Abstract: In a communications system connected to a mobile terminal and using a network having a plurality of input/output points at a plurality of service providing servers, it is possible to maintain a TCP connection and a user session by passing a series of communication packets always taking the same route. Load balancers connected to the plurality of input/output points distribute a series of communication packets always in the same packet gateway among a plurality of packet gateways arranged between the load balancers and the service providing servers, and the packet gateway to which a packet is distributed distributes the series of communication packets to a plurality of service providing servers capable of executing an identical service.

Abstract: In a communications system connected to a mobile terminal and using a network having a plurality of input/output points at a plurality of service providing servers, it is possible to maintain a TCP connection and a user session by passing a series of communication packets always taking the same route. Load balancers connected to the plurality of input/output points distribute a series of communication packets always in the same packet gateway among a plurality of packet gateways arranged between the load balancers and the service providing servers, and the packet gateway to which a packet is distributed distributes the series of communication packets to a plurality of service providing servers capable of executing an identical service.

Abstract: A method of delivering sample pictures containing information about how to purchase the original picture data. A computer system stores picture data received from mobile stations over a network. It then creates sample pictures from the stored picture data. Each sample picture contains ordering information that shows where to purchase the original version of the picture data. When a request is received from a terminal station on the network, the computer transmits such sample pictures to the requesting station.