Information providing system, information providing method, storage medium and program

An information providing method for sending and receiving electronic data from a server in which the electronic data is registered, comprising:

• a delivering step of delivering electronic data registered in the server;
• a connecting step of connecting a portable device possessed by an individual to a communication network for communicating electronic information;
• a sending step of sending information for identifying an individual stored in the portable device;
• an authenticating step of receiving the sent information for identifying an individual, and determining whether or not the information is available to a user;
• and
• a registering step of receiving a password or ID information required when a user acquires electronic data, and registering the password or ID information in the portable device possessed by the individual.

An information providing system capable of sending and receiving electronic data via a communication network for communicating electronic information, comprising:

• switching means for connecting a portable device connectable to the communication network to information outputting means capable of outputting information;
• deciding means for deciding whether or not the information outputting means is directly connectable to the communication network;
• and
• changing means for, when the deciding means decides that the information outputting means is directly connected to the communication network, acquiring electronic data from the communication network, and for, when the deciding means decides that the information outputting means is not directly connected to the communication network, switching a mode to acquire electronic data from the communication network via the portable device.

An information providing method for sending and receiving electronic data via a communication network for communicating electronic information, comprising:

• a connecting step of connecting a portable device to information outputting means;
• a deciding step of deciding whether or not the information outputting means is directly connectable to the communication network;
• and,
• a switching step of, when it is decided that the information outputting means is directly connected to the communication network, acquiring electronic data from the communication network, and for, when it is determined that the information outputting means is not directly connected to the communication network, switching a mode to acquire electronic data from the communication network via the portable device.