JP2002351732A - Device/method/program for providing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve popularity by preparing a n interesting homepage. SOLUTION: An information providing device transfers an HTML file to a browsing terminal through the Internet. A script for displaying an information display control character string for displaying information on providing data and the number of residual transferring times and a script for prohibiting a transferring request after responding to that the number of transferring times amounts to a transfer limited value in response to this are written in the HTML file. The Web browser of the browsing terminal displays the picture of a residual number counter with the information picture of provided data by reading the HTML file. A transfer request is sent by clicking a displayed picture, and a Web server transfers the provided data in response to the transfer request. After completing transferring, a CGI performance program performs a count updating script and sends the result to a Web browser to update the display of the residual number counter. When the display of the residual number counter becomes zero, the transfer of providing data after this is prohibited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and method for providing information to a browsing terminal through a network, and a program for executing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information providing apparatus for downloading files such as audio, images, and application software to a browsing terminal through the Internet, a Web server is used.
Servers and storage servers are known. Web
The server has activated HTTP server software and transfers an HTML file for displaying an image of a homepage in response to a request from a viewing terminal. In the HTML file, describe a control character string that displays a thumbnail image of the provided image file reduced, and describe a control character string that links the storage location of the image file with a clickable map etc. to the display range of the thumbnail image Keep it.
In this way, the web browser of the viewing terminal monitors mouse clicks on the area of the thumbnail image, and in response to receiving the click, requests the web server to transfer the target image file. Transfer the desired image file in response to the request. The Web server administrator updates the provided image file at a certain time.

In order to accumulate a large amount of files in large quantities, a dedicated storage server is required, for example, as the size of a Web server increases, a dedicated server such as a database server or an application server is required. Will be needed. The storage server temporarily stores files from a specific viewing terminal,
A database is created and centrally managed based on the stored files, and can be extracted only to a specific viewing terminal.

Conventionally, a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) that counts and displays the number of downloads in order to know how many browsing terminals are downloading files.
ce) Script programs are known. The program is written in an interpreted language such as Perl, and is stored in an HTML file or used as a text file and read out, and is executed by a CGI execution program embedded in the Web server . The execution result is sent to the web browser of the viewing terminal,
A counter image is displayed on the screen of the viewing terminal.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As a result of a company that has established a homepage, there are many companies that improve their corporate image and enhance their gazette activities. However, the results of opening a page are not yet satisfactory, and it is necessary to take measures, such as improving customer service, that fully utilize the characteristics of the Internet such as convenience and interactivity. One homepage focuses on providing video files and audio files to help improve customer service.

[0006] Also, statistics have been published that the popularity of a home page is proportional to the frequency of updating the content. If the information (contents) on the homepage is not actively updated according to the season, event, and content, the popularity will decrease. However, there was no reliable indication of when to update the information provided and the resulting visual change, so it was very difficult to do so in a timely manner.

[0007] The present invention is devised to be intriguing for a service for providing information through a network,
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing device that can easily recognize a guideline of an update time.

[0008]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus, comprising: transfer means for transferring provided data in response to receiving a transfer request received from a browsing terminal via a network; Transfer number counting means for counting the number of times the transfer means has transferred the provided data; and browsing the remaining number of transfers based on the transfer number limit value set for each provided data and the count value of the transfer number counting means. A transfer number display means for displaying on the terminal; and a transfer prohibition means for prohibiting data transfer of the transfer means in response to the count value of the transfer number counting means reaching the limit value of the transfer number. It is a thing.

The transfer means monitors a display control character string for displaying the information of the provided data on the browsing terminal, a transfer request instruction for the information, and sends a transfer request corresponding to the information. A display control file describing a transfer request control character string; a data storage unit for storing provided data associated with the information; a transmission control unit for sending the display control file to a browsing terminal accessed through a network; Transfer control means for reading provided data corresponding to the transfer request from the data storage means and transferring the data to the viewing terminal. Further, the transfer number counting means is a transfer number recording file for storing the number of transfers performed by the transfer control means; and the number of times stored in the transfer number recording file is updated each time the transfer control means transfers provided data. A transfer count update program; a first program execution control character string described in the display control file and executed by the transfer control means before or after transferring the provided data, for executing the transfer count update program. ing. Further, the remaining transfer count display means includes a limit count storage file for storing a preset transfer limit count; and a remaining transfer count based on each value stored in the transfer count storage film and the limit count storage film. A remaining transfer count display program that counts the number of remaining transfers and sends the resulting value to the display control file for display in association with the information; and the transfer control means described in the display control file and provided by the transfer control means. , And a second program execution control character string for executing the remaining transfer count display program. Furthermore, the transfer prohibiting means determines whether or not the value stored in the transfer count storage film has reached the value stored in the limit count storage film, and if the result has been reached, A transfer request prohibition program for prohibiting a transfer request sent by the transfer request control character string; executing the transfer request prohibition program described in the display control file in response to receiving a transfer request instruction from a viewing terminal And a third program execution control character string.

Specifically, the display control file includes, for example, an HTML file including a display character string and a display control character string for controlling display, and an image file for displaying the display control character string. Is done. The transmission control means is HT
It consists of TP server software and a network, and transfers the display control file to the viewing terminal in response to a transfer request from the viewing terminal. The data storage means is a memory, a hard disk, or the like connected to the device. The limited count storage file is rewritable only by the administrator, and is stored in a storage unit (hard disk or memory) connected to the device, which is a file prepared for each provided data. The transfer control means includes HTTP or FTP server software and a network, and transfers the provided data stored in the data storage means to the viewing terminal in response to a transfer request from the viewing terminal. The transfer count recording file is a file (count file) in which the value of the transfer count of the provided data is described, which can be rewritten only by the administrator, and is stored in the storage unit connected to the device for each provided data.

The transfer count updating program describes a program logic that is described and stored in the display control file, used as a file, and read out, and is processed by application logic through an interface such as CGI. CGI script program. This program reads the count file in response to the transfer of the transfer control means, sequentially counts the read values, and writes the resulting value. This update may be performed at the time of receiving the transfer request (before the transfer) or after the completion of the transfer of the provided data.

[0012] The remaining transferable number display program stores a counter image corresponding to a value read from the count file from a counter display image storage unit in which a counter display image file group consisting of one digit numeric image file is stored in advance. This is, for example, a CGI script program that selects and reads an arbitrary numerical image file, transfers the data of the counter image to the Web browser of the viewing terminal, and displays the data on the Web browser in accordance with the display image.

The transfer prohibition program is a program for comparing the value read from the count file with the value read from the limit count recording file, and prohibiting a transfer request to be sent to the transfer control means if the result is the same. The remaining transferable number display program and the transfer prohibition program are also described and stored in the display control file, or read out as a file.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the present invention. The browsing terminal 1 for the client to browse the information is connected to the Internet (TCP / IP (Transmission C
An information device that can acquire information from a specific information providing device 3 via a data transfer network 2 based on an ontrol Protocol / Internet Protocol). Specifically, a Web browser (browser) for browsing the Internet 2
It is a personal computer equipped with FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client software. The web browser downloads the HTML file on the server and displays characters and images as described in the HTML file. The viewing terminal 1 is dial-up connected to the Internet via a data modulation device (modem) (not shown) and a telephone line. Note that the browsing terminal 1 is LA
It may belong to another network such as N (Local Area Network).

The information providing device 3 is a Web server that provides contents to be browsed by a Web browser.
In the server, HTTPd (Hyper Text T) that transfers an HTML file in response to a read request from the browser of the viewing terminal 1
ransfer Protocol daemon program) is running. HT
The transfer of the ML file is exchanged by the HTTP protocol. Also, FTP server software is activated and resident in the information providing device 3, and data transfer when providing information to the viewing terminal 1 is performed by FTP (file Transfer Protocol).
col) communicate by protocol. Note that the data may be exchanged by the HTTP protocol. In addition, the Web server has application logic such as CGI execution program.

The information providing device 3 is connected to a storage unit 4 for storing files such as a hard disk, an operation unit 5 such as a keyboard, and a data input / output device 6 such as a scanner or a CD-R. The storage unit 4 includes a counter display including an HTML file 7, a display image file 8, a provision image file 9, a count file 10, a limit count recording file 11, a CGI script file 12, and a single digit numeric image file. An image file group 13 and the like are stored. Note that such files 8 to 13 may be uploaded to the information providing apparatus 3 from another terminal via the Internet or a network.

In the HTML file 7, as shown in FIG.
A display control character string for displaying characters and an image of a display image file in a limited space based on a layout information character example and the layout information, a character string indicating link destination information of the display image file, and a display image Monitor the range of
In response to the designation of the range, a character string indicating the link destination information of the CGI script file associated with the display image, and the link destination storing the provided image data corresponding to the transfer request from the FTP client are displayed. The illustrated example of characters and the like are described.

The display image file is a file in which data of an image to be displayed on a Web browser is stored, and this data is obtained by reducing the provided image data into a thumbnail. This file is a GIF (Graphics Interchan
ge Format) format and JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding)
Experts Group) format. If the provided data is a music file, an image describing the content is created, and the image data is displayed on a Web browser.

The CGI script file 12 is executed by a CGI execution program on a Web server, and is a text file in which programs, macros, and the like are described.
This file 12 is composed of a script program for displaying the number of remaining transfers that displays the remaining number of transfers that can be performed for each display image, and a plurality of transfer determination script programs that are prepared for each display image. The remaining transfer count display script program reads the count file 10 and the limit count recording file 11, counts the remaining transfer counts based on the values stored in these files, and sets the counter display image to the value. Select multiple single-digit number image files from the file group and transfer the image data
Transfer to web browser.

The transfer determination script program is prepared for each display image, and includes a program logic for counting the number of times of logic transfer, a program logic for displaying the number of remaining transfers, and a program logic for inhibiting transfer. As shown in FIG. 5, a transfer prohibition program logic is first executed for a transfer request received for each display image. The transfer prohibition program logic reads the count file 10 and the limit count recording file 11, compares the values of the count file 10 and the limit count record file 11, and determines whether the value of the count file 10 has reached the value of the transfer limit count. As a result, if it has not been reached, transfer the transfer permission to the web browser,
If it has reached, a transfer prohibition is sent.

After the completion of the transfer, the program logic for counting the number of transfers is executed. The logic is an update operation for sequentially calculating and recording the values stored in the count file 10. Thereafter, the remaining transfer count display program logic is executed, the updated count file 10 and the limit count recording file 11 are read, and based on the values stored therein, any one of the counter display image file group 13 is selected. Select a single-digit numeric image file and transfer the data to the terminal. Note that the transfer number counting program logic may be executed before the transfer.

These counter images are specified in the layout information of the HTML file so as to be displayed in a line at a position corresponding to the display image.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Start the web browser of the viewing terminal 1,
The URL of the homepage of the Web server of the information providing device 3 is specified. The Web browser requests the transfer of the HTML file 7 to the URL. The web server is
The HTML file 7 is read and transmitted to the Web browser of the viewing terminal 1. The web browser receives the HTML file 7
Is analyzed, a display image is displayed, and execution of the CGI script of the URL described in the HTML file 7 is requested. The first CGI script requested is a script program for displaying the number of remaining transfers.

The Web server activates the CGI execution program and processes the script program for displaying the remaining transfer count. In this process, the count file 10 and the limit count recording file 11 are read out, the remaining transferable counts are counted from the values stored in these files, and the counter display image file group 13 Select multiple corresponding single-digit number image files from among them, and transfer those image files to the Web browser. The web browser lays out the transferred plurality of image data based on the layout information and displays the layout on a homepage. A home page as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the Web browser. This home page displays a plurality of thumbnailed display images 20 to 23 and counter images 24 to 27 representing the remaining transferable number for each position corresponding to the display image. Also, to attract interest,
A sentence such as "Each provided image has a limit on the number of downloads. If this limit has not been reached, you can click on the displayed image to start downloading."

The Web browser monitors whether or not the range of the display image is specified. When the range of an arbitrary display image is specified by clicking with a mouse or the like, the URL of the URL associated with the display image is specified. Request execution of a CGI script file. This script file is a transfer judgment script file and is processed by the CGI execution program of the Web server. This processing is performed by first counting the count file 10
And the number-of-times-of-limits recording file 11 are read out, and the values of the two are compared to determine whether the value of the count file 10 has reached the value of the number of times of transfer limitation. As a result of such processing, that is, when data has not reached, data of transfer permission, and when it has reached, data of transfer prohibition,
b Sent to the browser.

In response to receiving the transfer permission data, the Web browser sends a transfer request for the provided image file 9 in the directory destination associated with the display image using an FTP command. In response to this transfer request, the FTP server of the information providing device 3 receives the status instruction, confirms an available port number, establishes a data transfer connection, and transfers the provided image file 9. When the file transfer is completed, the Web browser requests execution of the CGI script program of the URL described in the HTML file 7. This program is a program logic for counting the number of transfers, and updates the value stored in the count file 10 and records the updated value. Thereafter, the program logic for displaying the remaining transfer count is executed, the updated count file 10 and the limit count recording file 11 are read, and the remaining transferable numerical values are counted from the values stored in these files. Thus, a single-digit number image file is selected from the group of image files for counter display 13 and transferred to the Web browser. The web browser displays a counter image for the remaining number of transfers by laying out the transferred image based on the layout information.

Thus, the counter image corresponding to the downloaded display image is displayed on the home page after the transfer is completed with a value obtained by subtracting one count.

Such download restriction is performed not only for the specific viewing terminal 1 but also for all viewing terminals accessed through the Internet 2. If the value of any of the counter images becomes zero, even if you click the corresponding display image, the result of the transfer determination script will send data that is prohibited from being transferred, so the Web server will transfer the provided image file. There is no. It is preferable to display a message such as "The number of downloads has been exceeded. Please wait for the update." On the Web browser when the transfer prohibition data is received. Also, the download restriction is based on the specific viewing terminal 1
You may just go. In this case, the browsing terminal 1 can be specified by capturing a global IP address or inputting a user ID or the like.

The administrator of the information providing apparatus 3 can recognize the update time by finding a display image that has reached the download limit number. After updating, log in to the web server by entering your user ID and password,
The providing file and the display image file are deleted or downloaded, and new files are uploaded. At this time, by clearing the value stored in the count file 10, the download of the providing data can be resumed.

It is also possible to use a provided information automatic updating apparatus which searches for a display image corresponding to the update time, that is, the counter display of zero, and automatically updates provided data corresponding to the display image of the search result. . As such a provided information automatic updating device, search means for reading a count file and a limited number storage file and searching for a display image that has reached a transfer limit number, provided data input means for inputting new provided data, Data update recording means for updating and recording the providing data corresponding to the display image searched by the search unit to new providing data; display image input means for inputting new display image data; and a display searched by the search unit. Display image update recording means for updating and recording an image to a new display image,
Count clearing means for clearing the value of the count file corresponding to the display image searched by the search unit, limit number input means for inputting the limit number of the provided data, and limit number storage file corresponding to the display image searched by the search unit And a limit count update recording means for reading and updating the limit count to the input limit count value.

Of course, when updating the providing file or the display image file, the corresponding link destination information or file name is searched for from the text of the HTML file 7 of the homepage stored in the Web server, and these element information is also updated. Update.

If the file to be provided is image data, the display image input means and the display image update recording means may be omitted, and the display image data may be automatically generated based on the new provided data. Good. Specifically, the new provision data is reduced to generate a thumbnail image, and the thumbnail image is updated and recorded on the display image retrieved by the retrieval unit.

In the above embodiment, the CGI script program running on the Web server is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the program may be embedded in an HTML file to operate on a Web browser. In this case, it is described in the language corresponding to the Web browser. More specifically, Internet Explorer and Netsca
In the case of pe Navigator, a program described in a language such as Java (registered trademark) or VB (registered trademark) Script can be used.

[0034]

According to the present invention, the number of times information is provided to all browsing terminals through a network is limited, so that services can be provided fairly. In addition, since the remaining transferable number of times that the provided information can be downloaded is displayed, the information is intrigued and the popularity is improved. Also, by confirming the remaining transferable number of times, it is possible to easily recognize the guideline of the update time, and timely update can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a character string described in an HTML file.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a character string described in a CGI script file.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a transfer determination program.

FIG. 6 is a sequence showing exchange between a Web browser and a Web server.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a Web browser.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Browsing terminal 2 Internet 3 Information providing device 4 Storage part 7 HTML file 12 CGI script file 20-23 Display image 24-27 Counter image

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Sakamoto 3-13-45 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuro Ashida 3--13-45 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B082 GA14 GC03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A transfer means for transferring provided data in response to receiving a transfer request received from a browsing terminal via a network, a transfer number counting means for counting the number of times the transfer means has transferred provided data, The remaining transfer number display means for displaying the remaining transfer number on the browsing terminal based on the transfer number limit value set for each data and the count value of the transfer number counting means, and the count value of the transfer number counting means is An information providing apparatus, comprising: a transfer prohibition unit that prohibits data transfer of the transfer unit thereafter in response to reaching a limit value of the number of transfers. 2. An information providing method for transferring provided data in response to receiving a transfer request received from a browsing terminal via a network, wherein the number of times the provided data is transferred is counted by a transfer number counting means. The remaining number of transfers calculated based on the count value of the means and the limit value of the number of transfers set in advance for each provided data is displayed on the browsing terminal, and the count value of the number-of-times-of-transfer counting means limits the number of transfers. An information providing method characterized in that, in response to reaching a value, transfer of provided data thereafter is prohibited. 3. An information providing program stored in an information providing device and provided to a browsing terminal through a network, wherein a transfer step of transferring provided data in response to receiving a transfer request received from the browsing terminal through the network; A transfer count step for updating and recording the number of times the provided data has been transferred to a count file stored in the information providing apparatus in advance; and a limit count recording file stored in the information providing apparatus in advance and set for each provided data. Remaining transfer count display step of counting the remaining transfer count based on the limit value of the transferred transfer count and the count value recorded in the count file, and displaying the value on the viewing terminal; and the remaining transfer count. Prohibits the subsequent transfer of the transfer step in response to reaching the transfer count limit value. Information providing program for executing the transmission prohibition step.