JP2001142770A - System and method for processing information and recording medium recording information processing program to be operated on computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information processing technique by which a user easily performs access to the Web page of an information supply destination without being conscious of an URL or a connection environment. SOLUTION: An information processing system is constituted by providing at least a first information processor and a second information processor which are constituted to be connected via a network. The first information processor stores access information and contents designating information to the second processor, is automatically connected to the second processor via the network based on access information and transmits contents designating information to the second processor. The second information processor selects a prescribed storage means based on contents designating information and transmits information which is stored in the selected storage means to the first processor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system for transmitting and receiving information via a network, and more particularly to an improved technique for efficiently acquiring / supplying information existing on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the Internet has mainly used electronic mail and NetNews, but at present, WWW, which can refer to information graphically, is one of the main uses. Users exist worldwide
The user can freely access information desired by the user by accessing a Web page provided on the WWW. For example, a user can use a search engine such as Yahoo, Infoseek, Hole-in-one, or Goo to search for a Web page that includes a keyword entered by the user.

[0003] A Web page is a URL (Uniform Resour).
ce Locator). U
RL is a description format indicating the location of a Web page on the Internet, and includes a scheme name, a server name,
It consists of an alphanumeric string that describes the path name.

[0004] In the WWW, a markup language usually called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is used to describe a document. One HTML document and another HT
To link an ML document, the URL of the link destination is described together with a character string in the document. As a WWW document, it is possible to provide not only characters but also various data such as still images (GIF files, etc.), audio, and moving images.

[0005] The HTML document is interpreted by browser software, and is displayed based on the tags described in the HTML document. As such browser software, IE
(Internet Explorer) and Netscape are known as major ones.

[0006]

Nowadays, the number of accessible Web pages provided on the Internet is increasing exponentially, and it is not easy for users to reach necessary information efficiently. I have. If the user does not know the URL of the Web page having the desired information, in order to get to the Web page, he or she must search from another Web page with a link or use a search page. It is necessary to search for another Web page, so that it is not easy after all. In the latter case, there is a problem that it is necessary to learn the operation / input rules of the search page.

[0007] Such a problem is particularly remarkable for beginners who use the Internet without URL notation or search know-how. Furthermore, it is usually not easy for beginners to prepare a connection environment to the Internet in the first place (for example, to install a connection program or browser software and to set parameters).

[0008] On the other hand, from the side of providing information through a Web page, it is desirable that as many users as possible access their own Web page, but the same type of Web page (for example, including similar keywords) is desired. Can be many, so make sure your users
There is a problem that it is not easy to lead to a page.

Here, a banner advertisement is known as a method for guiding a user to a Web page. Banner advertisements have a rectangular advertising space, such as a "flag", posted on a Web page to achieve the effect of an advertisement and the effect of encouraging access to an advertiser-designated Web page by clicking a banner. ing.

[0010] However, even in such a method, since it is assumed that the user can reach the Web page on which the banner advertisement is posted by himself / herself, a method for directly and reliably guiding to a specific Web page has been established. Absent.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method that allows a user to easily (UR
Web site of information supply destination (without consciousness of L and connection environment)
An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing technology capable of accessing a page.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing technique that can reliably guide a user to a Web page to which information is supplied.

[0013]

An information processing system according to the present invention comprises a first information processing system connectable via a network.
An information processing system comprising at least an information processing device and a second information processing device, wherein the first information processing device comprises:
It stores access information to the second information processing device and content designation information, automatically connects to the second information processing device via a network based on the access information, and stores the content designation information in the second information processing device. The second information processing device transmits the information stored in the selected storage device to the first information processing device, based on the content designation information. It is characterized by doing. The selected storage means is the second
When the second information processing device is connected to the information processing device via a communication network, the second information processing device acquires information via the communication network. Preferably, the first information processing device is detachable from the device. Comprises a storage medium readable by the device, the storage medium, among the access information or the content designation information,
At least one of the information is stored.

The first information processing device stores a plurality of pieces of content designation information, selects the content designation information based on an external input, and transmits the selected content designation information to the second information processing device. It is desirable to do.

Further, the access information is information uniquely assigned to the first information processing apparatus, and the second information processing apparatus performs the first information processing based on the uniquely assigned access information. It is desirable to limit the information that can be transmitted to the device to a predetermined range.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, in the first information processing apparatus, a step of inspecting a connection environment to a network provided in the first information processing apparatus and performing an optimal setting for performing communication is performed; The first information processing apparatus automatically connects to the second information processing apparatus via a network based on the previously stored access information, and transmits the previously stored content designation information to the second information processing apparatus. Selecting a predetermined storage means based on the received content designation information in the second information processing apparatus; and storing the information stored in the selected storage means in the second information processing apparatus. Transmitting to one information processing apparatus. Such an information processing method can be carried out by a computer.
-It can be installed or loaded into a computer through various media such as a ROM, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory.

[0017] The step of transmitting the content designation information to the second information processing apparatus includes the step of automatically transmitting the content designation information to the second information processing apparatus via the network based on the access information stored in advance. Connected, and selects predetermined content designation information based on an external input, from among a plurality of content designation information stored in advance,
It is desirable that this is a step of transmitting the selected content designation information to the second information processing apparatus.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, in a first information processing apparatus, a step of inspecting a connection environment to a network provided in the first information processing apparatus and performing an optimum setting for performing communication, Automatically connecting to the second information processing device via the network based on the access information stored in advance and transmitting the content designation information stored in advance to the second information processing device And an information processing program that operates on a computer.

It is preferable that the storage medium further stores either the access information or the content designation information.

An information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system comprising at least one information processing means and a storage medium according to the present invention, wherein an information processing program recorded on the storage medium is stored in an external information processing apparatus. The external information processing device automatically connects to the information processing means via a network based on the access information stored in the storage medium, and transmits the content designation information to the information processing means. Transmitting the information processing means,
A predetermined storage unit is selected based on the content designation information, and the information stored in the selected storage unit is transmitted to the external information processing device.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first information processing device 1 and a second information processing device 2 that are configured to be connectable via a network. The first information processing device 1 corresponds to a device used by a user, and the second information processing device 2 corresponds to a device used by an information provider.

Each information processing device may be a dedicated device or a general-purpose computer. For example, in a computer having a general configuration including a CPU, an input unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, each information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by activating software that defines the operation of each unit. it can. In addition,
The dedicated device or the general-purpose computer may be configured by a single computer or may be configured by a plurality of computers distributed on a network.

The first information processing device 1 stores access information 100 to the second information processing device 2 and content designation information 101. Here, the access information 100 may be a URL, for example. In this case, the access information 100 to the second information processing device 2 is a unique URL assigned to the second information processing device 2. Also,
It is desirable that the content designation information 101 includes at least a character string or the like that appropriately represents information included in a Web page.

The first information processing apparatus 1 automatically connects to the second information processing apparatus 2 via a communication network based on the access information 100. Here, the automatic connection means that a predetermined connection point on a communication network (for example, the Internet) is called, a Web page browsing browser is started, and the second information processing apparatus 2 is connected by the browser when the connection to the communication network is established. URL
Is performed without any user input. The input by the user is, for example, an input using a keyboard or a touch panel, an input using an OCR or a barcode, an input using a voice, or the like.

After connecting to the second information processing device 2 via the communication network, the first information processing device 1 transmits the content designation information 101 to the second information processing device 2.

Here, the content specifying information 101 may be configured to be stored in the first information processing apparatus 1 singly, or may be configured to be stored in a plurality. When a plurality of pieces of content designation information are stored, for example, the user selects one of them and transmits the selected content designation information to the second information processing apparatus 2.

The second information processing device 2 selects a predetermined storage means based on the content designation information 101 transmitted from the first information processing device 1. Here, the predetermined storage unit may be a storage unit or a storage area included in the second information processing apparatus 2, or may be a storage unit or storage included in an information processing apparatus different from the second information processing apparatus 2. It may be an area.

The second information processing apparatus 2 stores, for example, a correspondence table 200 as shown in FIG. The correspondence table 200 includes, for example, address information and U
RL is stored, and based on the correspondence table 200, the second information processing apparatus 2
Is selected. Preferably, the correspondence table 20
0 preferably corresponds to a plurality of storage means.

[0029] The second information processing device 2 acquires the information stored in the selected storage means and transmits it to the first information processing device 1. Here, if the selected storage means is provided in an information processing device different from the second information processing device 2, the information is obtained via the communication network.

As described above, the first information processing device, which is a device on the user side, automatically establishes a communication network with the second information processing device based on the address information stored in the first information processing device. Is connected via the
The second information processing apparatus can be accessed without knowing the URL or the like of the information processing apparatus.

Further, the information provider is always connected to the second information processing device as long as the user uses the first information processing device, so that the user is surely provided through the second information processing device. To a Web page to be executed.

Further, the first concession processing device which is a device on the user side has a URL of a storage means corresponding to the Web page.
Is not directly stored, but the content designation information is stored. Therefore, even if the URL or the like of the storage means corresponding to the Web page is changed, the information provider side apparatus It is sufficient to change the correspondence table stored in the first information processing device, and it is not necessary to change the first information processing device. That is, there is no U
It is possible to respond flexibly without being aware of changes in RL and the like. (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention includes a first information processing device 1 and a second information processing device 2 as in the first embodiment. Operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
1 is configured to be detachable from the first information processing apparatus 1,
It is stored in a storage medium 3 that can be read by the device.

Here, the removable storage medium is C
Optical disks such as D-ROMs, MDs, and DVDs, magneto-optical disks such as MOs, and semiconductor memories such as memory cards are conceivable. An optical disk or the like may be processed into a deformed shape as shown in FIG. Especially 8cm
When a disk having a size is processed as shown in FIG. 4, the size is slightly smaller than that of a normal business card, so that it can be stored in a business card holder or the like, and portability can be improved.

As described above, since the address information and the content designation information are stored in the removable storage medium, the general-purpose information processing apparatus capable of reading the storage medium can be mounted on the general-purpose information processing apparatus. The information processing device can be easily set as the first information processing device. That is, the information processing system of the present invention can be realized without providing a dedicated device as the first information processing device.

On the information provider side, since storage media can be mass-produced at low cost, mass production and distribution to a large number of users allow many users to use their own Web media.
You will be able to navigate to page b.

Here, the access information 100 or the content designation information 101 stored in the storage medium 102 includes:
By including unique information for each storage medium, information transmitted to the first information processing device can be limited to a predetermined range.

For example, when the access information 100 includes the unique information, an information processing device different for each storage medium 102 according to the unique information may be configured as the second information processing device 2. it can. In this case, the information to be transmitted to the first information processing device is restricted in units of the second information processing device.

Further, for example, the content designation information 101
When the second information processing device 2 includes the unique information, the second information processing device 2 can use a different correspondence table 200 for each storage medium 102 according to the unique information. Of course, different types of unique information may be included in both the access information 100 and the content designation information 101. In this case, the information to be transmitted to the first information processing device is restricted in correspondence table units.

When it is desired to construct a system so that only the user who owns the storage medium 3 can access the second information processing apparatus 2, the unique information is used for authentication in the second information processing apparatus 2. be able to. In this case, even if the user tries to access the second information processing apparatus 2 by directly inputting a URL or the like from the information processing apparatus to which the storage medium 3 is not mounted, the unique information is not authenticated, and the second information processing apparatus is not authenticated. Provided through the information processing device 2 of
You cannot get to page b. Therefore, it is possible to build a membership community by the owner of the storage medium 3.

Further, by using, for example, the number of commercial transactions as the unique information, the Web page displayed on the first information processing apparatus 1 is made different depending on the number of commercial transactions (or a part of the display content of the Web page is changed). Can be different). By doing so, it is possible to differentiate users who have a large number of transactions, for example, by presenting a discounted price list. Here, the number of commercial transactions is configured to be directly stored in the storage medium 3. However, the second information processing device 2 stores the number of commercial transactions in association with the unique information, and refers to this. May be configured to achieve differentiation. (Third Embodiment) A storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a storage medium) on which the storage medium is mounted.
It is called “storage medium side device”. A) examining a connection environment to a network provided in the storage medium side device, and performing an optimum setting for performing communication; and accessing information stored in the storage medium in the storage medium side device in advance. Automatically connecting to the second information processing apparatus via the network based on the content information, and transmitting the content designation information stored in the storage medium in advance to the second information processing apparatus. Records an information processing program. The information processing program controls the operation by being read from the recording medium into the storage medium side device.

Here, the storage medium is a CD-ROM,
Optical disks such as MDs and DVDs, magneto-optical disks such as MOs, and semiconductor memories such as memory cards are conceivable. An optical disk or the like may be processed into a deformed shape as shown in FIG. In particular, when a disk-shaped object having a size of 8 cm is processed as shown in FIG. 4, the size becomes slightly smaller than that of a normal business card, so that it can be stored in a business card holder or the like, and portability can be improved. it can.

Next, the information processing method of the present invention using the storage medium will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the storage medium side device, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the second information processing device. (Processing in storage medium side device) First, as a preparation stage, the storage medium is mounted on the storage medium side device by a user.

Next, in step 1 shown in FIG. 5, the OS (for example, Windows 95, 9
8) starts the information processing program recorded in the storage medium. Such an information processing program is created so as to execute a predetermined opening process (a process for notifying a user that the program has been started) at the time of startup.

In step 2, under the control of the information processing program, a connection environment to the network provided in the storage medium side device is checked. As inspection items,
For example, whether connection software (modem, terminal adapter, mobile phone, PHS, etc.) driver software is installed, dial-up connection software is installed, specified browser software is installed, specified plug is installed Insoft (Macromedia Flash, Shopwave, JavaVM
) Is installed.
Such a check can be realized by checking registry information of the OS of the storage medium-side device.

In step 3, under the control of the information processing program, the program (various driver software, browser software, plug-in, etc.) recorded in the storage medium is determined according to the item determined not to be installed in step 2. Software, etc.) in the storage medium side device. Thereby, the storage medium side device,
It will have an optimal environment for connecting to a communication network and displaying web pages.

In step 4, the OS of the storage medium device is restarted under the control of the information processing program. Specifically, the information processing program sends a restart instruction to the OS of the storage medium-side device, and terminates itself.

In step 5, the information processing program recorded on the storage medium is started again by the OS of the storage medium side device. The information processing program executes the predetermined opening process at the time of startup. At this time, the opening web recorded on the storage medium
The page may be displayed by browser software.

In step 6, under the control of the information processing program, a connection to a communication network is made by using connection hardware and dial-up connection software, and the URL of the second information processing apparatus recorded in the storage medium, etc. To access the second information processing device based on. Then, the content specifying information recorded on the storage medium is transmitted to the second information processing device.

Here, under the control of the information processing program, a substantial communication speed between the storage medium side device and the second information processing device is obtained, and the communication speed information is transmitted to the second information processing device. May be configured.

A plurality of URLs and the like of the second information processing apparatus are recorded on the storage medium, and the opening We
The b page may be configured to allow the user to make a selection. In this case, the user accesses the second information processing device based on the URL or the like selected by the user. (Process on Second Information Processing Apparatus Side) Step 1 shown in FIG.
Then, the content designation information is received via the communication network, and the storage means corresponding to the content designation information is selected with reference to the correspondence table (see FIG. 2) recorded in advance.

Here, when the communication speed information is also received, for example, the storage means is selected based on the communication speed information so that appropriate information is transmitted according to the substantial communication speed. You may.

In step 2, the Web page information stored in the selected storage unit is obtained and transmitted to the first information processing device. Here, the selected storage means is
If the information processing apparatus is provided with a different information processing apparatus from the second information processing apparatus, Web page information is obtained via a communication network. (Modifications) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be applied in various modifications. For example, in the second embodiment, a configuration is conceivable in which the first information processing apparatus is a personal computer or the like owned by a user. in this case,
A personal computer or the like owned by a user corresponds to an external information processing device, and the present invention has a configuration including a storage medium and a second information processing device.

[0053]

According to the present invention, the access information and the content designation information of the second information processing apparatus are previously stored in the first information processing apparatus or the storage medium, and the second information is stored based on the access information. Since the second information processing apparatus automatically connects to the processing apparatus and selects information such as a Web page to be displayed based on the content designation information in the second information processing apparatus, the user can easily supply the information (without being aware of the URL or the connection environment). In addition to being able to access the preceding information, it is possible to reliably guide the user to the information supply destination Web page or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table stored in a second information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in a device in which a storage medium is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the second information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st information processing apparatus 2 2nd information processing apparatus 3 Storage medium 100 Access information 101 Content designation information 200 Correspondence table

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Keiji Tomatsu 2-15-14 Tatsumidai, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture Delta Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5B082 FA11 GC04 5B085 BG07 CC17 CE04 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB01 JA22 JA33 JA36 JB22 KA01 KA04 KB04 KC22 KC52 LB25

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system comprising at least a first information processing device and a second information processing device configured to be connectable via a network, wherein the first information processing device is a second information processing device. The storage device stores access information to the information processing device and content designation information, and automatically connects to the second information processing device via a network based on the access information, and stores the content designation information in the second information processing device. The second information processing apparatus selects a predetermined storage unit based on the content designation information, and transmits the information stored in the selected storage unit to the first information processing apparatus. Characteristic information processing system. 2. The first information processing device stores a plurality of content designation information, selects content designation information based on an external input, and stores the selected content designation information in a second information processing device. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted to a computer. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access information is information uniquely assigned to the first information processing apparatus, and the second information processing apparatus performs first information processing based on the uniquely assigned access information. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein information that can be transmitted to the device is limited to a predetermined range. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing device acquires information from the predetermined storage unit via a network. 5. The first information processing device includes a storage medium that is configured to be detachable from the device and that is readable by the device. The storage medium includes the access information or the content designation. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the information is stored. 6. In the first information processing apparatus, a step of inspecting a connection environment to a network provided in the first information processing apparatus and performing an optimal setting for performing communication, Automatically connecting to a second information processing device via a network based on access information stored in advance, and transmitting content designation information stored in advance to the second information processing device; A step of selecting a predetermined storage unit based on the received content designation information in the information processing apparatus; and a step of transmitting the information stored in the selected storage unit to the first information processing apparatus in the second information processing apparatus. Transmitting an information processing method. 7. The step of transmitting the content designation information to a second information processing device, wherein the first information processing device transmits the content designation information to the second information processing device via a network based on access information stored in advance. And automatically selects predetermined content designation information from a plurality of content designation information stored in advance based on an external input, and transmits the selected content designation information to the second information processing apparatus. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the method is a step. 8. A step of inspecting a connection environment to a network provided in the first information processing device and performing an optimal setting for performing communication in the first information processing device; Automatically connecting to a second information processing device via a network based on previously stored access information, and transmitting previously stored content designation information to the second information processing device. A recording medium on which an information processing program that operates on a computer is recorded. 9. The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the storage medium further stores any one of the access information and the content designation information. 10. An information processing system comprising at least one information processing means and the storage medium according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an information processing program recorded on said storage medium is executed by an external information processing apparatus. By doing so, the external information processing apparatus automatically connects to the information processing means via a network based on the access information stored in the storage medium, and transmits the content designation information to the information processing means. Wherein the information processing means selects a predetermined storage means based on the content designation information, and transmits information stored in the selected storage means to the external information processing apparatus. system.