JP2006092320A - Content data transmitting device, control method of content data transmitting device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content data transmitting device capable of changing contents of content data transmitted to a client device based on whether communication connection with the client device is performed via a communication network of a predetermined characteristic, its control method, and a program of making a computer function as the content data transmitting device. <P>SOLUTION: A determining section 44 determines whether communication connection with the client devices 14a and 14b is performed via the communication network of a characteristic indicated by communication network characteristic information to be stored in a storage section 50. A content data acquiring section 46 reads a content data acquiring condition from the storage section 50 based on a determination result by the determining section 44, acquires content data based on the content data acquiring condition, and makes a content data transmitting section 48 transmit it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content data transmitting apparatus, a method for controlling the content data transmitting apparatus, and a program.

For example, a content data transmission device (for example, a Web server) that transmits content data such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data to a client device is known. As such a content data transmission device, one that changes the content of content data based on the geographical position of the client device and the current time is known (Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-322379 A

  In the content data transmitting apparatus as described above, it may be preferable to change the content of the content data based on whether or not the communication connection with the client apparatus is made through a communication network having a predetermined characteristic. For example, if there is an application or site that cannot be provided to a client device that is connected for communication via a predetermined type of communication network, it is preferable that a link to the application or site is not displayed on the screen of the client device. It is. However, this has not been possible with conventional content data devices because, for example, the geographical location and the characteristics of the communication connection do not uniquely correspond.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to transmit content to a client device based on whether or not communication connection with the client device is made via a communication network having a predetermined characteristic. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content data transmitting apparatus, a content data transmitting apparatus control method, and a program capable of changing the contents of data.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer such as a server computer to function as a content data transmitting apparatus that is communicatively connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus. Storage means for storing content data acquisition conditions relating to acquisition of content data in association with communication network characteristic information indicating characteristics of the communication network, and a communication network in which communication connection with the client device is stored in the storage means A determination unit that determines whether or not the communication is performed through a communication network having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information; a content data acquisition condition is read from the storage unit based on a determination result by the determination unit; and the content data acquisition condition is T Content data acquisition means for acquiring Ceiling data, and a program for causing the computer to function the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit content data transmitting means for transmitting to said client device, as.

  The content data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention is a content data transmitting apparatus that is communicably connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus, in association with communication network characteristic information indicating characteristics of the communication network. Whether or not the communication connection between the storage unit for storing the content data acquisition condition regarding the data acquisition and the client device is performed via the communication network having the characteristics indicated by the communication network characteristic information stored in the storage unit A content data acquisition unit that reads content data acquisition conditions from the storage unit based on a determination result by the determination unit, and acquires content data based on the content data acquisition conditions; A content data transmitting means for transmitting the content data acquired by the unit to the client device, characterized in that it comprises a.

  The content data transmitting apparatus control method according to the present invention includes a communication network characteristic information indicating characteristics of a communication network in the control method of a content data transmitting apparatus that is communicably connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus. The communication connection with the client device is indicated by the communication network characteristic information stored in the storage unit based on the storage content of the storage unit that stores the content data acquisition conditions relating to the acquisition of the content data. A determination step for determining whether or not the determination is performed via a communication network of characteristics; and reading content data acquisition conditions from the storage unit based on the determination result in the determination step; and content data based on the content data acquisition conditions get A content data acquisition step, characterized in that it comprises a content data transmitting step of transmitting to the client device the content data acquired by the content data acquisition step.

  The present invention relates to a content data transmitting apparatus that is communicably connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program for causing a computer to function as such a content data transmitting apparatus. In the present invention, content data acquisition conditions relating to acquisition of content data are stored in association with communication network characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the communication network. It is determined whether or not a communication connection with the client device is established via the communication network having the characteristics indicated by the stored communication network characteristic information. The content data acquisition condition is read based on the determination result, and the content data transmitted to the client device is acquired based on the content data acquisition condition. According to the present invention, it is possible to change the content of content data to be transmitted to a client device based on whether or not communication connection with the client device is performed via a communication network having a predetermined characteristic.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the computer further functions as user identification information acquisition means for acquiring user identification information related to communication connection with the client device, and the storage means includes the communication network characteristic information and the content. Content data acquisition condition information associated with data acquisition conditions is stored in association with user identification information, and the determination means is a user whose communication connection with the client device is acquired by the user identification information acquisition means. Determining whether or not the communication is performed via a communication network having a characteristic indicated by the communication network characteristic information included in the content data acquisition condition information associated with the identification information, and the content data acquiring unit acquires the user identification information Associated with the user identification information obtained by the means From content data acquisition condition information read based on the content data acquisition condition determination result by the determination unit, may acquire the content data based on said content data acquisition conditions.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a content distribution system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the content distribution system 10 includes a content server 12 (content data transmission device) and client devices 14a and 14b. The content server 12 and the client device 14a are communicatively connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 18a so as to be able to exchange data. The content server 12 and the client device 14b are communicatively connected to each other via LANs 18a and 18b and a VPN (Virtual Private Network) 16 so as to exchange data.

  The client devices 14a and 14b include, for example, a known personal computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a hard disk storage device, a display, and an input device, and a Web browser is installed. In other words, the client apparatuses 14a and 14b transmit an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) request message to the content server 12, or receive an HTTP response message transmitted from the content server 12, and are included in the HTTP response message. HTML data and image data to be displayed are displayed.

  The content server 12 includes a known server computer system including a CPU, a hard disk storage device, a display, and an input device, for example. The content server 12 is installed with HTTPD (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Daemon) and has a function as a Web server. That is, the content server 12 returns an HTTP response message including HTML data and the like according to the HTTP request message transmitted from the client devices 14a and 14b.

  The content server 12 is installed with a portal site providing program and provides a so-called portal site. The portal site providing program is realized as, for example, a servlet or a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program.

  In the content distribution system 10 having the above configuration, when a user starts a Web browser in the client device (14a, 14b) and specifies a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating a portal site providing program, an HTTP request message is sent to the content server. 12 is transmitted. In this case, the content server 12 starts a portal site providing program. Then, for example, HTML data for displaying a login screen as shown in FIG. 2 (specifically, an HTTP response message including the HTML data) is returned to the client device. A login screen is displayed on the Web browser of the client device.

  When the user inputs a user ID and password on the login screen and presses the login button, an HTTP request message including information indicating the user ID and password is transmitted to the content server 12. In this case, in the content server 12, after the validity of the user ID and password is confirmed by the portal site providing program, HTML data representing the top screen of the portal site is returned to the client device. The top screen of the portal site is displayed on the Web browser of the client device.

  In the content distribution system 10, the contents of the top screen of the portal site are different based on whether or not communication connection with the client device is performed via a communication network having a predetermined characteristic. For example, the display of a part of the top screen of the portal site is restricted based on whether or not communication connection with the client device is made via the VPN 16. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the top screen of the portal site displayed on the client device (for example, the client device 14a) that is connected to the content server 12 via the VPN 16 without communication. On the screen shown in the figure, an image 20 and links 22a, 22b, and 22c are displayed.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows an example of the top screen of the portal site displayed on the client device (for example, the client device 14b) that is connected to the content server 12 via the VPN 16. As shown in the figure, unlike this screen shown in FIG. 3, the link 22c is not displayed on this screen. The link 22c is a link to an application or site that cannot be accessed through the VPN 16, for example. That is, in the content distribution system 10, for example, the display of a link to an application or site that cannot be accessed via the VPN 16 is restricted on the screen of the client device that has been connected to the content server 12 via the VPN 16. ing.

  Note that the image 20 may be different between the screen shown in FIG. 3 and the screen shown in FIG. 4. For example, the image quality of the image 20 may be different between the screen shown in FIG. 3 and the screen shown in FIG.

  Here, functional blocks of the content distribution system 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing mainly the functional blocks related to the above functions among the functional blocks realized in the content distribution system 10. As shown in the figure, the content distribution system 10 includes a content data request transmission unit 30, a content data reception unit 32, a content data display unit 34, a content data request reception unit 40, a user ID acquisition unit 42, The determination unit 44 includes a content data acquisition unit 46, a content data transmission unit 48, and a storage unit 50.

  Among the functions described above, the content data request transmission unit 30, the content data reception unit 32, and the content data display unit 34 are realized in the client devices 14a and 14b. In addition, the content data request receiving unit 40, the user ID acquisition unit 42, the determination unit 44, the content data acquisition unit 46, the content data transmission unit 48 and the storage unit 50 are realized in the content server 12. These functions are realized by the content server 12 and the client devices 14a and 14b executing programs supplied via a computer-readable information storage medium and a communication network.

[1. Content data request transmitter]
The content data request transmitting unit 30 mainly includes a communication interface provided in the client devices 14a and 14b. The content data request transmission unit 30 transmits a content data request to the content server 12.

  Specifically, the content data request transmitting unit 30 receives an HTTP request including information indicating a user ID (user identification information) and a password input by the user when the login button is pressed on the login screen (FIG. 2). A message (content data request) is transmitted to the content server 12. This HTTP request message includes the IP addresses set in the client devices 14a and 14b. The client device 14b may include an IP address set in a communication device for connecting the VPN 16 and the LAN 18b.

[2. Content data request receiver]
The content data request receiving unit 40 mainly includes a communication interface provided in the content server 12. The content data request receiving unit 40 receives the content data request (specifically, an HTTP request message) transmitted by the content data request transmitting unit 30.

[3. Storage unit]
The storage unit 50 stores communication network characteristic information and content data acquisition conditions in association with each other. The communication network characteristic information is information indicating the characteristics of the communication network. As the communication network characteristic information, for example, information indicating the type of communication network (for example, VPN, Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) may be stored, or information regarding the bandwidth of the communication network may be stored. May be. The content data acquisition condition is a condition related to acquisition of content data, for example, a generation condition indicating how content data is generated and a read condition indicating which content data is read.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 50 stores information (content data acquisition condition information) associated with communication network characteristic information and content data acquisition conditions in association with user identification information. Specifically, for example, a screen display setting table as shown in FIG. 6 is stored.

  As shown in the figure, the screen display setting table includes a user ID column, a communication network type column, and a screen display setting information column. A user ID is stored in the user ID column. Information indicating the type of the communication network is stored in the communication network type column. In the screen display setting information column, information (screen display setting information) related to the display setting of the top screen of the portal site is stored. The screen display setting information includes, for example, information indicating whether or not the image 20 is displayed on the top screen of the portal site and information indicating whether or not the links 22a, 22b, and 22c are displayed. Further, for example, identification information of image data displayed as the image 20 (for example, an image data name, a storage position of the image data, etc.) may be included.

  As described above, the screen display setting table includes the screen display setting information (content data acquisition condition information) for each user when communication connection between the content server 12 and the client device is performed via various communication networks. It is remembered. These screen display settings may be arbitrarily set by the user. That is, the contents of the screen display setting made by the user may be stored in association with the user ID of the user. Note that the user may perform screen display settings only for a necessary type of communication network.

[4. User ID acquisition unit]
The user ID acquisition unit 42 acquires a user ID related to communication connection with the client device. For example, when a content data request is received by the content data request receiving unit 40, the user ID acquisition unit 42 acquires a user ID corresponding to the content data request. Specifically, the user ID included in the HTTP request message received by the content data request receiving unit 40 is acquired.

[5. Judgment part]
The determination unit 44 determines whether the communication connection with the client device is performed via the communication network having the characteristics indicated by the communication network characteristic information stored in the storage unit 50. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 44 indicates communication connection with the client device by communication network characteristic information included in the content data acquisition condition information associated with the user ID acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 42. It is determined whether or not it is performed via the communication network of the characteristic.

  The determination unit 44 first determines whether or not the combination of the user ID and password included in the HTTP request message matches the stored contents of the storage unit 50. The storage unit 50 stores a user table (not shown) in which a user ID and a password are associated with each other, and this determination is made based on the contents of the user table.

  When the determination unit 44 determines that the combination of the user ID and the password matches the stored content of the storage unit 50, the determination unit 44 refers to the screen display setting table and various communication networks associated with the user ID. For each of these, it is determined whether or not communication connection with the client device is made through the communication network. This determination may be performed, for example, as follows.

  For example, the determination unit 44 may perform the above determination based on the IP address included in the HTTP request message (content data request). Specifically, for each of the various communication networks, the determination unit 44 is a list of IP addresses that can be set in a client device that communicates via the communication network (or communication related to communication connection via the communication network). A list of IP addresses that can be set in the apparatus is stored, and the above determination may be made by comparing the IP addresses included in the HTTP request message with these lists.

  Further, for example, the determination unit 44 acquires a list of communication devices provided for communication connection from the content server 12 to the client device, and specifies each of the various communication networks provided for communication connection via the communication network. The above determination may be made by determining whether or not the communication device is included in the list. Specifically, the determination unit 44 may execute a traceroute command (TRACERT command) by designating an IP address of a client device or the like included in the HTTP request message. Then, for each of the various communication networks, the above determination may be made by determining whether or not there is a response from a specific communication device used for communication connection via the communication network.

  Further, for example, the HTTP request message transmitted by the content data request transmission unit 30 includes information indicating which type of communication network is used for communication connection, and the determination unit 44 determines whether the HTTP request message The above determination may be made based on this information included in the message. In this case, on the login screen (FIG. 2), the user may be allowed to input which type of communication network is used for communication connection together with the user ID and password. Or you may make it acquire what kind of communication network the content data request | requirement transmission part 30 performs communication connection. Then, information indicating the input and acquisition contents may be included in the HTTP request message.

  When changing the content data based on the geographical location of the client device, a dedicated device such as GPS (Global Positioning System) is required to detect the geographical location of the client device. On the other hand, in the content distribution system 10, by performing the above, the execution of the determination by the determination unit 44 is performed by the content server 12 and client devices 14a and 14b mainly composed of a computer such as a server computer or a personal computer. It is realized by using devices and functions that are generally provided. That is, it is realized with a simpler configuration.

[6. Content data acquisition unit]
The content data acquisition unit 46 reads the content data acquisition condition from the storage unit 50 based on the determination result by the determination unit 44, and acquires the content data to be transmitted to the client device based on the content data acquisition condition. For example, content data to be transmitted to the client device is generated based on content data acquisition conditions, or read out from a plurality of types of content data stored in the storage unit 50.

  Specifically, the content data acquisition unit 46 is determined to be used for communication connection with the client device by the “user ID acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 42” and the “determination unit 44 in the screen display setting table. The screen display setting information associated with the combination of “communication network type” is read. Then, based on the screen display setting information, HTML data representing the top screen of the portal site is generated.

[7. Content data transmitter]
The content data transmission unit 48 mainly includes a communication interface provided in the content server 12. The content data transmission unit 48 includes content data generated by the content data acquisition unit 46 (specifically, includes HTML data generated by the content data acquisition unit 46) to the client device that has transmitted the content data request. (HTTP response message) to be transmitted.

[8. Content data receiver]
The content data receiving unit 32 includes a communication interface provided in the client devices 14a and 14b. The content data receiving unit 32 receives content data (specifically, an HTTP response message) transmitted by the content data transmitting unit 48.

[9. Content data display section]
The content data display unit 34 includes, for example, a display provided in the client devices 14a and 14b. The content data display unit 34 displays a screen based on the content data received by the content data receiving unit 32 on the display. Specifically, the content data display unit 34 displays a screen based on the HTML data included in the HTTP response message (the top screen of the portal site).

  As described above, in the content distribution system 10, the content of the top screen of the portal site can be made different based on whether or not communication connection with the client device is performed via a communication network having predetermined characteristics. It becomes like this. For example, when the communication connection with the client device is performed via the VPN 16, the display of a part of the top screen of the portal site (for example, display of an application or a link to the site that cannot be accessed via the VPN 16) is restricted. Will be able to.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, information indicating an attribute of the client device (for example, a type such as a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or a handheld PC) is included in the content data request, and the content data acquisition unit 46 further acquires the content data based on the attribute of the client device. You may make it acquire. That is, the content of the top screen of the portal site may be changed based on the attribute of the client device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the content delivery system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the login screen of a portal site. It is a figure which shows an example of the top screen of a portal site. It is a figure which shows an example of the top screen of a portal site. It is a functional block diagram of the content distribution system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen display setting table.

Explanation of symbols

10 content distribution system, 12 content server, 14a, 14b client, 16 VPN, 18a, 18b LAN, 20 images, 22a, 22b, 22c link, 30 content data request transmission unit, 32 content data reception unit, 34 content data display unit , 40 Content data request reception unit, 42 User ID acquisition unit, 44 Judgment unit, 46 Content data acquisition unit, 48 Content data transmission unit, 50 Storage unit.

Claims (4)

A program for causing a computer to function as a content data transmitting apparatus that is connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus,
Storage means for storing content data acquisition conditions relating to acquisition of content data in association with communication network characteristic information indicating characteristics of the communication network;
Determining means for determining whether a communication connection with the client device is made via a communication network having characteristics indicated by communication network characteristic information stored in the storage means;
Content data acquisition means for reading content data acquisition conditions from the storage means based on a determination result by the determination means, and acquiring content data based on the content data acquisition conditions; and
Content data transmission means for transmitting content data acquired by the content data acquisition means to the client device;
A program for causing the computer to function as The program according to claim 1,
Causing the computer to further function as user identification information acquisition means for acquiring user identification information related to communication connection with the client device;
The storage means stores content data acquisition condition information associated with the communication network characteristic information and the content data acquisition condition in association with user identification information,
The determination means is a communication having characteristics indicated by communication network characteristic information included in content data acquisition condition information in which communication connection with the client device is associated with user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquisition means. Determine whether it is done over the network,
The content data acquisition means reads content data acquisition conditions from content data acquisition condition information associated with user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquisition means based on a determination result by the determination means, Acquire content data based on data acquisition conditions,
A program characterized by that. In a content data transmitting apparatus that is connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus,
Storage means for storing content data acquisition conditions relating to acquisition of content data in association with communication network characteristic information indicating characteristics of the communication network;
Determining means for determining whether or not a communication connection with the client device is made via a communication network having characteristics indicated by communication network characteristic information stored in the storage means;
Content data acquisition means for reading content data acquisition conditions from the storage means based on a determination result by the determination means, and acquiring content data based on the content data acquisition conditions;
Content data transmission means for transmitting content data acquired by the content data acquisition means to the client device;
A content data transmitting apparatus comprising: In a control method of a content data transmitting apparatus that is connected to a client apparatus and transmits content data to the client apparatus,
A communication connection with the client device is stored in the storage unit based on the storage content of the storage unit that stores content data acquisition conditions relating to the acquisition of content data in association with the communication network characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the communication network. A determination step for determining whether or not to be performed via a communication network having characteristics indicated by the stored communication network characteristic information;
A content data acquisition step of reading content data acquisition conditions from the storage unit based on the determination result in the determination step, and acquiring content data based on the content data acquisition conditions;
A content data transmission step of transmitting the content data acquired by the content data acquisition step to the client device;
A method for controlling a content data transmitting apparatus, comprising:

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