Interactive communication system for communicating video game and karaoke software

Abstract

A communication system is proposed for transmitting at least one of the data, the program, and a combination of them from a host facility to a communicator such as a communication terminal device. In this communication system, the data or the program becomes unable to be used when a predetermined time has elapsed after it is transmitted from the host facility to the communicator. This communication system is provided with the function of giving a warning before the use of the transmission becomes unable and the function of resuming the use in accordance with the user's instruction even after the use becomes unable.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A system for distributing game software comprising: 
 an information-communication terminal device including: 
 a communication unit that transmits or receives data via communication lines; and  
 a computer that transmits/receives data via the communication lines in response to input/output of data to the communication unit,  
 the computer receiving game information containing at least an image or an image and sound via the communication unit, outputting the received game information to an internal or external image display unit, and, in case that the received game information contains sound data, outputting the sound data to an internal or external sound output unit, and  
   a distribution center that transmits/receives data to/from the information-communication terminal device,    the game software being distributed from the distribution center to a plurality of information-communication terminal devices via the communication lines, wherein    the distribution center, when the plurality of information-communication terminal devices are connected thereto, enables interactive communication among the plurality of information-communication terminal devices, and, when a game is played in the plurality of information-communication terminal devices at the same time based on the same game information distributed to the plurality of information-communication terminal devices, relays communication data which is inter-transmitted/received among the plurality of information-communication terminal devices playing the game, so that the game can be played in real-time among the plurality of information-communication terminal devices.    
   
   
       23 . The system for distributing game software as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the information-communication terminal device further includes an input data temporary storing unit that temporarily stores data received via the communication unit, and is designed to be capable of removing data stored in the input data temporary storing unit after a predetermined period of time, and 
 the distribution center, when receiving a distribution request for the game information from the information-communication terminal device via the communication lines, transmits the game information corresponding to the distribution request, and information on the predetermined period of time after which the information-communication terminal device removes the game information stored in the input data temporary storage unit, to the information-communication terminal device via the communication lines.    
   
   
       24 . The system for distributing game software as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the distribution center includes a charging unit that charges a use fee according to the game information corresponding to the distribution request, when receiving a distribution request for the game information from the information-communication terminal device via the communication lines.  
   
   
       25 . A software distribution system comprising at least one information-communication terminal device and a distribution center which perform interactive communication, wherein 
 the information-communication terminal device includes: 
 an input unit that is used to input a game number of a game of which game information a user desires to request;  
 a memory that stores the game information when the game information corresponding to the game number is transmitted from the distribution center;  
 a monitor that displays a reception complete indication when the game information has been stored in the memory;  
 a transmitting unit that transmits reception complete data to the distribution center; and  
 a controller that is used to play the game based on the game information stored in the memory, and  
   the distribution center includes: 
 a game software database that stores game information;  
 a dispatching unit that, when a request for game information is received from the information-communication terminal device, reads out the game information from the game software database and dispatches the game information to the information-communication terminal device which has made the request via communication lines; and  
 a charging unit that charges a use fee when the reception complete data is received from the information communication terminal device.  
   
   
   
       26 . The software distribution system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the charging unit charges the use fee at a fixed rate for use in a given period.  
   
   
       27 . The software distribution system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the charging unit charges the use fee at a metered rate in which a fee corresponding to the requested information is charged at the time of use.  
   
   
       28 . The software distribution system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the charging unit charges the use fee based on the reception complete data transmitted from the information-communication terminal device per each information-communication terminal device.  
   
   
       29 . The software distribution system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the distribution center further includes a distribution unit that distributes the same game information to a plurality of information-communication terminal devices, and 
 the information-communication terminal device further includes an inter-terminal communication unit that allows interactive communication with another information-communication terminal device, and a unit that allows a game to be played in real-time among the plurality of information-communication terminal devices.    
   
   
       30 . The software distribution system as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the information-communication terminal device further includes a communication unit that transmits/receives a character number and position data.  
   
   
       31 . An information-communication terminal device that performs interactive communication with a distribution center including a game software database which stores game information, the information-communication terminal device comprising: 
 an input unit that is used to input a game number of a game of which game information a user desires to request;    a memory that stores the game information when the game information corresponding to the game number is transmitted from the distribution center;    a monitor that displays a reception complete indication when the game information has been stored in the memory;    a transmitting unit that transmits reception complete data to the distribution center; and    a controller that is used to play the game based on the game information stored in the memory.    
   
   
       32 . The information-communication terminal device as set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising an inter-terminal communication unit that allows interactive communication with another information-communication terminal device, and a unit that allows a game to be played in real-time among the plurality of information-communication terminal devices, when the same game information is distributed to a plurality of information-communication terminal devices from the distribution center.  
   
   
       33 . The information-communication terminal device as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the information-communication terminal device further comprising a communication unit that transmits/receives a character number and position data.