JP2006141036A - Host computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively provide even information that a user is not directly requesting, such as commercial message information. <P>SOLUTION: A host computer device is equipped with a connection means of connecting with a communications terminal through a communication line to communicate data, a selection means of selecting data different from data designated by a data transmission request of the communications terminal device, and a control means of transmitting the selected data to the communications terminal device via the connection means, and the selection means selects the data according to identification information of the connected communications terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a host computer device, and is suitable for a field such as a personal computer communication network (hereinafter referred to as personal computer communication).

  A network such as so-called personal computer communication, in which a communication terminal device in a home and a host computer device in a network service center are connected to perform communication, has become widespread.

  In such a network, there are many forms in which the host computer device provides the requested data in response to the request of the user of the communication terminal device, but the data that is not directly requested, such as the commercial of the company, along with the data to be provided Some of them are also sent at the same time. In this case, for the user side, when viewing the downloaded data on the monitor screen while connected to the network, for example, a company advertisement or various event information appears on a part of the screen. Alternatively, the screen output is made when the user requests a commercial display.

  By the way, in the system in which information such as commercials is added in this way, since the same commercial is provided regardless of who accesses, it becomes meaningless to those who are not interested. . On the communication terminal device side, the display is output only during network connection. For these reasons, there is a problem that the effect of providing information such as commercials is weak.

  Further, when viewed from the user side of the communication terminal device, it may be considered unnecessary information or the commercial that the user desires cannot be obtained. Furthermore, it can only be viewed while connected to the network, so it is not provided immediately when the user wants to see it.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to effectively provide information that is not directly requested by a user, such as commercial information.

The host computer device of the present invention comprises a connection means for connecting to a communication terminal device via a communication line to perform data communication, a selection means for selecting data different from the data specified by the data transmission request of the communication terminal device, Control means for transmitting the selected data to the communication terminal device via the connection means.
Further, the selection means is configured to select data according to identification information of the connected communication terminal device.

That is, the host computer device of the present invention downloads commercial information and the like on a network during a period when the user does not make an original download request to the communication terminal device. The communication terminal device stores downloaded commercial information and the like so that it can be displayed even when the communication line is not connected.
Also, commercial information and the like are provided according to the user's preferences and the like.

As described above, the host computer apparatus according to the present invention is different from the data specified by the data transmission request of the communication terminal apparatus connected via the connection means connected by the communication line and performing data communication. Control means for selecting to select and controlling the data selected via the connection means to be transmitted to the communication terminal device is provided.
Furthermore, the selection means is configured to select data according to identification information of the connected communication terminal device.

  As a result, information that is not directly requested by the user, such as commercial information and background screen information, can be effectively provided as back information. By selecting the back information data and downloading it to the communication terminal device, more suitable information can be provided to each user. Regardless of the line connection status, it is possible to provide back information at any time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This example is a so-called personal computer communication system, which is a communication system configured by connecting a communication terminal in a user's home and a host computer device in a network service center.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system.
The in-home system 1 is assumed to be a terminal system including a personal computer owned by a user and various AV (audio / visual) devices.
A home AV device 12 including a personal computer and various AV devices is connected to the public network 3 via a modem 10 or to the communication network 4 via a network terminal device 11. The communication network 4 is a communication line such as a LAN or a cable television line.

The network service center 2 is a host station as a personal computer communication system, and is connected to the home system 1 via the public line network 3 and the communication network 4.
As a result, the home system 1 accesses the network service center 2 to enable various data communications such as downloading desired data.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example as the home system 1.
The CPU 20 is a functional part as a so-called personal computer, and serves as a controller that controls the communication operation via the modem 10 and the network terminal 11 and the operation of the home system 1 having various AV devices and the like.
The storage unit 21 includes a ROM and a RAM, and serves as a part for storing an operation program storage area, a work RAM area, download data obtained by communication, and the like.

In this example, a CD playback block 23, a video block 24, an FM tuner block 26, and a TV tuner block 28 are provided as parts that function as AV equipment.
In addition, a display circuit 29 and a monitor 30 are provided as a user interface part for outputting audio and video from the AV equipment, video relating to personal computer communication, and the like, and an audio circuit 31 and a speaker unit 32 are provided.
Further, as a user interface part, an operation part 34 and an input interface part 33 are provided as parts for inputting operation information from the user.

  Each unit is connected to the CPU 20 via a control / data bus 22 to exchange data and control signals.

The CD playback block 23 has a function as a so-called compact disc player, and the user loads a compact disc (a so-called CD standard disc such as a music CD, a video CD, a CD-ROM, etc.) and performs a playback operation. Thus, the audio signal and the video signal are reproduced.
The reproduced audio signal is processed by the audio circuit 31 and output from the speaker unit 32 as audio. The reproduced video signal is sent to the display circuit 29 and output from the monitor 30 on the screen.

The video block 24 has a function such as a video deck, for example, and reproduces video and audio signals from the video tape in response to a user operation.
The reproduced audio signal is processed by the audio circuit 31 and output from the speaker unit 32 as audio. The reproduced video signal is sent to the display circuit 29 and output from the monitor 30 on the screen.

The FM tuner block 26 performs a channel selection / demodulation operation from the FM broadcast radio wave received by the antenna 25 to obtain a broadcast audio signal. Also, character information and the like are decoded from a broadcast on which character data and the like are superimposed, such as FM multiplex broadcasting.
The received / demodulated broadcast audio signal is processed by the audio circuit 31 and output from the speaker unit 32 as audio. The decoded character information and the like are sent to the display circuit 29 and output from the monitor 30 on the screen.

The TV tuner block 28 performs a channel selection / demodulation operation from a television broadcast radio wave received by the antenna 27 to obtain a broadcast video signal and a broadcast audio signal. In addition, character information or the like can be decoded from a broadcast on which character data or the like is superimposed, such as a character broadcast.
The received / demodulated broadcast audio signal is processed by the audio circuit 31 and output from the speaker unit 32 as audio. The received / demodulated broadcast video signal, decoded character information, and the like are sent to the display circuit 29 and output from the monitor 30 on the screen.

  The operation unit 34 is configured as a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and the operation information thereof is supplied to the CPU 20 via the input interface unit 33. The CPU 20 performs communication operation control and operation control of various AV devices according to the operation information.

FIG. 3 shows a main part of a system provided in the network service center 2 in the communication system of this example.
The host computer 5 is connected to the public line network 3 via the public line interface unit 8. The host computer 5 is connected to the communication network 4 via the network interface unit 9. Thus, data communication can be performed with a communication terminal device (home system 1) in each home connected to the public line network 3 or the communication network 4.

  The database 6 stores various data that can be downloaded by the home system 1 in the communication system. Further, commercial information of a company is also stored as information that can be downloaded to the home system 1. For the sake of explanation, the original service information for the home system 1 (information on various services that the user directly specifies and requests) is referred to as table information 6a, and information that is not directly accessed by the user, such as commercial information, is referred to as back information 6b. And

  The user information database 7 stores personal information about each user who subscribes to the communication system. For example, when a user subscribes to a communication system, the network service center 2 examines the age, hobbies, family structure, etc. by a questionnaire or the like, along with IDs (individual unit identification codes) given to the subscribers. Personal information is stored in the user information database 7.

  In the communication system as described above, the user of the home system 1 can enjoy various operations as music, video, and personal computers using various AV devices, and also accesses the network service center 2 using the communication system. Request and download the desired data.

Here, an image of a communication mode that is possible in this example will be described with reference to FIG.
The user can make a line connection to the network service center 2 or a data download request (B) as an operation (A) from the operation unit 34 such as a keyboard in the home system 1.

  In response to this, the host computer 5 of the network service center 2 retrieves the requested data from the database 6 and transmits it to the home system 1 as table information (C). In the home system 1, the table information downloaded in this way is taken into the storage unit 21 (E), and thereafter, the user can use the downloaded information. For example, it can be output on the screen from the monitor 30 through the image signal processing (F) in the display circuit 29 (G).

  In this example, in addition to such a usage form for normal personal computer communication, the home system 1 does not perform the operation (A) for the download request (B) from the user, and there is a margin in the line. When there is, for example, the host computer 1 of the network service center 2 is automatically requested to download back information (D).

  On the other hand, the host computer 1 selects the back information corresponding to the user and downloads it to the home system 1 (H). The downloaded back information is taken into the storage unit 21 (E), and the downloaded back information is output from the monitor 30 by being synthesized on the screen with an image based on table information or a video signal from an AV device, Independently displayed on the monitor 30 according to the user's operation.

FIG. 5 shows the processing of the CPU 20 for realizing such an operation function, and FIG. 6 shows the processing of the host computer 5.
The CPU 20 proceeds to the processing of steps F101 to F102 in FIG.
When the user performs an operation from the operation unit 34 and requests access, the host computer 5 is accessed in step F103.

  On the other hand, when the host computer 5 is connected to the home system 1, the process proceeds from step F201 to F202 in FIG. 6 to first determine the user ID. When access from the home system 1 is executed as step F103 in FIG. 5, the process proceeds from step F204 to F205 in FIG. 6 to extract the requested table information 6a from the database 6, and the home system 1 Download for.

  The CPU 20 of the home system 1 accumulates the table information 6a transmitted from the host computer 5 in step F104 in the storage unit 21, and when this download is completed, the process returns from step F105 to F101.

  The CPU 20 is connected to the line and is not accessed (F103) or downloaded (F104) based on the user's download request. For example, the user views a menu screen for communication or performs a selection operation. In such a period, for example, when it is not necessary to exchange a large amount of data with the host computer 1, the process proceeds to step F106, and the back information is automatically accessed.

  If the back information is accessed in step F106, the processing of the host computer 5 proceeds from step F206 to F207 in FIG. Then, appropriate back information 6a is selected from the database 6 based on the user ID, and the back information 6a is downloaded to the home system 1 in step F208.

In particular, the host computer 5 refers to the personal preferences of the user stored in the user information database 7 and selects the back information 6b for downloading information appropriate for the user. For example, if the user is a music fan, a music-related corporate advertisement (for example, new music information) is selected and transmitted.
It is also possible for the host computer 5 to request the CPU 20 for the manufacturer and model name of the AV equipment on the user side, and to download information corresponding to the model as the back information 6b.

The CPU 20 of the home system 1 accumulates the back information 6b transmitted from the host computer 5 in step F107 in FIG. 5 in the storage unit 21, and when this download is completed, the process returns from step F108 to F101.
However, if the user performs an access execution operation, that is, an access execution operation for the front information 6a, while the back information 6a is being downloaded, the process proceeds from step F109 to F110, the download of the back information 6b is interrupted, and the process proceeds to step F103. Then, the process proceeds to the access to the table information 6a.

  When the user ends the connection of the communication line, the communication processing loop is exited from step F101. The host computer 5 exits the loop from step F203.

Through such processing, in the communication system of the present example, the user can download the information he / she desires as the table information 6a by accessing the network service center 2, and also download the back information which the user does not directly request. And stored in the storage unit 21.
In particular, the back information 6a is downloaded during a period when the front information 6a is not downloaded. If the front information 6a is accessed while the back information 6a is being downloaded, the back information 6a is downloaded immediately. In addition, since the operation moves to the access operation of the table information, the communication necessary for the user is not delayed.

The back information 6b downloaded in this way can be provided to the user in various modes even when the communication line is connected or after the connection is canceled.
Hereinafter, examples of providing the back information b will be described.

For example, FIG. 7 shows an example of an image that the CPU 20 displays and outputs on the monitor 30 when the user reproduces a music CD by the CD reproduction block 23.
In this case, operation keys for CD playback, the title of the CD being played, track number, time information, and the like are displayed. The displayed operation key or the like is clicked with the mouse in the operation unit 34, for example, so that the CPU 30 can control the operation of the CD playback block 23 assuming that the corresponding operation is performed.

For example, when such a screen is displayed, the CPU 20 takes out data stored as the back information 6 b in the storage unit 21 and combines it with the display circuit 29. Then, back information 6b such as new musical score information as shown is displayed on a part of the screen.
In particular, by selecting the back information 6b to be downloaded on the network service center 2 side according to the user's personal information, the user does not see any useless commercials and the like, and an appropriate information provision form is obtained. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to provide appropriate information such as providing new CD information for a user who enjoys a CD.

  By the way, the back information 6b such as the commercial can be provided not only for one screen but also by downloading a plurality of information, thereby providing more various information. For example, by switching the display content as the back information 6b at regular intervals, or by switching the display content every time the home system 1 is turned on, the user is not bored or provides a lot of effective information Can be performed.

Further, not limited to commercials, background image information and image image information may be provided as back information. In particular, it is preferable to provide background image information or the like to a user who does not need commercial information.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a landscape or various image images are provided as back information 6b as an image as a background of a certain display. Thereby, the pleasure at the time of a user using the home system 1 can be expanded. In particular, when such a background image is used as back information, it is possible to change the mood when the user uses the image by switching the image content.

Furthermore, when it is not always necessary to use the monitor 30 when playing a music CD or receiving a radio, it is possible to display various image information downloaded as the back information 6b while switching.
For example, when the CPU 20 is playing music from a CD, it is also preferable to display various images such as a landscape captured as the back information 6b while switching.
In particular, when screen display is unnecessary, by displaying various images by switching the back information 6b, the function as a screen saver is also exhibited.

  These images, background images, and the like are grouped in various genres and prepared in the database 6, and the network service center 2 asks each user in advance of the favorite genre. For example, genres such as coastal scenery, mountainous scenery, urban scenery, and abstract paintings are provided. For each user, it may be possible to download image information of a genre designated therein as back information 6b.

  In a system in which the communication network is somewhat high speed and the home system 1 on the user side is always connected to the network, when displaying a screen as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. At that time, the CPU 20 makes a download request for the back information 6b, and the contents as the back information 6b can be sequentially updated and displayed. In this case, if only the back information for the first screen is stored in the storage unit 21, the contents of the back information can be displayed simultaneously when the screen display as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is performed. And then update it as you download. In this way, the storage capacity for the back information in the storage unit 21 can be small.

  FIG. 9 shows a display form in which the back information 6b is displayed by being incorporated in an OS (operation system) of a personal computer. In this example, the back information 6b is used as a background image of the operation screen of the personal computer.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which back information 6b such as a commercial is displayed on a portable terminal device. For example, when the display screen is small, such as a portable terminal device, it may be inappropriate to provide a back information screen by dividing a part of the original use screen. Therefore, it is conceivable to display a screen as the back information 6b as shown in FIG. 10 when a certain time has elapsed since the operation was stopped.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which back information is displayed in a so-called car navigation system. As a method of downloading data as the back information 6b, when searching for traffic information using radio, the back information is downloaded at the same time, or the back information is added to the text information of FM multiplex broadcasting and transmitted / received. It is possible to make it possible. In particular, in the case of a car navigation system, it is possible to display commercial information that is effective for the user by selectively capturing only the back information about the area close to the current position. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, information on a store close to the current driving position of the car can be displayed on the map screen as the back information 6b, or the feature of the store can be displayed on a part of the screen. .
Although various examples have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various application examples.

It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the communication terminal device of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the host computer apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the communication operation | movement by embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process by the side of the communication terminal device at the time of communication operation of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process by the side of the host computer apparatus at the time of communication operation | movement of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a screen display of the back information of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a screen display of the back information of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the screen display example of the back information of other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the screen display example of the back information of other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the screen display example of the back information of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Home system 2 Network service center 3 Public network 4 Communication network 5 Host computer 6 Database 6a Table information 6b Back information 7 User information database 20 CPU
21 Storage Unit 23 CD Playback Block 24 Video Block 26 FM Tuner Block 28 TV Tuner Block 29 Display Circuit 30 Monitor 31 Audio Circuit 32 Speaker Unit 34 Operation Unit

Claims (2)

A connection means for performing data communication by connecting to a communication terminal device via a communication line;
Selecting means for selecting data different from the data specified by the data transmission request of the communication terminal device;
A host computer device comprising: control means for transmitting the selected data to the communication terminal device via the connection means. The host computer device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects data according to identification information of the connected communication terminal device.

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