Character provision service system, information processing apparatus, controlling method therefor, and recording medium

Abstract

In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.

1 - 43 . (canceled)  
   
   
       44 . An information providing apparatus for providing a character data to an information browsing apparatus via a network, comprising: 
 a storage unit adapted to store a character data;    a reception unit adapted to receive a designation for designating conversation motion, wherein conversation motion includes at least a method of conversation and a language of conversation;    a derivation unit adapted to derive a price of the character data on the basis of the designated conversation motion.    
   
   
       45 . An apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the method of the conversation is display of letters, output of voice or display of sign language motion.  
   
   
       46 . An apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the price is based on the number of moved parts or amount of change in the motion of the character corresponding to the designated conversation motion.  
   
   
       47 . An apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 a control unit adapted to control the character data to move corresponding to the designated conversation motion.    
   
   
       48 . An apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 a transmission unit adapted to transmit a character data and a program data for controlling the character data to move the character corresponding to the designated conversation motion to the information browsing apparatus.    
   
   
       49 . An information providing method for providing a character data to an information browsing apparatus via a network, comprising the steps of: 
 storing a character data;    receiving a designation for designating conversation motion, wherein conversation motion includes at least a method of conversation and a language of conversation;    deriving a price of the character data on the basis of the designated conversation motion.    
   
   
       50 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the method of the conversation is display of letters, output of voice or display of sign language motion.  
   
   
       51 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the price is based on the number of moved parts or amount of change in the motion of the character corresponding to the designated conversation motion.  
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 49 , further comprising: 
 a step of controlling the character data to move corresponding to the designated conversation motion.    
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 49 , further comprising: 
 a step of transmitting a character data and a program data for controlling the character data to move the character corresponding to the designated conversation motion to the information browsing apparatus.    
   
   
       54 . A computer-readable program comprising program codes for an information providing method for providing a character data to an information browsing apparatus via a network, comprising the steps of: 
 storing a character data;    receiving a designation for designating conversation motion, wherein conversation motion includes at least a method of conversation and a language of conversation;    deriving a price of the character data on the basis of the designated conversation motion.    
   
   
       55 . A program according to  claim 54 , wherein the method of the conversation is display of letters, output of voice or display of sign language motion.  
   
   
       56 . A program according to  claim 54 , wherein the price is based on the number of moved parts or amount of change in the motion of the character corresponding to the designated conversation motion.  
   
   
       57 . A program according to  claim 54 , further comprising: 
 a step of controlling the character data to move corresponding to the designated conversation motion.    
   
   
       58 . A program according to  claim 54 , further comprising a step of transmitting a character data and a program data for controlling the character data to move the character corresponding to the designated conversation motion to the information browsing apparatus.