Patent ID: 7483988
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. An information distribution method for transmitting information to an information terminal connected via a network, comprising the steps of: a user, who obtains a user ID and a password and employs a network via a network provider under a condition of payment of a connection fee, activating a dialer at said information terminal, entering said user ID, said password and a telephone number for accessing said network provider, and transmitting a connection request to said network provider; checking, upon the receipt of said connection request for said network provider, said user ID and said password that are included in said connection request; transmitting, when the results obtained by the check are negative, a message used to notify said user of a connection failure; assigning, when the results obtained by the check are affirmative, an IP address to said information terminal of said user, and registering a set consisting of said user ID and said correlated IP address; transmitting said IP address assigned for said information terminal of said user; transmitting a service menu screen, which is an initial screen, from said network provider to said information terminal of said user; said dialer determining whether a program key, uniquely identifying a program type at said network provider, is present at said information terminal, and where said program key is not found to be present transmitting, when said user selects a file for downloading an article on said service menu, a request for a connection with a file server from said information terminal of said user to said network provider; transmitting, when said file server receives said connection request, to said information terminal of said user a file downloading service menu or a menu that is introduced into said service menu; transmitting, when said user selects the downloading of a desired program file from said file downloading service menu, a file downloading request from said information terminal of said user to said network provider; generating a license key, based on downloaded program specifying information, that is associated with said desired program file that is selected by said user and with said user ID that is specified for said IP address included in said file downloading request and assigned to said information terminal of said user, and information that is associated with a license condition for a downloaded program; downloading to said information terminal said license key, said program key, and said desired program file, said program file referring to said downloaded license key when said downloaded program is activated or executed, and disabling at least a part of the function of said downloaded program, when said program matches a predetermined said licensing condition provided by reference to said license key; disconnecting said information terminal of said user from said network provider; updating said information for generating a license key by effecting a connection with said network provider, wherein said updating comprises: