JP2003523032A - Push information from nodes in the network to user units - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention relates to a request (101) for a first piece of information from a user unit (1; 11) to an information server (5) via a node (2) in a network and a user (101). A method that utilizes the time interval between receipt of said first piece of information (108) at the unit (1; 11). It is an object of the present invention to disclose an alternative method of presenting the user with additional information during the time interval between the user's request for information from the information server and the receipt of said information. The problem is that the request (101) from the user unit (1; 11) for the first piece of information is received at the node (2) and received from the information server (5) to the node (2). In a time interval between the transmission of the first piece of information (108) to the user unit (1; 11), the second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 106) ) Is sent to the user unit (1; 11).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a user request for information via a network.

[0002] The invention is, in particular, a request for a first piece of information from a user unit to a information server via a node in a network and the reception of said first piece of information at the user unit. Regarding how to utilize the time between and.

The present invention relates to a medium for storing a program on a computer-readable medium, the medium being adapted to cause a computer to carry out the method when the program is executed.

The present invention relates to a computer system having means for executing a program, the program being adapted to cause a computer to carry out the method when the program is executed.

The invention relates to a software program that can be used to carry out the method.

Description of Related Art The following description of the prior art is one of the fields of application of the invention, a WAP browser (WAP = Wir) from a mobile communication unit, eg a cellular phone.
access to the Internet by means of the E-mail Application Protocol. WAP appears to be one of the enabling technologies that combine mobility and the Internet.

Presenting additional information (eg, advertisements) to users throughout browsing is an important source of financing activity on the Internet.

In order to ensure a reasonable probability of appealing to the user, it is of utmost importance to be able to narrow down the information presented to the user to relevant themes. In the IT society in which we live, understanding consumer behavior is valuable. This information is 1
It can be used both to address a particular consumer, but also to track habits and changes in consumer behavior as a group. Much effort has been expended in making people who are members of different groups understand the shopping behavior of those who use client identification cards with certain preferences. Other ways to gain access to client habits are questionnaires, consumer groups, and so on.

Regular HTML browsing (HTML = HyperText Markup)
Language) uses colorful moving objects on a full-size VGA screen on a desktop or laptop computer, using only a portion of the screen for advertising and thus leaving enough space for the actual requested information. Attracting consumer attention to is extremely easy. For example, when browsing the Internet with a WAP browser on a three line, text based display of a mobile communication unit, the situation is quite different.

The limited display size of mobile communication devices requires special handling of the presented information. This is, for example, WML (WML = Wireless Mar)
kup Language, a format specially developed for presenting information using a WAP browser (corresponding to the HTML of a regular browser). The WAP browser is a relatively simple "micro browser" that requires only the limited resources of the mobile communication device.

However, the prior art, which presents additional information to the user while the user is browsing other information, cannot be diverted directly to WAP browsing on relatively small size displays. .

[0012]   Therefore, there is a need for alternative methods.

SUMMARY It is an object of the present invention to disclose an alternative method of presenting additional information to a user during the time interval between the user's request for information from an information server and the reception of said information. .

This is the time interval between the reception at the node of the request from the user unit for the first piece of information and the transmission of the information received by the node from the information server to the user unit of the first piece of information. Is achieved in accordance with the present invention because the second piece of information is transmitted from the node to the user unit.

An advantage of the present invention is that a second piece of information is provided to the user when the user is waiting for a response to a request for other information and is therefore potentially open to receiving news or messages. The present invention discloses a method presented in. The present invention may be available where limited display size is available (ie, full screen must be used for each piece of requested information) and / or limited bandwidth is available. It is particularly relevant in some cases (resulting in relatively long transmission times). Both limits exist for modern mobile communication devices.

□ The time interval between the reception at the node of the request from the user unit for the first piece of information and the transmission of the information received at the node from the information server to the user unit of the first piece. Represents the (idle) time in addition to the (idle) time between a user's request for information and the possible presentation of said information to that user, during which this (optional) time is requested. Information is retained in the node (i.e., stored before it is actually transferred) and additional information is transferred from the node (whenever a statement mentions that node).

In the present context, the term “node” is taken to mean a point in the network where a request for information from a user unit can be accessed. The node preferably has a delay between the user and the node (and vice versa) with the server that contains the information requested by the node and the user (and vice versa).
It should be located within the network such that it is relatively shorter than the delay between.

In the present context, the terms “second piece of information” and “additional information” are taken to mean pieces of information that are not requested by the user at the time they are transferred to the user. The content of the second piece of information is specified by the user at an earlier point in time, or they are determined by other patties, possibly from or to the user unit's location, now or previously requested. Information, etc.

A second piece of information is sent from the node to the user unit in the time interval between receipt at the node of the request from the user unit for the first piece of information and receipt of the first piece of information at the node. When transmitted, it is certain that the user will be exposed to the second piece of information only during the time interval in which the user is anyway waiting.

A defined shortest time between receipt at the node of a request from the user unit for the first piece of information and transmission of the information received at the node from the information server to the user unit of the first piece of information. When longer than the value, it is certain that the shortest time available for presenting the second piece of information is controlled.

When a request for a first piece of information is defined by a resource locator, eg, a URL, a standardized and associative (ie, potentially with respect to content) addressing files and other electronic resources in the network. It is certain that a (meaningful) way is prepared.

In the present context, the term “resource locator” is intended to mean an unambiguous scheme for defining the name of a file or other resource located on a computer somewhere in the network. Taken. The resource locator is URL (Uni
form resource locator).

When the second piece of information that is pushed to the user unit comprises the same resource locator as that of the requested first piece of information, the user may not actually receive the requested information before it is received. It is certain that the unit will accept to present the second piece of information.

When the content of the second piece of information is determined by a party other than the user, a method is provided for managing the data presented to the user unit.
Certainly.

In the present context, the term “non-user party” is intended to mean, for example, a provider of services relating to communications or any other party that may want to present information to the user unit in question. Taken by.

When the second piece of information is an advertisement, it is certain that the method represents a way of financing activities. Examples may be activities such as internet subscriptions, telephone subscriptions and other services.

When the content of the second piece of information is determined by the user in the form of e-mail, news, travel articles, or other information selected according to the stated user preferences, the information subject to the user preferences is awaited. Being presented on time is certain. this is,
Business deal between user and service provider
) Can be said to be a part of. The waiting time is used, for example, to update the user with related information. Other subjects specified by the user may be entertainment (jokes on upcoming programs on preferred television channels or on preferred subjects, information, etc.), sports, and so on.

When the second piece of information is customized according to the location of the user unit, the date, or some other special criterion, the current location environment of the user, the special date (Christmas, day of the week, time, etc.) It is certain that information related to other events will be conveniently presented to the user.

When the request from the user unit is made by a browser, eg a WAP browser, it is certain that a convenient way of communicating with the computers in the network is provided. By using a micro-browser, such as a WAP browser, the method allows the terminal with the least resources (compared to the state of the art personal computer) of computing power, memory and power to
For example, it is certain that the battery-powered device will be conveniently started.

In the present context, the term “browser” is taken to mean a piece of software that locates, obtains and views information within a data communication network. Browser features include (among others): Ie, addressing files and other electronic resources in the network, retrieving information from a server over the network (ie copying and downloading and storing locally in memory), information remotely Or look locally, and so on.

When a new request for the first piece of information is initiated on the basis of the second piece of information, the user may request the second piece of information pushed to the user unit before the requested information is transferred. Follow the link that appears and, as a result, the first piece of information
It is certain to terminate the "original" request for a piece and thus represent a restart of the method. Alternatively, the links chased on the second piece of information should not be considered as new requests for the first piece of information.

When the communication between the user unit and the information server is carried out via a data communication network, for example the Internet or an intranet, a distributed amount of data is within reach of the user unit: Certainly.

In the present context, the term “Internet” refers to
It is taken to mean, perhaps, a global data communications network accessible to the public, connecting users across geographically dispersed areas.

In the present context, the term “an Intranet” refers to users within a particular company or organization, or users located at the same location (eg, on-site) or across geographically dispersed areas. Is taken to mean a data communication network (eg, connecting various subsidiaries or groups of organizations of a company). In this case, the "network node" may be an intranet server.

A user for information on the Internet when the node is located at the central office of the provider of access to the Internet for the user unit, for example the provider of mobile communication services for the user unit. All requests from the unit are available for analyzing information and pushing information to user units, and all steps of the method for a given request from a given location are performed by the same server It is certain that it will be done.

In the present context, the term “central office” means the location where some kind of routing of traffic is performed, typically where switching equipment and / or servers are located and “user unit”. "Request from" is taken to mean a site where some kind of handling takes place. However, it may also be construed as a collection of distributed switches and distributed servers that make up the nodes of the network of a given operator and its partner (e.g., a partner making roaming agreements in the case of mobile communications). In other words, when a node is said to be located at the service provider's central office, it may be interpreted as being distributed over the nodes of the service provider's (and its partner's) network.

Within the present context, the term “push of information” is used.
"ion)" is taken to mean the transfer of information that is not a response to a corresponding request for information.

The user unit is a mobile communication unit, eg a cellular telephone or a personal unit.
When being an organizer, information on the user's location is available from the system that handles communication from and to the user unit, and reaching a large and rapidly growing stock of equipment. Is certain.

When the database of information is used to define the content of the second piece of information sent from the node to the user unit, the second piece of information depends on the information requested by the user. -It is certain that it will be presented to the unit.

Utilizing the time interval between a request for a first piece of information from a user unit to a information server via a node in the network and the reception of said first piece of information at the user unit. A method is still provided by the present invention. A second piece of information is transmitted from the node to the user unit after receipt at the node of a request from the user unit for the first piece of information, and a database of information defines the content of said second piece of information. When used for, the method provides information related to the presented special subject (based on the request for the first piece of information) or other information that has probably reached an agreement between the user and the service provider. Being used by the user as a way to gain is certain.

A database of information is searchable for elements of the request, and the database includes additional information related to the elements of the request, and criteria for establishing the additional information related elements of the request are established. When doing so, it is certain that the provision of the second piece of information will be managed according to a defined (and possibly currently updated) collection of reference information.

In the present context, the term “(elements of request) (above)
(Said) requests "are taken to mean the" requests from the user unit for information from the information server "parts, which parts should or should not assign the request in question to a given group. In order to arrive at such a decision, it is semantically interpreted either directly in the form of ASCII text or via a transformation (eg in the form of a look-up table).

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the use of a database, said database listing a request for a first piece of information subdivided into groups according to a predefined scheme to provide the information to a user unit. And the invention compares a received request for a first piece of information from a user unit with said list of requests for a first piece of information, identifying a group of information, and identified Providing the user unit with a second piece of information corresponding to the group.

When the list of requests for the first piece of information in the database of information is updated regularly, eg according to frequently used requests, the database reflecting the user behavior as a group is arbitrarily started. It is certain that it will be developed in terms of points. A database of information about individual user behaviors is automatically built to allow the information pushed to the user to be associated with the user in a personalized manner (eg, information about the user's current location, day of the week, time of day, etc.). By using
It is more certain to open further commercial aspects to the invention (such as pushing individually customized commercial information to the user).

In the preferred embodiment, the second piece of information in the database is regularly updated.

When the response times at different times for at least some of the requested resource locators are recorded in the database and used to define the duration of the second piece of information, the relevant timely It is certain that the message of duration is selected from the database in anticipation of its presentation to the user and the time of the request, and thus the optimal use of the waiting time for the requested information is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the method receives a request for a first piece of information from a user unit in the form of a resource locator, saves the requested resource locator, the requested Comparing a resource locator with a known resource locator in a database, said known resource locator being organized into groups according to a defined scheme;
Identifying a particular group of information among a group of known resource locators based on said comparison, selecting a second piece of information for pushing to a user unit according to the identified group, and said user unit To sending said second piece of information to.

When the present invention includes the step of adding the requested resource locator to the selected second piece of information before sending the selected second piece of information to the user unit, The second piece of information is the user only if the software responsible for receiving only accepts information about a resource locator equal to that of the requested information (eg, as for a WAP browser). Acceptable by the unit is certain.

When some second piece of information is sent to the user unit, two or more information packages are pushed to the user unit at a time before the requested information is sent to the user unit. That is certain.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises the step of sending the request for a first piece of information to a corresponding information server, receiving the requested first piece of information from a corresponding information server, And sending the requested first piece of information to the user unit.

When the method further comprises storing the requested first piece of information from the corresponding information server before the requested first piece of information is transmitted to the user unit, the information It is certain that the time available for pushing the second piece of the to the user unit is controlled.

The method identifies a particular group of information among the group of known resource locators according to the comparison if a match with the requested resource locator is found among known resource locators in the database, and In all cases, including the step of identifying a particular group of information among a group of known resource locators according to a defined scheme, if no match with the requested resource locator is found among the known resource locators in the database. It is certain that a scheme will be provided to present the second piece of information from the affiliate group to the user unit.

If the method does not find a match with the requested resource locator among known resource locators in the database of known resource locators, then the requested method is added for possible subsequent additions to the database. When further including the step of saving the resource locator, it is certain that a procedure for updating the database will be provided.

The present invention identifies the most frequently requested groups from a given user unit, and if no match with said requested resource locator is found among known resource locators in the database. , A database of individual user behaviors is constructed and related information when the method further comprises the step of selecting a second piece of information for pushing to a user unit according to said most frequently requested group of information Is pushed to the user unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises the step of starting a timer when sending a request for a first piece of information to a corresponding information server, the requested first piece of information from the corresponding information server. Checking the timer when receiving, sending a requested first piece of information to the user unit if the tested time is longer than the defined time, and the tested time is less than the defined time If short, further comprising the step of delaying the transmission of the requested first piece of information to the user unit until a predefined time has elapsed before sending the requested first piece of information to the user unit. Including.

A medium for storing a program on a computer-readable medium, the medium being adapted to cause a computer to perform the method when executed, the medium being further provided by the present invention.

A computer system having means for executing a program, the program being adapted to cause a computer to perform the method when executed, the system further provided by the present invention.

Further provided by the invention is a software program that can be used to carry out the method.

The invention will be more fully described below in connection with the preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

The drawings are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they show only those details that are essential to an understanding of the invention, while omitting other details. Throughout, the same reference numbers are used for equivalent or equivalent parts.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments Figure 1 shows a sequence of steps involved in presenting requested and pushed information to a mobile communication unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in which a mobile communication user unit 11, eg a WAP browser of a cellular telephone, is provided to a mobile communication service provider of the user unit in question. WAP gateway (located at Central Office 2 of
WAP Gateway) Enables pushing information via the server 3. That information is pushed to the user unit during the request from the user unit for information from a particular home page 5 on the internet 4.

WAP is an industry standard that provides access to the Internet from digital mobile communication devices and other devices with limited resources.

The WAP specifications are based on the WAP Forum (Wireless Application).
n Protocol Forum Ltd; WAP Forum), a group of companies that dominate the mobile communications field. For details of these specifications, see the home page of the WAP forum on the Internet : http: // www. wapforum. org . You can also find it in

An important aspect of the present invention is that it can be summarized briefly as follows (the steps are described in more detail below): when the end user makes a connection (step 0), the traffic Break, examine the contents of the request (URL) and forward the URL request (step 3), but send another message down to the end user (if the requested URL is given) (Step 2) is theoretically possible at any point. This message can be information or advertising. The content of the message may be based on the content of the current request, or may be based on a database of information on prior user behavior. After its reception (step 4), the requested message is pushed, if convenient, for a certain amount of time on the screen of the user unit, for example before it is replaced by the requested information (step 6). Stored message in the gateway server for y seconds (see step 5) to allow the message. This replacement can be handled by an automatic refresh request or by an automatic request for the original URL. Figure 1
See 2 and 2.

In the following, the individual steps of an embodiment of the method will be explained with reference to FIGS.

Step 0: The process is initiated from the User Unit 11 because the request for the connection to the Internet Service Provider is forwarded (if the user is not already connected). The Internet service provider is the same as the mobile communication service provider (or the latter provides direct access to the WAP service) or perhaps some other entity located elsewhere. Sometimes. In FIG. 1, it is assumed that a MAP gateway server 3 located on the premises 2 of the mobile service provider handles the main process steps of the method according to the invention. However, the various steps of the method are handled, if appropriate, by different servers, possibly located in different parts of the network.

Step 1: The request 101 from the user unit for the information located on the special server connected to the Internet 4 is W in the form of http-URL.
Received by the AP gateway server 3 (see below).

The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) represents an unambiguous system for defining the names of files or other electronic resources located on a computer somewhere in the network.

RFC 1738 ("Request for Comments" in "Network Working Group" of "Internet Society" Document No. 1738 ("
Request for Comments "document no. 17
38 of the “Network Working Group” of
Abbreviation for “The Internet Society” and subsequent updates (eg RFC 1808 and RFC 2368, eg “RFC Editor”).
: Http: // www. rfc-editor. URLs as defined by org) home pages on the Internet) and the semantics (form) of formalized information about the location of resources and access to those resources via the Internet. characterization of the semantics).

The URS has the following format. That is, <scheme>: <scheme-dependent-informati
on>

Examples of various schemes are “http” (HyperText Trans)
fer Protocol), "gopher", "ftp" (File Tr)
transfer protocol), “news”, and “mailto”. Most schemes include two different types of information: the Internet machine that makes the file available and the "path" to that file. With these types of schemes, the scheme is generally separated from the machine's Internet address by two slashes (//), and then the Internet address is separated from the full path to that file by 1 Two slashes (
/) Is separated. FTP, HTTP, and Gopher URLs are generally
Appears in this fashion. That is, the scheme: // machine. domain / full-path-of
-File

HTTP is an internet protocol specifically designed for use with the World Wide Web, the syntax of which is: That is, http: // <host>: <port> / <path>? <Searchp
art>

Host is the Internet address of the WWW server, and port
Is the port number to connect to it. In most cases port can be omitted (along with its preceding colon) and it is the default for standard "80". path tells the WWW server what files you want and, if omitted, indicates that you want the "home page" of the system. searchpart may be used to pass information to the server, but is not used for most WWW documents. In general,
This part of the URL is omitted, along with the preceding question mark.

Step 2: The requested URL 101 is, for example, in the format http: // machine. domain / full-path-of-file (Fig. 3
In step 2.1 therein), optionally stored in the database 6 and optionally analyzed to determine the theme of the message to be pushed to the user unit 11 (build database of user behavior). Specific embodiments describing aspects are disclosed below in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4). The message 102 pushed to the user unit is not requested by the user at the same time as the requested URL 101. The content of the message can be information or advertising. The content of the message may be determined in many different ways. For example: It is limited to one and the same predefined message for every request. □ It transfers the "next one" out of a defined "run through" predefined message at a given request, selected from a set of defined messages. □ It is based on the content of the current request because it analyzes the URL and selects a predefined message among a group of messages corresponding to the requested URL according to some predefined criteria. □ It is based on a database of information about prior user behavior in which the message pushed to the user relates the requested URL to a group of related themes from which it is selected. See the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described below. □ It is based on the user's stated desires as follows. ○ New email ○ News ○ Travel articles ○ Any other user-defined subject

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the information transferred to the user unit 11 (for example,
3 and 4 show the file name of pushed data, pushed information.
section. Suppose it is formatted using WML (as displayed by wml), but any other format readable by the user unit 11 browser can also be used.

The pushed message 102 is given the URL of the requested message 101 to make it accepted by the WAP browser. This is important. This is because the WAP browser of the user unit 11 will try to match the URL of any incoming information with the requested URL 101.

The pushed message 102 can include, for example, a life timer that causes the message to die after x seconds, and is replaced by the requested message (steps 4, 5, and 6).

Step 3: The requested URL 101 (in the form of message 103) is transferred from the WAP gateway server 3 to the associated server 5 on the Internet 4.

Step 4: The requested information 107 is received by the WAP gateway server 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the information 107 is (file name request
sted information. WML (as displayed by wml)
Suppose it is formatted using. If the requested information is formatted in HTML, yet another step involving translation into WML format is, for example, WAP.
Included in gateway server.

Step 5: Requested information 107, “requested inf”
orientation. wml ”is stored in the WAP gateway server 3.
The requested information is immediately transferred to the user unit 11 (1 in FIG. 2) or, alternatively, some amount of time depending on the intended "duration" of the pushed message. Between (t14 to t12 in FIG. 2) WAP gateway
It may be "withheld" by the server 3. This intended additional delay of the requested information at the WAP gateway server 3 may be determined in several ways, including: That is, for a certain amount of time during a request for information from the Internet (eg, a fixed number of seconds during each request, a variable number of seconds depending on the content of the information pushed, etc.). , Because the user is exposed to information pushed at the choice of the service provider (or grouped according to the user's stated interests),
It can be said to be a part of the business transaction between the user and the service provider.

Step 6: Requested information 108, “requested inf”
orientation. wml "is transferred to the user unit. This ends the cycle of the method.

The method is initiated by every user request throughout the session,
Or every second, every 5th request, every 10th request, touching it, 2
Pre-program (pr) in WAP server 3 so that it is activated every minute, etc.
eprogram).

In a special embodiment of the invention, the request for the first piece of information is
It may start with a second, pushed piece of information because the link on the pushed piece of information is activated by the user. In this case, the URL of that link is therefore considered a new request for the first piece of information. In another embodiment of the invention, the link on the pushed piece of information is not considered as a new request for the first piece of information, the initiation of the method is by any other means, eg in the preceding paragraph. It is accomplished by one of the means mentioned.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the request for the first piece of information is a special subject (eg the requested information is a sports event) without having a time limit on the time available for pushing the information. Used by the user to cause the user to send a second piece of information belonging to SPORTS if it was a reference to an information server containing the information. In that case, the requested information is only used as an initiator of the process of pushing the information to the user, and the requested information itself is not wanted and sent to the user. this"
The "mode" is controlled, for example, by forwarding a special URL to the WAP server before the requested URL, or the time available to push information (optionally longer than the preset minimum time) to the user. Composed in any other convenient manner, optionally allowing control of the.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the timing of events during a request from a user unit for information according to the present invention.

The request 101 from the user unit 1 for information is initiated at time t0 and at time t1 the domain 2 of the user unit 1 service provider.
Is received by the WAP gateway server 3 located at. At time t2, the package of information 102 is pushed from the WAP gateway server 3 to the user unit 1, and the pushed information 102 is at time t7.
To be received. The information request 103 is transferred from the WAP gateway server 3 to the information server 5 on the Internet 4 at time t3, and at time t4.
Is received by the related information server 5. The requested information 107 is transferred from the related information server 5 on the Internet at time t8, and WAP is performed at time t12.
Arrives at the gateway server 3. The requested information 108 is at time t1.
4 from the WAP gateway server and arrives at the user unit at time t16. This is one of the requests for information from the user unit.
Close the cycle. Dashed arrows 104, 105, and 106 in FIG. 2 indicate time t2.
At the time between the first push of the information 102 initiated by the WAP gateway server and the end of the transfer of the requested information 108 to the user unit occurring at time t14 from the WAP gateway server 3 to the user unit 3 Represents an optional further package of information that may be pushed to. In Figure 2,
The second package 104 of information optionally pushed to the user unit
Is transferred from the WAP gateway server 3 at time t6 and received by the user unit 1 at time t10. Third package 105 and fourth package 10
2, the corresponding times in FIG. 2 are t9, t13 and t11, t1 respectively.
It is 5. The number of packages that may actually be transferred to the user unit in the time interval between times t2 and t14 is the real time interval between times t2 and t14, available for transmission to the user unit. Bandwidth, processing resource of user unit (p
It is, of course, limited only by the real environment, such as processing resource, desired time of presentation on the display of the user unit for each piece of information, and so on.

In FIG. 2, a request 103 for information indicates that the information package 102 is WAP.
At the time t3 that occurs after the time t2 pushed from the gateway server 3 to the user unit 1, it is transferred from the WAP gateway server 3 to the information server 5 on the Internet 4 (that is, t3> t2). It is also sufficient that its occurrence is the opposite in time (ie t3 <t2).

FIG. 3 shows the sequence of steps involved in using a database to select information to be pushed to a user unit.

The database 6 of information used in connection with the present invention is basically a defined system such as finance / sports / news / entertainment, etc. or the “yellow page (
yellow pages) "or a system of taxonomy of patents or trademarks, or some other system of related complexity, containing a list of known URLs. Moreover, there should be provision for analyzing incoming URL requests, and on the basis of which it is determined to which group the requested URL belongs.

The database 6 for this purpose may be used and updated as long as it is possible to extract the URL from the message 101 (in FIG. 2) with a request from the user unit for information. . Mobile communication service providers (eg GSM operators) have the immediate potential to handle this, as long as the provider also serves well as an Internet access point. The contents of that database may be analyzed to gain a better understanding of consumer behavior. When extracting a URL, it is possible to analyze the URL and place it in a category (finance / sports / news / entertainment, etc.). It would be rather efficient to combine this with information push and send back information such as commercials to the user unit, for example.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the URL of the requested information is stored in the database 6, as depicted in FIG. See step 2.1. Database 6
Is a "known" URL grouped according to some scheme, eg, sports, finance, nature, film, etc. (eg, currently most frequently for a given search engine or frequently visited portal). Includes list 7 of requested URLs). (GROUP1, GROUP2, ..., GROUP P in FIG.
For each group (named), the database 6 was adapted to be pushed to the user unit in WML format (GROUP1-wmlfileI).
, I = 1, 2 ,. ． ． , X1, GROUP2-wmlfileJ, J = 1, 2,
． ． ． , X2, etc.). In a special embodiment of the invention, instead of the actual packaging of the information in WML format, only references (links) to said information are stored in the database 6.

In step 2.2, the requested URL is the “known” UR of the database 6.
L is compared to list 7. That is the part of the domain name (in each of the upper prototype http-URL in FIG. 3, "machine.doma" in the upper prototype http-URL)
in "and" GD-DY "), a message corresponding to the identified group (eg, GROUP k) is pushed to the user unit if a match is found. G in list 9 of 3
loopX-wmlfileY (X = 1, ..., P, Y = 1, 2, ..., X
X)). If no match is found, a message from the group (eg, GROUP n) determined by some other criterion is pushed to the user unit. It can be said that such a criterion is as follows. The message is selected from the default "GENERAL" group of messages. □ Messages are selected from the group most often assigned to the user in question. □ Messages are selected from the most frequently assigned group among all users. □ The message is selected from the group most recently assigned to the user in question. □ The message is selected by the user from a predefined group.

If a URL is frequently requested that cannot be grouped on the basis of the URL stored in the database, the procedure of including it in the list 7 of “known” URLs is the string that constitutes that URL. ) To determine if one or more words (or strings) in the URL are correlated with the group name used. If no match is found, the U
The RL is "called up" and its "document itself" is analyzed in the same way as for the occurrence of standard group names and corresponding acronyms. Alternatively, manual procedures may also be performed.

FIG. 3 shows the data 8 for only one user. Of course, the data for some users is also "Known" grouped according to subject.
It can also be handled by the same server using a "list of URLs" 7 and "push information grouped according to subject" 9.

In step 2.3, the selected message is sent to the requested information (see FIG. 2).
101), and is pushed to the user unit [x].

In a special embodiment of the present invention, the same database is used for all (because the content of information pushed to a user unit is determined solely on the basis of the current request from that user unit. (Or many) users. For example, if the current request from the user is grouped under the heading TRAVEL INFORMATION, then one or more pieces of information related to it, for example travel articles, airline offers, travel such as clothing, equipment. Other product advertisements for, etc. are pushed to the user in question.

FIG. 4 details the steps involved in using the database to select the information to be pushed to the user unit.

The flow chart of FIG. 4 details step 2.2 of FIG. 3 to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

At step 2.2.1, an attempt to match the requested URL with that already stored in the database 6, see “List of“ known ”URLs grouped according to subject” 7 in FIG. Is done. If a match is found in step 2.2.1, then in step 2.2.2 the NEXT WML from the corresponding GROUP.
The file is selected for transfer to the user unit (steps 2 and 3 of FIGS. 3 and 4).
3 (displayed as "pushed information.wml")
. The parameter NEXT of the corresponding group of the WML file is the specified user [x
] Each file on the list of WML files is
Presented in circular fashion to unit [x].

If no match of the requested URL is found between the “known” URLs of the database in step 2.2.1, the current location of the user unit is set to the LOCATION-dependent WML file in step 2.2.3. An attempt is made to match the group of. The group of LOCATION-dependent WML files is not shown in detail in FIG. 3, but it is GROUP1, 2 ,. ． ． , P.

A match with the LOCATION-dependent WML file in the database is step 2
． If not found in 2.3, then in step 2.2.4 the NEXT WML file from the corresponding group is selected for transfer to the user unit. Again, the parameter NEXT of the corresponding group of the WML file is incremented for the particular user unit "x".

If no match is found in step 2.2.3, the WML file from the GENERAL group of database WML files is selected for transfer to the user unit in step 2.2.5. Similarly, the parameter NEXT of the corresponding group of the WML file is incremented for the particular user unit [x]. Alternatively, the WML file pushed to the user unit is
It can be taken from a special group of WML files that correspond to asserted user interests.

Other criteria for selecting relevant information to push to the user unit are:
For example, it may be selected depending on the day of the week (information about leisure and sports on Sundays, information about work items on weekdays, information about food around dinner time, etc.), described above in connection with FIG. See also information.

In step 2.3, the selected message is sent to the requested information (see FIG. 2).
101), and is pushed to the user unit [x].

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for a server software program according to the present invention.

[0107]   The software program includes the following steps. That is,   □ Step S1, URL form (for example, http: //www.erics     son. com / WAP /) user unit (for example, 1 in FIG. 1)     Receiving a request for the first piece of information from 1),   □ Step S2, storing the requested URL in the memory,   □ Step S3 (and step 3.1 in FIG. 6), the requested U     Comparing the RL with a known URL in a database (eg 6 in FIG. 3),     Known URLs are grouped according to a predefined scheme (for example, see 7 in Fig. 3).     Organized,   □ Step S4.1 (see FIG. 6), a group of known URLs based on the comparison.     Groups of information (eg, COMMUNICATIONS)     Identify,   □ Step S4 (and step S4.4 in FIG. 6), the identified group (     For example, to push to a user unit according to 9) in FIG.     Select the second piece of information, and   □ Step S5, adding the request URL to the selected second piece of information,     And   □ Step S6, sending the second piece of information to the user unit.

In parallel with the above (see also FIG. 2 and the corresponding description), this software program further carries out the following steps: That is: □ Step S7, sending the URL for the requested first piece of information to the corresponding information server, □ Step S8, starting a timer, □ Step S9, the requested number of information from the corresponding information server Receive one piece and store in memory, □ Step S10, check if the time elapsed since the requested URL was sent (T in FIG. 5) is longer than the defined time (Tpreset in FIG. 5). And, if so, □ step S11, transmitting the requested first piece of information to the user unit, and if not □ (step S10), the requested first piece of information. Wait until T> Tpreset before sending a piece to the user unit.

As also described with respect to FIG. 2, before or after the time when the package of information 102 is pushed from the WAP gateway server 3 to the user unit 1, the request 101 from the user unit for that information is returned to the WAP. It may be sent from the gateway server 3 to the information server 5 on the Internet 4 (see step 7 above).

In a special embodiment of the invention, a timer is included in step S6 so that the duration of a given second piece of information pushed to the user unit can be monitored and controlled.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the server software program according to the present invention.

As illustrated by FIG. 6, the following steps are performed in a program subroutine that details the process of selecting information for pushing to a user. □ Steps S3 and S3.1, compare the requested URL with a known URL in a database (eg 6 in FIG. 3), the known URL is a predefined scheme (eg 7 in FIG. 3) Organized in groups according to: □ Step S4.1, if a match with (or at least part of) the known URL of the database is found in step S3.1, it is pushed to the user unit. If the group from which information is to be picked is identified, and □ step S4.2, if no match is found in step S3.1, the requested URL is for possible subsequent addition to the database of known URLs. Stored in memory at, and □ step S4.3, most frequently among groups of databases for the user in question. Identifies the quest has been the group, and □ step 4.4, select an item from the identified group information to be pushed to the user, then, □ returns to the main program.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the information pushed to the user unit is DE
It may be selected from the FAULT group, which is general, customer specific, or some other predefined group.

A computer readable medium having a program stored thereon, the program being adapted to cause a computer to perform the method described above and in the claims when executed. Are likewise embodiments of the invention.

In a computer system having means for executing a program, the program when executed causes the computer to perform the method described above and in the claims, which computer system Similarly, it is an embodiment of the present invention.

Software programs that can be used to carry out the methods described above and in the claims are likewise embodiments of the present invention.

The technical solution has been explained above. Perhaps one would argue and ask why the end user would accept this. However, there are commercial incentives to do so. End users will encounter a few problems when they are about to start using the WAP browser. □ Connection time, ie 20-30 seconds for regular modem connection and 2-5 seconds for direct internet connection. □ High cost when connected. □ Required internet subscription. This is primarily a conflict between GSM (or other network) operators and end users.

If the operator interrupts the end user to resolve this, then maybe some unrequested information is occasionally comminged.
Down) is OK. Interrupts are, for example, up to 10 seconds of push information and free internet access.

This means that the operator / service provider has the possibility to push information, and the only good way to handle this compared to how this can be done using an HTML browser. It's a way. Given the value of advertising, this can be extremely valuable within the WAP environment. It could probably also be used in other types of microbrowsers.

While some preferred embodiments based on a cellular telephone equipped with a WAP browser communicating with the Internet via a WAP gateway server have been shown above, but it should be emphasized that the present invention is Are not limited to these, and may be otherwise implemented within the subject matter defined in the appended claims. For example, other terminals with limited resources in terms of display, bandwidth, computing power, memory, etc. are also equipped with WAP browsers and are used within the scope of the present invention. The present invention may be used in any digital communication system, whether mobile or not, that is interested in dedicated information (whether it is personalized or not) in a limited resource environment. You may

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sequence of steps involved in presenting requested and pushed information to a mobile communication unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the timing of events during a request for information from a user unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the sequence of steps involved in using a database to select information to be pushed to a user unit.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart detailing the steps involved in using a database to select information to be pushed to a user unit.

[Figure 5]   4 is a flow chart of a server software program according to the present invention.

[Figure 6]   4 is a detailed flowchart of a software program for a server according to the present invention.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission for translation of Article 34 Amendment of Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] April 10, 2002 (2002.4.10)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[0010] WO 99/09486 shows a network management and messaging system message during the waiting period in the communication process is transmitted via the communication network from the remote station to the client station. The message is typically stored at the client station for display at a specified time . US Pat. No. 5,848,396 shows forming a user's behavior profile by recording the user's computer activity habits and viewing habits . Targeted advertisements are displayed to the user based on this . Profile, Ru Kotogaa to be improved on the basis of the record of the reaction of different users for a particular ad. In WO 98/47090, advertising pages are downloaded to a user's computer during communication link idle time . The page is displayed when making a request for the user to search for new data, and the page is displayed either long period until during or new page of the shortest time is downloaded sufficiently. WO 97/26728 discloses that by assigning a particular user profile to a person according to the activity of the person (subject ) on the Internet and displaying the advertisement corresponding to the user profile to the person. Disclosed is a system for selectively displaying advertisements to people.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

This is achieved in accordance with the invention because the second piece of information comprises the same resource locator as the requested first piece of information locator .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

An advantage of the present invention is to actually accept to present second piece user unit is information before the information requested has been received. For example, if the WAP browser of the user-Uni Tsu in DOO, resource locating data of WAP browser any incoming information (e.g., URL) also will be seen attempts to match the requested resource locator, and it Therefore the second piece of information will be displayed automatically . The present invention provides a method of presenting a second piece of information to a user when the user is waiting for a response to a request for other information and is therefore potentially open to receiving news or messages. Disclose. The present invention may be available where limited display size is available (ie, full screen must be used for each piece of requested information) and / or limited bandwidth is available. It is particularly relevant in some cases (resulting in relatively long transmission times). Both limits exist for the state of the art mobile communication device.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

When a request for a first piece of information is defined by a resource locator, eg, URL, a standardized and associative (ie, potentially with respect to content) addressing files and other electronic resources within the network. It is certain that a (meaningful) way is prepared.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

In the present context, the term “resource locator” is intended to mean an unambiguous scheme for defining the name of a file or other resource located on a computer somewhere in the network. Taken. The resource locator is URL (Uni
form resource locator).

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

A second piece of information is sent from the node to the user unit in the time interval between receipt at the node of the request from the user unit for the first piece of information and receipt of the first piece of information at the node. When transmitted, it is certain that the user will be exposed to the second piece of information only during the time interval in which the user is anyway waiting.

[Procedure Amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

A defined shortest time between receipt at the node of a request from the user unit for the first piece of information and transmission of the information received at the node from the information server to the user unit of the first piece of information. When longer than the value, it is certain that the shortest time available for presenting the second piece of information is controlled.

[Procedure Amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0023

[Correction method] Delete

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK , DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, J P, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR , LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, R O, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ , TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Johnson, Michael             Sweden Helsingborg, Fo             ー Radsgatan 24 F term (reference) 5K067 AA34 BB04 BB21 CC08 DD04                       EE02 EE16 FF02 KK13 KK15

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A request (1) for a first piece of information from a user unit (1; 11) to an information server (5) via a node (2) in a network.
01) and the reception of said first piece of information (108) at said user unit (1; 11), said method comprising: 1; 11) and the node (2) of the request (101)
Information in the time interval between reception at the server and transmission of the information received by the node (2) from the information server (5) to the user unit (1; 11) of the first piece (108). A second piece (102, 104, 105, 106) of said is transmitted from said node (2) to said user unit (1; 11). 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reception of the request at the node (2) from the user unit (1; 11) for a first piece of information and the first piece of information. A second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 106) from the node (2) to the user unit (1; 11) in the time interval between the reception of (107) at the node (2). A method characterized by being transmitted. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reception of the request from the user unit (1; 11) for the first piece of information at the node (2) and the information server (1). 5) from the transmission of the information received by the node (2) to the user unit (1; 11) of the first piece (108) is greater than a predefined minimum value (Tpreset). A method characterized by being long. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request (101) for the first piece of information is defined by a resource locator, eg a URL. Method. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the user unit (1;
11) said second piece of information to be pushed to (102, 104, 105, 106)
Comprises a resource locator that is the same as the resource locator of the requested first piece of information. 6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of the second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 106) is determined by a party other than the user. A method characterized by being performed. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second piece of information (102,
104, 105, 106) are advertisements. 8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of the second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 106) is selected according to stated user preferences. A method characterized by being determined by the user in the form of email, news, travel articles, or other information. 9. A method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 106) is a location of the user unit, a date, or the like. Or customized according to some other special criterion. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the request from the user unit (101) is a browser, eg WAP.
A method characterized by being created by a browser. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a new request for the first piece of information is the second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 1).
06) based method. 12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the communication between the user unit (1; 11) and the information server (5) is a data communication network, eg , Via the Internet (4) or an intranet. 13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the node (2) is a provider of access to the Internet for the user unit (1; 11), eg the user. A method characterized in that it is located in the central office of the provider of the mobile communication service for the unit (1; 11). 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the user unit (1; 11) is a mobile communication unit (11), eg a cellular telephone or a personal organizer. A method characterized by the following. 15. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a database (6) of information is provided from said node (2) to said user unit (1; 1).
Method used to define the content of the second piece (102, 104, 105, 106) of the information sent to 1). 16. A request for a first piece of information from a user unit (1; 11) to an information server (5) via a node (2) in a network (
101) and the first piece of information (108) in the user unit (1; 11)
Of the request (101) from the user unit (1; 11) for the first piece of information to the node (2).
), A second piece of information (102, 104, 105, 106) is transmitted from the node (2) to the user unit (1; 11) and a database of information (6) of the information is received. A method characterized in that it is used to define the content of said second piece (102, 104, 105, 106). 17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the database (6) of information is searchable for an element of the request (101) and the database (6) is the element of the request. Additional information related to (9
), And a criterion for associating the element of the request (101) with the additional information (9) is established. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method is the use of a database (6), the database (6) for supplying information to a user unit (1; 11). , Use of said database containing a list of requests (7) for a first piece of information subdivided into groups according to a predefined scheme and received for said first piece of information from said user unit (1; 11) Comparing the requested request (101) with said list (7) of requests for a first piece of information, and thus identifying a group of information, and a second piece of information corresponding to the identified group. The user unit (1
11). 19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the list (7) of requests for a first piece of information in the database (6) of information is used regularly, eg frequently. A method characterized by being updated according to the requested request. 20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19,
A method characterized in that the second piece (9) of information in the database (6) of information is regularly updated. 21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein
Response times at different times for at least some of the requested resource locators are recorded in the database (6) and the second piece of information (102,
104, 105, 106). 22. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the method comprises a request (10) to a first piece of information from a user unit (1; 11).
1) in the form of a resource locator (step S1), storing the requested resource locator (step S2), and storing the requested resource locator in a known resource locator (7) of a database (6). ) With the known resource locator (step S3).
7) is the step of comparing () which is organized into groups according to a defined scheme.
Step S3) and identifying a particular group of information between the groups of known resource locators (7) based on said comparison (step S4.1), and said user unit (1; 11) according to the identified group. ) Selecting a second piece of information to push (step S4.4), and transmitting the second piece (102) of information to the user unit (1; 11) (step S6). And, including. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said method selects said selected second piece (102) of information before transmitting said selected second piece (102) of information to said user unit (1; 11). The method further comprising adding the requested resource locator to two pieces (step S5). 24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein some second pieces of information (102, 104, 105, 106) are provided in the user unit (1; 1).
The method is characterized in that it is transmitted to 1). 25. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, said method sending said request for a first piece of information to a corresponding information server (5) (step S7). ), And the requested first piece (10) of information from the corresponding information server (5).
7)) (step S9), and said requested first piece (1) of information to said user unit (1; 11)
08) is transmitted (step S11). 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said requested first piece of information (107) is said user unit (1;
11) storing the requested first piece (107) of information from the corresponding information server (5) before being transmitted to (11). 27. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26,
If the method finds a match with the requested resource locator among the known resource locators (7) of the database (6), then the method compares information between the groups of the known resource locators (7) according to the comparison. Identifying a particular group (step S4.1), and if no match with the requested resource locator is found between the known resource locators (7) of the database (6), then according to a predefined scheme Identifying a particular group of information among said groups of known resource locators (7). 28. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 27,
The method is for possible subsequent additions to the database if a match with the requested resource locator is not found between the known resource locators (7) of the database (6) of known resource locators. The method further comprising saving the requested resource locator (step S4.2). 29. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 28,
The method comprises the step of identifying the most frequently requested groups of information from a given user unit (1; 11) (step S4.3), and a match of the requested resource locator with the database ( 6) If not found among the known resource locators (7), the second piece of information (102) to push to the user unit (1; 11) according to the most frequently requested group of information. , 104, 105, 106) (step S4.4). 30. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 29,
The method comprises requesting the first piece of information (103) to the corresponding information server (5).
Starting a timer (step S8) when sending a message, said requested first piece (10) of information from said corresponding information server (5).
7) checking said timer when receiving (step S10), said requested information of said information to said user unit (1; 11) if the tested time is longer than a defined time (Tpreset) Sending a first piece (108) (step S11), and if the examined time is less than a defined time (Tpreset), the requested first of information to the user unit (1; 11). 1 piece (108)
Further delaying the transmission of the requested first piece (108) of information to the user unit (1; 11) until the predefined time (Tpreset) has elapsed before sending the. A method characterized by the following. 31. The medium for storing a program on a computer-readable medium, the medium being stored on the computer when the program is executed.
A computer-readable medium adapted to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 30. 32. A computer system having means for executing a program, wherein the program is executed by the computer when the program is executed.
0. A computer system adapted to perform the method described in 0. 33. A software program, which can be used to carry out the method according to claims 1-30.