Metering the flow of electronic information
US6671675B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2135
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An accounting device of the invention cooperates with a terminal station which is used for the user to use information (“provided information”) from an information provider and includes, a first input unit for inputting first data PIDi and PIDj regarding the contents of provided information, a second input unit for inputting second data TIDi and TIDj which is concerned with the provided information and is not concerned with the contents, a third input unit for inputting third data PPC indicative of money information, and a checking unit for discriminating a permission or an inhibition of the use of the information at the terminal station by using at least one of the first and second, and third data. The checking unit outputs a discrimination result about the permission or inhibition of the use to the external of the accounting device, thereby properly inhibiting the illegal use of the terminal station and contributing to a spread of a network terminal apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.