Information distribution system, terminal apparatus, information center, recording medium, and information distribution method

Abstract

When content data are distributed from an information center via a predetermined communication line to a terminal apparatus loaded with a recording medium recorded with its identifier and prepaid information, the information center manages the usable remaining amount of money in the recording medium loaded in the terminal apparatus and updates this usable remaining amount of money every time content data are distributed. Further, if the usable remaining amount of money is smaller than the price of the content data distributed from the information center, the information center instructs the terminal apparatus to load another recording medium having a usable remaining amount of money sufficient to cover the content data to be distributed. Still further, a remaining recordable capacity of a recording medium loaded in the terminal apparatus is transmitted to the information center, and the information center compares the remaining recordable capacity with the size of the data content to be distributed. If the remaining recordable capacity is smaller than the size of the content data, the information center instructs the terminal apparatus to load a new recording medium having a recordable capacity enough for the content data to be distributed.

1 - 12 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         13 . A terminal apparatus comprising: 
 loading means for loading a recording medium, having recorded thereon an identifier unique to said recording medium and prepaid information, into said terminal apparatus;    reproducing means for reproducing said identifier unique to said recording medium and said prepaid information from said recording medium loaded in said loading means;    transmitting means for transmitting said identifier unique to said recording medium and said prepaid information reproduced by said reproducing means to an information center via a predetermined communication line;    receiving means for receiving a result of a balance inquiry executed in said information center based on the transmitted identifier unique to said recording medium and the transmitted prepaid information and content data transmitted from said information center;    recording means for recording said content data received by said receiving means onto said recording medium loaded in said loading means; and prompting means for prompting, when said balance inquiry received by said receiving means indicates a shortage of an amount of money for the received content data, for the unloading of the currently loaded recording medium, and for the loading of another recording medium.    
     
     
         14 . The terminal apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said identifier unique to said recording medium and said prepaid information are recorded on said recording medium so as to be unrewritable manner.  
     
     
         15 . The terminal apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein communication destination identifying information for connecting said terminal apparatus to said information center is also recorded on said recording medium.  
     
     
         16 . The terminal apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein information about a remaining recordable capacity is recorded on said recording medium and said information is transmitted to said information center via said transmitting means.  
     
     
         17 - 40 . (Cancelled)