Abstract: An information medium collecting unit receives and collects information media to be recycled. An inspection unit inspects the information media collected at the information medium collecting unit. An electronic-data recording unit transfers and records electronic data stored in a storage unit onto the information media that are determined to be recyclable as a result of the inspection. A product holding unit holds the information media on which the electronic data is recorded. A product discharging unit discharges the information media held in the product holding unit, in accordance with a distribution request. Since the information media collected at a vending machine are processed inside of the vending machine for recycling and are turned into products inside of the vending machine for direct sale, information media to be discarded are reduced and thus cost to customers to obtain information can be reduced.

Abstract: Information collecting means 9 collects provided information 27 which is added by a user operation to a container 1 storing electronic book data 26 in a storage unit 10 of a host computer 5. Editing means 11 edits the entirety or part of the collected provided information and adds the provided information to the electronic book data. Distribution means 15 adds the edited provided information to the electronic book data published by a publisher 6 and distributes the data.

Abstract: An information-medium collecting unit 2 receives and collects information media to be recycled. An inspection unit 3 inspects the information media collected at the information-medium collecting unit 2. An electronic-data recording unit 5 transfers and records electronic data 15 stored in a storage unit 9 onto the information media that are determined to be recyclable as a result of the inspection. A product holding unit 6 holds the information media on which the electronic data is recorded. A product discharging unit 7 discharges the information media held in the product holding unit 6, in accordance with a distribution request.