JP2007018069A - Method of providing information via network and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing method for effectively recalling the acquisition of information from a specified caller selected according to the taste of a terminal user, needs, or the like, and capable of obtaining information having a high degree of freshness, and to provide a computer readable storage medium therefor. <P>SOLUTION: Display information for link, which is related to display information stored in an information distribution server, is displayed on the completion selection screen of a terminal. When a user selects the display information for link, display information is displayed, where the display information is received from the information distribution server during or after the start of the terminal for storing into the storage means of the terminal in advance, or is received from the information distribution server by the selection. In other embodiments, the display information for link is displayed on a log-on screen for enabling the user to request authentication for logging on to the terminal. Further, in other modes, when an application is being executed at the terminal, the display information for link is displayed at the frame section of a window related to the application. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides display information stored in an information distribution server on a network and updated as needed, and displays information desired by a user of a terminal on a terminal such as a personal computer, and the information provision The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium that causes a terminal to execute a method.

  As a method of providing various information such as advertisements for products, services, shopping information, news, weather forecasts, fortune-telling, etc. to terminals such as personal computers via a network, a banner on a part of the display screen of a web browser, There is a way to display links. When the user of the terminal clicks a banner, a link, or the like corresponding to the above various information, detailed information is displayed on the web browser.

In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses displaying an advertisement on a startup screen of an operating system. In the technology disclosed here, the data downloaded and saved from the network when the terminal was used last time, the next terminal startup, that is, while turning on the power switch and starting the operating system, The display is controlled by a dedicated program, data stored in advance is read, and an advertisement is displayed on the display.
JP 2003-114634 A

  From the terminal user's point of view, click on the link display information that reminds us to get updated information from a certain sender selected according to user's preference, necessity, etc., that is, click Therefore, it is desirable that a headline or the like on which detailed information is displayed on the screen.

Further, the detailed information needs to be the latest or close to the information with high freshness, that is, the information updated as needed.
Further, the link display information needs to be displayed at a place and time that are easily noticed by the user.

  The above request is satisfied if the web browser is activated while connected to the Internet. However, it is difficult to satisfy such demands in other situations. For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since data stored when the terminal is used last time is displayed when the operating system is started up at the next power-on, information is obtained and information is displayed. There is a time difference between them and the freshness of information is low.

  In addition, it is conceivable to always display the above-mentioned link display information on the desktop, but recently, the desktop has been finely customized according to the user's preference. In some cases, you do not want to always display information.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the information sender, in order to obtain an information display effect, it is desirable that the link display information is displayed in a form that the user pays attention to.
The present invention effectively obtains information from a certain caller selected according to the preference and necessity of the terminal user, even when the browser is not connected to a network such as the Internet. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing method that can be recalled and obtain highly fresh information, and a computer-readable storage medium that causes a terminal to execute the information providing method.

The information providing method according to the first aspect of the present invention distributes the display information from the information distribution server storing the display information updated at any time to the user's terminal via the network, and displays the user terminal. An information providing method for displaying the display information on a means,
Displaying link display information associated with the display information on an end selection screen for requesting a user to select whether to end the terminal;
When the user selects the display information for the link, the display information received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage means of the terminal during or after the terminal is activated, or the information by the selection Displaying the display information received from the distribution server.

  As described above, in the above-described invention, the display information for link is displayed on the end selection screen that the user always sees at regular intervals. And the display information linked | related with the display information for a link is received from the information delivery server, after powering on a terminal newly.

  Therefore, even if the browser is not connected and connected to a network such as the Internet, it is effective to obtain information from a certain sender selected according to the terminal user's preference and necessity. In addition, the user can obtain information with high freshness.

The information providing method according to the second aspect of the present invention distributes the display information from the information distribution server storing the display information updated at any time to the user's terminal via the network, and the display provided in the user's terminal. An information providing method for displaying the display information on a means,
A step of displaying link display information associated with the display information on a logon screen requesting the user to authenticate the user to log on to the terminal;
When the user selects the display information for the link, the display information received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage unit of the terminal during or after activation of the terminal, on the screen immediately after logon, Or displaying the display information received from the information distribution server immediately after logging on by the selection.

  As described above, in the above-described invention, the link display information is displayed on the logon screen that is surely viewed by the user at certain time intervals. And the display information linked | related with the display information for a link is received from the information delivery server, after powering on a terminal newly.

  Therefore, even if the browser is not connected and connected to a network such as the Internet, it is recalled effectively to obtain information from a certain sender selected according to the terminal user's preference and necessity. In addition, the user can obtain information with high freshness.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method that distributes display information to a user terminal via a network from an information distribution server that stores display information that is updated as needed, and displays the user terminal. An information providing method for displaying the display information on a means,
When executing an application on the terminal, displaying link display information associated with the display information on a frame of a window associated with the application;
When the user selects the display information for the link, the display information received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage means of the terminal during or after the terminal is activated, or the information by the selection Displaying the display information received from the distribution server.

  As described above, in the above invention, the link display information is displayed in the frame portion of the application window that the user always sees at regular intervals. And the display information linked | related with the display information for a link is received from the information delivery server, after powering on a terminal newly.

  Therefore, even if the browser is not connected and connected to a network such as the Internet, it is effective to obtain information from a certain sender selected according to the terminal user's preference and necessity. In addition, the user can obtain information with high freshness.

  The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention stores a program that causes the terminal to execute each step in the method of any one of the first to third aspects.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain information from a certain caller selected according to the terminal user's preference, necessity, etc., even when the browser is not connected to a network such as the Internet. The user can get information with high freshness.

  In the present invention, the display information is distributed to the user terminal via the network from the information distribution server storing the display information updated as needed, and the display information is displayed on the display means provided in the user terminal.

  Here, the “information distribution server” is a computer that stores display information that can be distributed to a plurality of terminals, and includes a web server that transmits an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file, an image file, and the like.

  The display information stored in the information distribution server is updated as needed according to the contents. For example, when the display information is a product advertisement, it is updated as needed to display the latest product. Similarly, when the display information is news, weather forecast, etc., the content is updated at a predetermined frequency.

  The “display information” stored in the information distribution server includes information based on still images, information based on moving images, information based on characters, and information accompanied by sound. Specific examples of the contents of the display information can include advertisements for products and services, news, shopping information, fortune-telling, weather forecasts, in-house public relations, and the like.

  Examples of the display form of the display information on the terminal include a display by a dedicated window, a display by a program that displays necessary information, such as a web browser and an editor.

  A “network” is a connection in which a plurality of terminals and an information distribution server are connected so that electronic information can be transmitted and received between each other according to a protocol, and analog or digital information is transmitted by wire, wireless, or a combination thereof. An information transmission network. The “network” includes the Internet, an intranet, and a LAN (Local Area Network).

The sender of the display information may be a person who provides advertisements or other information via the Internet, a specific information for all users in the network or a specific limited user by an intranet or LAN administrator, For example, those who send out internal public relations etc. are included.

  Update display information created by an information provider, information production company, or information distribution server itself is stored in the information distribution server, and the information distribution server displays information displayed on the terminal via the network in response to an acquisition request from the terminal. Send.

The “user terminal” includes a computer managed by an operating system such as a personal computer. For example, a computer managed by Windows (registered trademark) is used as a terminal.

  The terminal includes display means for displaying a screen, such as a liquid crystal display. Usually, a mouse is provided for the user to make a selection by clicking on the screen of the display means, and a keyboard that can be selected by an input by the user.

The terminal also includes control means such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the control means controls each part of the terminal, transfers data, performs various calculations, temporarily stores data, and the like. I do.

The terminal also includes storage means such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an external memory. Examples of the storage means include a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), an operating system, and a communication program. A display program, a device control program, an application program, an automatic execution program, and the like are stored.

  In addition, the terminal includes various components as necessary. Examples of such components include communication control means for controlling transmission / reception of information through the network and input of each hardware constituting the terminal. Examples include input / output control means for controlling output, and an image processor having a video memory.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the link display information associated with the display information is displayed on an end selection screen that requests the user to select whether to end the terminal.
Here, as an example of the “end selection screen”, a screen for ending the terminal when the user clicks the end button can be given. For example, a screen for selecting any one of “standby”, “turn off power”, and “restart” in a terminal using Windows (registered trademark) as an operating system can be given.

  The “link display information” displays information associated with the display information, and includes information by still images, information by moving images, and information by characters. The user looks at the link display information displayed on the screen and determines whether to obtain more detailed information.

  The display information for link includes a headline of display information related to this, a simple advertisement, and the like. In addition, an image related to the display information is displayed as necessary. For example, when the display information is an advertisement, the name of a company that sells products related to the advertisement, the name of the product, simple information about the advertisement, a product image, and the like are displayed as the display information for linking. When the display information is news, news provider name, news content headline, date, type (social aspect, sports, stock information, etc.), related images, etc. are displayed as link display information.

The link display information is displayed in at least a part of the area on the end selection screen. Preferably, the display information associated therewith is newly displayed by selecting, for example, by clicking the area where the display information for link is displayed. This detailed display information is provided to the user by, for example, displaying a new window in at least a partial area of the screen of the display means. The display information may be displayed in a form in which a dedicated window or display area is provided, or in a form in which a web browser is activated and displayed.

Specific examples of the display information for links include general banner and link forms.
Display information displayed when the user selects link display information on the end selection screen is received from the information distribution server after the terminal is started and stored in the storage means of the terminal in advance, or The dedicated program recognizes that the user has selected the display information for linking, and is received from the information distribution server according to the instruction of the dedicated program.

  Each of the above steps can be realized by a dedicated program for causing a terminal to execute these steps. Hereinafter, a specific example of this dedicated program and an information providing method using the dedicated program will be described.

  The dedicated program is distributed to the user and installed on the terminal by the user. Distribution of the dedicated program can be performed by a method of downloading using a network, a method of distributing a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, or FD storing the dedicated program. Alternatively, it is provided to the user in the form of selling a personal computer preinstalled with this dedicated program.

  The distribution software includes a function of displaying each link display information corresponding to each display information provided by a plurality of different callers on the terminal end selection screen. It should be noted that by seeking registration of display information for linking to distribution software from a company or the like that is a sender, the distributor or the like can obtain a profit even when the software is distributed to users free of charge.

Various settings can be made when installing the dedicated program. The setting items include the following.
1. Selection of link display information One or more link display information desired by the user is selected from each link display information registered in advance in the distribution software. For example, a sender of display information, an information category (advertisement and advertisement target (automobile, home appliance, travel service, etc.), news, fortune-telling, weather forecast, etc.) are set.
2. Display form of link display information Specific display forms of one or more link display information desired by the user, such as their display position, size and range of the display area, image, and character on the end selection screen And so on. The link display information is displayed on a desktop, a task bar, or the like in a form in which, for example, related display information is displayed by clicking an arbitrary part of the display area or a part of the display area. The display information for the link may be displayed as a link button, an icon, or a dedicated window.
3. Display Information Acquisition Time and Update Frequency When display information is received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage means of the terminal after the terminal is activated, the display information reception time and update frequency are set.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration in which a terminal in which the dedicated program is installed and an information distribution server that distributes display information to the terminal are connected. FIG. 2 provides information from the information distribution server to the terminal. It is the flowchart which showed each step until it does.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminals 1 a to 1 e installed with the dedicated program and the information distribution servers 2 a to 2 c are connected via a network 3. Here, a case is shown in which the information distribution servers 2a to 2c display various display information on the display means of the terminals 1a to 1e, for example, information related to advertisements of products sold by the sender. Note that there are actually a large number of information distribution servers and terminals, but they are simplified for the sake of explanation.

  On the terminals 1a to 1e, display information for a link from a specific information distribution server is displayed on the end selection screen according to user settings. For example, link display information associated with display information stored in the information distribution server 2a is displayed on the terminal 1a, and link display information associated with display information stored in the information distribution server 2b is displayed on the terminal 1b. Is displayed, and display information for each link associated with each display information stored in the information distribution servers 2a, 2b, and 2c is displayed on the terminal 1c.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, when the user activates the terminal (step S1), the dedicated program automatically determines that the terminal is connected to the Internet after the operating system is activated, and distributes information designated in advance. Display information is downloaded from the server (step S2). The dedicated program is resident in the terminal automatically when the terminal is started or when the user starts it. With this function, even if the terminal is not always connected to the Internet, the display information is updated as needed.

  The display information is received, for example, during the startup of the operating system or at a set timing after the startup in accordance with the user setting. When the display information is received after the operating system is started, the display information is downloaded and updated at a preset frequency by a dedicated program that is resident.

When the user selects display of an end selection screen to end the terminal, an end selection screen that prompts the user to select the end is displayed on the display means (step S3 in FIG. 2). For example, in Windows (registered trademark), “Exit”, “Standby”, and “Restart” selection buttons are displayed. At this time, the link display information is simultaneously displayed on the end selection screen.

  After that, when the user selects the display area for the link display information on the end selection screen, a new dedicated window, web browser, etc. are displayed on the screen, and the display information associated with the link display information is displayed in the display area. It is displayed (step S4).

  3 and 4 are diagrams showing an end selection screen on which link display information is displayed. In FIG. 3, a selection button 51 for selecting an end or the like by clicking the button and link display information 41 are displayed on the end selection screen 11. The link display information 41 is a simple advertisement made up of the name of a travel agency, related images, and the like, and the correspondence sent by this travel agency by clicking on an arbitrary location in the area where the link display information 41 is displayed. A web page is displayed.

  In FIG. 4, six headings associated with the corresponding display information such as travel information and used car information are displayed as the link display information 41. When one of the six display areas is clicked, display information corresponding to the headline displayed in the display area is displayed in a dedicated window, a web browser, or the like.

Specifically, the detailed display information can be displayed by selecting the display area of the link display information by the following method. That is, the position of the mouse is monitored by a dedicated program resident on the terminal, the display position of the link display information on the screen is saved by the dedicated program, and when the user clicks the screen, the event is recorded. Detects
When the clicked position coincides with the display area of the link display information, related detailed display information is displayed in a new dedicated window or browser.

  When the user finishes displaying the display information, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 2, and when the user selects another type of link display information, detailed display information associated therewith is displayed. (Step S4).

  When the user selects termination on the termination selection screen, processing such as termination of the terminal is performed according to the selection (step S5 in FIG. 2). The dedicated program is automatically terminated when the operating system is terminated or after it is terminated, but the termination time can be freely set.

  As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, the link display information is displayed on the end selection screen that the user always sees at regular intervals. And the display information linked | related with the display information for a link is received from the information delivery server, after powering on a terminal newly.

  Therefore, even if the browser is not connected and connected to a network such as the Internet, it is effective to obtain information from a certain sender selected according to the terminal user's preference and necessity. In addition, the user can obtain information with high freshness.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the link display information associated with the display information is displayed on the logon screen that requests the user to authenticate to log on to the terminal.
Here, as an example of the “logon screen”, a screen that requires the user to click the button corresponding to the ID provided for each user who uses the terminal and to enter a password as necessary, Screen for requesting the user's ID and password.

  Is the display information displayed when the user selects link display information on the logon screen received from the information distribution server during or after startup of the terminal and stored in the storage means of the terminal in advance? Alternatively, the dedicated program recognizes that the user has selected the display information for linking, and is received from the information distribution server immediately after logging on according to the instruction of the dedicated program.

The display form, contents, and the like of the link display information on the logon screen are the same as in the first aspect described above.
Here, when there are a plurality of users of the terminal, one or more desired link display information can be individually set for each user. In this case, one or more link display information set by the user is displayed in an area related to the display area for displaying the user, such as a button to be clicked when the user logs on, for example, in the vicinity thereof. Is displayed.

When the user selects link display information on the logon screen, detailed display information associated with the link display information is displayed on the screen immediately after logon.
Each of the above steps can be realized by a dedicated program for causing a terminal to execute these steps. Hereinafter, a specific example of an information providing method using this dedicated program will be described.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the user activates the terminal (step S1), a logon screen is displayed after the operating system is activated (step S2). At this time, the link display information is simultaneously displayed on the logon screen.

  The dedicated program is resident in the terminal automatically when the terminal is started or when the user starts it. With this function, even if the terminal is not always connected to the Internet, the display information is updated as needed.

  The display information is received, for example, during the startup of the operating system or at a set timing after the startup in accordance with the user setting. When the display information is received after the operating system is started, the display information is downloaded and updated at a preset frequency by a dedicated program that is resident. The dedicated program automatically determines that the terminal has connected to the Internet immediately after logging on, and downloads display information from a previously specified information distribution server (step S5).

  That is, when the user clicks on the display area of the link display information on the logon screen (step S3), when the user logs on by entering a password (step S4a), the desktop immediately after logon has a new dedicated A window, a web browser, and the like are displayed, and display information associated with the link display information is displayed in the display area (step S6).

  On the other hand, when the user logs on without clicking on the display area of the link display information on the logon screen (step S4b), the normal desktop is displayed on the screen immediately after the logon.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a logon screen on which link display information is displayed. In the illustrated example, there are two users of the terminal, and the link display information 41 set for each user is displayed on the logon screen 21.

  In the upper link display information 41 in the figure, a total of four heading items such as “shopping information” and “today's fortune-telling” are displayed as independent button areas. On the other hand, a total of four heading items such as “weather forecast” and “news” are displayed as independent button areas in the link display information 41 on the lower side of the figure.

  When the user clicks on any heading in the link display information 41 and then logs on, display information corresponding to the heading is displayed on a dedicated window, a web browser, or the like on the screen immediately after the logon.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a logon screen on which link display information is displayed. In the illustrated example, a user name and password input window is displayed as the logon screen 21, and a total of four heading items as link display information 41 are displayed as independent button areas on the upper side.

  As described above, in the second aspect of the present invention, the link display information is displayed on the logon screen that the user always sees at regular intervals. And the display information linked | related with the display information for a link is received from the information delivery server, after powering on a terminal newly.

  Therefore, even if the browser is not connected and connected to a network such as the Internet, it is effective to obtain information from a certain sender selected according to the terminal user's preference and necessity. In addition, the user can obtain information with high freshness.

In the third aspect of the present invention, when an application is executed on a terminal,
The link display information associated with the detailed display information is displayed in the frame portion of the window related to the application.

Here, the “application” includes any software that can be executed on Windows (registered trademark), such as spreadsheet software, image processing software, and game software.
The “window” related to the application includes various windows that appear in relation to the application when the application is executed, such as a dialog window for saving data related to the application, in addition to a window directly related to the execution of the application. .

  Specific examples of “window frame” include the upper area of the toolbar of the window related to the application (usually the window close button, the enlarge button, and the temporary non-display button are displayed at the right end, while dragging the window. A blue bar-shaped area for moving), an outer area of the horizontal frame or the lower frame of the window (the part that changes the size of the window while dragging), and the like. For example, a region surrounded by a dotted line in the application window 31 shown in FIG. 11 is included. Note that advertisements displayed on a window frame, a task bar, or the like may be switched according to the content viewed by the browser (or the content edited by an editor or the like).

  The display form of the display information for links, the contents thereof, and the like include those described in the first aspect described above, but typically forms of banners, links, and icons are applied. A plurality of link display information can be displayed in the frame of the window.

  If a program that controls rewriting of the link display information on the screen is resident, the display position of the application window is measured, and the link display information made up of characters, still images, moving images, etc. at appropriate positions Can be displayed.

  Display information displayed when the user selects link display information is received from the information distribution server during or after startup of the terminal and stored in advance in the storage means of the terminal, or a link The dedicated program recognizes that the user has selected the display information for use, and is received from the information distribution server according to the instruction of the dedicated program.

  When the user selects the link display information displayed in the frame of the application window by clicking, the detailed display information associated with the link display information is displayed in a new dedicated window, web browser, etc. Is done.

Each of the above steps can be realized by a dedicated program for causing a terminal to execute these steps. Hereinafter, a specific example of an information providing method using this dedicated program will be described.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the user activates the terminal (step S1), the dedicated program automatically determines that the terminal is connected to the Internet after the operating system is activated, and distributes information designated in advance. Display information is downloaded from the server (step S2). The dedicated program is resident in the terminal automatically when the terminal is started or when the user starts it. With this function, even if the terminal is not always connected to the Internet, the display information is updated as needed.

  The display information is received, for example, at an arbitrary timing during the startup of the operating system or after the startup according to the setting of the user. When the display information is received after the operating system is started, the display information is downloaded and updated at a preset frequency by a dedicated program that is resident.

When the user starts the application (step S3), link display information is displayed in the frame portion of the application window (step S4).
When the user clicks the display area of the link display information (step S5), a new dedicated window, a web browser, etc. are displayed on the display means, and the display information associated with the link display information is displayed in the display area. Is displayed (step S6).

  When the user finishes displaying the display information, it returns to the state where the application is operated again (step S4). Thereafter, when the user selects another link display information, the above-described steps are repeated.

When the user ends the application (step S7), the application window and the link display information displayed in the frame portion are closed.
9 and 10 are diagrams showing an application window on which link display information is displayed. FIG. 9 shows an example in which a plurality of link display information is displayed in the upper part of the toolbar, and FIG. 10 shows an example in which a plurality of link display information is displayed outside the horizontal frame of the window. When the user clicks any item in the link display information 41 of the application window 31, detailed display information corresponding to the item is displayed in a new dedicated window, a web browser, or the like.

  As described above, in the third aspect of the present invention, the link display information is displayed in the frame portion of the application window that the user always sees at regular intervals. And the display information linked | related with the display information for a link is received from the information delivery server, after powering on a terminal newly.

  Therefore, even if the browser is not connected and connected to a network such as the Internet, it is effective to obtain information from a certain sender selected according to the terminal user's preference and necessity. In addition, the user can obtain information with high freshness.

  In addition, in the 1st-3rd aspect demonstrated above, in order to accelerate | stimulate that a terminal user uses a display information by the exclusive program mentioned above, a user is used by using this exclusive program continuously. However, you may employ | adopt the point system which can acquire useful privileges other than acquisition of information.

  For example, if a dedicated program is used for a certain period, points can be obtained, and a prize that cannot be applied without the points is provided, or a system for presenting prizes according to the amount of points is provided. By providing such a privilege, the use of the dedicated program by the user can be promoted.

  The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention stores a program for causing a terminal to execute each stage in the first to third aspects described above. Specific examples of the storage medium include a medium for storing information optically or magnetically such as a CD, a DVD, and an FD, a storage medium using a semiconductor element, and the like.

  The storage medium causes the terminal to execute each stage in the first to third aspects described above by installing the dedicated program stored in the storage medium on the terminal. The storage medium stores a plurality of pieces of link display information data that can be selected according to user settings. The user selects desired link display information from among a plurality of link display information stored in the storage medium. As a result, only the display information for the link selected by the user is displayed on the end selection screen, the logon screen, or the frame of the application window.

  Although the present invention has been described above by showing specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration in which a terminal in which a dedicated program is installed and an information distribution server that distributes display information to the terminal are connected. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing each stage from provision of information to the terminal from the information distribution server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an end selection screen on which link display information is displayed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of an end selection screen on which link display information is displayed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing each stage from provision of information to the terminal from the information distribution server. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a logon screen on which link display information is displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a logon screen on which link display information is displayed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing each stage until the information is provided from the information distribution server to the terminal. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application window in which link display information is displayed. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of an application window in which link display information is displayed. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an area in which display information for a link is displayed in the application window.

Explanation of symbols

1a to 1e Terminals 2a to 2c Information distribution server 3 Network 11 End selection screen 21 Logon screen 31 Application window 41 Link display information 51 Selection button

Claims (4)

An information providing method for distributing display information to a user's terminal via a network from an information distribution server that stores display information that is updated as needed, and displaying the display information on display means included in the user's terminal. And
Displaying link display information associated with the display information on an end selection screen for requesting a user to select whether to end the terminal;
When the user selects the display information for the link, the display information received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage means of the terminal during or after the terminal is activated, or the information by the selection And displaying the display information received from the distribution server. An information providing method for distributing display information to a user's terminal via a network from an information distribution server that stores display information that is updated as needed, and displaying the display information on display means included in the user's terminal. And
A step of displaying link display information associated with the display information on a logon screen requesting the user to authenticate the user to log on to the terminal;
When the user selects the display information for the link, the display information received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage unit of the terminal during or after activation of the terminal, on the screen immediately after logon, Or displaying the display information received from the information distribution server immediately after logging on by the selection. An information providing method for distributing display information to a user's terminal via a network from an information distribution server that stores display information that is updated as needed, and displaying the display information on display means included in the user's terminal. And
When executing an application on the terminal, displaying link display information associated with the display information on a frame of a window associated with the application;
When the user selects the display information for the link, the display information received from the information distribution server and stored in advance in the storage means of the terminal during or after the terminal is activated, or the information by the selection And displaying the display information received from the distribution server. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing the terminal to execute each step in the method according to claim 1.

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