Abstract:
A broadcast system, comprising: a street television device, and a broadcast time selling machine connected to the street television device, which sells a broadcast time for broadcasting desired contents, wherein the broadcast time selling machine comprises: a reading device which reads a contents file in which the contents are recorded; a storage device which stores the contents file; an input device which accepts an input of the broadcast time at which the contents are preferred to be broadcasted from a user; a settlement device which makes settlement of an expenditure required for broadcasting the contents; and a control device which controls to broadcast the contents on the street television device at the broadcast time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a broadcast system, a broadcast time selling machine, a censor server device and a broadcast time selling machine control program, and the present invention particularly relates to a technique which permits a personal purchase of a broadcast right for a street television device.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Conventionally, it is practiced to make a contract with a broadcast company which manages the street television device, to display a desired advertisement on the street television device.  
         [0005]     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-125379 discloses an information supply system which broadcasts information such as an advertisement or contents suitable for a user on the street television device. When the user approaches the street television device, this information supply system begins broadcasting the advertisement suitable for the user among advertisement data previously stored in a server device, based on position information and personal information which have been acquired through a cellular phone and the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     However, in order to broadcast an advertisement on a street television device, there has been a problem in which it is necessary to previously make a contract with a broadcast company and a procedure for making the contract is cumbersome. Moreover, since a broadcast right fee is expensive for an individual to broadcast desired contents including the advertisement, there has been a problem in which the street television device cannot function as a medium available to the individual.  
         [0007]     The present invention has been made in view of the above described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to solve cumbersomeness in the contract procedure and to provide a technique which permits everyone to readily utilize the street television device.  
         [0008]     In order to attain the above described object, a broadcast system according to the present invention is a broadcast system including a street television device and a broadcast time selling machine connected to the street television device, which sells a broadcast time for broadcasting desired contents, wherein the above described broadcast time selling machine includes a reading device which reads a contents file in which the above described contents are recorded, a storage device which stores the above described contents file, an input device which accepts an input of the broadcast time at which the above described contents are preferred to be broadcasted from a user, a settlement device which makes settlement of an expenditure required for broadcasting the above described contents, and a control device which controls to broadcast the above described contents on the above described street television device at the above described broadcast time.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, when the broadcast time is inputted by use of a broadcast time vending machine connected to the street television device, and the settlement of the expenditure required for broadcasting is made, it is possible to broadcast the contents on the street television device.  
         [0010]     Moreover, the broadcast system further includes a waiting signal attachment device which attaches a waiting signal for indicating that the broadcast is waited for, to the above described contents file stored in the above described storage device, and a permission signal acquisition device which acquires a permission signal for canceling the above described waiting signal and permitting the broadcast, wherein when the above described permission signal is acquired, the control device cancels the above described waiting signal attached to the above described contents file, and controls to broadcast the above described contents on the above described street television device at the above described broadcast time.  
         [0011]     The permission signal acquisition device may be a device in which the permission signal is inputted by use of an operation device such as a keyboard or a touch panel provided on the street television device, or may be a device which receives the permission signal via a network. Moreover, the permission signal may be previously attached to the contents file which has been censored and permitted to be broadcasted once, and the permission signal acquisition device may be configured as a device which reads this attached permission signal.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, the broadcast may be performed only if the read contents file has been permitted to be broadcasted.  
         [0013]     Moreover, a censor server device which censors the above described contents may be connected to the above described broadcast time selling machine, the above described broadcast time selling machine may include a replication device which generates a replication of the above described contents file, a selling machine sending device which sends the replication of the above described contents file with respect to the above described censor server device, and a selling machine receiving device which receives the above described permission signal from the above described censor server device, and the above described censor server device may include a censor server receiving device, which receives the replication of the above described contents file from the above described broadcast time selling machine, a permission signal generation device which generates the above described permission signal if the broadcast is permitted, as a result of censoring the above described contents based on the replication of the above described contents file, and a censor server sending device which sends the above described permission signal to the above described broadcast time selling machine.  
         [0014]     Accordingly, it is possible to broadcast the contents on the street television device, only if the contents have the substance which may be broadcasted.  
         [0015]     Moreover, the broadcast system according to the present invention is a broadcast system in which street television devices, a broadcast time selling machine which sells a broadcast time for broadcasting desired contents on the street television devices, and a broadcast server device which controls to broadcast on the above described street television devices, are connected via a network, wherein the above described broadcast time selling machine includes a reading device which reads a contents file in which the above described contents are recorded, a storage device which stores the above described contents file, an input device which accepts an input of the broadcast time at which the above described contents are preferred to be broadcasted from a user, a settlement device which makes settlement of an expenditure required for broadcasting the above described contents, and a selling machine sending device which sends the above described contents file and broadcast time information indicating the above described broadcast time, and wherein the above described broadcast server device includes a broadcast server receiving device which receives the above described contents file and the above described broadcast time information, and a control device which controls to broadcast on the above described street television devices at the above described broadcast time, based on the above described contents file and the above described broadcast time information.  
         [0016]     Accordingly, when the broadcast time is inputted by use of the broadcast time vending machine connected to the street television devices, and the settlement of the expenditure required for broadcasting is made, it is possible to broadcast the contents on the street television devices. Moreover, since even the street television devices which are not connected directly to the broadcast time selling machine can broadcast the desired contents through the broadcast control by the broadcast server device, it is also possible to purchase the broadcast time on the street television devices at a remote location from the broadcast time selling machine.  
         [0017]     Moreover, at least one of the above described street television devices is connected to the above described network, the broadcast system further includes a selection device which have the user select the above described street television device on which the user prefers to broadcast among the above described street television devices, and wherein the above described control device controls to broadcast on the above described street television device which has been selected by the above described selection device.  
         [0018]     Accordingly, if there are a plurality of streets television devices, it is possible to select a preferred street television device and broadcast the contents thereon.  
         [0019]     Moreover, the broadcast system according to the present invention is a broadcast system in which a terminal device, street television devices, and a broadcast server device which controls to broadcast on the above described street television devices, are connected via a network, and the broadcast system is characterized wherein the above described terminal device includes a reading device which reads a contents file in which contents preferred to be broadcasted are recorded, a selection device which selects the above described street television device on which the above described contents are preferred to be broadcasted, an input device which accepts an input of a broadcast time at which the above described contents are preferred to be broadcasted on the above described street television device, a terminal side receiving device which receives expenditure information required for broadcasting the above described contents, and a terminal sending device which sends the above described contents file, broadcast time information indicating the above described broadcast time and settlement information with respect to the above described expenditure information, and wherein the above described broadcast server device includes a broadcast server receiving device which receives the above described contents file, the above described broadcast time information and the above described settlement information, a control device which controls to broadcast on the above described street television device at the above described broadcast time, based on the above described contents file and the above described broadcast time information, an expenditure calculation device which calculates an expenditure for broadcasting the above described contents file, and a broadcast server sending device which sends the above described expenditure information indicating a calculation result by the above described expenditure calculation device to the above described terminal device.  
         [0020]     Accordingly, it is possible to request the broadcast of the contents and make settlement thereof with respect to the broadcast server device from the terminal device, and to purchase a broadcast right also from a personal computer at home of the user.  
         [0021]     Moreover, a censor server device which censors the above described contents is connected to the above described network, the above described selling machine sending device or the above described terminal sending device sends the above described contents file and the above described broadcast time information to the above described censor server device, and the above described censor server device includes a censor server receiving device which receives the above described contents file and the above described broadcast time information, and a transferring device which transfers the above described contents file and the above described broadcast time information with respect to the above described broadcast server device if the broadcast is permitted, as a result of censoring the above described contents based on the above described contents file.  
         [0022]     Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether or not the contents have the substance which may be broadcasted.  
         [0023]     Moreover, the above described broadcast time selling machine further includes an expenditure calculation device which calculates the expenditure required for broadcasting, based on at least one of the length of the above described broadcast time and an audience number which may be expected in the case of broadcasting the above described contents at the above described broadcast time, or the expenditure calculation device of the above described broadcast server device calculates the expenditure required for broadcasting, based on at least one of the length of the above described broadcast time and the audience number which may be expected in the case of broadcasting the above described contents at the above described broadcast time.  
         [0024]     Accordingly, it is possible to calculate the broadcast expenditure depending on whether the broadcast time is long or short, or demands for the broadcast.  
         [0025]     Moreover, the above described broadcast time selling machine or the above described terminal device further includes a contact information acceptance device which accepts an input of contact information required for performing a refund process with respect to the above described user, the above described selling machine sending device or the above described terminal sending device sends the above described contact information to any one of the above described broadcast time selling machine, the above described censor server device and the above described broadcast server device, and any one of the above described broadcast time selling machine, the above described censor server device and the above described broadcast server device further includes a refund processing device which receives the above described contact information and performs the refund process based on the contact information.  
         [0026]     As a result of censoring the contents, if the contents are determined not to be appropriate for the broadcast, or if a scheduled broadcast has become impossible to be performed due to a failure of the street television device and the like, the refund processing device performs the refund process.  
         [0027]     Accordingly, even if a broadcast fee has been previously paid through the broadcast time vending machine, it is possible to perform the refund process depending on whether the broadcast is possible or not.  
         [0028]     Moreover, any one of the above described broadcast time selling machine, the above described censor server device and the above described broadcast server device further includes a deleting device which deletes the above described contents file of which the broadcast has been terminated or the above described contents file which is not permitted to be broadcasted.  
         [0029]     Accordingly, it is possible to delete the contents file which has become unnecessary, to secure a free space in the storage device.  
         [0030]     A broadcast time selling machine according to the present invention includes a reading device which reads a contents file in which contents preferred to be broadcasted on a street television device are recorded, a storage device which stores the above described contents file, an input device which accepts an input of a broadcast time at which the above described contents are preferred to be broadcasted from a user, and a settlement device which makes settlement of an expenditure required for broadcasting the above described contents file.  
         [0031]     Accordingly, it is possible to purchase the broadcast time on the street television device without going through the cumbersome contract procedure with the broadcast company.  
         [0032]     Moreover, the broadcast time selling machine is connected to the above described street television device, and further includes a waiting signal attachment device which attaches a waiting signal for indicating that the broadcast is waited for, to the above described contents file stored in the above described storage device, a permission signal acquisition device which acquires a permission signal for canceling the above described waiting signal and permitting the broadcast, and a control device which cancels the above described waiting signal attached to the above described contents file when the above described permission signal is acquired, and controls to broadcast on the above described street television device at the above described broadcast time.  
         [0033]     Accordingly, it is possible to broadcast only the contents which has been permitted to be broadcasted.  
         [0034]     Moreover, a censor server device according to the present invention includes an acquisition device which acquires a contents file in which contents preferred to be broadcasted on a street television device are recorded, and a censor device which determines whether or not the above described contents file corresponds to a broadcast prohibited condition, wherein if the broadcast is permitted as a result of censoring by the above described censor device, the above described contents file is sent with respect to the above described street television device on which the broadcast is performed, or a permission signal for permitting the broadcast is sent with respect to a control device which controls to broadcast on the above described street television device.  
         [0035]     Accordingly, it is possible to permit the broadcast of the contents, if the contents have the substance appropriate to be broadcasted.  
         [0036]     Moreover, a control program of a broadcast time selling machine according to the present invention causes a computer to execute a reading step of reading a contents file in which contents preferred to be broadcasted are recorded, an input instruction step of accepting an input of a broadcast time for broadcasting the above described contents from a user, a settlement step of making settlement of an expenditure required for the above described broadcast, and a control step of controlling to broadcast the above described contents on a street television device.  
         [0037]     According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique which solves cumbersomeness in the contract procedure and permits everyone to readily utilize the street television device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0038]      FIG. 1  is a general configuration diagram of a broadcast system according to the first embodiment;  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is an external view of a selling machine and a street television device;  
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the selling machine, the street television device and a censor server device, which configures a broadcast system;  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of programs executed by a system control unit of the selling machine;  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration of programs executed by a server control unit of the censor server device;  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process flow of selling a broadcast time through the selling machine;  
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the process flow after selling the broadcast time through the selling machine;  
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is a pattern diagram showing a screen display example of a broadcast time input screen;  
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a pattern diagram showing a screen display example of a contact information input screen;  
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a pattern diagram showing a screen display example of a confirmation screen;  
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a pattern diagram showing a screen display example of a fee display screen;  
         [0049]      FIG. 12  is a pattern diagram showing a screen display example of an ending screen;  
         [0050]      FIG. 13  is a pattern diagram showing a structure of a contents file management DB to be stored in a HDD;  
         [0051]      FIG. 14  is a general configuration diagram of the broadcast system according to the second embodiment;  
         [0052]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the selling machine, the censor server device and a broadcast server device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0053]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing a configuration of programs executed by a broadcast control unit;  
         [0054]      FIG. 17  is a sequence diagram illustrating a process flow of the second embodiment;  
         [0055]      FIG. 18  is a pattern diagram showing a screen display example of a television selection screen; and  
         [0056]      FIG. 19  is a general configuration diagram of the broadcast system according to the third embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0057]     Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of a broadcast time selling machine and a broadcast system according to the present invention will be described in detail, according to the attached drawings.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0000]     [General Configuration of the System] 
         [0058]      FIG. 1  shows a broadcast system  1  according to the present invention. The broadcast system  1  is configured with a broadcast time vending machine (hereinafter referred to as “selling machine”)  10 , a street television device  20  connected to the selling machine  10 , a censor server device  30  which censors contents to be broadcasted on the street television device  20 , and a network  40  which connects the selling machine  10  and the censor server device  30 . The network  40  may be a dedicated line, in addition to a public line network such as the Internet. The street television device  20  may be installed in an indoor location or an outdoor location. If the selling machine  10  and the street television device  20  are installed in an indoor space such as a lobby of a hotel or a station yard, and furthermore the censor server device  30  is installed in the same indoor space such as a management room, the selling machine  10  and the censor server device  30  may be connected with a local area network.  
         [0059]      FIG. 2  is an external view of the selling machine  10  and the street television device  20 .  
         [0060]     The selling machine  10  includes an acceptance monitor  11  which displays the contents for editing or confirming the contents scheduled to be broadcasted, a speaker  12  which outputs an operation guidance of the selling machine  10  or a sound of the contents, a coin/note inlet  13  in which coins and notes are put in for making payment of a broadcast fee, an acceptance operation unit  14  such as a keyboard or a numeric keypad, a media slot  15  in which a medium  15   a , including a memory card such as a DVD, a CD, a xD picture card or the like which has stored a contents file thereon, may be inserted, and an outlet  16   a  through which a receipt or change is taken out. The acceptance operation unit  14  such as the keyboard or the numeric keypad may be configured as a touch panel which is displayed on the acceptance monitor  11 . Moreover, payment of the broadcast fee is not limited to a cash settlement, but also a credit card or a debit card, as well as a cellular phone provided with a settlement function may be used. In this case, instead of the coin/note inlet  13 , a device which accepts a settlement procedure other than the cash settlement may be provided, such as an inlet of the credit card or the debit card, and a receiving unit for receiving settlement information from the cellular phone.  
         [0061]     The street television device  20  includes a large monitor  21  which displays the contents, and a speaker  22  which outputs the sound.  
         [0062]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the selling machine  10 , the street television device  20  and the censor server device  30 , which configure the broadcast system  1 .  
         [0063]     The selling machine  10  includes the acceptance monitor  11 , the speaker  12 , the coin/note inlet  13 , the acceptance operation unit  14 , the media slot  15 , a printer unit  16  which prints the receipt and the outlet  16   a  which ejects the print or the change, a system control unit  17  which controls operations of the selling machine  10  and the street television device  20 , a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”)  18  which stores the contents file which has been read from the medium  15   a  inserted into the media slot  15 , a cache  18   a  which temporarily stores the contents to be broadcasted, immediately prior to broadcasting on the street television device  20 , and a memory  18   b  which becomes a space for executing programs, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “I/F”)  19   a  which consists of a terminal for connecting to the network such as the Internet, and a connection I/F  19   b  which consists of a connection connector for connecting the selling machine  10  and the street television device  20 , and these respective configuration requirements are electrically connected.  
         [0064]     The acceptance monitor  11  and the speaker  12  display the operation guidance of the selling machine  10 , according to instructions from the system control unit  17 . The coin/note inlet  13  sends a paying-in signal and a paying-out signal to and receives the signals from the system control unit  17 , and performs a settlement process. The acceptance operation unit  14  outputs an operation signal inputted by a user through the keyboard, the touch panel or the like, to the system control unit  17 . The media slot  15  accepts an insertion of the medium  15   a  which has stored the contents file thereon, and the system control unit  17  reads the contents file and stores it in the HDD  18 . The printer unit  16  prints an amount which has been paid in, according to the instructions from the system control unit  17 , and moreover, the printer unit  16  prints contract contents such as a preferred broadcast time which has been inputted through the acceptance operation unit  14 , on a paper medium (receipt). The system control unit  17  controls to eject the receipt, and the change required with respect to the amount which has been inputted through the coin/note inlet  13 , to the outlet  16   a.    
         [0065]     The street television device  20  includes the large monitor  21 , the speaker  22  and a connection I/F  29   b  which consists of the connection connector. The connection I/F  19   b  of the selling machine  10  and the connection I/F  29   b  of the street television device  20  are electrically connected via a coaxial cable or the like. The system control unit  17  of the selling machine  10  outputs a control signal, a video signal and a sound signal to the street television device  20 . The street television device  20  displays an image based on the received video signal on the large monitor  21 , and outputs the sound based on the sound signal through the speaker  22 . The street television device  20  may be a television device including a monitor equipped with transport facilities such as a train or a bus.  
         [0066]     The censor server device  30  includes an operation unit  34  which consists of the keyboard or a mouse for inputting instructions for the censor server device  30 , a server control unit  37  which performs the operational control, a HDD  38  which stores received contents information, a memory  38   b , a monitor  31  which displays the received contents information for confirmation, and a communication I/F  39   a  for sending and receiving data.  
         [0067]     Next, based on  FIG. 4 , the programs executed by the system control unit  17  of the selling machine  10  will be described.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the programs executed by the system control unit  17 .  
         [0068]     The programs include an operation guidance unit  17   a  which controls to display the operation guidance of the selling machine  10  or to output a sound guidance with respect to the user, a reading unit  17   b  which reads the contents file recorded on the medium  15   a  inserted into the media slot  15 , an input instruction acceptance unit  17   c  which accepts an input instruction from the acceptance operation unit  14 , a waiting signal attachment unit  17   d  which attaches a broadcast waiting signal to the contents file read by the reading unit  17   b  and stores the contents file in the HDD  18 , a waiting cancel unit  17   e  which reads the contents file from the HDD  18 , cancels its waiting signal and loads the contents file into the cache  18   a , a broadcast control unit  17   f  which sends the contents file in the cache  18   a  to the street television device  20  to broadcast the contents file, an expenditure calculation unit  17   g  which calculates an expenditure required for broadcasting on the street television device  20 , a settlement unit  17   h  which sends the paying-in signal and the paying-out signal to and receives the signals from the coin/note inlet  13  and performs the settlement process, a reproduction unit  17   i  which generates copy information of the contents file read by the reading unit  17   b , a communication unit  17   j  which sends the data to and receives the data from the censor server device  30 , a printer control unit  17   k  which controls the printer unit  16  which prints a settlement amount settled by the settlement unit  17   h  on the paper medium, a deleting unit  171  which deletes the contents file which has become unnecessary, and a television selection unit  17   m  for selecting the street television device  20  on which the user prefers to broadcast. In the first embodiment, the television selection unit  17   m  is not essential, however it will become essential in the second embodiment.  
         [0069]     The system control unit  17  loads these programs on the memory  18   b  and executes them. The system control unit  17  may be configured with an ASIC which realizes these functions.  
         [0070]     Next, based on  FIG. 5 , the programs executed by the server control unit  37  of the censor server device  30  will be described.  FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the programs executed by the server control unit  37 .  
         [0071]     The programs include an acquisition unit  37   a  which acquires the contents file by receiving it from the selling machine  10  or reading it from the HDD  38 , a censor unit  37   b  which determines whether or not the contents file corresponds to a predetermined broadcast prohibited condition, a permission signal generation unit  37   c  which generates a permission signal if the censor unit  37   b  determines that the contents file does not correspond to the broadcast prohibited condition or if an censor inputs information indicating permission for the broadcast through the operation unit  34 , a refund processing unit  37   d  which performs a refund process if it is determined that the broadcast is prohibited according to a result of censoring by the censor unit  37   b  or a result of censoring by the censor, a deletion instruction unit  37   e  which instructs to delete the contents stored in the HDD  18  of the selling machine  10  if it is determined that the broadcast is prohibited, a communication unit  37   f  for sending the data to and receiving the data from the selling machine  10 , a display control unit  37   g  which displays the contents acquired by the acquisition unit  37   a  on the monitor  31 , and a transfer processing unit  37   h  which performs a transfer process of the contents file and the like based on the result of censoring by the censor unit  37   b  or the censor. Among these programs, the transfer processing unit  37   h  is not essential, however it will become essential in the second embodiment.  
         [0000]     [Process Flow] 
         [0072]     Based on FIGS.  6  to  13 , a process flow will be described.  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the process flow of selling the broadcast time through the selling machine  10 .  FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the process flow after selling the broadcast time through the selling machine  10 . Hereinafter, the respective steps of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  will be described in order.  
         [0000]     (Step S 1 )  
         [0073]     The user inserts the medium  15   a  in which the contents file preferred to be broadcasted is recorded, into the media slot  15  of the selling machine  10 . The reading unit  17   b  reads the contents file from the medium  15   a . The operation guidance unit  17   a  displays a broadcast time input screen  80  of  FIG. 8 . on the acceptance monitor  11 , and outputs the sound guidance through the speaker  12 . The broadcast time input screen  80  includes a region  81  for inputting a preferred broadcast time, a region  82  for displaying a current reservation status, a “Next” button  83  which consists of a soft icon for transiting to the next screen, and a “Cancel” button  84  for canceling the operation.  
         [0000]     (Step S 2 )  
         [0074]     The user operates the acceptance operation unit  14  and inputs a preferred broadcast time slot on the broadcast time input screen  80  (S 2 ). The user inputs “Broadcast start date”, “Broadcast end date”, “Broadcast time” and “Broadcast pattern” such as current day, every day, every Sunday or the like. The input instruction acceptance unit  17   c  accepts the input instruction from the acceptance operation unit  14 , and temporarily stores the input instruction in the memory  18   b . When the input of the broadcast time is completed, the user operates the “Next” button  83 .  
         [0075]     The operation guidance unit  17   a  displays a contact information input screen  90  of  FIG. 9 , and outputs the sound guidance. The contact information input screen  90  includes a region  91  for inputting contact information, a “Next” button  92 , and a “Cancel” button  93 . In the region  91  for inputting the contact information, “Address”, “Name”, “Telephone number”, “Account number” to which the refund is transferred when it occurs, and “Mail address” of the user are inputted. The input instruction acceptance unit  17   c  accepts the input instruction from the acceptance operation unit  14 , and temporarily stores the input instruction in the memory  18   b . When the input of the contact information is completed, the user operates the “Next” button  92 .  
         [0076]     The operation guidance unit  17   a  displays a confirmation screen  100  of  FIG. 10 . The confirmation screen  100  includes a region  101  which shows the information accepted by the input instruction acceptance unit  17   c , a “Next” button  102 , a “Cancel” button  103 , and a “Back” button  104  for transiting to the previous screen. The user confirms the input information on the confirmation screen  100 , and if the contents are correct, the user operates the “Next” button  102 . If the user hopes to correct the contents, the user operates the “Back” button  104  to display the previous screen and corrects the contents.  
         [0000]     (Step S 3 )  
         [0077]     The expenditure calculation unit  17   g  calculates the broadcast fee with respect to the broadcast time inputted at S 2  (S 3 ). The expenditure calculation unit  17   g  calculates the fee as a function of an audience number which may be expected in the case of broadcasting at the broadcast time inputted at S 2 . For example, the broadcast fee is calculated based on whether a neighborhood of the location in which the street television device  20  is installed is crowded with people or not, the broadcast time slot, or the like. The broadcast fee includes a “System usage fee” which is an expenditure for broadcasting the contents by use of the street television device  20 , and a “Censor service fee” which is an expenditure for receiving a censor service. If the “System usage fee” and the “Censor service fee” are set as fixed fees, the expenditure calculation unit  17   g  is not an essential configuration requirement.  
         [0000]     (Step S 4 )  
         [0078]     The settlement unit  17   h  displays the broadcast fee calculated at S 3 , or the fixed fees on a fee display screen  110  shown in  FIG. 11 . The fee display screen  110  includes a region  111  which displays details of the broadcast fee, a “Next” button  112 , and a “Cancel” button  113 . The user inputs a required broadcast fee into the coin/note inlet  13 . The settlement unit  17   h  calculates the amount inputted in the coin/note inlet  13 , ejects necessary change to the outlet  16   a , and performs the settlement process (S 4 ). The user inputs the broadcast fee, and operates the “Next” button  112 .  
         [0000]     (Step S 5 )  
         [0079]     The operation guidance unit  17   a  displays an ending screen  120  of  FIG. 12 . The waiting signal attachment unit  17   d  attaches a waiting flag as the broadcast waiting signal to the contents file loaded into the memory  18   b , and stores the contents file in the HDD  18 . The contents file is stored in association with the broadcast time and the contact information also loaded into the memory  18   b .  FIG. 13  is a pattern diagram showing a structure of a contents file management DB  130  to be stored in the HDD  18 . In the contents file management DB  130 , the contents file, in which “1” is inputted in a “Waiting flag” record, shows that the contents file is in a broadcast waiting state. The contents file, in which the “Waiting flag” record is “NULL”, shows that the contents file receives the permission signal from the censor server device  30  which will be described below and is in a status having the waiting signal canceled. Moreover, the printer control unit  17   k  controls to the printer unit  16  to issue the receipt, in which sold contents such as the settlement amount, the broadcast time and the like are printed, and to eject the receipt to the outlet  16   a . As described above, the process flow is terminated in which the user purchases the broadcast time on the street television device  20  through the selling machine  10 .  
         [0080]     When the user purchases the broadcast time on the street television device  20  through the selling machine  10 , the selling machine  10  and the censor server device  30  determine whether the contents file has the substance appropriate to be broadcasted, and based on the result of the determination, a broadcast process or the refund process due to the non-permitted broadcast is performed. This process flow will be described based on  FIG. 7 .  
         [0000]     (Step S 6 )  
         [0081]     The reproduction unit  17   i  of the selling machine  10  generates a copy of the contents file stored in the HDD  18  (hereinafter referred to as “copy file”) (S 6 ).  
         [0000]     (Step S 7 )  
         [0082]     The communication unit  17   j  of the selling machine  10  sends the copy file to the censor server device  30  via the communication I/F  19   a  (S 7 ). The communication unit  37 F of the censor server device  30  receives the copy file via the communication I/F  39   a , and the acquisition unit  37   a  loads the copy file into the memory  38   b.    
         [0000]     (Step S 8 )  
         [0083]     The censor unit  37   b  determines whether the copy file loaded into the memory  38   b  corresponds to the predetermined broadcast prohibited condition (S 8 ). For the broadcast prohibited condition, for example, a condition may be provided in which the contents file attached with a copy protection function corresponds to the broadcast prohibited condition. It is because it may infringe a copyright if the contents file attached with the copy protection function is broadcasted on the street television device  20 , which corresponds to a public transmission in view of the copyright. In addition, the image which is offensive to public order and morals may be automatically detected and determined that the image corresponds to the broadcast prohibited condition.  
         [0000]     (Step S 9 )  
         [0084]     As a result of an automatic censor process at S 8 , if the copy file does not correspond to any broadcast prohibited condition, the process proceeds to S 10 . If the copy file corresponds to even only one broadcast prohibited condition, the process proceeds to S 13  (S 9 ).  
         [0000]     (Step S 10 )  
         [0085]     The permission signal generation unit  37   c  generates the permission signal for canceling the “Waiting flag” in the contents file management DB  130  in the HDD  18  of the selling machine  10 , and sends the permission signal to the selling machine  10  (S 10 ).  
         [0000]     (Step S 11 )  
         [0086]     When the communication unit  17   j  of the selling machine  10  receives the permission signal, the waiting cancel unit  17   e  alters the “Waiting flag” record in the contents file management DB  130  in the HDD  18  from “1”to “NULL” (S 11 ).  
         [0000]     (Step S 12 )  
         [0087]     The broadcast control unit  17   f  reads the contents file, in which the waiting state is canceled, out to the cache  18   a  before the broadcast time, and when it is the broadcast time, the broadcast control unit  17   f  sends the contents file out to the street television device  20 . The street television device  20  displays the contents file on the large monitor  21  and outputs the sound through the speaker  22  in the broadcast time slot. Then the process proceeds to S 16 .  
         [0000]     (Step S 13 )  
         [0088]     The censor censors the copy file which has been determined that it may not be broadcasted, as the result of the automatic censor process by the censor unit  37   b . The censor instructs to display the copy file through the operation unit  34 , and displays the copy file on the monitor  31  to confirm the contents of the copy file (S 13 ).  
         [0000]     (Step S 14 )  
         [0089]     If the censor determines that the copy file may be broadcasted, the censor inputs an instruction for generating the permission signal through the operation unit  34 . Then the process proceeds to S 10 . If the censor determines that the copy file may not be broadcasted, a censor non-permission signal is generated and sent to the selling machine  10 . Then the process proceeds to S 15  (S 14 ).  
         [0000]     (Step S 15 )  
         [0090]     The refund processing unit  37   d  requests the selling machine  10  to send the contact information and the account number of the user who have requested to broadcast the copy file for which the permission signal may not be generated. In response to the request, the waiting cancel unit  17   e  of the selling machine  10  extracts the contact information and the account number from the HDD  18 , and send them to the censor server device  30 . The refund processing unit  37   d  transfers an amount corresponding to the above described system usage fee for which the refund is required, to the account number (S 15 ). Furthermore, the refund processing unit  37   d  sends an e-mail which informs that the broadcast may not be performed, with respect to the mail address of the user. The deletion instruction unit  37   e  sends a deletion signal for deleting the contents file which may not be broadcasted, with respect to the selling machine  10 , and also deletes the copy file.  
         [0000]     (Step S 16 )  
         [0091]     If the broadcast of the contents file in the broadcast time slot has been terminated, and if the deletion signal has been received, the deleting unit  17   l  deletes the contents file of which the broadcast has been terminated, from the HDD  18 . Then the process is terminated.  
         [0092]     According to the above described embodiment, it is possible to broadcast the censored contents only by specifying the broadcast time and inputting the fee at the selling machine  10 . Accordingly, it is possible to solve cumbersomeness in a contract procedure and to enable everyone to readily utilize the street television device.  
         [0093]     It should be noted that although both of the automatic censor process by the censor server device  30  and the censor process by the censor have been performed in the above described embodiment, only one of those may be performed. In that case, only one of the process of S 8  and S 9  and the process of S 13  and S 14  may be performed.  
         [0094]     Moreover, the censor process is not essential in a sequence of processes of the broadcast system. For example, the censor process is previously performed, a censored flag (which also may be the permission signal) is attached to the contents file which has been determined to be permitted to be broadcasted, and the contents file is stored in the medium  15   a . Then, when the system control unit  17  of the selling machine  10  reads the contents file through the media slot  15  and detects the censored flag, the broadcast control unit  17   f  performs the broadcast process. The detection of the censored flag may be performed by the waiting cancel unit  17   e , or a program for detecting the censored flag (a censored flag detection unit) may be provided. In this case, since it is not necessary to perform the censor process, it is not necessary for the selling machine  10  to generate the copy of the contents file and send it to the censor server device  30 . Accordingly, for example, if the contents which have been permitted to be broadcasted once by the censor server device  30  is broadcasted again, it would not be necessary to perform the censor process twice with respect to the same contents. Moreover, also if the contents file which has been censored by a censor business is broadcasted via the selling machine  10 , it is possible to avoid repeating the censor process.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0000]     [General Configuration of the System] 
         [0095]     Based on  FIG. 14 , the broadcast system  1  according to the second embodiment will be described. In the broadcast system  1  according to this embodiment, the selling machine  10 , a plurality of street television devices  20 A, B, and a broadcast server device  50  which controls to broadcast on the plurality of street television devices  20 A, B are connected to the network  40 . The user specifies which of the street television devices  20  broadcasts the contents file, at the selling machine  10 . The broadcast server device  50  receives the contents file which has been permitted to be broadcasted, from the censor server device  30 , and controls to broadcast the contents file on the street television device  20  specified by the user.  
         [0096]     Next, based on  FIG. 15 , hardware configurations of the selling machine  10 , the censor server device  30  and the broadcast server device  50  according to this embodiment will be described.  FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing the hardware configurations of the selling machine  10 , the censor server device  30  and the broadcast server device  50  according to this embodiment.  
         [0097]     The selling machine  10  includes the acceptance monitor  11 , the speaker  12 , the coin/note inlet  13 , the acceptance operation unit  14 , the media slot  15 , the printer unit  16  and the outlet  16   a , the system control unit  17 , the HDD  18 , the memory  18   b  and the communication I/F  19   a , and these respective configuration requirements are electrically connected.  
         [0098]     The street television device  20  includes the large monitor  21 , the speaker  22  and a communication I/F  29   a , and these are electrically connected.  
         [0099]     The censor server device  30  includes the monitor  31 , the operation unit  34 , the server control unit  37 , the HDD  38 , the memory  38   b , and the communication I/F  39   a.    
         [0100]     The broadcast server device  50  includes a monitor  51 , an operation unit  54 , a broadcast control unit  57 , a HDD  58 , a memory  58   b , and a communication I/F  59   a.    
         [0101]     The system control unit  17  of the selling machine  10  executes the operation guidance unit  17   a , the reading unit  17   b , the input instruction acceptance unit  17   c , the expenditure calculation unit  17   g , the settlement unit  17   h , the communication unit  17   j , the printer control unit  17   k , and the television selection unit  17   m  for selecting the street television device  20  on which the user prefers to broadcast by the user, in the program block diagram of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0102]     The server control unit  37  of the censor server device  30  executes the programs consisting of the acquisition unit  37   a , the censor unit  37   b , the communication unit  37   f , and the transfer processing unit  37   h , which instructs to transfer the contents file to the broadcast server device  50  if the censor unit  37   b  determines that the contents file does not correspond to the broadcast prohibited condition, and which transfers the contact information to the broadcast server device  50  if the contents file corresponds to the broadcast prohibited condition, in the program block diagram of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0103]     The broadcast control unit  57  of the broadcast server device  50  loads programs shown in  FIG. 16  into the memory  58   b , and executes them. Next, based on  FIG. 16 , the programs executed by the broadcast control unit  57  will be described. The programs are performed by an acquisition unit  57   a  which acquires the contents file from the censor server device  30 , a broadcast control unit  57   b  which broadcasts the contents file in the broadcast time slot specified at the street television devices  20 A, B which have been specified by the user, a refund processing unit  57   c  which performs the refund process if the broadcast has not been permitted, and a communication unit  57   d  for sending the data to and receiving the data from the censor server device  30  and the street television devices  20 A, B. The refund processing unit  57   c  executes the process similar to the refund processing unit  37   d  of the first embodiment.  
         [0000]     [Process Flow] 
         [0104]     Based on  FIG. 17 , a process flow of the second embodiment will be described.  FIG. 17  is a sequence diagram illustrating the process flow of this embodiment.  
         [0105]     At S 21 , as similar to S 1 , the user stores the medium  15   a , in which the contents file preferred to be broadcasted is recorded, into the media slot  15  of the selling machine  10 , and the system control unit  17  reads the contents file (S 21 ).  
         [0106]     At S 22 , the television selection unit  17   m  of the system control unit  17  displays a television selection screen  180  shown in  FIG. 18  on the acceptance monitor  11 . On the television selection screen  180 , soft buttons for displaying detailed information, such as installation addresses of the street television devices  20 A, B, sizes of the street television devices  20 A, B, expected audience numbers, the broadcast fees and the like, are displayed. The broadcast fees of the street television devices  20 A, B may be set individually. The information on the street television devices  20 A, B may be previously stored in the HDD  18  of the selling machine  10 , or the information on the street television devices  20 A, B may be received and displayed from the broadcast server device  50  every time the user operates the selling machine  10 . The user selects the street television devices  20 A,  20 B on which the user prefers to broadcast (S 22 ). This selection may be one of the street television devices  20 A and B, or may be the plurality of the street television devices  20 A, B.  
         [0107]     At S 23  to  25 , as similar to S 2  to  4 , the broadcast time is selected (S 23 ), the broadcast fee is calculated (S 24 ), and the settlement is made (S 25 ). At S 26 , the selling machine  10  sends the contents file, as well as selection result information on the preferred street television devices  20 A, B inputted by the user, broadcast time information, and the contact information, with respect to the censor server device  30  (S 26 ).  
         [0108]     At S 27 , based on the contents file which the acquisition unit  37   a  of the censor server device  30  has received from the selling machine  10  and then the censor unit  37   b  has received, the censor process is performed (S 27 ). The censor process performs the process similar to S 8  to S 14  of the first embodiment.  
         [0109]     At S 28 , the transfer processing unit  37   h  transfers information required for the following process in the broadcast server device  50 , depending on a result of censoring (S 28 ). As the result of censoring by the censor unit  37   b  or the censor, if the contents file does not correspond to the broadcast prohibited condition, the transfer processing unit  37   h  instructs to transfer the contents file, the broadcast time information, and the selection result information on the preferred street television devices  20 A, B to the broadcast server device  50 . If the contents file corresponds to the broadcast prohibited condition, the transfer processing unit  37   h  instructs to transfer the contact information required for performing the refund process to broadcast server device  50 . The communication unit  37   f  sends the contents file, the broadcast time information, and the selection result information on the preferred street television devices  20 A, B or the contact information to the broadcast server device  50 , according to the instruction from the transfer processing unit  37   h . The censor server device  30  may delete the contents file after the transfer process.  
         [0110]     At S 29 , the acquisition unit  57   a  of the broadcast server device  50  receives the contents file, the broadcast time information, and the selection result information on the preferred street television devices  20 A, B, or the contact information, from the censor server device  30 . If the contents file, the broadcast time information, and the selection result information on the preferred street television devices  20 A, B are received, the broadcast control unit  57   b  sends the video signal and the sound signal to the street television devices  20 A, B in the broadcast time slot specified by the user (S 29 ). The street television devices  20 A,  20 B receive the video signal and the sound signal via the communication I/F  29   a , display the video on the large monitor  21 , and outputs the sound through the speaker  22  (S 30 ). When the broadcast is terminated, the broadcast server device  50  may delete the information such as the contents file and the like, which has become unnecessary.  
         [0111]     When the acquisition unit  57   a  of the broadcast server device  50  receives the contact information from the censor server device  30 , the process proceeds to S 31 . At S 31 , as similar to S 15  of the first embodiment, the refund processing unit  57   c  performs the refund process for the user, based on the received contact information (S 31 ). When the refund process is terminated, the broadcast server device  50  may delete the information such as the contents file and the like, which has become unnecessary.  
         [0112]     According to this embodiment, the user can select one or more of the preferred street television devices through the selling machine  10  to broadcast the contents in the preferred broadcast time slot.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0113]     Based on  FIG. 19 , the broadcast system  1  according to the third embodiment will be described. In the broadcast system  1  according to this embodiment, the plurality of street television devices  20 A, B, a broadcast server device  50  which controls to broadcast on the plurality of street television devices  20 A, B, and a terminal device  60  which consists of a personal computer or a PDA at home of the user, are connected to the network  40 . The user specifies which of the street television devices  20  broadcasts the contents file, at the terminal device  60 . The broadcast server device  50  receives the contents file which has been permitted to be broadcasted, from the censor server device  30 , and controls to broadcast the contents file on the street television device  20  specified by the user.  
         [0114]     The user accesses the broadcast server device  50  via the network  40  such as the Internet from the terminal device  60 , and acquires the screens for inputting the information required for purchasing a broadcast right, for example, such as the above described  FIGS. 8, 9 ,  10  and  11 . According to the screens displayed on the terminal device  60 , the user sends the selection information on the preferred street television, the broadcast time information, the settlement information with respect to the broadcast of the contents, the contact information for the refund, and the contents file information, to the broadcast server device  50 . For the settlement, a credit card number may be sent, or a net settlement with an Internet banking may be utilized. The process flow of the terminal device  60 , the censor server device  30 , the broadcast server device  50 , and the street television devices  20 A,  20 B is similar to the case where the selling machine  10  of  FIG. 17  is replaced with the terminal device  60 .  
         [0115]     According to this embodiment, the user can purchase the broadcast right from the terminal device such as the personal computer at home, and it is possible to improve convenience without having to go to the location where the broadcast time selling machine is installed.