JP2002334036A - Client-server system and charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a client side to access a Web page as usual even after the Web page provider changes the storage environment of display data. SOLUTION: A client-server system equipped with a client 1 and a server 2 is provided with a 1st server 2A and a 2nd server 2B which can freely store the display data 4 of the specific Web page 3, and adds a 1st URL 5A to 1st display data 4A of the Web page provided on the 1st server 2A and a 2nd URL 5B to 2nd display data 4B of the Web page provided on the 2nd server 2B; and the 1st display data 4A have address change information for changing the destination of a request to access the 1st URL 5A from the client 1 to the 2nd URL 5B and the 2nd display data 4B have screen display information for displaying the Web page 3 in a browser 1a of the client 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a client-server system having a client and a server, and a method of charging a client-server system in using the client-server system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of client server system, as shown in FIG. 4, a server 22 capable of storing display data 21 of a predetermined Web page 20 is provided.
Screen display information for displaying the Web page 20 on the browser 1a of the client 1 is stored in the server 22 as the display data 21.
RL (Uniform Resource Locat
or) with the addition of 23. For example, if the domain name of the server 22 is [@. ne. j
p], the screen display information of the Web page is stored in the [data] directory in the server 22 at [index. h
tm], the corresponding We
The URL 23 of the page b is [http: // www. △
Δ. ne. jp / data / index. htm], and when the browser 1a of the client 1 specifies this URL 23 and requests access, the index. htm
The Web page 20 can be displayed on the screen as described in (1). Further, as this kind of client server system billing method, for example, in the Internet, the server operator P is a web page provider W
Has been charged for the use of the data storage area in the server 22.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, the Web
In order for the client to access the Web page provided by the page provider, as described above, the URL of the Web page (for example, http: //www.@.ne.
jp / data / index. htm) by designating it with a browser and requesting access. According to the above-described conventional client-server system, it is necessary that the display data is stored in the storage destination (server, directory) of the display data indicated by the URL. If there is a change in the storage environment, such as changing the file name, changing the storage directory in the server, or changing the server where the display data is stored, if the client specifies the URL, the "display file" There is a problem that the Web page cannot be accessed because "is not found." In order to solve this problem, the Web page provider sends a U.S. client to the client every time the display data storage environment is changed as described above.
It is conceivable that an RL change notification is issued and the client side corrects the reference destination URL registered as a reference destination.
Since it can be a candidate for access to the web page, it is substantially difficult for the web page provider to notify all clients of the change. In addition, even in an intranet for a specific majority, each client receiving the URL change notification does not always change the reference URL of the relevant Web page at hand.
Even if the network administrator performs the URL change operation, there is a problem that it takes much time and effort. That is, once the Web page provider changes the storage environment of the display data, there is a problem in that the client cannot access the Web page thereafter.

[0004] Further, according to the above-described conventional client-server system charging method, the charge to the Web page provider is constant regardless of the number of accesses to the Web page, and the usage status can be reflected in the charge. There were difficult problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and provide a client-server system which can access a Web page on a client side even if a Web page provider changes the storage environment of display data. Along with the provision, there is a need to provide a billing method that enables billing according to the use status of the client server system.

[0006]

As shown in FIG. 1, in a client-server system having a client 1 and a server 2, display data 4 of a predetermined Web page 3 is stored in a storage medium. A first server 2A and a second server 2B that can be freely stored are provided.
A, a first URL 5A is added to the first display data 4A of the web page provided in the web server A, and a second UR is added to the second display data 4B of the web page provided in the second server 2B.
L5B, the first display data 4A is the first U
In response to an access request from the client 1 to the RL 5A, address change information for changing the access request destination to the second URL 5B is provided, and the second display data 4B stores the Web page 3 in the Web page 3. It is provided with screen display information to be displayed on the browser 1a of the client 1.

According to the characteristic structure of the first aspect of the present invention, when the client specifies the first URL and accesses the first display data of the first server, the access request is made in accordance with the address change information. The second URL is changed to the second URL corresponding to the second display data of the two servers. As a result, the second display data indicated by the second URL is transmitted from the second server to the client and can be referred to on the browser. In short, the client always has the first URL
Simply by designating as the reference URL, the second display data of the second URL indicated in the address change information of the first display data can be referred to. Accordingly, the Web page provider can store the second display data (the Web page desired to be provided to the client) in a storage environment (for example, a file name of the display data, a storage directory in the server, a server in which the display data is stored, etc. ), When the second URL after the storage environment is changed is accurately specified as the address change information of the first display data, it is possible to reliably provide the client with the target Web page. Become. As a result, even if the Web page provider changes the storage environment (second URL) of the second display data,
On the client side, the reference URL (first U
The content of the second URL can be referred to only by specifying and accessing the (RL), and it is not necessary to send a URL change notification to many clients. Therefore, We
The page b can be maintained in a state where it can be easily accessed from the client.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the characteristic structure of the second aspect of the invention is that the address change information described in the first display data 4A includes the link destination second URL 5B.
Is configured to be freely rewritable in an online state by the Web page provider W accessing the first server 2A.

According to the characteristic configuration of the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the link destination of the address change information described in the first display data can be achieved. With regard to the second URL, the Web page provider can access the first server and rewrite it online, thereby making it easier and faster to maintain the link information accompanying a change in the Web page storage environment. Can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in using the client server system according to the first or second aspect, the first server operator P operates the Web page provider W
, A predetermined amount is charged according to the number of URLs whose addresses are to be changed.

[0011] According to the characteristic configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, charging is performed according to the number of URLs to be changed, and the amount of information and the charging in proportion to the amount of information change can be performed. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in using the client server system according to the first or second aspect, the first server operator P operates the Web page provider W
, A predetermined amount is charged according to the number of access requests from the client 1 to the first URL.

[0013] According to the characteristic configuration of the invention of claim 4, billing is performed according to the number of access requests from the client to the first URL, and billing can be performed in proportion to the amount of information processing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in using the client server system according to the first or second aspect, the first server operator P operates the Web page provider W
In this case, a predetermined amount according to the number of URLs whose addresses are to be changed and a predetermined amount according to the number of access requests from the client 1 to the first URL are charged.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, charging is performed in accordance with the number of URLs to be changed, and charging is performed in accordance with the number of access requests from the client to the first URL. , And the amount of information change and the amount of information processing can be charged in more detail.

As described above, the reference numerals are used for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the conventional example indicate the same or corresponding portions.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the client server system of the present invention. The client-server system CS includes a client 1 and a server 2 which are arranged so as to be able to communicate information via a network E such as the Internet or an intranet.

The client 1 has browser software (hereinafter simply referred to as a browser) 1a installed therein, and is configured so that each input / output operation on the network E can be performed using the browser 1a. is there.

The server 2 has a first server 2A
And the second server 2B.
Display data 4 for displaying page 3 is stored. The first server 2A stores first display data 4A corresponding to a first URL 5A, and the second server 2B stores second display data 4A corresponding to a second URL 5B.
B is saved.

The first display data 4A is the first UR
In accordance with an access request from the client 1 to L5A, address change information for changing the access request destination to the second URL 5B is provided. The second display data 4B includes screen display information for displaying the Web page 3 on the browser 1a of the client 1.

The first server 2A and the second server 2B will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the domain name of the first server 2A on the network is, for example, [△△. co. jp], and the domain name of the second server 2B is, for example, [□□. ne. jp], and the first URL5A is [http: // www. △△.
co. jp / OO / index. htm], and the second URL 5B is [http: // www. □□. n
e. jp / OO / index. htm]. [Index. Stored in the [OO] directory on the second server 2B. [htm] is the second display data 4B and W
Display the screen display information of eb page 3 in html (HyperT
ext Markup Language) format. The browser 1a of the client 1 can display the Web page on the display by receiving this file. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the Web page provider W, for example, ftp (File
Transfer Protocol) software, a new index. It is possible to update the screen display information by overwriting and uploading the htm, and to delete and search the file. On the other hand, in the first server 2A, [index. ht
m] (corresponding to the first display data 4A). This [index. htm] includes the first URL 5A and the second U
There is a description relating to RL5B. Then, the [index. [htm], the destination of the access request from the client is the first U5A and the second URL5B.
A database application D for changing from the RL 5A to the second URL 5B is provided. According to this database application D, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the above-described URL change, registration of new first display data 4A or access to the first It is possible to change the second URL 5B corresponding to the first URL 5A in the display data, delete the first display data, or search for a predetermined one from a large number of first display data. When the web page provider W accesses the first server 2A, a check of user information registered in advance (input instruction of an ID number, a password, and the like) is performed.

According to the client server system CS of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the Web page provider W publishes the Web page URL to the client 1 by:
The first URL 5A is always set, and the actual Web page data is stored in the second server 2B in the second display data 4A.
If it is stored as B, the client 1 can refer to the Web page corresponding to the second URL 5B with the browser only by specifying the first URL 5A. Then, when the web page provider W changes the URL of the second display data 4B as shown in FIG. 2 (for example, moving the second display data 4B to a different position in the second server 2B). In the case where the server itself storing the second display data 4B is changed), the changed URL
By accessing the database application D of the first server 2A and correcting the second URL 5B associated with the first URL 5A to the above-mentioned changed URL, the client 1 can continue to use Only by instructing the first URL 5A, it becomes possible to refer to the Web page corresponding to the changed URL.

The client server system C
In S, the first server operator P charges the Web page provider W for a metered amount according to the number of URLs whose address is to be changed described in the first display data 4A. is there.

[Another Embodiment] Another embodiment will be described below.

<1> In the client-server system, a client and a server are communicably arranged via a network, and the network is exemplified by the Internet and an intranet. Further, as for the communication method, it is possible to adopt a method that can communicate, such as a method using a telephone line, a CATV, a satellite communication line, and the like. In the above embodiment, the configuration of the system has been described by taking as an example the configuration of the client 1, the first server 2A, the second server 2B, and the Web page provider. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The combined form of a plurality of clients, servers, and Web page providers becomes more realistic. <2> The first display data 4A is not limited to the configuration stored in an individual file as described in the previous embodiment, but is stored in a table in the database application D of the first server 2A, for example. It is also possible to take the form of data that has been received. In short, in response to an access request specifying the first URL 5A from the client 1,
It is sufficient if the access request destination can be changed to the second URL 5B, and these are collectively referred to as first display data. As for the content of the first display data, one first UR per one web page provider
A plurality of pairs may be provided in addition to the pair including only one pair of L5A and one corresponding second URL 5B. <3> The second display data 4B is not limited to the description in the html format described in the above embodiment, and may be in any format as long as it can be displayed in a browser. <4> In using the client server system, the first server operator P with respect to the web page provider W
The method of charging is not limited to the method of charging a predetermined amount according to the number of URLs whose addresses are to be changed as described in the above embodiment. It is also possible to adopt a method of charging and a method of charging both from a predetermined amount according to the number of URLs to be changed and a predetermined amount according to the number of access requests from the client 1 to the first URL 5A. is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a client server system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a client server system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing processing in a database application.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional client server system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Client 1a Browser 2 Server 2A First Server 2B Second Server 3 Web Page 4 Display Data 4A First Display Data 4B Second Display Data 5A First URL 5B Second URL P First Server Operator W Web Page Provider

Claims (5)

[Claims] In a client-server system including a client and a server, a first server and a second server capable of storing display data of a predetermined Web page are provided, and a Web server provided in the first server is provided. A first URL is attached to the first display data, and a second URL is attached to the second display data of the Web page provided in the second server. The first display data is transmitted from the client to the first URL. And address change information for changing the access request destination to the second URL according to the access request. The second display data is for displaying the Web page on the browser of the client. Client-server system configured with screen display information. 2. The address change information described in the first display data, the second URL of the link destination is Web
2. The client server system according to claim 1, wherein the client server system is configured to be freely rewritten in an online state by accessing the first server by a page provider. 3. In using the client server system according to claim 1 or 2, the first server operator charges a predetermined amount to the Web page provider according to the number of URLs whose addresses are to be changed. Client server system billing method. 4. In using the client server system according to claim 1 or 2, the first server operator responds to the Web page provider according to the number of access requests from the client to the first URL. A method of charging a client server system for charging a predetermined amount. 5. In using the client server system according to claim 1 or 2, the first server operator provides the Web page provider with a predetermined amount according to the number of URLs whose addresses are to be changed, A client server system charging method for charging a predetermined amount according to the number of access requests from a client to a first URL.