JP2007018489A - Program, service providing system, and information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program and the like allowing easy addition of a function to an existing web page. <P>SOLUTION: In compliance with definition in HTML documents 15 and 17, a Web browser 10 requires client software 19 from a Web server 18 to execute it. The client software 19 uses a service offered by an application server 20 and displays information matching the service as a float window inside an area 13a in a displayable area 11 of the Web browser 10. A window control script 19b constituting the client software 19 controls display of the float windows 13A and 13B inside the area 13a according to operation by an end user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program that can easily add a function to an existing homepage.

  A WWW (World Wide Web) service that provides contents such as character information and image information via a network such as the Internet is widely spread. Many companies provide product information and the like to consumers using such WWW services. In addition, an image called a banner is added to an existing home page and used as an advertisement image or used as a link to a specific URL (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, so-called community sites that provide services such as bulletin boards to specific member groups are known. Such community sites run client software created using technologies such as Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) or Macromedia Flash (trademark) from Macromedia on the terminal side, and can be used via a dedicated community site or homepage It is supposed to be. In order to use such a communication function, it is necessary to perform screen transition from a Web browser using the WWW service and display a dedicated community site or home page.

JP 2002-49307 A

  By the way, the above-described conventional WWW service basically only lists and provides information to be provided. For this reason, it was not possible to provide information reflecting the presence of other users who are simultaneously browsing the same home page, or providing information reflecting the thoughts of other users.

  Further, the banner described above is only used for advertisements and the like, and cannot be used for other uses such as information providing service and communication.

  In addition, the existing homepage is intended for unilateral provision of product information etc. For example, when adding new functions such as communication between users browsing the homepage, it must be developed individually. In other words, the burden of development was great.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a program or the like that can easily add functions to an existing home page. It is another object of the present invention to provide a program or the like that can easily add a function of providing information according to a viewer's connection state to an existing home page. Another object of the present invention is to provide a program or the like that can easily add a bidirectional communication function to an existing home page.

  A program according to claim 1 of the present invention is a program executed by a Web browser capable of executing a script language and capable of displaying according to a style sheet, and provides a service provided by a service providing server to the Web browser. A step of acquiring an application program to be used; a step of causing the Web browser to execute the application program and using a service provided by the service providing server; and an image corresponding to the use result of the service by the Web browser; And a step of displaying on a Web browser according to the definition.

  The “program” is a concept including, in addition to the application program, an instruction for causing the Web browser to acquire the application program, and the like, including information on the application program such as an address such as a URL of the application program in the HTML document. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service providing system including a Web server that provides data including information about an application program to be executed by a Web browser to a terminal device, and an application program in response to a request from the terminal device. And a service providing means for providing a service in response to a request from a terminal executing the application program.

  The data provided by the Web server includes, for example, an HTML document. The information about the application program includes an address such as a URL of the application program.

  In the program according to claim 1 of the present invention, if an application program and a use step and a display step program are prepared in advance, for example, information on the application program is obtained as an acquisition step in an HTML document constituting an existing homepage. It is possible to easily add functions to an existing homepage simply by adding.

  Further, in the service providing system according to claim 3 of the present invention, if the program providing means and the service providing means are provided in advance, only the information about the application program is added to the data such as the HTML document provided by the WebH server. Thus, a new service provided via an existing homepage can be easily added.

  In the program according to claim 6 of the present invention, an image corresponding to the use result of the service is displayed on the Web browser according to the definition of the style sheet on the Web browser, and the image corresponding to the use result is displayed. When the movement instruction is detected, the movement destination of the area is input, and the movement destination is outside the display area of the Web browser, an image corresponding to the use result is displayed on the movement destination separately from the display area of the Web browser. By displaying, the flexibility of information display can be improved and the visibility of information can be improved.

  The present invention can be applied to a service providing system that provides a service to a terminal device connected via a network such as the Internet.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the service providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the flow of application services used by the client software and the provision of HTML documents and client software.

  This information providing system includes a terminal device 1 on which a Web browser 10 is executed, a Web server 14 and a Web server 16 that provide WWW (World Wide Web) information such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) documents and image files, A Web server 18 that provides client software 19 executed by the Web browser 10 of the terminal device 1 and an application server 20 that provides application services that can be used from the client software 19 are provided. These web server 18 and application server 20 can be provided in a domain 23 different from the web servers 14 and 16.

  Services provided by the application server 20 include, for example, chat, social network service (SNS), and the application server 20 includes servers (chat server 21a, SNS server 21b, etc.) corresponding thereto. Yes. The application server 20 and the servers such as the chat server 21a and the SNS server 21b may be configured by the same device, but may be separate devices in consideration of the distribution of processing load.

  The Web server 14 and the Web server 16 provide, for example, HTML documents (HTMLLa) 15 and (HTMLb) 17 that include definitions of information about the client software 19. The terminal device 1 includes an information processing device such as an MPU, a memory, a disk drive device, an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device, a network interface, a display device, and the like. In the terminal device 1, an application such as the Web browser 10 is executed under the control of the operating system (OS).

  The Web browser 10 obtains HTML documents 15 and 17 provided by the Web servers 14 and 16 and can display information 12 corresponding thereto in the display window of the Web browser 10 displayed by the display device. (Displayable area) 11 is displayed. Further, the Web browser 10 displays information by the client software 19 downloaded to the terminal device 1 in the area 13 in the information 12 in accordance with the definitions in the HTML documents 15 and 17. Information such as the display position of the area 13 is defined in, for example, the HTML documents 15 and 17 or a style sheet designated in these documents.

  Here, a person who operates the terminal device 1 and browses the information 12 using the Web browser 10 is called an end user. A person who manages the Web server 18 and the application server 20 is called a manager.

  A person who manages HTML documents provided by the Web servers 14 and 16 is called an owner. For example, by adding information about the client software 19 to the HTML documents 15 and 17 managed by the owner, the owner can cause an end user browsing the HTML documents 15 and 17 to use the service provided by the application server 20. It can be done. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the application server 20 records a database 22 that holds information (parameters) about owners who can use the client software 19 via HTML documents 15 and 17 managed by the application server 20. Yes. An owner ID (ownerid) is assigned to each owner, and parameters such as a user ID, a password, an installation target address, and the like are recorded in the database 22 in association with each owner ID, for example.

  The client software 19 is a program written in a language that enables communication while maintaining a session. For example, when the Web browser 10 uses the Internet Explorer of Micro Software, Java (registered trademark) Script or Macromedia Flash is used. (Trademark) can be used. The client software 19 does not have to be described in a single language. For example, the display control portion of the area 13 described above is described in Java (registered trademark) Script, and the GUI (Graphical User Interface) in the area 13 is described. ) Portion may be described in Flash (trademark), and the functions of the client software 19 may be realized by operating together.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the software configuration of the terminal device 1. In this example, the client software 19 is composed of three elements: a function that uses the service provided by the application server 20 described above, and a GUI script 19a, a window control script 19b, and a style sheet 19c that perform display according to the function. Shows about the case. The GUI script 19a is created using a script language capable of displaying an image such as MacromediaFlash (trademark), for example. The window control script 19b is created using a script language such as Java (registered trademark) Script that can change information held in the style sheet 19c, for example. Further, the GUI script 19a includes, for example, a banner file 19A using a chat, an SNS file 19B using an SNS service, and the like corresponding to the service provided by the application server 20.

  Further, since the Web browser 10 executes the client software 19 having such a configuration, display control for controlling information displayed in the displayable area 11 in accordance with the description in the HTML documents 15 and 17 (other WWW information). A section 10a, a JVM (Java Virtual Machine) 10b that executes Java (registered trademark) Script, and a flash player (Flash Player) 10c that executes a Flash (trademark) file.

  In the HTML documents 15 and 17, information for requesting the client software 19 provided by the Web server 18 is defined. Specifically, in the HTML document, for example, the following instruction for requesting and executing the client software 19 (the window control script 19b described in Java (registered trademark) Scriptde) is executed in Java (registered trademark) Script. Is defined.

<Script type = “text / javascript” src = “http: // host18: 8080 / confirm / servlet / WebComOwnerConfirm? Ownid = O0000003”></ script
Here, the part of “http: // host18: 8080 / confirm / servlet / WebCom OwnerConfirm” is a process for requesting the Java (registered trademark) Server Pages (JSP) running on the Web server 18 to provide the client software 19. “? Ownerid = O00000003” is a process that transmits “O00000003”, which is the owner ID (ownerid) of the owner of the HTML document in which such an instruction is defined, and requests authentication from the Web server 18 Is the definition of

  In response to such an instruction, the Web browser 10 supplies an owner ID (ownerid) as a parameter when requesting the client software 19 from the Web server 18. The JSP executed on the web server 18 confirms the validity of the reference source HTML document according to the owner ID and the referrer being requested from the Web browser 10. The owner ID is supplied from the Web server 18 to the application server 20. Thus, by giving the owner ID as a parameter, the application server 20 can quickly search for information about the owner stored in the database 22. However, this owner ID is for speeding up the process of searching for the client software 19 from a plurality of client applications provided by the Web server 18.

  In addition, since the client software 19 is not placed on the Web server 14 or the Web server 16 and the Web browser 10 acquires from the Web server 18 in response to the above-described instruction, the client software 19 sets a connection. Thus, the communication partner can be set to the same domain 23 as that of the application server 20. For this reason, for example, even when the HTML document to be viewed on the Web browser 10 is switched from HTMLLa15 to HTMLb17, the communication partner of the client software 19 is in the same domain 23, and the cookie acquired from the Web server 18 when browsing HTMLLa15. Can be used as they are when browsing HTMLb17. As a result, even when the browsing target is moved between Web pages (such as HTML documents) using the client software 19, the access from the client software 19 used by the same end user on the application server 20 side. It becomes possible to recognize that it is. As a result, even when the web page to be browsed by the web browser 10 is moved, the service provided by the application server 20 can be used seamlessly if the information of the client software 19 is defined in the destination web page. .

(Operation)
In the service providing system configured as described above, for example, when browsing the HTMLLa15, the end user using the terminal device 1 operates the Web browser 10, and the URL “http: // host14 / Enter a.html ”. In response to this, the Web browser 10 starts executing the processing shown in FIG. 4, for example, and first requests the HTML server 15 corresponding to the designated URL from the Web server 14 (S101). In response to this, the Web server 14 provides the HTMLLa15 file to the Web browser 10 (S102).

  The Web browser 10 that has received the HTML 15 analyzes the HTML and displays it in the displayable area 11 described above. Further, when the Java (registered trademark) Script described in the HTML is found, the Web browser 10 follows the definition specified in the <script> tag described above, and addresses defined after “src =” (described above). In this case, an HTTP request is transmitted to “http: // host18: 8080 / confirm / servlet / WebComOwnerConfirm”) (S103). This request may be transmitted using the HTTPS protocol.

  At this time, the Web browser 10 uses the owner ID specified in the <script> tag ("O00000003" in the above case) as an argument of the HTTP request. Further, when there is a cookie held in the terminal device 1, the cookie is added to the header of the HTTP request. Further, the Web browser 10 adds the address of the HTML document that is a reference source to the header of the HTTP request as a referrer. As described above, when the header is generated, the Web browser 10 transmits an HTTP request to the Web server 18.

  When there is an HTTP request from the Web browser 10, the Web server 18 dynamically generates a Web page by executing a JSP corresponding to the URL in the HTTP request. This JSP has, for example, a validity authentication function according to the owner ID and URL of the HTML document that is the reference source, a transmission function of the client software 19, a cookie presence confirmation and transmission function, and the like. For example, the JSP requests the application server 20 for authentication using the owner ID and the referrer supplied as arguments from the Web browser 10 as described above (S104). This is because the application server 20 is authenticated in JSP and subsequent processing is not continued for unauthorized access.

  When there is a request from the JSP, the application server 20 refers to the database 22 to obtain an installation target address corresponding to the owner ID and compares it with the referrer address to determine the validity. If the installation target address matches the referrer address, it is determined that the HTTP request from the Web browser 10 is valid, and a parameter indicating that the connection is valid is returned to the JSP as an authentication result. On the other hand, if the installation target address and the referrer address do not match, the application server 20 determines that the HTTP request is invalid, and returns a parameter indicating that the connection is invalid as an authentication result to the JSP (S105). .

  The JSP whose validity has been confirmed transmits, as a response to the Web browser 10, the client software 19, the address of the application server, and a flag indicating whether or not a valid cookie is included in the http communication (S106).

  In response to such a response, the Web browser 10 causes the client software 19 to be executed. The client software 19 transmits a request for a service (for example, information provision, communication, etc.) provided by the application server 20 and displays information in response to the response in the area 13 via the Web browser 10. As a result, the end user operating the terminal device 1 can use the service provided by the application server 20.

  In the above description, the address of the application server is returned as a response to the above-described HTTP request in consideration of the extensibility of the system and the use of an application server other than a predetermined URL. However, if there is no need to change the address of the application server, it is not necessary to return the address of the application server as a response to the HTTP request.

(Details of client software 19 operation)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a login process for the application server 20 executed by the client software 19 executed in the terminal device 1. The client software 19 accesses the application server 20 using the owner ID as an argument in order to obtain setting information (parameter) for displaying an image corresponding to the client software 19 in the area 13 (in FIG. 6). S110). In response to this, the application server 20 returns client software setting information (client information) (S111).

  FIG. 7 shows client software setting information indicating, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed in the area 13 by the client software 19 and available services. The client software 19 forms a GUI to be displayed in the above-described area 13 according to the client software setting information (client information supplied in S111 in FIG. 6). Specifically, this setting information is considered so that, when the client software 19 is displayed on a completely different home page, such as HTMLLa 15 or HTMLb 17, for example, it can be expressed in accordance with the design of each home page. The client software 19 generates a style sheet having button images and link destination information in accordance with the parameter information, and displays an image corresponding to the processing of the client software 19 in the area 13 accordingly. By using such parameters (client information), it is possible to deal with more homepages only by setting parameters. Thus, for example, when using a fixed prepared image and service, there is no need to acquire parameters related to the GUI and the service.

  FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the client software 19 in the area 13 described above. Whether or not the buttons 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 displayed in the image are displayed and the coordinates of the display position are determined by the setting information of the client software shown in FIG.

  Each button 37 to 41 is a button for instructing activation of use processing of each service using a float window described later.

(Example of startup processing)
When the execution of the client software 19 is started on the terminal device 1 side, the client software 19 sets the buttons 37 to 41 to be displayed in the area 13 as described above, and corresponds to these buttons 37 to 41. The service use function is set, and the above-described style sheet 19c is set and displayed in the area 13. When the buttons 37 to 41 and the like are instructed, the service use function corresponding to them is activated, and a screen corresponding to the function is displayed as a float window in the area 13a.

It is also possible to describe and execute software for using a service in an HTML document without using a float window or using a button. However, in this case, the number of statements to be described in HTMLLa15 and HTMLb17 increases, and the amount of information displayed on the screen increases, and the information that can be transmitted from the homepage and the displayable area 11 are competing. It becomes difficult to balance transmission and communication.

(Automatic login process)
In the response (S106) from the Web server 18 in FIG. 4 described above, the client software 19 that has acquired a valid cookie return value indicates that the current Web browser 10 has logged in to the application server 20 in the past. Understand and try to log in to the application server 20 using cookie.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a flow of communication when automatically logging in when a cookie exists in the terminal device 1. The client software 19 executed on the terminal device 1 side requests login authentication from the application server 20 using cookie as an argument (a header parameter in the case of an HTTP request) (S120).

  When there is an authentication request, the application server 20 requests an authentication determination from the authentication server using a preset authentication selector based on the ID and PASSWORD calculated from the cookie (S121). An authentication selector is prepared in the application server 20 to perform authentication cooperation with an existing authentication server, selects an authentication server based on setting information, and transmits login information.

  ID and PASSWORD are information assigned to the end user who is permitted to use the client software 19, and have, for example, the contents shown in FIG. It should be noted that when the use restriction of the client software 19 is not required, it is not necessary to perform such authentication.

  Upon receipt of the authentication result (S122), the authentication selector issues a session ID when authentication is successful, stores it in the database 22 (S123), and after the storage ends (S124), issues a session ID and cookie to the client software 19 ( S125).

  When the login is completed, the client software 19 connects to the application server 20 in order to acquire information regarding the end user who has logged in. Here, the client software 19 obtains information related to services that can be used from the terminal device 1. For example, when a chat service is used, information such as a user ID and a password or a URL of a link source is transmitted, and a group ID corresponding to a chat room to be entered is acquired.

(Sharing identification information)
By the way, the above-mentioned cookie can be used as identification information in common between HTMLLa15 and HTMLb17 placed on the above-mentioned different web servers. This is because the web server 18 that downloads the client application 19 and the service client 20 Is in the same domain. The Web browser 10 can use the same cookie for servers in the same domain. However, for example, when Macromedia's Flash (trademark) is used as the description language of the client software 19, a parameter (identification information) is held in a data area that can be secured for each domain called a shared object, separately from cookie. It can be used as identification information like cookie. In this case, unlike the cookie described in the header of the above HTTP request, it is necessary to give it as an argument separately.

  For example, when the Web browser 10 displaying HTMLLa15 switches the display content to HTMLb17, the connection between the Web browser 10 and the application server 20 is normally disconnected. However, in this embodiment, as described above, by performing automatic login using cookie, the end user makes it appear that information by the client software 19 continues to be displayed in the area 13 while continuing to log in. Can do. As a result, as long as the same Web browser 10 is used, once the user logs in, the client software 19 can be used without logging in again until the session issued by the application server 20 expires. For this reason, even when moving to completely different WWW pages (for example, HTMLLa15 and HTMLb17), the service provided by the application server 20 can be continuously used, and one service is received via a plurality of WWW pages. Things will be possible.

(Manual login process)
When the end user needs to log in to use the client software 19, and the cookie does not exist in the Web browser 10, or the validity of the cookie is denied in the response result in S106 of FIG. In this case, the client software 19 displays the above-described login button 40 in FIG.

  When the end user indicates the login button 40 in the area 13, the client software 19 displays a window requesting input of ID and PASSWORD. When the end user inputs an ID and a PASSWORD to this window, the client software 19 executes, for example, the process shown in FIG. The login process shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the same process as that shown in FIG. 9 except that the process for automatic login shown in FIG. 9 is different from the communication (S130) for authentication. In S120 in FIG. 9, cookie is used as a parameter for specifying the end user. However, in S130 in FIG. 11, the ID and the PASSWORD input to the end user are given to communication arguments for authentication. . Therefore, the application server 20 may perform authentication based on the ID and the PASSWORD supplied from the client software 19, and performs processing for obtaining the ID and the PASSWORD from the cookie as in the case where the cookie is received in S120 in FIG. There is no need to do it.

  By executing all the processes up to the above, if the session between the client software 19 being executed in the Web browser 10 and the application server 20 is within the validity period (timeout time), the login operation from the client software 19 The service provided by the application server 20 can be used without interruption when viewed from the end user even when moving between WWW pages of different domains using the client application 19 without performing multiple times. It becomes.

(Timeout processing)
In order to manage the expiration date of the session, the application server 20 determines a state as shown in FIG. 12, for example, and manages login from the client software 19 executed in each terminal device 1. The application server 20 records the time of the previous login from the client software 19.

  When the client software 19 is activated by the reference from the HTML document after moving and the application server 20 logs in to the application server 20, the application server 20 refers to the previous login time from the terminal device 1 in which the client software 19 is executed, The login state is determined based on the difference between the current login time and the previous login time.

  For example, when an HTML document (for example, HTMLLa) shown in FIG. 13 is viewed and the client software 19 is logged in to the application server 20, the application server 20 sets the state shown in FIG. . Thereafter, when the end user tries to change the browsing target to a different HTML document (for example, HTMLc), the application server 20 once sets this state as [moving]. Thereafter, when the timeout time elapses, the application server 20 sets this state as “logging off”.

  Thereby, even if the HTML document 15 browsed by the Web browser 10 is changed in the order of HTMLLa, HTMLc, and HTMLb in FIG. 13, for example, if the movement time between the HTMLs is within the timeout time, the application server 20 , Provide services by treating them as the same session. If the movement time is longer than the timeout time, the application server 20 treats it as a separate session and requests the login process again. In addition, as a result, even when moving between HTML documents that do not include a reference to the client software 19 on the way, such as when changing in the order of HTMLLa, HTMLd, and HTMLb in FIG. Even when the movement time between HTMLLa and HTMLb including the file is within the timeout time, it is treated as the same session.

(Chat example)
When the button 27 in FIG. 8 is instructed, the client software 19 transmits the session information and information such as the user ID to the chat server 21a via the banner file 19A and logs in as shown in FIG. 14, for example. Process. The chat server 21 a refers to the database 22 and supplies the authentication result to the client software 19. When the authentication result indicating that the login is successful is obtained, the client software 19 displays a float for displaying the processing result by the client software 19A in the area 13a in the displayable area 11, for example, as shown in FIG. Display a window.

  As shown in FIG. 16, for example, the application server 20 (chat server 21a) that provides the chat service has a message distribution control unit 20a that distributes messages between end users who use the chat service, and an end that can use chat. And a database (DB) 20b for managing users. For example, the message delivery control unit 20a delivers a message to the banner file 19A executed by the Web browser 10 of the end user in the group registered in the database 20b.

  As described above, the WEB servers 14 and 16 in FIG. 16 provide HTML documents 15 and 17 that can use the client software 19 (in this case, the banner file 19A) to the terminal device 1 and the like. ing. When browsing the HTML documents 15 and 17 from the Web browser 10, the client software 19A is supplied to the Web browser 10 as described above.

  The banner file 19A is composed of the above-mentioned script, for example. The end user who is going to chat instructs the button 27 from FIG. In response to this, the Web browser 10 activates the banner file 19A, and after the banner file 19A displays an image for chatting in the area 13a, the application server 20 (chat server 21a) is executed by the login process shown in FIG. Log in to Thereafter, when processing such as selection of a chat room corresponding to a group to perform chatting (FIG. 17) or the like is executed, it becomes possible to perform chatting as with end user A and end user B in FIG.

  The banner file 19A executed on the Web browser 10 side acquires the URLs of the HTML documents 15 and 17 in FIG. 16 (S21), and distinguishes and manages the connection source client for each URL.

  The server accessed from the script executed from the banner file 19A generates a unique ID, and stores it in the database 20b as the data shown in FIG.

  When the chat server 21a that has received the connection request has already been connected from the same URL (S22) as shown in FIG. 17 described above, there is an end user (user) browsing the same homepage. It recognizes and compares the number of end users who have already entered the room (set in the group corresponding to the chat room) with the management upper limit value, and determines whether or not they can enter the same chat room (S26). When the number of end users set in the chat room group is equal to or less than the management upper limit value, the user is allowed to enter the room and is registered in the chat room group (S27). As a result, the message delivery control unit 20a also delivers the message to the terminal device 1 of the newly entered end user, and the end users viewing the same homepage can display the display in the area 13a. Messages can be sent and received, that is, chatting can be performed.

  If there is no end user connected from the same URL, the chat server 21a determines whether or not there is an empty chat room created by a connected person from another URL (S23). Registers the end user in a group of available chat rooms (S24). Thereby, for example, like the above-mentioned end user A and end user B in FIG. 16, it becomes possible to perform chat between the end users using different home pages via the display in the area 13a.

  If neither of the chat rooms can be entered, the chat server 21a creates a new chat room and registers the end user in the chat room group (S25).

  By the way, after the chat room group is set, each end user is identified by the session ID supplied at the time of the above login. For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, in a state where the end user A is browsing the HTMLb 17 with the web browser 10 and logging in to the chat server 21 a and chatting, the target to be browsed with the web browser 10 is HTML15. Even when switched to, the chat server 21a can recognize the same end user by the session ID. If the same chat service can be used in the destination HTML document, the chat service can be continuously used by displaying in the area 13 in the information 12 corresponding to the destination HTML document.

(Float window display control)
The buttons 37 to 41 displayed in the area 13 in FIG. 8 described above serve as an interface for starting an application having functions such as communication and research. When these buttons are instructed, the client software 19 displays information corresponding to the application on a later-described float window. Thereby, further information can be displayed on the displayable area 11 displayed by the Web browser 10.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an image of a float window displayed in the displayable area 11. 20 and 21 are diagrams showing images of screens (float windows) displayed by the GUI script 19a of the client software 19 in the area 13a in the displayable area 11. FIG.

  In the area 13a, as a component of the float window by the GUI script 19a, for example, a delete button 130 for inputting an instruction to delete the float window, a title bar 131 for displaying the title of the content to be displayed in the float window, and the float window A title bar display button 132 for inputting an instruction to display the title bar, an outer button 133 for inputting an instruction to make the float window outer (display in another window outside the displayable area 11), and the client software 19 A display area 134 for displaying the corresponding information and a window size change button 135 for inputting an instruction to change the display size of the float window are displayed. In the title bar 131, information described by a <TITLE> tag in an HTML document or the like displayed in the display area 134 is displayed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the display position of the float window can be moved by dragging the area (drag area) of the title bar 131 shown by hatching in FIG. 21 with the mouse cursor.

  Thus, in this embodiment, by creating a float window having an interface close to the function of the Web browser 10 or the operating system in the area 13a in the displayable area 11, the end user can intuitively understand, An easy-to-operate interface is provided.

  The window control script 19b described above changes the function of changing the display position of the float window (area 13a) (window display position changing function) 191 and the size of the float window (area 13a), for example, as shown in FIG. A function (window size changing function) 192, a function (flag end function) 193 for changing the state of the flag indicating the operating state, a function (flag end function) 193 for changing the state of the flag indicating the operating state, a mouse A function for monitoring movement (mouse movement monitoring function) 194 and a function for changing the display state (pop-up function) 195 are provided. These functions (modules) are called as necessary from the above-described GUI script 19a in FIG.

  In order to use the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, a style sheet 19c is created for each float window to be created. In each style sheet, for example, a <STLE> tag is used to define a text display mode, a link definition, and the like. At this time, if the setting is divided for each predetermined window management unit using the <DIV> tag or the <SPAN> tag, the change / management and the like are facilitated. Further, the content to be displayed according to the created style sheet 19c is specified by adding a query (definition) of the content to be displayed to the GUI script 19a for displaying the image shown in FIG. The GUI script 19a and the style sheet 19c are supplied from the Web server 18 to the Web browser 10 as a part of the client software 19 together with the window control script 19b.

  When the button shown in FIG. 8 is instructed, the Web browser 10 causes the Flash ™ Player 10c to execute the GUI script 19a corresponding to the instructed button, and the style sheet 19c corresponding to the instructed button. Information corresponding to the execution of the GUI script 19a is displayed at the designated position (area 13a in the displayable area 11). As a result, a float window is displayed in the area 13a as shown in FIG.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of float windows 13A and 13B can be displayed in the above-mentioned area 13a in accordance with the definition of the style sheet 19c. Each of the float windows 13A and 13B is erased or moved in accordance with the instructions of the above-described erase button 130, title bar 131, title bar button 132, outer button 133, and window size change button 135. Only the title bar can be displayed, displayed in a window outside the displayable area 11, and the size can be changed. Thereby, the end user can visually recognize the information displayed on the plurality of float windows efficiently.

(Change current window)
The control of the display state of the float window is executed by the cooperation of the window control script 19b and the GUI script 19a. For example, the control of the float window (current window) displayed at the top is performed as shown in FIG.

  The GUI script 19a monitors whether or not the float windows 13A and 13B to be managed are clicked. When the own float window is clicked (S31), the GUI script 19a checks whether or not it is active ( If it is active (S32), the wc_onActivate function of Java (registered trademark) Script is called to notify the window control script 19b that it has been clicked (S33).

  The window control script 19b uses the wc_setCurrent function to set the zIndex value in the style sheet 19c corresponding to the float window to the current maximum value (at least one larger than the zIndex value in all other style sheets 19c) ( S34). The Web browser 10 displays the float windows 13A and 13B in ascending order of the zIndex value in the corresponding style sheet 19c. For this reason, the float window with the largest zIndex value is displayed at the top. Accordingly, the floating window having the maximum zIndex value in S34 is displayed at the top.

  Thus, for example, when a part of the float window 13A displayed below the float window 13B is clicked in the state shown in FIG. 19, the float window 13A is displayed above as shown in FIG. 25, for example. It becomes a state. Therefore, the end user can freely select the float window that he / she wants to browse, which can contribute to the improvement of information browsing.

(Resize)
Further, the end user can change the size of the window by dragging the window size change button 135 in the float window. The GUI script 19a corresponding to each floating window monitors the click of the window size change button 135. When the window size change button 135 is clicked (S41 in FIG. 26), the GUI script 19a calls the window size change function 192 (wc_onMouseDownScale) in the window control function shown in FIG. The position of the mouse cursor at the time is notified (S42). Furthermore, the GUI script 19a calculates the position of the mouse cursor when clicked (S43), and sets a flag (scaling flag) indicating that the window display size has been changed (S44).

  On the other hand, the window control script 19b monitors whether or not the scaling flag is valid (S45), and when the scaling flag becomes valid, the current mouse cursor position obtained by the wc_onMouseMove function and the above-described S43 are notified. The positions of the mouse cursors are compared (S46). Further, the window control script 19b calculates the width (Width) and height (Height) of the float window after the change (S47), and reflects them in the width and height in the style sheet 19c shown in FIG. S48).

  Thereafter, when the end user releases the mouse, the GUI script 19a notifies the window control script 19b that the drag has ended by using the wc_onMouseUp function, and initializes the flag (S49).

  Accordingly, the size of the float window can be changed by the end user dragging the window size change button 135. Thereby, the end user can change the size of the float window so that the information can be easily confirmed.

(Erase)
When the end user instructs the delete button 130 in the float window, the GUI script 19a sets the display / non-display flag of the float window to non-display. As a result, the float window is not displayed, and recognition can be given as if the float window was visually deleted. Alternatively, the transparency of the float window may be temporarily changed instead of emergency. Furthermore, the transparency of the float window may be changed in multiple stages. Thus, by changing the transparency, it is possible to change the visibility of the information displayed in the rear float window.

(Title bar conversion: temporary deletion)
When the end user instructs the title bar button 112 in the float window, the GUI script 19a displays the display area 134 and the information displayed in the display area 134 when the display area 134 is displayed. Hide. As a result, the information behind the display area 134 in the displayable area 11 can be confirmed without changing the transparency of the float window. If the title bar button 112 in the float window is instructed when the display area 134 is not displayed, the GUI script 19a displays the information in the display area 134 and the display area 134 in the display state.

(Float window move)
The GUI script 19a monitors whether or not the title bar 131 is clicked. When the title bar 131 is clicked (S51 in FIG. 27), the GUI script 19a displays the window control function shown in FIG. The window display position change function 191 (wc_onMouseDown) is called to notify the position of the mouse cursor at the start of the click (S52). Further, the GUI script 19a calculates the position of the mouse cursor when clicked (S53), and sets a flag (window moving flag) indicating that the window movement has started (S54).

  On the other hand, the window control script 19b monitors whether or not the window moving flag is valid (S55). When the window moving flag becomes valid, the current mouse cursor position acquired by the wc_onMouseMove function, The mouse cursor position notified in S53 is compared (S56). Further, the window control script 19b calculates the display position (Top, Left) of the float window after the change (S57) and reflects it in the display position in the style sheet 19c shown in FIG. 23 (S58).

  Thereafter, when the end user releases the mouse, the GUI script 19a notifies the window control script 19b that the drag has ended by using the wc_onMouseUp function, and initializes the flag (S59).

  Accordingly, the display position of the float window can be moved by the end user dragging the title bar 131. As a result, the end user can move the float window so that the information can be easily confirmed.

  If the current mouse position is outside the displayable area 11 in S56, a separate window process described later is executed to display information in the float window in a new window. At this time, the display of the float window in the original displayable area 11 is made transparent by changing the transparency of the style sheet (or setting the GUI script 19a). As a result, when there is another float window under the float window before the movement, this float window becomes visible. For this reason, it can contribute to the improvement of visibility.

(Outer)
Also, the GUI script 19a monitors whether or not the outer button 133 is clicked. When the outer button 133 is clicked (S61 in FIG. 28), the GUI script 19a makes its float window transparent. (S62). After that, the GUI script 19a calls the pop-up function 195 (wc_createOtherWindow) in the window control function shown in FIG. 22 and notifies the window control script 19b (S63). At this time, as an argument, a URL indicating the content displayed in the float window before the outer is supplied to the window control script 19b.

  In response to this, the window control script 19b receives the window. A new window is displayed by the open command, and the URL supplied from the GUI script 19a is acquired (S65). Further, the window control script 19b displays the content corresponding to the acquired URL as a float window in the window (S66).

  Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, the float window 13B displayed in the displayable area 11 can be recognized as if it was displayed as a float window 13B 'in a new window. In this way, by moving the contents of the float window displayed in the displayable area 11 into a new window (outerizing), for example, it is hidden under the float window 13B in the displayable area 11. The contents of the float window 13A or the information 12 in the displayable area 11 can be confirmed, which can contribute to the improvement of visibility.

(Inner)
By the way, the GUI script 19a is also executed in the outer float window, and it is monitored whether or not the outer button 133 is clicked. When the outer button 133 is clicked on the outer float window (S71 in FIG. 30), the GUI script 19a performs inter-process communication with the GUI script 19a of the float window before the outer process to make the outer window transparent. The display of the float window before being made outer is restored (S72). After that, the GUI script 19a of the outer float window is displayed in the window. With the close instruction, the window including its own float window is closed (S73).

  Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, the information displayed as the float window 13 </ b> B ′ in the window outside the displayable area 11 can be recognized as if it was moved into the displayable area 11.

(effect)
As described above, in this service providing system, it is possible to easily add a function to an existing home page simply by adding information about the client software 19 provided by the Web server 18. For example, if the client software 19 has a chat function that uses a chat service, an SNS function that uses an SNS service, etc., an end user who uses the home page as a home page that provides information such as products unilaterally. It is possible to easily add a communication function between them.

  In this service providing system, as described above, the client software 19 can display information corresponding to the service provided by the application server 20 in the float window. For this reason, it is possible to display new information according to the use of the service without performing screen transition from the existing home page. For example, an existing community site that provides a communication service can be performed only on a dedicated homepage. For this reason, in order to use the community site, it is necessary to change the screen to the community site by changing the screen from a home page that provides product information or the like. On the other hand, in this service providing system, a communication service can be used by information displayed in a floating window displayed in a home page that provides product information and the like.

  Further, in this service providing system from the end user, the display mode of the float window can be changed, which can contribute to improvement of information visibility. For example, the display of a plurality of float windows can be switched by changing the current window, which can contribute to improving the visibility of information. Further, by realizing the elimination of the float window and the title bar, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the visibility of the information displayed in the float window hidden behind. Further, by displaying the information displayed in the float window in a window outside the displayable area 11, it is possible to obtain the same effect as expanding the display area of the displayable area 11 as necessary. This can contribute to the improvement of the visibility of information.

  In this service providing system, an application (client software 19) for displaying information in the float window is provided from the Web server in accordance with the reference in the HTML document. For changing, adding, etc., it is only necessary to change the client software 19 stored in the Web server. For this reason, maintainability can be improved. In addition, since the function of the client software 19 can be performed independently of the HTML document that is the reference source, it can contribute to reduction of man-hours and bugs.

1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the structure of a service providing system related to Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the parameter recorded on the database which manages the owner who is an information sender. It is a figure which shows the structural example of client software. It is a figure which shows the example of the process in which a web browser acquires client software. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the automatic login with respect to an application server, and a manual login selection process. It is a figure which shows the example of the process which acquires the information regarding client software. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting information of client software. It is a figure which shows the example of the image which client software displays according to the said setting information. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the authentication process at the time of automatic login. It is a figure which shows the example of the parameter which manages an end user. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the authentication process at the time of manual login. It is a figure which shows the example of the table for managing the effective time of a session. It is a figure which shows the example of transition of the HTML document browsed with a web browser. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of a login process. It is a figure which shows the example of the menu screen displayed by client software. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the service which an application server provides. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the selection process of a chat room. It is a figure which shows the example of the data which manages URL which the end user is accessing. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen displayed by client software and a web browser. It is a figure which shows the image of the float window displayed in the terminal device of a present Example. It is a figure showing the drag area which instruct | indicates a window movement start. It is a figure which shows the example of the control module which a window control script has. It is a figure which shows the example of a style sheet. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the change process of a current window. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen by the change process of a current window. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the size change process of a float window. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the movement process of a float window. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the outer process when an outer button is instruct | indicated. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of a terminal device when an outer button is pushed. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the inner process when the outer button in the float window in the outer window is instruct | indicated. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen when the window made into another window is displayed in the original window.

Explanation of symbols

  1 terminal device, 10 Web browser, 11 displayable area, 13, 13a area, 14, 16, 18 Web server, 15, 17 HTML document, 19 client software, 19a GUI script, 19b window control script, 19c style sheet, 20 Application server

Claims (6)

A program executed in a web browser capable of executing a script language and capable of displaying according to a style sheet,
An acquisition step of causing a Web browser to acquire an application program that uses a service provided by the service providing server;
A use step of causing a web browser to execute the application program and using a service provided by the service providing server;
A program comprising: a display step for causing a Web browser to display an image corresponding to the use result of the service on the Web browser according to a definition of a style sheet. Detecting a movement instruction of a region for displaying an image according to the use result;
Inputting a movement destination of the area;
When the destination is outside the display area of the web browser,
The program according to claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying an image according to the use result separately from the display area of the Web browser at the destination. A web server that provides data including information on an application program to be executed by the web browser to the terminal device;
Program providing means for providing an application program in response to a request from the terminal device;
A service providing system comprising service providing means for providing a service in response to a request from a terminal executing the application program.   4. The service providing system according to claim 3, wherein the service providing means provides a message relay service for receiving a message from a terminal executing the application program and transmitting a message addressed to the terminal to the terminal. . Providing an application program that uses a service provided by a service providing server in response to a request from a Web browser;
Providing a service from a service providing server in response to an information request from a terminal device executing the application,
An information providing method for displaying information corresponding to the service in a display window of the Web browser. A program executed in a web browser capable of executing a script language and capable of displaying according to a style sheet,
Causing the web browser to acquire an application program that uses a service provided by the service providing server;
Causing the web browser to execute the application program and using a service provided by the service providing server;
Displaying an image corresponding to the use result of the service on a Web browser on the Web browser according to a definition of a style sheet; detecting a movement instruction of an area for displaying the image corresponding to the use result;
Inputting a movement destination of the area;
When the destination is outside the display area of the web browser,
And a step of displaying an image corresponding to the use result separately from the display area of the Web browser at the destination.