WO2002001370A1

WO2002001370A1 - Time limit replacing contents display using network

Info

Publication number: WO2002001370A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/005235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Akira Matsubara
Original assignee: Sony Communication Network Corporation
Priority date: 2000-06-26
Filing date: 2001-06-19
Publication date: 2002-01-03
Also published as: AU2001274553A1; JPWO2002001370A1; TW527541B

Abstract

A contents display method, in which an icon is displayed in the terminal of a user so that daily contents received from a network are displayed when an action on the icon is detected. An icon of a clock is displayed on a desktop screen of the terminal of a user, and a click action on the clock icon is detected (81). When the clock icon is clicked on, it is examined (82) whether or not the daily contents have been read. If the daily contents are not read yet (N at 82), the clock icon changes into an inflated bag icon (83). When this icon is further clicked on (Y at 84), the daily contents are displayed (85). When the display of the contents is ended, the contents are deleted (89). If the daily contents have already been read (Y at 82), the clock icon changes into a deflated bag icon (90). When this icon is further clicked on (Y at 91), the display restores to the first clock icon (88).

Description

Description Time-replaceable content display using network

The present invention relates to a content display technique for displaying content to a user. In particular, an icon is displayed on the user's terminal, and when an action for the icon is detected, a time display replacement type content received from the network is displayed, and a device capable of using the method. Enter the program. Background art

In services using the World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet, web pages viewed by users often contain advertisement images called banner advertisements. This banner ad has a link to a web page that allows you to know the details of the advertisement, and users can view the web page by clicking the banner ad image. However, since the user originally browses the web page for the purpose of obtaining the information described on the web page, even if there is a banner advertisement, the user does not always notice the banner advertisement, Has limitations. In addition, since users are accustomed to banner advertisements on a daily basis, the click rate of banner advertisements has been lower than in the early days of the Internet heyday when the use of the WWW exploded, and the banner advertisement method was used. At present, limitations have been pointed out.

On the other hand, the provision of content itself is becoming more limited by the method of providing content via www. WWW is a mechanism that accesses a server by specifying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and browses Web pages provided by the server. By registering the URL of the access destination in what is called a bookmark provided in the browser, the user can browse the web page once visited. If you specify the same URL, you can browse the same content many times, When the content of the web page specified in is updated, the content of the updated content can be viewed. However, it is generally known that once registered in a bookmark, it is not common for the user to be reassured, or to visit the URL after registration again to browse. For this reason, the user's bookmarks are not sorted out, and the URLs registered one after another accumulate, which further depresses the user's willingness to access the URLs registered in the bookmark again. Become.

In this way, the content is uniquely determined by the URL, and as long as the same URL is specified, the convenient property of being able to see the same content many times diminishes the scarce value of the content and browses the content There is a problem that incentives cannot be given to users effectively. On the other hand, there is also a mechanism such as push-type data distribution, in which the latest information such as-use is periodically sent to Internet browsers and desktop screens.However, it is necessary to wipe out the impression that senders can push the information unilaterally. However, it is difficult to connect with the user's active browsing behavior. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION ''

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a content display technology in which time-replaceable content is displayed on a screen of a user terminal when the user is interested. In particular, an icon capable of presenting a predetermined function is displayed on the desktop screen of the user's terminal so that when the user operates the icon during a break or the like, time-replaceable content is displayed. did.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a content display method. In this method, an icon capable of presenting a predetermined function is always displayed on a part of the desktop screen of the user's terminal, and when the icon is clicked, a window for viewing the content is displayed on the desktop screen, The user browses the time-replacement type content data received from the server, invalidates the content data after browsing, and cannot view the content data until new time-replacement type content data is received. enable. “Time-replaceable” content refers to content that is replaced, for example, on a daily or weekly basis. “Icons capable of presenting a predetermined function” means, for example, a clock or a calendar displayed on a desktop screen, where the function is presented by being displayed on the screen. The “icon” is used in a broad sense, and may be of any size and shape as long as it is displayed on a desktop screen. The “desktop screen” is the screen that the user normally touches at the terminal, especially the screen that appears immediately after the terminal starts.

The time-replaceable content data may be provided with a predetermined number of times of browsing and prohibited from browsing thereafter, or may be provided with a predetermined browsing period and restricted from browsing after the elapse of the period. Further, browsing may be restricted by a predetermined period and a predetermined number of times, for example, once a day. To invalidate content data after browsing, for example, delete the content data, set a flag indicating that the content data is invalid, and overwrite the old content data with new time-replaceable content data It is done by things.

Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a content display method. This method includes the steps of: always displaying a first icon capable of presenting a predetermined function on a part of a desktop screen of a user terminal; and receiving time-replaceable content data from a server and Storing in a terminal, when a user's predetermined action for the first icon is detected, displaying a window for content browsing on the desktop screen; A step of displaying the content data in the window and allowing the user to browse the content data when the content data is valid; a step of disabling the content data after browsing and making it impossible to browse again; including.

When a cursor is placed on the first icon, a second icon indicating the presence or absence of valid time-replaceable content data is displayed instead of the first icon, and the second icon is displayed. When the icon is clicked, browsing of the valid time-replaceable content data may be started. Here, “force” may be a means for selecting or specifying an icon. In addition to overlaying a force of a pointing device such as a mouse on the icon, a keyboard may be used. The key may be depressed, or the touch panel type screen may be touched with a pen or a finger on the screen position where the icon is displayed.

The first icon may have a size such that the contents displayed by the window or the like are not obstructed even when displayed on the desktop screen, and may be always displayed on the front of the desktop screen. The second icon has a bulged appearance when the time-replaceable content data is effectively present, and has a bag-like shape having a reduced appearance when the time-replaceable content data is not effectively present. It may be an icon. In this way, the second icon can take different display forms depending on whether or not the time-replaceable content data received by the user terminal is viewed. Also, the second icon may take a form of a deflated bag, for example, to indicate that the time-replaceable content has not been distributed from the server yet.

In the browsing step, when the time-replacement-type content data does not effectively exist, a screen prompting the user to download paid content data may be displayed in the window. At a site where the fee-based content data can be downloaded, at least a part of the fee-based content data may be configured to be browsed for content confirmation. The paid content data may include a moving image, and a part of the charged content data may be viewed as a still image for content confirmation. At the site where the fee-based content data can be downloaded, the fee-based content data may be classified by field or by the creator of the content data. The paid content data may be browsed again without being invalidated after being browsed by the user.

The window for browsing the content may be automatically displayed on the desktop screen at a designated time, and the content data effectively existing on the terminal of the user may be displayed and browsed by the user.

If a predetermined action by the user is detected during the display of the time-replaceable content data, the display of the content data is interrupted, the window for viewing the content is erased from the desktop screen, The state may transition to a state in which the first icon is displayed. This predetermined action is Examples include depressing special keys on the keyboard and clicking the mouse in the content browsing window.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a content display method. The method includes the steps of: displaying an icon on a part of a desktop screen of a user terminal; receiving time-replaceable content data from a server and storing the data in the user terminal; When a predetermined action is detected, a content browsing window is displayed on the desktop screen, and when the time-replaceable content data is effectively present on the user terminal, the content data is displayed on the desktop. A step of displaying in a window to allow the user to browse, a step of invalidating the browsed content data in order to restrict the browsing of the content data again after browsing, a new time-replaceable content When data is received from the server, the new time-replaceable content data And a step of replacing the contents data already present in the terminal of Yotsute the Interview monodentate.

The invalidating step may be performed by deleting the browsed content data. The time-replacement type content data is stored in the user terminal together with a flag indicating whether or not the user has browsed, and the invalidating step sets the flag to data indicating that browsing has been completed. May be invalidated. The time-replacement-type content data is stored in the user terminal together with data indicating the number of browsing times of the user, and the step of invalidating includes, when the number of browsing times exceeds a predetermined number, after the browsing. Ko

The data may be invalidated to restrict subsequent browsing.

The replacing step includes the step of:

Whether or not the new timed replacement

Data replacement may be performed.

At the time when the predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected, if the time-replacement-type content data is not completely received, the time-replacement-type content data is received from the server. May be completed. If the number of the time-replaceable content data that can be received from the server within a predetermined period is limited, and the number reaches the limited number within the predetermined period, Thereafter, the reception of the content data may be stopped within the predetermined period. The number of the time-replaceable content data that can be received from the server within one day is limited, and when the number reaches the limited number within one day, the reception of the content data on that day thereafter May be stopped. The number of the time-replaceable content data that can be received from the server within one day is limited to one, and after one piece of the content data is received within one day, the number of the content data of the day is changed. The reception of the data may be stopped. The time-replacement type content data may be received periodically from the server, or may be received from the server according to an operation state of the terminal.

At least one of the field of the time-replacement type content data and a creator of the content data is preliminarily selected by the user and registered in the server, and the time-replacement type content data corresponding to the registered content is stored in the user. May be provided to the terminal.

The time-replacement-type content data includes an advertisement, and the browsing step may include displaying the advertisement together with the content data, and further presenting a link to detailed information of the advertisement to the user. . The time replacement content data may include moving image data, an advertisement may be included in at least a part of the moving image, and the link to the detailed information of the advertisement may be presented on a final screen of the moving image. . An attribute of the user may be registered in the server, and an advertisement corresponding to the attribute may be included in the content data provided to the terminal of the user. The time-replaceable content data received from the server may include moving image data configured to display an advertisement, content, and a link to the detailed content of the advertisement in a predetermined order.

When the time-replacement-type content data has been browsed, only the advertisements included in the content data may be browsed. When the time-replacement type content data has been viewed, only the link to the detailed information of the advertisement included in the content data may be presented.

Content distributed from the server is classified into free and paid services, and free content is time-replaceable content and has a limited number of browsing times. May be viewable any number of times. Advertisement may not be included in paid content, and advertisement may be included in free content. When playback of the free content ends and the user performs a predetermined operation, if the connection to the server is disconnected, the user connects to the server, downloads the paid content from the server, and views the content. You may be able to. When downloading the fee-based content, the user registration status to the server may be checked, and if the user has not been registered, the download of the fee-based content may be performed when the registration process is completed. When the paid content is downloaded, the advertising information distributed from the server may be flowed, and then the paid content may be downloaded.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a content display method. In this method, time-replaceable content data prepared for a specific user layer is delivered to a user terminal of the user layer, and an icon displayed on a desktop screen of the user terminal When a predetermined operation is performed on the desktop, the distributed time-replaceable content data is displayed on the desktop screen and browsed by the user, and after browsing, the browsing of the content data is disabled again. And the time-replacement type content data includes a content for introducing a service for the user layer.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a content display method. In this method, an icon capable of presenting a predetermined function is displayed on a part of the main surface of a user's terminal, and when a user's action on the icon is detected, a window for content browsing is displayed. The content data displayed on the main screen is viewed by the user, and viewing of the content data is restricted until new content data is received.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a content display method of displaying an image of another content on a part of the screen while displaying an image on a screen of a user terminal, A first icon is displayed on the screen, and a new icon having a display mode different from that of the first icon is displayed for transitioning to the content display mode by designating the first icon. And the content The display mode of the new icon is changed according to the browsing history. Still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention relates to a program for a computer. The program includes a module for receiving time-replaceable content data from a server, a module for storing the content data in a storage area, a module for constantly displaying icons on a desktop screen, and a content browsing on a desktop screen. A window for displaying the content data in the window, and when a predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected, the browsing module effectively stores the content data in the storage area. The browsing of the existing content data is started, and after browsing, the content data stored in the storage area is invalidated so that the browsing cannot be performed again.

The browsing module may display a content for guiding the download of the paid content data in a case where there is no valid daily content data. The browsing module is also used to display the paid content data, the paid content data downloaded is displayed in another area of a desktop screen, and the paid content data is selected by a user. Then, browsing of the paid content data by the browsing module may be started.

Still another embodiment of the present invention relates to a content display device. The apparatus includes a receiving unit that communicates with a server to receive time-replaceable content data, a storage unit that stores the time-replaceable content data, and an icon that can present a predetermined function on a screen. When a predetermined operation is performed on the icon, a content browsing screen is displayed. When the time replacement type content data is effectively present in the storage unit, the content data is displayed. And a disabling unit for disabling the content data after browsing in order to restrict the user from browsing the content data again after browsing the content data. And

The invalidation unit may invalidate the content data by deleting the browsed content data. The storage unit stores a flag indicating whether or not the time-replacement type content data has been browsed, and the invalidating unit sets the flag to data indicating that the content has been browsed, whereby the content data after browsing is stored. May be invalidated. Previous The display unit may display, on the screen, content that prompts the user to download paid content data when the flag indicates that the content has been viewed.

The invalidation unit, when a new time-replacement type content data is received by the reception unit, by replacing the content data already existing in the storage unit with the new time-replacement type content data, The content data may be invalidated.

When a predetermined operation is performed on an icon capable of presenting the predetermined function, the display unit replaces the icon capable of presenting the predetermined function with the time-replaceable content in the storage unit. Displaying an icon having a shape indicating whether data is valid or not, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the icon having the shape, browsing of the valid time-replacement type content data is started. You may. Still another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a content display device, which includes communication terminal means incorporating software capable of searching and browsing information stored in a content transmission source, and a specific content. And at least a storage unit for storing images. The storage means stores content data downloaded via a network regularly or irregularly, and the communication terminal means displays the stored content data at a specific location on a screen. The software that displays the selection means for selecting is installed. The selection means may be a display state transition icon. This content transmission source includes servers, terrestrial broadcasting stations, broadcasting satellites, communication satellites, and the like.

It is to be noted that any combination of the above-described elements and any change of the expression among methods, apparatuses, recording media, computer programs, and the like are also included in the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content display system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the content display device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of content data downloaded from the content database of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a setting screen of content display software that operates on the content display device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of free content data stored in a storage unit of the content display device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing types of icons displayed by the display unit of the content display device in FIG. '

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the first icon is displayed on the desktop screen of the content display device in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a second icon is displayed on the desktop screen of the content display device in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which a content browsing window is displayed on the desktop screen of the content display device in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for downloading content by the content display device of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for downloading content by the content display device of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying free content by the content display device of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying paid content by the content display device of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an end screen for browsing the content.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen on which the first icon is displayed after returning to the initial state after browsing the content.

Figure 16 shows the introduction screen for paid content.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing the initial screen of the paid content purchase site.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a paid content selection screen.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a screen on which a part of the paid content is displayed as a still image. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen for designating purchase of paid content.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a screen for displaying the number of paid contents that can be purchased.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a screen when the purchase of a specified number of paid contents is specified.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an input screen of the user's member registration data.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a member registration screen.

Figure 25 is a diagram showing the screen during the download of paid content.

Figure 26 shows the screen displayed at the end of paid content download. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A content display system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent figures, a case is described in which a server connected to a network communication line such as the Internet is used as a content transmission source. This server is, for example, a WWW server, and is configured so that content is downloaded from the server based on a URL specified from a user terminal. This server is set up by a provider of the content, and the advertising information by the advertiser is inserted into the content as described later. Content can be viewed free of charge, while others can be viewed for a fee.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content display system 10 using the Internet. A WWW server 14 that provides contents is connected to the Internet 12 through a dedicated line or a provider that is a line connection provider.

The WWW server 14 has a content creation processing function. A content database 16 is provided as a means for storing the created content, and the content including the advertisement information is stored. This content is “time-replaceable” content whose content is updated or replaced after a predetermined time has elapsed. The replacement cycle may be daily, or may be updated or replaced more than once a day, such as morning and afternoon. The content and content of the ad and the replacement cycle It can be appropriately selected according to the layer. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of description, a description will be given mainly of daily contents.

Terminals 20a, 20b, 20c acting as clients to the WWW server 14 Connect to the Internet 12 via the dedicated line 22 or the provider 24 which is a line connection company . These terminals are collectively referred to as a content display device 20.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the content display device 20. The content display device 20 includes a communication unit 34, a display unit 36, a storage unit 38, an invalidation unit 40, and a browser processing unit 32. In terms of hardware, this configuration can be realized by elements such as a computer CPU, and in software, it is realized by a program with a content display function, but here, the functions realized by their cooperation I am drawing a block. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

The browser processing unit 32 includes information search and information browsing processing functions for searching and browsing information via the Internet 12, and a known Internet browser can be used as a software module. The communication unit 34 downloads content data from the content database 16 of the WWW server 14 via the Internet 12 and transmits / receives information according to instructions from the browser processing unit 32. The storage unit 38 stores the content data received by the communication unit 34. The storage unit 38 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.

The display unit 36 displays the content data stored in the storage unit 38 on the desktop screen of the content display device 20. The display unit 36 is, as a software module, a display processing program for displaying content data on a desktop screen for viewing by a user, an icon processing program for displaying icons on the desktop screen, and the like. Including application programs. These programs are recorded on media such as CD-ROMs distributed free of charge by the content provider or for a fee. The installation media is not limited to CD-ROM. These programs can also be downloaded from a server via the Internet 12 or the like and installed. The invalidating unit 40 invalidates the content data by setting the power of deleting the content data stored in the storage unit 38 or setting a browsed flag. When new content data is received, the old content data stored in the storage unit 38 is overwritten, and the substantially old content data is invalidated.

The content database 16 of the WWW server 14 stores the content to be provided to the user, but this content is aimed at refreshing the user. Users feel tired and stressed when working long hours at the computer screen. In such a case, it is desirable to be able to temporarily suspend the work on the computer screen and change the mood appropriately.

Such a diversion can often be achieved with very simple events. Therefore, content that creates a refreshing effect is considered to be, for example, animation or comedy that provokes laughter, video display that can be relaxed, skits or movies that evoke small excitement, or wisdom bags of everyday life that are not directly related to business. The purpose can be achieved by providing such content as images and sounds for only a short time.

Such refreshing content can be represented by any of still images, animations, moving images, computer graphics images, audio, textual information, or a combination thereof. The sound may be added to the image, or the image may be made to match the sound to compose the content. FIG. 3 shows the format of the content data downloaded from the content database 16. Figure 3A divides one piece of content into a first part and a second part, with an advertisement interposed between them. Each content is selected to have a length of about 15 to 30 seconds. The advertisement may be inserted after the reproduction of the content is completed as shown in FIG. 3B, or may be inserted before the reproduction of the content as shown in FIG. 3C. At the end of the content data, link data for guiding the details of the advertisement is added. This link data includes the URL address of the website where you can browse the details of the advertisement, and the data displayed on the screen to remind the user of the advertisement, such as the still image of the advertisement, the tagline, and the logo of the advertiser. Is included. These contents are free in principle. A content provider interposes an advertisement and collects an advertisement fee from an advertisement client to establish a business. When the content is judged to be valuable to the user, a synergistic effect is expected in which the use of the content increases, and the advertisement inserted in the content also enhances the advertising effect of the advertiser's products and services. it can.

When providing paid content, after asking whether or not to browse a part of the paid content as described below, after performing processing such as user ID registration, the paid content is sent from the WWW server. Delivered to the user. A well-known method can be used for the billing method at that time. Paid content does not include advertising. Paid content can be viewed any number of times.

Free content can be replaced once a day at a fixed time, or can be replaced several times a day, for example, in the morning and afternoon, with different content. A plurality of contents may be prepared for each field or artist. In such a case, the user may select a desired field or artist in advance and register it in the WWW server 14. Alternatively, in the software installed in the content display device 20, profile data such as user attributes are set together with the ID of the content display device 20, and the profile data is transmitted to the WWW server 14. The WWW server 14 may be able to select content according to the user's profile.

FIG. 4 is a setting screen of the content display software according to the embodiment that operates on the content display device 20. Users can set their profile on this screen. The year of birth, gender, part of the address, and the location of the user's terminal are set. The set data is stored together with the ID of the content display device 20 or the registration ID of the software in an area managed by a computer operating system such as a registry. These data are transmitted to the WWW server 14 and used to select the content area and the type of advertisement. This makes it possible to provide content and advertisements tailored to the user's preferences, enhance the use of services, and activate businesses based on advertising revenue. Also, in the same figure, a clock icon described later displayed on the desktop screen is shown. It is possible to set whether or not the content is always displayed on the desktop screen or the time when the content is displayed on time.

It is possible to arbitrarily set whether to display the advertisements included in the free content before, after, in the middle or at the center of the content, and to use the head area of the content data when transferring the content data. And a command indicating the order in which the advertisement is played can be inserted, and the playback timing of the advertisement can be made variable by this command.

FIG. 5 shows the format of the free content data stored in the storage unit 38. The free content data downloaded from the content database 16 is stored in the storage unit 38 in a format to which header information is added. The content data 56 includes advertising data 57, content body 58, and link data 59. The header information 50 added to the content data 56 includes the download date / time 51, the distribution flag 52, and the browse flag 53 of the content data 56. Delivery flag 52 indicates whether the time-replaceable free content data has been downloaded. For example, if the content data changes on a daily basis, it indicates whether or not the distribution of the content data for that day has been completed. The viewing flag 53 is a flag indicating whether or not the free content has already been viewed. The invalidation unit 40 invalidates the content data 56 stored in the storage unit 38 by changing the value of the browse flag 53.

The free content is downloaded to the content display device 20 via the Internet 12 as described above. On the personal computer screen, a plurality of types of icons having different display modes are used as such content browsing tools. FIG. 6 shows icons having different display forms on the desktop screen. The icon in FIG. 6A is used as a display icon when the application software according to the embodiment has started up. Call this the first icon Aa. The first icon Aa is displayed on the desktop screen of the content display device 20. Its size is such that it does not hinder the user's work on the desktop screen, for example, about 1/16 of the desktop screen. The first icon A a can present a predetermined function on the desktop screen, and in this example, the clock is displayed. Have been. In the embodiment, the time display by the clock is configured to be linked with the system clock built in the content display device 20, and the current time can be displayed by this icon.

When the user wants to view the free content, he or she clicks the first icon Aa with the mouse or positions the mouse cursor on the location of the first icon Aa. When such an operation is detected, the display mode of the icon changes depending on whether or not the free content has already been viewed. For simplicity, here we consider free content that can be replaced on a daily basis. When the free content for that day has not yet been displayed on the user's terminal screen, that is, when the user has not viewed the content yet, the display is switched to the second icon Ab indicating that the content can be displayed.

FIG. 6B shows a display example of the second icon Ab. The icon is designed to mimic the contents of the day, so that the contents of the bag are inflated by using the snacks that the child eats daily, i.e., a bag containing snacks. It is imaged by doing.

On the other hand, if you were already browsing the content for the day, a third example showing the bag being deflated, as shown in Figure 6C, to resemble that the candy was not in the bag. The icon A c is displayed.

Such an icon display can be used not only to indicate whether there is unviewed content, but also to display a data storage amount when the content is downloaded from the content database 16. In this case, an icon with a different display format is used as an index that indicates how much of the total data has been downloaded. For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, a fourth icon Ad representing a middle swelling bag is used to indicate that content data has been stored halfway. If the data volume is large, such as when the content contains a real image, it takes time to download from the server. Therefore, the user can indicate to the user that data is being downloaded using the icon of the bag with such an intermediate swelling. In addition, the display mode of FIG. 6C is sequentially changed from the display mode of FIG. 6C to the display mode of FIG. 6B so that the data storage amount can be displayed continuously from 0% to 100%. The display of the computer can be changed. In the case of contents with a large data volume, downloads can be performed step by step at intervals so as not to hinder the work on the user's terminal. The fourth icon Ad is used to indicate the progress.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show display examples of content on a desktop screen using icons having different display modes. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the first icon Aa is displayed on the front of the desktop screen S in the initial state. The first icon Aa is displayed at the right corner of the desktop screen S so that the display of other windows on the desktop screen S is not obstructed.

In this display state, when the cursor is overlaid on the first icon Aa, an icon corresponding to the content browsing state is displayed. Now, assuming that the content has not been browsed yet, a second icon Ab is displayed instead of the first icon Aa as shown in FIG.

When the second icon Ab is clicked in a state where the second icon Ab is displayed, the mode transits to the content display mode. At this time, a content browsing window ゥ S ′ is displayed with a size of about 1Z4 to 1Z8 on the desktop screen S as shown in FIG. In the content browsing window S ', curtains are displayed on the left and right to create the atmosphere of the theater, indicating the start of content browsing, and the title of the content as shown in the figure is displayed.

For example, if the content has a structure that sandwiches the advertisement in the middle as shown in Figure 3A, the first part of the content is displayed for 15 seconds, followed by the advertisement for 15 seconds, and immediately after the advertisement ends, the content The second part is also aired for 15 seconds. When the display of all the contents is completed, the display automatically shifts to the display mode of the first icon Aa shown in FIG.

If any part of the content browsing window S, is clicked during the browsing of the content, the display of the content is immediately stopped, and the display mode is changed to the first icon A a display mode. Can continue the work they were doing. When browsing the content is interrupted in this way, the same content can be browsed again from the beginning. Ads in the middle Therefore, it is possible to browse the content again until the browsing of the second part of the content is completed. By doing so, it is possible to guarantee that the browsing of the content will be completed after the advertisement is displayed.

Also, after all the content has been displayed, the browsing of the content has been completed using the link data shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C instead of immediately returning to the display mode of the first icon Aa. After that, for a while, a still image or catch phrase of the advertisement is displayed, and the URL of the web page where the details of the advertisement can be viewed is presented as a link destination, and the user clicks on the URL. The link destination may be made accessible using a browser.

When content browsing has already been performed, the invalidation unit 40 rewrites the content flag stored in the storage unit 38 to data indicating that the content has been browsed so that the content data cannot be browsed again. In this case, when force is superimposed on the first icon Aa, the third icon Ac is displayed at the same place instead of the display of the second icon Ab. Then, when the third icon A c is clicked, the display mode changes to the display mode for the first icon A a. At this time, if the content of the day has not been distributed, it may be configured to request a download of the new content, in which case the distribution of the content is requested by clicking again. When a new content is distributed, the content is displayed. Further, as a modification, when the third icon Ac is clicked, a content browsing window S ′ may be displayed to display that the content has been browsed. In such a case, a screen for prompting the purchase of the paid content may be displayed, and when the screen is clicked, the browser may be configured to automatically access the URL of the paid content purchase site.

A procedure for downloading content and a procedure for displaying content by the content display device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. First, FIG. 10 shows an example of processing for downloading free content from the WWW server 14.

In performing the content download processing, it is first checked whether or not unviewed content data is effectively present in the storage unit 38 (step 62). This process is performed when the content data is displayed on the desktop screen. It is assumed that data processing by the invalidation unit 40 of invalidating content data is performed. This is to limit the number of browsing of the content to, for example, one. This invalidation may be realized by providing a counter for the number of times of browsing, or the number of times of browsing may be set in advance, and when the number of times is reached, browsing thereafter may be restricted. It is not always necessary to delete the content data that cannot be browsed from the storage unit 38, and a flag indicating that the content data is invalid may be provided. When new content data is downloaded, the old content data is overwritten. Therefore, the old content data is deleted regardless of whether or not the content is browsed.

When there is unviewed content data in the storage unit 38 (Y in step 62), the download process ends because there is no need to download new content data from the WWW server 14. When there is no unviewed content data in the storage unit 38, that is, when the content data to be viewed by the user does not exist effectively, the WWW server 14 that provides the content is accessed based on the URL. At the same time, an ID specifying the user or the content display device 20 is transmitted to the WWW server 14, and the WWW server 14 performs authentication processing of the user or the content display device 20 (step 63). When the authentication process is completed, the content data replaced with the latest content is downloaded from the content database 16 provided in the WWW server 14 and stored in the storage unit 38 (step 64). .

An indication of the amount of received content data stored in the storage unit 38 is displayed on the desktop screen S using the degree of swelling of the bag-shaped icon (step 65). The process of storing the content data is performed until all the content data is downloaded (step 66). Regarding the icon display in step 65, for example, as the received data storage amount changes from 0% to 50% to 100%, the icons are displayed in the order of Fig. 6C, Fig. 6D, and Fig. 6B. Replace. This allows the user to visually grasp the data accumulation state. Insert the data indicating the total amount of content data into the header of the distributed content, etc. so that the amount of data received can be grasped as a percentage, or how much the distributed data amount in the content data May be inserted.

The download process shown in FIG. 10 is performed when the user's action for the first icon Aa is detected on the content display device 20, but the download process is performed using a specific time zone. You can do it too. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of this. When a preset time is monitored (step 71), the same content as described in Fig. 10 is downloaded. Processing is performed (steps 72 to 76). Since this download step is the same as in FIG. 10, the reference numerals related to FIG. 10 are assigned and the description thereof is omitted.

In the environment where the content display device 20 is constantly connected to the Internet 12, the set time in step 71 is set to 12 o'clock in the evening when there is no hindrance to the user's work. In an environment where the content display device 20 is not always connected to the Internet 12 and is connected by a dial-up when communication is required, the user often uses the Internet 12 during a time period. The download setting time may be set in advance. Instead of setting the time, when the user starts up the content display device 20 or when the CPU of the content display device 20 is in an idle state, the timing according to the operation state of the content display device 20 is set. You may download it. Alternatively, the content display device 20 may poll the WWW server 14 at predetermined time intervals to download the content. In either case, the delivery flag 52 stored in the storage unit 38 is checked to determine whether the delivery of the content to be downloaded has already been completed, and the content is downloaded only when the delivery has not been completed. Tried.

If the content display device 20 is constantly connected to the Internet 12, the latest content data can be transmitted from the WWW server 14 to the content display device 20 to replace the content. In the case of such push-type content distribution, the latest content data may be transmitted at a timing determined on the WWW server 14 side.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing steps for displaying content data downloaded from the content database 16 and stored in the storage unit 38 on a desktop screen. Figure 12 shows an example of processing when playing free content. You. It is monitored whether or not the first icon Aa displayed on the desktop screen is clicked (step 81). Instead of monitoring the click of the first icon Aa, it is also possible to monitor whether the cursor is over the first icon Aa. When a click by the user or an overlap of the cursor is detected, it is next checked whether or not there is unviewed content data in the storage unit 38 (step 82). When the unviewed content data effectively exists in the storage unit 38 (N in step 82), the display mode is switched to the display mode of the second icon Ab indicating that there is unviewed content (step 8). 3).

Next, a click on the second icon Ab is monitored (step 84), and when the user's click is detected, the content is viewed by the user. That is, the content browsing window S 'is displayed on the desktop screen S, and the content data is reproduced in the window (step 85). The content data includes moving image data such as animation and video, and advertisement data. The advertisement data may be a still image or a moving image.

When the content is organized in the format shown in Figure 3C, an advertisement is displayed first, followed by the content, and finally a link to a web page where you can view the details of the advertisement. It is displayed together with the still image of the advertisement. This allows the user to obtain detailed information of the advertisement from the linked Web page if the user is interested in the first advertisement after browsing the content.

During playback of the content, it is detected whether the cursor has moved into the content browsing window S 'and clicked (step 86). If the mouse or the like has not been clicked, it is checked whether or not the content display has been completed (step 87), and the content read operation is continued until the reading of the content data is completed. Therefore, the display of the content is continued without interruption. On the other hand, if the mouse or the like is clicked in step 86, the display of this content is immediately stopped, and the display mode is switched to the display mode of the first icon Aa (step 88). If a stop process is performed during the playback of the content, the content is not invalidated, and the same content can be viewed again. Monitor the pressing of special keys such as the escape key instead of the mouse When is pressed, the reproduction of the content may be interrupted. When the reproduction of the content ends, the content data stored in the storage unit 38 is invalidated (step 89), the screen display is switched to the first icon Aa, and the content reproduction process ends.

If it is determined in step 82 that the playback of the content has already been completed and the content has been viewed, the icon to be displayed on the desktop screen S is switched to the third icon Ac for finishing viewing the content and displayed. (Step 90) Then, when the mouse or the like is clicked (Step 91), the icon is switched to the first icon Aa and displayed (Step 88). In step 88, before transitioning to the display mode of the first icon Aa, the content browsing window S ′ may be displayed to indicate that the content has been browsed.

The processing example in Fig. 12 is for the case where free content is distributed, but it is also possible to distribute paid content following this content in addition to free content. Paid content, unlike daily free content, is not limited to those that aim for a refreshing effect. In this case, bidirectional communication with the WWW server 14 is performed, and the user requests delivery of paid content while searching for paid content or browsing a part of the paid content.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the paid content distribution process, and FIGS. 14 to 26 are display examples of the desktop screen at that time. Paid content is delivered after viewing the free content. In Fig. 13, first, the free content browsing and display processing is performed (Step 101), and when the free content display processing is completed (Step 102), the subsequent steps are the paid content processing steps. Transitions to. When the free content display process is completed, an end screen is first displayed on the desktop screen for a fixed time in the content browsing window (step 103). Figure 14 shows an example of the end screen. In the figure, an end screen is displayed on the lower left side. At this time, the second icon Ab is displayed on the end screen. At this time, the first icon Aa is displayed in the right corner of the desktop screen. However, at this time, the first icon Aa may not be displayed on the desktop screen. After a certain period of time, only the first icon Aa is displayed as shown in Fig. 15 Return to the initial state.

Next, the click state of the first icon Aa is monitored (step 104). Until a click by the user is detected, the display state of the first icon Aa is continued (step 105). When the first icon A a is clicked, in this example, the icon display state is kept as it is, the presence or absence of a line connection with the WWW server 14 is checked, and if the line is not connected, the line is Connection processing is performed (step 106). At the same time as the line connection processing, the CGI script is started on the WWW server 14 side. Thereby, bidirectional communication between the WWW server 14 and the content display device 20 is established.

When the CGI script is started, an initial screen for introducing paid content is displayed (step 107). An example is shown in which the first icon Aa is displayed on the desktop screen S even during the subsequent processing steps. This is because the first icon Aa is used as a clock for displaying the current time. However, there may be a form in which the first icon Aa is not displayed.

Figure 16 shows an example of a paid content introduction screen. This screen is displayed in the existing browser window. However, the introduction screen may be displayed in the content browsing window by displaying the content browsing window using the application software of the embodiment without using the browser. On the introduction screen, the user is prompted to access another sponsor's site to refresh and replace the free content data and to access the paid content providing site and select whether to purchase the paid content.

When a user who wants to purchase paid content clicks the “GO” button displayed on the screen (step 108), a browser, which is existing Internet browsing software, starts up, and, for example, in the browser window shown in FIG. The initial screen of the paid content purchase site, such as “Sweets on the Internet”, is displayed. For simplicity, various menus and buttons that appear in the browser window are not shown here. When the part of the initial screen displayed on the browser is clicked on the part where the door is displayed (step 109), the screen is switched to a content selection screen where paid content can be selected. For example, as shown in FIG. The paid content selection screen with the icons is displayed. Although not shown, the title of the paid content is displayed below each icon. Clicking a specific icon, such as the center icon, displays a portion of the paid content corresponding to the clicked icon, such as a highlight scene or title image, as a still image on the desktop screen (step). 1 1 0). FIG. 19 shows an example of the screen display at that time, and an image showing a part of the selected paid content is displayed on the foreground of the desktop screen S.

When purchasing this content, double-clicking the mouse at the same cursor position as shown in the display example in Fig. 20 specifies the purchase of that content (steps 111, 1 1 2).

In this embodiment, a predetermined number of contents can be purchased at a specified unit price. As an example, it is assumed that three contents can be purchased. It is checked whether the purchase of the maximum number of contents that can be purchased has been designated (step 1 13), and if the maximum number is not reached, the number of contents that can be purchased is further displayed as a message (step 1 14). Figure 21 shows an example of the message displayed at this time. The text and graphics show the current purchase quantity of the content and the purchaseable quantity.

When this message is displayed, the flow returns to step 108 to perform the same content selection processing (steps 108 to 112). When the user has specified the specified number of contents (step 113), the display is switched to a screen display to that effect (step 115). Figure 22 shows an example of the screen display at that time.

Next, the contents of the user's membership registration are checked in the WWW server 14 (step 1 16). FIG. 23 shows an example of the screen display at that time, in which the input of the user ID and password is accepted. In the case of an unregistered user, click "J to the registration screen" to move to the member registration screen shown in Fig. 24, and the registration process is performed (step 1 17). Step 1 16 or new member registration In the process, when the user's ID and password have been input, the specified paid content is downloaded (Step 120) Figure 25 shows an example of the screen display during downloading. , And the amount of data accumulated at the time of download Although a cent display is shown, the progress of the download may be displayed by the icon display shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C, and 6D.

Here, when the paid content is downloaded, the user ID and password data stored on the WWW server 14 side are inserted into the downloaded content data, and the content in which the data is inserted is inserted. The data is stored in the storage unit 38 in the content display device 20. Similarly, the ID and password of the user newly registered in step 117 are also stored in the storage section 38 of the content display device 20.

When the download process is completed, a message display process for playback is performed (step 122). Figure 26 shows an example of the contents of the message at that time. In this example, the selected content name and the processing procedure for playback are displayed on the screen. If you click on the content name on this screen, a content browsing window is displayed, and the paid content is browsed and displayed in that window (step 122). In addition, the downloaded paid content can also be selected by a pop-up menu displayed when right-clicking the first icon A a with a mouse. When the paid content is selected, a content browsing window is displayed. You can browse paid content in that window.

The downloaded paid content is stored in a predetermined folder of the window system. The folder storing the paid content is displayed on the desktop screen, and the user can open the folder and double-click the paid content to view the paid content. In this case as well, the same program module operates as when viewing the free content, and the paid content is viewed in the same content viewing window as when the free content was viewed. By using the same display module and browsing window for both content without distinguishing between paid content and paid content in this way, the program size of the software is reduced and the efficiency of software development is improved. be able to.

Note that if no paid content is selected after a certain period of time in steps 108 and 109, or if double-click processing is not performed for a certain period of time in step 111. If not (steps 123), it is assumed that the paid content has been deselected and the process returns to step 104. Of course, the process up to this point can be processed so that it is completed in dedicated client software without starting up an existing WWW browser.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiment, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. Examples of such changes include:

In the above-described embodiment, the distribution of content data is performed using a network line such as the Internet, and the user terminal accesses and downloads the WWW server 14. From 4 onwards, content can be distributed all at once or to specific registered users only. In addition to using the Internet line, when terrestrial broadcasting stations and broadcasting satellites are used as content transmission sources, communication distribution means using digital broadcasting waves such as terrestrial waves and satellite waves can be used to provide a large number of terminals. You can also broadcast all at once. Of course, it is also possible to distribute content using a specific wired line. In such a case, it goes without saying that in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the content display device 20 needs a receiving facility such as a set-top box having a line connection function.

In the above description, the user's terminal is a computer, and the embodiment has been described by taking the desktop screen of the computer as an example. However, the terminal may be a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like. , A time-replaceable content may be displayed.

The content display system according to the embodiment can be used by a business operator to provide services and products to its customers. The business operator provides the WWW server 14 and the content database 16 of the present embodiment by itself or in cooperation with a content provider, and provides the customer with a medium such as a CD-ROM storing the content display program of the present embodiment. Distribute and install on customer computers. For example, for museums and other interested users of art, distribute paintings on display to users' terminals as free daily content and guide them to online shops that sell postcards and art-related books and products. Buy free content as advertising Such use is conceivable.

According to the content display method of the present embodiment, when the user is interested, the user can click the clock or other icon on the desktop screen to see the daily content, so that the content can be displayed without feeling intrusive. Can be viewed naturally. Therefore, even if an advertisement is included in the content, the user is less likely to reject the advertisement and tends to tolerate the presence of the advertisement. Therefore, when the details of the advertisement are presented in the form of links, it is expected that the link will have a much higher click-through rate than ordinary banner advertisements, and is highly useful as a new advertising method on the Internet.

In the present embodiment, the content created by the artists is provided to the user in a form different from the WWW. Web pages, where users can access and browse the same content as many times as possible, will reduce the scarcity of artistic expression. In the present embodiment, the browsing of the content is restricted to once a day or the like, and if the user wants to watch the content many times, the content provision mode is changed so that the content is purchased for a fee. As a result, the content will create new scarcity for the user, and the artist will be able to express art differently from the exhibition on the Web page.

Further, according to the content display method of the present embodiment, when the icon having a function such as a clock displayed in one corner of the desktop screen of the terminal is clicked in a spare time, the daily content is displayed. Therefore, it can be said that this icon also has a bookmark function that stores the URL for the daily content. Even if the URL of the daily content is stored in the browser bookmark, users rarely go to the content every day. If there is a friendly icon on the desktop screen as in this embodiment, the icon is operated naturally and access to the content is made on a daily basis. Even if the content is replaced every day, it is possible to realize a situation where it is easy for the user to continuously view the content. As a result, even contents created by artists every day or advertisements advertisers send every day can be noticed by many users without being buried in the sea of information on the Internet. In this embodiment, daily content for the purpose of changing the user's mind is distributed free of charge, and after browsing, the same content is restricted from being viewed again, and purchase of paid content is encouraged. . This can encourage the user to access the paid content download site, which has the effect of promoting the sale of paid content. Industrial applicability

As described above, the present invention can be used for a content display method, an apparatus, a server, a system, and a program using a network.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An icon that can present a given function is always displayed on a part of the desktop screen of the user's terminal, and when that icon is clicked, a window for viewing the content is displayed on the desktop screen. Then, the user browses the time-replaceable content data received from the server, invalidates the browsed content data, and continues to receive the content data until new time-replaceable content data is received. A content display method that makes browsing impossible.

2. a step of constantly displaying a first icon capable of presenting a predetermined function on a part of a desktop screen of a user terminal;

Receiving time-replaceable content data from a server and storing the content data in the user terminal;

When a predetermined action of the user with respect to the first icon is detected, a window for content browsing is displayed on the desktop screen, and the time-replaceable content data is effectively present in the terminal of the user. And displaying the content data in the window to allow the user to browse the content data, and invalidating the content data after the browsing to disable the content data from being browsed again. .

3. When the cursor is over the first icon, a second icon indicating the presence or absence of valid time-replaceable content data is displayed in place of the first icon, and the second icon is displayed. 3. The content display method according to claim 2, wherein the browsing of the valid time replacement type content data is started when the icon of (2) is clicked.

4. The second icon has a swelling appearance when the time-replaceable content data exists effectively, and the time-replaceable 4. The content display method according to claim 3, wherein the icon is a bag-shaped icon having a depressed appearance when the data is not effectively present.

5. The step of causing the user to view, if the time-replaceable content data does not exist effectively, displaying a screen prompting the user to download paid content data in the window. Content display method according to any of 1 to 4.

6. The step of automatically displaying the window for browsing the content on the desktop screen at a designated time, displaying the content data effectively existing on the terminal of the user, and causing the user to browse the content data. 3. The content display method according to claim 2, wherein the content is displayed.

7. If a predetermined action by the user is detected during the display of the time-replaceable content data, the display of the content data is interrupted, and the content browsing window is erased from the desktop screen. 3. The content display method according to claim 2, wherein the content transitions to a state in which the first icon is displayed.

8. A step of displaying an icon on a part of the desktop screen of the user's terminal, a step of receiving time-replaceable content data from a server and storing it in the user's terminal,

When a predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected, a window for viewing the content is displayed on the desktop screen, and when the time replacement type content data is effectively present in the user terminal, Displaying the content data in the window for viewing by the user;

Disabling the content data after browsing, in order to restrict the browsing of the content data again after browsing, When new time-replacement-type content data is received from the server, replacing the content data already existing in the user terminal with the new time-replacement-type content data. Content display method.

9. The content display method according to claim 8, wherein the invalidating step invalidates the content data by deleting the browsed content data.

10. The time-replaceable content data is stored in the terminal of the user together with a flag indicating whether the user has viewed the content data, and the invalidating step includes setting the flag to data indicating that the content has been viewed. 9. The content display method according to claim 8, wherein the content data after browsing is invalidated.

11. The time-replaceable content data is stored in the terminal of the user together with data indicating the number of times of browsing by the user, and the invalidating step includes the step of: when the number of browsing exceeds a predetermined number, 9. The content display method according to claim 8, wherein the subsequent content data is invalidated to restrict subsequent browsing.

12. The replacement step is characterized in that replacement is performed by the new time-replacement-type content data regardless of whether the content data already existing on the user terminal has already been viewed. Claim 8

'Display method.

13. A step of displaying an icon on a part of the desktop screen of the user terminal, a step of receiving time-replaceable content data from a server, and storing the data in the user terminal.

When a predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected, a window for viewing the content is displayed on the desktop screen, and the terminal of the user is displayed on the terminal. A step of displaying the content data in the window and allowing a user to view the content data when the time-replaceable content data is effectively present;

Invalidating the content data after browsing and making it impossible to browse again,

At the time when the predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected, if the time-replacement-type content data has not been completely received, the time-replacement-type content data has been received from the server. Content display method characterized by performing.

14. The number of the time-replaceable content data that can be received from the server within a predetermined period is limited, and when the number reaches the limited number within the predetermined period, thereafter, the number of the time-replacement-type content data is reduced within the predetermined period. 14. The content display method according to claim 13, wherein the reception of the content data is stopped.

15 5. The number of the time-replaceable content data that can be received from the server within one day is limited, and if the number reaches the limited number within one day, the content will be limited thereafter. 14. The content display method according to claim 13, wherein data reception is stopped.

16. The number of time-replaceable content data that can be received within one day from the server is limited to one, and after one piece of the content data is received within one day, 14. The content display method according to claim 13, wherein the reception of the content data is stopped.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the time-replaceable content data is periodically received from the server.

Display method.

18. The content display method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the time-replaceable content data is received from the server according to an operation state of the terminal.

1 9. At least one of the field of the time-replacement type content data and the creator of the content data is selected in advance by the user and registered in the server, and the time-replacement type content data according to the registered content. The content display method according to claim 3, wherein the content is provided to the user terminal.

20. a step of constantly displaying an icon capable of presenting a predetermined function on a part of the screen of the user's terminal;

Receiving time-replaceable content data from a server and storing it in the user terminal;

A step of displaying the content data and allowing the user to browse the time-replaceable content data when the predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected and the time-replaceable content data is effectively present in the terminal of the user; When,

The time-replaceable content data includes an advertisement, and the browsing step includes displaying the advertisement together with the content data, and presenting a link to detailed information of the advertisement to the user. Content display method.

21. The time-replaceable content data includes a moving image, at least a part of the moving image includes an advertisement, and the link to the detailed information of the advertisement is presented on a final screen of the moving image. 20. The content display method according to claim 20, wherein:

22. A request range wherein a user attribute is registered in the server, and an advertisement corresponding to the attribute is inserted into the content data provided to the user terminal. Content display method described in.

23. The time-replaceable content data received from the server includes moving image data configured to display advertisements, contents, and links to detailed contents of advertisements in a predetermined order. 20. A method for displaying content according to claim 20.

24. The content display method according to claim 20, wherein when the time-replacement type content data has been browsed, only the advertisement included in the content data is browsed.

25. The content according to claim 20, wherein when the time-replacement-type content data has been browsed, only the link to the detailed information of the advertisement included in the content data is presented as a special hue. Display method.

26. a step of constantly displaying a first icon capable of presenting a predetermined function on a part of the desktop screen of the user terminal;

When an action for the first icon is detected, and when the time-replaceable content data is effectively present at the terminal of the user, the content data is displayed on the desktop screen to be viewed by the user. And a step of invalidating the content data after browsing to disable re-browsing,

In the content display method, the browsing step displays, on the desktop screen, a content that prompts a user to download paid content data when the time-replaceable content data does not exist effectively.

27. The site according to claim 26, wherein at least a part of the fee-based content data is configured to be browsed for content confirmation at a site where the fee-based content data can be downloaded. Content display method.

28. The content display method according to claim 27, wherein said charged content data includes a moving image, and a part of the charged content data can be viewed as a still image for content confirmation.

29. The content display according to claim 26, wherein in the site where the paid content data can be downloaded, the paid content data is classified according to a field or a creator of the content data. Method.

30. The content display method according to claim 26, wherein said paid content data can be viewed again without being invalidated after being viewed by said user.

31. A process in which time-replaceable content data prepared for a specific user layer is distributed to a terminal of a user of the user layer,

When a predetermined operation is performed on an icon displayed on the desktop screen of the user terminal, the distributed time-replaceable content data is displayed on the desktop screen to be viewed by the user, Disable browsing the content data again after browsing,

The content display method, wherein the time-replacement type content data includes a content for introducing a service for the user layer.

3 2. An icon capable of presenting a predetermined function is displayed on a part of the main screen of the user's terminal, and when a user action on the icon is detected, a

'Display the browsing screen on the main screen, and A content browsing unit that allows the user to browse data in the content browsing screen and restricts browsing of the content data until a new piece of data is received.

3 3. A module for receiving time-replaceable content data from the server,

A module for storing the content data in a storage area,

A module that constantly displays icons on the desktop screen,

A module for displaying a content browsing window on the desktop screen, and allowing the user to browse the content data in the window, wherein when the user's predetermined action on the icon is detected, the browsing module Comprises: starting browsing of the content data effectively existing in the storage area, invalidating the content data stored in the storage area after browsing, and disabling browsing again. Program.

34. The program according to claim 33, wherein when there is no valid time-replaceable content data, the browsing module displays content for guiding the download of paid content data.

35. The browsing module is also used to display the fee-based content data, the downloaded fee-based content data is displayed in another area of the desktop screen, and the fee-based content data is displayed by the user. 35. The program according to claim 34, wherein when selected, browsing of said paid content data by said browsing module is started.

36. a step of constantly displaying a first icon capable of presenting a predetermined function on a part of the desktop screen of the user terminal;

Receiving time-replaceable content data from a server and storing the content data in the user terminal; Displaying a second icon that indicates the presence or absence of valid time-replaceable content data in place of the first icon when a cursor is over the first icon;

When the second icon is clicked, a content browsing window is displayed on the desktop screen, and when the time-replaceable content data is effectively present on the user terminal, the content data is displayed on the desktop. A process of displaying in the window に and allowing the user to view the window;

Disabling the content data after browsing and making it impossible to browse again.

3 7. A step of displaying an icon on a part of the screen of the user terminal;

When a predetermined action of the user with respect to the icon is detected, a window for viewing the content is displayed on the desktop screen, and when the time-replaceable content data is effectively present on the terminal of the user, Displaying the content data in the window for viewing by the user;

Disabling the content data after browsing, in order to restrict the browsing of the content data again after browsing,

When new time-replacement-type content data is received from the server, replacing the content data already existing in the user terminal with the new time-replacement-type content data. A program characterized by:

38. A receiving unit that communicates with the server and receives time-replaceable content data;

A storage unit for storing the time-replaceable content data,

An icon capable of presenting a predetermined function is displayed on the main screen, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the icon, a screen for content browsing is displayed. When the time-replaceable content data is effectively present, the display unit displays the content data in the content browsing screen and allows the user to browse the content data, and restricts the content data from being browsed again after browsing. And a revocation unit for revoking the content data after browsing.

39. The content display device according to claim 38, wherein the invalidation unit invalidates the content data by deleting the browsed content data.

40. The storage unit stores a flag indicating whether or not the time-replacement-type content data has been browsed, and the invalidating unit sets the flag to data indicating that the content has been browsed. 39. The content display device according to claim 38, wherein the content data is invalidated.

41. The content display device according to claim 40, wherein when the flag indicates that browsing has been completed, the display unit displays content prompting the user to download paid content data.

42. When the receiving unit receives new time-replacement-type core data, the invalidation unit uses the new time-replacement-type content data to store the content already existing in the storage unit. 39. The content display device according to claim 38, wherein the content data is invalidated by replacing data.

43. The display unit, when a predetermined operation is performed on an icon capable of presenting the predetermined function, replaces the icon capable of presenting the predetermined function with the time limit in the storage unit. An icon having a shape that indicates whether or not the replacement type content data exists effectively is displayed, and a predetermined operation is not performed on the icon having the shape. 39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising: starting browsing of the valid time-replacement type data when the data is transmitted.

4 4. Means for communicating with the server and receiving the time-replaceable content data;

Means for storing the time-replaceable content data,

An icon capable of presenting a predetermined function is displayed on the main screen, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the icon, a content browsing screen is displayed, and the time-replaceable content is stored in the storage unit. Means for displaying the content data in the content browsing screen and allowing a user to browse the content data when the data exists effectively;

Means for invalidating the browsed content data in order to restrict the browsing of the browsed content data again.

4 5. The process of introducing the referral data, which is a digitization of the original artwork, from the server to the user's terminal.

When a predetermined operation is performed on an icon displayed on the desktop screen of the user terminal, a step of displaying the distributed introduction data on the desktop screen to allow the user to view the data,

A step in which the introduction data is replaced in the server;

Distributing the replaced introduction data to the user terminal, and replacing the introduction data already existing in the user terminal with the new introduction data,

The method for displaying contents, wherein the introduction data includes an advertisement by an exhibitor of the artwork.