JP2002149688A - System and method for information distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actualize a system and a method for information provision which can provide only necessary information for a user through a network according to user's interests and tastes and is convenient to both the user and an information providing service side. SOLUTION: A user's taste data file is held in a storage device 22 and when contents are pushed from a server 10, a client 20 determines whether or not the contents are stored in the device 22 according to the taste data file and meta data of the contents; and the priority of respective items of the taste data file is automatically updated according to access trends of the user and the client 20 can select contents pushed from the server 10 according to the updated priority information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution system and a method for distributing information according to each user's tastes and preferences via a network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, it has become possible to obtain various information via the Internet. Although abundant information is provided from the network due to the enhancement of the information providing service, on the other hand, it becomes more and more difficult for network users (hereinafter referred to as users) to find necessary information from the flooded information. It is true.

[0003] Currently, an information search service that allows a user to quickly search for desired information on the Internet, for example, Ya
hoo (http: /www.yahoo.co.jp) and Infoseek (http: /www.inf
oseek.co.jp), and when there is information that the user wants to search, first use these sites to specify keywords and categories and search for the location of the required information. Generally known.
However, there is a limit to the information that each search service can cover, and it is not possible to find all the information you want by searching, and even if you actually use these search services, you can still reach the necessary information It takes effort.

In general, as a method of obtaining information via the Internet, there is a method in which a user knows a site of an information providing service, accesses the site, and takes in (downloads) necessary information (content).
That is, the user goes to get necessary information. This is performed in response to a push (Push) described later.
11). On the other hand, there is a method of sending content from a server providing information to a user terminal, which is usually called a push (Push).

[0005] In the push-type information service, the content is automatically sent by registering in advance information indicating the type and category of the content that the user wants to push with the provider (push content provider). It is a thing. The pushed content is WWW
It can be browsed and browsed by a browser (web browser) or dedicated client software in the same manner as in the pull type.

There is also a pseudo-push type service, in which the server does not send the content to the user, but brings the content to the user's hand (prefetch) without performing any special operation in advance. It provides a service equivalent to the apparent push type.

[0007] The push-type service (including the pseudo-push-type service) described above has an advantage in that the user can efficiently collect necessary information without having to search for information by himself.

[0008]

In order to use the above-described push-type service, it is necessary to first find a site that provides the service, that is, a push content provider. In addition, it is necessary for the user to confirm one by one whether the provided information is really the information desired by the user, and in some cases, the information provided may not include the information that does not meet the user's wish. Struggling to sort out. Further, there is a disadvantage that necessary information cannot be obtained unless the push service provider or menu is changed according to the changing tastes and preferences.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide only necessary information to a user through a network in accordance with his / her tastes and preferences. And a highly convenient information providing system and method.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an information distribution system according to the present invention comprises: an information providing server for transmitting information to a user's client via a network; and an information transmitting server for transmitting the information. And an information storage unit that stores the information selected by the information selection unit and provides the information to the user.

In the present invention, preferably, the information provided by the information providing server includes metadata indicating the content of the information.

Further, the present invention preferably has a preference information management means for generating the preference information based on the access tendency of the user.

[0013] In the present invention, preferably, the preference information management means is configured to perform the above-mentioned preference processing based on the access tendency of the user and metadata indicating the content of the provided information included in the information provided by the server. A numerical value indicating the priority of each item included in the user preference information is set.

In the present invention, preferably, the preference information management means includes an item indicating the user's taste and preference included in the metadata and an item included in the user's preference information. In comparison, if they match, the priority corresponding to the item of the user preference information is increased.

In the present invention, preferably, the preference information management means is provided in the client of the user.

In the present invention, preferably, the preference information management means is provided in another server connected to the network.

Further, the information distribution method of the present invention comprises the steps of transmitting information from an information providing server to a user's client via a network, receiving the transmitted information, and receiving the information in accordance with user preference information. Selecting information and storing the selected information and providing it to the user.

Preferably, the present invention further comprises a step of transmitting, from the information providing server, metadata indicating the content of the transmitted information to the client.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that an item indicating the user's taste and taste included in the metadata is compared with an item included in the user's preference information, and that the item is matched. And increasing the priority corresponding to the item of the user preference information.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a connection diagram showing a first embodiment of an information distribution system according to the present invention. As illustrated, the information distribution system of the present embodiment includes a server 10 and a client 20 connected via a network 30. The network 30 is, for example, the Internet. The server 10 is a network device that provides an information providing service, and the client 20 is a network device such as a user terminal that uses information provided by the server 10.

The server 10 is, for example, an information providing device managed and operated by a push content provider. The server 10 holds predetermined content and sends it to the client 20 or another server device (not shown) via the network 30. Submit content. The client 20 is a terminal device used by a user, for example, a PC (personal computer), receives content from the server 10, and stores the received content. Although FIG. 1 shows only one client 20, in an actual system, a plurality of clients are connected to the network 30, and these clients are owned by different users. Each client receives the pushed content from the server 10, selects and stores the content according to the hobbies and preferences of each user, and allows the user to browse and refer to the stored information.

A storage device 12 is connected to the server 10, and the storage device 12 stores contents to be provided to the client 20, for example, as a data file. The storage device 22 is connected to the client 20,
The storage device stores a data file of the content sent from the server 10. When the user browses or refers to the content provided by the server 10 in the information distribution system shown in FIG. 1, instead of accessing the server 10, the user reads the content stored in the storage device 22 of the client, You will refer to it. Furthermore, the pseudo-push type service is the same except that the client retrieves the content. Hereinafter, the information distribution system of the present invention will be described without distinguishing between the push type and the pseudo push type.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the client 20 in more detail. As shown, the client 20 includes an information transmitting unit 201, an information receiving unit 202,
It comprises an information posting means 203, an information search means 204, an information registration means 205 and a storage device communication means 206. Hereinafter, the function or operation of each component will be described.

The information transmitting means 201 is a communication interface for transmitting information from the information posting means or the information retrieving means to another network device, for example, the server 10 via the network 30. Information receiving means 202
Is a communication interface that receives information transmitted from the network 30 to the client 20 as a destination, and transmits the received information to the information search unit 204 or the information registration unit 205.

The information posting means 203 sends information read from the storage device 22 via the storage device communication means 206, for example, information relating to the user's hobbies and preferences stored in the storage device 22 to the server via the information transmission means 201. 10 to provide. A file indicating the user's hobbies and preferences (hereinafter referred to as a preference data file) in the storage device 22
And a data file of the content pushed from the server 10 and a metadata file indicating the content. This metadata file is a text file, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language).
e) or XML (Extensible Markup Language). The preference data file is transmitted to the server 10 by the information posting means 203 when necessary. Note that the information posting by the information posting means 203 may be performed by using, for example, a web server.

The information retrieving means 204 includes the information posting means 20
3, information received from the information receiving means 202, or information registration means 2
At step 05, necessary information is searched from the push information registered in the storage device 22. The information registration unit 205 registers information received from the network by the information reception unit 202, for example, information pushed from the server 10, in the storage device 22 via the storage device communication unit 206.
Further, it transmits the received information to the information search means 204.

The storage device communication means 206 is a storage device
And an information input / output interface for reading information stored in the storage device 22 and transmitting the information to the information posting means 203 or the information searching means 204. As described above, the storage device 22 stores the preference data file indicating the user's hobbies and preferences, the content data file transmitted from the server 10, and the metadata file indicating the content.

In the information distribution system of the present invention, by providing information relating to his / her tastes and preferences from the user side to the server 10 of the push content provider,
The server 10 transmits only necessary information according to each user's preference to the terminal of the user, that is, the client 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the storage device 22 of the client 20.
3 shows an example of a preference data file stored in the storage device. Although a text file is shown in this example, a data file such as HTML or XML may be used in other forms. As illustrated, categories and keywords are described in the preference data file. In the illustrated example, the categories include "music", "game", "car", and "computer", and the keywords include "Gran Turismo", "Hikaru Utada", "Memory Stick", "VAIO", and the like. Have been.

Here, the category and the keyword may be independently defined as having no relation to each other, or the category and the keyword may be described in association with each other, or the keyword may be described over a plurality of categories. Can also be specified. For example, as shown in FIG.
The user's hobby / preference information can also be shown using a preference data file represented by a table.

Next, the operation of the information distribution system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of push information processing performed by the client 20 when the server 10 pushes content to the client 20. Hereinafter, the content push process will be described with reference to FIG.

The client 20 is normally in a standby state. In this standby state, it is monitored whether there is a push request from the server 10. If there is a push request, the process moves from the waiting state to the push process (step S
1, S2). The push request is received by, for example, the information receiving unit 202 of the client 20.

When a push request is received, the information search means 204 determines whether or not the information to be pushed by the server 10 is in line with the user's taste and taste, and registers the push information in accordance with the result of the determination. Decide whether to do or discard. This determination is made according to keywords and categories in the user's favorite data file stored in the storage device 22.

When the server 10 pushes content to the client 20, first, metadata indicating the content of the content is transmitted to the client 20. The metadata may be included in the content itself, or may be a file separate from the content. Client 20
Then, after receiving the metadata from the server 10, based on the metadata, it is determined whether or not to accept the push. FIG. 6 shows an example of metadata expressed by a text file. As shown in the figure, the metadata includes URL information indicating the storage location of the content in the server 10, for example, information such as a website name, a library in which the content file is stored, a file name, and a content creation date (DATE). , Expiration date (EXPIRE DATA), category (CATEGO)
RY) and a keyword (KEYWORD) are shown.

The information retrieval means 204 of the client 20 compares the keyword of the metadata sent from the server 10 with the keyword in the user's favorite data file stored in the storage device 22 (step S3). As a result of the comparison, when the keywords match (match), it is confirmed whether or not there is free space in the storage device 22 (step S4). If there is free space in the storage device 22, the content is received following the metadata, and the content is registered (step S5). On the other hand, if there is no free space in the storage device 22, a deletion process is executed (step S8).

The registration process is executed by the information registration means 205 in the client 20. In the registration process, the data file of the content received following the metadata is stored in the storage device 2 via the storage device communication unit 206.
2 is written. Then, the location and the attribute where the content is stored, for example, information such as the location information of the storage in the server 10 and the date and time when the content is created are stored. On the other hand, in the deletion process, the process of deleting the content from the storage device 22, the storage location of the content and its attribute information,
The processing includes deleting metadata and the like from the database. The content and its related information to be deleted by the deletion process can be selected, for example, by inquiring of the user according to an instruction from the user, or can be selected from the date and time information of the registration in chronological order.

If it is determined in the keyword comparison process that the keywords do not match, a category comparison process is performed (step S6). If the category matches, a check is made as to whether there is free space in the storage device 22 (step S4). If there is no free space, a deletion process is performed (step S8). on the other hand,
If the category does not match, the content is discarded (step S7).

Next, a description will be given of a process of determining contents to be accepted based on the free space of the storage device 22 by adding a priority to each item of the favorite data file. FIG. 7 shows an example of a preference data file in which priority is added to each item. As shown,
For example, in each item of the category, a numerical value 20 is given to music and a numerical value 50 is given to a computer as a numerical value representing priority. In each item of the keyword,
As the numerical value indicating the priority, the numerical value 20
Is given, and a numerical value 30 is given to VAIO.

The priority represented by the numerical value assigned to each item as the priority follows a predetermined rule. For example, the priority can be represented by an agreement that the higher the numerical value, the higher the priority. Alternatively, the setting may be reversed. That is, the smaller the numerical value, the higher the priority.

Here, for example, according to the setting that the higher the numerical value is, the higher the priority is, among the items of the category,
Computers have the highest priority and music has the lowest priority. Among the keyword items, VAIO has the highest priority, and Gran Turismo has the lowest priority.

The priorities quantitatively represent the tastes and preferences of the user by numerical values. For each item, the priority numerical value is determined by a method specified by the user himself or herself.
A method of automatically setting by the client 20 based on the metadata of the accessed content may be considered. When the user himself designates, a numerical value is appropriately set for each item according to his / her preference.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing automatic priority update processing according to the access tendency. A process in which the client 20 automatically sets the priority according to the access tendency will be described below with reference to FIG.

The automatic update of the priority is performed by the user in the storage device 22.
This is performed every time the content stored in is accessed. As shown in FIG. 8, the client 20 checks whether or not the requested content has been pushed from the server 10 when receiving an access instruction from the user in an access waiting state for waiting for access from the user (step SS2). If the push is performed, the content of the metadata registered together with the content is read, and it is determined whether or not there is a match using the keyword and the category, thereby updating the priority. On the other hand, if the content has not been pushed, the content is acquired by requesting the server 10 to transmit the content (step S
S3). Then, it is determined whether or not the metadata of the content can be acquired. If the metadata can be acquired, the priority is updated (step SS4).

In the priority update process, the item M (i) of the metadata and the item F of the user's favorite data file
(J) is compared, and if they match, a process of gradually increasing the priority of the item is performed. Here, the metadata item M (i) refers to all items of keywords and categories in the metadata. The item F (j) of the preference data file refers to all items of keywords and categories in the user's preference data file. That is, in the priority update process, the update process is performed for all items without distinction between keywords and categories.

Hereinafter, the priority update processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the variable i indicating the item number of the metadata and the variable j indicating the item number of the favorite data file are reset (steps SS5 and SS6). Next, it is determined whether or not the item M (i) of the metadata matches the item F (j) of the favorite data file (step SS7). If they match, the numerical value Fp (j) indicating the priority of the item F (j) of the favorite data file is gradually increased.
That is, a predetermined numerical value, for example, “1” is added to the numerical value Fp (j) (step SS8).

Next, it is determined whether or not the variable j has reached the maximum item number N (F) of the favorite data file. If not, the variable j is added with "1", and the next match processing is performed.
That is, the process of step SS7 is performed. When the variable j reaches the maximum number N (F) of items in the favorite data file, that is, when j = N (F), it is determined whether the variable i has reached the maximum number N (M) of metadata. If not, add “1” to the variable i (step SS12),
Then, the variable j is reset, and the next matching process, that is, the process of step SS7 is performed.

Variable i is the maximum number of metadata items N (M)
Is reached, that is, since each item of the metadata and each item of the user preference data file have been brute-forced compared, the updating process of the numerical value Fp indicating the priority ends.

By the above-described priority update processing, the client 20 can automatically set the priority of each item of the user's favorite data file according to the metadata of the content accessed by the user. Then, according to the priority of each item of the favorite data file, the server 1
It is possible to automatically control information pushed from 0 to the client 20. For example, fine-grained control such as pushing still image content instead of moving image content can be performed for low-priority content.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user's favorite data file is stored in the storage device 22, and when the content is pushed from the server 10, the client 20 transmits the favorite data file and the content. Stores content in accordance with metadata 22
The client 20 decides whether to register or not.
The priority of each item of the favorite data file can be automatically updated according to the user's access tendency, and the content pushed from the server 10 can be selected according to the updated priority information. Thereby, the server 1
From the information pushed from 0, only necessary contents according to the user's hobbies and preferences are registered by the client 20 and can be browsed or referred to by the user.
Collection and management and use of information can be performed efficiently.
Furthermore, since the client 20 can select the content to be registered according to the priority of each item of the user's favorite data file, the information with the highest demand can be efficiently collected and the storage capacity of the storage device can be effectively used. Available to

Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is a connection diagram showing a second embodiment of the information distribution system according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, a preference data file of each user is managed by a third party on the network. Then, according to the preference data file managed by the third party, the server 10 distributes only necessary information to the client of each user.

As shown in FIG. 9, the information distribution system according to this embodiment includes a server 10, a client 20, a network 30, and a proxy server 40.
Although a plurality of user clients are actually connected to the network 30, only one client 20 is shown in FIG.

The proxy server 40 manages user preference information, and has, for example, a database including a preference data file indicating the hobbies and preferences of each user. The storage device 42 is provided in the proxy server 40, and the storage device 42 stores the database and information for managing the database. The proxy server 40 registers the preference data file of each user based on the content access tendency of each user. In addition, the preference data file indicating the user's hobbies and preferences and the priority of each item of the preference data file are automatically updated. Since information is exchanged between the server 10 and the proxy server 40 when necessary based on the user's preference data file, there is no need to change the client 20 on the user side, and the user is aware of his / her own preference data file. Necessary information can be pushed from the server 10 without being browsed or browsed.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the processing in the proxy server 40. Hereinafter, the processing of the proxy server 40 in the information distribution system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The proxy server 40 waits for an access from the client 20 in an access waiting state (step SP1). If there is access from the client 20, data requested from the server 10 is acquired (step SP2) and transmitted to the client 20 (step S2).
P3).

In parallel with the information steps SP2 and SP3, the server 10 inquires of the server 10 whether or not metadata can be obtained (step SP4). If the metadata can be acquired, the metadata is acquired from the server 10 (step SP5), and the client that issued the access request updates the user's favorite data file prepared in advance based on the metadata. Do.

The updating of the metadata includes registration of items and updating of priorities. To register an item,
For example, when the metadata of the content accessed by the user includes an item that has not been registered in the user's favorite data file, so-called hobby registration of registering the item in the favorite data file is performed (step SP8). ). On the other hand, when the item included in the metadata of the content accessed by the user is already registered in the preference data file, that is, when the hobby information matches (matches), the numerical value indicating the priority of the item is set to a large value. Is performed (step SP7).

By the updating process described above, the preference data file indicating the hobbies and preferences of each user is automatically updated by the proxy server 40. Accordingly, for example, by providing the proxy server 40 in a unit such as an apartment house or a local government where interest can be expected to be concentrated, there is an advantage that contents can be efficiently stored and traffic on the network can be reduced.

Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is a connection diagram showing a third embodiment of the information distribution system according to the present invention. As illustrated, in the information distribution system of the present embodiment, the server 1
0, a client 20, a proxy server 40, and a hobby item management server 50 that manages items of hobbies and preferences.

The hobby item management server 50 can also define hobby preference items and select the item for the client 20 or the proxy server 40 to generate a preference data file. In this way, you can eliminate variations in items,
Efficiency in comparing the metadata of the content with the preference data file of each user can be improved. A storage device 52 is provided in the hobby item management server 50. The storage device 52 stores a database (hereinafter, referred to as a hobby item database) including categories, keywords, and the like indicating a user's hobbies and preferences.

For example, when pushing content,
It is assumed that “John Lennon” is included as metadata. The client inquires the hobby item management server 50 about the keyword and sends the keyword to the hobby item management server 50.
From "John Lennon", "The Beatles", "Imagine", etc., and those that absorb fluctuations in the expression of "John Lennon" and related keywords are returned.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the processing in the hobby item management server 50. Hereinafter, the operation of the hobby item management server 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The hobby item management server waits for a request from the proxy server 40 or the client 20 in the request waiting state (step SQ1). When a request is received, the requested item is obtained (step SQ2). Then, the hobby item management server 50 searches the hobby item database stored in the storage device 52 for the requested item (step SQ3), and returns the related item found by the search to the requesting side (step SQ4). ).

By such processing, items corresponding to hobbies and preferences can be obtained from the hobby item database managed collectively by the hobby item management server 50, so that each user can set items according to his / her own hobbies and preferences. Compared with management, the variation of items can be reduced, and processing such as a match search can be executed more efficiently. Note that the same processing can be performed by each client. In this case, each client holds a database including fluctuations in the notation of items and related keywords. However, the database held on each client side is obtained, for example, from a common information source. For example, by acquiring a hobby item database from a server that provides hobby items, fluctuations in items held by each client can be absorbed.

In the above-described processing, items indicating the user's hobbies and preferences are listed in the preference data file, and only those that match those are performed by the client. However, information that does not match may be accepted. it can. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing such a process.

Hereinafter, the processing of the client 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In the waiting state, the client 20 waits for a push request from the server 10 (steps SR1 and SR2). If there is a push request, it is determined whether or not the keyword matches (step SR3). Then, when the keywords match, it is confirmed whether or not there is free space in the storage device 22 (step SR4). As a result of the confirmation, if there is free space in the storage device 22, registration processing is performed for the matched keyword (step SR5). On the other hand, when there is no free space in the storage device 22, a deletion process is performed (step SR6).

As described above, in the registration process, for example, a data file of the content is stored in the storage device 22, and information indicating the content of the content, for example, the location where the content is stored, the attribute, and the creation of the content are created. Information such as date and time, metadata and the like are respectively associated with the content and stored in the storage device 22. On the other hand, in the deletion process, in addition to deleting the content from the storage device 22, information such as the location where the content is stored, the attribute, the date and time when the content was created, and the metadata are all deleted from the storage device 22. The content to be deleted can be determined, for example, by deleting the oldest content in the order of registration or by deleting the content with the lowest priority.

If the keywords do not match in the above-described keyword matching determination, it is further determined whether or not the category matches (step SR).
7). If the categories match, it is determined whether there is free space in the storage device 22 as described above. If there is free space, the content is registered, and if there is no free space, a deletion process is performed.

If the categories do not match in the category match determination, it is determined whether or not there is free space in the storage device 22 (step SR8). If there is free space, content registration processing is performed (step SR10). However, when the content registered by the registration process has a low priority and the deletion process is performed, the content with the lower priority is deleted. In determining the free space of the storage device 22, if there is no free space,
The content is discarded (step SR9).

In the above-described processing, even if the content pushed from the server 10 does not match the user's taste and preference, the content is not immediately discarded and the storage device 22 is not deleted.
Is registered when there is free space. In other words, content that does not match the user's hobbies and preferences is also registered according to the availability of the storage device 22. However, when the content registered in this way has the lowest priority and other content is pushed, if the content matches the user's taste and preference, the content with the lower priority is deleted first. .

For the push content provider,
This process can dig up new demand.
Even contents that do not match the user's hobbies and preferences can be incorporated into the user's client, so if the user can be interested in the contents, it will be added as a new item to the user's favorite data file. Then, it can be expected that the user will actively access the content of the item from the next access. The push content provider can secure a new customer by proposing an area that the user may be interested in even if he is not currently interested.

In order to realize this, it is necessary to have access information recording means for holding the number of times the user has accessed the pushed content and access information posting means for posting the same on the server 10. When the user accesses the content, the item of the access count on the database managed by the client is updated. The access information posting means presents access information including the number of accesses to the server 10 in response to a request from the server 10. Also, it is assumed that the metadata of the content can be similarly posted.

The server 10 can judge the user's hobbies and preferences on the basis of the obtained user access information such as the metadata of the content and the number of accesses, and optimize the content to be pushed in the future.

[0072]

As described above, according to the information distribution system of the present invention, necessary information is automatically collected by posting hobbies and preferences from the user side. In addition, the information provider can more effectively narrow down the target of information provision and push the content. As a result, it is possible to reduce unnecessary traffic on the network. Further, according to the present invention, by assigning priorities represented by numerical values to the respective items indicating the user's hobbies and preferences, it is possible to efficiently collect the most necessary information according to the priorities. By updating hobby preference items and their priorities in accordance with the user's access tendency, it is possible to follow changing hobby preferences and always provide necessary information in accordance with the user's hobby preferences. Furthermore, the user is particularly conscious by managing the preference data indicating the tastes and preferences of the user by a third party other than the client side or the client and the server, and constantly updating the preference data of each user according to the user's access tendency. Instead, only necessary information is taken in, and necessary information is automatically collected in the client, which is advantageous in that the convenience of information collection can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an information distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a client.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user preference data file.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a preference data file expressed in a table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of push information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preference data file to which a priority is added;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating priority update processing;

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the information distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing in a proxy server.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the information distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing in the hobby item management server.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating content registration processing in a client.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 server, 12 server storage device, 20 client, 22 client storage device, 201 information transmitting means, 202 information receiving means, 203 information posting means, 204 information searching means, 205 information registration Means 2
06 ... storage device communication means, 30 ... network, 40 ...
Proxy server, 42: Storage device of proxy server, 50: Hobby item management server, 52: Storage device of hobby item management server.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information providing server for transmitting information to a user's client via a network, information selecting means for selecting information transmitted by the information providing server in accordance with user's preference information, and said information selecting means. And an information storage unit for storing information selected by the user and providing the information to the user. 2. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the information provided by said information providing server includes metadata indicating the contents of said information. 3. A preference information management means for generating the preference information based on an access tendency of the user.
Information distribution system described. 4. The preference information management means, based on the access tendency of the user and metadata indicating the content of the provided information included in the information provided by the server,
4. The information distribution system according to claim 3, wherein a numerical value indicating a priority of each item included in the user preference information is set. 5. The preference information management means compares an item indicating the user's hobby and preference included in the metadata with an item included in the user's preference information, and when the items match, The information distribution system according to claim 4, wherein a priority corresponding to the item of the user preference information is increased. 6. The information distribution system according to claim 3, wherein said preference information management means is provided in a client of said user. 7. The information distribution system according to claim 3, wherein said preference information management means is provided in another server connected to said network. 8. transmitting information from an information providing server to a user's client via a network, receiving the transmitted information, and selecting the received information in accordance with user's preference information; Storing the selected information and providing the selected information to the user. 9. The information distribution method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of transmitting metadata indicating the content of the transmitted information from the information providing server to the client. 10. The information distribution method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of generating preference information of said user based on said user's access tendency. 11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of setting a numerical value indicating the priority of each item included in the user preference information based on the access tendency of the user and the metadata provided by the server. Information delivery method. 12. An item indicating the taste of the user included in the metadata is compared with an item included in the preference information of the user. The information distribution method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of increasing a priority corresponding to the item.