JP2004252956A - Information distribution system and information distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute information without delay of distribution to a plurality of users. <P>SOLUTION: When a user being a transmission source of information updates information to be transmitted, the distribution order of the updated information to users is determined on the basis of profiles of the users preliminarily desiring distribution of the information, and thus information is distributed in accordance with the conditions of the users being distribution destinations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution method and apparatus for distributing information to a user using a communication line, and more particularly, to distributing information via a network such as the Internet, the information to be distributed arrives at the user. The present invention relates to an information distribution method and an information distribution apparatus for reducing a delay until the information is transmitted.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of information have become available for a fee or for free using a network such as the Internet. The use of the Internet allows communication at a lower price than conventional communication using a subscriber line. For example, it is used to deliver direct mail using conventional mail to users over the Internet. I have.

    On the other hand, in the distribution of information using the Internet, the information to be distributed is not limited to just text information, and a large amount of information such as images is transmitted in a large amount. In the Internet, there is a high possibility that information to be distributed is delayed.

  In order to avoid this delay in information distribution, servers that are the sources of information are distributed, shortening the transmission path between the server and the user, and avoiding concentration of load on a specific server. There is also known a method of avoiding a delay in the distribution of a document (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Further, there is disclosed an invention in which advertisement information is transmitted to a user at an appropriate timing, for example, such as distribution of a lunch menu to a user before lunch, for example (see Patent Document 2).

Further, the user selects and registers a menu of information desired to be distributed and a desired timing of the distribution of the information (such as a content update, a fixed time every day, or a specified time). There is also known an information distribution system that distributes information according to timing. In this information distribution system, the load on the communication network in the time zone satisfying the desired distribution timing is minimized based on the load information that predicts the load per time of the communication network that distributes this information and the desired distribution timing. It is disclosed that desired information is distributed in a time zone (see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-202318 (see the section of "Prior Art" and page 3) JP-A-2002-189662 (refer to page 3 to page 4) JP-A-11-136365 (paragraphs 0017, 0018 and 0033)

  The delay in information distribution has been reduced with the development of a wide range of technologies such as the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the transmission speed of a transmission line, the compression ratio of transmitted / received information itself, and the signal processing technology. ing. However, on the other hand, the use of the information distribution systems disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 makes it possible for more and more users to send and receive information, and the amount of information flowing on the network to increase dramatically. Is fully predicted. Therefore, various hardware improvements are indispensable in order to avoid delays in information distribution, but it is expected that it is difficult to solve delay avoidances in information distribution only by improving the hardware.

  Therefore, as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, it is expected that a method of distributing information, such as distributing information based on the time or timing at which the user desires distribution, will also be a solution to avoid the distribution delay. You.

  However, as in Patent Document 2, the method of specifying the time is an effective method capable of distributing the information in time for the specified time when there is enough time from when the information is transmitted to when the information reaches the user. However, it is not a suitable method for information distribution that requires immediacy.

  Further, the invention described in Patent Document 3 specifies the priority of information that the user wants to obtain, and specifies the desired distribution timing as “every time the content is updated”, according to the order of the information whose priority is set higher. Each time the information is updated, the information is delivered to the user. According to the invention of Patent Document 3, when many users have a high priority for the same information and set the desired distribution timing to “every time the content is updated”, a large amount of information can be distributed at one time. Done. In this case, depending on the state of the network, even if the user designates "every time the content is updated", the updated content does not reach the user immediately after being updated, and the reception of information is delayed. become. Also, for example, even if information is distributed with a priority on paid members by distinguishing between free members and paid members, as the number of paid members increases, the network load associated with information distribution increases, and delay similarly occurs Will.

  It is an object of the present invention to improve these conventional information distribution methods and more appropriately distribute desired information to users.

  In the conventional information distribution method, information is distributed based on a distribution time set by a user who desires distribution or a distribution timing such as a desire to distribute information when updating the information, and a large number of users set the same distribution information. In such a case, a noticeable delay occurs in information distribution. However, the user does not always refer to the information distributed by the user at the timing set by the user, and pays attention to the problem that there is distribution information that is wasted in the situation at that time. Then, in order to avoid this problem, the distribution order to the user is determined based on the state of the user as well as the distribution timing set by the user, and if the information is distributed according to this order, the desired information can be obtained. Information is distributed preferentially to users who can immediately refer to the information distributed at the timing, and the distributed information can be accessed more quickly by the user, and the information provider and the user who is the information receiver This is based on the idea that information can be exchanged at an appropriate timing between them.

  Specifically, when sending and receiving presence information between users using e-mail, instant message, or the like, for example, information that is currently online is distributed without considering the distribution order. This causes a problem that the notification of the online status arrives with a close friend with a delay, and the status of the notification source is offline (or absent) when the friend calls. Therefore, for example, by determining the distribution order so that the presence information is distributed in descending order of the number of times of communication (one of the state of the user and the presence), the presence information can be quickly distributed to a good friend.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, in an information distribution apparatus that distributes information to a plurality of user terminals, identification information for identifying the user terminal and the user A user entry storing an index that specifies distribution information to be distributed to the terminal, and a profile specified by the index and transmitted from the user terminal in association with the distribution information and the identification information of the user terminal. Information comprising: a stored watcher user entry; and a processing unit that, when the distribution information is updated, determines an order in which the updated distribution information is distributed to the user terminal based on the profile. The distribution device is the gist.

  As described above, the order of distributing information is determined based on the profile, so that information can be distributed in an order according to the destination user terminal and the situation of the user.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the profile includes information indicating the current status of the user transmitted from the user terminal, type information of the user terminal, position information of the user terminal, and information distributed in the past. The distribution order, communication history, the number of times information transmitted from the user terminal has been updated, the last update time of the update, and at least one of information on whether or not to pay for the distribution information, The gist of the information distribution device is as follows.

  Since the distribution order of the information is determined based on such a profile, the information can be distributed in an order according to the destination user terminal and the situation of the user.

  The invention according to claim 3, wherein the distribution information stored in the watcher user entry is plural, and the distribution information distributed according to the distribution order is different. The information distribution device described in No. 2 is summarized.

  Since the information distribution device is configured as described above, different information can be distributed according to the user terminal or the user.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in the information distribution method for distributing information to a plurality of user terminals, a step of acquiring distribution information from the user terminals, the identification information of the user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information, and Obtaining an index of the distribution information, obtaining a profile from a user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information, and corresponding to the identification information of the user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information for each index. Storing a profile from a user terminal; and determining, when the distribution information is updated, a distribution order of the updated distribution information to a user terminal that has designated distribution of the distribution information based on the profile. And an information distribution method characterized by having the steps.

  Since the information distribution method is configured as described above, it is possible to determine the information distribution order according to the situation of the user terminal or the user.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the profile includes information indicating a current state of a user received from a user terminal designating distribution of the distribution information, type information of the user terminal, position information of the user terminal, and information in the past. And at least one of information on whether or not to pay for the distribution information, the communication history, the number of times the information transmitted from the user terminal has been updated, the last update time of the update, and whether or not to pay for the distribution information. The information distribution method characterized by the above is summarized. Since the distribution order of the information is determined based on such a profile, the information can be distributed in an order according to the destination user terminal and the situation of the user.

  When distributing information to a plurality of user terminals, the identification information of the user terminal that wants to distribute this information and the information indicating the dynamic status of the user of the user terminal or the user terminal are stored and stored in association with each other, Since the order of distributing information is determined based on the stored information, there is an effect that appropriate information can be distributed in an order based on the situation of the user terminal.

  In the present invention, the side that transmits information and the side that receives information are collectively referred to as users. When discriminating between the two users, the user on the information transmitting side is referred to as “information providing user (presentity)”, and the user on the information receiving side is referred to as “subscriber user (watcher)”.

  An example of an information distribution system to which an information distribution device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The information distribution device 1 is connected to a plurality of user clients 2 and a shop client 3 via a network 5 such as the Internet. Here, user clients 2-1 and 2-2 using a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) as a user terminal and a user client 2-3 using a mobile phone are shown in FIG. Other than these, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant: portable information terminal) or the like may be used as the user terminal.

  The user clients 2-1 and 2-2 use services provided by the information distribution device 1 using client software installed in a personal computer, and the user client 2-3 uses a Web browser installed in a mobile phone. To use the service provided by the information distribution apparatus 1. In addition, the user clients 2-1 and 2-2 can also be equipped with a WEB browser and use services using client software in a program environment such as Java on a mobile phone.

  Although there is no functional difference between the user clients 2-1 and 2-2 and the shop client 3 in the present embodiment, they are distinguished in order to simplify the following description.

Next, an outline of the information distribution apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 showing details of the information distribution system. In this figure, for simplicity of description, one user client 2 and a shop client 3 are illustrated as being connected to the information distribution device 1 via the network 5. In actuality, it goes without saying that there are a plurality of each, and these are connected and implemented. The information distribution device 1 is connected to the network 5 via the communication unit 41, and transmits and receives information to and from the user client 2 and the shop client 3. The communication unit 41 is connected to a processing unit 42. The processing unit 42 stores and holds information set / provided by the user client 2 and the shop client 3 in the storage device 43 according to a server program. The processing unit 42 may be configured to be connectable with an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device for displaying a processing state, a result, and the like.

  In this embodiment, the user client 2 and the shop client 3 have the same configuration. The user client 2 is connected to the network 5 via a communication unit 21, and the communication unit 21 is connected to a processing unit 22. The processing unit 22 includes a storage device 23 for storing various data and programs, an input device 24 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device 25 for displaying input from the input device 24 and distributed information and the like. Is connected. A communication unit 31, a processing unit 32, a storage device 33, an input device 34, and a display device 35 are similarly connected to the shop client 3.

  Next, the basic operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 which describes the outline of the operation of the present invention. The user ID of the user client 2-1 is "yamada", and the user ID of the user client 2-2 is "suzuki". In the figure, the information is provided by the store client 3 whose user ID is "ticket", and the method of determining the distribution order when the information provided by the store client 3 is distributed to the client 2-1 and the client 2-2. Will be described.

  Each of the user clients 2-1 and 2-2 and the shop client 3 (see FIG. 1) that use the information distribution device 1 register in the information distribution device 1 in advance. When the registration is performed in the order of the shop client 3, the user client 2-1, and the user client 2-2, the data of the user entry is stored in the storage device 43 of the information distribution device 1 as shown in FIG. The user entry is for storing, for each index, settings from a user and information given at the time of setting. In addition to a user ID, a user name, and a password, a user profile (described later), a user of the index, Is a subscription-desired user index indicating an index of a user of an information transmission source who desires information distribution. Here, “subscription” in the subscription desired user index does not necessarily mean that the user is charged.

  In the user entry of FIG. 3, information on the shop client 3 is stored in the index “0”. The user ID “ticket” of the shop client 3 is stored in the user ID column. Various information of the shop client 3 is stored in the profile column. The shop client 3 does not store an index in the subscribed user index column, because there is no information source user who wants to receive information distribution.

  For the index “1”, information on the user of the user client 2-1 is stored. The user ID column “yamada” of the user client 2-1 is stored in the user ID column. Various information of the user client 2-1 is stored in the profile column. Since the user client 2-1 desires to distribute the information of the user indicated by the indexes “0”, “2”, and “4”, the columns “0”, “ 2 ”and“ 4 ”are stored. Further, the index “2” stores a user ID, a profile, and a subscription desired user index for the user client 2-2.

  Here, the subscribed user index of the user client 2-1 indicated by the index “1” is “0, 2, 4”, and therefore, the user client 2-1 receives information from the shop client 3 with the index “0”. Is delivered (see (1) indicating correspondence), information from the user client 2-2 at index "2" is delivered (see (2)), and the user at index "4" It is shown that information from a client (not shown) is distributed.

  Further, the user client 2-2 indicated by the index “2” includes the shop client 3 with the index “0”, the user client 2-1 with the index “1”, and the user client (not shown) with the index “4”. Is distributed.

  Next, the watcher user entry will be described using the shop client 3 as an example. In this watcher user entry, one of the information provided by the shop client 3 is "Starpiece ticket tomorrow at 10:00 to be released" (corresponding to the user ID "ticket" (see (3)) of the shop client 3). (See (6)). The information provided by the user can be set as information to be provided if the information can be disclosed by the user, such as the user's state information stored in the user entry.

  Since the user clients 2-1 and 2-2 identified by the indexes "1" and "2" have registered the index "0" of the shop client 3 in the subscription desired user index, the subscription of the watcher user entry is performed. User IDs “yamada” and “suzuki” corresponding to the indexes “1” and “2” are registered in the user ID column. Corresponding to the subscribing user ID, each profile and a priority history indicating the history of the distribution order when the store client 3 previously performed the information distribution are stored.

  Now, it is assumed that the store client 3 has changed the information (6) provided by the store client 3 to “Starpiece ticket to be released tomorrow at 10:00”. The updated information is notified from the store client 3 to the information distribution device 1 via the network 5 and the communication unit 41, and the processing unit 42 of the information distribution device 1 checks the information column (6) of the watcher user entry of the store client 3. ) Is changed to the notified content, and with this change as a trigger, the updated information is distributed to each user registered in the subscribed user ID of the watcher user entry.

  At the time of this information distribution, the processing unit 42 determines the order of information distribution with reference to the profile and priority history of each user.

  Also, since the indexes “0, 2, 4” and “0, 1, 4” are stored in the user-subscribed user indexes of the indexes “1” and “2” in the user entry, each user is a store. In addition to receiving information distribution from the client 3 and also setting information distribution from each other, for example, when one user sends an e-mail or the like, the information column of the watcher user entry of this user is rewritten and Then, the rewritten information is delivered to the other user. That is, the present invention has a function that can be used not only for the purpose of distributing information such as products, news, stock prices, etc., by companies and organizations, but also for the exchange of information between individuals, like the shop client 3. is there.

  In this example, when the distribution information provided by the shop client 3 is updated, the information is set to be distributed to the user clients 2-1 and 2-2, which are the subscribed users. In order to provide this service, the distribution program of the information distribution device 1 holds various information on each user client in order to provide the above-mentioned service. Notification to each user client can be realized not only by real-time notification using a permanent connection of TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) but also by pseudo real-time notification using e-mail. .

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show the basic configuration of the information distribution device 1 described above. FIG. 4A is an example in which the information distribution device 1 is configured by a communication unit 41, a processing unit 42, and a storage device 43. Also, when the designation of the user desiring to subscribe is received from the subscribing user clients 2 and 3, an index corresponding to the designated subscribed user is registered in the subscribed user index column of the user entry of the subscribed user client via the processing unit 42. Or update. The processing unit 42 determines whether or not to distribute the updated information to the subscribing user clients 2 and 3 to which the information providing user clients 2 and 3 that are the information transmission sources distribute the updated information. Further, the information is updated and stored in the storage device 43 together with the information updated by the information providing user clients 2 and 3 and the information on the information updating such as the information updating frequency and the last update date and time of the updated information providing user clients 2 and 3. Further, the processing unit 42 includes the subscribed user clients 2 and 3 to which information is to be distributed and the subscribed user clients 2 and 3 to which the information is to be distributed based on the subscription desired user index stored in association with the information update source information providing user client 2. The distribution order (priority) is determined from the information related to the information update (update frequency, last update date, etc.). Further, the updated information is distributed to the subscribing user clients 2 and 3 in accordance with the distribution order.

  The information distribution apparatus 1 of FIG. 4 (B) is provided with a status acquisition unit 44 in the processing unit 42, acquires information on the user or the user terminal of the user client 2, stores and stores the information in the storage device 43, and sends the information to the user client 2. Is determined in consideration of the acquired information, and information is distributed in the determined distribution order. The status acquisition unit 44 may have a communication function using a permanent connection, and may acquire the status of the user client 2 such as the on / off state and the position.

  The (C) information distribution device 1 of FIG. 4 is provided with a status acquisition unit 44 and a history information detection unit 45 in the processing unit 42, and the history information detection unit 45 performs a direct operation of the user or an operation of the user. The event that has occurred is acquired and stored in the storage device 43 together with the update frequency of the user client 2, the last update date and time, and the like so that it can be used to determine the information distribution order. As described above, any one of the information distribution apparatuses 1 may be used, and the information distribution apparatus 1 may have another function.

  The outline of the present invention described above will be described in more detail. The outline of the user clients 2 and 3 will be described. The user clients 2 and 3 register and update information that can be set by each user, perform settings so that the information is distributed when information of other user clients 2 and 3 is changed, and perform distribution. A function of displaying the received information on a screen. FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen of the user client 2. Although FIG. 5 shows a client screen for a personal computer, a screen for a mobile phone client or a browser can be equivalently realized. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the client software is activated. It is assumed that the client software of the present embodiment performs authentication at the time of startup and connects to the information distribution device 1.

  On the screen of the client software, a menu portion and a subscribed user list portion are displayed. Although the menu part in FIG. 5 includes “add”, “delete”, “setting”, “mail”, and “telephone”, various other function menus may be provided.

  The “add” menu is used when the user clients 2 and 3 add a new user to a subscription-desired user list, which is a list of users who want to distribute information. The “delete” menu is used when deleting a user in the subscription desired user list. “Setting” is used when setting information of a user using the user clients 2 and 3. The "mail" menu is available when at least one of the users listed in the subscription desired user list is selected, and is used when sending an e-mail to the selected user. The “telephone” menu is available when at least one of the users listed in the subscription desired user list is selected, and is used when calling the selected user. When the user clicks a close box displayed on the menu, the client software is terminated after disconnecting the connection with the information distribution device 1 server. FIG. 6 shows a screen for adding a user to the subscribed user list, FIG. 7 shows a screen for setting information on the users of the user clients 2 and 3, and FIG. 8 shows an e-mail or telephone call to the user clients displayed in the subscribed user list. 4 shows a communication confirmation screen for performing the following.

  To add a subscribed user list, that is, to make a setting for adding a user of an information provider who distributes partner information to its own terminal, select “Add” from the menu in FIG. 5. When the “Add” menu is selected, a subscribed user addition screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. When a user ID and a display name (a name displayed in the subscription desired user list in FIG. 5) to be added are input on this screen and an “add” button is pressed, the user specified in the subscription desired user list in FIG. 5 is added. If the display name is not specified, the display name specified by the other party during user registration is displayed.

  To delete a subscribed user, select the user to be deleted from the subscription desired user list in FIG. 5, and then select “Delete” from the menu. At this time, the confirmation screen may be displayed without being immediately deleted.

  To set the user's own information of this user client, select "Setting" from the menu of FIG. When the “setting” menu is selected, an information setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In FIG. 7, information to be set as presence can be set. Here, the presence indicates the current situation of the user himself. In FIG. 7, the presence is used to input that the user is currently chatting. Alternatively, a word indicating a commonly used state such as going out is selected from a pull-down menu, but the user can freely input the word. In addition, the information distribution apparatus 1 sets information such as “during a call” or “out of area” by cooperating with another telephone system instead of inputting through a client program. You may comprise. When the presence or information is input and "OK" is clicked, the input information is set and notified to the information distribution apparatus 1.

  To send an e-mail to a subscribed user, select a user who wants to send an e-mail from the subscription desired user list in FIG. 5, and then select "e-mail" from the menu. At this time, the confirmation screen of FIG. 8 is displayed, and when "OK" is clicked, the mail transmission information is transmitted to the information distribution apparatus 1 before the mail transmission screen is actually displayed. However, if the selected user does not enter an e-mail address when registering a user in the information distribution device 1, the e-mail menu cannot be used. Calling can be performed in the same procedure as sending mail.

  Next, a subscription desired user list will be described. In the subscription desired user list shown in FIG. 5, users set by selecting "add" from the menu are displayed. In this list, it is possible to register services provided by companies and the like in addition to ordinary users who exchange e-mails and exchange information. For example, in FIG. 5, "ticket release information" and "my portfolio" are services, and the others are ordinary users. In the present embodiment, the user registered in the subscription desired user list is always notified when the information is changed. However, only the specified user is notified in real time, and the user who is not specified is subscribed. A configuration may be adopted in which when a user name in the user list is clicked, information is acquired from the information distribution device 1.

  Next, each step of using the information distribution service provided by the company or the like will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In order to use this service, a user registration screen using a website page shown in FIG. 9 provided from the information distribution apparatus 1 is first displayed on the user client 2 (S1200 in FIG. 12), and necessary information is input. (S1202 in FIG. 12), and user registration is performed. In the user registration, at least "user name", "user ID", and "password" are configured to be input. In addition to these information, "e-mail address", "telephone number", etc. can be entered. The “user name” is an easy-to-understand name such as a real name or a service name, and the “user ID” is a unique character string that does not overlap with other users. The password is used when performing user authentication such as when logging in to a service.

  When a user ID, a user name, a password, an optional mail address, and a telephone number are entered on the Web site page shown in FIG. 9 and an OK button “register” is clicked (S1204 in FIG. 12), information distribution is performed. The input information is transmitted to a user registration CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program or the like running on the device 1 (S1205 in FIG. 12), and the user ID is overlapped with another user on the information distribution device 1 side. After checking whether or not there is no overlap, a return value indicating that registration is possible is transmitted to the user client 2 (YES in S1206 of FIG. 12), a registration completion screen is displayed on the display device 25 of the user client, and user registration is performed. (S1208 in FIG. 12).

  If the user IDs overlap (NO in S1206 in FIG. 12), the process returns to the registration screen and inputs necessary information again (S1202 in FIG. 12). If the user clicks cancel after inputting necessary information on the registration page (NO in S1204 in FIG. 12), the registration is not performed and the registration process ends.

  When the user registration is performed, two entries for the registered user, a user entry and a watcher user entry, are created in the program of the information distribution device 1. The registration processing in the information distribution device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a user registration flowchart on the information distribution device 1 side. When the registration information transmitted from the user client 2 is received (S1320 in FIG. 13), it is determined whether all the information on the registration screen shown in FIG. 9 has been input (S1300 in FIG. 13). Whether or not the ID is unique is checked by the processing unit 42 of the information distribution device 1 using a database such as a user entry described later. In the case of YES, a user entry, a watcher user entry, and the like are created (S1304 in FIG. 13). When the creation is successful (1306 in FIG. 13), the program in the processing unit 42 is notified of the success. Here, in the case of NO in S1300, 1302, and 1306 in FIG. 13, a failure is notified to the program in each corresponding processing step.

  FIG. 10 shows an outline of the user entry created by the above processing. The user entry includes “index”, “user ID”, “user name”, “password”, “telephone number”, “mail address”. , "Subscription desired user index". Here, the “index” is a serial number given each time a user is registered. The information entered at the time of user registration is stored for “user ID”, “user name”, “password”, “telephone number”, “mail address”, and the like. The “subscription desired user index” stores an index of a user registered by the user in a subscribed user list, that is, an index of a transmission source user to which the user wants to receive information distribution.

  Next, the login process will be described with reference to the login flowchart of the user client shown in FIG. 14 and the login flowchart of the information distribution device 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, a user ID / password is input from a login screen (not shown) displayed on the display device 25, 35 or the like of the user client 2, 3 (S1402, S1404 in FIG. 14), and an OK button on the screen is pressed. By clicking (S1406 in FIG. 14), the login information is transmitted to the information distribution device 1 (YES in S1406 in FIG. 14, 1407), and a return value of permission / non-permission is received from the information distribution device 1. If the return value is permitted (YES in S1408 in FIG. 14), an application screen is displayed on the display devices 25 and 35 based on the information from the information distribution device 1 (S1414 in FIG. 14), and the login process is performed. Ends. If the return value is not permitted (NO in S1408 in FIG. 14), an error display is displayed on the display device 25, 35 or the like (S1412 in FIG. 14), and the login screen is displayed again (S1402 in FIG. 14). . If the user clicks a cancel button in S1406, the application ends (S1410 in FIG. 14), and the login process ends.

  On the other hand, when the login information is received from the user clients 2 and 3 (S1510 in FIG. 15), the login process of the information distribution device 1 performs authentication when the account (user ID) and password of the user entry shown in FIG. Success (YES in S1500 in FIG. 15), the watcher user entry is updated (S1502 in FIG. 15), and the login success is transmitted to the user clients 2 and 3 (S1504 in FIG. 15). If the authentication has failed, an authentication failure is transmitted to the user clients 2 and 3 (S1505 in FIG. 15), and the login process ends.

  Next, an outline of the above-mentioned watcher user entry will be described with reference to FIG. The watcher user entry is an entry that stores information of each subscribed user to whom the changed information is to be delivered when the information provided by the user is changed in association with the user ID. Specifically, "user ID of subscribed user", "frequency of update of information of subscribed user", "date of last update of information of subscribed user", "number of telephone calls between information provider and subscribed user", "information provider and subscribe" Number of user emails, "Type of terminal used by the subscribed user", "Current location of the subscribed user", "Current status (presence) set by the subscribed user", "User who sets notification" , And “history of notification priority of subscribed users” are stored. Specifically, in the case where the user ID in FIG. 11 is an entry of “ticket”, “starpiece ticket to be released tomorrow at 10:00”, “yamada, suzuki, etc.”, respectively, and hereinafter, in the case of “yamada”, “11”, “2002” / 7/10 "," 0 "," 0 "," MO (Mobile Phone) "," 135, 41 (135 ° E, 41 ° N latitude) "," out of area (outside the range of mobile phones) ", "1, 2, 10, 15, 1 (that is, Yamada has distributed the distribution information from the user ID and ticket in the past in the order of 1st, 2nd, 10th, 15th, 1st) Is stored.

  In addition, information on a subscribed user may be stored.

  As described above, addition / deletion of a subscribed user will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19 in relation to the user entry and the watcher user entry stored in the storage device 43 of the information distribution device 1.

  FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts for adding a user desiring to subscribe. The client software screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display device 25 or 35 of the user client 2, and when addition is selected (S1600 in FIG. 16). ), The screen is switched to a subscription desired user addition screen shown in FIG. On this screen, a user ID and a display name (user name) are input (S1602 in FIG. 16), and when an add button is clicked (YES in S1604 in FIG. 16), the user ID and the display name are transmitted to the information distribution apparatus 1. If the information is transmitted (S1605 in FIG. 16) and the information distribution device 1 successfully updates the user entry for addition and the watcher user entry, the return value from the information distribution device 1 becomes YES in S1606. An application screen such as the client software screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (S1608 in FIG. 16). On the other hand, if the update has failed, the result is NO in S1606, an error message is displayed (1610 in FIG. 16), and the subscribed user addition process also ends when the cancel button is clicked in S1604.

  On the other hand, when the user additional information is transmitted from the user client 2 (S1710 in FIG. 17), the information distribution device 1 determines whether the user ID or the display name (user name) is stored in the user entry. (S1700 in FIG. 17), if stored, the user entry and the watcher user entry are updated (1702 in FIG. 17). If the update is successful (YES in 1704 in FIG. 17), the user client is notified that the update was successful. 2 to end the subscribed user addition process. On the other hand, if the user ID or display name (user name) has not been registered in S1700 or S1704, or if updating of the user entry or the watcher user entry has failed, the subscribe desired user addition processing ends.

  In the same manner as the subscription desired user addition processing, the user client 2 performs the subscription desired user deletion processing illustrated in FIG. 18, and the information distribution device 1 performs the subscription desired user deletion processing illustrated in FIG. 19.

  Next, when the user: suzuki updates the information, how the watcher user entry of the user corresponding to the index stored in the suzuki subscription desired user index is updated will be specifically described. .

  When the user: suzuki sets the information “I am on a business trip from 7.25” on the screen of the client software shown in FIG. 7, this information of the user: suzuki is transmitted from the client software to the information distribution device 1 via the Internet. The program in the information distribution device 1 searches for “suzuki” from the user ID in the user entry (see FIG. 10). When the user ID “suzuki” is found, the subscribed user index “0, 1, 20” of the “suzuki” is acquired. Then, the user ID “ticket” of the index “0” is acquired. Next, the update frequency of “suzuki” under the user ID “ticket” of the watcher user entry in FIG. 11 is increased by one, and the current time is stored in the last update date and time field. Also, when logging in to the information distribution device 1, the program can determine whether “suzuki” uses a client of a personal computer or a browser of a mobile phone. Therefore, the program is written in advance in the terminal of the watcher user entry. (“MO” is written in the terminal type of suzuki in FIG. 11A). Each time the user logs in, information on the terminal used at that time is written in this terminal type field. When the position information when the user “suzuki” sets the information can be acquired, the acquired position information “134, 39 (East 134) in the position field of“ suzuki ”in the“ ticket ”of the watcher user entry. °, which corresponds to 39 ° N). For example, when the personal computer or the mobile phone has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, the position information can be acquired by transmitting the latitude and longitude along with the setting information from the user side. In addition, when a rough position can be specified using the information of the base station of the mobile phone, it can be realized by transmitting this position information together with information set by the user. When you select a user from the list of users who want to subscribe and select the "Mail" and "Phone" menus, the server notifies the server of the phone / mail partner before actually sending or sending a mail. Based on this information, the number of calls and the number of mails in the watcher user entry can be updated. The number of calls is not limited to the number of times, and may be the telephone call time. Regarding the presence, the presence set by the user in FIG. 7, the status of whether the client is logged in, or information related to the notification of the telephone network is transmitted from the user client side to the information distribution apparatus 1, and the information distribution is performed. The information acquired by the device 1 may be stored as presence information in the watcher user entry. For example, “out of area” indicates “out of service area” and “empty” indicates “no call / data communication state”. When a telephone network is linked with the information distribution apparatus 1 and the user clients 2 and 3, The presence information of these users can also be obtained.

  “Online” and “offline” can be determined based on whether or not the user has logged in to the information distribution apparatus 1. Further, in addition to these, presence information such as presence “DND (Don't Disturb)” and “Away (absence)” set by the user may be stored.

  In the present embodiment, the priority history is configured to record up to five prioritized histories at the time of notification in the past. This history may be other than five. The update of these watcher entries is performed for the index of all subscriber users, that is, “0, 1, 20” for the user “suzuki”.

  Next, the operation of information distribution by the information distribution apparatus 1 will be described by taking as an example the case where the user ID “ticket” updates information. From the watcher user entry in FIG. 11, the user: ticket is set to be notified when the information is changed from the users “yamada”, “suzuki”, “tanaka”, and “satou”. Here, when the user: ticket sets the information, the processing unit 42 of the information distribution device 1 searches for the user ID “ticket” of the user entry.

  When the user ID “ticket” is found, a subscribed user index is acquired next. In FIG. 10, since the user: ticket has nothing as a subscribed user index, the table of other users of the watcher user entry is not updated.

  When the information is updated and set to "Starpiece ticket to be released tomorrow at 10:00", the updated information is stored in the "information" of the user ID: ticket in the watcher user entry. Then, information is distributed to the subscribed users “yamada”, “suzuki”, “tanaka”, and “satou” stored in the watcher user list of the user ID: ticket, and the priority of the information distribution is as follows. For example, the priority is set based on the update frequency and the last update date of the information distribution destination information in the watcher user entry.

  As a method of assigning this order, a priority order may be set in the order of the latest update date, and in the case of FIG. 11A, the order is “tanaka”, “suzuki”, “yamada”, “satou”. .

  In addition to the method of determining the order, if the number of times that “yamada”, “suzuki”, “tanaka”, and “satou” have accessed the Web site is configured to be able to be counted by the information distribution device 1, the access may be performed. The ranking may be determined based on the frequency information.

  The set order is added to the top of the priority history. In addition, each client displays the distribution information on a screen in a pop-up window or the like. Alternatively, when the notification destination is a mobile phone, the notification may be received using a mail function.

  The update process of the distribution information of the user client 2 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 20, the information providing user client 2 selects a setting from the client software screen shown in FIG. 5, and calls the information setting screen shown in FIG. 7 (S2000 in FIG. 20). If information is entered in the information field of this screen (S2002 in FIG. 20) and the setting button is clicked (YES in S2004 in FIG. 20), for example, if additional information such as the position of this user can be acquired (for example, If the terminal of the user client has a function such as GPS and can transmit to the information distribution apparatus 1) (YES in S2006 of FIG. 20), the location information is added in S2008, and the information is transmitted to the information distribution apparatus 1. It is transmitted (S2009 in FIG. 20). When these pieces of information are received by the information distribution apparatus 1, an OK return value is returned (YES in S2010 of FIG. 20), and the display returns to the client software screen shown in FIG. 5 (S2012 of FIG. 20). finish. On the other hand, if the location information cannot be acquired in S2006 (NO in S2006 of FIG. 20), the process proceeds to S2010 and S2012, and the distribution information update process ends. If the return value is NO in S2010, an error message is displayed on the display device 25, 35 or the like of the user client 2, 3, and the distribution information update process ends.

  On the other hand, when receiving the setting information for setting the update of the distribution information from the information providing user client 2 (S2120 in FIG. 21), the information distribution apparatus 1 updates the user entry / watcher user entry as described above (FIG. 21). 21 (S2100), if the updating of each entry is successful (YES in S2102 of FIG. 21), the subscribed user information is acquired from the watcher user entry, and the order of priority, which is the distribution order to the subscribed user, is rearranged. Then, the information updated in the priority order is notified to all the subscribing users (S2104 to S2108 in FIG. 21). When all the members are notified (YES in S2110 of FIG. 21), the processing unit 42 recognizes that the information distribution is successful, and ends the information setting / notification process. On the other hand, if the entry update has failed in S2102 (NO in S2102 in FIG. 21), the processing unit 42 recognizes that the entry update has failed, and ends the information setting / notification process.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, the updated information is distributed from the information distribution device 1 to the subscribed user client 2 who has requested information distribution among the user clients (S2200 in FIG. 22). Is displayed as a hop-up screen on the display device 25 (S2202 in FIG. 22).

  The user will be described from the information displayed on the hop-up screen with reference to FIG. 23 showing an e-mail transmission flowchart when responding to the transmission source of this information by e-mail.

  The user knows that the information has been distributed on the hop-up screen, and also knows the arrival of the information by the check mark attached to each user on the subscribed list on the client software screen shown in FIG. 5, and transmits the information from this list. The destination is selected (S2300 in FIG. 23), mail is selected as the communication method (S2302 in FIG. 23), and the send button is clicked (S2304 in FIG. 23). Then, the mail transmission information is sent to the information distribution device 1 (YES in S2304 in FIG. 23, S2306). In this embodiment, the content of the mail to be sent is created using the mail function provided in the user client, and the mail is sent by clicking the send button, and the mail is sent. It is confirmed by a screen (not shown) that the message has been sent (S2308 in FIG. 23), and the mail transmission process ends. On the other hand, if the cancel button on the information notification system screen shown in FIG. 8 is clicked in S2304 (NO in S2304 in FIG. 23), the mail transmission processing ends.

  On the other hand, upon receiving the mail transmission information from the user client 2 (S2400 in FIG. 24), the information distribution apparatus 1 determines the update frequency of the user client 2 in the watcher user entry of the information transmission source to the user client 2. The mail transmission update date, the number of mails, and the like are updated by one (S2402 in FIG. 24).

  Similarly, the processing on the client side and the processing on the information distribution apparatus 1 side when the user client 2 to which the update information has been distributed responds using a telephone are similarly processed as shown in FIGS. You.

  At the time of information distribution, the order may be determined according to the situation of the current distribution destination user. The current user status may use terminal information, location information, presence, and other available information of each user stored in the user entry of the watcher user entry in FIG.

  Alternatively, the order of information distribution may be determined based on the terminal type, such as giving priority to a user using a personal computer or giving priority to a user using a mobile phone. When the distribution order is determined based on the type of the terminal, the distribution order may be determined in combination with information such as the update frequency and the last update date and time. For example, when the user who uses the mobile phone is prioritized, and when the terminal type is the same, the user who updates frequently is prioritized to determine the information distribution order, the information of “ticket” in FIG. , "Suzuki", "tanaka", and "satou".

  Further, the information distribution order may be determined based on the presence of the user. Even when this presence is used as a basis, the information distribution order may be determined in combination with the update frequency, the last update date and time information, and the like. For example, priority is given to users who can be notified in real time (empty, on line). If there are a plurality of users who can be notified in real time, priority is given to users who are frequently updated. In the case of FIG. 11, “tanaka” is used. , “Suzuki”, “yamada”, and “satou” in this order.

  If the information cannot be distributed in real time, it can be notified by e-mail or other means.

  Similarly, a user whose current position is close to the user whose information has been updated may be given a higher information distribution order. Also in this case, the information distribution order may be determined by combining the update frequency, the last update date and time, and the position information. Further, the user who updates and sets the information may specify the position information by the client software in order to determine the information distribution order, and may determine the information distribution order using the position information.

  At the time of information distribution, the information distribution order may be determined according to the user's past priority history. The information distribution order may be determined by combining the past priority history information with the number of telephone calls, the number of mails, the last update date, and the like.

  The order of information distribution can also be determined based on the priority history of the subscribing user. Also at this time, the information distribution order may be determined by combining the update frequency and the last update date. As a method of using the priority history, a method of giving priority to a user having a high priority in the previous distribution, conversely giving priority to a user having a low priority in the previous cell, and giving priority to a user having a high priority in the past five times of information distribution. There may be. For example, when notifying the information of the user yamada shown in FIG. 11B, when giving priority to the user with the highest priority in the previous time, the order is suzuki and tanaka, and giving priority to the user with the low priority in the last time. In this case, the order is tanaka and suzuki.

Further, the information distribution order may be determined based on the number of telephone calls and the number of mail transmissions between the information transmission source user and the information distribution destination user. At this time, the information distribution order may be determined by combining the update frequency and the last update date and time. For example, in the case of notifying the information of the user Yamada in FIG. 11 (B), the priority is given to the user with a large number of telephone calls in the order of tanaka and suzuki. Become. In addition to the number of telephone calls and the number of mail transmissions, the priority may be determined using the number of times of message transmission by an instant message, the number of times of presence set for a specific partner, and the communication history other than that.
Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which various information related to notification is added when a user updates information.

Also in the second embodiment, the information distribution device may have the same configuration as the information distribution device 1, and an information distribution device that replaces a part of information to be distributed according to a distribution order will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 27 shows an information setting screen with replacement information displayed on the display device 25, 35 or the like of the user client 2 when a part of the information to be distributed is replaced according to the distribution order (S2800 in FIG. 28). This information setting screen is a screen that is selectively displayed when "Setting" is selected from the menu of the client software screen shown in FIG.

  In the “information” field of FIG. 27, information to be set (distribution information) is input. In the information, “special dinner% s: reservation required for the first 10 people from 7:00, reservation required% s” is used. When the sentence delimited by this part "is input (S2802 in FIG. 28), this part is changed at the time of notification to the information distribution apparatus 1 by the" replacement condition "below the information field on the screen. For example, "reservation required for the first 10 people from 7:00" after "% s" is an initial value, and this value is used when the replacement condition is not satisfied. For the replacement condition, a distribution order to be replaced (for example, distribution order No. 20 to No. 100) is specified, and a character string to be replaced and a character string to be replaced are set (for example, the original character string “10 first arrival from 7:00” is replaced). The character string "15 first arrivals from 8 o'clock" is created. When the information to be replaced with the information is input and the “setting” button is clicked (S2804 in FIG. 28), it is determined whether or not the position information can be added to the information to be transmitted, as in S2006, 2008, and S2010 in FIG. The setting information is transmitted to the information distribution device 1 (S2809 in FIG. 28), the return value from the information distribution device 1 is determined in S2810, and if the return value is accepted (YES in S2810), the client software screen shown in FIG. Is displayed (S2812 in FIG. 28), and if the information is not received by the information distribution device 1 (NO in S2810 in FIG. 28), an error screen is displayed on the display device 25, 35, etc. of the user client 2. The information change process with information replacement ends in any case. Also, when the cancel button is clicked in S2804, the information change processing with information replacement ends.

  Next, a processing flow on the information distribution apparatus 1 side of the information setting / notification processing with information replacement will be described with reference to FIG. When the setting information with information replacement is received from the user client 2, the user entry and the watcher user entry are updated (S2900 in FIG. 29), and it is determined whether or not the entry update is successful. YES), the information notification destination user list is acquired from the watcher user entry (S2904 in FIG. 29), the priority order of the notification destination users is rearranged (S2906 in FIG. 29), and it is determined whether the notification information needs to be changed. Then, if necessary (YES in S2908 in FIG. 29), the setting destination from the user client 2 is not specified as the notification destination in the specified order in the priority order after rearrangement. The information (delivery information) to be notified is replaced with the notification destination (S2910 in FIG. 29), and the information is distributed to the notification destination user in order of priority (S29 in FIG. 29). 912), it is determined whether or not all the subscribed users of this user have been notified, and if the information has been notified to all users (YES in S2914 in FIG. 29), the fact that the user client 2 has succeeded is transmitted (S2916 in FIG. 29). ), End the information setting / notification process with information replacement. At this time, immediately after the information is received from the user client 2, it may be configured to notify whether or not the reception has been successful and asynchronously perform the notification as to whether or not the transmission to all the users has been completed. If the notification information does not need to be changed in S2908, that is, if information replacement is not necessary (NO in S2908 in FIG. 29), the process jumps to S2912. On the other hand, if the entry cannot be updated in S2902 (NO in S2902 in FIG. 29), the user client 2 is notified of the failure (S2918 in FIG. 29), and the information setting / notification process with information replacement ends. As shown in FIG. 30, each notification destination user receives the notification information (S3000 in FIG. 30), and displays the notification information on a pop-up screen on the display device of the user (S3002 in FIG. 30).

  In the present embodiment, the information setting side inputs the replacement information, but in addition to this, the user with the higher distribution order is notified of all the information, and the user with the lower distribution order is only notified that there has been a change. For example, the information to be notified may be changed on the information distribution apparatus 1 side according to the distribution order.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the number of replacement conditions is one, but a plurality of conditions may be set.

  Also in the third embodiment, the information distribution device may have the same configuration as the information distribution device 1, and is configured to be able to set an expiration date for the information to be distributed with reference to FIGS. FIG. 31 shows an example of an information setting screen with an expiration date displayed on the display device 25, 35 or the like of the user client 2 when the expiration date is set for the information to be distributed. This information setting screen is the client software shown in FIG. When "Setting" is selected from the menu on the screen, it is selectively displayed (S3200 in FIG. 32).

  Information to be set (that is, information to be distributed) is input in the “information” field of FIG. 31, and an expiration date for notifying this information is set in the “expiration date” field (S3202 of FIG. 32). If the expiration date is not input, the notification is made in the order of the distribution order as long as other conditions are satisfied. When the information (to be distributed) and the expiration date are input and the “setting” button is clicked (YES in S3204 in FIG. 32), it is determined whether or not the position information can be added to the information to be transmitted to the information distribution apparatus 1 (FIG. 32). 32, S3206 and S3208), the information set with the expiration date is transmitted to the processing unit 42 of the information distribution device 1 together with or without the position information (S3209 in FIG. 32). If the transmitted information is successfully set by the information distribution device 1 (YES in S3210 of FIG. 32), an application screen such as a client software screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the user client 2 (FIG. 32). On the other hand, if the setting of the transmitted information fails in the information distribution device 1 (NO in S3210 in FIG. 32), an error is displayed on the display device 25 or the like of the user client 2 (S3214 in FIG. 32). ), The information update process with expiration date ends in any case. Also, when the cancel button is clicked in S3204, the information updating process with the expiration date ends.

Next, the flow of the information setting / notification processing with expiration date on the information distribution device 1 side will be described with reference to FIG. When the information with the expiration date is transmitted from the user client 2 (S3320 in FIG. 33), the user entry and the watcher user entry are updated in S3300, and when the entry is successfully updated (YES in S3302 in FIG. 33). The notification destination (distribution destination) user list of the information with expiration date is acquired from the watcher user entry (S3304 in FIG. 33), and the priority order of the notification destination user list is rearranged (S3306 in FIG. 33). Refers to a timer built in the information distribution device 1 and acquires the current time (S3308 in FIG. 33), and determines the current time as the expiration date from the expiration date included in the received setting information. If it is within the expiration date (YES in S3310 of FIG. 33), this setting information with expiration date is distributed to the notification destination (FIG. 33). S3312), and determines whether the notification (distribution) in the notification destination all users, when delivered, S3316 as a processing success (Fig. 33), and ends the expiring information setting / notification process. If there is a user who has not been delivered (NO in S3314 in FIG. 33), the process returns to S3308 again to continue the process. On the other hand, when the entry update fails in S3302 (NO in 3302 in FIG. 33) or when the expiration date has passed in S3310, the information setting / notification processing with expiration date ends. When the notification information is distributed (S3400 in FIG. 34), the user is displayed on the display device 25 or the like using the notification information on the hop-up screen and notified (S3402 in FIG. 34).

  In the present embodiment, the client specifies the date and time as the effective range (effective period, expiration date). However, other settings may be made from the client side to up to 100 users who frequently update information.

  In addition, an operation based on a determination by the information distribution apparatus 1 such as distributing only to the upper specified number of priorities, or interrupting subsequent distribution when information of the same notification source user is updated during distribution. Is also possible.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, the information distribution device may have the same configuration as the information distribution device 1. The feature of the fourth embodiment is that when notifying the information change, not only the information changed to the client side but also the notification destination user Is to be distributed together with the information of the distribution order (in what order was notified). The flowchart of this operation is the same as the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, the information distribution device may have the same configuration as the information distribution device 1, and is characterized in that when information is set on the user side, attributes such as importance of the information are set. FIG. 35 shows a screen for setting information by assigning importance. In FIG. 35, when the “unimportant” check box is checked, the set information and importance are transmitted to the program of the processing unit 42 of the information distribution device 1, and the program determines the distribution order for the notification of this information. Set and do not notify. In this case, the notification order is the order of watcher user entries.

  Conversely, for an attribute that is important, the “important” check box may be checked. Also, without assigning the attribute of importance on the client side for each setting, the information distribution apparatus 1 determines the importance based on the ID of the notification source user, or assigns a priority when only the position information is transmitted. It is also possible to determine that there is not. The processing flow on the client side and the information distribution device 1 side in this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, and the processing flow on the client side is shown in FIG. Only the information to be performed is different. The processing flow on the information distribution device 1 side receives the setting information (S3720 in FIG. 37), updates the user entry and the watcher user entry (S3700 in FIG. 37), and when the entry update is successful (S3702 in FIG. 37). YES), a notification destination user list is obtained from the watcher user entry (S3704 in FIG. 37), and it is determined whether or not a priority order is set in this setting information (S3706 in FIG. 37). 37 (YES in S3706), the notification destination user list is rearranged in the order of priority (S3708 in FIG. 37), and thereafter, all notification destination users are notified (YES in S3710 and S3712 in FIG. 37 or S3712). If NO in step S3710), the process ends in S3714 as a success. If it is not necessary to set the priority in S3706, the process shifts to S3710. If the entry update has failed in S3702, the process is determined to be unsuccessful and the process ends.

  In each embodiment, the information (delivery information) set by the user is exemplified by a relatively short message, but is not limited thereto.

  In addition, the information (distribution information) in each embodiment includes both “presence” and “messaging” as referred to in the instant message service, and may also include other general information.

The following is disclosed in addition to the above disclosure.
(Supplementary Note 1) In an information distribution apparatus that distributes information to a plurality of user terminals, identification information for identifying the user terminal and an index that specifies distribution information to be distributed to the user terminal in association with the identification information are stored. The watcher user entry that stores the user entry, the profile specified by the index, and the profile transmitted from the user terminal in association with the distribution information and the identification information of the user terminal, and the distribution information is updated. A processing unit for determining the order in which the updated distribution information is distributed to the user terminal based on the profile.
(Supplementary Note 2) The profile includes information indicating the current status of the user transmitted from the user terminal, type information of the user terminal, position information of the user terminal, and a distribution order when information was distributed in the past. An information distribution apparatus, comprising: at least one of a communication history, a number of times information transmitted from the user terminal has been updated, a last update time of the update, and information on whether to pay for the distribution information.
(Supplementary Note 3) The information distribution device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the distribution information stored in the watcher user entry is plural, and the distribution information distributed according to the distribution order is different. .
(Supplementary Note 4) In an information distribution method for distributing information to a plurality of user terminals, a step of acquiring distribution information from the user terminals, the identification information of the user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information, and the index of the distribution information. Obtaining a profile from a user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information; and a profile from the user terminal corresponding to the identification information of the user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information for each index. And, when the distribution information is updated, determining a distribution order of the updated distribution information to a user terminal that has specified the distribution of the distribution information based on the profile. An information distribution method characterized in that:
(Supplementary Note 5) The profile includes information indicating the current status of the user received from the user terminal that specifies the delivery of the delivery information, type information of the user terminal, location information of the user terminal, and information when the information was delivered in the past. It includes at least one of a distributed order, a communication history, the number of times information transmitted from the user terminal has been updated, a last update time of the update, and information on whether or not to pay for the distributed information. The information distribution method described in Supplementary Note 4.
(Supplementary note 6) In the information distribution device according to supplementary note 1, the distribution information includes information that defines an effective range of the distribution information, and the processing unit distributes the distribution information based on the information that defines the effective range. An information distribution apparatus for determining whether or not the distribution information can be distributed and a distribution order of the distribution information to a distribution destination.
(Supplementary note 7) The information distribution device according to supplementary note 6, wherein the effective range is information that defines a distribution time of the distribution information.
(Supplementary note 8) The information distribution apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein the distribution information includes the distribution order in the distribution information and distributes the distribution information to a distribution destination.
(Supplementary note 9) In the information distribution device according to supplementary note 1, the distribution order of the distribution information and the change information that changes the content of the distribution information according to the distribution order are received, and the distribution information is determined by the change information. An information distribution device, wherein the information is distributed and distributed according to the distribution order.

  When distributing information to a plurality of user terminals, the identification information of the user terminal that wants to distribute this information and the information indicating the dynamic status of the user of the user terminal or the user terminal are stored and stored in association with each other, Since the order of distributing information is determined based on the stored information, appropriate information can be distributed in an order based on the situation of the user terminal.

The figure which shows an example of the information distribution system to which this invention is applied. The figure which shows the detail of a delivery system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of a client software screen. The figure which shows the example of a subscription user addition screen. The figure which shows the example of an information setting screen. The figure which shows the example of a communication confirmation screen. The figure which shows the example of a user registration screen. The figure which shows the outline | summary of a user entry. The figure which shows a watcher user entry. The figure which shows the flowchart of user registration. The figure which shows the flowchart of user registration. The figure which shows the flowchart of a login process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a login process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a subscription desired user addition process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a subscription desired user addition process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a subscription desired user deletion process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a subscription desired user deletion process. The figure which shows the flowchart of an information update process. The figure which shows the flowchart of an information setting / notification process. The figure which shows the flowchart of an information notification. The figure which shows the flowchart of a mail transmission process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a mail transmission process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a telephone transmission process. The figure which shows the flowchart of a telephone transmission process. The figure which shows the example of the information setting screen with replacement information. The figure which shows the flowchart of the information update process with information replacement. The figure which shows the flowchart of information setting / notification processing with information replacement. The figure which shows the flowchart of an information notification process. The figure which shows the example of an information setting screen with an expiration date. The figure which shows the flowchart of information update processing with an expiration date. The figure which shows the flowchart of information setting / notification processing with an expiration date. The figure which shows the flowchart of information notification processing with an expiration date. The figure which shows the example of an information setting screen with an attribute. The figure which shows the flowchart of an information update process with an attribute. The figure which shows the flowchart of information setting / notification processing with an attribute.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information distribution apparatus 2 User client 2-1 User client 2-2 User client 2-3 User client 3 Shop client 5 Network 21 Communication unit 22 Processing unit 23 Storage device 24 Input device 25 Display device 41 Communication unit 42 Processing unit 43 Storage apparatus

Claims (5)

In an information distribution device that distributes information to a plurality of user terminals,
A user entry storing identification information for identifying the user terminal and an index for specifying distribution information distributed to the user terminal in association with the identification information;
A watcher entry specified by the index and storing the distribution information and the profile transmitted from the user terminal in association with the identification information of the user terminal,
A processing unit that, when the distribution information is updated, determines an order of distributing the updated distribution information to the user terminal based on the profile. The profile is information indicating the current status of the user transmitted from the user terminal, type information of the user terminal, position information of the user terminal, the distribution order when information was distributed in the past, communication history, An information distribution apparatus comprising at least one of the number of times information transmitted from the user terminal has been updated, the last update time of the update, and information on whether or not to pay for the distribution information. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution information stored in the watcher user entry is plural, and the distribution information distributed differs according to the distribution order. In an information distribution method for distributing information to a plurality of user terminals,
Obtaining distribution information from the user terminal;
Acquiring identification information of a user terminal that specifies distribution of the distribution information and an index of the distribution information,
Obtaining a profile from a user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information;
Storing a profile from the user terminal in association with the identification information of the user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information for each index;
When the distribution information is updated, determining the distribution order of the updated distribution information to the user terminal that has specified the distribution of the distribution information based on the profile,
An information distribution method, comprising: The profile includes information indicating the current status of the user received from a user terminal that specifies the distribution of the distribution information, type information of the user terminal, position information of the user terminal, and a distribution order when information was distributed in the past. 5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein the information includes at least one of a communication history, a number of times information transmitted from the user terminal is updated, a last update time of the update, and information on whether to pay for the distribution information. The information distribution method described.

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