Broadcasting system, and charging system and method

摘要

A transmission/reception system includes a transmitter for transmitting pay information, and a plurality of receivers. The transmitter includes a service center for editing contents to be transmitted, and a transmitting station for receiving the contents from the service center and transmitting same. The plurality of receivers each include a mounting portion in which a storage element may be removably mounted. The storage element pre-stores charging information for permitting reception of the pay information and is sold at a predetermined cost. Each receiver determines whether it is allowed to receive and reproduce the pay information in accordance with the charging information stored in the storage element mounted in the mounting portion. When the storage element is purchased, the cost is remitted or electronically sent to one of the service center and an account of said service center. Another part of the cost is remitted to one of the transmitting station and an account of the transmitting station.