Patent ID: 7433676
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A charging method for use in a service providing system having (a) a first terminal device owned by a user and (b) a service providing server, connected to the first terminal device via a communication network, offering an information providing service to the first terminal device, the method comprising: (I) a step of the service providing server transmitting, to the first terminal device, a modification command for modifying a predetermined parameter determining an operation of the first terminal device; (II) a step of the first terminal device modifying the predetermined parameter only when the first terminal device receives the modification command for modifying the predetermined parameter from the service providing server, wherein the first terminal device is arranged such that the first terminal device cannot be directly operated by the user; (III) a step of the first terminal device detecting a change in state of an object to be monitored, and operating according to a detected state of the object, wherein the modified predetermined parameter determines an operation that is performed by the first terminal device according to the state detected by the first terminal device; and (IV) a step of the service providing server requesting from the first terminal device a fee for the transmission of the modification command for modifying the predetermined parameter, in a case where the service providing server transmits, to the first terminal device, the modification command for modifying the predetermined parameter, the communication network constituting, in step (IV), at least a part of a channel of communication between the service providing server and the first terminal device.