Method for providing and obtaining content

Abstract

In a data providing server, whether or not specified compressed content data generated by means of a specified compression coding method corresponding to terminal identification information has been stored in a content database is detected, according to content specifying data transmitted from a portable dedicated terminal. If the specified compressed content data has been stored, the data providing server reads and transmits this to the portable dedicated terminal. And if the specified compressed content data has not been stored, the data providing server generates the specified compressed content data by means of the specified compression coding method, and transmits this to the portable dedicated terminal.

1 . A method, performed by at least one data providing server, comprising acts of:
 (A) receiving a request from a terminal operated by a user, the request specifying a manner of customizing an appearance of a content selecting screen;   (B) storing content selecting screen data in electronic file storage, the content selecting screen data reflecting the manner of customizing;   (C) receiving an obtaining request from a terminal operated by the user;   (D) retrieving the content selecting screen data from the electronic file storage; and   (E) sending the content selecting screen data to the terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to display of an image on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to placement of the image at a position on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to display of commercial data on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to limiting the display of the commercial data on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to an arrangement of items of data displayed on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to arranging the items of data in order of creation date. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to display of a background color on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request received in the act (A) specifies a time at which customization of the content selecting screen is to take effect. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act (B) comprises updating registration information associated with the user based on information specified in the request. 
     
     
         11 . At least one program storing device having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one data providing server, perform a method comprising acts of:
 (A) receiving a request from a terminal operated by a user, the request specifying a manner of customizing an appearance of a content selecting screen;   (B) storing content selecting screen data in electronic file storage, the content selecting screen data reflecting the manner of customizing;   (C) receiving an obtaining request from a terminal operated by the user;   (D) retrieving the content selecting screen data from the electronic file storage; and   (E) sending the content selecting screen data to the terminal.   
     
     
         12 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 11 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to display of an image on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         13 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 12 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to placement of the image at a position on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         14 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 11 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to display of commercial data on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         15 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 14 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to limiting the display of the commercial data on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         16 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 11 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to an arrangement of items of data displayed on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         17 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 16 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to arranging the items of data in order of creation date. 
     
     
         18 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 11 , wherein the manner of customizing relates to display of a background color on the content selecting screen. 
     
     
         19 . The at least one program storing device of  claim 11 , wherein the request received in the act (A) specifies a time at which customization of the content selecting screen is to take effect. 
     
     
         20 . At least one server computer, comprising:
 at least one processor, programmed to:
 receive a request from a terminal operated by a user, the request specifying a manner of customizing an appearance of a content selecting screen; 
 store content selecting screen data in electronic file storage, the content selecting screen data reflecting the manner of customizing; 
 receive an obtaining request from a terminal operated by the user; 
 retrieve the content selecting screen data from the electronic file storage; and 
 send the content selecting screen data to the terminal.