JP2002351781A - Content generating device using screen display page layout - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically discriminate the type of a terminal and description language for content display which is supported by the terminal and to generate the optimum content in the terminal. SOLUTION: When terminal information is obtained from HTTP request information, it is analyzed which content is to be used or which page layout definition file 2 is to be used in accordance with the content of a content generation definition file 1. An evaluator 3 finally decides which page layout definition file for description language is to be used based on terminal information. An HTTP request from the user is transferred to the decided page layout definition file 2. The page layout definition file 2 embeds the content obtained by the resource connector in a page layout and generates the new content. The new content is transferred to the user terminal as an HTTP response and it is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content generating apparatus for automatically generating content according to the size of a display screen and the like, and more particularly, to a portable terminal equipped with software capable of displaying content, and a portable terminal. It is applied to an application program or system that connects to a content providing server via the Internet using a telephone, a personal computer, etc., and displays the content (data, information) provided by the content providing server on the personal computer or portable information terminal. Related to a content generation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when a user accesses a content providing server distributed on the Internet to obtain information, a terminal capable of interpreting HTTP, which is a communication protocol for the Internet, and a user who obtains the information are generally referred to as a user. You need browser software to show it to you.
A long ago ago, users accessed content services they wanted using specific terminals, such as personal computers, and specific browser software that could display content described in HTML. However, recently, in addition to personal computers, a large number of mobile phones and PDAs equipped with browser software have appeared, and it has become possible to receive various content services via the Internet using these mobile terminals.

[0003]

By the way, various restrictions appear in a portable terminal as compared with a personal computer or the like due to communication capability, battery sustainability, size of the portable terminal itself, and the like. For example, the size of the display screen of a portable terminal is generally smaller than that of a personal computer or the like. Also,
Since the communication band is small, large data cannot be displayed at once. For this reason, browser software installed in a portable terminal has been developed that supports a specific description language (eg, C-HTML of i-mode (registered trademark)) in consideration of these restrictions. From this background, it has become necessary for content providers to provide the same content for various terminals. However, the size of the screen of the terminal and the description language for the content that can be displayed on the terminal are different, so that a new trouble has arisen that the content provider prepares the content one by one for each terminal. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to automatically determine the type of a terminal and a description language for displaying content supported by the terminal, and to determine the optimal content for the terminal. Is to provide a content generation device capable of generating a content.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Despite the same content content, preparing new dedicated content for each type of terminal or description language that can be displayed by browser software is efficient in terms of development cost and operation cost. Not a good thing. In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, based on terminal information of a user who accesses a content composed of text data, image data, database data, and the like, optimal content for the terminal is operated. Provide a mechanism to generate the information. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, it is determined which page layout is to be used, and a content generation definition file 1 is prepared which defines which content is to be used. Also, after inputting the terminal information and the content generation definition file 1, the evaluator 3 has a function of evaluating them and uniquely determining / selecting a page layout definition file 2 prepared in advance for each description language. Prepare The page layout definition file 2 is prepared separately for each description language, and furthermore, as will be described later, there are a total of eight types of basic types and two types of composite types.
Kinds are prepared. In addition, a resource connector 5, which is a content acquisition module for acquiring various contents prepared on the server side, is prepared. Further, in accordance with the contents of the page layout definition file 2, a content generation engine 4 for generating optimal content for the terminal is prepared.

[0005]

In FIG. 1, the optimum content for the terminal is generated as follows. The information of the terminal held by the user is sent together with the HTTP request, for example. In the content generation definition file 1, which content prepared in advance is used is defined. Further, it also defines which page layout definition file to use for the content.
When the terminal information is obtained, it is analyzed which content is used and which page layout definition file 2 is used according to the content of the content generation definition file 1. The evaluator 3 makes a final decision on which description language (HTML, C-HTML, etc.) page layout definition file to use based on the terminal information. Then, the HTTP request from the user is transferred to the determined page layout definition file 2. The page layout definition file 2 embeds the content acquired by the resource connector into this page layout to generate new content. This is HT
The TP response is transferred to the user terminal and displayed. In the present invention, as described above, when terminal information indicating the display capability of the terminal or the personal computer screen is input from the mobile terminal or the personal computer, the text data, the image data, the data of the database, and the like constituting the content are acquired. The terminal information and the content of the content generation definition file are evaluated with reference to the content generation definition file describing the definition for performing the operation, a page layout definition file is selected, and various types are selected according to the content of the page layout definition file. Since the most suitable content for the display screen of the terminal is generated, it is possible to automatically determine the type of the terminal and the description language for displaying the content supported by the terminal, and generate the optimal content for the terminal. .

[0006]

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied. As described above, recently, various terminals such as a personal computer 20a, a PDA 20b, and a mobile phone 20c are connected to a content providing server (provider) 21 via a network such as the Internet. When receiving a content service by accessing the content providing server (provider) 21 from the terminals 20a, 20b, 20c, etc., the content provider needs to provide the same content to various terminals. In order to respond to the above request, the content generation apparatus of the present invention uses a content providing server (provider) 21 or a content conversion server 22 installed between the network and the content providing server (provider) 21 as shown in FIG. And dynamically generates optimal content for the terminal based on terminal information for accessing the content and provides the content to each terminal via a network.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the content generation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the content generation processing. Hereinafter, processing in the content generation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, when there is an access from the user, H
The TTP request and the terminal information are transferred to the content generation definition (JSP) file 11 defined by the content creator [(1) in FIG. 3, step S1 in FIG. 4]. As shown in FIG. 3, the content generation definition (JSP) file 11 includes a tag library use declaration, a definition of a page layout to be used, and a definition of a content to be used (resource acquisition definition). Have been. Note that the header information of the HTTP request includes the type and version information of the browser, and the terminal information includes the model name and model of the terminal, the screen display capability of the terminal (eg, the length and width of the screen). , Display digits, resolution, etc.).

[0008] The JSP engine 12 calls the JSP custom tag library 13 and requests the evaluator 14 to check the name of the page layout definition file declared in the content generation definition file 11. [(2) in the figure, step S2 in FIG. 4]. Here, JSP (Java (registered trademark) Server Pag)
e) is one of the mechanisms on the server side that dynamically generates web content. JSP uses HTML or XML.
In addition to being able to generate a page with a predetermined tag such as, an object can be easily embedded in the page. Further, the JSP can independently define a tag described in the JSP (this is called a JSP custom tag). The JSP custom tag can be described and used in the content generation definition file 11 and the page layout definition file 16. The page layout definition file 16 includes, as shown in FIG.
, C-HTML, HDML, etc. are prepared for each description language, and define a page layout in each description language. As shown in FIG. Page layout is defined. The JSP custom tag library 13 is a collection of programs in which the actual processing content is described for each of the JSP custom tags uniquely defined by the content creator.

The evaluator 14 checks whether a page layout definition file name exists (step S3 in FIG. 4). If there is, an appropriate page layout definition file 16 is selected [Step S in FIG.
4]. If the page layout definition file does not exist, the terminal information is compared with the page layout definition file selection information 15, an appropriate page layout definition file name is determined / selected, and transmitted to the JSP custom tag library 13 [(3) in FIG. 4
Step S5]. JSP custom tag library 13
Reads the content generation definition file 11 and calls the corresponding resource connector 17 based on the resource acquisition definition declared in the content generation definition file 11 ((4) in FIG. 3, step S6 in FIG. 4). The resource connector 17 accesses the data source (content) 18 based on the parameters provided from the JSP custom tag library 13 ((5) in FIG. 3), and converts the acquired data into an object 19 that can be embedded in the page layout. [[6 in FIG. 3; Step S in FIG. 4]
7]. The content 18 in the present invention is, for example, data of a database in addition to text data / image data as shown in FIG.

When the JPS custom tag library 13 finishes reading the content generation definition file 11 (steps S8 → S9 in FIG. 4), the HTTP request is transferred to the page layout definition file 16 determined / selected by the evaluator 14 [FIG. 3 (7), Step S in FIG.
9]. In the page layout definition file 16, contents are generated while embedding the objects generated by the resource connector 17 [(8) in FIG. 3 and S1 in FIG.
0], and returned to the user as an HTTP response [FIG.
(9), Step S11 in FIG. 4].

Next, a page layout in the content generation device shown in FIG. 3 will be described. (1) Simple Format Page Layout In the processing of the content generation device, the page layout definition file 16 can display a screen on a terminal according to a page layout as shown in FIG. 6 while embedding the object generated by the resource connector 17. An optimal content is generated and transferred to the user as an HTTP response. This page layout is the simplest content display style in which the content acquired in the content generation definition file 16 is embedded as it is and displayed on the screen. This page layout is herein referred to as “simple format page layout”.

(2) Page Layout of Multiple Embedding Format In the processing of the content generation apparatus, the page layout definition file 16 embeds the object generated by the resource connector 17 according to the page layout as shown in FIG. Then, an optimal content that can be displayed on the screen is generated and transferred to the user as an HTTP response. This page layout is a content display style in which a plurality of contents acquired in the content generation definition file 16 are embedded and displayed on the screen in order from the top of the page. This page layout is herein referred to as “multiple embedded page layout”.

(3) Map Format Page Layout In the processing of the content generation apparatus, the page layout definition file 16 displays the screen on the terminal according to the layout shown in FIG. 8 while embedding the object generated by the resource connector 17. Generate the best possible content and transfer it to the user as an HTTP response. This page layout is obtained by embedding content (data) acquired from a database such as an RDB in the content generation definition file 16 in one vertical column and, for example, displaying the screen in a tabular form such as personal detail data shown in FIG. Is a page layout to be displayed. This page layout is referred to herein as a “map page layout”.

(4) Table-formatted page layout In the processing of the content generating apparatus, the page layout definition file 16 displays the screen on the terminal according to the layout shown in FIG. 9 while embedding the object generated by the resource connector 17. Generate the best possible content and transfer it to the user as an HTTP response. In this page layout, the content (data) acquired from a database such as an RDB is embedded in a table in the content generation definition file 16 and displayed on the screen in a table format such as an address book shown in FIG. 9, for example. It is a page layout. This page layout is herein referred to as “table-type page layout”.

(5) Header-type page layout In the processing of the content generation device, the page layout definition file 16 stores the content generated by the resource connector 17 in the basic page layout described in the above (1) to (4). Embed according to either,
In addition, using a header-type page layout, FIG.
As shown in (1), an optimal content that can be displayed on the terminal is generated while embedding header information such as a title at the top of the page, and is transmitted to the user as an HTTP response. This page layout is herein referred to as “header-type page layout”.

(6) Footer-type page layout In the processing of the content generation device, the page layout definition file 16 stores the content generated by the resource connector 17 in the basic page layout described in (1) to (4) above. Embed according to either,
Further, using a footer type page layout, FIG.
As shown in (1), an optimal content that can be displayed on the terminal is generated while embedding link information or the like at the bottom of the page, and is transmitted to the user as an HTTP response. This page layout is herein referred to as “footer type page layout”.

(7) Continuous Format Page Layout In the processing of the content generation apparatus, a continuous format page layout definition file is used as the page layout definition file 16. The content generation definition file 11 defines a plurality of any of the above (1) to (4) and combinations of the basic page layouts shown in (5) and (6). In the continuous form page layout definition file, each page is generated by the operation of each basic type page layout definition file,
The link relation between these generated pages is given. As a result, each page can transition continuously without incorporating link information directly into the basic page layout. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the first page and the second page are continuously transitioned and displayed using the link information of the footers of a plurality of pages. This page layout,
Here, it is called “continuous format page layout”.

(8) Continuous Table Format Page Layout In the processing of the content generation apparatus, a continuous table format page layout definition file is used as the page layout definition file 16. This definition file is an image in which a list is displayed as shown in FIG. 13, and when a certain item in the table is clicked, detailed data on the item is displayed. The content generation definition file 11 defines combinations of the basic page layouts shown in (3) and (4) and (5) and (6). In the continuous table format page layout definition file, each page is generated by the operation of each basic type page layout definition file, and a link relationship between the generated pages is given. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a link is provided to the item of the table format page layout, and the information of the link destination is displayed by the map format page layout. Even in this composite type page layout definition file, link information is not directly incorporated into the basic type page layout,
Each page can transition continuously. This page layout is herein referred to as “continuous table format page layout”.

(Supplementary Note 1) A content generation apparatus for automatically generating optimum content in response to access from a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a fixed telephone, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, or the like. When terminal information indicating the display capability of the screen of the device is input from a mobile phone, a personal computer, or the like, a content describing a definition for acquiring text data, image data, database data, and the like that constitute the content. An evaluation unit for evaluating the terminal information and the contents of the content generation definition file with reference to the generation definition file, and selecting a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging content data; Generate optimal content for the display screen of various terminals according to the contents of the definition file A content generation device comprising: a content generation unit. (Supplementary Note 2) The evaluation means selects a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging one piece of content data on one page, and the content generation means performs various operations in accordance with the contents of the page layout definition file. The content generation device according to claim 1, wherein the content generation device generates an optimal content for a display screen of the terminal. (Supplementary Note 3) The evaluation means selects a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging a plurality of pieces of content data on one page, and the content generation means performs various operations in accordance with the contents of the page layout definition file. The content generation device according to claim 1, wherein the content generation device generates an optimal content for a display screen of the terminal. (Supplementary Note 4) The content generation device according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the evaluation means selects a page layout definition file in which one or a plurality of pieces of content data are arranged in a tabular format. (Supplementary note 5) The content generation device according to Supplementary note 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the evaluation means selects a page layout definition file for arranging header information. (Supplementary Note 6) The content generation device according to Supplementary Note 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the evaluation means selects a page layout definition file for arranging footer information. (Supplementary Note 7) The evaluation means specifies a set of a plurality of page layout definition files, creates a page layout definition file for configuring continuous page transitions,
The content generation means generates content optimum for a display screen of each terminal according to the contents of the created page layout definition file. Content generation device (Supplementary note 8) The evaluation means selects a page layout definition file for arranging one or a plurality of pieces of content data in one page in a table format, and displays one entry in the table. A page layout definition file for composing a continuous page transition for displaying the continuation of the unsuccessful content is created, and the content generation unit performs display provided by various terminals according to the content of the created page layout definition file. Supplementary notes 1, 2, characterized in that content optimal for the screen is generated.
3. The content generation device according to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. (Supplementary Note 9) A program for generating content for automatically generating optimum content in response to access from a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a landline phone, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, or the like. A process of acquiring terminal information indicating the display capability of the screen of the device from a mobile phone, a personal computer, and the like, and a definition for acquiring the terminal information and text data, image data, database data, and the like constituting the content. A process for evaluating the terminal information and the contents of the content generation definition file with reference to the content generation definition file describing the content, and a process for selecting a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging content data In accordance with the content of the page layout definition file, A content generation program for causing a computer to execute content generation processing. (Supplementary Note 10) A recording medium recording a program for generating a content for automatically generating an optimum content in response to access from a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a landline phone, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, and the like. Is a process of acquiring terminal information representing the display capability of the screen of the device from the portable terminal, the mobile phone, the personal computer, or the like; A process of evaluating the terminal information and the content of the content generation definition file with reference to a content generation definition file describing a definition for acquisition, and a page layout definition configuring a page for arranging content data The process of selecting a file and the various terminals have A recording medium storing a content generation program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating content optimum for one display screen.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, when terminal information indicating the display capability of a terminal or a personal computer screen is input, the type of the terminal and the description language for content display supported by the terminal are determined. Using the basic page layout that automatically determines and determines the content display layout, and the composite page layout that is a combination of the basic page layout, generates the optimal content for the display screen of various terminals. Therefore, it is possible to generate optimal content according to the type of terminal, the description language for content display supported by the terminal, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a content generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a content generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a type of a page layout definition file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simple format page layout.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multiple embedding format page layout.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map page layout.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a table format page layout.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a header type page layout.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a footer type page layout.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a continuous format page layout.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a continuous table format page layout.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Content Creation Definition File 2 Page Layout Definition File 3 Evaluator 4 Content Creation Engine 11 Content Creation Definition File 12 JSP Engine 13 JSP Custom Tag Library 14 Evaluator 15 Page Layout Definition File Selection Information 16 Page Layout Definition File 17 Resource Connector 18 Data Source (content)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A content generation apparatus for automatically generating optimal content in response to access from a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a fixed telephone, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, and the like. A content generation definition that describes the definition for acquiring text data, image data, database data, etc. that constitute the content when terminal information indicating the display capability of the screen of the device is input from a telephone, a personal computer, or the like. Evaluating means for referring to the file, evaluating the terminal information and the contents of the content generation definition file, and selecting a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging content data; Content generation that generates the most suitable content for the display screen of various terminals according to the content Content generation apparatus characterized by comprising a means. 2. The evaluation means selects a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging one content data on one page, and the content generation means selects a page layout definition file according to the contents of the page layout definition file. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating contents optimal for display screens of various terminals.
Content generation device. 3. The evaluation means selects a page layout definition file constituting a page for arranging a plurality of pieces of content data on one page, and the content generation means selects a page layout definition file according to the contents of the page layout definition file. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating contents optimal for display screens of various terminals.
Content generation device. 4. The evaluation means designates a set of a plurality of page layout definition files, creates a page layout definition file for configuring continuous page transitions, and the content generation means creates the page layout definition file. 4. The content generation device according to claim 1, wherein the content generation device generates content optimum for a display screen of various terminals according to the contents of the page layout definition file. 5. A program for generating content for automatically generating optimal content in response to access from a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, a landline phone, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, and the like. A process of acquiring terminal information indicating a display capability of a screen of the device from a terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or the like; the terminal information and text data constituting a content;
A process of evaluating the terminal information and the content of the content generation definition file with reference to a content generation definition file describing a definition for acquiring image data, database data, and the like; and arranging content data. Generating a content suitable for a display screen of each terminal according to the contents of the page layout definition file, and causing a computer to execute the process of selecting a page layout definition file constituting the page program.