JP2000029911A - Message retrieval system and terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a message retrieval system for displaying information suited to each user to a terminal even when plural users copy and use a program, and a terminal equipment. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a message user data base 34 for storing the characteristics of the user of a terminal 10 and a message transmission condition data base 36 for storing the retrieval condition of each message to be transmitted to the terminal 10. Then, the necessity of the update of the characteristics of the user is detected at the time of communicating with the terminal 10, and the characteristics of the user are updated as necessary. Also, the characteristics of the user of the terminal 10 are read from the message user data base 34 according to a request from the terminal 10, and a message is retrieved from the message transmission condition data base 36 according to the characteristics of the user. The message user data base 34 holds the date of birth of the user and the last communication date with the user. When the number of days obtained by adding a prescribed period to the date of birth pass after the last communication date of the user, the information of the user is updated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a message retrieval system for displaying information obtained from a network such as the Internet and a terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a large amount of information has been provided to users via the Internet or a communication network such as a personal computer communication centered on a BBS function. A terminal such as a personal computer possessed by the user is connected to a so-called provider computer (information providing device) via a modem and a telephone line. The user accesses the provider's information providing device through a terminal. Further, other information providers can be accessed via a communication network connected to the information providing apparatus. Thereby, information can be obtained from the information providing apparatus or the information provider on the Internet or a personal computer communication network connected to the information providing apparatus.

[0003] An information provider or another business entity connected to the information provider identifies and charges the user using the identification number and password of the user, and provides the information to the user. The information provided to the user is displayed in a single window on the display. The user can scroll the displayed information or switch to a submenu display. An operator on a communication network may provide additional information such as advertisements. In this case, the additional information is also displayed in the same window as the designated information.

[0004] However, conventionally, when the user scrolls the display of the terminal, the display of the additional information disappears, so that it has not been possible to efficiently provide the user with additional information such as advertisements. In order to solve such issues,
The present applicant has applied for a method of displaying two windows on a user terminal, displaying information designated by the user on one side, and displaying display information such as an advertisement on the other side (Japanese Patent Application No. 8-67).
278). According to the invention described in this application, display information such as an advertisement suitable for characteristics such as the age and gender of a user is displayed on the terminal.

[0005] However, the characteristics of the user change over time. Furthermore, when the user reaches an adult age, such as smoking and drinking, it may be necessary to newly input the characteristics of the user. Further, depending on the content of the advertisement, it may be necessary to input a new type of characteristic of the user. In particular, the content (content) of a communication network represented by the Internet greatly changes over time. Accordingly, it is desirable to select display information suitable for new contents of the communication network and new characteristics of the user and display the selected information on the terminal device. Furthermore, even when a plurality of users copy and use the same program, it is desirable to display information suitable for each user on a terminal. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a message search system and a terminal device that can solve such a problem.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a message search system, comprising: user information relating to characteristics of a user of a terminal connected through a communication line; And a message transmission condition database storing identification information of each of a plurality of messages to be transmitted to the terminal and search conditions of each of the messages, and the user information when communicating with the terminal. Means for detecting the necessity of updating, means for updating the user information when the necessity of the update is detected, and the user information of the user of the terminal in response to a request from the terminal. Means for reading from the message user database;
Means for searching the message transmission condition database for identification information of the message based on the user information read from the message user database.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the message user database holds the date of birth of the user as the user information, The database holds the date and time of the last communication with the user, and the detecting means, when the user connects to the message search system, for a predetermined period of time after the last communication date and time of the user for the predetermined date of birth It is determined that the user information needs to be updated when the day after the addition has elapsed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, means for adding a new item to the message user database, and adding the new item to the message user database Means for holding the updated item date and time, wherein the detecting means determines that the user information needs to be updated when the last communication date and time is earlier than the item update date and time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the message user database holds the birth date of the user as the user information, The database holds the last update date and time of the user information, and the detecting means, when the user connects to the message search system, for a predetermined period after the last update date and time of the user for the predetermined period of the birth date It is determined that the user information needs to be updated when the day after the addition has elapsed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, means for adding a new item to the message user database, and adding the new item to the message user database Means for holding the updated item date and time, wherein the detecting means determines that the user information needs to be updated when the last update date and time is earlier than the item update date and time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, when the terminal is connected, use of a user of the terminal held in the terminal is possible. Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information and the last update date and time of the user information relating to the user in the message user database, and the last update date and time of the user information of the message user database is Means for transmitting, to the terminal, the user information about the user in the message user database when the date is later than the last update date and time of the user information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, when the terminal is connected, the use of the user of the terminal held in the terminal. Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information and the last update date and time of the user information relating to the user in the message user database, and the last update date and time of the user information of the message user database is Means for receiving the user information held in the terminal when the date is before the last update date and time of the user information, and using the user information in the message user database according to the received user information. Means for updating user information.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, identification information for identifying each item of the user information, an attribute, a range, and a size of each item. The message user database further includes the identification information for each item of the user information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a terminal device, a message retrieval system for retrieving a message to be transmitted to a user using user information relating to characteristics of the user, and communicating using a communication line A terminal device that stores user information relating to characteristics of a user of the terminal, and a communication unit that communicates with the message search system, and a detection unit that detects a need for updating the user information. Means for requesting, using the communication line, a dialog for updating the user information of the user of the terminal when the necessity of the update is detected, and using the dialog received from the communication line. Means for updating user information in the storage device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage device holds the date of birth of the user and the last communication date and time with the message search system, The detecting means determines whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last communication date and time of the user when the terminal starts communication with the message search system. Detects the need to update user information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for receiving, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item is added to the message user database. Further, the detecting means determines that it is necessary to update the user information of the storage device when the last communication date and time is before the item update date and time.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage device holds the date of birth of the user and the last update date of the user information,
The detecting means, when the user connects to the message search system, determines whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the birth date after the last update date and time of the user has passed. The necessity of updating user information.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a means for receiving from the message user database an item update date and time when a new item is added to the message user database. Further, the detecting means determines that the user information of the storage device needs to be updated when the last update date and time is before the item update date and time.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, the message search system has user information of each user, and the terminal device has When connected to a message search system, the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the storage device and the last update date and time of the user information regarding the user of the message search system Means for comparing, if the last update date and time of the user information in the message search system is earlier than the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device, the user associated with the user in the storage device Means for transmitting information to the message retrieval system.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the message search system has user information of each user and is connected to the message search system. Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the storage device with the last update date and time of the user information on the user of the message search system, Means for receiving the user information stored in the message search system when the last update date and time of the user information in the message search system is later than the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device. Means for updating the user information about the user in the storage device with the received user information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, update detecting means for detecting that the user has updated user information in the storage device. And means for transmitting the user information in the storage device to the message search system when the update detecting means detects that the user information has been updated.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal device, the terminal device processes information by the CPU, wherein the storage device stores processing information read and processed by the CPU; Storage means for storing a position where the processing information is stored; input means for inputting identification information for identifying a user of the terminal device; and when processing the processing information, the processing information of the processing information in the storage means is stored. Determining means for determining a position; and inputting identification information of a user of the terminal device when the position of the processing information stored by the storage means is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determining means. Re-input means for requesting the user again, and when the identification information input by the input means is different from the identification information input by the re-input means, Ri different user and the user who inputted the identification information is a user determining means for determining that utilizes the terminal device.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the input means further comprises means for inputting the password of the user, and the re-input means comprises the storage means Means for requesting the user again for the password of the user when the position of the processing information stored by the means is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determining means; When the password input by the input unit is different from the password input by the re-input unit, the determining unit uses a different terminal user from the user who has input the identification information by the input unit. There is further provided a means for determining.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the processing information is a program executed by the CPU.

However, as another configuration, the processing information may be data read by the CPU.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects of the present invention, the means for communicating with the information processing device via a communication line, and the user determining means, When it is determined that a user different from the user who has input the identification information uses the terminal device,
The identification information and the password input by the re-input unit are registered in the information processing device.

[0027]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information display system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, one or a plurality of terminals 1
0 is connected via modems 16 and 18, a public network 17 (communication network), and a public network gateway 19. The information providing apparatus 20 is managed by a so-called Internet provider.

A single or a plurality of message providers 30 are connected to the message distribution system 39 by a dedicated line. From the message provider 30, additional information such as an advertisement (called a message), transmission conditions of each message,
The homepage address on the Internet of each message provider 30 is provided to the message distribution system 39. Messages can include still images, moving images, audio,
And any of these combinations. The message distribution system 39 (message search system)
It has a message distribution device 28 (message search device), a message user database 34, a message transmission condition database 36, and a connection log 38. The message transmission condition database 36 stores transmission conditions of each message. Message user database 34
Stores information on the message user of each terminal 10.

The message distribution device 28 is connected to the information providing device 20 via a dedicated line. The message distribution device 28 transmits the message provided from the message provider 30 to the information providing device 20 of each provider. The message contains data indicating the homepage address of the message provider. Information providing device 20
The message management device 24 stores the message received from the message distribution system 39 in the message database 26 in association with the identification number (URL) of the message.

The terminal 10 can receive information such as a home page from the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 of the information providing device 20. The terminal 10 can receive a message from the message management device 24. The message management device 24, based on the request from the terminal 10,
6 is transmitted to the terminal 10. The user of the terminal 10 has an ID for connecting to the Internet gateway 22 through the public line gateway 19.
(A provider user ID) and a password, and an ID (message user ID) and a password for obtaining a message from the message management device 24.

A plurality of information providing apparatuses 2 of a plurality of providers
When “0” is connected to the public network 17, the user may connect to any of the information providing apparatuses 20. In this case, the user must have a provider ID for each information providing device 20 to be connected. However, a single message user ID can be used in all the information providing apparatuses 20.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the main body 14 of the terminal 10. In FIG. 2, the CPU 4
0 operates based on the programs stored in the ROM 42 and the RAM 44. The timer 46 counts a predetermined time. Data is input from the user via the input device 48. Hard disk 50 as an example of a storage device
Are data such as images, information about the user (user information 49), the last update date and time 47 of the user information 49, and C
A program for operating the PU 40 is stored.

The calendar IC 51 is backed up by a battery and provides the current date and time to the CPU 40. The floppy disk drive 52 reads data or a program from the floppy disk 56 and
Provide to U40. The CD-ROM drive 54 is a CD-ROM drive.
Read data or program from ROM 58
Provide to U40. Further, the main body 14 includes a modem interface for connecting to the modem 16 and a display interface for connecting to the display 12.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, and the message distribution device 28. In FIG. 3, the CPU 9
0 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 92 and the RAM 94. The timer 96 counts a predetermined time. The communication interface 98 processes input / output with a communication line. The message distribution device 28 includes a communication interface 98 for connecting with the message provider 30.
And a communication interface 98 ′ for connecting to the information providing apparatus 20. Input device 1
00, data is input from the user. The database interface 102 connects to various databases including a hard disk and the like. The floppy disk drive 104 stores the floppy disk 10
6 to read data or a program and provide it to the CPU 90. The calendar IC provides the date and time to the CPU 90. The display 108 displays the communication status and the like to the operator.

FIG. 4 shows the message user database 3
4 is shown. Message user database 34
Is a message user ID of each message user, a message user password, a provider ID for identifying a single information providing apparatus 20, a provider user ID,
It has information display time, and information about the user such as date of birth, gender, marriage history, occupation, address, name, whether or not to drink (called user information). The user information items can be added later. In the figure, a smoking item 35 indicating whether or not to smoke is newly added. The message user database 34 records the last communication date and time indicating the date and time when each user last communicated with the message distribution device, and the item update date and time indicating the date and time when the last item was added to this database.

Each user is, for example, a message management device 2
When using the message viewer for receiving information from terminal 0 for the first time, or when installing the program of the message viewer on terminal 10, user information is transmitted to terminal 1.
Enter 0. The terminal 10 stores the input user information in the hard disk 50 and transmits the user information to the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 transmits the user information received from the user to the message distribution device 28. The message distribution device 28 stores the information received from the information providing device 20 in the message user database 34. Age, occupation, income, hobbies, and the like may be stored as user information.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the message transmission condition database 36. The message transmission condition database 36 stores a message URL for identifying each message and a condition for transmitting the message in association with each other. The conditions for sending a message include:
The display frequency limit for each user, the display frequency limit for all users, the display time, the age range of the user to be displayed, the gender, marital status, occupation, address, whether to drink, and the like are stored. Search items can be added to the message transmission condition database 36 as needed. In this figure, a smoking item 37 indicating whether or not to smoke is newly added. The message distribution device 28 searches for a message using the user information in response to a request from the terminal 10,
The URL of the searched message is transmitted to the terminal 10. Therefore, a message suitable for the user can be transmitted to each terminal 10.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 of the main body 14. As shown in FIG. These software are stored in a recording medium such as the CD-ROM 58 or the floppy disk 56 and provided to the user. The software stored on the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed on the hard disk 50 from the recording medium. At this time, the message browser 7 on the hard disk 50
Information (message viewer position information) indicating the position where 6 is installed is stored in the hard disk 50.
The software stored on the hard disk 50 is RA
It is executed by the CPU 40 after being read by the M44.

The software stored on the recording medium and provided, that is, the software installed on the hard disk 50 is a communication module 73 having a PPP driver 70 and a TCP / IP driver 72 as functional components.
, A browser 74, and a message viewer 76. The PPP driver 70 creates a data link with the gateway 19. The browser 74 communicates with the Internet gateway 22 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70. It communicates with the message management device 24 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70. The message viewer 76 has a connection module 78, an update processing module 83 for updating user information, an event processing module 86, and a queue 84 for storing a URL received from the message distribution device 28. The queue 84 has an R
It is configured on AM44.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 12. On the display 12, a window (browser window) 60 of a browser 74 and a window (message viewer window) 62 of a message viewer 76 are opened. Information received from the Internet 32 is displayed in the browser window 60. As the browser 74, for example, Netscape (trademark) or Mosaic (trademark) can be used.

The message received from the information providing device 20 is displayed in the message viewer window 62.
The message viewer window 62 includes a homepage button 64, a document request button 66, and a suspend / resume button 6
8, and an end button 69. When the homepage button 64 is pressed, the message viewer window 6
The home page corresponding to the message displayed in 2 is displayed in the browser window 60. When the document request button 66 is pressed, the message viewer window 6
The material corresponding to the message displayed in 2 is transmitted to the user.

The message viewer window 62 displays a new message for a predetermined period, for example, every minute.
While the message is being displayed, the interruption / resumption button 68 displays “interruption”. At this time, if the suspend / resume button 68 is pressed, the reception of the message is suspended. When the message is not displayed, the resume is displayed on the suspend / resume button 68. At this time, if the suspend / resume button 68 is pressed, the reception of the message is resumed. When the end button 69 is pressed, the message viewer ends the communication with the message management device 24.

Referring to FIG. 8, terminal 10, public line gateway 19, connection management device 23, message management device 2
4. An outline of a connection sequence of the message distribution device 28, the Internet gateway 22, and the Internet 32 will be described. The communication module 73 of the terminal 10 is P
When a PP connection request is made (S102), the connection management device 23
Makes an inquiry to the provider user database 25 as to whether or not the provider user ID and password of the user who has requested the connection are recorded (S104).

If the ID and the password have been registered, the connection management device 23 transmits a PPP connection permission to the terminal 10 (S106). In addition, PP
The message management device 24 is notified of it in association with the port number in the P connection (S108). The message management device 24 stores the provider user ID in the RAM 94 in association with the port number of the PPP connection.

When the PPP connection is permitted, the browser 74 of the terminal 10 sends a TCP message to the Internet gateway 22.
/ IP connection (S110), and communicates with the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 (S11).
2). The message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 makes a TCP / IP connection with the message management device 24 (S11).
4). Then, the message management device 24 requests authentication information from the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 (S11).
8).

Upon receiving the authentication information request, the message viewer 76 transmits the message user ID and the password to the message management device 24 (S120). The message management device 24 uses the PP used by the user.
The provider user ID corresponding to the P connection port number is read from the RAM 44, and the provider ID for identifying the provider, the received message user ID,
The message is transmitted to the message distribution device 28 together with the message user password (S121).

The message distribution device 28 inquires whether the received message user ID and message user password are registered in the message user DB (S122). If the message user ID and the password are registered, a connection permission is transmitted to the message viewer 76 (S124). Next, the message distribution device 28 notifies the connection management device 23 that charging for the user having the provider user ID received in S121 should be stopped (S130).

The detailed operation of each device in the connection sequence shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13.
FIG. 9 shows the connection module 78 of the message viewer 76.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. Connection module 7
8 first activates the communication module 73 (S21).
0). Then, the communication module 73 uses the provider user ID and the password to set the public line gateway 1.
9 and PPP connection. When the PPP connection is confirmed (S21
2) The connection module 78 starts the browser 74 (S
214). Then, the browser 74 makes a TCP / IP connection with the Internet gateway 22. Next, the connection module 78 uses a TCP / IP unique to the message viewer 76.
The message management device 24 and the TCP /
IP connection is made (S216).

Since the browser 74 and the Internet gateway 22, and the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 are connected by different TCP / IP port numbers, they can communicate with each other independently. Therefore, the message viewer 76 can display a message without impairing the functions of the existing browser.

Next, the message viewer 76 compares the message viewer position information with the position where the message viewer 76 is actually stored (S218). If these positions are not different, the process waits for a request for authentication from the message management device 24 (S222). The authentication information, that is, the message user ID and password, are provided from the message distributor 28 when the message viewer 76 communicates with the message distributor 28 for the first time, and are stored in the hard disk 50. Message management device 24
, The message viewer 76 reads the message user ID and the password from the hard disk 50 and transmits them (S224).

If the message viewer position information differs from the position where the message viewer 76 is actually stored in S218, it is highly likely that the message viewer 76 has been copied to another computer. Then, the user is requested to input the message user ID and the password again (S220). Message user ID entered
And a password together with message viewer position information indicating a new position of the message viewer.

After waiting for a request from the message management device 24 (S222), the message user ID and the password stored in the hard disk 50 are transmitted (S224). Thereby, even if the message viewer 76 is copied to another computer, the message user ID of the true user is stored in the message management device 24.
Can be sent to When the connection is permitted from the message management device 24 (S226), the message viewer 76 starts the timer 46 (S228) and proceeds to the user information updating process (FIG. 18).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection management device 23 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. When a PPP connection is requested from the terminal 10 via the public line gateway 19 (S310), the connection management device 23 requests the terminal 10 for a provider user ID and a password and receives them (S312). Next, an inquiry is made to the provider user database 25 as to whether the received provider user ID and password are recorded (S314).

As shown in FIG. 11, in the provider user database 25, the total value of the provider user ID (provider user ID), the provider user password (provider user password), and the charging time up to now is stored. , And the charge amount are stored. If the received provider user ID and password are not registered in the provider user database 25, the connection management device 23 disconnects the line (S318 in FIG. 10) and ends the process (S320). If the provider user ID and the password are registered in the provider user database 25, the terminal 10 is permitted to make a PPP connection (S32).
2) A connection notification is sent to the message management device 24 (S324). Further, the system waits for a billing stop notification for stopping billing for the provider user from being received from the message distribution device 28 (S326), and stops billing (S326).
328).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message management device 24 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. Upon receiving the connection notification from the connection management device 23 (S810), the message management device 24 records the received provider user ID in the RAM 94 (S81).
2). Next, the timer 96 is started (S814), and it is determined whether or not a TCP / IP connection has been made from the message management device 24 (S816). If the TCP / IP connection is not established, the process stands by (S816, S818). If the timer 96 times out during standby (S818), the process ends (S820).

When TCP / IP connection is established (S816),
Request authentication information from the message viewer 76 (S82)
2). Further, the timer 96 is reset to start counting again (S824). Timer 9 before receiving authentication information
6 times out (S828), the process ends (S830). When the authentication information is received (S82
6), read the provider user ID from the RAM 94 (S832), and transmit it to the message distribution device 28 together with the provider ID for identifying the provider, the message user ID received from the message viewer 76, and the message user password (S834). . Thereafter, communication is started between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution device 28 (S836).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message distribution device 28 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. When receiving the message user ID and the message user password from the message management device 24 (S410), the message distribution device 28 inquires of the message user database 34 (FIG. 4) whether or not these are recorded (S412). . If not registered, an inquiry is made to the message viewer 76 as to whether or not to register as a new user (S414). If registered, user information is received from the message viewer 76 and stored in the message user database 34. Further, the message user ID and the message user password are given to the user (S418).

When not registering as a new user (S4
14), request authentication information from the message viewer 76 (S420), and wait until the authentication information is received (S4).
22), and return to S412. If the message user ID and the message user password can be authenticated (S41)
2) The connection permission is notified (S424), and the logon is recorded in the connection log 38 (S426).

The provider ID and the provider user ID received from the message management device 24 are read (S
428), notifies the provider specified by the provider ID that charging for the user specified by the provider user ID should be stopped (S430), and records the fact in the connection log 38 (S432). Message user ID
And the provider user ID are provided independently, so that even if a single message user has a plurality of providers or a plurality of provider user IDs, only charging for the provider ID in use can be stopped. it can. The connection management device 23 stops charging the user indicated by the provider user ID. That is, access to the Internet 32 is maintained without charging.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the connection log 38.
The connection log records, for each provider user ID, a provider ID, an event such as logon or accounting stop, and the date and time when the event occurred. Provider charges for the connection while billing is suspended are paid to the provider from the owner of the message distribution system 39. Therefore, the provider user can access the Internet for free in exchange for seeing the message.

For example, the example in FIG. 14 shows that the charging of the provider user XXX has been stopped after the logon. The message distribution device 28 determines the time during which charging has been stopped based on the connection log 38, and pays the provider a fee corresponding to the time. Further, the message distribution device 28
Requests the message provider 30 for the value of the message displayed on the message viewer 76.

FIG. 15 shows an outline of a communication sequence of the terminal 10, the message management device 23, and the message distribution device 28 after the connection from the terminal 10 to the message distribution device 28 is permitted. The message distribution device 28
First, the terminal 10 is inquired of the date and time when the user information 49 of the terminal 10 was last updated (S140). When the update date and time of the user information is transmitted from the terminal 10 (S142), it is determined whether or not the user information needs to be updated using the update date and the data in the message user database 34 (S142). S144).

If it is necessary to update the user information 49 of the terminal 10, the message distribution device 28 requests transmission of the user information (S146), and the terminal 10 transmits the user information. Further, if it is necessary to update both the user information 49 of the terminal 10 and the user information in the message user database 34, the message distribution device 28 requests the terminal 10 to input the user information (S150).

The terminal 10 requests the message management device 28 for a dialog for updating the user information (S15).
2), download (S154), display 12
To be displayed. When the user inputs user information (S
156), and transmits the user information to the message distribution device 28 (S158). Then, the message distribution device 28
Registers the user information in the message user database 34 and returns it to the terminal 10 (S160). As described above, the user information of the message distribution device 28 and the terminal 10 is updated, and the communication is started (S162, S164).

FIG. 16 shows the detailed operation of the message distribution device 28 in the communication sequence of FIG. When the message distribution device 28 inquires and receives the update date and time of the user information of the terminal 10 (S450), it compares it with the last communication date and time with the user in the message user database 34 (S452). If the update date and time of the user information of the terminal 10 is later, the user information 49 of the terminal 10 has been updated. Then, the user information 49 is requested (S4
54). The message user information database 34 is updated with the received user information (S456).

Further, the last communication date and time with the message user is compared with the date and time when the item of the message database 34 was updated. For example, when a new item 35 (FIG. 4) is added to the message user database 34, it is necessary to input data of the new item 35 from all message users. If the update date / time of the item is later than the last communication date / time, the user information of the user has not been updated yet. Therefore, the terminal 10 requests the terminal 10 to input user information of a new item from the message user (S
460). When new information is input, the message user database 34 is updated (S462).

Next, the current date, a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the date of birth, and the last communication date are compared (S464).
If the value obtained by adding the predetermined value to the date of birth is smaller than the current date and larger than the last communication date, the user is requested to input a predetermined user item corresponding to the predetermined value (S46).
6). As the predetermined value, for example, 20 years, which is a period until a young man is reached, can be used. As the predetermined user item, for example, information as to whether or not to smoke is inquired. In this case, the user is requested to input user information as to whether or not to smoke in S466 when the user has reached an adult between the last communication date and the present. When the user information is received from the terminal 10, the message user database 34 is updated (S468).

Further, the message distribution device 28
The date and time when the user information 49 was updated is compared with the date and time of the last communication with the user in the message user information database 34 (S470). If the update date and time of the user information of the terminal 10 is small, there is a possibility that the message user database 34 has been updated by access from a terminal other than the terminal. Then, the user information in the message user database 34 is transmitted to the terminal 10 in order to update the user information of the terminal 10 (S472). Since the updating of the user information is completed as described above, the communication processing is started thereafter (S474).

FIG. 17 shows the details of the communication processing (S474) of the message distribution device 28. Message distribution device 2
8 receives the message request (URL request) from the terminal 10 (S710), and receives the TCP / IP in the URL request.
The provider ID and the provider user ID are searched and read from the connection log 38 using the port number (S71).
2).

Next, the user information is retrieved and read from the message user database 34 using the provider ID and the provider user ID (S714). Furthermore,
Using the read user information, a message to be transmitted is searched from the message transmission condition database 36, and its URL is read (S716). Next read UR
L is transmitted to the terminal 10, and the process returns to FIG. 16 (S720).

FIG. 18 shows the detailed operation of the message viewer 76 in the communication sequence of FIG. When the message viewer 76 receives the request for the user information (S
240), the user information 49 is read from the hard disk 50 and transmitted (S242). Further, when receiving a request for input of user information (S246), it requests the message management device 23 for a dialog screen for inputting user information from the user (S248). Then, the message management device 23 transmits a dialog screen. The message viewer 76 downloads the dialog (S24
8) Display on the display 12 (S250).

When the user inputs user information from the user (S252), the message viewer 76 transmits the user information to the message distribution device 28 (S254).
When the user information is received (S256), the user information 49 in the hard disk 50 is updated (S258). When none of the request for the user information, the request for the input of the user information, and the user information is received, and S242,
When S254 or S258 is completed, event processing is performed (S244), and the process returns to S240.

FIG. 19 shows the event processing (S24) of FIG.
Details of 4) will be described. This processing is performed by the event processing module 86 of the message viewer 76. First, the event processing module 86 transmits a URL request if the queue 84 has a space equal to or more than a predetermined number (S514) (S516). As a result, the terminal 10 receives the URL of the message searched by the message distribution device. When the URL is received (S518), a reception response is transmitted (S52).
0) The URL is loaded on the queue 84 (S522). On the other hand, when the timer 46 counts up (S524), the image in the image buffer is displayed (S526). As a result, the URL message searched by the message distribution device is displayed. Next, the timer 46 is reset (S528).
A new image is requested from the message management device 24 by using the URL loaded at the top of No. 4 (S530). When an image is received from the message management device (S532), the received image is stored in the image buffer (S534). The time required for updating the image can be reduced by storing the image in the image buffer in advance.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 20 shows a user information updating procedure in this embodiment. In the first embodiment, the message distribution device 28 determines the necessity of updating the user information. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 determines the necessity of updating the user information. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

When the connection from the message distribution device 28 is permitted in step 124 of FIG. 8, the message viewer 76 displays the last communication date and time with the user and the item update date and time in the message user database 34. Is inquired (S170). Then, the message distribution device 28 reads the provider ID and the provider user ID of the user from the connection log 38 using the TCP / IP port number. Further, the last communication date and time of the user is read from the message user database 34 using the provider ID and the provider user ID, and transmitted to the terminal 10 together with the item update date and time (S1).
72).

The message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 displays the received last communication date and time as the last update date and time 4 of the user information 49.
Compare with 7. If the last communication date is later, the message user database 34 may have been updated from another terminal. Then, user information is requested to the message distribution device 28 (S174). Then, the message distribution device 28 reads out the user information and transmits it to the terminal 10 in the same procedure as that of reading out the last communication date and time (S17).
6). Upon receiving the user information, the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 displays the user information 49 in the hard disk 50.
To update.

Next, the message viewer 75 compares the item update date and time received from the message distribution device 28 with the last communication date and time. If the item update date is later, the message user database 34 does not describe the newly updated item. Then, a dialog for adding an item is requested to the message management device 34 (S17).
8). Thereafter, the terminal 10 receives the dialog from the message management device 24 and displays the dialog on the display 12 (S
180). When a new item of user information is input from the user (S182), the user information 49 on the hard disk 50 is updated and transmitted to the message distribution device 28 (S184).

Even when a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the date of birth of the user is before the current date and time and before the last communication date and time, a dialog for adding a predetermined item as user information is also provided. To the message management device 24 (S
178). In addition, a dialog is received from the message management device 24 and displayed on the display 12. For example, if a date obtained by adding 20 years to the date of birth is between the last communication date and time and the current date and time, a dialog for inquiring whether to smoke is newly displayed.

If the last update date and time 47 of the user information 49 is later than the last communication date and time received from the message distribution device 28, the user information 49 is updated without communicating with the message distribution device 28. I have. At this time, even if the item of the message user database 34 is not updated, the user information 49 is transmitted to the message distribution device 28 (S186). Then, the message distribution device 28 updates the user information in the message user database 34. Then the message viewer 76
Communication with the message distribution device 28 is started (S188, S
190). According to the present embodiment, the user information can be easily updated as in the first embodiment. Embodiment 1
, The load on the message distribution device 28 can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 21 shows the configuration of the message user database 34 in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, an item type field is provided before each item of the user information. Other configurations are the same as the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, each item type corresponds to one item name. Each item type is assigned attributes such as a date, a number, and a character, a data range, and a data size (the number of bytes). The message provider 30 selects an arbitrary item as a message search condition. The message distribution device 28 stores the search condition of each item in the message user database 34 following the item type of each selected item. A plurality of item types and the conditions of each item may be stored in the message user database 34 in association with each message.

According to the present embodiment, a search condition for a new item can be set only by rewriting the user information. For this reason, a new item type can be added without changing the configuration of the message user database 34. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly add or change the search condition according to various requests of the message provider 30.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 23 shows a hardware configuration of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the information providing device 2
0 is not an Internet provider, but a PC-
It functions as a computer communication (BBS) providing device such as VAN (trademark) or Compuserve (trademark). FIG.
In this embodiment, the Internet gateway 22 and the Internet 32 are not connected, and instead, the BBS database is connected to the connection management device. Also, a BBS user database 25 'is provided in place of the provider user database 25.

The configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and FIG. 8 is the same as the configuration of the present embodiment, and the description is omitted. 6, in this embodiment, character-based or image-based communication software for communicating with the BBS is used as the browser 74. In this embodiment, the browser 74 communicates with the connection management device 23.

In S110 of FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the browser 74 sends the message management device 24 a TCP / IP
Connecting. Further, data is transmitted / received to / from the message management device 24 (S112). The other connection operations in FIG. 8, and the configurations in FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 13 to 22 are the same as the configurations in the present embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
The configuration of the BBS user database 25 'is the same as the configuration of the provider user database of FIG. However, in this embodiment, a BBS ID, a BBS user ID, and a BBS user password are used instead of the provider ID, the provider user ID, and the provider user password, respectively.

According to the present embodiment, an independent call is generated for the BBS database 21 and the message database 26. Therefore, even when information is obtained from the BBS, information independent of the BBS is transmitted to the message viewer. It can be displayed in window 62. Also, based on the display state on the message viewer window 62, etc.
It is possible to control whether or not the BS is charged. For this reason,
For example, it is possible to charge the message provider 30 without charging the user for the usage fee of the BBS when displaying the advertisement in the message viewer window 62.

In the present embodiment, two logical calls are connected using TCP / IP. However, a non-procedural call is connected to the connection management device 23, and then the message viewer 76 sends the message data management device 24 May be formed with different data links.

(Others) In the above embodiment, the browser 74
Displayed homepage information of the Internet 32 and the like. However, the browser 74 may provide an Internet telephone or an Internet videophone that performs voice communication via the Internet. In particular, even when the browser 74 does not display any information on the display, the message distribution device 28 can manage the billing for communication with the Internet as in the above-described embodiment. Thereby, the function of the Internet telephone can be provided to the user at low cost.

The browser 74 may display on-demand video information. in this case,
A video providing device may be provided in place of the Internet gateway 22, and the charge for providing the on-demand video at the time of providing the additional information may be stopped. This makes it possible to provide on-demand video information to users at low cost.

In the above embodiment, the message user database 34 and the message transmission condition database 3
6 and the connection log 38 are shown in the figures of independent disk devices, but they may be stored in the same disk device. Further, the mutual relationship between the data of each field can be realized by various file configurations. For example, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 36, and the connection log 38 may be configured in different areas in the same file. A value obtained by dividing the count of the timer by hardware or software may be used as the count value of the various timers in the above embodiment. In this case, the count value of the timer may be set as a software parameter.

The Internet browser window and the message display module window are connected to the display 1
2 may be arranged one above the other. Further, the Internet browser 60 and the message display module 76 may be integrated, and one window may be divided into two areas.
In this case, the information received from the Internet 32 and the information received from the message management device 24 can be displayed in each area in one window.

A part or all of the functions of the flowchart of the terminal 10 described in the present application can be stored in the floppy disk 56 or the CD-ROM 58 as an example of the recording medium. Also, the floppy disk 106 can store some or all of the functions of other flowcharts. These programs may be read directly from the recording medium to the RAM and executed. As a recording medium, besides a floppy disk and a CD-ROM,
Optical recording media such as DVD, magnetic recording media such as MD, PD
And other magneto-optical recording media, tape media, magnetic recording media, ICs
A semiconductor memory such as a card or a miniature card can be used.

A storage medium storing a program for executing the function of the message viewer 76, a storage medium storing a program for executing the function of the message management device 24, or a storage medium storing a program for executing the function of the message management device 28 Is the terminal 10,
Message management device 28 or message distribution device 2
It is obvious that such production and sale of such recording media constitutes infringement of patent rights based on the present application.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention according to the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. The invention described in the claims can be implemented by adding various changes to the above embodiment. It is also apparent from the claims that such an invention belongs to the technical scope of the invention according to the present application.

[0096]

According to the present invention, even when the characteristics of the user change, display information suitable for the new characteristics of the user can be selected and displayed on the terminal device. Furthermore,
Even when a plurality of users copy and use the same program, information suitable for each user can be displayed on the terminal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information display system of the present invention in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal 10;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a connection management device 23 and a message distribution device 28.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message user database 34;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message transmission condition database 36.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by a CPU 40 of the main body 14.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on a display 12;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a connection sequence of the terminal 10, the message management device 24, and the like.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing connection processing of the terminal 10;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the connection management device 23.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a provider user database 25.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing connection processing of the message distribution device 28;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a connection log 38.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing connection processing of the message distribution device 28;

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an update sequence of user information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing user information update processing of the message distribution device 28;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of a communication process in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing user information update processing of the message viewer 76.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of event processing in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an update sequence of user information according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a message user database according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating item types according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration of the entire system according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Terminal 10, display 12, main body 14, modem 16, public network 17, gateway 19, information providing device 20, internet gateway 22, connection management device 23, message database 26, message distribution device 28, message provider 30, internet 3
2. Message user database 34, smoking items
35, message transmission condition database 36, smoking item 37, connection log 38, message distribution system
39, CPU 40, ROM 42, RAM 44, timer 46, last update date and time 47, input device 48, user information 49, hard disk 50, calendar I
C51, floppy disk drive 52, CD-
ROM drive 54, floppy disk 56, C
D-ROM 58, PPP driver 70, TCP / I
P driver 72, communication module 73, browser
74, message viewer 76, connection module 78, update processing module 8
3, queue 84, event processing module 86, C
PU 90, ROM 92, RAM 94, timer 9
6, communication interface 98, input device 100, database interface 102, floppy disk drive 104, floppy disk 106, display 108

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium storing a program to be executed by a CPU of a terminal device provided with a communication means, wherein the program instructs the CPU with respect to characteristics of a user of each of a plurality of terminals. Means for communicating with a message search system having information by the communication means, means for storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of the terminal in a storage means of the terminal device, and use during communication with the message search system. Detecting means for detecting the necessity of updating the user information, and requesting a dialog for updating the user information of the user of the terminal using the communication line when the necessity of the update is detected Means for updating user information in the storage device using the dialog received from the communication line. Recording medium characterized. 2. The program further comprises: means for causing the storage device to store the date of birth of the user and the last communication date and time with the message search system; and When the terminal starts communication with the message search system, the user information is updated based on whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the birth date after the last communication date and time of the user has passed. 2. A recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting the necessity of the recording. 3. The program further comprises: means for causing the CPU to receive, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item has been added to the message user database; 3. The recording medium according to claim 2, further comprising: means for determining that the user information in the storage device needs to be updated when the last communication date and time is before the item update date and time. 4. The program further comprises: means for causing the CPU to store the date of birth of the user and the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device; When a user connects to the message search system, the necessity of updating the user information depends on whether a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth has passed since the last update date and time of the user. 4. The recording medium according to claim 3, further comprising means for detecting 5. The program further comprises: means for causing the CPU to receive, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item has been added to the message user database; The recording medium according to claim 4, further comprising: a unit configured to determine that the user information of the storage device needs to be updated when the last update date and time is before the item update date and time. . 6. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: when the terminal device is connected to the message search system, the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal stored in the storage device. Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information relating to the user of the message search system; and the last update date and time of the user information in the message search system is the last update of the user information in the storage device. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting the user information about the user in the storage device to the message search system when the date is before the date and time. Medium. 7. The program according to claim 1, further comprising, when connected to said message retrieval system, said last update date and time of user information of a user of said terminal stored in said storage device; Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information in the search system; and if the last update date and time of the user information in the message search system is later than the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device. Means for receiving user information stored in the message search system; and means for updating the user information relating to the user in the storage device with the received user information. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. The program further includes: an update detecting means for causing the CPU to detect that the user has updated user information in the storage device; and the update detecting means updates the user information. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: means for transmitting user information in the storage device to the message search system when it is detected that the information is stored. 9. A recording medium storing a program executed by a CPU, wherein the program causes the CPU to store processing information to be read and processed by the CPU; Storage means for storing a position where processing information is stored; input means for inputting identification information for identifying a user of the terminal device; and a position of the processing information in the storage means when processing the processing information. Determining means for determining whether or not the processing information stored by the storage means is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determining means; and inputting identification information of a user of the terminal device to the user. Re-input means for requesting again, and the identification information input by the input means is different from the identification information input by the re-input means , A recording medium, characterized in that different user and the user who inputted the identification information by said input means and a user determination means for determining that utilizes the terminal device. 10. The program further includes means for causing the CPU to further input the password of the user using the input means, and the processing information stored by the storage means using the re-input means. Means for further requesting the user for the password of the user again when the position of the processing information is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determining means; and the input means using the user determining means. Means for determining that a user different from the user who has input the identification information by the input means is using the terminal device when the password input by the user is different from the password input by the re-input means. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The processing information according to claim 9, wherein the processing information is a program executed by the CPU.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 12. The program further includes means for causing the CPU to communicate with an information processing device via a communication line, and a user who has input the identification information using the user determination means. Means for inquiring whether or not the identification information and the password input by the re-input means are registered in the information processing device, when it is determined that a different user is using the terminal device. The recording medium according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the recording medium is provided. 13. A terminal device for processing information by a CPU, comprising: storage means for storing processing information read and processed by the CPU; and storage means for storing a position in the storage means at which the processing information is stored. Input means for inputting identification information for identifying a user of the terminal device; determining means for determining the position of the processing information in the storage means when processing the processing information; storing by the storage means When the position of the processed information is different from the position of the processed information determined by the determining unit, a re-input unit that requests the user to input identification information of a user of the terminal device again; When the identification information input by the input means is different from the identification information input by the re-input means, use different from the user who has input the identification information by the input means There terminal apparatus characterized by comprising a user determining means for determining that utilizes the terminal device. 14. The input means further includes means for inputting a password of the user, and the re-input means determines the position of the processing information stored in the storage means determined by the determination means. In the case where the password is different from the position of the information, further comprising means for requesting the user again for the password of the user, wherein the user judging means inputs the password inputted by the input means by the re-input means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for determining that a user different from the user who has input the identification information by said input means uses said terminal device when said password is different from said password.
4. The terminal device according to 3. 15. The processing information according to claim 13, wherein the processing information is a program executed by the CPU.
5. The terminal device according to 4. 16. A means for communicating with an information processing device via a communication line, and wherein said user judging means determines that a user different from the user who has input said identification information uses said terminal device. 16. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: means for inquiring whether or not said identification information and said password input by said re-input means are registered in said information processing device when said determination is made. A terminal device according to item 1. 17. A host computer to which a terminal device can be connected via a communication network, comprising: storage means for storing data used by the terminal device; and freshness of the data stored in the storage means. Means for storing first information indicating the following: means for updating the data stored in the storage means; means for updating the first information when the updating means updates the data; Means for receiving, from the terminal device, second information indicating the newness of data already stored in the terminal device; and storing the second information in the terminal device based on the first information and the second information. Determining means for determining whether or not the data is required to be updated; and storing the data when the determining means determines that the data stored in the terminal device needs to be updated. Means for transmitting the data and the first information stored in the means to the terminal device. 18. A host computer to which a terminal device can be connected via a communication network, comprising: storage means for storing data used by the terminal device; and newness of the data stored in the storage means. Means for storing first information indicating the following: means for updating the data stored in the storage means; means for updating the first information when the updating means updates the data; The first terminal is connected to the terminal device connected via a communication network.
Means for transmitting the information, the terminal device, based on the first information and the second information, when it is determined that it is necessary to update the data stored in the terminal device, A transmission unit that transmits the data and the first information stored in the storage unit to the terminal device. 19. A recording medium storing a program for operating a terminal device that can be connected to a host computer via a communication network, wherein the program transmits data used by the terminal device to the terminal device. Means for storing; means for storing first information indicating the newness of the data; means for updating the first information when the data is updated; and means for storing the first information in the host computer. And receiving means for receiving update information for updating the data from the host computer when the host computer determines that the data needs to be updated based on the first information. And means for updating the data based on the update information received by the receiving means. Recording medium. 20. A recording medium storing a program for operating a terminal device which can be connected to a host computer via a communication network, wherein the program transmits data used by the terminal device to the terminal device. Storage means for storing; means for storing information indicating the newness of the data; means for updating the first information when the data is updated; and updating of the data stored in the host computer. Means for receiving second information indicating the likelihood from the host computer, and whether or not the data stored in the storage means needs to be updated based on the first information and the second information. Judging means for making a judgment; and when the judging means judges that the data needs to be updated, the host computer sends the data. A recording medium comprising: receiving means for receiving update information for updating the data; and means for updating the data stored in the storage means based on the update information received by the receiving means.