JP4243039B2 - Image file processing apparatus, image file processing program, and medium storing the program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to providing information via a network such as the Internet. The present invention also relates to controlling the operation of a program using an image file. In addition, the present invention relates to easily investigating a user access status or the like using identification information or the like added to image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
WWW (World Wide Web) services provided by many HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) servers connected to the Internet operate HTTP browsing software such as a Web browser executed on a user terminal connected to the Internet. Can be used more easily.
[0003]
The operation of the Web browser has been facilitated by the introduction of GUI (Graphical User Interface). In addition, the number of HTTP servers connected to the Internet is increasing rapidly. As a result, the user can easily obtain a large amount of information, and the WWW service has rapidly spread.
[0004]
A so-called button that uses an arbitrary image file and associates a predetermined operation, link, or the like with an image corresponding to the image file is known for improving the operation by the GUI. As an example of such a button, a so-called banner advertisement is known in which an image indicating a predetermined product, information, or the like is associated with an address such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a providing device that provides the predetermined advertisement. ing.
[0005]
This banner advertisement is realized by a button defined as a link to a predetermined URL in an HTML (hypertext description language) file and an image file referred to as an image corresponding to this button.
[0006]
The user can easily refer to link destination information by operating a Web browser and pointing (so-called clicking) a button defined as a banner advertisement.
[0007]
In recent years, commercial transactions using the WWW service have been carried out, and since it is possible to easily investigate user access status, etc., compared to ordinary commercial transactions, it has also been used for marketing activities. ing.
[0008]
The following methods are known as methods for conducting such investigations.
(1) Unique identification information for each user of HTTP browsing software such as a so-called Web browser, for example, Cookie is stored on the user terminal, and when the user accesses the HTTP server, this identification information is stored in the HTTP server. Is recorded, and the user's access to the information provided by the HTTP server is recorded and analyzed.
(2) Analyzing a transmission packet from a user terminal connected to an Internet service provider (hereinafter simply referred to as ISP (Internet Service Provider)), and recording and analyzing a user's access to information provided by an HTTP server. .
(3) The access from the user is recorded and analyzed by an application independent of the HTTP server, such as access analysis software, separately from the information provided by the HTTP server, the access record (log) of the HTTP server, and the like.
[0009]
As a specific example, a Java (R) applet employed in, for example, http://www.snippet.com/home.htm is used, and information corresponding to access from the user is recorded in a file. A method is mentioned.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the banner advertisement described above, the image file and the HTML file including information indicating the actual link destination are stored as separate files. Therefore, by appropriately setting the description of the HTML file that refers to the image file, It is also relatively easy to associate a link destination other than the link destination originally associated with the image file with the image file. For this reason, the image file may be stolen.
[0011]
In the above access survey, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of certainty that the method (1) cannot use Cookie depending on the setting of the HTTP browsing software executed on the user terminal. It was.
[0012]
In addition, since Cookie is issued and managed for each HTTP server, it is not possible to investigate the access status in cooperation with other HTTP servers, and the user access status to a plurality of HTTP servers cannot be checked. In order to investigate, it is necessary to integrate the access status with respect to each HTTP server, and as the number of servers increases, the investigation becomes difficult.
[0013]
In the method (2), when an attempt is made to investigate the access status to an external HTTP server operated outside the ISP used by the user to connect to the Internet, the HTTP server connected to the Internet. Since the number of surveys is extremely large, the number of survey subjects increases and the survey becomes very difficult.
[0014]
Further, in the method (3) above, the operation of the application for performing the above investigation and the analysis of the log are necessary independently of the information provided by the HTTP server, log management, etc. Since complicated operations such as specifying an HTTP server are required, the investigation cannot be easily performed.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to reliably provide information desired by an image file provider to a user of the image file. It is another object of the present invention to provide a user with a plurality of pieces of information desired to be provided to a user based on one image file.
[0016]
It is another object of the present invention to make it relatively easy to investigate user access status and the like.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1For information image files that include thumbnail images and file pointers as image-related information,Information image fileImage data processingDetecting the operation to supply toConcernedInformation image fileImage data processingSupplied toWhen it detectsIncluded in the information image fileAboveBased on image related informationImage data processing windowDisplaying the thumbnail image on the screen, andImage data processing windowDisplayed inThe thumbnailMonitoring the access of the image; andImage data processing windowDisplayed inThe thumbnailWhen an image is accessed,thumbnailimageincludingBased on the image related information,The fileExists in the pointer ofTo fileAccessExecuteAnd an information processing means for executing the steps.
[0018]
Here, identification information and pointer information added to image data are referred to as “image related information”. An image file in which image-related information is added to image data is referred to as an “information image file”.
[0019]
  In invention of Claim 2,The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of dragging and dropping an image displayed on the browser window based on the information image file to the image data processing window..
[0020]
  In invention of Claim 3,The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of selecting a context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file or a window of the image data processing with the context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file Drag and drop to.
[0021]
  In invention of Claim 4,The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of copying the information image file and pasting it in the image data processing window..
[0023]
  Claim5The invention described isFor information image files that include thumbnail images and file pointers as image-related information,Information image fileImage data processingDetecting the operation to supply toConcernedInformation image fileImage data processingSupplied toWhen it detectsIncluded in the information image fileAboveBased on image related informationImage data processing windowDisplaying the thumbnail image on the screen, andImage data processing windowDisplayed inThe thumbnailMonitoring the access of the image; andImage data processing windowDisplayed inThe thumbnailWhen an image is accessed,thumbnailimageincludingBased on the image related information,The fileExists in the pointer ofTo fileAccessExecuteAnd an image file processing program for causing a computer to execute the stepsIs.
[0024]
  Claim6In the described invention,The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of dragging and dropping an image displayed on the browser window based on the information image file to the image data processing window..
[0025]
  Claim7In the described invention,The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of selecting a context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file or a window of the image data processing with the context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file Drag and drop to.
[0026]
  Claim8In the described invention,The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of copying the information image file and pasting it in the image data processing window..
[0028]
  Claim9The invention described isIt is a medium that records the above program.
[0033]
As a result, the above-described purpose is achieved.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied.
[0035]
This information providing system includes a server device 20 and a terminal device 30 connected via a network 10 such as the Internet. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the server device 20 and the terminal device 30 connected to the network 10 are each shown as one, but the numbers of the server device 20 and the terminal device 30 are not particularly limited.
[0036]
The server device 20 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 21, a memory 22, an operating system (OS), a hard disk drive device (HDD) 23 in which software such as an HTTP server, text data, image data, and the like are stored, a network An interface (NIC) 24 is provided.
[0037]
The terminal device 30 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 31, a memory 32, an operating system (OS), an HDD 33 storing HTTP browsing software (Web browser), a display interface 34, an input interface 35, and the like. Network interface (NIC) 36 and the like.
[0038]
A display device 37 is connected to the display interface 34, and an OS operation screen, a Web browser display screen, and the like are displayed. A keyboard 38 and a pointing device 39 such as a mouse are connected to the input interface 35, and an instruction from the user is input through these peripheral devices.
[0039]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of functional blocks of the server device 20 and the terminal device 30.
[0040]
In the server device 20, under the control of the OS 201, the communication control processing 202 that distributes the communication processing to a predetermined service such as Telnet, FTP, HTTP, etc. based on the control of the entire device, port information, etc. It is running.
[0041]
Similarly, in the terminal device 30, under the management of the OS 301, overall device control, communication control processing 302, user input control, Web browser 303, and the like are executed in parallel.
[0042]
Hereinafter, an outline of general operations of the Web browser 303 and the HTTP server 203 will be described.
[0043]
The user operates the terminal device 30 via the input interface 35, and specifies a target address (URL: Uniform Resource Locator, a host name of the server device on which the HTTP server is executed, and a file name. The Web browser 303 transmits a connection request including a file name to the server device 20 corresponding to the host name. This connection request is supplied to the target server device 20 via the communication control process 302 and the network 10, and is supplied to the HTTP server 203 via the communication control process 202.
[0044]
When the connection request is supplied, the HTTP server 203 reads data corresponding to the file name in the connection request from the HDD 23 and transmits the data to the terminal device 30.
[0045]
The URL first designated by the user may indicate only the host name or only the host name and a specific directory. In such a case, the URL is first in the root directory of the host or the indicated directory. A standard name file (index.html) is read and transmitted to the terminal device 30.
[0046]
A file with such a standard name or a file instructed by the user describes character display, image display, links to other files, etc. according to HTML (Hypertext Description Language).
[0047]
A file from the HTTP server 203 is supplied to the Web browser 303 via the network 10 and the communication control processing 302 of the terminal device 30. The Web browser 303 generates display image data according to the description of this file and supplies it to the OS 301. The OS 301 displays the display image data from the Web browser 303 as an image in a window assigned to the Web browser, and displays it on the display screen of the display device 37 via the display interface 34.
[0048]
Here, for example, in the file supplied from the HTTP server 203, when the image display is instructed together with the file name of the image data, the Web browser 303 sends the image data corresponding to the file name to the HTTP server 203. Request transmission.
[0049]
When receiving such a transmission request, the HTTP server 203 reads the image data of the requested file name from the HDD 23 and transmits it to the Web browser 303.
[0050]
When this image data is received, the Web browser 303 converts this image data into image data at a predetermined position in the display image data described above and supplies it to the OS 301.
[0051]
As a result, an image based on the received image data is displayed at a predetermined position in the window of the Web browser 303.
[0052]
The above is a description of general operations of the Web browser and the HTTP server. Hereinafter, characteristic operations of the information providing system of the present embodiment will be described.
[0053]
[Addition of identification information]
[0054]
In the server device 20, as shown in FIG. 2 described above, when the HTTP server 203 transmits specific image data, identification information addition processing 205 for adding unique identification information corresponding to the access from the user to the image data. Then, processing such as the database 206 for recording individual identification information and the like is executed.
[0055]
This identification information addition processing 205 is implemented as an extension program (so-called plug-in) of the HTTP server 203, for example. When the file sending process 204 in the HTTP server 203 attempts to read a specific image data file from the HDD 23 and send it, the identification information adding process 205 is specific to the image data according to the access from the user. Add identification information.
[0056]
The identification information added to the image data need only be unique information for each access. For example, the identification information is generated based on information such as the IP address of the terminal device 30 operated by the user and the access date and time for the server. be able to. Alternatively, the identification information added to the image data using the unique identification information given to each user or each terminal device 30 for the image data processing 304 that handles the image data to which the identification information is added as will be described later. May be generated.
[0057]
Conversely, the access date itself may be used as the identification information. Usually, since two or more accesses to one server device 20 are not processed at the same time, information specifying individual accesses can be obtained only by the access date and time. Therefore, individual image data can be identified even when the access date and time is added to the image data as identification information.
[0058]
In addition, as an HTTP server function, a function of recording an access log from a user is implemented. In this access log, the IP address of the terminal device 30 of the user who uses the HTTP server, the access date and time, and the like are recorded. Can be kept. Therefore, when the access date / time is used as identification information, the IP address corresponding to the access date / time added to the image data can be obtained by referring to the access log. Therefore, it is possible to easily specify the IP address of the user who has accessed the image data.
[0059]
[Additional structure of identification information]
[0060]
Further, since it is sufficient to add the identification information so that it can be recognized as image data (image file), for example, it may be added to an empty area defined in the image file format, or may be diffused in the image data. The image data may be embedded in the image data using a so-called electronic watermark technique, or may be added in front of or behind the image data body on the image format. Further, the identification information may be added as it is in order to reduce the processing load, or may be added after appropriately performing processing such as encoding and encryption in order to improve security.
[0061]
The image data to which the identification information is added in this way is handled in the same manner as normal image data on the file transmission process 204 and the communication control process 202, and is transmitted to the web browser 303 of the terminal device 30.
[0062]
[Managing image data access logs]
[0063]
Further, the database 206 acquires information indicating the user's access status via the OS 201, the HTTP server 203, and the like, and indicates the correspondence between the identification information added by the identification information adding process 205 and the information indicating the user's access status. A table (generation log) is created and recorded in the HDD 23. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, this generated log is added with the IP address of the access source, the host name of the server device 20 on which the HTTP server 203 is operating, the access date and time, the file name of the image data, and the identification information adding process 205 Identification information (ID) and the like.
[0064]
Thereby, by referring to the generation log (or an update log described later), it is possible to obtain identification information added to the image data and information indicating the access status of the user such as the access source IP address and the access date / time. Accordingly, it is possible to relatively easily investigate the user access status and the like.
[0065]
[Addition of pointer information in server device and access to pointer information in terminal device]
[0066]
By the way, the identification information addition processing 205 can add information such as URL in addition to the identification information to the image data.
[0067]
When a URL is added to the image data, the URL is extracted on the terminal device 30 side, and if this URL is supplied to the Web browser 303 to indicate access, a predetermined URL is accessed by referring only to the image data. Will be able to.
[0068]
Conventionally, there is a so-called banner advertisement that realizes such a function by an HTTP server. In this banner advertisement, a button for linking to a predetermined URL is defined according to the HTML language, and an image of this button is predetermined. It is necessary to specify the file name of the image data.
[0069]
In this case, since the file defining the URL and the image data file are separate, it is easy for a third party to refer only to the image data file as the button image of the link different from the original URL. End up. That is, the image data is likely to be stolen for purposes not intended by the creator of the image data.
[0070]
On the other hand, by adding unique identification information according to the user's access status to the image data as in this information providing system, even if the image data is stolen, refer to the generation log described above. The acquisition route of image data can be specified relatively easily. For this reason, it is effective in deterring theft of image data.
[0071]
In addition, since identification information is added to the image data, the identification information can be reliably held and the reliability of the survey results can be improved as compared with the conventional survey using Cookie or the like. .
[0072]
For example, by adding the above identification information to advertisement image data such as a banner advertisement, the advertiser can obtain a survey result with higher reliability than the conventional one about the user's preference. By using this survey result, Therefore, it is possible to provide a one-to-one service that accurately corresponds to the individual needs of each user.
[0073]
FIG. 2 shows an example in which the identification information addition processing 205 is implemented as an extension program of the HTTP server 203, but a function of adding specific identification information according to user access to specific image data. For example, an image file is placed on a file server independent of the HTTP server, access to this file server is monitored, and when there is an access request for a specific image file, the user requests It can also be implemented as a process for sending image data to which identification information corresponding to the access is added.
[0074]
In this case, the HTTP server and the file server do not necessarily have to be implemented as separate devices, and may be executed as a plurality of server programs, identification information addition processing, and the like on a single OS. Alternatively, by using a so-called emulator, a plurality of OSs can be executed on a single device, processing as an HTTP server can be executed on one OS, and processing as a file server or the like can be executed on another OS. Can do. Thereby, although it is physically one device, it is possible to execute processing equivalent to a plurality of devices.
[0075]
By separating the HTTP server from the file server and the like in this way, access right settings and the like can be set separately for the HTTP server and the file server, and the flexibility of security settings and the like is improved. Therefore, it can contribute to the improvement of security.
[0076]
[Operation of image data in terminal device]
[0077]
On the other hand, in the terminal device 30, as shown in FIG. 2 described above, for example, processing (image image) for handling image data to which unique identification information is added by executing an application program that operates in cooperation with the Web browser 303. Data processing) 304 is executed.
[0078]
When image data with identification information added thereto is supplied from the Web browser 303, the image data processing 304 performs processing according to the identification information.
[0079]
This processing includes, for example, management for storing, deleting, updating, and the like of image data based on identification information. Further, when information such as a URL is added to the image data as described above, Processing to be executed according to this information is included.
[0080]
Details of each process will be described below.
[0081]
As shown in the display screen example of the display device 37 in FIG. 4, a window 402 is assigned to the image data processing 304 by the OS 301 as in the case of the window 401 of the Web browser 303.
[0082]
Image data can be supplied from the Web browser 303 to the image data processing 304 by a so-called drag-and-drop operation under the management of the OS 301.
[0083]
That is, when the user operates the pointing device 39 to make the pointer 403 coincide with the display position of the image 404 displayed in the window 401 of the Web browser 303, and further operates the pointing device 39 while operating the button or the like. When the device 39 is operated, the pointer 403 is moved onto the window 402 of the image data processing 304, and the operation of the button of the pointing device 39 is released, the image data is supplied from the web browser 303 to the image data processing 304 via the OS 301. Is done.
[0084]
When the image data is supplied, the image data processing 304 displays an image 405 corresponding to the supplied image data at the position of the pointer 403.
[0085]
The image data is saved by saving the image data processing 304 in a predetermined area of the HDD 33 via the OS 301 when the image data is supplied by the drag and drop operation described above. The image data is deleted by deleting the image data selected by an instruction from the user from the predetermined area of the HDD 33 described above.
[0086]
[Update processing of image data with added information]
[0087]
The image data is updated in order to update the stored image data to the latest one at that time. This update process may be executed, for example, in accordance with an instruction from the user, or may be executed based on information such as a creation date recorded in the image data file. Further, it may be automatically executed at predetermined intervals.
[0088]
When the update process is started, the image data process 304 first extracts the identification information added to the image data to be updated to the HTTP server 203 and the database 206, and transmits the identification information, the file name, etc. Request update of image data.
[0089]
Such an update request is supplied to the HTTP server 203 and the database 206 as a packet of a predetermined port via the communication control process 302, the network 10, and the communication control process 202.
[0090]
At the time of update, the image data processing 304 may transmit the entire image data, and the HTTP server 203 or the database 206 may extract identification information from the obtained image data.
[0091]
The image data processing 304 is given unique identification information (client ID) for each user or each terminal device 30. This client ID is supplied to the HTTP server 203 and the database 206 as a packet of a predetermined port via the communication control process 302, the network 10, and the communication control process 202 when, for example, image data is updated.
[0092]
The file transmission process 204 of the HTTP server 203 instructs the HDD 23 to read out the image data corresponding to the file name being requested for update.
[0093]
At this time, the identification information addition process 205 generates new identification information according to the access status from the user and adds it to the image data.
[0094]
Thereby, the image data to which the new identification information is added is supplied to the image data processing 304 of the terminal device 30 via a predetermined port, and the image data is updated.
[0095]
On the other hand, the database 206 acquires information indicating the access status of the user via the OS 201, the HTTP server 203, and the like, and the correspondence relationship between the identification information newly added by the identification information adding process 205 and the information indicating the access status of the user Is created and recorded in the HDD 23 separately from the above-mentioned generation log.
[0096]
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, this update log includes an access source IP address, a host name of the server device 20 to which identification information is newly added, an access date (update date), and an image data file. In addition to the name, the identification information added by the identification information adding process 205, etc., information (generation server ID) for specifying the server device 20 that generated the original identification information, the user or the terminal device used by the user The client ID for specifying 30 is also included.
[0097]
Thereby, by referring to this update log, in addition to the user access status obtained from the above-described generation log, information for updating the image data and specifying the user or the terminal device 30 can be obtained. That is, it is possible to relatively easily investigate the user's preferences through the update status of the image data.
[0098]
In addition, by referring to the update log, information for specifying the user or the terminal device 30 corresponding to the identification information added to the image data can be obtained, so that the acquisition route of the image data can be specified more accurately. Can do.
[0099]
[Access to pointer]
[0100]
As described above, when information such as a URL is added to the image data, the image data processing 304 extracts the added information and executes processing according to the extracted information.
[0101]
Specifically, if the added information is a URL, the image data processing 304 records the URL, and when the user gives an instruction to access the URL, the Web browser 303 accesses the URL. Instruct.
[0102]
Therefore, the user can easily access the URL by supplying the image data to which the desired URL is added from the Web browser 303 to the image data processing 304. That is, the image data functions as a link to a specific URL.
[0103]
A so-called bookmark is known as having such a function. However, since a bookmark is usually stored as character information, it may be difficult to recognize an actual link destination. On the other hand, the link by image data can recognize the link destination at a glance by the image, and is easier to understand than the link by characters.
[0104]
In addition, the above-mentioned banner advertisement is known as an image indicating a link to a predetermined URL. In this case, since the image data and the URL of the link destination are independent, the image data is simply saved. Only the URL of the link destination is not saved.
[0105]
In addition, the banner advertisement may be updated in a short time, and the same image data, that is, the URL of the same link destination may not be obtained when accessed next time. The URL of the link destination must be saved by creating a bookmark or the like.
[0106]
On the other hand, if it is image data to which information such as a URL is added, the URL can be extracted by the image data processing 304 and accessed by simply saving the image data. Can be easily.
[0107]
2 shows an example in which the image data processing 304 is implemented as processing separate from the Web browser 303, but it is sufficient if it has a function for handling information added to the image data. It can also be implemented as an extension program (so-called plug-in) of the Web browser 303.
[0108]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration and mounting method can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
[0109]
For example, in FIG. 1 described above, each of the server device 20 and the terminal device 30 is shown as a single device. However, the server device and the terminal device can be combined by executing a program that executes both processes.
[0110]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be further described in detail.
[0111]
[Image file structure]
[0112]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the image file handled in the above embodiment. The image file shown in FIG. 6 includes a start unit 51 that indicates the start of a data stream, an image data unit 52 that describes image display data, an annotation unit 53 that describes information that does not affect image display, and data And an end unit 54 indicating the end of the stream. For example, JPEG files and GIF files employ such a data structure. The identification information added to the image data and the pointer information such as the URL can be described in the annotation unit 53 as information that does not affect the display of the image. In addition, even in other image formats, any format having an information area that does not affect image display can be described in the area. Further, as described above, it can be added to the image data by the digital watermark (watermark) technique.
[0113]
In the following description, identification information, pointer information, and the like added to image data are referred to as “image related information”. An image file in which image-related information is added to image data is referred to as an “information image file”.
[0114]
[Configuration of image-related information]
[0115]
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of image-related information. The image related information shown in FIG. 7A includes information on an image name, a password, an expiration date, a thumbnail image, a category, and a keyword.
[0116]
“Image name” is the name of an image displayed as a thumbnail in the window 402 of the image data processing 304. The “password” is a password that the user is requested to input when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 304. Only a user who knows the password can register the information image file in the image data processing 304. The “expiration date” is the expiration date of the information image file supplied to the image data processing 304, and the information image file is deleted from the recording area of the HDD 33 after the expiration date. The “thumbnail image” is displayed as a thumbnail in the window of the image data processing 304 by replacing the image displayed on the browser when the information image file displayed on the browser is supplied to the window of the image data processing 304. This is image file data. “Category” is data specifying a folder in which the information image file is to be stored when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 304. If the designated folder does not exist, the image data processing 304 creates a new folder with the designated name. The “keyword” is a word that serves as a search key when the image data processing 304 searches for an already-supplied information image file.
[0117]
Further, the image related information shown in FIG. 7B is configured by associating a command name, an action table, an assignment of a mouse (pointing device) operation, and a platform as a set for each pointer information.
[0118]
“Pointer information” specifies the location of a file on the local computer or network. For example, a file name, a path name indicating the location of the resource on the local computer, a UNC (Universal Naming Convention) indicating the location of the resource in the network environment, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the location of the resource on the Internet or an intranet ) Or Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) constitute pointer information. The “command name” is a display name used when displaying the contents of the pointer on the menu. For example, “Access homepage”. Here, the “menu” is a menu that is displayed on the display means 37 and can be selected when the right button of the mouse 39 is clicked, for example. The “action table” specifies the operation of the image data processing 304. The content of the operation to be specified is whether the file indicated by the pointer information added to the information image file when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 304 is stored in the HDD (storage means) 33 of the terminal device 30. And whether or not to automatically execute the file, and an execution method of the file (telop display, video playback, audio playback, etc.), and the like. “Assignment of mouse operation” sets a mouse operation for accessing pointer information. Types of setting are double click, Shift + double click, Ctrl + double click, Alt + double click, and the like. “Platform” specifies an environment (platform, OS) that matches the file indicated by the pointer information. For example, when the OS 301 is Windows (trademark), the image data processing 304 selects a pointer of information corresponding to Windows and displays it on the menu.
[0119]
[Access to pointer information]
[0120]
A method for accessing the pointer recorded in the information image file in the terminal device 30 will be described.
[0121]
(1) Method by menu selection
[0122]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method for accessing a pointer by menu selection. The user operates the mouse 39 (pointing device) to superimpose the pointer 403 on the image 405 supplied to the image data processing window 402. Next, the user clicks the right button of the mouse 39. When the MPU 31 (information processing means) detects this click, it reads out the image related information (FIG. 7B) included in the information image file corresponding to the image 405 from the recording means 33, and generates menu display data. That is, “command name” is extracted as a menu item, and the menu 55 is displayed on the display means 37. Next, the user operates the mouse 39 to move the pointer 403 and superimposes it on the menu item to be selected. Then, the left button of the mouse 39 is clicked to select and determine one menu item. When detecting this click, the MPU 31 refers to the image-related information (FIG. 7B) and inputs pointer information corresponding to the selected command name to the browser 303 to access the pointer. When receiving the file returned from the server according to the access destination, the MPU 31 executes the received file according to the action table corresponding to the command name selected this time. For example, playback of video by a real player (trademark) is executed.
[0123]
Here, the menu item displayed when the image displayed in the image data processing window 402 is clicked is determined by the content of the image-related information embedded in the information image file. The information image file including the image related information is transmitted from the server device 20. In other words, the menu item displayed by clicking the mouse is determined by the information downloaded from the server device 20.
[0124]
(2) Method by mouse operation
[0125]
When the button operation of the mouse 39 and the key operation of the keyboard 38 are performed while the image data processing window 402 is selected, a predetermined information pointer can be accessed in response to this operation. When the operation of the mouse 39 or the operation of the keyboard 38 is performed, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information and refers to “assignment of mouse operations” (FIG. 7B) to determine whether the corresponding operation is defined. . When the corresponding operation is defined, pointer information corresponding to the operation is read, and the pointer is input to the browser 303 to access the pointer. When receiving the file returned from the server according to the access destination, the MPU 31 executes the received file according to the action table corresponding to the command name selected this time. Here, the same mouse operation may be assigned to a plurality of actions.
[0126]
[Specific example of access to information pointer]
[0127]
Next, a specific example of an operation when an information pointer is accessed will be described. Here, an example of “telop display” shown in the action table of FIG. 7B will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the telop display operation. When “Telop display” is defined in the action table, the pointer that stores the text file of the telop is specified in the corresponding pointer information, and when the information image file is downloaded, the text file is downloaded to the local disk. Designate saving at the same time, and designate the action (control code) of the telop display. For the assignment of the mouse operation, for example, a single click of the left button is designated (the above designation is usually performed by the information image provider on the server side).
[0128]
When the information image file having the image related information is supplied from the browser 303 to the image data processing 304 in the terminal device 30, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information and starts accessing the pointer designated as “save”. Then, the text file of the telop is downloaded from the server corresponding to the pointer and stored in the local HDD 33.
[0129]
Thereafter, when the user operates the mouse 39 and clicks and selects an image displayed in the image data processing window 402, the MPU 31 refers to the image related information corresponding to the selected image and is defined in the action table. When it is confirmed that the control code is “telop display”, a slender window for displaying telop is displayed in the area of the image data processing window (or outside the area) as shown in FIG. The telop text read from the HDD 33 is scroll-displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, when a plurality of images 405 and 405 are supplied, different telops can be displayed depending on the image selected by the mouse 39.
[0130]
[Supply of information image file to image data processing]
[0131]
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the supply of the information image file to the image data processing can be performed by a drag-and-drop operation from the browser window 401 to the image data processing window 402. Here, another supply method will be described.
[0132]
(1) Drag and drop from the menu
[0133]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of dragging and dropping from the menu. As described above, the menu 55 is displayed by clicking the right button of the mouse 39, and the menu item for adding the information image is selected from the mouse 39. In the menu for information image addition, for example, the control code of the action table is set to a control code dedicated to image addition, as defined in the bottom line of FIG. 7B. When the user operates the mouse 39 and drags and drops a menu item for adding an information image into the image data processing window 402, the MPU 31 detects this operation and displays image-related information (FIG. 7B). refer. Then, the control code of the action table corresponding to the operated menu item is checked, and if it is confirmed that “image is added”, access to the corresponding pointer is started. When a new information image file is downloaded from a predetermined server for this access, the MPU 31 downloads the newly downloaded information image file in the same manner as the process of supplying the information image file from the browser 303 to the image data processing 304. The image data processing 304 is supplied.
[0134]
According to this, there is a merit that it is not necessary to start up a browser to supply a new information image file.
[0135]
Of course, the user may download the new information image file and supply it to the image data processing 304 by simply clicking the menu item for adding the information image with the mouse 39. Also, a new information image file may be stored inside another already supplied information image file. In this case, when the menu item for adding an information image is dragged and dropped, the MPU 31 does not access the server on the network but refers to the image related information of the current information image file. Then, another information image file registered in advance is read out and supplied to the image data processing 304.
[0136]
In this case, there is an effect that it is not necessary to connect to a server on the network in order to supply a new information image file.
[0137]
(2) Drag and drop from email software
[0138]
The information image file may be supplied to the image data processing 304 by dragging and dropping the information image file attached to the mail software to the image data processing window 402.
[0139]
In this case, the information image file can be circulated on the electronic mail and used by the recipient, so that it is possible to effectively spread the information.
[0140]
(3) Drag and drop from any folder
[0141]
An information image file once copied to a predetermined folder from a browser or mail software may be supplied by dragging and dropping from the folder to the image data processing window 402. The MPU 31 detects a drag-and-drop operation from an arbitrary folder to the image data processing window 402, and sends an information image file to the image data processing 304 as in the case of the drag-and-drop processing from the browser described above. Supply.
[0142]
(4) Supply methods other than drag and drop
[0143]
The supply of the information image file to the image data processing 304 can be realized by replacing the above drag-and-drop operation with another operation. For example, the MPU 31 may detect that an information image file managed outside the image data processing 304 has been clicked, and supply the information image file to the image data processing 304. Also, when an information image file managed outside the image data processing 304 is copied to the clipboard and then pasted from the clipboard to the image data processing window 402, the MPU 31 detects this operation, and the information The image file may be supplied to image data processing.
[0144]
(5) Supply from recording media such as CDROM
[0145]
The information image file may be supplied from a computer-readable recording medium such as a CDROM. In this case, the information image file displayed in the CDROM folder may be supplied to the image data processing 304 by the above-described drag and drop operation, click operation, copy and paste operation, or the like. The installer may be automatically started when the CDROM is started up, and the installer may supply the image data processing 304 with the information image file recorded on the CDROM or the like. When the installer supplies an information image file, the installer examines the information image file that has already been supplied to the image data processing 304, selects only the unsupplied information image file, and supplies it to the image data processing 304. You may make it do.
[0146]
According to this, the information image file can be distributed as a magazine appendix, and can be distributed and used by an unspecified number of users.
[0147]
[Encryption of image-related information]
[0148]
Next, an encryption process of image related information added to image data will be described.
[0149]
[Encryption processing in server device]
[0150]
The identification information adding process 205 of the server device 20 has a function of encrypting and adding image-related information added to image data. The encryption algorithm is updated after a predetermined period. By encrypting the image related information, it is possible to prevent a third party from using the image file by adding, deleting or modifying the image related information illegally.
[0151]
[Decoding process in terminal device]
[0152]
In the terminal device 30, when referring to the image related information added to the image data, the MPU 31 decodes the image related information. The decryption algorithm is stored in advance in the HDD 33 corresponding to the encryption algorithm in the server device 20. However, since the encryption algorithm of the server device 20 is updated after a certain period, when the encryption algorithm of the server device 20 is updated, the decryption algorithm of the terminal device 30 is also changed to the updated encryption algorithm. Need to be updated to fit.
[0153]
[Decryption algorithm update]
[0154]
The server device 20 manages the version of the decryption algorithm stored in the terminal device 30 in a database for each ID (IP address, etc.) of the terminal device. When the encryption algorithm of the image related information is updated in the server device 20, the IDs of all the terminal devices are flagged, and the terminal devices that subsequently accessed the server device 20 correspond to the IDs of the terminal devices. If the flag is set, a decryption algorithm corresponding to the new encryption algorithm is transmitted and updated. And the flag corresponding to ID of the terminal device which completed the update is cancelled | released. The decryption algorithm is stored in the HDD 23 of the server device.
[0155]
The image data processing 304 has a function of attempting to decode the image related information included in the information image file when the information image file is supplied and checking whether the data structure of the decoded image related information is normal. Yes. If the data structure after decryption is not normal, the supply of the information image file is prohibited. As a result, it is possible to prevent supply of an illegally modified information image file. The determination of an illegal information image file may be performed based on identification information added to image data.
[0156]
[Billing process]
[0157]
Next, a charging method when an information image file is supplied from the browser to the image data processing 304 will be described. Billing is performed when an information image file is supplied from the browser to the image data processing 304 by the image data processing 304 accessing the server device 20 and requesting billing processing.
[0158]
The access log (generation log) described in the embodiment of the invention is generated on the condition that the information image file is supplied from the browser to the image data processing 304 in the terminal device 30. That is, when the information image file is supplied to the image data processing 304, the MPU 31 extracts the identification information embedded in the information image file from the supplied information image file, and the identification information and the file name of the information image file Is transmitted to the server device 20. The server device 20 associates the received identification information and image file name, the IP address and host name of the terminal that has accessed, and the access date and time, and generates the above-described generation log (FIG. 3). For this reason, the fact that the information image file is supplied to the image data processing in the terminal device 30 is recorded in the access log of the server device 20.
[0159]
[Billing process (1)]
[0160]
The first charging method charges only the first supply for supply of the same information image file by the same terminal (or image data processing 304 having the same user or the same ID), and for the second and subsequent supply. This is a method that does not charge. When the information image file is supplied to the image data process 304, the MPU 31 of the terminal device transmits the unique identification information given to the information image file and the file name of the information image file to the server device 20, and A billing request is made to the server device 30. The MPU 21 of the server apparatus that has received the billing request compares the IP address and host name of the terminal that has accessed this time, and the received identification information and image file name with the generated log, and the same information image in the same terminal in the past. It is determined whether the file has been supplied to the image data processing 304. As a result, if the same image file is supplied, no charge is made for the current supply. On the other hand, when the same information image file is not supplied to the image data processing 304 in the same terminal, it is charged as a new supply.
[0161]
[Billing process (2)]
[0162]
The second billing method is a method in which, in the first billing method, even if the same information image file is supplied from the same terminal, if a different date is supplied, a new charge is made. The information image file can be used in such a way that a free content service can be received only within the expiration date. In such a case, if the same information image file can be repeatedly supplied without charge in the same terminal, the expiration date of the free content service becomes meaningless. Therefore, even if the same information image file is supplied from the same terminal, charging is performed for different dates.
[0163]
When the information image file is supplied to the image data process 304, the MPU 31 of the terminal device transmits the unique identification information given to the information image file and the file name of the information image file to the server device 20, and A billing request is made to the server device 30. The MPU 21 of the server apparatus that received the billing request compares the IP address and host name of the terminal that has accessed this time, and the received identification information and image file name with the generated log, and whether the same data is registered on the same day. to decide. As a result, if it is registered on the same day, no charge is made. On the other hand, if the same data is not registered on the same day, the current information image file is charged.
[0164]
[Billing method (3)]
[0165]
In the first and second billing methods, the same user may be determined instead of the same terminal. In this case, a user authentication organization (function) is provided inside or outside of the server device 20, and when access to the server device 20 is requested from the terminal device 30, the user authentication organization asks the user to authenticate and the user authentication is correct If so, access to the server device 30 is permitted. According to this, since the user can be specified, it can be determined whether or not the same information image file has been supplied to the image data processing 304 in the past for each user.
[0166]
Here, the form of embedding image-related information in the information image file (icon) is packaged in the icon format as described above, or packaged using a Java (R) applet or ActiveX (trademark) control. Can be implemented. Both the Java (R) applet and ActiveX control are program units that can be executed by browser software such as Netscape (trademark) and Internet Explorer (trademark). The execution code is described in Java (R) intermediate code in Java (R) applet and native code of CPU in ActiveX control, so that the browser can start execution. Both the Java (R) applet and the ActiveX control can display the graphic display on the display surface of the browser. When using these Java (R) applets, ActiveX controls, etc., an applet that only displays an image is prepared instead of an icon in which related information is embedded. Further, when the icon is displayed on the browser using the (IMG) tag, the applet may be executed using the (EMBED) or (APPLET) tag. In addition, it is only necessary to embed related information in the form of a program.
[0167]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, various terminal devices can be controlled using an image file by embedding an information pointer in a thumbtack file and controlling the operation according to a program corresponding to the pointer in the image file. . Thereby, various controls of the terminal device can be defined on the provider side of the image file.
[0168]
If the image of the image file is an image indicating the operation of a program or the like, the contents of the operation can be easily understood by referring to the image.
[0169]
In addition, since the information image file and the image-related information are inseparable, it can be expected to prevent the image file from being stolen for an unintended use, and even if the image file is distributed as in the past, the information file is distributed. A high return effect (access) to the information of the image provider can be expected.
[0170]
Also, in the present invention, unique identification information corresponding to access from a terminal is generated, and the generated identification information is added to predetermined image data provided by the information providing server device, whereby the identification information and the identification information are If the correspondence relationship with the added image data is recorded, by referring to this correspondence relationship, information related to user access corresponding to the identification information added to the image data, for example, the terminal used by the user The address, access time, etc. can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily investigate the access status from the terminal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of operations of a server device and a terminal device constituting the information providing system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a table (generation log) recorded by the database of the server device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a display device of the terminal device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table (update log) recorded by the database of the server device.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an information image file showing a storage structure of image related information.
FIG. 7 is an example of image-related information.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of access to a pointer by menu selection.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a telop display process.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of adding an information image by drag and drop from a menu.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 network
20 Server device
22 memory
30 Terminal device
32 memory
34 Display interface
35 Input interface
37 Display device
38 keyboard
39 pointing devices
51 Beginning
52 Image data section
53 Annotation
54 End
55 Menu
56 Ticker display window
202 Communication control processing
203 server
204 File transmission processing
205 Identification information addition processing
206 Database
302 Communication control processing
303 Browser
304 Image data processing
401, 402 windows
403 pointer
404,405 images

Claims (9)

For an information image file including thumbnail images and file pointers as image related information , detecting an operation for supplying the information image file to image data processing ;
When detecting that the corresponding information image file is supplied to the image data processing, and displaying the thumbnail images in the window of the image data processing based on the image-related information included in the information image file,
Monitoring that the thumbnail image displayed in the image data processing window is accessed;
When the thumbnail image displayed in the window of the image data processing is accessed, a step of based on said image-related information including the thumbnail image, to access the files in the pointer of the file execution,
An image file processing apparatus comprising information processing means for executing 2. The image according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of supplying the information image file to image data processing is an operation of dragging and dropping an image displayed in a browser window based on the information image file to the image data processing window. File processing device. The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of selecting a context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file or a window of the image data processing with the context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file 2. The image file processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation is a drag and drop operation . 2. The image file processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of copying the information image file and pasting it in the image data processing window . For an information image file including thumbnail images and file pointers as image related information , detecting an operation for supplying the information image file to image data processing ;
When detecting that the corresponding information image file is supplied to the image data processing, and displaying the thumbnail images in the window of the image data processing based on the image-related information included in the information image file,
Monitoring that the thumbnail image displayed in the image data processing window is accessed;
When the thumbnail image displayed in the window of the image data processing is accessed, a step of based on said image-related information including the thumbnail image, to access the files in the pointer of the file execution,
Image file processing program for causing a computer to execute. 6. The program according to claim 5 , wherein the operation of supplying the information image file to image data processing is an operation of dragging and dropping an image displayed in a browser window based on the information image file to the image data processing window. . The operation of supplying the information image file to the image data processing is an operation of selecting a context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file or a window of the image data processing with the context menu associated with the pointer of the information image file The program according to claim 5 , wherein the operation is a drag-and-drop operation . 6. The program according to claim 5 , wherein the operation of supplying the information image file to image data processing is an operation of copying the information image file and pasting it in the image data processing window . A medium on which the program according to claim 5, 6, 7, or 8 is recorded.

Images