JP2000035935A - Network terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the opportunities of network access as much as possible at the time of accessing an information source on a network and obtaining information contents. SOLUTION: The freshness of information is supplied to the information sources 11-13 on the network, and in the case of accessing the information source whose information contents are already obtained, a freshness judgement means 5 judges the freshness of the information. Only in the case of judging that the obtained information is not fresh, the network access is performed and the information contents are obtained. Also, in the case that the information contents of the information source can be obtained by data broadcasting, the information contents are stored at all times and the frequency of the network access is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network terminal capable of obtaining various kinds of information that can be changed daily by accessing an information source on a network, and an information system including such a network terminal. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when information is obtained by accessing an information source on a network, it is not known to the user whether or not the contents of the information source have been updated, so the network function must be started. Had access to information sources above. In this case, the network function is always activated even if the data from the past access to the user terminal is already stored and the information on the information source is the same as the stored data. I was

[0003] An example of obtaining information on the Internet, which is currently widely used, will be described. An information source on the Internet is represented by a URL (Unified Resource Locator) and is the only identifier in the world. The user terminal has a storage means generally called a cache. When the information content of a specific URL is obtained from the user terminal using the Internet, the information content is stored in a cache. ing. When accessing the same URL already stored in the cache, the user terminal activates the network function, accesses the URL with the time stored in the cache and the data length, and If the information existing in the URL has been updated after this time, a request is made to newly acquire the information content of the information source. As a result, when the information has been updated, the information content is newly acquired, but when the information has not been updated, an instruction is given to reuse the data held in the cache.

As described above, when accessing the same URL again, if the information content has not changed, the content of the cache is reused to reduce the load on the network, and the user's time until the information content is displayed. It is to reduce waiting time.

[0005]

However, particularly in ordinary households, it is usual to connect to the Internet after connecting to a network provider using a modem and a public network. Even in the case of reusing, the cost of using the public network and the cost of using the network provider are required to activate the network function. That is, even if the network function is activated and the URL is accessed, new information is not always obtained, so that only the cost for the network function is wasted. In addition, although the procedure for activating the network function is often automated, it requires a certain amount of time, and thus lacks continuity of operation.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention incorporates a mechanism that allows a user terminal to determine whether to activate a network function, and further incorporates new information into the user terminal through data broadcasting. To be able to
The purpose is to reduce the cost and labor required for a network function, and to obtain new information with a high probability when using the network function.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention firstly provides an information source identifier and information content to a network terminal device after giving information freshness to an information source on a network. And the freshness of the information is stored, and when an instruction to access the same information source that has already been stored is given, whether to actually perform network access using the freshness of the information, The stored information is reused and displayed. This makes it difficult to access the network when referring to information on the network, especially in an environment where the network infrastructure is not established, such as at home. The effect is that the possibility of obtaining new information is increased when accessing the network.

Second, when the information content of the information source on the network is constantly transmitted by data broadcasting,
By always storing the information content and the freshness of the information in the network terminal device, it is possible to increase the possibility that the user can always access fresh information without performing network access. In the environment where the network infrastructure is not maintained, when information on the network is referred to, there is an effect that the possibility of always obtaining new information without troublesome network access is increased.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information system using network terminal equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is set top
Network terminal devices such as boxes and personal computers. Reference numeral 10 denotes a network such as a public network or a private LAN. Reference numerals 11, 12, and 13 denote information sources such as Internet URLs that can be accessed by the network 10, each having an identifier of the information source indicated by the URL, and each of which defines the freshness of information. Reference numeral 2 denotes central control means for controlling the overall operation of the network terminal equipment 1, reference numeral 3 denotes network input / output means for inputting / outputting information / data to / from the network of the network terminal equipment 1, and reference numeral 4 denotes network input / output means 3 for the network terminal equipment 1. Information storage means for associating information contents and freshness of information obtained from the information sources 11, 12, 13 and the like, and information source identifiers, and 5, the freshness of information of the information source stored in the information storage means 4 6 is a freshness determining means for determining whether the information of the information source is fresh, and 6 is input means such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, and a touch panel for inputting a user to the network terminal device. And 7 are display means for displaying the information content of the information source according to a user's instruction.

The freshness of the information refers to general information mainly related to time, such as the last update date, the expiration date and the update date and time of the information, and the information storage means 4 includes a hard disk, There are removable media (FD, MD, DVD-RAM, etc.) and the like.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a description example of information freshness. In the figure, what is described in italic characters is information that is added when the network terminal device acquires information, and the other information is information that is added in advance by the creator of the information content of the information source.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. First, the user uses the input unit 6 to instruct the network terminal device 1 to display the information content of the specific information source A. As a result, as shown in the start 201, the central control means 2 starts displaying the content of the instructed information source A.

Next, as shown in step 202, the central control means 2 compares the identifier of the information source stored in the information storage means 4 with the identifier of the information source A given by the user, and It is checked whether or not the information content of A has already been stored in the information storage unit 4, and the process proceeds to determination 203.

Next, as shown in decision 203, information source A
If the information content has not been stored in the information storage means 4 yet, the process proceeds to step 204, and if it has been stored, the process proceeds to step 207.

First, the case where the process proceeds to step 204 will be described. In this case, the information content of the information source A is obtained via the network. First, the central control means 2 sends the information source A to the network input / output means 3.
And the process proceeds to step 205.

Next, as shown in step 205, the network input / output means 3 sends
The user accesses the information source A to obtain the information content of the information source A and the freshness of the information. The detailed operation of this part is apart from the object of the present invention and will not be described, but it is equivalent to, for example, a procedure for obtaining the content from a URL on the Internet.

Next, as shown in step 206, the central control means 2 stores the obtained information content and the freshness of the information in the information storage means 4 in a form associated with the identifier of the information source A, Further, the obtained information content is displayed on the display means 7, and the process proceeds to the end 210.

When the process proceeds to step 207 in the judgment 203, the central control means 2 sends the freshness of the information of the information source A stored in the information storage means 4 to the freshness determining means 5, and the freshness determining means At 5, check whether the information content of the information source A is fresh based on the freshness of the information,
Proceed to decision 208. Here, an example of the operation of the freshness determination means 5 in step 207 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the freshness of information by the storage date of the information content. As described above, when the freshness of the information is represented by the storage date of the information content, the freshness determination means 5 compares it with the current date and time, and determines whether the difference from the storage date is within a certain range. Determine if there is. Here, the difference between the accumulation date determined to be fresh and the current date and time may be determined based on each network terminal device or each user of the network terminal device.

FIG. 3B shows the freshness of the information by the scheduled update date. The scheduled update date is different from the accumulation date in the case of FIG. 3A and is given by the creator of the information content of the information source, and is more reliable information as to the freshness of the information. In this way, when the freshness of the information is represented by the scheduled update date, the freshness determining means 5 compares it with the current date and time. The determined information content is determined to be fresh, and if the scheduled update date has already been reached or exceeded, it is determined that it is not fresh.

FIG. 3 (c) shows the scheduled update date of the freshness of the information.
This is represented by the scheduled update time, and the freshness can be determined as in the case of FIG. By using the scheduled update time, it is possible to determine the freshness of the information more accurately than in the case of FIG.

FIG. 3D shows the freshness of the information in terms of the update frequency and the storage date of the information content. In this case, the freshness determination unit 5 uses the update frequency, the accumulation date of the information content, and the current date and time to determine the information content existing in the information source,
It is determined whether the information content is the same as the information content already stored in the information storage means 4. Specifically, if the difference between the storage date and the current date and time is within the update frequency, or within one week in the example of FIG. 3D, the information stored in the information storage unit 4 The prediction is made in such a manner that the content is fresh, and if not, it is not fresh. In this case, taking into consideration that this prediction may not always be accurate, for example, when the difference between the accumulation date and the current date and time is half the update frequency, the example of FIG. In the case of (3), if the information is stored within three days, the prediction may be performed in such a manner that the information content stored in the information storage means 4 is fresh, and if not, the information is not fresh. In this case, similar to the case of FIG. 3A, prediction may be performed by setting a reference for each network terminal device or each user of the network terminal.

FIG. 3 (e) shows the freshness of the information by the expiration date of the information. In this case, the freshness determining means 5 can determine the freshness similarly to the case of FIG. 3B.

Next, as shown in decision 208, information source A
If it is determined that the information content is not fresh, the process proceeds to step 204. In this case, the information content of the information source A and the freshness of the information are newly obtained in the same manner as in the determination 203 that the information content of the information source A is not yet stored in the information storage unit 4. Then, it operates so as to display the information content obtained on the display means 7 after being re-stored in the information storage means 4. If it is determined that the information content of the information source A is fresh, the process proceeds to step 209.

When the process proceeds to step 209 in the judgment 208, the central control means 2 displays the information content of the information source A stored in the information storage means 4 on the display means 7, and proceeds to end 210.

Although not particularly described in the present embodiment, as the network terminal device, a set-top box or a personal computer with a network function can be considered. In addition, the URL (Unified Resource Locator) of the Internet is considered as the information source. Although not specifically described in the present embodiment,
As a medium for storing the information content of the information source in the information storage means 4, a hard disk or a removable disk of a network terminal device, or a DVD-RAM can be considered. Although not specifically described in the present embodiment,
A method of presenting the determination result of the freshness of information to the user and deciding whether or not to access the network may be considered.

As described above, in this embodiment, the information source on the network is provided with the freshness of the information in advance, and the identifier of the information source, the information content, and the freshness of the information are stored in the network terminal device. If an instruction is given to access the same information source that has already been stored, use the freshness of the information to actually access the network or reuse the stored information contents. In particular, in an environment where the network infrastructure is not established, such as at home, it is possible to reduce the trouble of accessing the network when referring to information on the network, and Has an effect that the possibility that new information is always available is increased.

(Embodiment 2) Next, an information system using data broadcasting and network terminal equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information system using data broadcasting and network terminal devices according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since each device and each unit in FIG. 4 are common to those described in FIG. 1, only different parts from FIG. 1 will be described. Reference numeral 8 denotes a data broadcast receiving unit that receives data broadcasts transmitted by cable broadcasting, wireless terrestrial broadcasting, wireless satellite broadcasting, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a part of the processing of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is an example of a constraint table describing whether the received data broadcast should be stored in the data broadcast receiving means 8. In this example, the identifier of the information source and the frequency with which the information content of the information source should be accumulated when received are described.

Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the information contents and the information of the information source obtained by the data broadcasting will be described. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention except that an operation of accumulating the freshness in the information accumulating means 4 is added. Therefore, only the newly added portion will be described.

When the information content of each information source accessible by the network 10 is broadcast by data broadcasting, when the data broadcast receiving means 8 receives the information,
As indicated by start 501 in FIG. 5, the data broadcast receiving means starts accumulation of information content and freshness of information.

Next, as shown in step 502, the data broadcast receiving means overwrites and accumulates the obtained identifier of the information source, the information content and the freshness of the information in the information storage means 4,
Proceed to end 503.

Here, an example of the operation of step 502 will be described in detail. Since the same information content of the information source may be periodically broadcast by data broadcasting, when the information content is stored in the information storage means 4, the same content as that already stored in the information storage means 4 is used. Things may be operated so as not to accumulate.

Also, since the information contents of many information sources may be broadcast by data broadcasting, the obtained information contents of all information sources are not stored in the information storage means 4 but are already stored in the information storage means 4. The operation may be such that only the information content of the same information source stored in the means 4 is updated.

As shown in FIG. 6, a constraint table describing the identifier of the information source desired to be obtained is stored in advance in the data broadcast receiving means, and the information content of the information source described in the constraint table is stored in the data broadcast receiving means. The operation may be such that only the freshness of the information is stored in the information storage means 4 at a designated frequency.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the information content of the information source on the network is constantly transmitted by data broadcasting, the information is always stored in the network terminal device, so that the information is always fresh. This makes it possible to access information without network access, especially in an environment where the network infrastructure is not established, such as at home, so that new information is always available without the hassle of network access when referring to information on the network. It has the effect of being available.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, first,
This has the effect of reducing opportunities for network access as much as possible in an environment where a network infrastructure is not established, such as a home, and reducing costs and labor involved in network access. Further, when performing network access, there is an effect that new information can be obtained with a high probability.

Second, by using data broadcasting together, while further reducing network access opportunities,
There is an effect that new information can be obtained with a higher probability at the time of network access.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram of freshness of information used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram showing a restriction on accumulation of broadcast data used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network terminal device 2 Central control means 3 Network input / output means 4 Information storage means 5 Freshness judgment means 6 Input means 7 Display means 8 Data broadcast receiving means 10 Network 11 Information source 1 12 Information source 2 13 Information source 3

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B075 KK07 KK20 ND30 NS10 PP02 PP03 PP22 PQ02 PQ42 UU40 5B082 FA03 GA05 5B089 AA20 AD18 AE09 AF05 BB06 CB08 CC17 DD05 5K030 GA11 GA20 HA08 HB15 KA07 KA08 LD07 LD17 LD17 LD17 LD17

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus which exists on a network and is capable of accessing an information source in which information relating to the freshness of information is set. The information content of the information source and the information content of the information obtained by accessing the information source through a network are provided. Freshness, information storage means for storing in association with the identifier of the information source, and freshness determination means for determining whether the information content of the information source stored in the information storage means is fresh, If the information content of the information source has already been stored in the information storage means prior to the network access to the specific information source, the freshness determination means determines whether the information content is fresh, and If it is determined that the information is stored, the information stored in the information storage means is accessed instead of accessing the information source through the network. Use as a result, when it is determined not to be fresh, accessed through the network to the information source, and wherein the obtaining the information content, network terminal equipment. 2. The network according to claim 1, wherein a criterion for judging the freshness of the information is provided for each network terminal device, and the freshness judging means judges the freshness by referring to the criterion. Terminal equipment. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a criterion for judging the freshness of the information is provided for each user of the network terminal device, and the freshness judging means judges the freshness by referring to the criterion. Network terminal equipment as described. 4. The network terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a next scheduled update date is used as the freshness of the information. 5. The network terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the next update date and the update time are used as the freshness of the information. 6. An update frequency is used as freshness of information, and a storage date and time of information content stored in an information storage unit is recorded, and the update frequency and the storage date and time are determined by a freshness determination unit. The network terminal device according to claim 1, wherein freshness is determined by using the network terminal device. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the expiration date of the information content is used as the freshness of the information, and the freshness is determined by using the expiration date and the current date and time in the freshness determining means. Network terminal equipment as described. 8. The information of the information source obtained by the data broadcast receiving means when the information content of the information source is broadcast by the data broadcast, wherein the network terminal device comprises a data broadcast receiving means for receiving the data broadcast. 2. The network terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the content is stored in an information storage unit. 9. The network terminal device comprises a data broadcast receiving means for receiving a data broadcast, and when the information content of the information source is broadcast by the data broadcast, the same information as already stored in the information storage means. 2. The network terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information content is newly stored in the information storage means only when the data broadcast receiving means detects that the source information content has been broadcast. 10. A network terminal device comprising: a data broadcast receiving means for receiving a data broadcast; and a constraint table for acquiring an information source, wherein when the information content of the information source is broadcast by data broadcast, the information content is transmitted. 2. The network terminal device according to claim 1, wherein whether to store the information in the information storage unit is determined using the constraint table, and only the information content to be stored is stored in the information storage unit.