US20100094711A1 - Reception device and management device of service advertisement information - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting advertisement information to a device, in which the apparatus includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive from the device attribute information representing an attribute of the device and request information representing a request for the advertisement information. The information represents the attribute of the device indicating a presence of a battery in the device. The transmitting unit is configured to transmit the advertisement information to the device in response to reception of the request information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation application Ser. No. 10/573,647, filed on Mar. 28, 2006, and is based upon and claims the benefit of priority to International Application No. PCT/JP04/09892, filed on Jul. 6, 2004 and from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-339703 filed on Sep. 30, 2003. The entire contents of each of these documents are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information management device, a communication method for the information processing device, a communication method for the information management device, a communication program for the information processing device, and a communication program for the information management device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information processing device, an information management device, a communication method for the information processing device, a communication method for the information management device, a communication program for the information processing device, and a communication program for the information management device for transmitting and receiving service advertisement information.
BACKGROUND ART
• Presently, various music-related services are available on the Internet. For example, there are services that deliver song information, audio data and the like contained in CDs (Compact Disc) currently available, and services that provide information related to a song currently on air on radio programs including name of song or performer, and name or number of the CD containing the song (NowOnAir). In addition, some services deliver digital data of songs, while others accept orders for CD mail-order businesses.
• There are information processing devices, for example audio equipment, which can receive such services. Through user registration with an information management device which provide service from information processing device, for example a server, a user can receive various services. It is desirable that the information management device transmits advertisement information regarding their services to users (information processing devices) who have not yet completed user registration.
• Meanwhile, there exists a storage medium that allows more effective demonstrations while keeping costs at a minimum. The storage medium stores identification information indicating that the medium is to be used for demonstration. For example, a video camera may be arranged to switch to demonstration mode once identification information recorded on the storage medium loaded into the video camera is identified (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
• Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-203963 (paragraphs 0161-0164, FIG. 14).
• However, when services are provided in response to a user's input of his or her user ID or other user identification information, determination of whether the user has already completed user registration or not can only be achieved after the user inputs such user identification information into an information processing device. Therefore, there was a problem wherein users who have not completed user registration were unable to receive at their information processing devices advertisement information encouraging them to join the services.
• Another problem was that, for some information processing devices, their performance and functionalities made it difficult for them to receive advertisement information.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and its purpose is to facilitate reception of advertisement information on services when users have not yet completed user registration, and to provide an information processing device, an information management device, a communication method for an information processing device, a communication method for an information management device, a communication program for an information processing device, and a communication program for an information management device which enable reception of advertisement information depending on their respective performances and functionalities.
• According to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, an information processing device which receives advertisement information of services comprises: transmission means for transmitting user identification information which identifies users, a password, and device identification information which identifies the information processing device to a management device which manages the information processing device; receiving means for receiving registration completion information which indicates that the user identification information, password and device identification information were associated with each other and registered at the management device; storage means for storing at least the device identification information; and control means for controlling the transmission means to transmit device attribute information which indicates the attributes of the information processing device and request information which requests advertisement information in the event that device identification information is not stored in the storage means, and is arranged so that the receiving means receives advertisement information corresponding to device attribute information in response to such request information.
• The information processing device transmits user identification information which identifies users, a password, and device identification information which identifies the information processing device to a management device which manages the information processing device, and stores at least the device identification information. In addition, when no device identification information is stored, it transmits device attribute information that indicates the attributes of the information processing device and request information which requests advertisement information to the management device, and receives advertisement information corresponding to the device attribute information.
• According to the information processing device of the present invention, user identification information, a password, and device identification information is transmitted to the management device, and at least the device identification information is stored. This enables determination of whether or not a user has completed user registration to be achieved by checking whether device identification information is stored or not, and facilitates reception of advertisement information in the event that a user has not completed user registration with the management device.
• In addition, since device attribute information that indicates the attributes of the information processing device is transmitted, and advertisement information corresponding to the device attribute information is received, such advertisement information can be received depending on performances and functionalities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a principle diagram explaining the principle of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is an external view of a terminal device;
• FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram of a terminal device;
• FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a program module configuration of a terminal device;
• FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram of an integrated service server;
• FIG. 7 is a sequential diagram showing the process flow of user registration;
• FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of registration types of a terminal device to an integrated service server;
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures at start of service;
• FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing an exemplary screen of an auto demo;
• FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing an exemplary screen of an auto demo;
• FIG. 12 is a third diagram showing an exemplary screen of an auto demo; and
• FIG. 13 is a fourth diagram showing an exemplary screen of an auto demo.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
• The principle of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a drawing.FIG. 1 is a principle diagram explaining the principle of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, aninformation processing device1 comprises a transmission means2, a receiving means3, a storage means4 and a control means6. Theinformation processing device1 and amanagement device7 are interconnected, and are able to communicate with each other.
• For users who have completed user registration, themanagement device7 provides services such as songs or NowOnAir to theinformation processing device1. For users who have not completed user registration, themanagement device7 transmits advertisement information to theinformation processing device1 in order to encourage users to complete user registration (or join the service).
• The transmission means2 transmits user identification information that identifies users, a password, and device identification information which identifies theinformation processing device1 to themanagement device7 which manages theinformation processing device1. The receiving means3 receives registration completion information that indicates that the user identification information, password and device identification information were associated with each other and registered at themanagement device7.
• The storage means4 stores the device identification information transmitted by the transmission means2 to astorage medium5. The control means6 controls the transmission means2 to transmit device attribute information which indicates the attributes of theinformation processing device1 and requests information which requests advertisement information in the event that device identification information is not stored by the storage means4. Device attribute information is, for example, the performance and functionalities of a display device included in theinformation processing device1.
• After the transmission means2 transmits request information under the control of the control means6, the receiving means3 receives advertisement information corresponding to the device attribute information from themanagement device7.
• The operation of the principle diagram will now be described. Upon user registration, a user inputs user identification information, a password and device identification information to theinformation processing device1. The transmission means2 transmits the user identification information, password, and device identification information to themanagement device7. From themanagement device7, the receiving means3 receives registration completion information indicating that the user identification information, password and device identification information were associated with each other and registered. The storage means4 stores the device identification information transmitted by the transmission means2 to thestorage medium5. Therefore, device identification information is stored in thestorage medium5 only upon user registration by a user with themanagement device7. If a user has not completed user registration, device identification information is not stored in thestorage medium5.
• When the device identification information is not stored by the storage means4, the control means6 controls the transmission means2 to transmit device attribute information which indicates the attributes of theinformation processing device1 and request information which requests advertisement information.
• As described above, when device identification information is not stored, i.e. when a user has not yet registered with themanagement device7, theinformation processing device1 transmits device attribute information which indicates the attributes of the information processing device and request information which requests advertisement information to themanagement device7. The receiving means3 then receives advertisement information corresponding to the device attribute information from themanagement device7. Thus, determination of whether a user has completed user registration or not can be achieved by checking whether device identification information is stored in thestorage medium5 or not, and reception of advertisement information in the event that a user has not completed user registration with themanagement device7 can be easily performed.
• Additionally, since theinformation processing device1 transmits device attribute information indicating its own attributes and receives advertisement information corresponding to the device attribute information, it can now receive advertisement information according to its performance and functionalities.
• Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a drawing. In the following description, the process of saving information related to a song or a set of songs will be referred to as clipping.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Aterminal device10 is connected via anetwork30 to various servers. Thenetwork30 is, for example, the Internet. Examples of servers include a CD titleinformation providing server31, abroadcast station server32, amusic delivery server33, aCD store server34, and anintegrated service server35.
• The CD titleinformation providing server31 provides delivery service of information of songs contained in commercially available CDs. Thebroadcast station server32 is a server managed by broadcast stations which broadcast FM radio, television or the like, and provides information related to songs aired during their programs.
• The function of thebroadcast station server32 for providing related information can be roughly divided into two functions. The first is a function that provides NowOnAir of programs currently on air. The second is a function that provides related information on songs already aired (OnAirList), in response to requests from the terminal device10 (the OnAirList includes related information on each song). For example, thebroadcast station server32 provides information related to songs aired on a specified program, or information related to songs aired during a designated time slot.
• Themusic delivery server33 is a server that provides delivery service of digital data of songs (song data). For example, themusic delivery server33 provides song data only to aterminal device10 of a user that has gone through the purchasing procedure of that song. Themusic delivery server33 can also provide related information of delivered songs.
• TheCD store server34 is a server that accepts orders and the like for CD mail-order businesses. TheCD store server34 also provides a delivery service of sample audio data, or a service for providing information related to songs contained in a currently available CD.
• Theintegrated service server35 functions as a window (portal site) for providing services via thenetwork30, and mediates the provision of various integrated services. For example, theintegrated service server35 delivers information indicating the source of related information of songs on air (e.g. URL (Uniform Resource Locator)) to theterminal device10.
• As seen, a plurality of servers offers services for providing related information on a song or a set of songs on thenetwork30. In other words, each server functions as a source for a song or a set of songs on thenetwork30.
• Themusic delivery server33 and theCD store server34 are servers that allow purchasing of songs. Therefore, a user may actually purchase a song or a set of songs via thenetwork30 by operating theterminal device10 and accessing a server allowing purchasing of songs. By going through a purchasing procedure with themusic delivery server33, the user of theterminal device10 can download song data from themusic delivery server33. In addition, the user of theterminal device10 can have CDs delivered to his or her home by going through a purchasing procedure with theCD store server34.
• Theterminal device10 retains the sources of a locally stored song or set of songs in a storage medium such as aCD29a, MD (Mini Disc)29band hard disk drive (HDD)21. TheCD29aand theMD29bare portable storage mediums, and can be easily attached to and removed from theterminal device10. The type of local sources prepared for theterminal device10 varies, depending on the type and purpose of theterminal device10.
• The sources of the song or set of songs locally stored depicted inFIG. 2 are exemplary. As long as a storage medium exists locally in relation to theterminal device10, storing a song or a set of songs therein will enable the storage medium to function as a source of a local song or set of songs.
• In addition, theterminal device10 comprises a clippedinformation storage device21awhich stores clipped related information. The clippedinformation storage device21ais a secondary storage device to theterminal device10. For example, a portion of the storage area ofHDD21 and the like may be made to function as the clippedinformation storage device21a. By the way, theterminal device10 is can perform clipping on both songs and set of songs. This allows the use of volume clipping for FM programs and CD albums which contain many songs of interest, where one clipping operation records all related information on the set of songs of interest.
• By the way, theterminal device10 according to the present embodiment also functions as an audio device with a song playback function.FIG. 3 is an external view of the terminal device. As shown inFIG. 3, theterminal device10 according to the present embodiment externally resembles a typical music center. Theterminal device10 comprises a devicemain body10a,speakers25aand25b, and aremote controller40. The devicemain body10ais equipped with a function to playback CDs or DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), a function to playback and record on MDs, and a function to receive FM and TV broadcasts. Audio signals generated by the devicemain body10aare transmitted tospeakers25aand25bwhere they are outputted.
• The devicemain body10aalso comprises adisplay device17. Thedisplay device17 displays information related to the song currently played, or related information and the like stored through clipping. Theremote controller40 is an input device for remotely controlling the devicemain body10a. Theremote controller40 is provided with a plurality of operation keys. When an operation key is pressed by the user, a signal corresponding to the pressed operation key is transmitted from theremote controller40 to the devicemain body10ausing infrared or other wireless communication means.
• Operation keys includedirection keys41ato41d, aconfirmation key42,function selection keys43ato43c, atool key44 and areturn key45. Thedirection keys41ato41dare used, for example, to move a cursor displayed on thedisplay device17, or to move an area to be focused. The fourdirection keys41ato41drespectively correspond to up, down, left and right directions, and the cursor or the like is moved in the direction corresponding to the pressed direction key.
• Theconfirmation key42 is used, for example, to finalize the content displayed on thedisplay device17. Thefunction selection keys43ato43care used to select functions. For example, the threefunction selection keys43ato43crespectively correspond to an integrated service using function, a tuner function and a local content management function. In addition, when one of thefunction selection keys43ato43cis pressed, the devicemain body10aassumes the operation mode of the function corresponding to the pressed function selection key.
• Thetool key44 is a button to display a tool menu on thedisplay device17. The tool menu displays commands corresponding to the content displayed on thedisplay device17. The user can select any command from the tool menu to have theterminal device10 execute processing corresponding to that command. For example, when the user operates thedirection keys41ato41dto select any command, and then presses theconfirmation key42, theterminal device10 will execute processing corresponding to that command.
• Thereturn key45 is a button for returning the content displayed on thedisplay device17 to its previous state. In addition to those shown inFIG. 3, theremote controller40 may be equipped with other various operation keys. Examples of such operation keys include a volume control key, a play key for playing a CD and the like, and a stop key.
• Next, the internal configuration of theterminal device10 will be described.FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram of a terminal device. Aterminal device10 as shown inFIG. 4 enables managing, storing and playing various sources such as songs. ACPU11 handles overall control and arithmetic processing of theterminal device10 based on a launched program. For example, theCPU11 performs communication operations via thenetwork30, input and output operations in regards to the user, playing and clipping of contents acquired from a media, storage of contents to theHDD21 and management of such storage, and information search via thenetwork30 based on clipped information and the like. Recordable and playable content data supported by theterminal device10 according to the present embodiment include audio and video content data. TheCPU11 exchanges control signals and data with each circuit component via abus12.
• Operation programs and program loaders to be executed by theCPU11, various computation coefficients, and parameters and the like used in programs are stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory)13. Programs to be executed by theCPU11 will be deployed in aRAM20. TheRAM20 is also used as a data area or task area that will be required when theCPU11 performs various processing.
• Anoperation input section15 comprises various manipulators and the like such as operation keys, a jog dial, a touch panel or the like provided on the chassis of theterminal device10. A keyboard or a mouse for GUI (Graphical User Interface) operations may be provided as theoperation input section15. Information input at theoperation input section15 will undergo predetermined processing at aninput processing section14 before being transmitted as an operation command to theCPU11. TheCPU11 performs predetermined computation and control to ensure that the operation of the device is in response to the input operation command.
• A display device such as a liquid crystal display is connected as thedisplay device17 to display various information. When theCPU11 supplies a display processing section16 with display information based on various statuses of operation, input or communication, the di splay processing section16 instructs thedisplay device17 to perform display operations based on the supplied display data. For example, contents of related information delivered by a server and the like, or contents of clipped information are displayed on thedisplay device17. In addition, when a song search via thenetwork30 is performed, the result of the search will be displayed on thedisplay device17.
• Media drives19aand19bare drives that are able to record and play (some storage media only allow playing) contents such as songs stored in a portable storage medium. By the way, storage media recordable or playable on each media drive19aand19bis not restricted to only one type. In other words, the media drives may record and play storage media of various types. For example, the media drive19amay play CDs and DVDs, while the media drive19bmay record and play MDs.
• Portable storage media for storing contents such as songs and the like should not be limited to optical storage media such as CDs and DVDs. For example, contents may be stored in storage media comprising semiconductor memories such as a flash memory. In this case, a flash memory reader/writer is connected to thebus12.
• By inserting a storage medium (CD, DVD, MD and the like) containing any content into the media drive19aor19b, and performing predetermined operations using theremote controller40, the user may enjoy songs or the like. For example, when the user operates theremote controller40 to give the media drive19aplayback instructions, theCPU11 instructs the media drive19ato play contents. In response, the media drive19aaccesses and reads a designated content from the mounted storage medium.
• If the content read in this way is an audio content, the content is forwarded to an audio data processing section24 after undergoing processing such as decoding byCPU11, when necessary. At the audio data processing section24, the content undergoes acoustic field processing such as equalizing, volume control, D/A conversion, amplification and the like, and then output from thespeaker section25. As shown inFIG. 3, thespeaker section25 is comprised of a plurality ofspeakers25aand25b, and is capable of providing stereo output.
• Contents played by the media drives19aand19bcan be accumulated as audio data files in theHDD21 under the control of theCPU11. The format of the audio data file may adopt the CD format of a 44.1 KHz sampling frequency and 16-bit quantization. Alternatively, in order to save space on theHDD21, the compressed audio data may be in a compressed format based on predetermined methods. Compression methods which can be used in this case include the ATRAC (Advanced Transform Acoustic Coding, trademark) method or the MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) method.
• Atuner section27 may be, for example, an AM or FM radio tuner, and under the control of theCPU11, demodulates broadcast signals received by anantenna26. The tuner may also be a television tuner, satellite broadcast tuner or a digital broadcast tuner and the like. The demodulated broadcast audio signal undergoes predetermined processing at the audio data processing section24, and is then output from thespeaker section25 as broadcast audio.
• Acommunication processing section22 performs encoding of data to be transmitted and decoding of received data based on the control of theCPU11. Anetwork interface23 transmits data to be transmitted that is encoded by thecommunication processing section22 to a predetermined device supporting an external network via thenetwork30. Thenetwork interface23 forwards signals transmitted by the external network-supporting device to thecommunication processing section22 via thenetwork30. Thecommunication processing section22 forwards the received information to theCPU11. Information received via thenetwork30 includes, for example, information relating to programs currently on air on FM or the like, or information of songs contained in a CD or the like.
• Aninfrared communication section28 performs communication with theremote controller40 using wireless communication means such as infrared. Theinfrared communication section28 also performs predetermined processing on signals transmitted from theremote controller40, and in turn transmits the signal as an operation command to theCPU11. TheCPU11 performs predetermined computation and control to ensure that the operation of the device is in response to the input operation command.
• The configuration of theterminal device10 is not restricted to the configuration shown inFIG. 4, and allows many variations. For example, interfaces to peripheral devices using communication methods such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394 and Bluetooth may be provided. Audio contents downloaded through the above-mentionednetwork interfaces23 via thenetwork30, as well as audio contents transferred via interfaces such as USB or IEEE1394 mentioned above may be stored in theHDD21. In addition, a terminal for connecting a microphone or an external headphone, a video output terminal supporting DVD playback, a line connecting terminal, or an optical digital connecting terminal and the like may be provided. Furthermore, a PCMCIA slot, a memory card slot and the like may be formed to allow data transfer with external information processing devices or audio devices.
• Next, a configuration of program modules according to a system of the present embodiment will be described. Program modules are information describing processing to be executed by theterminal device10. Theterminal device10 achieves predetermined functions based on such program modules. In the following description, a function realized by executing the corresponding program module will be referred to by the name of that program module.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a program module configuration of theterminal device10. As shown inFIG. 5, the program modules of theterminal device10 are configured to run on an OS. Owing to the functions of various program modules, theterminal device10 is able to communicate with a CD titleinformation providing server31, abroadcast station server32, amusic delivery server33, aCD store server34, anintegrated service server35, anInternet radio server36 and other various servers.
• An HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)message program111 enables HTTP-based communication with the CD titleinformation providing server31, thebroadcast station server32, theCD store server34, theintegrated service server35 and other various servers. Acommunicator program112 is a communication module enabling various communications with theintegrated service server35 and the like.
• Located above (indicating a function closer to a user interface) thecommunicator program112 are acontent playback module113 that interprets and plays codec of contents, and a copyright protectioninformation management module114 that handles information related to copyright protection. Provided above thecontent playback module113 is an Internet radio selection/playing module118 that selects and plays an Internet radio station. Provided above the copyright protectioninformation management module114 is a song purchasing/playing module119 that purchases songs and plays sample songs.
• Furthermore, an XML (eXtensible Markup Language)browser151 is provided above the Internet radio selection/playing module118 and the song purchasing/playing module119. TheXML browser151 interprets the contents of XML files transmitted from the various servers, and displays such contents on thedisplay device17. TheXML browser151 interprets the contents of the user's input to theterminal device10 while theterminal device10 is in integrated service using mode. TheXML browser151 then hands processing requests and the like corresponding to the input contents to other modules. For example, songs selected by the user via theXML browser151 is processed for purchasing at the song purchasing/playing module119, and written into theHDD21 via a harddisk content controller117.
• Anauthentication library131 of alibrary130 is connected to thecommunicator program112. Theauthentication library131 performs authentication on behalf of theintegrated service server35 and other various servers.
• Provided above thecommunicator program112 is adatabase access module115, a contentdata access module116 and a harddisk content controller117. Thedatabase access module115 accesses various databases built into theHDD21. The contentdata access module116 accesses contents stored in theHDD21. The harddisk content controller117 manages contents stored in theHDD21.
• Provided above the harddisk content controller117 is a relatedinformation displaying module120, a tuner selection/playing/recording module121 and a song purchasing/playing module119. The relatedinformation displaying module120 displays titles of songs aired by a radio station, and the name of artists on thedisplay device17. The tuner selection/playing/recording module121 selects a radio station, and records contents of songs received from that radio station onto theHDD21.
• For example, songs received from a radio station selected via an audio user interface (Audio UI)152 are written into theHDD21 via the contentdata access module116.
• With the tuner selection/playing/recording module121, the relatedinformation displaying module120 receives as related information title of songs and artist names currently on air on a radio station from the CD titleinformation providing server31 and thebroadcast station server32 or the like via theHTTP message program111, and displays the related information on thedisplay device17 via theaudio user interface152.
• Related information displayed on thedisplay device17 via theaudio user interface152 may be temporarily stored in theclip library132 of thelibrary130. In addition, if so instructed by the user, related information may be eventually stored in theHDD21 via thedatabase access module115.
• Furthermore, program modules of theterminal device10 include aCD playback module141 for playing CDs and anHDD playback module142 for playing theHDD21. Playback results are output via the audio data processing section24 and thespeaker section25.
• With aterminal device10 thus configured, related information can be obtained from a server, which in turn may be clipped by the user. Song search or purchasing may be performed simultaneously while clipping.
• Next, the internal configuration of theintegrated service server35 will be described.FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram of an integrated service server. Theintegrated service server35 shown inFIG. 6 is wholly controlled by aCPU35a. ARAM35b, anHDD35c, agraphic processing device35d, aninput interface35e, and acommunication interface35fare connected to theCPU35avia abus35g.
• TheRAM35btemporarily stores at least a portion of an OS (Operating System) program to be executed by theCPU35aor application programs for providing various information to theterminal device10. TheRAM35balso stores various data required for processing by theCPU35a. TheHDD35cstores the OS or application programs for providing information.
• Amonitor35his connected to thegraphic processing device35d. Following an instruction from theCPU35a, thegraphic processing device35ddisplays images on the display of themonitor35h. A keyboard35iand a mouse35jare connected to theinput interface35e. Theinput interface35etransmits signals transmitted by the keyboard35iand the mouse35jto theCPU35avia thebus35g.
• Thecommunication interface35fis connected to thenetwork30. Thecommunication interface35fcommunicates with theterminal device10 and various servers via thenetwork30. Theintegrated service server35 is able to achieve the processing functions of the present embodiment through the afore-mentioned hardware configuration. Although the hardware configuration of theintegrated service server35 has been representatively explained inFIG. 6, other servers may also be realized using similar hardware configurations.
• Next, user registration with theintegrated service server35 will be described. In order to receive services from the various servers, a user must complete user registration with theintegrated service server35. The user inputs information required for user registration into theterminal device10 and transmits the input to theintegrated service server35, and obtains a user ID and a password. At this time, the user inputs a terminal ID into theterminal device10. The terminal ID is an identifier that identifies each terminal device when a user owns a plurality of terminal devices, and is arbitrarily input by the user. The terminal ID is then transmitted by theCPU11 of theterminal device10 to theintegrated service server35 to be registered, and at the same time is stored in theROM13 or theHDD21 of theterminal device10.
• The process flow of user registration with theintegrated service server35 from theterminal device10 will now be explained with reference toFIG. 7.FIG. 7 is a sequential diagram showing the process flow of user registration.
• In step S1, in order to register a user ID and a password input by a user's operations, theCPU11 of theterminal device10 transmits the user ID and password to theintegrated service server35 as a part of registration information. All communications between theterminal device10 and theintegrated service server35 employ SSL (Secure Socket Layer), and are therefore arranged to prevent leakage of information to third parties.
• In step S11, theCPU35aof theintegrated service server35 receives the user ID and password as a part of registration information. In step S12, theCPU35acompares the received user ID and password to a management table that manages such information, and after verifying that no duplicate user IDs exist, registers the user ID, and transmits that the registration was completed in the form of user registration completion information to theterminal device10. If a duplicate user ID exists, theCPU35atransmits a message prompting input of an alternate user ID to theterminal device10, and makes theterminal device10 transmit the alternate user ID and password inputted by the user.
• In step S2, in response to the received user registration completion information, theCPU11 of theterminal device10 displays on thedisplay device17 that the registration of the user ID has been completed. In step S3, based on predetermined registration operations by the user, theCPU11 stores the terminal ID and public setting to theHDD21 of theterminal device10. A public setting means configuring the settings so that the existence of theterminal device10 is either made public (for example, over the network30) to other users, or not.
• In step S4, theCPU11 transmits the terminal ID and the public setting to theintegrated service server35 as the remainder of the registration information. In step S13, theCPU35aof theintegrated service server35 receives the terminal ID and the public setting transmitted from theterminal device10 as the remainder of the registration information.
• In step S14, theCPU35aregisters the terminal ID and the public setting in the management table by associating them to a user ID. In step S15, theCPU35atransmits registration completion information indicating that registration of the terminal ID and the public setting has been completed to theterminal device10, and concludes processing for user registration at theintegrated service server35.
• In step S5, theCPU11 of theterminal device10 receives registration completion information from theintegrated service server35. In step S6, theCPU11 notifies the user that user registration has been completed by displaying as such on thedisplay device17, and concludes processing for user registration.
• By the way, theCPU11 of theterminal device10 stores the user ID and password received from the user into theRAM20. TheCPU11 also stores the received terminal ID into theROM13 or theHDD21. Therefore, when there is a need to reaccess the server, unless erased by, for example, shut down, the user ID and password stored in theRAM20 will be reused, thereby avoiding the trouble of reinput. The terminal ID is stored in theROM13 or theHDD21 and therefore will not be erased.
• Once receiving user authentication from theintegrated service server35, the user (terminal device10) will be issued a ticket. This allows theterminal device10 to access the various servers that actually provide service. The various servers determine whether or not the user of theterminal device10 has been recently (for example, within the last minute) authenticated as a registered user by referring the registration completion time or the like included in the ticket. If it is determined that the user is authenticated, services corresponding to the request from theterminal device10 are provided.
• Next, types of registration of a terminal device to an integrated service server will be described.FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of registration types of a terminal device to an integrated service server. InFIG. 8,terminal devices50ato50cexternally resemble theterminal device10 shown inFIG. 3, and have similar hardware blocks to that of theterminal device10 shown inFIG. 4. It is assumed that user A owns theterminal devices50ato50c. By completing user registration with theintegrated service server35, user A may receive services provided by the CD titleinformation providing server31, thebroadcast station server32, and themusic delivery server33.
• Now, assume that user A receives services (by completing user registration) from theintegrated service server35. User A will possess a user ID of his or her user registration with theintegrated service server35. Theterminal devices50ato50care respectively assigned nicknames N1 to N3 (terminal IDs) arbitrarily given by the user. The nicknames N1 to N3 are stored in the HDDs of theterminal devices50ato50c. In terminal devices owned by the same user, the nicknames (terminal IDs) are unique. However, in a terminal device that receives services from theintegrated service server35, the nickname does not have to be unique. In other words, identical nicknames may be used if not used by the same user. This enables determination of the target of service by a combination of a user ID and a nickname, and allows user A to receive services provided by the CD titleinformation providing server31, thebroadcast station server32, and themusic delivery server33. Nicknames may be arranged to be irrevocable once set.
• Next, an auto demo will be described. When a user has not yet joined (has not yet completed user registration) the integratedservice server35, an auto demo prompting the user to join will be displayed on thedisplay device17 of theterminal device10.
• First, theCPU11 of theterminal device10 needs to determine whether or not the user has already joined the services of theintegrated service server35. This is determined by the terminal ID stored in theHDD21. More specifically, if a terminal ID is stored in theHDD21, the user is registered and theterminal device10 does not have to perform an auto demo. On the other hand, if a terminal ID is not stored in theHDD21, theterminal device10 transmits device attribute information indicating its own performance and functionalities and a request signal requesting an auto demo to theintegrated service server35.
• Upon receiving the device attribute information and a request signal requesting an auto demo from theterminal device10, theCPU35aof theintegrated service server35 transmits video data of an auto demo corresponding to the received device attribute information to theterminal device10.
• TheCPU11 of theterminal device10 displays the received video data of the auto demo on thedisplay device17.
• The processing at the start of auto demo service will now be described in detail with reference toFIG. 9.FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures at start of service. In step S21, theCPU11 of theterminal device10 is connected to theintegrated service server35.
• In step S22, theCPU11 detects whether or not a nickname (terminal ID) is stored in theHDD21. If a nickname is stored (i.e. if user registration has been completed), the process proceeds to step S23. If a nickname is not stored (i.e. if user registration has not been completed), the process proceeds to step S24.
• In step S23, theCPU11 receives a user ID and a password from the user, and transmits them to theintegrated service server35. Provision of service will commence upon authentication of the user ID and password by theintegrated service server35.
• In step S24, theCPU11 transmits device attribute information indicating the attributes of theterminal device10 and a request signal requesting an auto demo to theintegrated service server35. Device attribute information is, for example, the capacity of theCPU11, the displaying capacity of thedisplay device17, and the memory capacity of theRAM20 which temporarily stores data of the auto demo. In addition, if theterminal device10 is a portable device equipped with a battery, device attribute information will also include information regarding the presence of a battery.
• In step S25, theCPU11 receives data from theintegrated service server35 of an auto demo prompting the user to join theintegrated service server35, and displays it on thedisplay device17. In step S26, when the display of the auto demo ends, theCPU11 accepts a user ID from the user. Input of the user ID allows determination of whether the user has already joined the service or not. If the user has not yet joined the service, the process proceeds to step S27. If the user has already joined the service, the process proceeds to step S28.
• In step S27, theCPU11 accepts joining procedures to the service. This is done in a similar way to the flow of user registration shown inFIG. 7. In step S28, theCPU11 accepts nicknames from the user. The accepted nicknames are transmitted to theintegrated service server35. In step S29, theCPU11 provides membership guidance to other services. Other services mean the services provided by the various servers linked from page information owned by theintegrated service server35. TheCPU11 requests theintegrated service server35 to transmit auto demos of membership guidance for the services provided by the various servers. In response to the request, theintegrated service server35 transmits data of auto demos of membership guidance to theterminal device10. Theterminal device10 receives data of the auto demos of membership guidance, and displays them on thedisplay device17. By the way, this is not a requisite process.
• Theintegrated service server35 transmits data of auto demos according to the device attribute information transmitted from theterminal device10. For example, if the capacity of theCPU11 or the displaying ability of thedisplay device17 of theterminal device10 are low, data with reduced image quality will be transmitted to enable displaying of the auto demo. In addition, if the memory capacity of theRAM20 is limited, auto demo data with limited volume will be transmitted to accommodate the limited memory capacity. Furthermore, if a battery powers theterminal device10, auto demo data with limited volume will be transmitted to avoid any wasting of power.
• An auto demo of NowOnAir will next be described using diagrams showing exemplary screens. TheFIGS. 10 to 13 are diagrams showing exemplary screens of an auto demo. The auto demo screen changes over time; in this case fromFIG. 10 toFIG. 13.
• As shown by thescreen61 ofFIG. 10, an auto demo screen of NowOnAir is displayed on thedisplay device17. Thescreen61 displays a NowOnAir of the radio station TFM, wherein the name of the program, the name of the song currently on air and the name of the performer are displayed. In addition, a method for selecting information contained in NowOnAir is indicated. In this example, the radio frequency is 76.** MHz, the program name is “Countdown Japan (hosted by John ## and Paul $$)”, the name of the song is “Sign”, and the name of the performer is Ringo patent. A method for selecting information contained in NowOnAir using direction and confirmation keys is indicated.
• After a predetermined length of time, thescreen62 shown inFIG. 11 is displayed. Inscreen62, a pop upmenu62ais shown.62arepresents a list of tools, and one of the tools, namely clipping, is currently underlined. Since this is an auto demo, these will be automatically displayed. In actual use, the pop upmenu62ais displayed by pressing atool key44 of theremote controller40, and the tools will be selected from the list by usingdirection keys41ato41d.
• After a further predetermined length of time, thescreen63 shown inFIG. 12 is displayed. Inscreen63, a NowOnAir to be clipped to a clip folder is displayed. Thescreen63 also displays NowOnAirs previously clipped.
• After a further predetermined length of time, thescreen64 shown inFIG. 13 is displayed. Inscreen64, a NowOnAir clipped to the clip folder is displayed.
• As described above, the screen of an auto demo of a NowOnAir changes, and by demonstrating to the user how easily NowOnAirs can be clipped, prompts the user to join NowOnAir. It can also be arranged to display auto demos in sequence for the services other than NowOnAir.
• As seen, when a terminal ID is input during user registration, theterminal device10 stores the terminal ID into theHDD21. Then, whether or not a user has completed user registration is determined by whether the terminal ID is stored in theHDD21 or not. Therefore, reception of advertisement information in the event that a user has not registered with theintegrated service server35 is easily achieved.
• In addition, since theterminal device10 transmits device attribute information indicating its own attributes, and receives auto demos corresponding to the device attribute information, it is able to receive auto demos according to the performance and functionalities of theterminal device10. Moreover, by displaying membership guidance of the services provided by the various servers onto theterminal device10, the user will be able to gain knowledge on the services available.
• Various processing according to the above-described embodiment may be provided by a program describing the contents of such various processing. In this case, by executing the program on a computer, the above-described processing functions will be achieved on the computer.
• In other words, while various processing according to the above-described embodiment may be performed by the hardware configuration shown inFIG. 4, they can be also performed by software. In this case, the above-described processing is performed by installing a program comprising a software into a general purpose personal computer and the like that is able to perform processing according to a program installed, via a network or a storage media.
• In addition, the program may be stored in a storage medium readable by a computer. Storage media that can be used for this purpose include, for example, magnetic disks (hard disk, floppy disk or the like) or magnetic tapes, optical disks (DVD, DVD-RAM, CD-ROM, CD-R (Recordable)/RW (Re-Writable), magneto-optical disks (MO: Magneto-Optical disk), semiconductor memories and the like.
• A computer executing this program stores, for example, a program stored in a portable storage medium or a program transferred from a server, to its own storage device. The computer reads a program from its own storage, and executes processing according to the program. The computer may also read a program directly from the portable storage medium, and execute processing according to the program. The computer may also successively execute processing according to received programs whenever they are transferred from a server.
• Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, while a radio broadcast that is aired by a radio station was used as a broadcast receivable by theterminal device10, the present invention is not limited to this application, and theterminal device10 may be configured to receive Internet radio broadcast or satellite radio broadcast and obtain their respective related information, or to receive television broadcast that is aired by a television station and obtain various information and the like related to the television programs in the television broadcast from servers on the network.
• Moreover, in the above embodiment, while the case of implementing the various circuits shown inFIG. 4 and the program modules shown inFIG. 5 to aterminal device10 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this application, and these components may be implemented on various terminals other than theterminal device10 such as a cellular phone or personal computer, which will be able to perform the same processing as the above-describedterminal device10 by implementing these components.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• The present invention may be widely applied to systems providing services on networks.

Claims (19)

1. A method for receiving advertisement information sent from a server to a device, comprising:

transmitting, to the server, attribute information representing an attribute of the device and request information representing a request for advertisement information, the information representing the attribute of the device indicating a presence of a battery in the device;

receiving, from the server, the advertisement information as a response to the request information.

2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the advertisement information comprises video data.

3. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising:

displaying by the device the received advertisement information.

4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the information representing the attribute of the device further includes information regarding a memory of the device.

5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the information representing the attribute of the device further includes information regarding a central processing unit of the device.

6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the information representing the attribute of the device further includes information regarding performance of a display unit of the device.

7. An apparatus for transmitting advertisement information to a device comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive from the device attribute information representing an attribute of the device and request information representing a request for the advertisement information, the information representing the attribute of the device indicating a presence of a battery in the device;

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the advertisement information to the device in response to reception of the request information.

8. The apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the advertisement information comprises video data.

9. The apparatus according toclaim 7, further comprising:

an advertisement information selection unit configured to select advertisement information for transmission to the device based on the information representing the attribute of the device received by the receiving unit.

10. The apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive information representing the attribute of the device further including information regarding a memory of the device.

11. The method according toclaim 7, wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive information representing the attribute of the device further including information regarding a central processing unit of the device.

12. The method according toclaim 7, wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive information representing the attribute of the device further including information regarding performance of a display unit of the device.

13. A device for receiving service advertisement information from a server, comprising:

a transmitting unit configured to transmit to the server attribute information representing an attribute of the device and request information representing a request for advertisement information, the information representing the attribute of the device indicating a presence of a battery in the device;

a receiving unit configured to receive the advertisement information from the server in response to transmission of the request information.

14. The device according toclaim 13, wherein the advertisement information comprises video data.

15. The device according toclaim 13, further comprising:

a display unit configured to display the received advertisement information.

16. The device according toclaim 13, wherein the transmission device is configured transmit information representing the attribute of the device further including information regarding a memory of the device.

17. The device according toclaim 13, wherein the transmission device is configured transmit information representing the attribute of the device further including information regarding a central processing unit of the device.

18. The device according toclaim 13, wherein the transmission device is configured transmit information representing the attribute of the device further including information regarding performance of a display unit of the device.

19. A system comprising:

a server including,

a receiving unit configured to receive from a device attribute information representing an attribute of the device and request information representing a request for advertisement information, the information representing the attribute of the device indicating a presence of a battery;

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the advertisement information to the device in response to reception of the request information; and

the device including,

a transmitting unit configured to transmit to the server the attribute information representing the attribute of the device and the request information representing the request for advertisement information, the information representing the attribute of the device indicating the presence of a battery;

a receiving unit configured to receive the advertisement information from the server in response to transmission of the request information.

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