Patent Publication Number: US-2005131910-A1

Title: Server system of network provider

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1.) Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a server system of an internet network provider who collects browsing charges of paysites from users on behalf of content providers who operates the paysites.  
      2.) Description of the Related Art  
      The development of internet technologies has enabled us to acquire various contents by use of a browser on the Internet from many content providers. Among them, there are many providers who run a paysite and provide their contents for charges.  
      However, users who use (browse, for example) contents on paysites are generally charged for each site because paysites are run independently by content providers. Accordingly, when the user uses a plurality of paysites, charges will be accumulated to increase user&#39;s costs for paysites. As a result, there are many users who are reluctant to use paysites from viewpoint of costs, which has been a problem in the conventional art.  
      Further, since users cannot judge security of a certain site that provides paid contents, there are users who are afraid that their personal information including their credit cards that they use for payment on the Internet may be abused. As a result, the number of users who use paysites will not increase, which has been another problem in the conventional art.  
      With regard to payments of service charges for these paid contents, many troubles have been seen in fact, and these troubles are anticipated to increase further in the future. Under such circumstances, the business development of the provision of paid contents on the Internet is hindered, which has been further another problem in the conventional art.  
      The present invention has been made to solve these problems with the conventional art. The object of the present invention is to provide information providing technology in which paid contents on the Internet are efficiently provided, and service charges for paid contents are efficiently and precisely collected. Thereby, the number of paid content providers and the use of services of the providers will be increased, and the business of providing paid contents on the Internet will be facilitated.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology.  
      An information providing method according to an aspect of the present invention is executed by a server system of an internet network provider that connects to the Internet an information processing apparatus of a user authorized to access to contents provided by content providers in the Internet. The method includes creating a content list that is a list of the contents; receiving from the information processing apparatus a request for the content list; sending the content list to the information processing apparatus in response to the request for the content list; receiving from the information processing apparatus a request for a specific content included in the content list sent; acquiring the specific content; sending the specific content acquired to the information processing apparatus; accumulating, for a predetermined duration, information about use of the contents in the content list created; and calculating dividends to the content providers, based on the information accumulated.  
      An information providing method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by a server system of an internet network provider that connects to the Internet an information processing apparatus of a user authorized to access to contents provided by content providers in the Internet. The method includes registering the contents to the server system; creating a content list that is a list of the contents registered; receiving from the information processing apparatus a request for the content list; sending the content list to the information processing apparatus in response to the request for the content list; receiving from the information processing apparatus a request for a specific content included in the content list sent; sending the specific content included in the contents registered to the information processing apparatus; accumulating, for a predetermined duration, information about use of the contents registered; and calculating dividends to the content providers, based on the information accumulated.  
      A server system an internet network provider according to still another aspect of the present invention connects to the Internet an information processing apparatus of a user authorized to access to contents provided by content providers in the Internet. The server system includes a creating unit that creates a content list that is a list of the contents; a receiving unit that receives from the information processing apparatus a request for the content list; a sending unit that sends the content list to the information processing apparatus in response to the request for the content list; a receiving unit that receives from the information processing apparatus a request for a specific content included in the content list sent; a acquiring unit that acquires the specific content; a sending unit that sends the specific content acquired to the information processing apparatus; a accumulating unit that accumulates, for a predetermined duration, information about use of the contents in the content list created; a memorizing unit that memorizes the information accumulated; and a calculating unit that calculates dividends to the content providers, based on the information memorized.  
      A server system an internet network provider according to still another aspect of the present invention connects to the Internet an information processing apparatus of a user authorized to access to contents provided by content providers in the Internet. The server system includes a registering unit that registers the contents; a creating unit that creates a content list that is a list of the contents registered; a receiving unit that receives from the information processing apparatus a request for the content list; a sending unit that sends the content list to the information processing apparatus in response to the request for the content list; a receiving unit that receives from the information processing apparatus a request for a specific content included in the content list sent; a sending unit that sends the specific content included in the contents registered to the information processing apparatus; a accumulating unit that accumulates, for a predetermined duration, information about use of the contents registered; a memorizing unit that memorizes the information accumulated; and a calculating unit that calculates dividends to the content providers, based on the information memorized.  
      Computer-readable recording medium according to still other aspects of the present invention store computer programs that cause computers to execute the above methods according to the present invention.  
      The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic for outlining an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of a system configuration of the information providing system;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of a server system of a network provider;  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of a portable information processing terminal of a user;  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the server system;  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of content list information creation/registration process executed by the server system;  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart of content providing process executed by the server system;  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart of service condition acquiring process executed by the server system;  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart of service condition acquiring process executed by the server system;  
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart of process procedures of software that is distributed to the user;  
       FIG. 11  is an example of a portal homepage;  
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the user;  
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the network provider;  
       FIG. 14  is a flow chart of operating procedures of a content provider;  
       FIG. 15  is a schematic for outlining an information providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a server system of the network provider;  
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart of content registration process executed by the server system;  
       FIG. 18  is a flow chart of content providing process executed by the server system;  
       FIG. 19  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the network provider; and  
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the content provider. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Exemplary embodiments of an information providing method, a computer-readable recording medium, and a server system according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic for outlining an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a network provider  101  is what is called an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who collects internet access fee, and in the present invention, on behalf of a content provider  102 , collects charges from a user  103  who has used a paysite.  
      The content provider  102  is a content provider who runs the paysite. Contents provided by the content provider  102  include, for example, text, image, audio, video and so forth. There are paid contents and free contents, but in principle, the contents provided by the content provider  102  are paid contents. The user  103  is a user who uses (browses, listens to and views) the paid contents.  
      The content provider  102  makes an application for registration of paysite to the network provider  101 . The application can be made via the Internet, or by storing contents into a recording medium and sending it by a postal mail, or other means. In response to the application, the network provider  101  conducts an examination, registers the paysite to a paysite list, and instructs the content provider  102  to open an account for payment of a dividend.  
      The user  103  applies for a fixed-rate service for paysites to the network provider  101 . In response to the application, the network provider  101  informs the user  103  of an access ID. The access ID is an ID necessary for the user  103  to use the paysites available at fixed-rate charges. The ID can be same as or different from a personal ID to connect to the Internet. It is also possible to guarantee the user&#39;s identity by use of an IC/ID card for personal identification or the like.  
      Thus, the environment for the user  103  to use the paysites, without being conscious about money, is prepared. The user  103  who has acquired the access ID accesses to paysites through a portal homepage (the paysite list) which contains only paysites available at fixed-rate charges. Thus, the user  103  receives the provision of contents via the network provider  101 . Paysites of the content providers  102  are registered, after examination by the network provider  101 , in the portal homepage. The user  103  can use the paysites on the portal homepage at fixed-rate charges without an upper limit. The user  103  pays the fixed-rate charges to the network provider  101 , and the network provider  101  pays dividends to the content provider  102  according to how the contents are used (for example, how many times accesses were made to the contents).  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of a system configuration of an information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the information providing system includes the Internet  200 , a server system  201  of the network provider  101 , a server system  202  of the content provider  102 , an information processing apparatus  203  of the user  103 , a radio station  204 , and a portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 .  
      The information processing apparatus  203  of the user  103  is connected to the server system  201  by a telephone line or the like. The server system  201  is connected to the server system  202  of each content provider  102  via the Internet  200 . The user  103  can connect to the server system  201  by use of the portable information processing terminal  205  and the radio station  204 .  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the server system  201  according to the first embodiment.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the server system  201  has a CPU  301 , a ROM  302 , a RAM  303 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  304 , a hard disk (HD)  305 , a flexible disk drive (FDD)  306 , a flexible disk (FD)  307  as an example of detachable recording media, a display  308 , an interface (I/F)  309 , a keyboard  311 , a mouse  312 , a scanner  313 , and a printer  314 . The respective components are connected via a bus or cable  300 .  
      The CPU  301  controls the entire server system  201 . The ROM  302  memorizes programs such as a boot program. The RAM  303  is used as a work area of the CPU  301 . The HDD  304  controls reading/writing of data to the HD  305  under the control of the CPU  301 . The HD  305  memorizes data written by the control of the HDD  304 .  
      The FDD  306  controls reading/writing of data to the FD  307  under the control of the CPU  301 . The FD  307  memorizes data written by the control of the FDD  306 , and makes the memorized data read by a magnetic head of the FDD  306 . As a detachable recording medium, besides the FD  307 , a CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a memory card or so can be employed. The display  308  displays such as a cursor, icons, tool boxes, and windows contains texts, images, items for control and the likes. As the display  308 , for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display and the like can be employed.  
      The I/F  309  is connected to the Internet  200 , and connected to other information processing apparatuses via the Internet  200 . The I/F  309  sends and receives data between the Internet  200  and the device inside, and controls data input and output from and to the other information processing apparatus. The I/F  309  is also connected to the information processing apparatus  203  and the portable information processing terminal  205  via a general telephone line. As the I/F  309 , for example a modem or the like can be employed.  
      The keyboard  311  has keys for inputting characters, numeric values, various instructions and the likes, and thereby inputs data to the device inside. Meanwhile, a touch panel type input pad or ten keys can be also employed. The mouse  312  moves the cursor, selects screen areas, and moves windows, and changes the sizes thereof. Instead of the mouse, a track ball, a joy stick, a cross key, a jog dial or the like can be employed, so long as it has similar functions as a pointing device.  
      The scanner  313  reads images optically, and takes image data into the device inside. The printer  314 , which can be for example a laser printer or an ink jet printer, prints out image data and text data.  
      A hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus  203  and the portable information processing terminal  205  according to the first embodiment is explained next. The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus  203 , such as a personal computer (PC), is the same as that of the server system  201  shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the portable information processing terminal  205  according to the first embodiment. Herein, a cell phone is taken as a representative example of the portable information processing terminal  205 . However, this is just one example, and for instance, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a standalone type or notebook PC or the like can be employed.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cell phone  205  has a CPU  401 , a ROM  402 , a RAM  403 , a display  404 , a communication control unit  405 , numeric keys  406 , a cursor control unit  407 , a microphone  408 , and a speaker  409 . The respective components are connected via a bus  400 .  
      The CPU  401  controls the entire cell phone  205 . The ROM  402  memorizes programs such as a boot program. The RAM  403  is used as a work area of the CPU  401 . The display  404 , that can be for example a TFT liquid crystal display, displays a cursor, icons, tool boxes, and data such as texts and images, items for control and the likes.  
      The communication control unit  405  controls the transmission of radio waves with the radio station  204 , and is connected to the server system  201  by the radio station  204 . The communication control unit  405  also controls sending and receiving data between the server system  201  and the device inside, and controls data input and output with the server system  201 .  
      The numeric keys  406  have keys for inputting characters, numeric values, and various instructions and the likes, and thereby input data to the device inside. The cursor control unit  407  moves the cursor, and selects screen areas and the likes. A cross key, a jog dial or the like can be employed, so long as it has similar functions as a pointing device. The microphone  408  converts input voices into electric signals. The speaker  409  converts input electric signals into voices and outputs them. Both the microphone  408  and the speaker  409  have functions as a telephone.  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the server system  201  according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the server system  201  includes a content list information creating unit  501 , a content list information registering unit  502 , a content list request information receiving unit  503 , a content list information sending unit  504 , a content request information receiving unit  505 , a content acquiring unit  506 , a content sending unit  507 , a service condition acquiring unit  508 , a service condition memorizing unit  509 , and a dividend calculating unit  510 .  
      The content list information creating unit  501  creates content list information concerning a list of contents provided by the content provider  102 . The contents of the content list information are described later in  FIG. 11 . The content list information creating unit  501  is realized by the CPU  301  reading a program stored in such as the HD  305  and the FD  307  shown in  FIG. 3 , out to the RAM  303 .  
      The content list information registering unit  502  registers content list information created by the content list information creating unit  501 . The content list information registering unit  502  is realized by, for example the HD  305  shown in  FIG. 3 , and the HDD  304  that controls the HD.  
      The content list request information receiving unit  503  receives content list request information from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  who is authorized to use the contents. The content list request information is concerning a request for the content list information registered by the content list information registering unit  502 . The content list request information receiving unit  503  is realized by, for example the I/F  309  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The content list information sending unit  504  sends the content list information registered by the content list information registering unit  502  to the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 , in response to the content list request information received by the content list request information receiving unit  503 . The content list information sending unit  504  is realized by, for example the I/F  309  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The content request information receiving unit  505  receives content request information from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 . The content request information is concerning a request for a specific content that is designated by the user  103  in the content list information sent by the content list information sending unit  504 . The content request information receiving unit  505  is realized by, for example the I/F  309  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The content acquiring unit  506  acquires contents via the Internet  200  from the server system  202  of the content provider  102 , in response to the content request information received by the content request information receiving unit  505 . The content acquiring unit  506  is realized by the CPU  301  that reads a program, which is stored in such as the HD  305  and the FD  307  shown in  FIG. 3 , out to the RAM  303 , and by the I/F  309  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The content sending unit  507  sends the contents acquired by the content acquiring unit  506  to the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 . The content sending unit  507  is realized by, for example the I/F  309  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The service condition acquiring unit  508  acquires information concerning the service conditions of the contents registered by the content list information registering unit  502 . The information concerning the service conditions can be information concerning the number of service times of contents. In this instance, the service condition acquiring unit  508  acquires information concerning the service conditions based on (1) information concerning the receiving conditions of the content request information received by the content request information receiving unit  505  or (2) information concerning the sending conditions of the contents sent by the content sending unit  507 . The details thereof are described later in  FIG. 8 .  
      The information concerning the service conditions can also be information concerning service time of contents. In this instance, the service condition acquiring unit  508  acquires information concerning the service conditions based on (1) information concerning the sending conditions of the contents sent by the content sending unit  507  and (2) information concerning the receiving conditions of the content request information received by the content request information receiving unit  505 . The details thereof are described later in  FIG. 9 .  
      The service condition acquiring unit  508  is realized by the CPU  301  reading a program stored in such as the HD  305  and the FD  307  shown in  FIG. 3 , out to the RAM  303 .  
      The service condition memorizing unit  509  memorizes the information concerning the service conditions of contents acquired by the service condition acquiring unit  508 . The service condition memorizing unit  509  is realized by, for example the HD  305  and the HDD  304  that controls the HD  305  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The dividend calculating unit  510  calculates dividends to the content provider  102 , based on the information concerning the service conditions of contents memorized by the service condition memorizing unit  509 . The dividend calculating unit  510  is realized by the CPU  301  reading a program stored in such as the HD  305  and the FD  307  shown in  FIG. 3 , out to the RAM  303 .  
      The calculation of dividends, i.e., the distribution of fixed-rate charges collected from the user  103  is explained next. Generally, the charges are distributed to the content provider  102  in proportion with the number of browsing times or browsing time. However, it is preferable to divide the paysites into specific categories and to divide dividends proportionally in the categories (in other words, it is preferable not to compare all the paysites under uniform conditions), because browsing can concentrate only to a specific site which is very popular.  
      It is also possible to distribute a constant sum of money to the content provider  102 , irrespective of the number of browsing times or browsing time. However, by combining proportional distribution and fixed-rate distribution, it is possible to make an extremely biased distribution where high dividends are distributed to only three top content providers and no dividend is paid to other sites. It is also possible to adopt a distribution method where little ranking is arranged among high ranked content providers, and fixed-amount dividends are distributed to providers below a specific ranking. The distribution method can be determined by the network provider  101  in consideration of characteristics of categories and contents thereof. By distributing much more charges to high-ranking content providers  102 , it is expected that sound competitions are made among content providers  102  and the contents are refined further more. It is also expected that a content provider  102  of a new category, which has not opened a paysite so far, opens a paysite to gain the benefits of dividends. For example, a non profit organization can obtain the funds for its activities by opening a paysite.  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of content list information creation/registration process executed by the server system  201  according to the first embodiment. After the application and the examination, it is judged whether a content registration instruction has been made (step S 601 ), and further it is judged whether a content deletion instruction has been made (step S 602 ).  
      When there is not either the content registration instruction or the content deletion instruction (step S 601 : No and step S 602 : No), the procedures go back to the step S 601 . On the other hand, when there is either the content registration instruction or the content deletion instruction (step S 601 : Yes or step S 602 : Yes), content list information is updated by creating new content list information or changing existing content list information (step S 603 ). Then, the created or changed content list information is memorized (registered) (step S 604 ). Thereafter, the procedures go back to the step S 601 , where the same process is carried out repeatedly. The creation/change of content list information is carried out at any time, and the user  103  can acquire always latest content list information.  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart of content providing process executed by the server system  201  according to the first embodiment. It is judged whether content list request information has been received from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  (step S 701 ). When content list request information is received (step S 701 : Yes), the content list information registered by the content list information registering unit  502  is sent to the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  that has sent the request (step S 702 ).  
      Thereafter, it is judged whether the content request information has been received from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  to whom the content list information has been sent (step S 703 ). When the content request information is received (step S 703 : Yes), the content acquiring unit  506  requests content information to the server system  202  of the content provider  102  (step S 704 ). Thereafter, when content information is acquired (received) (step S 705 : Yes), the acquired content information is sent to the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  that has sent the request (step S 706 ).  
      Thereafter, it is judged whether other content request information has been received (step S 707 ). If other content request information has been received (step S 707 : Yes), the procedures go to the step S 704 , and after this, the steps S 704  to S 707  are carried out repeatedly. If other content request information has not been received, for example, when a specified time has passed without receiving any other content request information (step S 707 : No), the series of processes are ended. Thus, contents are provided in response to the content request information from the user  103 .  
      In the server system  201 , when the content list request information is received, the ID of the user  103  is confirmed. However, when content request information is received, there is no need to confirm the ID of the user  103 . This is because, in the latter instance, the confirmation of the user  103  can be made at the server system  202  of each content provider  102 .  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart of service condition (in concrete terms, the number of service times of each content) acquiring process executed by the server system  201  according to the first embodiment. As an example of the service condition memorizing unit  509 , a number of service time counter (not shown) is reset (step S 801 ). The number of service time counter is arranged per content.  
      Next, it is judged whether content request information has been received from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  (step S 802 ). Or, instead of receiving of the content request information, it can be judged whether content information has been sent in response to the content request information. When the content request information is received (step S 802 : Yes), it is judged whether the content requested in the content request information is a paid content, i.e., content provided by the content provider  102  (step S 803 ). This is because the content request information from the user  103  is not always for paid contents, in other words, free content is requested in some cases.  
      If the content is not a paid content (step S 803 : No), the procedures go to a step S 805  without doing anything. On the other hand, if the content is a paid content (step S 803 : Yes), the number of service time counter is incremented by only +1 (step S 804 ), thereafter, the procedures go to a step S 805 .  
      Next, it is judged whether a specified time (such as one month, three months, six months, and one year) has passed (step S 805 ). If the specified time has not passed (step S 805 : No), the procedures go to the step S 802 , thereafter the respective processes at the steps S 802  to S 805  are carried out repeatedly. On the other hand, if the specified time has passed (step S 805 : Yes), the number of service time information, i.e., information concerning the counter value of the number of service time counter is output to the dividend calculating unit  510  (step S 806 ), and the series of the processes are ended. Thereby, it is possible to easily acquire the information concerning the number of service times per content.  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart of service condition (in concrete terms, service time of each content) acquiring process executed by the server system  201  according to the first embodiment. As an example of the service condition memorizing unit  509 , a service time information memorizing unit (not shown) is reset (step S 901 ). The service time information memorizing unit is arranged per content.  
      Next, it is judged whether content request information has been received from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  (step S 902 ). Or, instead of receiving of the content request information, it can be judged whether content information has been sent in response to the content request information. When the content request information is received (step S 902 : Yes), it is judged whether the content requested in the content request information is a paid content, i.e., content provided by the content provider  102  (step S 903 ).  
      If the content is not a paid content (step S 903 : No), the procedures go to a step S 909  without doing anything. On the other hand, if the content is a paid content (step S 903 : Yes), counting of service time is started by a timer (not shown) (step S 904 ).  
      Next, it is judged whether other content request information has been received from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  (step S 905 ). Or, instead of receiving of the content request information, it can be judged whether other content information has been sent in response to the content request information. If other content request information is received (step S 905 : Yes), the procedures go to a step S 907 . On the other hand, if other content request information is not received (step S 905 : No) and a specified time has passed from the start of counting of service time (step S 906 : Yes), it is judged that the user  103  does not use the paid contents any more, and the procedures go to the step S 907 .  
      Then, counting of service time is ended (step S 907 ), and the contents of the service time information memorizing unit are updated (step S 908 ). Namely, the service time of the content is added.  
      Next, it is judged whether a specified time (such as one month, three months, six months, and one year) has passed (step S 909 ). If the specified time has not passed (step S 909 : No), the procedures go to the step S 902 , thereafter the respective processes at the steps S 902  to S 909  are carried out repeatedly. On the other hand, if the specified time has passed (step S 909 : Yes), the service time information, i.e., information memorized in the service time information memorizing unit is output to the dividend calculating unit  510  (step S 910 ), and the series of the processes are ended. Thereby, it is possible to easily acquire the information concerning service time per content.  
      Service conditions, such as the information concerning the number of service times or service time, can be acquired by software installed into the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 .  FIG. 10  is a flow chart of process procedures executed by the software that is installed into the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 .  
      It is judged whether a browser has been started in the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  (step S 1001 ). When the browser has been started (step S 1001 : Yes), the installed software is started in connection with the start (step S 1002 ).  
      Next, it is judged whether a homepage has been displayed on the browser (step S 1003 ). If nothing is displayed (step S 1003 : No), then it is judged whether the browser has been ended (step S 1004 ), and if the browser has been ended (step S 1004 : Yes), the software is ended and the procedures go back to the step S 1001 . On the other hand, if the browser has not been ended (step S 1004 : No), the procedures go back to the step S 1003 .  
      On the other hand, if a homepage has been displayed (step S 1003 : Yes), it is judged whether the displayed homepage is one of a paysite (step S 1005 ). Then, if it is a paysite (step S 1005 : Yes), counting of time is started (step S 1006 ). On the other hand, if it is not a paysite (step S 1005 : No), the procedures goes to a step S 1007  without doing anything.  
      Next, it is judged whether the displayed homepage has been changed (step S 1007 ). If the displayed homepage has been changed (step S 1007 : Yes), the counting of time that has been started at the step S 1006  is ended (step S 1008 ), and the counting information (information concerning counting time) is memorized (step S 1009 ). Thereafter, the procedures go back to the step S 1005 , and the respective processes at the steps S 1005  to S 1009  are carried out repeatedly.  
      On the other hand, if the displayed homepage has not been changed (step S 1007 : No), then, it is judged whether the browser has been ended (step S 1010 ). If the browser has not been ended (step S 1010 : No), the procedures go back to the step S 1007 . On the other hand, if the browser has been ended (step S 1010 : Yes), the counting of time that has been started at the step S 1006  is ended (step S 1011 ), and the counting information is memorized (step S 1012 ). Thereafter, the procedures go back to the step S 1001 , and again, the start of the browser is waited for.  
      Thus, it is possible to easily acquire service conditions (the service time, in  FIG. 10 ) by the software installed in the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 . The memorized counting information is sent to the server system  201  at a specified time interval. Thereby, the server system  201  can acquire the information concerning the service time from the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 .  
       FIG. 11  is an example of the portal homepage to be displayed on the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 11 , on a browser  1101  displayed on the display  308  or  404  of the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 , thumbnails of paysites are displayed per category. The user  103  moves the cursor by the mouse  312  or the cursor control unit  407  such as a mouse onto the area where a desired site is displayed, and clicks the mouse button, thereby selects the site.  
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the user  103  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. If the user  103  has not become a member of the network provider  101  (step S 1201 : No), procedures to become a member is taken (step S 1202 ). Thereafter, the user  103  applies for fixed-rate services for paysites to the network provider  101  (step S 1203 ), and acquires access information for paysites (step S 1204 ). As access information items to be acquired, there are an access ID, a URL of the portal homepage, a service time counting module (software) and so forth.  
      Thereafter, the paysite is used and browsing time (service time) is counted (step S 1205 ). Then, it is judged whether there has been a withdrawal instruction (step S 1206 ), and if there has not been a withdrawal instruction (step S 1206 : No.), the service time is informed periodically (for example, once in a week, or once in a month) to the network provider  101  (step S 1207 ). The user  103  pays fixed-rate charges at a predetermined period (step S 1208 ), and the procedures go back to the step S 1205 . Thereafter, the respective procedures of the steps S 1205  to S 1208  are carried out repeatedly. On the other hand, if there has been a withdrawal instruction (step S 1206 : Yes), withdrawal procedures are taken (step S 1209 ), and the series of the procedures are ended.  
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the network provider  101 . As for procedures for the content provider  102 , the network provider  101  accepts application for registration of paysite from the content provider  102  (step S 1301 ). Thereafter, the network provider  101  conducts examination (step S 1302 ), in concrete terms, such as contents of the paysite, financial conditions of the content provider  102 , and viewpoints on public order and standards of decency are examined.  
      Next, the network provider  101  informs the content provider  102  of results of the examination, and if the content provider  102  acknowledges the results, a contract is concluded (step S 1303 ). If the content provider  102  does not have an account, the content provider  102  opens an account (step S 1304 ). Thereafter, the network provider  101  registers the site to the portal homepage (step S 1305 ). Further, the network provider  101  informs the content provider  102  of the access ID of the users  103  (step S 1306 ).  
      Thereafter, the network provider  101  accumulates the service time per paysite, ranks paysites, and informs respective content providers  102  of the results (step S 1307 ). Thereby, it is possible to secure transparency of service conditions. Then, the network provider  101  calculates dividends (step S 1308 ), and pays the calculated dividends to respective paysites (content providers  102 ) (step S 1309 ). Thereafter, the steps S 1306  to S 1309  are carried out repeatedly. However, as for a new content provider  102 , after the steps S 1301  to S 1305  are once carried out, the steps S 1306  to S 1309  are carried out repeatedly.  
      On the other hand, as for procedures for the user  103 , the network provider  101  accepts an application for paysite services from the user  103  (step S 1351 ). The network provider  101  assigns access information (access ID) to the user  103  (step S 1352 ) and inform the user  103  of access information (step S 1353 ). The service time of users  103  is acquired (accumulated) periodically (for example, once in a week, or once in a month) (step S 1354 ), then the procedures go back to the step S 1351 .  
       FIG. 14  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the content provider  102 . The content provider  102  applies for registration of paysite to the network provider  101  (step S 1401 ). Then, the content provider  102  receives the results of the examination on the application, and if the results are all right, a contract is concluded (step S 1402 ). Then, the content provider  102  creates an entrance homepage whose thumbnail is displayed on the portal homepage shown in  FIG. 11  (step S 1403 ).  
      Thereafter, the content provider  102  receives access IDs of users  103 , and the IDs are registered to the access permission list of paysites (step S 1404 ).  
      Next, it is judged whether there has been a withdrawal instruction (step S 1405 ), and if there has not been a withdrawal instruction (step S 1405 : No), the content provider  102  receives information concerning service time and ranking periodically (for example, once in a week, or once in a month) (step S 1406 ). Further, the content provider  102  receives dividends from the network provider  101  at a predetermined period (step S 1407 ), and the procedures go back to the step S 1404 . Thereafter, the respective procedures at the steps S 1404  to S 1407  are carried out repeatedly. On the other hand, if there has been a withdrawal instruction (step S 1405 : Yes), withdrawal procedures are taken (step S 1408 ), and the series of the procedures are ended.  
      According to the first embodiment, it is possible to make paysite service charges from the users  103  into “fixed-rate” charges irrespective of the number of service times/service time, thereby it is possible to reduce burdens in sum of money of users. Further, because the network provider  101  collects paysite browsing charges, there is no need to input personal information such as a bank account number per content provider  102 , accordingly, it is possible to guard the privacy of individuals.  
      Furthermore, in distribution to the content providers  102 , it is possible to rank priority orders on which provider&#39;s contents are frequently browsed by use of browsing time or other methods, and based on the priority orders, to pay browsing charges or flexibly change distribution methods.  
      According to the first embodiment, for users, it is possible to use paysites at fixed-rate charges with a sense of security. It is possible for network providers  101  to position the paysite fixed-rate services as their services that differentiate them from other providers, and to attain the increased number of users. Further, for content providers  102 , their profit distribution fluctuate according to their priority order rankings, therefore, those content providers who fulfill their contents further more than before and gain supports from users will attain further more achievements, while those content providers who do not will be dismissed.  
      In the first embodiment, contents (paysites) that content providers  102  provide are registered/stored at the side of content providers. On the other hand, in a second embodiment, these contents are registered in a server system  2201  of the network provider  101 . Therefore, only differences from the first embodiment are explained, and identical codes are assigned to similar components to those in the first embodiment and explanations thereof are omitted herein.  
       FIG. 15  is a schematic for outlining an information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 15 , in the same manner as in  FIG. 1 , the network provider  101  is what is called an ISP, the content provider  102  is a content provider who runs the paysite, and the user  103  is a user who uses (browses, listens to and views) the paid contents.  
      The difference from the first embodiment is that the network provider  101  accesses the content provider  102  with a network provider ID in advance, and receives the provision of contents, and registers the contents into the server system  2201  of the network provider  101 . Then, at access from the user  103 , the network provider  101  provides the registered contents to the user  103 , without acquiring contents at necessity from the content provider  102 .  
      Further, another difference from the first embodiment is that at access of the user  103 , the network provider  101  converts an access ID of the user  103  into a network provider&#39;s unique ID. In concrete, in response to the application of the user  103 , the network provider  101  adds the user  103  to an access ID control table (for example, a database). When the user  103  withdraws, the user  103  is deleted from the table, and the increase and decrease of the users  103  are handled by not the content provider  102  but the network provider  101 . According to the second embodiment, the aforementioned service time counting software can be also utilized in service time calculations of paysites. However, it is possible for the network provider  101  itself to confirm access records individually by referring to the access ID control table at every access to paysites. In other words, in the second embodiment, service time can be calculated without introducing the aforementioned software.  
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the server system  2201  according to the second embodiment. In  FIG. 16 , the difference from  FIG. 5  according to the first embodiment is that the server system  2201  further includes a content registering unit  1600 . The content registering unit  1600  registers contents of information that can be provided via the Internet  200 , such as text, image, audio, video and so forth, provided by the content provider  102 . The content registering unit  1600  is realized by, for example the HD  305  and the HDD  304  that controls the HD  305  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      A content list information creating unit  1601  creates content list information concerning a list of contents registered by the content registering unit  1600 . A content sending unit  1607  sends the contents registered by the content registering unit  1600  to the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103 . Accordingly, there is no need to arrange the content acquiring unit  506  in the first embodiment. Other components are same as in the first embodiment, therefore, explanations thereof are omitted herein.  
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart of content registration process executed by the server system  2201  according to the second embodiment.  
      After the application for registration and the examination, it is judged whether contents have been provided (step S 1701 ). The provision of contents includes the case where the server system  2201  of the network provider  101  accesses the server system  202  of the content provider  102  with a network provider&#39;s ID, and acquires contents. If contents have not been provided (step S 1701 : No), the procedures go to a step S 1703  without doing anything. On the other hand, if contents have been provided (step S 1701 : Yes), the provided contents are registered (step S 1702 ).  
      Next, content list information is updated by creating new content list information or changing existing content list information (step S 1703 ). Then, the created or changed content list information is memorized (registered) (step S 1704 ). Further, it is judged whether there has been a content deletion instruction (step S 1705 ), and if there has been a content deletion instruction (step S 1705 : Yes), the contents concerned are deleted (step S 1706 ), thereafter, the procedures go back to the step S 1703 . Then, the content list information is updated (step S 1703 ).  
      On the other hand, if there has not been a content deletion instruction (step S 1705 : No), the procedures go back to the step S 1701 , and after that, the respective processes at the steps S 1701  to S 1706  are carried out repeatedly. Thereby, the creation/change of content list information is carried out at any time according to the addition/deletion of content registration, and the user  103  can acquire always latest content list information.  
       FIG. 18  is a flow chart of content providing process executed by the server system  2201  according to the second embodiment. The difference from  FIG. 7  in the first embodiment is only steps S 1804  and S 1805 .  
      In concrete, if content request information is received (step S 1803 : Yes), it is judged whether the requested content is the content registered in the content registering unit  1600  (step S 1804 ). If it is a content not registered therein (step S 1804 : No), the procedures go to the step S 704  shown in  FIG. 7 , and the same process as in the first embodiment is carried out.  
      On the other hand, if the requested content is registered in the content registering unit  1600  (step S 1804 : Yes), the content concerned is extracted from the content registering unit  1600  (step S 1805 ), and the extracted content is sent to the PC  203  or the portable information processing terminal  205  of the user  103  that has sent the request (step S 1806 ).  
      Thereafter, it is judged whether other content request information has been received (step S 1807 ). If other content request information has been received (step S 1807 : Yes), the procedures go to the step S 1804 , and the steps S 1804  to S 1807  are carried out repeatedly. At the step S 1807 , if other content request information has not been received, for example, when a specified time has passed without receiving any other content request information (step S 1807 : No), the series of processes are ended. In this manner, contents are provided in response to the request for contents from the user  103 .  
       FIG. 19  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the network provider  101  according to the second embodiment. The difference from  FIG. 13  in the first embodiment is only that in the place of informing of the access ID of the users  103  (step S 706 ), the access ID of the network provider  101  is informed (step S 1906 ).  
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart of operating procedures of the content provider  102  according to the second embodiment. The difference from  FIG. 14  in the first embodiment is only that, in the place of receiving access IDs of the users  103  and registering the IDs to the access permission list of paysites (step S 1404 ), the content provider  102  sets only the access ID of the network provider  101  accessible to paysites (step S 2004 ).  
      According to the second embodiment, it is possible to send contents to the user  103  promptly and precisely, irrespective of conjunction or disorder conditions of the Internet  200 , also to easily and precisely acquire information about the number of service times, and service time of registered contents.  
      Further, for the user  103 , personal information will not be leaked to the content provider  102 , therefore, the privacy of the user  103  will be guarded, and the security of the user  103  will become safer.  
      Further, for the content provider  102 , there is no need for ID control arising from the increase and decrease of users  103 , therefore, its administrative affairs will be reduced. Further, the access ID is the ID that only the network provider  101  knows, i.e., the ID that will not be known to the outside, therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized accesses.  
      Furthermore, for the network provider  101 , measures are taken for a system in consideration of security and privacy, and against unauthorized actions of the content provider  102 , therefore, the reliability of the network provider  101  will be increased, and superiority to other network providers will be demonstrated.  
      The information providing methods according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment are realized by a program prepared in advance being executed on various computers such as a personal computer, a work station, and so forth, meanwhile, this program can be recorded into various computer readable recording media such as an HD, an FD, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD and the likes, and distributed via such recording media, and also can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.  
      As explained heretofore, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently provide paid contents on the Internet, and to efficiently and precisely collect service charges for these paid contents. Thereby, it becomes possible to increase services of paid content providers and the paid contents thereof, and also to facilitate the business of providing paid contents on the Internet.  
      As described heretofore, the information providing method, the computer-readable recording medium, and the server system according to the present invention are advantageous in distribution of paid contents provided on the Internet, and especially they are suitable for increasing services of paid content providers and the paid contents thereof, and also facilitating the business of providing paid contents on the Internet.  
      Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.