Electronic apparatus, time period charging system, time period charging method, and charging management system for electronic apparatus

US7577571B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventor

• Yasuji Yui · Yokohama, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 27, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 18, 2009
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0283
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic apparatus, a time period charging system, a time period charging method, and a charging management system for an electronic apparatus which eliminate various problems arising from a conventional charging method wherein an equivalent is paid to the proprietary right of contents. It is first discriminated whether or not contents data are of the type wherein use thereof should be charged based on information representative of a time period within which the contents data are used. Then, at least one of a time period within which the contents data are used and a time period within which the electronic apparatus is used is measured based on a result of the discrimination. When the contents data are of the type described, information to be used for the charging process is produced based on at least one of the information of the time period of use of the contents data and the information of the time period of use of the electronic apparatus. However, when the contents data are not of the type described, information to be used for the charging process is produced based on the information of the time period of use of the electronic apparatus.