JPH09259085A - Method and device for managing data base, and data base system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide data base service which can charge users for data use without managing the names, addresses, etc., of the users, and eliminates the need for a troublesome demand process. SOLUTION: This system has a storage means 15 which stores data and the charge for the use of the data and a storage means 16 which stores discrimination information on the users and initial charge information made to correspond to the discrimination information, and a control means 11 confirms a user with the discrimination information at a connection request from a terminal. The data are sent to the terminal at the request from the terminal and on the basis of the initial charge information and the charge for the use of the data, usable balance information on the data is found and employed as new initial charge information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a database management device that provides various data transmission services through a computer network, and more particularly to a database management device that manages fees for users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An online database is one in which a database consisting of a server computer or a host computer storing a large amount of data is connected to a user terminal via a telephone line or the like, and necessary data is read out in response to a request from the user terminal. Is. Generally, in a commercial online database, the user ID and password (combined with alphanumeric characters and symbols) sent from the user terminal are set in advance on the database side.
And the password, and if the two match, determine whether the user who requested the connection is a valid user (a legitimate user) and send data only to the user who is determined to be correct. I have to.

[0003] Then, for each user, a billing calculation is made according to the connection fee and the data usage fee information, and a bill is prepared and shipped, or the billing fee is deducted from a bank account with which a contract has been made beforehand. Perform billing processing. These are general commercial database billing methods, but on the Internet, which has been rapidly used recently, data such as characters, images (moving images / still images), and voice can be transmitted by WW.
Information transmission called W (World Wide Web)
A search system is used. In this WWW, the URL (Uniform Res) from the user terminal (client terminal) to the destination computer (data server)
By designating an address on the network called "source Locators", data can be read from the connected computer.

Since many computers are connected to the Internet, data can be transmitted to unspecified users (who have no special contract) as compared with ordinary database services. Currently, there is no established billing method for use, and most of them provide data to users free of charge.

[0005]

In the charging processing such as the conventional commercial database service, the database administrator (data supplier) calculates the data usage fee information of the user and issues a bill at regular intervals. , It is necessary to collect the payment. On the other hand, the user must process the invoice sent to him or her.

In addition, the database administrator needs to manage the names and addresses of a huge number of users in order to issue invoices, and also to increase or change the number of users. It was necessary to constantly add / modify user information and manage the latest user information, which was a heavy load for the database administrator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a database management method and a management apparatus that can settle charges without performing the above-described billing process each time data is used.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 provides a user terminal according to a request from a user terminal connected by a network. A method of managing a database that sends various data, a step of checking whether the user is correct by collating the user identification information set in the database with the user identification information sent from the user terminal, When it is confirmed that the user is correct, the step of sending data from the database to the user terminal in response to the request from the user terminal, and the initial charge information stored in the database and the data of the data sent to the user terminal The step of obtaining the available balance information of the database from the usage charge information and the new initial value of the available balance information. And setting the database as gold information is management method database which comprises a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a database management method for transmitting various data to a user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal connected via a network, wherein the user identification set in the database is identified. Checking whether the user is correct by collating the information with the user identification information sent from the user terminal,
When it is confirmed that the user is correct, the initial charge information stored in the database is compared with the data charge information of the data requested by the user terminal to determine whether or not the data can be transmitted. If it is determined that transmission is possible, the database is sent from the stage of sending data from the database to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal, and the initial charge information and the data usage charge information of the data sent to the user terminal. A method of managing a database, comprising: a step of obtaining usable balance information; and a step of setting usable balance information as new initial charge information in a database.

The invention according to claim 3 is a database management device having a function of transmitting various data to a user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal connected by a network, wherein the data and the data usage charge information are Stored data storage means, user information storage means storing user identification information and initial fee information associated with the user identification information, and user identification information sent from the user terminal at the time of a connection request from the user terminal And a confirmation means for confirming the user's identification based on the user identification information stored in the user information storage means, and a data transmission means for transmitting the data stored in the data storage means to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. And the initial charge information stored in the user information storage means and the information stored in the information storage means Based on the data usage fee information of the data sent to the user terminal, the available balance information of the database is obtained, and the available balance information of this database is set as new initial fee information in the user information storage means. , And a database management device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the database management apparatus according to the third aspect, the data transmission means uses the initial charge information stored in the user information storage means and the data used by the data requested by the user terminal. A database management device having a function of comparing charge information and determining whether data can be transmitted.

The invention according to claim 5 is a database system comprising a user terminal and a database connected to the user terminal via a network, wherein the database transmits various data to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. Therefore, the user terminal is provided with a means for transmitting user identification information and a data transmission request to the database, and the database has a data storage means for storing data and data usage fee information, a user identification information and this user identification information. The user information storage means in which the associated initial charge information is stored, the user identification information transmitted from the transmission means of the user terminal, and the user identification information based on the user identification information stored in the user information storage means are confirmed. Confirmation method and response to data request from user terminal Data transmission means for transmitting the data stored in the data storage means to the user terminal, and the data charge for the initial fee information stored in the user information storage means and the data transmitted to the user terminal stored in the information storage means A database system characterized by comprising: a charge management means for obtaining available balance information of the database based on the information, and setting the usable balance information of the database as new initial charge information in the user information storage means. is there.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the database system according to the fifth aspect, the data transmission means compares the initial charge information stored in the user information storage means with the data use charge information requested by the user terminal. In addition, the database system is characterized by having a function of determining whether data can be transmitted.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 10 is a server, which is connected to the Internet NET via a route control device and a telephone line. Reference numerals 101 and 10
2, ... are terminals for various users, and are connected to the Internet NET like the server 10. Here, each of the terminals 101, 102, ... Has an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse as well as a display unit such as a CRT or LCD. The terminals 101 and 102 have a function of making a connection request and a data transmission request to the server 10 via the Internet NET. Further, the terminals 101 and 102 have a function of decoding various data transmitted from the server 10 and displaying the data in response to a data transmission request.

Next, the server 10 will be described. FIG.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the server 10. FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 11 is a control means, which is composed of a CPU and the like, and controls various parts, transfers data, performs various calculations, temporarily stores data, and the like. Reference numeral 12 denotes an input control unit that controls data input from a terminal connected via the Internet NET. Reference numerals 14 to 16 are storage means, and store and store the following files (programs and data), respectively.

A main program is stored in the storage means 14. The main program is the control means 1
1 is used, for example, a display program for instructing to display a guide screen and a search screen on the display unit of the user terminal, a check program for determining whether or not the user ID and password sent from the user terminal are correct, Search data according to search request from user terminal
Search program for transmission, usage fee calculation program for calculating data usage fee based on data transmission amount, management program for obtaining available balance information based on initial fee information and data usage fee information described later, etc. It consists of

The management program also has a function of notifying the user terminal of the available balance information, and a function of restricting the user's information search according to the available balance information.

Next, the storage means 15 stores various data to be provided to the user terminal. This data covers all data such as characters, images, sounds, etc.
Internet WWW (World Wide We
The data is stored in a format conforming to the protocol of b). By preparing a WWW viewer program on the user terminal side, the server 10 can be instructed to transmit these data and the transmitted data can be displayed on the screen. Further, it is possible to add different data usage fee information to each piece of information stored here.

User files are stored in the storage means 16. In this user file, as a user management ledger, initial charge information for each user ID is stored together with the user ID and password. Further, although this initial charge information is rewritten every time the data is used, all the updated initial charge information is left for referencing the history later.

The method of distributing the user ID and password to each user is as follows. In other words, create a card that records the user ID and password together with the Internet connection URL,
Prepare at least a password part hidden by a hiding layer. In addition, the amount of data that can be used, for example, 1000 yen, 5000 yen, etc., is displayed on this card.

This card is sold to each user at a price corresponding to the displayed amount, and the displayed amount is stored in the storage means 16 in advance as initial charge information. Of course, a book or the like may be used as a medium for transmitting these information in addition to the card, or direct mail may be used, and it is possible to use them as needed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, when there is a connection request from the terminal 101 to the server 10, the control means 11 detects this connection request via the input control means 12 and controls the operation of the server 10 according to the main program. In response to the connection request from the terminal 101, the server 10 displays the initial screen information as shown in FIG.
01 (S1). In this initial screen, a "URL" display portion a for connection and input request portions b, c for "user ID" and "password" are set. On this screen, the user inputs the user ID and password written on the above-mentioned card or the like into each input request section, and the server 10
Send to

The server 10 collates the data of the user file in the storage means 16 (S2), and judges whether the user is the correct user (S3). If it is determined that the user is correct, the process proceeds to step S5. If the user ID and password do not exist in the user file or do not match,
Notify the user that the user is not the correct user (S4)
Stop sending any more information.

If the user ID and password are not correct, re-input is permitted several times, and if the correct user ID and password are input within the number of times, the process proceeds to step 4. You may

After the user confirmation work is completed, the control means 1
0 reads out the initial charge information of the user from the user file of the storage means 16 (S5) and confirms whether or not there is a balance. (S6) When there is a balance, that is, when the initial charge information is not zero, the control means 11 follows the request of the terminal 101 and the storage means 15
However, when the balance is zero, the fact is transmitted to the terminal 101 (S8).

When it is determined that the data can be transmitted, the server 10 transmits the data selection screen to the user terminal. FIG. 5 is an example of a selection screen sent to the terminal 101, in a state in which candidates of target data are displayed. In this example, as a result of searching in advance with the keyword “bicycle” by the keyword search from the user terminal 101, 2
It indicates that there are types of data, and the search results are indicated by rough image data d and f (the display of this data is free). The selection screen can be scrolled by a user's instruction with a mouse or the like.

The portions d and f in which the rough image is displayed or the portions e and g in which "Retrieve this data" is written function as selection instruction buttons and are displayed by the user on the selection screen. If you want to know more detailed data from inside, point this selection button with the cursor,
By clicking the mouse, related data can be searched and displayed.

When any of d to g is selected by the user's operation, the terminal 101 instructs the server 10 to read the data of the data address in the storage means 15 specified by the type of the selection instruction button. In accordance with this instruction, the control unit 11 prepares for reading data from the storage unit 15 and transmitting it to the terminal 101. At this time, the data usage fee information money for the data for which the reading instruction has been issued is also read from the storage means 15 (S7), and is sent to the control means 11 to be compared with the initial fee information (S9).

When the data usage fee information amount is higher than the amount indicated by the initial fee information, a message that the data cannot be read is sent to the terminal 101 and the actual data is not transmitted. On the other hand, when the initial charge information is higher than the data use charge information money, the read data is transmitted to the terminal 101 (S10). FIG. 6 is a display example of retrieved data on the terminal 101, in which detailed bibliographical data i is displayed as character data in addition to the image data h which is higher in definition than the rough image on the selection screen. .

When the data is read and transmitted once, the control means 11 obtains the amount obtained by subtracting the data usage charge information money from the initial charge information of the user file in the storage means 16 as usable balance information. . Then, using the usable balance information as new initial charge information, the initial charge information of the user file in the storage means 16 is rewritten. (S11).

As described above, each time there is a request to read data from the data of the terminal 101, it is determined whether the data can be read or not, and when the data is read, the usable balance information is recalculated and the initial value is reset. The charge information will be reset. For example, if the initial charge information for a user is 1000 yen, the data is compared with the usage charge information of the data requested to be read, and if the initial charge information can be read, the data can be read. To be done. At this time, when the reading of the data equivalent to 100 yen is requested, 100 yen is subtracted from the initial charge information, and the data equivalent to 900 yen can be read. Then, this 900 yen is set as new initial charge information.

Thereafter, the same processing is repeated every time there is a data read request from the user terminal 101.
Since the rewritten initial charge information is saved even if the connection between the user terminal 101 and the server 10 is disconnected, when the user terminal 101 and the server 10 are connected next time, the initial charge information calculated at the time of the previous connection. Will be called from the storage means 16.

In the embodiment described above, the server 1
The processing for reading data between 0 and the user terminal 101 has been described, but the processing between the server 10 and the user terminals 102, 103, 104, ... Is similarly performed. Further, as the user information, even if both the user ID and the password are not used, only one piece of user identification information for identifying the user is required.

In this embodiment, the data to be searched is extracted once by using the keyword, but in addition to this, the data transmitted after the user is recognized as the correct user by the user identification information is charged. You may do it. In addition, after the user is recognized as a correct user, a free (data usage fee information is zero) guide page may be placed on the user terminal to charge the data requested by the user terminal for transmission. .

Further, the initial charge information and the available balance information may be displayed on the screens of the server 10 and the terminals 101, 102, ....

[0036]

According to the present invention, the charge information for each user is set in advance on the database side, and the charge is reduced according to the use, so that it is not necessary to manage the user's name or address. It is possible to provide a database service that can be charged and does not require troublesome billing processing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an initial screen in the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a selection screen in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a search result display screen in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Server 11 ... Control means 12 ... Input control means 13 ... Output control means 14-16 ... Storage means 101, 102, 103, 104, ... Terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A database management method for transmitting various data to a user terminal in response to a request from a user terminal connected to a network, wherein the user identification information set in the database and the data transmitted from the user terminal. Checking whether the user is correct by comparing it with the incoming user identification information, and sending the data from the database to the user terminal in response to the request from the user terminal when it is confirmed that the user is correct And the step of obtaining available balance information of the database from the initial charge information stored in the database and the usage charge information of the data transmitted to the user terminal, and the available balance information is stored in the database as new initial charge information. And a database management method characterized by including a setting step 2. A database management method for transmitting various data to a user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal connected by a network, wherein the user identification information set in the database and the user identification information set in the database are transmitted. The step of confirming whether it is a correct user by comparing it with the user identification information that comes in, and the initial charge information stored in the database and the data requested by the user terminal when it is confirmed that the user is a correct user. Of comparing the data usage charge information of the above to determine whether the data can be transmitted, and when it is determined that the data can be transmitted, transmitting the data from the database to the user terminal in response to the request from the user terminal From the initial charge information and the data usage charge information of the data sent to the user terminal. A method of managing a database, comprising: a step of obtaining available balance information; and a step of setting usable balance information as new initial charge information in a database. 3. A database management device having a function of transmitting various data to a user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal connected by a network, wherein the data storage means stores data and data usage fee information. The user identification information and the user information storage means that stores the initial charge information associated with the user identification information, and the user identification information and the user information storage means sent from the user terminal when the user terminal requests connection. Confirmation means for confirming the user's identification based on the stored user identification information, data transmission means for transmitting the data stored in the data storage means to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal, and user information storage means The initial charge information stored in and the user terminal stored in the information storage means A charge management means for obtaining available balance information of the database based on the data use fee information of the received data and setting the usable balance information of this database as new initial fee information in the user information storage means. A database management device characterized by the above. 4. The data transmission means has a function of comparing the initial charge information stored in the user information storage means with the data use charge information of the data requested by the user terminal to determine whether or not the data can be transmitted. 4. The database management device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A database system comprising a user terminal and a database connected to the user terminal via a network, wherein the database sends various data to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. , A means for transmitting user identification information to the database and a data transmission request, and the database is a data storage means for storing data and data usage fee information, a user identification information and an initial fee associated with this user identification information. User information storage means for storing information, confirmation means for confirming the user's identification based on the user identification information transmitted from the transmission means of the user terminal and the user identification information stored in the user information storage means, and the user terminal Data storage means in response to data request from A data transmission means for transmitting the stored data to the user terminal, a database based on the initial charge information stored in the user information storage means and the data usage charge information of the data transmitted to the user terminal stored in the information storage means And a charge management unit for setting the usable balance information of the database as new initial charge information in the user information storage unit, and a database management system. 6. The data transmitting means has a function of comparing the initial charge information stored in the user information storage means with the data use charge information requested by the user terminal to judge whether or not the data can be transmitted. The database management device according to claim 5, which is characterized in that.