JP2011258101A - Information utilization system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dramatically improve effective utilization of data and programs possessed by many general users.SOLUTION: Only by registering data possessed by many general users by themselves in a server as master data, the registered data of the general users is put onto a database, which is made as an API so as to be enabled to be input/output as necessary by automatic API creation means 12 and 32. The database as the API is disclosed on a network so that a third party can access or use the database easily. In this way, an information utilization system intends to spread information by allowing development users and website managers to use data further widely that was originally to be kept only by general users.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information utilization system that allows a third party to easily browse or use data held by a user.

  In recent years, the use of information via the Internet is spreading in many fields, but in order to make data and programs owned by companies and individuals widely available on websites, such data and programs must be It is desirable that it is made public as an API (Application Program Interface). If a web AIP in which data and programs are converted into APIs is published, useful and highly functional content can be easily acquired via the Internet.

  For example, related information that has been distributed to multiple sites, such as restaurant information at a gourmet site, map information at a map site, and time information at a traffic information site, is published on each site using a web API. For example, since it is possible to easily respond to a request from another site operator, information on each site can be used on a single web page on an integrated web page such as a mashup site. , To improve the convenience of web pages.

  However, collecting the master data, which is the original data, requires an enormous amount of work by setting up a site for collecting users and posting the data. In addition, in order to publish a web API, for example, a database is built in the server and a table suitable for the master data is created in a specific operation language, or a self-made program is installed to execute the program. Work such as setting a file and setting a master data search function must be performed, and technical knowledge such as input / output to the program is also required. In this way, the use of APIs for data and programs is limited in scope because it requires advanced technical knowledge and labor, and in particular, effective use of data and programs owned by many general users. The current situation is that it is no longer possible.

JP 2002-55819 A JP 2002-223186 A JP 2001-306417 A

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information utilization system that can effectively utilize and utilize data and programs held by a large number of general users.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises an automatic API generation means for designing and publishing an API that makes it possible for a third party to access or use master data input into a server by a user. The automatic API generation means automatically presents the processing contents between input and output to the user and determines an API specification, and automatically creates a database based on the determined API specification. The database creation function created in the above and the API transmission function for publishing all or part of the data on the network are configured.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, data owned by a large number of general users can be easily converted to an API using the API specification determination function and the database creation function of the automatic API generation means. At the same time, it is released on the network as data or programs that can be easily viewed or used by a third party. Therefore, data originally intended to be kept in the hands of general users can be easily and widely used by development users and site operators, and the spread of information has been dramatically improved.

  Further, in the present invention, an advertisement distribution that distributes an advertisement corresponding to the content of the data viewed or used by the user to the user who viewed or used the data created by converting into an API by the automatic API generation means. Means may be provided.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, an advertisement having a content corresponding to information required by the user is distributed to a user who needs specific information, which is useless for the advertisement distributor. Advertisement distribution is reduced, and necessary information for the user can be further obtained.

  Further, in the present invention, in accordance with the frequency of browsing or using the API specification or database created by the automatic API generation means, the consideration to the API specification or database designer or data provider of the database is determined. It is possible to provide user return means.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, a user or an API specification or database designer who has provided data that is frequently viewed or used can be used to view or use the provided API specification or database design or data. Consideration corresponding to the frequency will be paid, and more valuable data with higher utilization will be provided from general users.

  Further, in the present invention, the user return means is used, and API design / publication is performed so that individual master data owned by each user is appropriately gathered, and each of the data aggregates converted into the API is stored. While making it publicly available on the network and allowing it to be distributed, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the consideration for each of these data aggregates is determined using the user return means. The data aggregate at this time can be metadata, a template, or mashup software.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, since it is possible to buy and sell data aggregates using a template or the like as a unit, various profitability can be set at various stages of delivering each data aggregate. .

  As described above, the present invention automatically registers data stored by a large number of general users as master data in the server so that the registered general user data is in an appropriate output state. The API designed, generated and published by the API generation means makes the data public on the network so that it can be easily viewed or used by a third party, and the data originally intended to be stored in the hands of general users is developed. Since it is designed to spread the information so that it can be used widely by users and publishers, the effective use of data and programs owned by many general users will be dramatically improved. The convenience of the page is greatly improved, so there is no social contribution such as user posting to multiple sites as before. It can be eliminated. Furthermore, since it is easy to use with home-applicable home appliances and the like, it will be possible to contribute to the future ubiquitous society, for example, if a system having a payment function is constructed, In addition, it is possible to realize electronic commerce through a trading site or the like by using tools and programs created by using the tool, and it is possible to further increase the use of the API.

It is a block diagram showing the network structure using the information utilization system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the outline of the hardware constitutions of the API production server used for the information utilization system represented by FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the movement of a data aggregate by an API creation server used in the information use system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the information use system shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overall procedure for converting and publicizing a data aggregate using the information utilization system shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. It is the model showing an example of the input screen regarding API basic matter. It is the model showing an example of the input screen regarding an API input / output parameter. It is the schematic diagram showing an example of the input screen regarding API processing content. It is the schematic diagram showing an example of the process specification input screen which designates the data preservation | save to the existing table. It is the schematic diagram showing an example of the process specification input screen which designates data extraction from the existing table. It is the model showing an example of the process specification input screen which designates the data preservation | save by automatic table creation by APIC. It is the schematic diagram showing an example of the process specification input screen which designates the data extraction by automatic table creation. It is the schematic diagram showing an example of the function screen which defines a structure. It is the schematic diagram showing an example of the function screen which designates a conditional branch. It is a block diagram showing the 1st Example as a specific usage example of the information utilization system represented by FIGS. It is a block diagram showing the 2nd Example as a specific usage example of the information utilization system represented by FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment as a more specific usage example of the information use system shown in FIGS. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an information use system that describes a specific configuration of the advertisement distribution unit illustrated in FIG. 17. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an information use system that explains a specific configuration of the user return means shown in FIG. 17. It is a block diagram of an information utilization system explaining the composition of a data aggregate and the flow of its utilization reduction. It is a block diagram showing notionally the composition of a data aggregate and the flow of its utilization reduction. It is the block diagram which represented notionally the flow of utilization reduction | restoration in case an advertisement is synthesize | combined in each step in which a data aggregate moves. It is the block diagram which represented notionally the flow of the charge and payment performed by a user return system / billing system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing an embodiment in which an information utilization system using an API creation server is provided with a charging system related to a template. It is a block diagram showing the position of the information utilization system in the structure of a data aggregate and the flow of its utilization reduction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, an overall configuration of an information utilization system including an automatic API generation unit according to the present invention will be described.

  An information utilization system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an API creation server 1 having an automatic API generation means that is a feature of the present embodiment, and an appropriate network (public line) for the API creation server 1. The terminal 2a, 2b,..., 2n of a general user 2 including a data provider, a master user and the like, which will be described later, are connected through the NW. The terminals 2a, 2b,..., 2n are configured from communicable information processing devices such as personal computers and mobile phones, but the API creation server 1 is configured as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the hardware adopted in the API creation server 1 described above is the main control means (hereinafter referred to as the main control means) programmed to control the entire system of the API creation server 1 in an integrated manner. The storage device 1b is connected to 1a. The CPU 1a also has an input device 1d composed of a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, an input device 1e used for monitoring input data, and a display device for outputting various calculation results and other search data via the input / output control unit 1c. If is connected.

  A control program such as an OS (Operating System) is stored in the internal memory of the CPU 1a, and an automatic API generation program and required data according to this embodiment for converting master data into an API (Application Program Interface) are stored. Stored. The storage device 1b is storage means such as a hard disk, an optical disk, or a flexible disk, and a data group related to a general user (master user) 2 composed of an individual or a company is registered as master data.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the data group 11 stored in the storage means (described later) provided in the API creation server 1 includes a general user (master user) 2 made up of an individual or a company. Are registered as a database accessible by an API (Application Program Interface) generated as described later. The API creation server 1 includes an automatic API generation program (automatic API generation tool; APIC (Application Program Interface Creator) as an automatic API generation means for generating an API based on specifications and master data structures specified by the user. Abbreviated as ")").

  An information utilization system that uses the API creation server 1 provided with this automatic API generation tool (APIC) is hereinafter referred to as an APIC system. The automatic API generation tool 12 converts the master data held by a general user (master user) 2 made up of an individual or company into master data having an appropriate specification that can be viewed or used by a third party as described later. It has a function of registering or publishing, and having at least an assist function related to API conversion of master data and a configuration for performing database creation / input / output design automatically or interactively.

  Further, the automatic API generation tool 12 provided in the API creation server 1 is configured to be portable as it is in another user server 3. In this way, the automatic API generation tool 32 ported to the other user server 3 can appropriately design the master data registered in the data group 31 in the other user server 3 to be viewed or used by a third party. It is registered and released as an API in the specification database.

  As described above, the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 provided in the API creation server 1 and other user servers 3 can be easily used by third parties, for example, functions, procedures, variables, and data structures. Alternatively, data is output from an APIized program regarding an interpreter, etc., thereby easily providing a user database in response to a request from an integrated web page such as a mashup site. It becomes possible. These automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 can be configured not only to create and provide a database, but also to create and provide various program functions related to registered master data.

  Next, the functions of the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 described above and the APIC system (information utilization system) using the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 will be described based on the flow of processing operation of the entire system. For example, the APIC site (Application Program Interface Creator Site) shown in FIG. 4 is a site formed by the APIC system including the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 and the functions of the information utilization system using the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 will be described in accordance with the flow of data using the site.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first, as the first step 1 (ST1), the master user MU accesses the APIC site (user access). The master user MU is a user who holds data composed of metadata or the like, but when the master user MU accesses the APIC site, the assist function of the automatic API generation tool as described below is used. In the APIC site server (API creation server), the master data owned by itself is registered as a database in the storage means and made public.

  The data input by the master user MU at this time is, for example, the following a. ~ C. It is done in a generally familiar form like

a. Direct input (Create a database table and input directly)
This is a database table creation screen on various software that can be connected to the APIC system (hereinafter referred to as APIC connection terminal software, including mashup software) such as a website screen and a local terminal application. The user creates a database with an arbitrary number of tables and a table with an arbitrary number of fields (columns), and sets the database name, table name, field name, data width, attributes, etc. Define as needed. Then, according to the contents defined by the user, a database operation language code for creating a database and a table is dynamically generated and executed to construct a user-defined database in the APIC server. Such operations are repeated or performed simultaneously for as many tables or databases as necessary.

b. Import from CSV, SQL, JSON, XML, or general spreadsheet software file, database software file, etc. This is a file upload screen displayed on the APIC terminal software, and the user can select any one One or more files are uploaded, and the names of databases and tables are set at that time. That is, after determining the type of uploaded file and analyzing the data structure, the database operation language code for creating the database and table is dynamically generated and executed based on the analyzed data structure. Build a user-defined database in the APIC server. Such an operation is repeated over the required number of files or a plurality of files are processed simultaneously.

c. Input using an existing APIC template Here, an existing APIC template refers to a database specification or API specification that has already been created and published as a template, and the template is displayed on the APIC connection terminal software. When the selection screen is displayed, the user selects an arbitrary template and sets the name of the database or table. Based on the template, a database operation language code for creating a database and a table is dynamically generated and executed to construct a user-defined database in the APIC server. This is repeated as many times as necessary, or a plurality of templates are processed simultaneously.

  Further, the data input by the master user MU at this time uses the automatic API generation tool (APIC) according to the present invention in the following format d. Can be done.

d. Created from API input / output In this case, a screen for creating an input / output for the API is first displayed on the APIC connection terminal software as will be described later, and the user is required to input / output the API on the screen. Set (element, column, field). The APIC system dynamically analyzes the number of elements and attributes (data width, data type, etc.) that have been set by a program, dynamically generates and executes database operation language code, and creates user-defined codes in the APIC server. Build a database. Note that after the database design, data registration and browsing users, user group access rights, etc. are set, and access control for specific users or all users is set.

  And the data registration with respect to such a database is performed as follows, for example.

a. For users with access rights, data registration screens are dynamically created and displayed on the APIC connection terminal software based on the target database specifications, and the necessary fields are filled by the user from the data entry screen. To register.
b. For users with access rights, a data registration screen for importing from CSV, SQL, JSON, XML, general spreadsheet software files, database software files, etc. on the APIC connection terminal software is run by a program. Create and display automatically, and the user specifies the file and registers the data c. A data registration e-mail address is made public to users who have access rights, data is written and transmitted from the e-mail address registered in advance by the user, and APIC accepts the e-mail data and registers it in the database. At this time, in the field analysis of data, the transmitted mail body is dynamically analyzed by a program by a method such as identification by a preset delimiter code such as a comma, a blank character or a line feed, and the data is registered according to the database specification.

  Here, in registering data in the database as described above, automatic processing based on master data using the assist function of the automatic API generation tools (automatic API generation means) 12 and 32 as in step 2 (ST2). API generation is performed. More specifically, the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 have an “API specification determination function” and a “database creation function”, and the “API specification determination function” is shown in FIG. A function for registering by displaying an input screen for “API basic information” consisting of the API name and outline as shown and presenting it to the user, and for example input / output as shown in FIG. Between an input parameter and an output parameter as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a function of registering by displaying an input screen for “input / output parameters” such as name / identifier and data type and presenting it to the user And a function of registering by displaying an input screen and presenting it to the user about “processing contents” such as computations and conditions.

  Among these, “parameter names” include, for example, current position latitude information (latitude), current position longitude information (longitude), distance from a latitude / longitude designation location (distance), time (time), current position on the address (address), nearest station (station), etc. are used. The data type of “input / output parameter” includes, for example, an integer type, a floating point type, a character string, a file, and the like, and the input / output identifier includes, for example, an identifier indicating whether the parameter is input or output. Further, as accompanying information for the data type, attributes such as decimal numbers and floating point precision, the size of the definition length, and the like can be added.

  The APIC system replaces the content input by the user with a predetermined character string indicating an internal symbol corresponding to each data type or the like, and stores it. By doing so, it can be mechanically used as a variable declaration in a program language when it is read later, or a function prototype can be mechanically declared. When saving in XML format based on variable names and attributes defined by the user as parameters, for example, creator <Author>, API name <APIName>, version <Version>, overview <Comment >, Creation date and time <Created>, last modification date and time <LastEdited>, etc. are saved.

Previous omission
<APIProperties>
<Author> sample author </ Author>
<APIName> SampleAPI </ APIName>
<Version> 1.00 </ Version>
<Comment> this is a sample </ Comment>
<Created> 2008-11-29 </ Created>
<LastEdited> 2009-09-29 </ LastEdited>
</ APIProperties>
Omitted

  It should be noted that even when saving in other formats or in the database, an equivalent field may be provided and saved correctly there. In addition, since the creation date and time and the last modification date are saved in the APIC system, the user does not have to input them.

  Then, arg_A as shown in FIG. 7 or arg_B and Ret_C as shown in FIG. 8 are defined as variables used in the API program. Similarly, a predetermined internal notation indicating whether the parameter variable is an integer type / floating point type / character string / array / file / structure, or an internal notation indicating whether the parameter variable is input or output is similarly used. By predetermining, when this content is read later, it is mechanically replaced with the variable declaration of the program.

  The processing content is determined by automatically generating a program by the user selecting and combining pseudo code parts provided by the APIC system, for example. The user in this case is provided by the APIC system. By selecting a specific operation to be performed, a process that should exist between the input parameter and the output parameter can be created. This is not a technical level of writing a program. For each parameter, simple "four arithmetic operations" such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are specified, and words such as "save to database" and "get from database" are used. Is selected or a condition such as [if A = OO] or [otherwise] is specified in terms of words. When a user who has no knowledge of a program or a user who wants to simplify various troublesome processes even if he / she has some knowledge, the above method is a main process content determination step.

  As described above, the APIC system replaces each element of the arithmetic expression by the user with predetermined data or a character string indicating an internal symbol corresponding to each arithmetic processing and saves it. For example, the input by the user is internally decomposed into primitive steps and stored in such a way that the processing to be performed when it is read later can be recognized. For example, when multiplication is selected, a character string indicating “substitution processing” of “MOVE” is determined in advance in the first step of the internal process of substituting Operand_Right (indicating the right side) into Operand_Left (indicating the left side). In accordance with the notation, the contents entered by the user are saved. For example, if the internal notation representing the meaning of substituting the variable arg_A for the variable Ret_C using the above MOVE is stored, the program can be mechanically described when read later. For example, when API is described in C language, this internal processing can be replaced with a single sentence Ret_C = argA ;.

  And, if you want to perform the process of substituting the calculation result of Ret_C × arg_B into Ret_C in the next internal step, by predetermining the character string “MUL” as a symbol indicating the process of “multiply”, When this is read out later, it can be understood that this step performs the process of performing the left side (Ret_C) x right side (arg_B) and putting the result into the left side (Ret_C), so it can be mechanically replaced with a programming language. In this example, in C language, it can be replaced with a single sentence Ret_C * = arg_B; Through the internal processing of the above two steps, a program for performing a calculation process of Ret_C = arg_A * arg_B can be created mechanically. However, instead of the example shown here, the definition of the internal processing is simplified by defining the attribute indicating the assignment destination in addition to Operand_Left and Operand_Right, and defining the notation of assigning the calculation result there. Similarly, it is possible to use “*” and “=” which can be used in the programming language without using the character strings “MOVE” and “MUL”. However, it can be expected that the more the processing content is primitive and the lower the level, the more programming languages it can handle. In addition, by adding an id to each STEP and storing it, the processing order can be determined when it is read later, and it is possible to jump processing, so it is possible to realize branches, loops, etc. Can be structured.

  On the other hand, in order to use a database, a case where an already created database is used and a “database creation function” in which an automatic API generation tool (APIC) automatically creates a new table from the contents of the processing specification are used. Although the latter has already been described as “d. Created from input / output of API” as described above, these will be described in more detail.

  As an example, a case will be described in which an API “output a greeting corresponding to the number of the input parameter arg_Number” is realized by a method of saving a greeting list in a database and extracting it. In this case, the work of saving the greeting list in the table can be performed from the database registration screen of the APIC site by a. ~ C. For example, the data registration API may be created and stored via the API. Here, since storage and extraction are described as being performed via the API, a data registration API of “saving the value of the input parameter str_Greeting in the database” will also be described. Also, here, there are only two table structures, a field called integer type id and a field called character string type Greeting.

(1) When using an existing table a. ~ C. In the case of saving in the field “Greeting” of the database table “Sample_Table_1” already created by the existing method such as, the specification of the data registration API is “save the character string specified by the parameter str_Greeting in the database”. The process specification input screen for designating data storage in the existing table as shown in FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the Greeting number is stored by auto-increment. First, the string type str_Greeting is defined by the parameter specification of the data registration API, and then the program specification step. Select to save str_Greeting in the database.

  In this case, by predetermining the internal symbol “DB_SAVE” indicating “save to database table” and its notation, it can be uniquely converted to a program when read later. In addition, as the steps in the program, it is necessary to connect to a database, execute a database operation language such as SQL, and return the execution result, but these steps can be created uniquely mechanically, so the important thing here is It is the description itself of database operation language such as SQL. By storing necessary information in a manner that can be read and analyzed later as described above, the description content of the database operation language can be automatically generated. In the example, it can be interpreted that the value stored in the variable str_Greeting is stored in the field called Greeting of the table Sample_Table_1, that is, an INSERT statement (in the case of SQL) can be generated. Similarly, SELECT statements and UPDATE statements can be generated.

  When a password is required to connect to the database, the method of writing the program that connects to the database differs depending on the language in which the API is created, but it can be connected to the database in any language If so, it is possible to automatically generate a program for accessing the database mechanically by using an appropriately determined password. Other connection destination server information (database server host name / database user name / database name, etc.) may be set by the site administrator when installing the APIC system, or created for each user. You may make it the mechanism which does.

  Since the specification of the extraction API is “acquisition greetings according to arg_Number”, the processing specification input for designating data extraction from the existing table as shown in FIG. On the screen, select “Extract from database”, select “Sample_Table_1” for the table and “Greeting” for the field. Then, an extraction condition “id = arg_Number” is added, and the specification determination of this step is completed.

  Similar to this storage, for example, a processing specification for storing the value of the character string type field Greeting of the table Sample_Table_1 in the character string type variable Ret_C is written. According to the contents set by the user on the input screen, the processing contents can be identified later as described above in accordance with a well-known notation such as “DB_SELECT”, “Table”, “Field”, “Where”, etc. To save. Then, it is possible to mechanically generate an API program in which a program is searched according to a specification based on appropriate conditions determined in advance, and the obtained result is substituted into a variable Ret_C. In addition, by making it possible to define structure definitions and arrays, which will be described later, multiple fields can be included in any structure type variable or array, and all internal variables may be handled as arrays. .

(2) Case of automatic table creation by APIC In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a processing specification input screen for designating data storage by automatic table creation is displayed. When this example is saved in the XML format, for example, it is defined as a parameter or variable (described later) that specifies the variable str_Greeting in the “Variable” attribute of the “Field” tag. Since the data size and the like can be discriminated, it is possible to generate a program that automatically creates a table having the same attribute field and extracts the target field from the table. In this case, the created database name is linked to the basic information of the API. For this, it is possible to perform the association by inserting the API basic information into the saved items as described below, but this allows the specification template to contain a database and be reused. Become. The table name in this case is uniquely identified using a user ID, date / time information, an irreversible function, a serial number, and the like. At this stage, it cannot be determined that the field corresponding to id is necessary, but this is determined from the parameters of the extraction API described later, and the insertion timing of this field is appropriate at that time or after that. It is time.

  When specifying data extraction by automatic table creation, a processing specification input screen as shown in FIG. 12 is used. In this example, the table name and field name to be searched are automatically generated, so the table name is generated and the field is generated from the attribute of the variable str_Greeting as in the case of data storage. In this case, the existence of the field “id” that was not stored at the time of data storage is known from “arg_Number” specified on the left side (Operand_Left) of the “Where” tag, which is a predetermined internal notation as an extraction condition. Create a field from the attribute of “arg_Number”. Since the extraction method is the same as the extraction method from the existing table, it is omitted here.

  As described above, automatic API generation for data registration and data extraction with respect to a database table can be realized, but the table structure and API specifications created at this time can be applied to other target APIs that can be realized with the same structure. Can be used as is. In other words, in the case of this example, any API specification that can be realized by performing data registration and data extraction with respect to the table consisting of “id” and “character string” can be used as it is in the “greeting sentence acquisition API”. For example, it is self-evident that an API for registering and acquiring words such as “maxims” and “fortune-telling” can be realized without any change. Therefore, a user who wants to create a similar API next time can publish a desired API by simply copying the file storing this specification and saving it with a different name. This can be templated with respect to API specifications and associated database specifications. In this way, APIs provided by APIC can realize APIs for various uses having an equivalent structure based on specifications created by one user.

  Furthermore, APIC also provides an environment in which a general scripting language can be directly written for a more advanced user when generating a program when a more advanced and complicated process is desired. In this case, the user selects a language supported by APIC and describes the program directly on the program description screen to be displayed. This method is for users who are familiar with the program and want to write it by themselves, but who find it troublesome to rent a server themselves and set up security settings, databases, and the execution environment of the program language. The program may be generated by

  Regardless of the method used to create the API program, it is important that the program created by the user is stored in the server and can be executed from the outside. APIC saves an API program generated by any method as an executable file, for example, a file such as .php or .rb, and adds it to the specification information. APIC saves the API specification file address in the API list database together with the API basic information. The API list database structure at that time is the API specification file address in which the API basic information and specifications are stored. Consists of.

  Next, the determination of the output format will be described. The output format determination process is a process to determine the format in which the variable specified in the output parameter is output, and supports the format (eg, XML, JSON, etc.) generally used in Web services. Is desirable. This process may be specified by the user on the output format setting screen, but for example, all output formats such as XML and JSON are supported, and parameters are specified according to the convenience of the caller, and output as appropriate. A mechanism that switches the format is also acceptable. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, if the integer variable Ret_C is an output parameter and the output format is specified in XML, add the necessary tags such as the xml header in the API program, then tag the variable name It is obvious that Ret_C can be returned at, and even JSON can be formatted if the data structure and data type are known.

  As described above, how to read the program specification later, mechanically convert it into a program, and save the generated program has already been explained. At this stage, APIC refers to the API list database and stores the APIC site. The API list and the outline thereof are displayed to the user who visited the site, and it is possible to inform the API registered on the APIC site. Since APIC knows the API specification file address selected by the user from the API list, it can read the file and inform the user of the program address and input / output specification. In this way, an API program created by an API creation user is recognized when a general API user visits.

  Next, other examples of functions necessary for designing advanced program specifications are given. First, as a function for defining a structure, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 13 is used. By specifying a name and an attribute, the structure is mechanically declared when it is read later. It can be converted into a program. For programming languages that do not support structures, this function may be disabled or another function may be used instead.

  In addition to the function of declaring a variable, that is, the function of declaring a variable for use inside the process in addition to the parameter variable, it can be realized by the same procedure as the parameter setting method such as attribute designation. Furthermore, the program content can be simplified by providing a function capable of creating a function so that frequently performed processing can be reused as a function. Also, since this function can be included when creating another API specification, it is possible to eliminate social waste that a plurality of users create a similar function. To realize this function, a button or check box indicating that the function is to be saved is prepared on the specification input screen, and if the user sets them, the function can be saved as a function instead of an API. Good.

  In other words, since the API program is also a function, the description method including the setting of input / output parameters may be exactly the same as the API specification creation for the function specification creation. The difference is that the fact that it is a function must be recognized later when it is read out. Therefore, when the XML format is adopted as described above, the basic information is not the <APIProperties> tag, for example, <FunctionProperties>. The difference between the public API and the internal function can be identified by using a tag or the like. By doing so, it can be distinguished from a WebAPI that can be executed from the outside, but a function that is used inside the API program. In addition, since it is preferable that the function can be called from other APIs, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for showing the function list not shown to general users to the API creation user. The description of calling the function in the API specification is appropriately set according to various notation rules that can be read and identified later, and translated into a program that calls the function mechanically. It becomes possible to do.

  Furthermore, by using a screen as shown in FIG. 14, for example, setting of branching such as selecting either processing A or processing B is possible. This is used when it is necessary to select the program steps to be executed. This “branch setting” process can be realized by a jump process to the corresponding step by using the comparison process and the id added to each step. For example, a character string indicating comparison is internally determined in advance (in this example, “COMP”), and the format for comparing the left side (Operand_Left) and the right side (Operand_Right) is defined as described above. A branch can be realized by jumping to the specified step ID accordingly. In this example, “EQ” indicates “=” (equal, that is, the comparison targets are equal), in which case it means jump to step 3, otherwise step 4 in ELSE It means to jump to. By defining the notation in this way, when the APIC reads the “COMP” step, it can be mechanically translated into a program. At this time, an internal variable (hereinafter referred to as a condition code variable) that holds the result of the comparison performed is prepared in advance, and the COMP is obtained by sequentially holding whether the result of each execution step is positive or negative. It is also possible to branch without performing.

  Similarly, if "NE" (not equal), "BT" (Bigger Than), "LT" (Less Than), etc. are specified, it is possible to provide an environment in which users can use these conditional branches. . Alternatively, it is possible to perform specific processing only when the value is between the maximum and minimum values specified by defining MINMAX (Minimum Maximum) or the like. In other words, conditional branches such as if (arg_A> arg_B), if (arg_A <arg_B), or if ((0 <arg_A) && (arg_A <10)) can be used. Further, a loop can be realized using the branch. The counter variable that holds the loop count is used internally, and the loop count is set by the user or compared with the value held in the variable at the time of entering loop processing, the loop is returned to the beginning or the loop is terminated. It is possible to judge the condition. Further, since it is obvious that a loop can be realized only by a combination of a conditional branch and a jump to an arbitrary step without using an internal counter variable or the like, it is omitted here.

  When APIC automatically creates a new table from the contents of the processing specifications, any type of data regarding the ease of use of the database, for example, under appropriate conditions for pre-determining statistics or analysis of master data It is possible to automatically set or propose to the user conditions such as how to arrange each data and how to arrange the data.

  Further, the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 are also provided with an API transmission function as a program for publishing all or part of the database created based on the determined API specification on the network, and can be easily performed by a third party. For example, functions or procedures, variables, data structures, interpreters, etc., for example.

At this time, for example, the following items can be appropriately specified by the master user MU, and the input / output design of the master data can be changed until it is satisfied while checking on the test screen in the APIC site. ing.
a. Input / output specifications b. Data formatting (change of order, selection of data to be displayed, etc.)
c. Coding (Program code generation / confirmation)
d. test

  Specifically, as API specification design, the APIC system includes at least the following API design means as means for performing data input / output with respect to the database created as described above. That is, first, an API for data registration is designed and disclosed by means other than the above-described data registration, so that a user with access right can perform data registration via the API. In this case, a data registration API design screen is displayed on the APIC connection terminal software, and the user sets arguments (parameters) necessary for input to the API. This may correspond directly to a field in the database, but may be stored in the field after arithmetic processing described later. Based on the set contents, the APIC system makes the API dynamically identifiable later by a program-specific unique ID, makes the set specification ready to be read and executed, and stores the API specification storage database. Save to

  The API design means according to the present embodiment has a function that allows the user to freely set fields that can be acquired via the API for the data registered as described above. In this case, a field selection screen, a database to be used, and a screen for selecting a table are displayed on the APIC connection terminal software for a user with access right, and the user can format the data (change the order, change the data to be displayed). (Selection / Combination / Omission etc.) The method is set by GUI operation on the screen. In addition, the user sets a condition specification at the time of data extraction, a tabulation method, a rearrangement method, a calculation method, and the like by a GUI operation on the screen. Then, the APIC system is in a state in which the API can be identified later by a program-specific dynamic ID based on the set contents, and in a state in which the set functions and calculation specifications can be read and executed, Save to the API specification storage database.

  Furthermore, in the APIC system, when you want to perform specific aggregation / calculation / arithmetic processing etc. based on input data or arguments, you can write a general scripting language directly or provide a dedicated language to calculate The user can set the function independently. This makes it possible to output not only simple “data registration and data extraction” specifications but also aggregated results and unique calculation results based on the data via the API, and only the calculation results for the arguments without saving the data. It is possible to output via the Internet or to perform original access right authentication. It is also possible to share and publish in script units. Then, a script language description screen is displayed on the APIC connection terminal software for a user with access rights, and the user freely describes a script based on the script language rules. The APIC system checks the grammar of the script written by the user, and if there is an error, notifies the user of the error and prompts correction. On the other hand, the user saves the script language that allows the check to pass, and the APIC system dynamically formats the user-created script into a format suitable for database storage (such as encoding special characters). At the same time, it is saved in the database in a format that can be read and executed later.

  Next, when testing an API having a function or the like, the APIC system makes it possible to test an API designed by the user and confirm whether the input / output is as expected. In this case, first, an API test screen is displayed on the APIC connection terminal software for users with access rights, the user calls an arbitrary API designed by the user with an arbitrary argument, and the execution result is confirmed on the screen. To do. If the result is not as expected, the process returns to the design procedure, the API specification is corrected, and the test is performed again. However, the user can repeat the above procedure until the user-created API operates as expected.

  Furthermore, as step 3 (ST3 in FIG. 5), master data converted into API by functioning or the like, or a database or program using the master data (hereinafter referred to as a data aggregate) is disclosed. As described above, the data aggregate converted into API by functionalization or the like is released after the output as expected of the master user MU itself is confirmed by the test, and thereby, the primary use of the data aggregate based on the master data Will be performed. If such a data collection is disclosed as a template having a predetermined input / output specification, or if it is made public based on such a template, it can be used by a development user DU or the like to be described later. API groups can be created easily, and it is possible to eliminate the social waste of designing the same separately.

  In the primary use of the data aggregate based on the master data, the master user MU can set usage conditions and restriction conditions such as a usage fee and a daily access upper limit number. Furthermore, by creating a member account field in the table, it is possible to make the membership registration to the own site an API usage condition.

  In other words, when publishing a data aggregate that has been converted to API by functioning or the like, the user can set usage conditions of the API designed and disclosed by the user. The conditions that can be set vary widely, such as the usage fee, the maximum number of accesses per day, the number of advertisements displayed, the API access right only for specific users, and whether membership registration for a site that is separately operated is essential. Specifically, a usage condition setting screen is displayed on the APIC connection terminal software for a user having access rights, and the user sets API usage conditions and the like by a GUI operation on the screen. Based on the set conditions, the APIC system dynamically saves API publishing conditions in a format that can be read and executed in a specific database later by a program. The API saved in an executable format is displayed on the API browsing screen on the APIC system that can be viewed by general users with the final consent of the design user, and the API of the actual API is displayed. Publish your address. The public API address may differ depending on the API call format (REST, SOAP, RPC, etc.) and the output format (XML, JSON, CSV, text, etc.).

  In the next step 4 (ST4 in FIG. 5), the API of the master user MU is searched, discovered and used by the development user DU using the API data aggregate, and the primary of the data aggregate is determined. Use is done. When searching / discovering / using an API data set, for example, API usage is first determined in consideration of usage conditions, and the API usage decision is notified to the master user MU. The API usage status (popular API ranking, etc.) at that time and the search engine of the site using the API can be browsed on the APIC site.

  That is, in accessing and executing a data aggregate converted into API by functioning or the like, the APIC system sets the design / data registration / use conditions as described above, and when the published API is called from the outside, the API Data can be input and output based on specifications and usage condition settings. Various types of APIs can be created depending on the specifications designed by the user. Examples of this include a data registration system, a data extraction system, and an arithmetic system. In the case of a data registration system API, the input data specified by the argument is dynamically formatted (calculation, character string operation, etc.) by the program based on the design specifications, and the execution result response is sent to the API caller. Save the data to the database. In the case of the data extraction API, the database is dynamically searched and rearranged by the program based on the design specification based on the extraction condition specified by the argument, and the execution result is returned to the API caller. Furthermore, in the case of an arithmetic API, specific calculations based on design specifications, character string processing, image processing for data (numerical values, characters, images / audio / video, other data files, etc.) specified by arguments And return the execution result to the API caller.

  In subsequent step 5 (ST5 in FIG. 5), the development user DU first uses the data aggregate converted into API by functioning or the like. The development user DU uses the API of the master user MU to acquire data, thereby developing an original mashup site and mashup software MSW, and publishing them as blog parts and gadgets. The mashup site and the mashup software MSW at this time may include other data aggregates converted into APIs. Further, the development user DU may independently develop and publish another mashup API using the API of the master user MU converted to data.

  Further, in step 6 (ST6 in FIG. 5), tertiary use of the data aggregate converted to API by functioning by the site operator SA or the like is performed. That is, a general site operator SA creates its own site by using the mashup software MSW or mashup API (MAPI) developed by the development user DU or the site operator SA as described above. The third use of the data aggregate converted into an API by being disclosed to the public is performed.

  It should be noted that the following step 7 includes another mashup API (MAPI) incorporated into the above-described mashup API (MAPI) for quaternary use, or multiple mashup APIs (MAPI) for quaternary use. As shown in (ST7 in FIG. 5), the data use dimension increases until it reaches the final end user.

  In step 7 (ST7 in FIG. 5), the final end user browses or uses the master data through the mashup site having the mashup software MSW, the site of the site operator SA, etc. Thereby, the end use of the master data is performed.

  According to such an embodiment, simply registering data owned by a large number of general users MU as master data in the APIC server, the registered general user data is converted into the automatic API generation means 12. , 32 as a database, and as an appropriate output state through the generated API, it is released on the network as data or a program that can be easily viewed or used by a third party. The data that was about to be treasured will be easily and widely used by the development user DU and the site operator SA, and the spread of information will be dramatically improved.

  Next, an embodiment in which an APIC site (Application Program Interface Creator Site) using the APIC system (information utilization system) according to the present invention is actually applied will be described.

  First, the first embodiment shown in FIG. 15 assumes “fish shop in A town” as the master data user MU, and the data flow and spread in that case will be described below. The “A town fish shop” as the master data user MU has already published APIs related to functions, procedures, variables, data structures, or interpreters through the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 of the APIC system described above. It is assumed that the data is used by a certain number of development users DU and the site operator SA.

  First, fish data is registered in the first step 11. That is, the fish shop MU in A town as a master user registers the fish data purchased by accessing the APIC site in the API creation server. The registration at this time is performed, for example, by determining the purchase / sale price as shown in Table 1 below, but the output data from the API is automatically updated by such registration or update of the master data. The

In the next step 12, API design is performed by the API creation server, and a program for extracting and outputting master data, that is, a fish shop API is released. In the first embodiment, for example, the API is designed so that a master data database containing the following items is disclosed.
a. Name: A-machi_Fish_Search
b. Description: Deliver fresh seafood information purchased today!
c. Input: Name, Sales price limit, Keyword, Sort order (name or price)
d. Output: Name, Sales Price, Comment, Photo e. Use conditions: Free The input / output design related to the database of such master data is automatically performed by the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32 in the API creation server.

  Then, in step 13 (ST13), a request for an API (fish shop API) that extracts data from the database of the master data published as an API as described above is made by a development user DU such as an individual programmer, The development user DU builds and discloses the mashup software MSW. More specifically, using the fish shop API (A-machi_Fish_Search) that outputs master data from the APIC site as described above, and other APIs, for example, homepage parts and desktop gadgets for the entire A town shopping street, etc. Mashup software MSW is constructed and released.

  Further, in the next step 14 (ST14), the mashup software MSW is constructed and disclosed by the site operator SA. For example, the above-mentioned mashup software MSW of the individual programmer DU and mashup software MSW using other APIs are incorporated, and for example, “A town gourmet site” is constructed and released.

  On the other hand, in step 15 (ST15), the development user DU or the site operator SA constructs and discloses a mashup site. In this mashup site, for example, a “national fish shop information site” is constructed and released using the fish shop API (A-machi_Fish_Search) described above and other APIs.

  When such “A town gourmet site” and “Nationwide fish shop information site” are released, for example, in step 16 (ST16), use by an individual consumer (general user) is performed. That is, an individual consumer (general user) checks the data of the A town shopping street by using the desktop gadget of the development user DU described above to help with daily shopping. The purchase is decided by obtaining information that the fillet is “bargain”.

  In step 17 (ST17), the use is performed by an Italian restaurant (general user) in town B. For example, in an Italian restaurant in B town, the A town gourmet site is checked on a daily basis, and one day, focusing on the data of fish shop in A town, the partnership as the supplier is decided.

  Further, in step 18 (ST18), use is performed by a sushi restaurant (general user) in C town. For example, a sushi restaurant in C town is looking for a better supplier on a nationwide fish shop site on a daily basis, and one day, paying attention to the data of the fish shop in A town, and decided to partner with that supplier To do.

  On the other hand, the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 assumes the “current position of the taxi driver”. Here again, it is assumed that an API for registering the current position data of the taxi driver has already been designed and published.

  First, in the first step 21, data on the current position of each taxi driver is registered. That is, taxis A, B, and C as master users access the APIC site and register the current location data as master data in the API creation server of the APIC system.

  In the next step 22 (ST22), the master data database is released through the API already designed and published by the API creation server, that is, the taxi driver API. Then, in step 23 (ST23), a request to the API (taxi driver API) for referring to the database of the master data published as an API as described above is made by the development user DU such as an individual programmer. The mashup software MSW is constructed and released by the development user DU. More specifically, as described above, mashup software MSW such as homepage parts and desktop gadgets related to taxi operation is constructed using a taxi driver API that outputs master data from the APIC site and other APIs. And published.

  Further, in the next step 24 (ST24), the mashup software MSW is constructed and disclosed by the site operator SA. For example, by incorporating the above-described mashup site MSW of the individual programmer DU and mashup software MSW using other APIs, for example, a “national taxi operation status guide” is constructed and released.

  When such a “national taxi service status guide” is released, for example, in step 25 (ST25), it is used by an individual consumer (general user). That is, a general consumer such as an individual consumer or a hotel checks the taxi operation status and uses it for daily use.

  On the other hand, the API creation server 1 shown in FIG. 3 described above can be provided with an advertisement distribution means for distributing an appropriate advertisement to a user who has used the API creation server 1. And as an advertisement delivery means in that case, the content corresponding to the content of the database which the user browsed or used for the user who browsed or used the database created by the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32, for example. An advertisement can be distributed. For example, in the APIC system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the content of the API data acquired by the data usage site 4 for the data usage site (user) 4 that acquired the API data from the API creation server 1. The advertisement related to the above is simultaneously distributed from the advertisement distribution means 13 provided in the API creation server 1.

  The APIC system according to the present embodiment has an advertisement distribution system (advertisement distribution means) that distributes advertisements from the metadata level to the data itself as a minimum unit, and data using the advertisement distribution system 13 of the APIC system. The advertisement distribution to is performed as shown in FIG. 18, for example. In other words, if the advertiser registers the contents of the advertisement data together with the keywords, data analysis such as necessary correlation is performed based on the contents of the advertisement data and the registered keywords in the advertisement distribution system as an advertisement distribution means. And an optimal advertisement is selected, combined with data output as a response result of an API call (not shown) from a general user or a mashup layer, and output from the APIC system. In addition, by including a path switching mechanism in the output stage at that time, the presence / absence of advertisement is switched according to API specifications, user access rights or attributes, etc., and either data alone or advertisement synthesized data is output. Is possible.

  If such a configuration is adopted, advertisements with contents corresponding to the information required by the users will be distributed to users who need specific information, which is useless advertisement distribution for advertisement distributors. As a result, information necessary for the user can be further obtained.

  Referring back to FIG. 17, in addition to the advertisement distribution means 13 as described above, the API creation server 1 of the APIC system can be provided with a user return means 14 for determining the price to the data provider. . That is, the user return means 14 in this case corresponds to the data provider 2 (MU) of the database corresponding to the frequency of browsing or using the database created by the automatic API generation tools 12 and 32. It has a function to decide. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a part of the advertising revenue and revenue generated at the data usage site 4 is transferred from the user return means 14 provided in the API creation server 1 to the data provider 2. Reduced to (MU).

  More specifically, as described above, the advertiser pays the advertisement fee to the user return means 14 together with the registration of the advertisement data. However, as shown in FIG. The APIC system is accessed directly or indirectly through a mashup site having mashup software MSW, where user authentication is performed. If the mashup site performs user authentication on behalf of the user, the authentication procedure by a general user may be omitted. In the APIC system, as described above, individual master data possessed by each user is appropriately gathered into APIs, and APIs (API_1, API_2,..., API_n) that are the data aggregates obtained by the APIs. Published on the network. Then, based on the authenticated user information, a usage condition related to an API requested by a general user is acquired from the API usage condition DB, and the API (API_1, API_2,... It is checked whether the user has access authority to API_n) or the usage count limit has not been reached.

  At this time, the user return system layer as the user return means calculates the usage fee amount for general users and mashup users based on the API usage status and API usage conditions, and at the same time the data provider , API usage creators, mashup users, etc., determine the amount of money to be allocated, and execute a return for each.

  In the case of an API for which usage conditions are not set, the above-described procedure may be omitted. For example, if the API specification creator decides that the usage conditions can be set for each user and a discount is set for the mashup user, the mashup user can acquire the data acquisition price and the usage fee for the self-made mashup. Profits can be gained by controlling. Depending on the API usage conditions at this time, the revenue source generated may be only the advertising fee or the usage fee.

  If such a configuration is adopted, the compensation corresponding to the frequency of browsing or using the provided data will be paid to the data provider 2 (MU) that provided the data that is frequently viewed or used. More valuable data with higher utilization will be provided by the user.

  Next, the API (function, procedure, variable, data structure, interpreter, etc.) is disclosed using the APIC system equipped with the automatic API generation tool (API creator; APIC) described above, and a data set including templates and the like. An embodiment of an information utilization system that determines a price for a body and enables a data aggregate to be bought and sold will be described.

  As described above, the APIC system has a template function, and the database structure and API specifications created by the master user are published as templates, and other users participate in it. It is expected to have the effect of increasing the data fluidity because it eliminates waste, increases the amount of data with the same structural specification, and facilitates mashup, but it is expected that the data collection by the APIC system that provides the template function FIG. 20 shows an example of an information use system that enables the body to be bought and sold.

  That is, the information utilization system shown in FIG. 20 is configured to distribute data or buy and sell templates through a template of the data aggregate. In the template distribution system, the user There are two types of users: users who devise API specifications and publish them as templates, and users who participate in templates of other users and contribute as data registrants. Here, the end general user is excluded from the user category, but the API specification creation master user may be the end user of the data.

  Further, in this embodiment, the advertiser (b) and the advertiser (b) are paid for distributing advertisements to API group data (API_A1, API_A2,..., API_An) published as template A. Paying the advertising fee, it is to the data provider (1), the data provider (2) and the data provider (3) or the API specification creation master user (A), (B) by the above-mentioned user return system Thus, the return amount from the advertising fee is distributed according to the amount of data, the frequency of data provision, the number of times of data extraction by API or the usefulness thereof.

  In the case of API group data published as template B, the template creator and the end general user are the same. In this case, the user fee is paid as a user's position and the user is returned by the user return system as a template creator. Naturally, consideration for the data provider (4) and the data provider (5) is also distributed by the user return system.

  In the template trading system using the APIC system having the API creator in this embodiment or the data distribution system using the template, by providing an environment for creating and publishing a specific template, buying and selling data and templates, displaying advertisements, or participating As a result, various money flows are born with various templates. And if the database structure and API specifications, that is, the templates are different, the attributes of data usage fees, participants' industry, gender, hobbies, occupations, groups / individuals, etc., and advertiser attributes will also differ. Naturally, the flow of money will change, such as individuals, individuals to individuals, individuals to companies, men to women, and distribution industries to manufacturing industries. The flow and distribution method of money generated among all participants (advertisers, master users, users, etc.) by such a template provided by the APIC system, a data trading system for the template, or a data distribution system The participants themselves can set up freely. A variety of profitability can be set by acquiring margins at various stages of transferring the templates themselves or transferring data related to each of the templates.

  Charges at that time are variously performed as shown in FIG. 21, for example. First, 1) In the case of a plurality of registered data users, the usage by end users and mashup users is charged when providing the data required by the template owner who owns the APIized template among the master users. We are paid by the above-mentioned user return system. 2) Template owners are charged when a plurality of templates A, B, C,... Owned by a plurality of template owners are provided to a user who wants to use them (mashup software owner). Get paid. 3) Applications and templates created by combining templates with mashup software owners are provided to users who want to use those templates (general users), and sites are created individually or in combination. The payment is made to the mashup software owner by charging at the time of provision.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, it is also possible to configure the advertisement to be synthesized at each stage where the data aggregate moves, and charging in that case is shown in FIG. 23, for example. In this way, it is performed by the user return system / billing system. In this embodiment, the advertisement distributed from the advertiser is represented as the terminal general user in the present embodiment from the viewpoint that the advertisement distributed by the advertiser eventually reaches the terminal general user. There are various places where advertisements are synthesized, such as every minimum unit data and every response output for API calls.

  FIG. 24 shows a functional representation of an APIC system having such a billing system for templates. FIG. 24 shows the flow of charging and returning in the embodiment using the customer review for the product of a certain sales site. In order to explain the flow of the template, data, and money, a description about the advertisement and the database Etc. are omitted. The user in this embodiment provides data by participating in an “API specification creation master user” that devises an API specification and publishes it as a template, and a “customer review” template published by the “API specification creation master user”. It consists of a "data providing user" to register (that is, a person who writes a customer review), a "product sales site" that uses the registered data on its own site, and a "customer" of the "product sales site". The data and money are circulated in the flow comprising the steps a) to f).

a) API specification creation master user creates and publishes a customer review template on the APIC site.
b) Each data providing user registers their customer review data for the template.
c) The product sales site acquires customer review data via the APIC site. For example, “Manufacturer name”, “model number”, “product name”, “release date”, “list price”, “review contents”, etc. Posted.
d) A customer of a product sales site browses customer review data and purchases a product.
e) The merchandise sales site pays the usage fee for the customer review data using the billing system on the APIC site.
f) From the charged fee, the data is returned to the data provider and the master user by the user return system according to the data use frequency or the like.

  As described above, the template trading system according to the present embodiment is similarly applied to the provision of data aggregates other than templates, and buys and sells data aggregates such as metadata other than templates and mashup software. It is also possible to target. In other words, the charges for the data (data), templates, applications, etc. registered and disclosed in the above 1) to 3) should be made by the respective owners by buying and selling in the so-called API market through the API system. It becomes.

  In other words, the API market that enables API trading at each stage of providing this data aggregate includes, for example, a data group, a template group, and mashup software registered in the APIC system, as shown in FIG. It has a function that makes it possible for a third party to use a data aggregate consisting of groups for free or for a fee. Such API market has, as a first feature point, a function that enables registration and creator distribution and distribution of data (Data) and mashup software (Mashup Softwear). Conventionally, it has been necessary to find out who owns what data, etc. on the network, and when using it, it is necessary to obtain approval from the data owner each time, but the API according to this embodiment In the market, it is possible to easily connect the owner of data and mashup software and the user who wants to use the data and mashup software, and it is clear that the right of data and mashup software is the owner By making it possible to charge for each download, etc., secondary use is possible while retaining the rights or releasing the rights.

  A second feature point of the API market according to the present embodiment is a function in which a data providing user participates in a template and registers data for a template group (database having only field information without data). If a lot of data is collected, the template becomes valuable, and the template creator can sell the template with the price to the companies and individuals who need it. For example, a car company creates a template for [owned car], and a data providing user selects data suitable for the field of the template, for example, [car type]: light car, [color]: black, [purchase date]. : When registering 2002/2/4, etc., it is possible to pay the data provider as a registration fee from the template creator. As the data gradually increases in this way, the template becomes valuable, and the template creator sells the template including the data to a third party (such as a company) at a price. In other words, it is possible to sell the money flow generated from one template to a third party, which is different from the conventional system that charges for each download.

  Furthermore, as a third feature point, when a template charges for each download, a user who has created a general database structure and API with only field information without data can be used for other purposes. There is a point that can be sold to users who want to use it. Since the data registered for each user who uses it is different, it is possible to construct a database with completely different contents even with the same template.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, since it is possible to buy and sell data aggregates using a template as a unit, various profitability can be set at various stages of delivering each data aggregate. Become.

  Although the embodiments of the invention made by the present inventor have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Nor.

  As described above, the information utilization system (APIC system) according to the present invention can be widely used for various systems.

1 API creation server 2 General users (general users)
3 Other user servers 4 Data usage sites (users)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Data group 12 Automatic API production | generation tool 13 Advertisement delivery means 14 User return means 31 Data group 32 Automatic API production | generation tool MU Master user (data provider)
DU Development User SA Site Operator MSW Mashup Software MAPI Mashup API

Claims (6)

An automatic API generation means for designing and publishing an API that allows a user to access or use the master data input into the server by a third party;
The automatic API generation means includes an API specification determination function for determining an API specification by presenting processing contents between input and output to the user, and a database for automatically creating a database based on the determined API specification. An information use system comprising: a creation function; and an API transmission function for publishing all or part of data on a network.   2. The information utilization system according to claim 1, wherein the automatic API generation unit is configured to automatically create a database based on the API specification.   An advertisement distribution unit that distributes an advertisement corresponding to the contents of the database viewed or used by the user to the user who browsed or used the database created by converting the API into the automatic API generation unit; The information utilization system according to claim 1.   In accordance with the frequency of browsing or using the database created by converting the API by the automatic API generation means, a user return means is provided for determining a price to the data provider of the database or the designer of the database. The information utilization system according to claim 1.   5. The user return means according to claim 4, wherein individual master data possessed by each user is appropriately aggregated to be converted into an API, and each API-converted data aggregate is disclosed on a network. The information utilization system is characterized in that it is configured to determine the consideration for each of these data aggregates using the user return means.   6. The information utilization system according to claim 5, wherein the data aggregate is metadata, a template, or mashup software.

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