Patent Publication Number: US-2002002682-A1

Title: Data display method and system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/429,399 filed Aug. 31, 1999, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to data display technologies, and particularly to a display technology that, when data received via a communication network is displayed, can make at least part of the contents of the data invisible or illegible.  
       [0003] In recent years, a WWW system has become widespread that uses the World Wide Web (WWW) server program and browser system as means for disclosing/transmitting information to a plurality of users via a network such as Internet. Particularly nowadays, there is a strong trend to use the WWW system not only as the information transmitting means but also for business. As a typical example of the application to business, the so-called e-commerce system can be given for putting commercial products information on view by use of the WWW system.  
       [0004] In this situation, it becomes important to use a technology capable of verifying the reliability of the disclosed/transmitted information on the network. For example, JP-A-11-239129 (hereinafter, referred to as “known example 1”) assigned to the same assignee as that of this application discloses an information certifying method in which someone who wants information to be disclosed/transmitted (hereinafter, referred to as “exhibitor”) prepares a mark that is given information for confirmation of its authenticity and expiration date by means of electronic watermark, and attaches it to the information wanted to be disclosed/transmitted, while the user (hereinafter, also referred to as “reader”) received that information confirms the authenticity of the information with the mark attached by use of the mark.  
       [0005] It is also important to contrive in order that the exhibited commercial goods can be read by more readers. For example, “banner advertisement” becomes popular, in which displayed goods-title images, or links provided on a site where commodity information is put on view (banners) are reported on other sites such as portal site (hereinafter, also referred to as “handler”). The “banner advertisement” is generally the advertisement of images like banners attached to the pages of on-line media for reporting net ads, which the user clicks to enter a particular site.  
       [0006] The method according to the known example 1 is to display information wanted to be disclosed/transmitted, and for example attach, to the information, a mark given information for authenticity confirmation. Therefore, when the exhibitor not only displays information on its own site, but also requests a large number of handlers such as portal sites and knowledgeable people&#39;s sites to put his information on view in their sites in order that his information can be read by more readers, it is necessary for the handler to make sure of space for displaying the information and make layout adjustment. In addition, this method needs to provide, for example, a password for handler&#39;s checking of expiration and management of access in order to control information displaying in accordance with the expiration date and access right of reader, and thus it imposes a considerable burden on the handler who executes the method.  
       [0007] On the other hand, “banner advertisement” is desired to be improved in convenience and reliability because there are problems like the facts that the reader dislikes taking a side trip to other sites by clicking banner advertisements and that the closed campaign advertisement is still running on the network. That is, the space acquirement problem on the handler side can be solved, but the problem with the convenience on the reader side and the problem of the running burden on the handler about the information display control cannot be solved by simply combining the known example 1 and the conventional “banner advertisement” and attaching banner ads links on the site of the handler put on view according to the known example 1.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a display method and system for controlling display of data while maintaining reliability of the data.  
       [0009] In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention, there is provided a data display method in which multimedia data having data embedded, such elements as to symbolize the embedded data, information for reliability confirmation and information for display control is used to confirm if the multimedia data and the data have much credibility, and to control the contents of the multimedia data and the data to be displayed. Here, it is assumed that the information for reliability confirmation is the information for use in checking the authenticity and the presence or absence of tamper.  
       [0010] That is, according to the invention, when there are an exhibitor, a handler and a reader, multimedia data (also, referred to as second multimedia data) is managed by a manager in which the three exhibitor, handler and reader have trust, and it has embedded therein information (also, referred to as first multimedia data) that the exhibitor wants to disclose/transmit. In addition, this second multimedia data has such elements as to symbolize the contents of the first multimedia data, and has visually and aurally confirmable property, and information for authenticity confirmation. This second multimedia data is displayed by the handler. The reader can check if the second multimedia data has authenticity, and read the contents of the second multimedia.  
       [0011] More specifically, according to the invention, image data called mark is used that has a design including such title and keywords as to symbolize the information that the exhibitor wants to disclose, for example, brand name and service name, and has information for authenticity confirmation. In addition, information itself being disclosed or its outline information is embedded in this mark. This mark with such information embedded (hereinafter, also referred to as “package-mark” is displayed in one or a plurality of handler sites such as index site and news site. The reader can confirm if this package-mark has the authenticity that it is surely of the reliable package-mark manager, and check if the information embedded in the package-mark is certainly from the exhibitor. Also, the reader can read the information embedded in the package-mark without taking a side trip from the currently reading site to the exhibitor&#39;s site and with no communication load. Therefore, the exhibitor can have more readers read the information that the exhibitor wants to disclose in a highly reliable state.  
       [0012] In addition, according to the invention, when the first multimedia data that the exhibitor wants to disclose is embedded in the second multimedia data, the expiration date information and access condition information can also be embedded. If the first multimedia data is decided to be within the expiration date or if the reader is decided to have the access right, the second multimedia data is displayed or the first multimedia data is displayed. In other words, if the first multimedia data is over the expiration date, or if the reader does not have access right, the second multimedia data is not displayed or the first multimedia data is not displayed. Thus, the information can be controlled to display or not to display.  
       [0013] Specifically, according to the invention, when the information to be embedded in the package-mark has an expiration date as does the event or sale information, this expiration date information is also embedded in the package-mark. When the reader tries to read the information that expired, the displaying of information can be controlled so that this package-mark itself is not displayed or the information within this package-mark is not displayed. In addition, according to the invention, when an individual who is hunting for a job wants to disclose his private information such as career and contact address and wants persons in charge of personal administration of recruiting firms to read, but does not want the other persons to read, or when such individual wants to restrict the access, information for the access control is embedded in the package-mark. When a reader having no access right tries to read, the information embedded in the package-mark is not displayed or is made illegible. Thus, the information display control can be made.  
       [0014] Moreover, according to the present invention, when the first multimedia data is embedded in the second multimedia data, the whereabouts information of the detailed information and related information of the first multimedia data is embedded in the second multimedia data, so that the reader can read the related information and detailed information of the first multimedia data.  
       [0015] Specifically, according to the invention, when the information that the exhibitor wants to disclose is embedded in the package-mark, the link information in the exhibitor&#39;s site in which the detailed information and related information of the information wanted to be disclosed are displayed, and the link information in the mark manager site where the information about the package-mark can be confirmed are embedded in the package-mark, so that the reader can read the outline information having much credibility, and acquire necessary related information. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of a display system for goods information or the like as an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of the package-mark management server  101  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of the package-mark manager WWW server  102  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0019]FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of the information handler server  121  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0020]FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of the information reader terminal  131  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0021]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data of the package-mark management DB 209  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0022]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data of the package-mark log management DB 210  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0023]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data of information embedded in the package-mark in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0024]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data of the package-mark reference plug-in DB 311  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0025]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data of public key DB 312  in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0026]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the package-mark registration/attachment processing in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0027]FIGS. 12A and 12B are flowcharts of the package-mark reference processing in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0028]FIG. 13 shows an example of the package-mark image in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0029]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the case where no package-mark reference processor  506   c  is provided in the information reader terminal  131  of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0030]FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing the display system for job offer and job seeking information as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0031]FIG. 16 shows an example of the package-mark image in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 15.  
     [0032]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the package-mark attachment processing of the display system for information having vendibility as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0033]FIG. 18 shows an example of the point package-mark image in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17.  
     [0034]FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of the display system for the case where the reader  130  doubles as the handler  120  and exhibitor  110  as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0035]FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the package-mark display processing in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 19.  
     [0036]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of data of information embedded in the package-mark in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 19.  
     [0037]FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of the display system for the data from mobile terminals as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0038]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the display system for many types of information over a plurality of sites and servers as another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
     [0039] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an embodiment of the display system for goods information will be mentioned in detail with reference to FIG. 1. In the following figures, like elements are identified by the same reference numerals, and do not limit the invention. Also, the present invention is not limited to the Internet and Intranet. Display system for goods information FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction of an information display system of the invention. The information display system of this embodiment is used by a package-mark manager  100  for making management and generation of package-mark, exhibitors  110 - 1 - 110 -n who want to exhibit/transmit some information (hereinafter, simply referred as exhibitor  110 ), handlers  120 - 1 - 120 -n who present Web pages (hereinafter, simply referred to as handler  120 ), and readers  130 - 1 - 130 -n who read/use the Web pages (hereinafter, simply referred to as reader  130 ). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display system is constructed by connecting a package-mark management server  101 , a package-mark manager WWW server  102 , exhibitor terminals  111 - 1 - 111 -n (hereinafter, simply referred to as exhibitor terminal  111 ), exhibitor WWW servers  112 - 1 - 112 -n (hereinafter, simply referred to as exhibitor server  112 ), handler terminals  121 - 1 - 121 -n (hereinafter, simply referred to as handler terminal  121 ), handler WWW servers  122 - 1 - 122 -n (hereinafter, simply referred to as handler server  122 ), and reader terminals  131 - 1 - 131 -n (hereinafter, simply referred to as reader terminal  131 ) via a communication network  140  such as Intranet or Internet. Here, the package-mark is the image mark that has embedded therein the contents of information which the exhibitor  110  wants to exhibit/transmit, and that has elements which symbolically express the embedded contents of information. This mark is the mark having the information from which the reader  130  can confirm that this mark has been assuredly generated by the reliable package-mark manager, that the embedded information is authentically issued from the exhibitor, whether the embedded information contents are tampered, and when the mark expires, and can read the embedded information contents. The exhibitor  110  may double as handler  120 , and may have no WWW server.  
     [0040] The known example 1, while the information wanted to be disclosed/transmitted is being displayed, attaches the mark having the authenticity confirmation information to that information. This embodiment is different from the known example 1 in that it confirms the reliability of the mark generating source or of the contents embedded in the mark.  
     [0041] The package-mark management server  101  is managed, by the package-mark manager  100 , to make generation and registration of package-marks. The package-mark management sever  101  generates and registers package-marks in accordance with the request from the exhibitor  110 . The marks of only image data used so far have no authenticity because they are easy to be tampered and illegally copied. The package-mark management server  101  as one of the components of the invention can serve to assure the authenticity by associating the marks with the package-mark manager  100  and the exhibitor  110  as the source of having disclosed the embedded information, and managing those marks in the package-mark management DB which will be described later.  
     [0042] The package-mark manager WWW server  102  is managed, by the package-mark manager  100 , to display the download picture of the package-mark reference plug-in (program) that the reader  130  needs to refer to the package-marks, and to transmit the Web pages in which information of package-marks is put on view. This server responds to the URL request from the reader terminal  131  to search the Web page management DB which will be described later, transmit the corresponding Web page, and causes the plug-in to be transmitted from the package-mark reference plug-in DB which will be described later.  
     [0043] The exhibitor terminal  111  is the terminal that the exhibitor  110  uses. The exhibitor  110  controls the exhibitor terminal  111  to generate desired information and transmit/receive data to/from the package-mark manager  100 .  
     [0044] The exhibitor WWW server  112  is managed, by the exhibitor  110 , to transmit the Web page in which detailed information wanted to be embedded in the package-marks and disclosed and the related information are displayed. This server responds to the URL request from the reader terminal  131  that is specified by the link information embedded in the package-mark, to search the Web page management DB 308  which will be described later and transmit the corresponding Web page.  
     [0045] The handler terminal  121  is the terminal that the handler  120  uses, and serves to generate the Web page that is to be displayed on the handler WWW server  122 .  
     [0046] The handler WWW server  122  is managed, by the handler  120 , to transmit Web pages. This server responds to the package-mark attachment request from the package-mark management server  101  to attach the package-marks to the Web page, transmit the Web page with the package-marks attached, and inform the package-mark management server  101  of having completed the attachment.  
     [0047] The reader terminal  131  is the terminal that the reader  130  uses. The reader  130  controls the reader terminal  131  to access to the Web page on the Internet or Intranet.  
     [0048] The displayed image  132  is an example of the Web page with the package-marks attached that is displayed on the reader terminal  131 . The displaying mode is not limited to this example, but the package-marks may be attached on the page for exclusive use in which information of goods and service is displayed. The reader terminal  131  is not limited to PC.  
     [0049]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hardware construction of the package-mark management server  101 . The hardware construction of the package-mark management server  101 , as illustrated in FIG. 2, has a display device  201 , an input unit  202 , a communication network interface  203 , a storage device  204 , a central processing unit (CPU)  205 , a temporal storage device (memory)  206 , a package-mark management DB interface  207 , and a package-mark log management DB interface  208  interconnected via a bus  200 . In addition, a package-mark management DB 209  and a package-mark log management DB 210  are connected as external storage devices.  
     [0050] The display device  201  is used to display messages for the package-mark manager  100  who uses the package-mark management server  101 . This display device  201  is a CRT or liquid crystal display.  
     [0051] The input unit  202  is used by the package-mark manager  100  who uses the package-mark management server  101  in order to enter data and commands. This input unit  202  is formed of a keyboard, a mouse and so on.  
     [0052] The communication network interface  203  transmits/receives data to/from the exhibitor terminal  111  via the communication network  140 .  
     [0053] The storage device  204  is used to perpetually store programs and data for use in the package-mark management server  101 . This storage device is formed of a hard disk or floppy disk.  
     [0054] The CPU  205  generally controls each element constituting the package-mark management server  101 , and makes various calculations.  
     [0055] The memory  206  is used to temporarily store programs necessary for the CPU  205  to make the above processing, such as an operating system  206   a  (hereinafter, simply referred to as OS 206   a ) and a package-mark management processor  206   b.    
     [0056] Here, the OS 206   a  is the program for executing the function of file management, process management or device management in order to control the whole package-mark management server  101 .  
     [0057] The package-mark management processor  206   b , when a request for package-mark registration/attachment is sent from the exhibitor terminal  111 , makes the processing for confirming if it is an illegal request from a third party. When deciding that it is the registration/attachment, the processor  206   b  makes the processing for embedding information in the sent package-mark fundamental design or the package-mark fundamental design managed in the package-mark management DB 208 , the processing for updating the package-mark management DB 209  or package-mark log management DB 210  on the basis of the information embedding processing, and the processing for transmitting the package-mark attachment request to the handler WWW server  122 . When informed of having completed the package-mark attachment from the handler WWW server  122 , the processor  206   b  informs the exhibitor terminal  111 , or the request source of having completed the package-mark distribution.  
     [0058] The package-mark management DB interface  207  transmits/receives data to/from the package-mark management DB 209 . The package-mark management DB 209  manages data of exhibitor ID, package-mark ID, fundamental authentication information, public key, and package fundamental design in association with each other as, for example, shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the package-mark management DB 209  can be updated by only authorized person.  
     [0059] The package-mark log management DB interface  208  transmits/receives data to/from the package-mark log management DB 210 . The package-mark log management DB 210  is the DB for managing the log information of package-marks, and manages data of package-mark ID, serial NO., and creation date and hour in association with each other as, for example, shown in FIG. 7. The package-mark log management DB 210  can also be updated by only authorized person.  
     [0060]FIG. 8 shows the information to be embedded in the package-mark. The technology for embedding particular information in image data is known as “electronic watermark”. The “electronic watermark” technology is described in Nikkei Electronics, 1997, vol. 683, pp. 100-107. There are known the invisible watermark for embedding information not to be perceived by human eyes and the visible watermark for embedding information in a form visible by human eyes. The invisible watermark seems to have a limit in the amount of information to be embedded. As to the package-mark, when the reader  130  reads the package-mark design symbolically representing the contents of information embedded in the package mark, even a somewhat changed package-mark design can be read without trouble as long as the information embedded in the package-mark can be identified. Thus, a considerable amount of information can be embedded even when the invisible watermark is employed.  
     [0061]FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware construction of the package-mark manager WWW server  102 .  
     [0062] The package-mark manager WWW server  102  of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, includes a display device  301 , an input unit  302 , a communication network interface  303 , a storage device  304 , a central processing unit (CPU)  305 , a temporary storage device (memory)  306 , a Web page DB interface  307 , a package-mark reference plug-in DB interface  308 , and a public key DB interface  309  interconnected via a bus  300 . In addition, a Web page DB 310 , a package-mark reference plug-in DB 311  and a public key DB 312  are connected as external storage devices.  
     [0063] The display device  301  is used to display messages for the package mark manager  100  who uses the package-mark manager WWW server  102 . This display device  301  is formed of a CRT or a liquid crystal display.  
     [0064] The input unit  302  is used, by the package mark manager  100  who uses the package-mark manager WWW server  102 , to enter data and commands. This input unit  302  is formed of a keyboard, a mouse and so on.  
     [0065] The communication network interface  303  transmits/receives data to/from the reader terminal  131  via the communication network  140 .  
     [0066] The storage device  304  is used to perpetually store programs and data for use in the package-mark manager WWW server  102 . This storage device is formed of a hard disk or floppy disk.  
     [0067] The CPU  305  generally controls each part constituting the package-mark manager WWW server  102  and makes various calculations.  
     [0068] The memory  306  temporarily stores programs necessary for the CPU  305  to make the above processings, such as OS 306   a , Web server program  306   b  and package-mark reference plug-in management processor  306   c.    
     [0069] Here, the OS 306   a  is a program for executing the function of file management, process management or device management in order to control the whole package-mark manager WWW server  102 .  
     [0070] The WWW server program  306   b  is used to cause the corresponding Web page to be transmitted from the Web page DB 310  when an access from the reader  131  occurs.  
     [0071] The package-mark reference plug-in management processor  306   c  is a program for executing a download process to download the corresponding plug-in and public key when the reader terminal  131  issues a request of downloading the package-mark reference plug-in.  
     [0072] The Web page DB interface  307  is used to transmit/receive data to/from the Web page DB 309 .  
     [0073] The package-mark reference plug-in DB interface  308  is used to transmit/receive data to/from the package-mark reference plug-in DB 311 . The package-mark reference plug-in DB 311  is used to store the reference plug-in of package-marks and manage data of version information, plug-in program and corresponding mark ID in association with each other as, for example, shown in FIG. 9. The package-mark reference plug-in management DB 311  can also be updated by only authorized person.  
     [0074] The public key DB interface  309  is used to transmit/receive data to/from the public key DB 312 . The public key DB 312  is used to store public keys necessary to decode the digital signatures that are embedded in package-marks, and manage data of package-mark manager name, manager mail address, public key and corresponding mark ID in association with each other as, for example, shown in FIG. 10. The public key DB 312  can also be updated by only authorized person. When there are a plurality of package-mark service agencies, the opponent public keys are registered in the public key DB 312  after confirmation of their existence and rightness.  
     [0075]FIG. 4 shows the hardware construction of the handler WWW server  122 . The handler WWW server  122  of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a display device  401 , an input unit  402 , a communication network interface  403 , a storage device  404 , a central processing unit (CPU)  405 , a temporary storage device (memory)  406  and a Web page DB interface  407  interconnected via a bus  400 . In addition, a Web page DB 408  is connected as an external storage device.  
     [0076] The display device  401  is used to display messages for the handler  120  who uses the handler WWW server  122 . This display device  401  is formed of a CRT or liquid crystal display.  
     [0077] The input unit  402  is used, by the handler  120  who uses the handler WWW server  122 , to enter data and commands. This input unit  402  is formed of a keyboard, a mouse and so on.  
     [0078] The communication network interface  403  is used to transmit/receive data to/from the reader terminal  131  via the communication network  140 .  
     [0079] The storage device  404  is used to perpetually store programs and data for use in the handler WWW server  122 . This storage device  404  is formed of a hard disk or floppy disk.  
     [0080] The CPU  405  generally controls each part of the handler WWW server  122 , and makes various calculations.  
     [0081] The memory  406  temporarily stores programs necessary for the CPU  405  to make the above processings, such as OS 406   a , Web page generation program  406   b  and package-mark attachment processor  406   c.    
     [0082] Here, the OS 406   a  is a program for executing the function of file management, process management or device management in order to control the whole handler WWW server  122 .  
     [0083] The WWW server program  406   b  executes such processings as to communicate with the handler terminal  121 , and store the received Web page in the Web page DB 408 . In addition, when an access from the reader  131  occurs, this program executes such processing as to cause the corresponding Web page to be transmitted from the Web page DB 408 .  
     [0084] The package-mark attachment processor  406   c , when a package-mark attachment request is sent from the package-mark management server  101 , makes package-mark attachment, and after the attachment of the package-mark, executes the sending of an acknowledgement of having completed the attachment to the package-mark management server  101 . Also, when a package-mark cancel request is sent from the package-mark management server  101 , this processor executes the processing of canceling the package-mark, and after the canceling, performs the processing to inform the package-mark management server  101  of having completed the cancel.  
     [0085] The Web page DB interface  407  is used to transmit/receive data to/from the Web page DB 408 . The Web page DB 408  stores the Web pages with package-marks attached.  
     [0086]FIG. 5 shows the hardware construction of the reader terminal  131 . The reader terminal  131  of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, includes a display device  501 , an input unit  502 , a communication network interface  503 , a storage device  504 , a central processing unit (CPU)  505 , and a temporary storage device (memory)  506  connected via a bus  500 .  
     [0087] The display device  501  is used to display messages for the reader  130  who uses the reader terminal  131 . This display device  501  is formed of a CRT, liquid display or the like.  
     [0088] The input unit  502  is used, by the reader  130  who uses the reader terminal  131 , to enter data and commands. This input unit  502  is formed of a keyboard, a mouse and so on.  
     [0089] The communication network interface  503  is used to transmit/receive data to/from the handler WWW server  122  and exhibitor WWW server  112  via the communication network  140 .  
     [0090] The storage device  504  is used to perpetually store programs and data for use in the reader terminal  131 . This storage device is formed of a hard disk or floppy disk.  
     [0091] The CPU  505  generally controls each part of the reader terminal  131 , and makes various calculations.  
     [0092] The memory  506  temporarily stores programs necessary for the CPU  505  to make the above processings, such as OS 506   a , browser system  506   b , package-mark reference processor  506   c  and package-mark information storage portion  506   d.    
     [0093] Here, the OS 506   a  is the program for executing the function of file management, process management or device management in order to control the whole reader terminal  131 .  
     [0094] The browser program  506   b  is used for the reader terminal  131  to communicate with the handler WWW server  122  and exhibitor WWW server  112  and download the Web page.  
     [0095] The package-mark reference processor  506   c , when the browser program  506   b  downloads the Web page with a package-mark and perceives the package-mark, is started and makes the processings of checking if the public key attached to the package-mark matches one of the public keys stored in the package-mark information storage portion  506   d , decoding the digital signature embedded in the package-mark by the public key, and checking if the information resulting from decoding by the public key matches the information extracted from the package-mark. If the decoded information does not match the extracted information, the processor  506   c  displays an error message. In addition, the processor  506   c  checks if the expiration date of the extracted information matches the clock information of the reader terminal  131 . If the term of validity is decided to have expired, the processor  506   c  makes the processings of displaying an error message, and extracting and displaying the embedded information from the package-mark. Here, the public key may be previously acquired from the package-mark manager WWW server or downloaded at the time of the above processings as in the process flow which will be described later.  
     [0096] The package-mark information storage portion  506   d  is used to store the public key of the package-mark manager  100  that is obtained when the package-mark reference plug-in (program) is downloaded, and the information extracted by the package-mark reference processor  506   c  in the reader terminal  131 . The package-mark manager&#39;s public key data stored has package-mark manager name, manager mail address and public key associated with each other as, for example, shown in FIG. 10.  
     [0097]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data in the package-mark management DB 209  of this embodiment. The data include an exhibitor&#39;s registered ID  601 , a package-mark ID  602 , an exhibitor name  603 , an exhibitor&#39;s representative name  604 , a representative address  605 , a representative phone number  606 , a name of person responsible  607 , a mail address of person responsible  608 , an attached destination condition  609 , and a package-mark fundamental design  610 . These data are stored on the basis of a constant notation standard, or on a uniform notation basis. When a new package-mark is registered or when information such as a name of person responsible is changed, the package-mark management DB 209  is updated. Although the example of the package-mark fundamental design shown in FIG. 6 is image data that takes a rectangle shape long sideways, and gradation, the shape and full daub design can have various variations. In addition, it may be moving picture, or animation or have sound added or a combination thereof. In addition, the package-mark fundamental design may be created by the exhibitor  110  or selected by the exhibitor  110  from the fundamental designs that the package-mark manager  100  proposed.  
     [0098]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data in the package-mark log management DB 210  of this embodiment. The data includes a package-mark ID  701 , serial NO.  702 , a creation date and hour  703 , a package title  704 , a package content  705 , link information  706 , expiration date information  707 , a digital signature  708 , an attachment requested mail address  709 , and an attachment completion notice reception date and hour  710 . These data are stored on the basis of a constant notation standard, or on a uniform notation basis. The package-mark management server  101  updates the package-mark log management DB 210  when the package-mark is created in response to a package-mark distribution request-from the exhibitor terminal  111 . The attachment completion notice reception date and hour  710  is registered when the attachment completion notice is received from the handler WWW server  122 .  
     [0099]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data of the information to be embedded in the package-mark. The data include a package-mark ID  801 , a serial NO.  802 , an exhibitor name  803 , a package title  804 , a package content  805 , link information  806 , handler name  807 , a handler URL  808 , expiration date information  809 , a manager name  810 , a manager URL  811 , and a digital signature  812 . These data are embedded in the package-mark on the basis of a constant notation standard, or on a uniform notation basis. The digital signature is the encrypted information of the package-mark ID  801  through the manager URL  810 . It is assumed that the public key necessary for this signature to be decoded is stored in the public key DB 312  and managed by the package-mark manager  100 , and that the reader terminal  131  acquires the public key from the reliable package-mark manager WWW server  102 . In addition, when the attached destination is not particularly specified, the handler name  807  and handler URL  808  are not necessary. Moreover, when the exhibitor  110  doubles as the package-mark manager  100 , the manager name  810  and manager URL  811  can be deleted, and the contact address of the exhibitor  100  may be embedded.  
     [0100]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data in the package-mark reference plug-in DB 311  of this embodiment. The data include version information  901 , a program  902 , and a corresponding mark ID  903 . These data are stored on the basis of a constant notation standard, or on a uniform notation basis.  
     [0101]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data in the public key DB 312  of this embodiment. The data include a package-mark manager  1001 , a manager mail address  1002 , a public key  1003 , and a corresponding mark ID  1004 . These data are stored on the basis of a constant notation standard, or on a uniform notation basis.  
     [0102]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the package-mark registration/attachment processing of this embodiment. This package-mark registration/attachment processing flow makes the package-mark registration/attachment between the exhibitor terminal  111 , package-mark management server  101  and handler WWW server  122 .  
     [0103] First, the exhibitor terminal  111  transmits to the package-mark management server  101  the package-mark registration/attachment request including the information shown in FIG. 6 such as the exhibitor name and the information desired to be disclosed (step  1101 ). When the exhibitor  110  tries to make a new registration, the exhibitor  110  as a request source sends identification, or a server certificate obtained from, for example, VeriSign, Inc. and a certificate of representative&#39;s seal impression separately. Only when the package-mark manager  100  can confirm the actual existence of the exhibitor  110  and the identical person, the package-mark registration/attachment request can be accepted.  
     [0104] The package-mark management server  101  that has received the package-mark attachment request searches the package-mark management DB 209  and checks the registered contents such as contact address of person responsible. Then, it sends a confirmation notice to the exhibitor terminal  111  in order to confirm the request contents and request source (steps  1102 ,  1103 ). Here, when a new registration is made, the package-mark manager  100  establishes new exhibitor ID and package-mark ID, and transmits the confirmation notice including these information.  
     [0105] When the exhibitor terminal  111  receives the confirmation notice, the exhibitor  110  checks the contents, and transmits the reception result to the package-mark management server  101  (steps  1104 ,  1105 ).  
     [0106] The package-mark management server  101  that received the result of having received the confirmation notice makes the following processings on the basis of the requested contents. It embeds such information as shown in FIG. 8 into the package-mark (steps  1106 ,  1107 ), and when the contents newly or normally registered are required to update, it updates the package-mark management DB 209 . Then, it updates the package-mark log management DB 210  (step  1108 ), and transmits the package-mark with a public key attached and the attachment request to the handler WWW server  122  (step  1109 ). Here, it is assumed that the handler  120  previously makes a contract with the package-mark manager  100  as the package-mark attachment destination, and that the package-mark manager  100  sends a necessary program to the handler  120  in advance or when the package-mark attachment request is transmitted.  
     [0107] The handler WWW server  122  that has received the attachment request attaches the corresponding package-mark on a predetermined Web page that is previously selected as a place in which the package-mark is attached, and then transmits the attachment completion notice to the package-mark management server  101  (steps  1110 ,  1111 ). The package-mark management server  101  that has received the attachment completion notice sends the attachment completion notice to the exhibitor terminal  111 , and the exhibitor terminal  111  receives the attachment completion notice, so that the registration/attachment processing ends (steps  1112 ,  1113 ,  1114 ). Here, it is assumed that although the package-mark has the function to control itself to be displayed or not by its expiration date or the like, the package-marks that expired a certain period over its expiry date can be regularly deleted by sending the deletion request from the package-mark manager  130  to the handler  120 .  
     [0108]FIGS. 12A and 12B are flowcharts showing the procedure of the package-mark reference processing of this embodiment.  
     [0109] These flowcharts show the operations of the reader terminal  131 , handler WWW server  122  and exhibitor WWW server  112  in the case where, after the handler WWW server  122  attaches the package-mark on its Web page, the reader terminal  131  displays this Web page, and the package-mark is referred to by the package-mark reference processor  506   c.    
     [0110] First, the handler WWW server  122 , when receiving URL from the reader terminal  131 , searches the Web page DB 409 , and the Web page with a package-mark attached to the reader terminal  131  (steps  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ).  
     [0111] The reader terminal  131  that has received the Web page with the package-mark attached, when the package-mark reference processor  506   c  becomes aware of the package-mark (steps  1204 ,  1205 ), makes the package-mark reference processor  506   c  be started (step  1206 ), and checks if the public key attached to the package-mark matches one of the public keys stored in the package-mark information storage portion  506   d  (step  1207 ). If there is no matching, the package-mark is not displayed (step  1208 ). If it matches, the digital signature information decoded by the public key is compared with the embedded information (step  1209 ). If any coincidence is not obtained, the package-mark is not displayed (step  1210 ). If there is a coincidence, the embedded expiration date information is compared with the clock information of the reader terminal  131  (step  1211 ). If no coincidence is obtained, the package-mark is not displayed (step  1212 ). If there is a coincidence, the package-mark is displayed like the displayed image  132  in FIG. 1 (step  1213 ). Here, when the package-mark is not displayed, the corresponding error message may be displayed. In addition, letters such as certification NG may be added to the mark and displayed to change the mark design.  
     [0112] The package-mark, as shown in FIG. 13, is assumed to have the package title  704  shown in FIG. 7, added to the package-mark fundamental design  610  shown in FIG. 6. However, it is not limited to this notation. The procedure in the case where no package-mark reference processor  506   c  is provided in the reader terminal  131  will be described later with reference to FIG. 14.  
     [0113] When the reader terminal  131  finds the displayed package-mark clicked, it displays the package-mark menu as shown in FIG. 13 (steps  1214 ,  1215 ). In addition, when it is found by the reader terminal  131  that the package content display button within the package-mark menu is clicked, it displays the package content  805  shown in FIG. 8 which is embedded in the package-mark (steps  1216 ,  1217 ). This package-mark menu image  1302  is an example of the menu, and is-not limited to this menu item and this notation.  
     [0114] When the reader  130  who has read the package content clicks the content confirmation button shown in FIG. 13 as will be described later in order to confirm the reliability of the content (about the mark manager, about whether or not it is tampered, and about the expiration date), the reader terminal  131  that has detected this clicking displays the confirmation results of the above processings, such as the exhibitor name  803 , package-mark manager name  810  and expiration date  809  shown in FIG. 8 (steps  1218 ,  1219 ). The displaying of the content confirmation results may be made by dialog-type text, sound or a combination thereof, that is, it may take any notation.  
     [0115] When the reader  130  who has confirmed the reliability of the package content clicks the more information link button shown in FIG. 13 as will be described later, the reader terminal  131  that detected this clicking transmits the link destination URL (steps  1220 ,  1221 ). The exhibitor WWW server  112  that has received this URL searches the Web page DB 1225 , and sends the corresponding Web page to the reader terminal  131  (steps  1222 ,  1223 ). The reader terminal  131  receives this Web page, and displays the information of the exhibitor  110  as the link destination (step  1224 ).  
     [0116] While the package-mark reference processor  506   c  automatically makes the content confirmation after detection of package-mark, the content confirmation processing is not automatically made, but may be performed by the order from the reader  130  such as by clicking the content confirmation button of the package-mark. If the results of the content confirmation include any disagreement, it is possible to attach a mark x to the package-mark, to change the mark design or not to display the package content. In addition, while the three comparison processings between the public keys, between the decoded information and embedded information and between the expiration date and terminal clock information are performed for the content confirmation, it is possible that, of these processings, only one processing is automatically made, and the other processings are made under the control of the reader  130 . Moreover, while the confirmation of the expiration date information is here performed by comparing with the clock information of the reader terminal, it may be compared with the information of the server that manages the time information on the network.  
     [0117] While the reader  130 , after the end of the automatic content confirmation processing, clicks in the order of package content displaying, content confirmation, and link to more information as described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the order in which the reader clicks is not limited.  
     [0118] While the link destination information is displayed before ending the processings as described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the link destination image for more information may be an image capable of downloading catalog data of goods and services so that the reader  130  is able to download the catalog data of exhibitor  110  through the package-mark.  
     [0119] When the exhibitor  120  wants to limit the package-mark attachment destination, the URL of the handler WWW server  122  as the attachment destination embedded in the package-mark may be compared with the URL of the Web page with the package-mark attached that is received by the reader terminal  131 . If there is no coincidence, the package-mark is not displayed. When the exhibitor  120  does not limit the package-mark attachment destination, the reader  130  may cause the package-marks with which the reader is concerned to be stored in the reader terminal  131  so that when the reader  130  wants to read information, the reader  130  can read the detailed information or related information or download the catalog data on the basis of the link information of the package-marks.  
     [0120]FIG. 13 shows an example of package-mark image. The package-mark image  1301  is the addition of the package title  804  shown in FIG. 8 to the package-mark fundamental design  610  shown in FIG. 6. When the reader  130  clicks this package-mark, the package-mark reference processor  506   c  of the reader terminal  131  causes a menu image like the package-mark menu image  1302  to be displayed. The link to the package-mark manager leads to the access to the package-mark description and reminder information on the Web page that the package-mark manager WWW server  102  discloses. The present invention is not limited to this menu item.  
     [0121]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure in the case where the package-mark reference processor  506   c  is not provided in the reader terminal  131 . This processing flow is executed so that the plug-in and public key necessary for the reference processing of the package-mark can be downloaded between the reader terminal  131  and the package-mark manager WWW server  102  as described below.  
     [0122] First, when receiving the Web page with the package-mark attached that is sent from the handler WWW server  122 , the reader terminal  131  displays a mark indicating that clicking here is desired because when there is no package-mark reference processor  506   c , plug-in (program) is necessary for reference to the information described in the HTML of the Web page with the package-mark attached and the JavaScript file provided in the handler WWW server  12  (step  1401 ).  
     [0123] When the reader  130  clicks this mark, the reader terminal  131  that has detected this clicking transmits the URL of the plug-in download description image. The package-mark manager WWW server  102  that has received this URL searches the Web page DB 310 , and transmits the plug-in download image (steps  1402 ,  1403 ,  1404 ,  1405 ).  
     [0124] The reader terminal  131  that has received the plug-in download image causes this image to be displayed (step  1406 ). When it is detected that the reader  130  has clicked the download button (step  1407 ), the download request is transmitted to the package-mark manager WWW server  102  (step  1408 ). The package-mark manager WWW server  102  that has received this request transmits the plug-in, so that the reader terminal  131  completes the plug-in download processing (steps  1409 ,  1410 ,  1411 ).  
     [0125] The reader  130  may control the reader terminal  131  to directly designate the URL of the plug-in download image and access to the package-mark manager WWW server  102 , thus downloading the plug-in. Moreover, the plug-in may be downloaded from the WWW server of the reliable handler  120  and exhibitor  110 , not from the package-mark manager  100 . In addition, when there are a plurality of package-mark managers  100 , the package-mark managers and public keys are stored in associated with each other and in a uniform notation form within the package-mark information storage portion  506   d.    
     [0126] Moreover, the exhibitor  110  desires the package-mark with embedded goods information to be displayed on the Web pages that a plurality of handler WWW servers  122  put on view. In this case, because the reader  130  cannot confirm if a desired product is sold out by only referring to the package-marks on the Web pages that the handler WWW servers  12  put on view, the Web pages that the exhibitor WWW servers  112  put on view may be accessed in order that the reader can confirm if the product is in stock or if a service can be carried out on the basis of the link information embedded in the package-marks.  
     [0127] While the embodiment of the invention described above is an example of the display system for goods and service information, the present invention can be applied to other things. Other embodiments of the invention will be described below.  
     [0128] Display system for job offer and job hunting information  
     [0129] A display system for job offer and job hunting information will be described as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0130] The schematic construction of the display system of this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 1. However, since a large number of individuals want to disclose job hunting information, some exhibitors  110  have no WWW server as shown in FIG. 15.  
     [0131]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the schematic diagram of the system including some exhibitors  110  with no WWW server. The job offer and job hunting information can be displayed like the image  132  shown in FIG. 1 or sometimes displayed on a page for exclusive use like an image  150 - 1  shown in FIG. 15.  
     [0132] When the information that the exhibitor with no WWW-server in FIG. 15 wants to disclose is embedded, buttons for displaying contact address such as the mail address and phone number of the exhibitor, not the link buttons for more information may be provided as shown in FIG. 16. When the exhibitor  110  wants the job hunting information to be displayed on the Web pages of a plurality of handler WWW servers  122 , the link button to the package-mark manager WWW server  102  may be provided within the package-mark menu as shown in FIG. 16 in order that the reader  130  associated with a certain Web page can confirm if a desired job has been found on another Web page, and that the job situation, or what the job involves can be checked by the package-mark manager WWW server  102 .  
     [0133]FIG. 16 shows the package-mark image of this embodiment. The package-mark image  1601  is an example of image, and the package-mark menu image  1602  is an example of menu. The package-mark image and menu are not limited to these images, menu items and notation.  
     [0134] The operation flow of this system is fundamentally the same as in FIGS. 11 and 12A- 12 B and  14 . However, since the information involving the career and contact address of the individual, or the exhibitor like the job hunting information is not wanted to disclose to an unspecified number of anonymous readers  130 , the system may be constructed so that the reader  130  cannot acquire the package-mark reference plug-in unless he sends his ID and registers. When there is the information that is wanted to be disclosed to only the persons in charge of human affairs in business enterprises, the system may be set so that the package-mark contents can be displayed only when the reader  130  is any one of the persons in charge of human affairs in business enterprises. This access condition (for example, reader&#39;s attribute information that can be read) is embedded into the package-mark in place of the expiration date information  809  shown in FIG. 8, and the reader&#39;s attribute information is stored in the package-mark reference plug-in distributed to the reader terminal  131 . The access condition embedded in the package-mark is compared with the reader&#39;s attribute information. If there is no coincidence, the package contents embedded in the package-mark are not displayed or are made illegible. This method is not limited to the displaying of job offer and job hunting information, but can be applied widely to the case where it is wanted to somewhat controllably display the information embedded in the package-mark with some private information involved such as the displaying of purchase and sale information between individuals and recruitment information for hobby group members. This method can be considered useful in that the handler wants to display and disclose more information and to get reader&#39;s attention, while the exhibitor wants to display information for a large number of readers with good references.  
     [0135] Display system for information having vendibility  
     [0136] A display system for information having some vendibility such as currency and point will be described as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0137] Recently, a currency called “eco-money” that is not legal currency of a country, but has a particular vendibility according to a local rule in a locality or the like has begun to be used in a local area. In addition, a structure having vendibility and using other unit than legal money has been widely used, such as the point system in shopping areas that is not money, but can be converted into money later and bartered with goods. When these currency and point having some vendibility are used on a network, it is important that they be made not only digitally countable but also visible for easy discrimination in order to use a plurality of currency units at the same time, and that their structure or system and their owners be confirmed. This invention is useful for the application to that system.  
     [0138] The schematic structure of the display system of this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 15. However, in this system, the exhibitor  110  does not necessarily need the WWW server.  
     [0139] The processing of this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIGS.  12 A- 12 B, and  14 . However, it is sometimes different, and the operation flow for the mark attachment processing will be described with reference to FIG. 17. Here, it is assumed that at least one exhibitor  110  exhibits what has some vendibility that is different from the currency of a country and has some vendibility unique in a district (hereinafter, called “point package-mark”) on the Web page of the handler WWW server  122  so as to make a trade of this point package-mark for nursing-care volunteer. In addition, the exhibitor  110  previously worked as a volunteer and got a point package-mark that can be exchanged with other goods or service in the area in which the exhibitor  110  abides in accordance with its point number.  
     [0140] First, the exhibitor terminal  111  transmits a point package-mark send request including the exhibitor name and necessary point number to the package-mark management server  101  (step  1701 ). The package-mark management server  101  that has received the point package-mark send request searches a point package-mark management DB 1711 , and checks if the information of the request source matches any one of the owner information and point number of the stored point package-marks. Then, the server  101  generates a confirmation notice of the request source and request contents based on the information stored in the point package-mark management DB and sends it to the exhibitor terminal  111  (steps  1702 ,  1703 ,  1704 ).  
     [0141] The exhibitor terminal  111  that has received the confirmation notice transmits the confirmation notice received result to the package-mark management server  101  (step  1705 ). The package-mark management server  101  that has received this result embeds the point number and digital signature of the request content into the point package-mark and updates the point package-mark management DB 1711 . Then, the server  101  adds a public key to the point package-mark and transmits it to the exhibitor terminal  111  (steps  1706 ,  1707 ).  
     [0142] The exhibitor terminal  111  that has received the point package-mark transmits the display request of the point package-mark and job offer information to the handler WWW server  122 . The handler WWW server  122  receives this request, and displays those information (steps  1708 ,  1709 ,  1710 ).  
     [0143] The operation flow of the point package-mark reference processing is fundamentally the same as in FIGS. 12A and 12B. However, as described clearly in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the procedure and mark design form are not limited. FIG. 18 shows an example of the image of the point package-mark. The point package-mark has a design being symbolic of the information embedded in the point package-mark, such as the kind of currency having some vendibility, its point number and owner, as shown by a point package-mark image  1802 . The reader terminal  131  displays a Web page with the point package-mark attached as shown by an image  1801 . If it detects that the point package-mark has been clicked, it displays a menu like a point package-mark menu image  1803 . The point package-mark menu image  1803  is an example of menu, and is not limited to these menu items and notation. When the publisher information of mark such as revenue stamp and coupon comes into question, the publisher information may be added to the menu items.  
     [0144] Such a flow as to send the point package-mark to the reader terminal  131  from the package-mark management server  101  and to send a request for displaying the package-mark from the reader terminal  131  to the handler WWW server  122  is not limited to the example of the point package-mark, but may be used in the other embodiments for package-mark.  
     [0145] Display system for data in the case where the reader doubles as the handler and exhibitor  
     [0146] A description will be made of, as another embodiment, a data display system in which the reader does not refer to the Web page disclosed by the handler  120 , but acquires the package-mark by use of other separate means, and the reader  130  itself generates the package-mark and reads.  
     [0147]FIG. 19 shows the schematic construction of the system of this embodiment. This construction is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 5. However, an external storage device interface  1901  may be provided which transmits/receive data to/from an external storage device  1902  so that it can obtain the package-mark from the external storage device such as FD, CD-ROM, and DB. A wireless network interface  1903  may be provided so that the package-mark can be obtained by way of radio. The package-mark can be obtained from a server on the communication network  140 . In addition, a package-mark management processor  1904  may be stored in the memory  506  so that the reader  130  himself can create the package-mark.  
     [0148] An example of data of the information that the exhibitor  110  embeds in the package-mark is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 8. However, when the reader  130  directly acquires the package-mark from the exhibitor  110  by way of storage media such as FD, server or radio, the contact address information of the exhibitor  110  may be selected as a data item in place of the handler name  807  and handler URL  808 . Moreover, when the exhibitor  110  does not request the package-mark manager  100 , but creates the package-mark by himself, the manager name  810  and manager URL  811  may be omitted.  
     [0149]FIG. 20 shows the processing flow for the reader  130  to embed the acquired event information or the like in the package-mark and use it. First, the reader terminal  131  creates a basic design of the package-mark that images the title of the information to be embedded or the like (step  2001 ). The information desired to be embedded and the information necessary for controlling the displaying of this information are embedded in this basic design by use of a package-mark management processor  1904  (step  2002 ). Here, although the data example of the information to be embedded in the package-mark is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 8, the information associated with the exhibitor  110 , handler  120  and package-mark manager  130  may be omitted. In addition, if the reader  130  wants to select only the expiration date information as the information display control condition, data item information such as a package content  2101 , expiration date information  2102  and a display condition  2103  may be embedded in the package-mark as shown in FIG. 21. After the information necessary for the package-mark is embedded, the package-mark is attached to the Web page stored in the memory  506  of the reader terminal  131  (step  2003 ). The reference processing flow is fundamentally the same as in FIGS. 12A and 12B. However, when the package-mark is acquired not by referring to the Web page, but by other method mentioned above, data transmission and reception to and from the handler WWW server  122  or exhibitor server  112  may be omitted. Moreover, the displaying may be controlled according to a display condition that a mark is indicated when it becomes two weeks before the expiration date. In this case, the date information that the package-mark reference processor  506   c  calculates on the basis of the expiration date information and display condition embedded in the package-mark is compared with the clock information of the reader terminal  131  (step  2004 ). If there is no coincidence, the package-mark is not displayed (step  2005 ). If they matches, the package-mark is displayed (step  2006 ).  
     [0150] Thus, if the expiration date of some information is tried to confirm, the Web page with the package-mark attached may be displayed open on the reader terminal  131  when the browser system  506   b  is started.  
     [0151] Display system for data on mobile terminal  
     [0152] A description will be made of a display system for data on a mobile terminal such as cellular telephone as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0153]FIG. 22 shows the schematic construction of the system of this embodiment. This system is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 1. However, this embodiment is different in that an information distributor  2200  is provided which collects the Web pages disclosed by the handler WWW server  122  and distributes them to mobile terminals. The information distributor  2200  manages an information distribution station  2201  for distributing information to mobile terminals  2203  that the reader  130  owns, and a package-mark management server  2202  for confirming the contents of the package-mark before the information is distributed.  
     [0154] The processing flow for the package-mark in this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIGS. 11, 12A and  12 B. However, in the reference processing flow, the processing for confirming the reliability of the package-mark such as checking of public keys, checking if the information decoded by a public key matches the embedded information and checking if the embedded expiration date information matches the clock information of the reader terminal, which those processings are made by the reader terminal  131  as described with reference to FIG. 12, may be performed by the package-mark management server  2202  that the information distributor  2200  manages. Moreover, the mobile terminal  2003  that has received the package-mark after being processed for the above reliability checking may have display control means that controls the package-mark to be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal while the expiration date is not reached.  
     [0155] A provider that makes Internet connection service may perform the reliability checking of the package-mark as does the above-mentioned information distributor  2200 , and transmits the package-mark after being processed for the reliability check to the reader terminal  131  that made a contact with the provider.  
     [0156] In addition, an e-mail may be attached with the package-mark, and sent to the reader terminal  131 . The e-mail may be transmitted via radio or the communication network  140 .  
     [0157] A display system for the information present in a plurality of sites and servers  
     [0158] A description will be made of a display system for displaying diversified information over a plurality of sites and servers as another embodiment of the invention.  
     [0159] A general method of displaying the information over a plurality of related sites is a collection of links. However, when referring to a collection of links, we often found that the same collection of links as that of the link source was not displayed on the link destination page. Therefore, in order to refer to the information on a plurality of sites by clicking a collection of links, it is necessary to many times back to the site in which the collection of links is displayed by the browser function, thus it taking a lot of trouble so that the user cannot have feeling of integration of information associated with the collection of links and create a brand image. In addition, since the user cannot easily understand, depending on the contents of the linked pages, by what manager or representative the linked site is run or what the main purpose of the linked site is, the reliability of the collection of links cannot be established.  
     [0160] Thus, it is important to make it possible to easily access the related information that are deconcentrated over a plurality of sites or servers, and to confirm the senders of the information. The present invention is useful for the application to the above structure.  
     [0161] The schematic construction of the information display system of this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 1. In addition, the processing in this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIGS. 12A, 12B and  14 . Although the information to be embedded in the mark has fundamentally the same data format as in FIG. 8, setting up of a plurality of link destinations can be made by providing a plurality of link information  806 . Moreover, the displayed image is as for example shown in FIG. 23.  
     [0162]FIG. 23 shows an image  2301  having an example of mark such as “A-area mark” attached to a plurality of sites for providing information associated with a particular district called A-area, a mark image  2302 , and a mark pull-down menu image  2303 . The mark pull-down menu format of this embodiment is fundamentally the same as in FIG. 13, but is different in that a large number of menu items that enable related information to be accessed are provided, for example, like a related information menu  2303   a . The link destination of related information may be a separate site, another page of the same site as that with mark attached, an advertisement page that a plurality of sites share, and a page in which a collection of links is displayed. In addition, even the marks of the same kind may enable recommendable information in each site to be accessed, or even the menu items of the same name may be set up to link to different pages of sites, for example, like an each-site menu  2303   b . In this case, selection of the same “recommendation of this site” item can cause the user to access the corresponding link destination of each site by providing link information different at each site with the mark attached.  
     [0163] In addition, in the pull-down menu, there can be set up items that not only can be linked to a page of the site, but also can download multimedia data other than HTML document text, such as video information and PDF from an arbitrary server to the reader terminal  1311 , and automatically display the downloaded data, or items that can acquire coupon and propose a purchase.  
     [0164] Moreover, this embodiment may be set up so that the mark itself can be downloaded to the reader terminal  131 - 1  without setting up the reliability confirmation function in the site.  
     [0165] As described above, the application of this invention will thus enable the related information over a plurality of sites or servers to create a feeling of integration, the related information to be easily accessed and the related sites to be confirmed in their reliability.  
     [0166] Thus, the exhibitor is able to display with high reliability the information that are wanted to be disclosed and transmitted in order that a large number of readers can read those information by use of multimedia data having the wanted-to-disclose-and-transmit information embedded therein and which has such elements as to symbolically represent the contents of the above information, and has access means for accessing to the authenticity confirmation means, expiration date confirmation means and related information. Furthermore, use of the multimedia data will enable the reader to read highly reliable information by using such a method as to reduce the communication load, and enable the handler to control information to be displayed by using a method of reducing running load.