores the price information of the service to be provided and the system maintenance information in its internal storage device, and exchanges the information with other computers. For the first to third sub-computers 302, 304, and 305, for example, personal computers manufactured by IBM Corporation can be used.

From the keyboard 306, an operation instruction for each of the above-mentioned computers and the above-mentioned information to be registered are inputted. The CRT display device 307 is used for displaying information input from the keyboard 306 and information output from each of the above computers.

Next, the personal computer 100 and the CD-ROM system 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As the personal computer 100, a well-known one, for example, one manufactured by IBM can be used, so that the description will be briefly given. In Fig. 2, the personal computer 100 is a central processing unit (CPU) lOl, read-only memory (ROM) 102, random access memory (RAM) 103, keyboard 104, CRT display device 105, It mainly consists of floppy disk drive (FDD) 106, expansion slot 107, and hard disk drive (HDD) 108.

The CPU 101 executes system control of the entire apparatus according to the system program stored in the ROM 102, and an application program stored on the floppy disk (FD) 206 or the CD-R0M205. Is read and arithmetic processing is performed.

The RAM 103 temporarily stores the application program and input / output information to / from the CPU 101. Information is input to the CPU 101 from the keyboard 104.

The CRT 105 displays input information from the keyboard 104 and calculation results of the CPU 101.

The FDD 106 reads and writes information from and to the mounted FD 206 according to instructions from the CPU 101.

The expansion slot 107 is equipped with an input / output interface for connecting to peripheral devices. In the present embodiment, an interface board 201 dedicated to the CD-ROM system is mounted on the expansion slot 107.

The HDD 108 stores free information and fee information transferred from the CD-ROM 205.

Next, the CD-ROM system 200 according to the present invention will be described. explain.

The CD-ROM system 200 mainly includes a dedicated interface board 201, a CD-ROM drive 202, a system password memory 204, an FD 206, and a CD-ROM 205. It also has an adapter for

The CD-ROM drive 202, the system memory, and the 'sword memory 204' are stored in one case.

Decryption IC (integrated circuit) 201A is mounted on the dedicated interface board 201, and the instruction of the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 is given. Only when this occurs, the decryption process for the information read from the CD-ROM 205 is performed by the decryption IC 201A.

The CD-ROM drive 202 reads and writes Z information on the CD-ROM 205 according to the instruction of the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100.

The system password memory 204 stores a system password and a registered registration password. The registered password for verification is used for password verification according to the present invention.

Next, the CD-R0M205 in FIG. 3 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the storage area of the CD-ROM 205.

In FIG. 4, storage area A stores first information written in a standard logical format. Storage area B has the above standard logical format and Stores the second information written in a different special logical format.

In this embodiment, as a standard logical format, a logical format called a high-sine format, determined by ISO (International Organization for Standardization), is used. I have.

In a specific area in the storage area B, third information that has been subjected to encryption processing as shown in FIG. 5 is written in a dedicated logical format.

In the present embodiment, the first information stored in the storage area A is directory information and information indicating the contents and price of a sales program that can be viewed for free by the user. The directory information includes the identification names of a plurality of program information stored in the CD-ROM, the storage addresses of the respective programs, and parameter information indicating the identification names of the storage areas A, B, and C. It is referred to when reading information from the CD-ROM.

The second information stored in storage area B is a trial program that the user can execute on a personal computer for free. The third information stored in the storage area C is a paid program and data that are transferred to the personal computer after the sales contract is concluded. The third information is encrypted in advance.

Hereinafter, the operation of the system of FIG. 1 according to the present invention will be described. (a) User registration processing

The users are CD-ROM205, FD206, and NO. When you purchase the package software and the CD-ROM system (see Fig. 3), you will receive a registration postcard with user information on the software database. Send it to the company (see Fig. 6). When the software / database sales company receives the postcard for registration, the operator inputs the user information described on the postcard for registration from the keyboard 306 in FIG. 2 and the host computer. 301 in the storage device (not shown).

After that, the second and subsequent CD-R0M205s will be distributed to users from the software / data sales company free of charge.

(b) Display of sales guidance information on CD-ROM205

The user attaches the purchased CDR0M or the distributed CDR0M to the CD-ROM drive 202 of the main body of the CD-ROM system, and initially inserts the purchased FD206 into the FDD of the personal computer 100. Attach to 106. Next, ノ,. -Instruct the CPU 101 from the keyboard 104 of the personal computer 100 to raise the system program (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) for the CD-image on the FD 206. The CPU 101 reads out the control procedure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 onto the HDD 108 and then starts the operation. ,

That is, the CPU 101 reads out the processing menu information stored on the FD 206 and displays it on the CRT display device 105 (S10 in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the following processing is prepared. ing.

(1) Display of sales program information on CD-R0M205

(2) Transfer (install) the trial program on the CD-R0M205 to the personal computer 100

(3) Processing for displaying the purchase procedure for the sales program on the CD-R0M205 and processing for transferring the sales program to the personal computer 100 after the sales contract is concluded. Then, the user inputs the instruction information for selecting the display process of the sales program guide information from the keyboard 104 of the personal computer 100 (step S20 in FIG. 8). Based on this instruction information, the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 sets a read format, sets a standard logical format as one cut, and sets the program on the CD-R0M205. The system guidance information is read (steps S30 to S100 in FIG. 8).

More specifically, the CPU 101 refers to the directory information on the CD-ROM 205, detects the storage address of the program guide information, and then issues the read address and the read instruction. Instruct CD-ROM drive 202. The CD-ROM drive 202 reads the storage information (program guide information) of the read address specified in response to the read command, and transfers the read information to the CPU 101. CPU 101 is the program guide information that is sequentially transferred Is temporarily stored in the HDD 108, and the program guide information is displayed on the CRT display device 105 (steps S110 to S120 in FIG. 8).

As a result, the user can see the program guide information on the display screen and know which programs can be sold and which programs can be tried.

Thereafter, in response to the end instruction from the keyboard 104, the CPU 101 ends the present control procedure (step S130 → end).

(c) 'Run the trial program

After displaying the above-mentioned processing menu on the display screen of the CRT display device 105 (step S10 in FIG. 8), the user transfers the trial program in the processing menu. Is indicated from the keyboard 104 (step in FIG. 8).

S20)

The CPU 101 shifts to the program selection mode in response to the instruction, and subsequently, the user instructs the identification name of the trial program to be attempted from the keyboard 104 and the like. (Step S20 → S30-→ S40-→ S200 in Fig. 8)

Thereafter, the CPU 101 sets a dedicated logical format, and in accordance with the dedicated logical format, executes the specified trial program in the CD-ROM drive. The data is read out from the CD-ROM 205 via 202 and transferred to the HDD 108 (steps S210 to S220 in FIG. 8). Hereinafter, the user inputs a program execution instruction from the keyboard 104. It is possible to make the user 101 execute the trial program on 1100108.

(d) Purchase of sales program

After displaying the above-described processing menu on the display screen of the CRT display device 105 (step S10 in FIG. 8), the user instructs the purchase processing in the processing menu from the keyboard 104. (Step S20 in Fig. 8).

When the CPU 101 recognizes that the purchase processing instruction has been input (step S50 in FIG. 8), the CPU 101 proceeds to the execution procedure in FIG. That is, the CPU 101 reads out the message guidance regarding the sales procedure from the FD 206 and displays it on the display screen of the CRT display device 105 (step S300 in FIG. 9).

The user makes a telephone call to the telephone reception operation center 300 of the software 'data base ⁴ sales company'. At this time, the user inputs the purchase information by number using the bush phone of the telephone according to the guidance voice of the automatic voice response machine 303 of the telephone reception operation center 300. The user-related information required for this purchase is the serial number (ID number) assigned to the CD-ROM system in advance, the credit number required for payment, and the purchase number. An identification number indicating the will of the user, and an identification number for the program or data to be purchased are provided.

Automatic voice response exchange 303 Each time the above-mentioned user-related information is received, the received user-related information is Transfer to computer 302.

The first sub-computer 302 permits sales based on the user information registered in the host computer 301 and the predetermined sales conditions. Is determined. To permit sales, the first subcomputer 302 sends the automatic voice response exchange 303 the calculation program and sales price corresponding to the sales program or sales data. Instruct the user to communicate by voice to the user's telephone.

The memory in the first sub-computer 302 stores the identification number of the fee information and the password used for delivery of the fee information in the form of a table. By searching for the CPU at 302, the password corresponding to the identification number of the paid information ordered is extracted.

Therefore, the first sub-computer 302 operates as the host device of the present invention, and the automatic voice response exchange 303 operates as the type information input means of the present invention.

In response to this instruction, the search processing device in the automatic voice response exchange 303 selects the specified computational password and voice message from voice messages stored in memory in the device in advance. The voice message corresponding to the sales charge is selected and extracted, and a response is transmitted to the telephone set 160 on the user side to end the sales contract.

If the first sub-computer 302 determines that the sale cannot be permitted, an automatic sound message is sent to that effect. Cause the voice response exchange 303 to respond.

Thus, when the user is informed of the calculation password for the delivery of the pay information from the telephone reception operation center 300, the user inputs the calculation password from the keyboard 104. Enter (S320 in Fig. 9).

The CPU 101 reads the system password from the system password memory 204 in the main body of the CD-ROM system via the dedicated interface board 201. Next, the CPU 101 combines the input operation password and the above-mentioned system password to create a verification password (step S330 in FIG. 9).

The CPU 101 reads the registered password for collation from the system password memory 204, and compares it with the created password for collation (step in FIG. 9). (S340—S350) o

If the calculation password is disclosed to the user through the regular sales and acquisition, a match is obtained between the above two passwords, and the CPU 101 uses the dedicated interface board 201. Activate the above decryption IC 201A (Step S350—S360).

The CPU 101 sets a dedicated logical format as a read format, reads the program instructed to be purchased from the CD-ROM 205, and transfers the read program to the HDD. At this time, the encrypted program information read via the CD-ROM drive 202 is transmitted by the decryption IC 201A. It is decrypted and converted into a general-purpose information processing code form. In this case, the HDD 108 is equivalent to the external device of the present invention.

Thereafter, the CPU 101 stops the decryption IC 201A, and ends the information selling process according to this control procedure (steps S380 to S390 in FIG. 9). Fig. 7 shows the processing steps performed between the user and the information service company for the above information sales processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, unless the input arithmetic password partially matches the registered password for verification, the process proceeds to the paid information transfer processing in FIGS. 8 and 9. The sales program is not transferred to the personal computer 100 side without migration. Therefore, the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 when executing the control procedures shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the FD206 is used as the password matching means and control means of the present invention. Operate.

The calculation password is not notified to the user unless a sales contract is concluded between the software database sales company and the user. For example, even if the user holds the CD-ROM 205, it cannot be extracted from the sales program on the CD-R0M205 unless the calculation password is entered. .

In addition, the sales program is encrypted and written on the CD-ROM 205 in a special format. For this reason, CD-ROM systems other than the CD-R0M205 system of this embodiment Even if the information stored in the CD-ROM 205 is read out using, the read out information becomes meaningless data. As a result, the confidentiality of the sales program on the CD-ROM 205 is maintained.

In addition to the embodiments described above, the following examples can be implemented.

(1) The decryption IC 201A is not limited to the dedicated interface board 201, but may be used on the CD-ROM system itself, for example, on the CD-ROM drive 202 or on a personal computer. It may be mounted on the 100 side. If the decryption process is to be executed by software, the decryption program must be stored in the FD 206.

(2) In this embodiment, the sales program is stored on the CD-ROM, but other portable storage media, for example, a floppy disk can be used. In this case, a floppy disk drive will be used as a reading device in place of the CD, R0M drive 202.

(3) When there are multiple types of dedicated logical format, if there are multiple types of storage programs, the confidentiality of the programs will be increased if there are multiple types, not just one type.

(4) In this embodiment, the guide information is stored in the CD-ROM 205 in a standardized logical format, and the trial program and the sales program are stored in a special logical format. However, for programs with low importance, a free trial program is a standardized logical format, and for paid programs, there is no special encryption processing. You may memorize it in a logical format. In this case, the CD-ROM system 200 does not require a decryption IC.

(5) In this embodiment, the system password and the collation (registration) password are stored in the system password memory 204. However, the collation registration password is stored on the CD-ROM 205. In particular, the registration password for verification can be changed for each distribution of CD-R0M205, further increasing the confidentiality of the sales program.

Also, if it is desired to simplify the password matching process, there is no need to provide a system password, and only the registered password needs to be checked.

(6) In the present embodiment, the password matching processing is executed on the personal computer side. However, if confidentiality is not considered important or the FD 206 is not provided, the password This can omit the collation processing. In such a system, the contents of the logical format of the information for free provision are notified to the user in the form of a printed matter in advance, and after the sales contract is established over the telephone, the charge for payment is established. The user is notified of the contents of the dedicated logical format by telephone or facsimile.

(7) The encryption key code at this time is used as a method of encryption, and the encryption key code at this time is encrypted by using encryption by arithmetic processing such as exclusive OR by a program. There is also a method used as a code. In this case, the password input means and the password collation means of the present invention are provided by a personal computer. Not on the CD-ROM itself. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, free information and pay information can be provided to a user by using a single (portable) storage medium, and a sales contract is established for pay information. It can be promptly provided to the user later. In addition, the selling price of programs and data is not fixed, and the selling price can be changed by newly distributing storage media according to the price by other distribution methods and the frequency of purchase by users. The effect is obtained.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An information reading means for mounting a storage medium preliminarily storing pay information to be sold for a fee and reading the pay information from the mounted storage medium;

Password input means for inputting a password provided for delivery of the pay information;

A password matching means for matching the password input from the password input means with a predetermined registered password;

Only when a match between the password and the registered password is obtained as a result of the password collation, the information reading means is used to deliver the pay information. Control means for permitting reading of the pay information;

An information sales terminal device characterized by having:

2. The storage medium further stores free information to be provided free of charge, and the control means sets the information reading means for the free information to "-" without collating the password. 2. The information selling terminal device according to claim 1, wherein reading by the information selling terminal is permitted.

3. Type information input means for inputting the type of pay information ordered and corresponding to pay information available for sale. A password storage unit that stores a password to be given for the delivery of the information; and a password corresponding to the type content input from the type information input unit, is searched from the password storage unit. A host device having extraction means for extracting

An information reading means for mounting a storage medium preliminarily storing the pay information to be sold for a fee, and reading the pay information from the mounted storage medium; and for delivering the pay information. Password input means for inputting the password given to the user, password matching means for comparing the password input from the password input means with a predetermined registered password, Only when a match between the password and the registered password is obtained as a result of the password matching, the pay information is read by the information reading means for delivery of the pay information. Information sales terminal device having control means for permitting

An information sales system that features:

4. Attach a recording medium in which pay information to be sold for a fee is stored in advance to the information reading device of the information sales terminal device, and enter the pass code given for delivery of the pay information. And

Executes password matching of the entered password with a predetermined registration password. And

Only when a match between the password and the registered password described above is obtained by the password collation, the information is read by the information reading device and the storage is performed by the information reading device. Read the paid information from the medium

An information sales method for an information sales terminal device characterized by this.

5. Store the password given for delivery of paid information in the host device,

Enter the type of paid information that was ordered into the host device,

In the host device, the password corresponding to the type of input is extracted by searching, and

A recording medium in which the pay information to be sold for a fee is stored in advance is attached to an information reading device of the information selling terminal device,

Enter the password given to deliver the paid information,

The input password is subjected to password matching with a predetermined registration password, and

Only when a match between the password and the registered password is obtained by the password collation, the information is read by the information reading device for information delivery. Reading the pay information from the storage medium,

Deliver the read paid information to an external device

An information selling method characterized by this.