JPH1078928A - Internet access method and system and storage medium storing internet access processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an internet access technique which can access an internet just by inputting a comparatively short number corresponding to URL with no consciousness of a user to the URL of a long and complicated character string, can utilize the access data as the statistic processing information and also can attain a media link between the internet and a print medium. SOLUTION: An access is given to an internet from an access equipment such as a personal computer, a game machine, a domestic electrical appliance, etc., by means of a URL that is placed in an internet and used for accesses to the information resources. In such cases, a URL that is previously shown in a character string is assigned to a comparatively short number of 10 digits. Then optional numeric characters are assigned to higher 1 digit and higher 2 to 5 digits based on a correspondence table of numeric characters corresponding to the alphabet and the reference value and also a correspondence table of the alphabet and the digit numbers. Furthermore, the optional numeric numbers are assigned as necessary to higher 6 and 7 digits and higher 8 to 10 digits as numbers in the same way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for accessing the Internet, and more particularly, to a URL (Unified Access) for uniformly accessing information resources placed on a network.
The present invention relates to a method and system for accessing the Internet suitable for an access technology using an iform Resource Lecator, and a technology effective when applied to a storage medium storing processing for accessing the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a technique studied by the inventor, for example, when accessing a homepage using the Internet, a search engine typified by so-called "yahoo" is used, or a registered bookmark is used. And so on. Of course, HTM
In many cases, a link destination described in L (Hyper Text Markup Language) is followed. In such a case, it is usually unnecessary to be aware of the URL.

[0003]

By the way, in the technology for accessing a homepage using the Internet as described above, there is a case where a user must be aware of the URL. That is the case where the URL is expressed in media such as offline paper. In this case, a user who wants to access the home page needs to input a URL indicating the location from a device connected to the Internet.

However, the input of the URL is an unexpected obstacle for the user. There are two reasons.
One is that the character data must be input in alphabets, and the other is that the character string is long and complicated. In other words, a character string that should be easier to remember than a number becomes cumbersome as it becomes longer and more complicated (case-sensitive).

[0005] Furthermore, the number of homepages continues to grow faster than expected, resulting in the generation of URLs of complex character strings ignoring the access environment. For this reason, the user not only remembers the URL seen in newspaper advertisements, but also
Even entering a URL in one hand of a newspaper is a difficult situation.
Under such circumstances, there is a demand for a mechanism that makes it even easier for the user to access.

In the case of a search engine such as "yahoo", a plurality of results are searched for one keyword input, so that information other than what is necessary for the user is searched. Is also conceivable.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to search only one result for one input and to make the URL of a long and complicated character string unaware to a user unfamiliar with the keyboard. An object of the present invention is to provide an Internet access technology that allows the user to access the Internet simply by inputting a corresponding relatively short number.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet access technology that can store access data to a URL and use it as statistical processing information according to the purpose.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet access technology which can print a number corresponding to a URL on various media and realize a media link between the Internet and a print medium. is there.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

That is, the method for accessing the Internet according to the present invention is applied to a case where an information resource placed on a network is accessed by using a URL, and has an arbitrary number of digits corresponding to the URL in advance. A number is assigned, the assigned number is input from an access device to the Internet, the input number is communicated between the client or the client and the number conversion server, and the number is inversely converted into a URL. The relevant data is displayed or obtained through the respective steps of performing a search on the Internet using a URL. This makes it possible for a user unfamiliar with the keyboard to recognize the URL of a long and complicated character string without being aware of the URL.
The user can access the Internet simply by entering a relatively short number corresponding to.

Further, at the time of client processing, access data for a URL corresponding to the input assigned number is stored. This allows
Users and information providers can utilize the number of accesses and the like as statistical processing information according to their needs.

Further, the assigned numbers are printed on various media for use. As a result, a number corresponding to the URL can be printed on a medium such as a business card according to the needs of the user, and a media link between the Internet and the print medium can be realized.

Specifically, when assigning a number, a number having a predetermined number of digits is automatically assigned, or a number having a predetermined number of digits is assigned to a desired number according to a user's application. is there.

The system for accessing the Internet according to the present invention further comprises means for assigning a number having an arbitrary number of digits corresponding to the URL, a storage table indicating the correspondence between the assigned number and the URL, and And a search engine that reversely converts the number into a URL. Thus, the number assigned by the assigning means is input from the access device to the Internet, and the input number is inversely converted into a URL by a search engine using a storage table, and the inversely converted URL is used on the Internet. An exploration can be performed to display or obtain relevant data.

Further, the storage medium storing the access processing to the Internet according to the present invention receives a number having an arbitrary number of digits assigned in accordance with the URL, assigns the received number to a method of the protocol, and And sends the number to the number conversion server via the Internet, receives the URL corresponding to the number from the number conversion server via the Internet, and stores the received URL to the client. As a result, the Internet access processing stored in the storage medium in advance is installed on the client side, the number is input from the Internet access device, and the input number is inversely converted into a URL. A search on the Internet can be performed using the URL, and the corresponding data can be displayed or acquired.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the concept of a method of assigning URL numbers in an Internet access method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a URL number assignment procedure, and FIG.
Is a flowchart showing various processing procedures in a system application example by URL number assignment, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input interface, FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a user interface, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the access processing procedure to the internet until display.

First, in the method of accessing the Internet according to the first embodiment, a method of assigning URL numbers will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 1 to 3 and the flowchart of FIG.

The URL number assigning method according to the first embodiment uses a URL for uniformly accessing information resources placed on a network from an access device such as a personal computer, a game machine, or a home appliance. When accessing the Internet through the Internet, a URL represented by a long and complicated character string is assigned to a number having a relatively short number of digits in advance, thereby making it possible to eliminate troublesomeness of the user.

For example, taking a 10-digit number as shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the upper one digit and the upper two to five digits correspond to the alphabets and the reference values corresponding to the reference values as shown in FIG. Arbitrary numbers are assigned based on a correspondence table for the number of digits of the alphabet as shown in the table and FIG. ) Are assigned and numbered in the same manner. URL assignment by this numbering can be realized by the following concept.

(1) To effectively use 10-digit resources, numbers from 2 to 9 are assigned to the upper one-digit number according to the alphabet at the beginning of the user name, and the numbers 0 and 1 are Make a reservation to assign a favorite number according to the user's application. For example, in the case of ntt, the value corresponding to the letter n and the reference value 1 is 6, based on the correspondence table of FIG. 2, and this 6 number is the number of the uppermost digit.

(2) For the upper two to five digit numbers, the appearance frequency of the character is taken, the number is determined for each digit, and a four digit number is generated by a combination thereof. For example, in the case of ntt, as shown in FIG.
The t of the character is 7 and the t of the third character is 6, and FIG.
To n are the upper 3 digits, t is the upper 4 digits, and as a result, there are no upper 2 digits, the upper 3 digits are 6, and the upper 4 digits are 7 + 6 = 13.
(The carry is ignored), the upper 5 digits are none, and the number of the upper 2 to 5 digits is 0630.

(3) The upper 6 and 7 digit numbers are added with the sum of characters as necessary to enhance the uniqueness of the upper 1 to 5 digits. For example, in the case of ntt, from FIG. 2, n of the first character is 6, t of the second character is 7, t of the third character is 6, and
The sum 19 is the upper 6 or 7 digit number.

(4) The number of the upper 8 digits to the upper 10 digits is also used if necessary by the user, if necessary.
A three-digit number is added to enhance uniqueness of up to seven digits.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The work procedure of the numbering in the number assignment method will be described. For example, a case will be described as an example where the URL character string is composed of a subdomain name, a domain name, and a directory structure after an http transfer protocol.

First, the character string of the URL is a subdomain name,
Divide into domain names and directories (step 40
1), domain conversion is performed based on the divided character string (step 402). After that, the classification, country name,
A filtering process is performed to remove information service names, symbols, and the like (step 403).

Then, for the sub-domain name and domain name from which the regularly inserted characters have been removed, for example,
A numbering process for assigning a five-digit number is performed (step 404).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the number of the first to fifth digits is present (step 405).
The process from step 04 is repeated, and numbers for the upper 6 and 7 digits are assigned (step 406).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step 405 is that there is no upper 1 to 5 digit number, the numbering corresponding to the domain is performed by primary assignment (step 407). Further, in the same manner as described above, the numbering of the directory structure is performed in the same manner as the filtering process of step 408 and the numbering process of step 409.

Then, it is determined whether or not the number of the upper 6 to 10 digits exists (step 410). As a result of this determination,
If there is a number, the sequence number is added in step 40
The process from step 9 is repeated, and numbers for the upper 6 to 10 digits are assigned (step 411).

Finally, as a result of the determination in step 410, if there is no upper 6 to 10 digit number, the number assigned by the above numbering processing procedure is replaced with the URL.
Is registered as a number corresponding to the character string (step 41).
2).

As described above, the URL is not subjected to the numbering as it is, but through preprocessing such as filtering, the numbering corresponding to the domain is performed by the primary assignment, and the numbering for the remaining directory structure is continuously performed. Thus, a unique number of 10 digits or less can be generated.

Next, regarding the system application example of the numbered URL, (1). URL collection, (2). Automatic numbering,
(3) Number registration, (4) Value added, (5) User interface, (6) Media link, in order, an example of various processing procedures in the system application example of FIG. 5, an example of an input interface of FIG. This will be described based on an example of the user interface shown in FIG.

(1). Collection of URL For example, in FIG. 5, the flow from the user on the left side is a processing procedure indicating collection of the URL. First, the user transmits URL information such as a bookmark owned by each user to a mail or facsimile. And transmit it (step 501).

Then, the received URL information is collected (step 502) and registered as a bookmark resource (step 503). At this time, if the same URL is found, the frequency of occurrence of this URL is accumulated.

(2). Automatic Numbering Further, the bookmark resources collected above are automatically numbered (step 504). This is provisionally registered as a collection resource, and billions of URLs are uniquely managed by a 10-digit number by the character distribution method (step 505).

When numbering is performed using this character distribution method, the user can guess the assigned number even at the URL that he or she first encounters. This automatically assigned number is assigned to an 8- to 10-digit number by a URL.

(3) Number Registration The number assigned by this character distribution method is automatically processed by a computer and is assigned, and thus may not be a preferable number for a person who has posted a home page. Therefore, for the person who wants to register a favorite number, for example, the user can input a favorite number sequence such as a telephone number, an analogy from a company name or an individual name, a date of birth, a vehicle number, an address, and a room number on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register. If the user desires an 8 to 10 digit number, the upper digit is limited to 0 or 1.

For example, in FIG. 5, according to the processing procedure shown by the flow from the central user, the user first inputs a favorite number string on the Internet or transmits it by mail or facsimile (step 506). A search is made as to whether the column is assigned to a URL (step 507). This is searched based on the registered database (step 508), and if it is not assigned, it is provisionally registered as a registered resource (step 509).

The interface for the user to input a number includes, for example, a browser as shown in FIG.
Is shown in FIG. That is, alphabets and kana are arranged together with numbers, and numbers added by the user are added to the registration numbers. For example, ab
abc (222), Yamamoto (877)
4) It is possible to give meaning to numbers.

As described above, the numbers temporarily registered in (2). Automatic numbering and (3). Number registration are formally registered based on the flow of FIG. 5 (step 510), and the numbers assigned to the URLs are registered. Is stored in the database (step 511).

(4). Added Value As described above, data assigned with a number by assigning a number to a URL includes, as value-added information, ranking information obtained by totaling the frequency of use of the user and theme information extracted for each theme. Create a database so that you can obtain That is, when the user accesses the Internet using a user interface described later, the usage data is stored.

As described above, a mechanism for obtaining information at the user's hand can be realized, and information statistically processed based on the information is:
It can be used as valuable information both for the user and for those who transmit information using the homepage. The theme selection performed in this process has an advantage in that a category does not need to be determined in advance, and a necessary category can be prepared when necessary.

For example, in FIG. 5, the user first sends the access data by e-mail or the like according to the processing procedure shown in the flow from the right user (step 51).
2) Collect the received access data (step 51)
3) Register as an access data resource for the URL (step 514).

Further, based on the access data,
Statistical information based on the ranking of the usage frequency of the user is created (step 515), and this information is stored in the database as one attribute of the number assigned to the URL (step 511). The theme information selected as necessary is stored in the database as one attribute of the number assigned to the URL (step 516).

(5). User Interface Finally, the database to which the number is assigned as described above is registered in the client and server (number conversion server) connected via the Internet. The client usually has a minimum function for accessing, and accesses the database on the server only when the client cannot reverse-convert the URL.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of the client side includes an original parent browser 1 for assisting so-called navigation, a child browser 2 based on a normal WWW which can be called from the parent browser 1, and a search engine 3. In addition, a user registration table 4 in which a user can uniquely register an abbreviated number, an index table 5 of an assigned original number, and an actual data table 6 of an original number corresponding to an index.

The parent browser 1 on the client side
Is provided with an indicating section in which alphabets and kana are arranged together with numbers as shown in detail in FIG. 6 described above, a display section for displaying the content from the indicating section, and the like.

On the other hand, the configuration on the server side is composed of a server search engine 7, an index table 8 of the assigned original numbers, and an actual data table 9 of all the original numbers corresponding to the indexes. Are connected via the Internet 10.

In the system configuration described above, for example, when a user inputs a unique abbreviated number, the search engine 3 searches the user registration table 4 using this abbreviated number and performs reverse conversion to a URL. Do. In this case, the Internet is accessed from the parent browser 1 by the URL, and a home page corresponding to the URL is displayed on the child browser 2 based on the HTML from the Internet 10.

When the user inputs the original number assigned to the URL, first, the search engine 3 obtains an offset value from the index table 5 using this original number, and further uses this offset value to determine the actual number of the original number. The data table 6 is inversely converted into a URL. This URL is passed to the parent browser 1, and information is acquired from the Internet 10 and displayed in the same manner as described above. If the client can convert the URL back,
The same speed as normal access can be guaranteed.

On the other hand, on the client side, if the number entered by the user cannot be converted back to the URL,
The search engine 3 of the client transmits the input original number to the search engine 7 on the server side. further,
On the server side, as in the case where the original number assigned to the URL is input, an offset value is obtained from the index table 8 based on the input number, and all the original numbers of the original numbers are obtained based on the offset value. UR corresponding to the number transmitted from actual data table 9
L is converted back to L.

Then, the URL is transmitted from the server to the client, and the client acquires and displays information from the Internet 10 in the same manner as when the URL is passed to the parent browser 1.

As described above, even if the user inputs the abbreviated number uniquely registered by the user and the original number assigned to the URL, and further inputs the number which cannot be converted back to the URL on the client side, the URL is converted back to the URL. By accessing the Internet 10 from the parent browser 1, the homepage corresponding to the URL can be displayed on the child browser 2.

(6). Media Link A media link between the Internet and paper can be completed simply by writing the original number on a paper medium such as a business card or guidebook. For example, when an individual has a URL, the latest information on the address, telephone number, department, and the like of a business card, which is likely to become obsolete with the passage of date and time, can always be obtained from the Internet.

In such a case, the original number assigned to the URL is printed on the business card, the latest information is obtained from the business card on which the original number is printed, and the address for issuing a greeting card, a greeting card, etc. You can also think about the printing of lists and the system of list management. Thus, the latest information linked to the URL can be efficiently printed and provided.

Next, a specific input device in the above-described number input and a processing procedure in the input will be described in detail.

For example, input devices include a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a barcode reader, an input device using a keyboard interface such as an OCR, an input device using a mouse interface such as a mouse, a touch panel, and a pen, and an input device using a special device interface such as a remote controller. And so on.

In this number input, since only a number (including a small number of symbols in some cases) is input, various light input devices can be used as described above. In particular, with the recent emergence of devices that use televisions as display monitors, the role of this method, which allows input of numbers using a remote control for television operation, plays a significant role.
A great effect can be expected.

For example, there are two types of numbers input from the input device as described above, one is abbreviated number which is uniquely registered by the user, and the other is an original number which is assigned by the present system. is there. For example, if the user inputs a number with an asterisk (*), the user registration table of the abbreviated number is searched. Otherwise, the index table and the actual data table are searched. In order to search a large amount of data, first, index information is searched using an index table.

If the client cannot convert the URL back to the URL, it passes the number directly to the server,
Search the server database and convert the UR
Return L to the client. This processing flow is as shown in FIG. 8, and will be described in detail below.

First, when a number is input from the input device (step 801), it is first determined whether this number is a shortened number or an original number (step 802).
If the result of this determination is that the abbreviated number is found, the user registration table is searched (step 803), and it is determined whether a URL corresponding to the abbreviated number has been found (step 80).
4).

If the URL is not found, "not found" is displayed because the abbreviated number corresponding to the URL has not been registered (step 805). On the other hand, if the URL is found,
L (step 806), the URL can be used to access the Internet (step 807), and a home page corresponding to the URL can be displayed based on the HTML from the Internet (step 808).

If the result of determination in step 802 is that of an original number, index information is first searched using an index table (step 8).
09), it is determined whether or not an index has been found (step 810). If the index is found, the client table is searched (step 81).
1) Obtain a URL corresponding to the original number (step 812).

Then, by using this URL, the user can access the Internet as in the case of the abbreviated number (step 813), and can display a home page corresponding to the URL based on the HTML from the Internet (step 814).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step 810 is that the index was not found, the number entered is passed to the original server deployed on the Internet (step 815), and this number is received by the search engine of the original server. (Step 816). Then, the server searches the index table for index information (step 817), and determines whether an index is found (step 81).
8).

If the index is not found, it means that it is not registered in the server, and the client can display the original home page (step 819). If the index is found, the server table is searched (step 82).
0), the URL corresponding to the original number is obtained and returned to the client (step 821).

The client obtains the URL in the same manner as when the URL corresponding to the original number in the client is found (step 81).
2) The user can access the Internet using this URL (step 813), and display a homepage browser corresponding to the URL based on the HTML from the Internet (step 814).

As described above, according to the case where the abbreviated number is input and the case where the original number is input, the URL can be inversely converted to the URL corresponding to each of the numbers, and further, the URL cannot be inversely converted by the client. Even if
UR corresponding by searching server database
L can be obtained.

Therefore, according to the method of accessing the Internet according to the first embodiment, by assigning a URL represented by a long and complicated character string to an original number having a relatively short number of digits in advance, the original number is assigned. Since the user can access the Internet just by typing, the user can be troubled and can access the Internet without making the user unfamiliar with the keyboard aware of the URL of a long and complicated character string. be able to.

Also, by storing access data using the URL corresponding to the original number at the time of inputting the original number, the number of accesses can be used as statistical processing information. By collecting collected ranking information, theme information extracted for each theme, and the like, it is possible to conduct survey / analysis of the Internet audience rating.

Further, by printing and using the original number on a medium such as a business card, it is possible to complete a media link between the Internet and paper according to the needs of the user, so that the latest information linked to the URL can be updated. It can be efficiently printed and provided.

Also, in the first embodiment, a 10-digit number is taken as an example, and the upper 1 digit and the upper 2 to 5 digits are assigned arbitrary numbers based on the correspondence table of FIGS. Furthermore, the case where arbitrary numbers are assigned to the upper 6 and 7 digits and the upper 8 to 10 digits as necessary has been described.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is widely applicable to a case where a number corresponding to another number of digits is used, or a number corresponding to a URL is assigned using another correspondence table.

The numbers assigned to the URLs are classified into specific groups according to the purpose such as, for example, by occupation, by region, and the like.
Assign a number of digits, and even 50
The upper two digits can be determined in alphabetical order or alphabetical order, or the 50 alphabets of the user name, a predetermined range of the alphabet can be divided into groups, and an arbitrary number can be assigned to each group and numbered. It is also possible to do.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 shows a method of accessing the Internet according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of a URL number assignment area.
Is an explanatory diagram showing an example of online media, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an Internet system including a number input interface, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an original web server, and FIG. 13 is an example of a client FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a network of an original web server and a client.

In the method of assigning URL numbers according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, an access resource such as a personal computer, a game machine, or a home appliance uses an URL to transfer information resources placed on a network. When accessing the Internet by using a URL, the URL is assigned to a number with a relatively short number of digits, thereby making it possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of the user. Particularly, the difference from the first embodiment is as follows. , A number assignment method, number input interface,
The point is that a number conversion method is adopted.

First, as for the method of assigning URL numbers, the registration table of numbers corresponding to URLs is divided into an area for registering automatically assigned numbers and an area for registering user's favorite numbers. As shown in FIG. 9, in the range of the upper N digits to the upper K digits which can be arbitrarily set, n
Specific numbers up to k are stored in an area where automatically assigned numbers are registered, and other numbers are stored in an area where user-preferred numbers are registered. This automatic number assignment is performed by computer processing using a character distribution method in the same manner as in the first embodiment, for example, in a public institution or the like with an arbitrary number of digits of 10 digits or less.

Further, when assigning a user's favorite number, a favorite number is registered with an arbitrary number of digits of 10 digits or less according to the user's application. Linked with date numbers such as numbers in different notation, mapping of sound data prepared on the application interface, already assigned numbers such as telephone numbers, securities codes, postal codes, birth dates, founding anniversaries, etc. It is possible to use a number that has been assigned. It goes without saying that the user's favorite number includes the example shown in the first embodiment.

More specifically, for a number that can be analogized to a company, for example, the number 0101 is registered in correspondence with the company name Marui Marui. Also, as for the numbers in different notations displayed on the application interface, as shown in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, in the correspondence between the numbers 1 to 0, alphabets and kana, for example, A 525 number is registered as a notation corresponding to the JAL desired by the user. further,
Regarding the mapping of sound data prepared on the application interface, 1 = do, 2 = re, 3 = mi,
················································································, etc. The mapping with the sound enables the user to judge an input error or the like audibly.

As described above, a relatively short number of 10 digits or less is assigned to a URL automatically or in response to a user's application. Can be assigned in correspondence with the URL.

Next, regarding system application examples of the numbered URLs, (1) online media, (2) number input interface, (3) number conversion, (4) audience rating survey, (5) Additional registration information, (6) Additional identification information, (7) Access device,
(8). Additional services will be described in order.

(1) Online Media For example, as a method of informing a user of a registered number corresponding to a URL, the user is informed of a number corresponding to a favorite homepage from an Internet information magazine or the like using a medium printed on paper. However, such information magazines are often monthly magazines issued on a monthly basis, while numbers corresponding to URLs are added on a daily basis with the advancement of Internet-related technology. A new registered number cannot be notified in a timely manner.

Therefore, as an additional function of the system, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, as shown in FIG. Access the number of the homepage according to the user's preference, such as information by genre such as sports and music specified by the user, or fortune-telling information based on user information such as the date of birth of the user using the characteristics of the number This is displayed when the device 12 is started up, and a method of notifying the user of the newly registered number in a timely manner for each day or every fixed period such as a week is adopted.

By adopting such a method, the user can know the desired homepage such as his / her favorite genre in a timely manner. According to the profile of the target, the number is notified to the target user and the access from the user is performed at random using the characteristics of the number, so the homepage can be opened to many users other than the intended user You can increase your chances to see it.

Further, in order to increase the chances of access from the user, for example, a registered number is transmitted as a voice using a communication broadcasting device such as a radio or a television, or in a device having a display screen such as a television, By displaying the registered number on a screen or the like, the number can be expressed by voice or character information to inform the user widely.

(2) Number input interface For example, in the system of the original web server 14 (number conversion server), client 15 and information providing server 16 via the Internet 13 as shown in FIG. Communication between the server 14 and the client 15 is performed according to the http protocol. When accessing the Internet 13, there is a request from the client 15 to the original web server 14, and this method uses get, pos
It is determined by a method such as t. This method is based on the idea that, by opening the specification of this method, if the access is made by a method compatible with the original web server 14 without limiting the interface of the client 15, a URL corresponding to the original web server 14 is returned. Therefore, the interface of the client 15 is not limited.

For example, the interface of the client 15 has an original telephone-type interface as shown in the first embodiment, and this interface is a plug-in manner. In addition, the client 15 can support various types of interfaces, such as a telephone-type independent application and a homepage having a frame for inputting a number in a normal homepage.

The basis of the number input interface is that the client 15 of such various formats inputs the original number assigned to the URL to the original web server 14, and the URL corresponding to the input original number is entered. Is returned to the browser of the client 15, for example, the browser is the navigator of the Internet 13 owned by the user, and the received U
Any application that can provide the RL to the browser is sufficient.

Thus, the description of the access to the Internet 13 is that the interface on the original web server 14 returns a desired result with a predetermined parameter, and the client 15 gives the parameter and outputs the result. There is a part that can be received and a part that gives the received URL to the browser, and various forms of this application can be considered.

For example, in the case of a plug-in type original telephone type interface, the input original number is received, this original number is given to a protocol method, and the Internet 13 is accessed.
Furthermore, the original number is assigned to the original web server 14.
To receive the URL corresponding to the original number,
A floppy disk or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read) storing the process of giving this URL to the client 15
d Only Memory) can be realized by installing software on a storage medium such as the client 15 in advance.

In addition to distributing a storage medium for installation, for example, a method of downloading an application from a network and installing it on the client 15 side, a method of downloading an application from an application library called an applet, which is arranged on the network, For example, a method of loading a necessary application from a network and executing the application may be considered.

The former method can be realized by downloading, via a network, software storing processing for inverting a URL corresponding to an original number similar to the contents of the storage medium and installing the software on the client 15 side. Become. Also, the latter method is to take out a favorite applet on the network without performing work such as installation on the client 15 side.
Run applications on the fly. In particular, the latter loading method can be widely applied to devices that do not have a memory function and cannot use a floppy disk or the like, such as Internet TVs, game machines, and karaoke devices.

Also, there is a home page of a search navigator on the Internet like an Internet TV, and there is a part for inputting a number in this navigator (plug-in), and this part is a remote controller separated from the TV. . By inputting an original number assigned to a URL with the remote controller, a method is also conceivable in which a URL corresponding to the original number can be obtained.

Therefore, in the number input interface, the specifications of the method are disclosed so as to be compatible with various types of interfaces. That is, in one parameter of get of http, as the original number, no = 1
If the data of 23 is given, the URL corresponding to it will be returned. This http is H
This is a protocol for transferring hypertext of TML, and there is a method in this protocol, and there are get, post, and the like in the form of this method as a method.
post is one way to transfer files, ge
t is a method of receiving a parameter from the other party, and the original number can be exchanged using an existing technology.

(3) Number conversion Number conversion is performed by the client 1 as in the first embodiment.
5. Instead of performing the same on the original web server 14 side, history information is mainly retained on the client 15 side so as to be able to cope with it. For example, when the user inputs an original number of 123, the original web server 14 sends www. 123. co.
jp. Again, if the user enters the same 123 at a later time, the client 15 can respond without making an inquiry to the original web server 14.

That is, on the client 15 side,
Since it has a memory such as a cache capable of holding data, the original number input to the cache and data such as a URL corresponding thereto are stored. When the original number is entered, first check whether the entered original number is in the cache,
In some cases, the URL can be obtained on the client 15 side without making an inquiry to the original web server 14. The use of the concept of a cache on the client 15 side is a new part not described in the first embodiment.

The reason for using this cache is that, in addition to the original number and the URL corresponding to the original number, the exp. date, for example, the expiration date is set to October 1, 1996, etc., and when the original number is entered and the internal cache is viewed, if the expiration date of October 1 has not passed, the cache The URL corresponding to the original number above is obtained as correct. On the other hand, if the deadline of October 1 has passed, the original web server 14 is inquired. In addition, when the original number is not found in the cache, an inquiry is made to the original web server 14.

This expiration date is for obtaining consistency due to the fact that the URL corresponding to the original number changes as the date and time elapses. For example, the URL corresponding to the original number 123 is 1996. Year 1
Until January 1, www. 123. co. jp was changed to www. 123. or. This is because it may be changed to jp.

Further, from the data such as the original number and the URL corresponding to the original number held in the cache, it is possible to see the history of the access by the client 15 so far. Thereby, for example, when the user forgets the correspondence between the original number and the URL, the client 15 can check the cache data and check the URL homepage corresponding to the original number as necessary.

More specifically, the original web server 14
The conversion part on the side is CGI (Co) as in the first embodiment.
mmon Gateway Interface)
For example, as shown in FIG.
ramming interface), which is incorporated into the existing high-speed Internet server 17 as an interface. That is, the API 18 contains an original server module, the API 18 gives an original number to the database server 19 (Sybase), and the database server 19 returns a URL to the API 18. As a result, the conversion of the original web server 14 can be performed at high speed, and the UR corresponding to the original number is converted.
L can be obtained at high speed.

The conversion part on the client 15 side is as follows:
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a memory such as a cache 21 for holding data and a browser 22 of a homepage are provided for the client component 20, and an inquiry about the original number is sent to the client component 20. The client component 20 looks at the internal cache 21, obtains the URL corresponding to the original number for which an inquiry has been made, and gives it to the browser 22. If the original number is not in the cache 21, an inquiry is made to the original web server 14.

The configuration of the network in which the client 15 and the original web server 14 are connected is such that the original web server 14 is connected to the Internet 13 via the router 23 as shown in FIG. It is connected to the database server 19 via the firewall 24. A plurality of clients 15 are connected to the Internet 13. The original web server 14 incorporates an API 18 containing an original server module.

For example, when the original number is input from the client 15 via the Internet 13, the original web server 14 is
tp protocol and get =
Send in the form of XX. Then, the original web server 14 inquires of the database server 19 via the firewall 24 about the original number. In response to this inquiry, the database server 19 sends the original web server 14
Returns RL. By adopting such a method and by passing through the firewall 24, the contents of the database server 19 can be made invisible from the outside in terms of security.

(4) Audience Rating Survey For example, as shown in FIG. 13, access information of the client 15 is stored in a log file 25, and when a predetermined number of pieces of information are stored in the log file 25, FIG. The data is sent to the log file 26 of the original web server 14. For example, when a request for an audience rating survey is issued from the information providing server 16 which has established a homepage, the log data is analyzed and the frequency of use of the user is analyzed. Can be obtained as ranking information and audience rating information. This information includes, for example, genre, gender of user information,
It can be obtained by classifying by age, model of use, and the like.

(5). Registration additional information When the user registers the original number, the user inputs examination information such as pinkness, technicality, genre and the like together with the user information. Is accessed, the original web server 14 determines and returns "not found" so that it is not displayed. In addition, when a restricted browser is used on an Internet television or the like, information on the latest technology beyond a predetermined technology is not displayed.

As described above, before accessing the information providing server 16 which has established a homepage, the user is specified at the stage of accessing the original web server 14, and the relevant homepage is determined by a user other than the determined user. The display can be restricted for the access of the user. In addition to restricting the display of the home page, for example, storage of data in the log file 25 can be restricted for a specific user.

(6) Additional Identification Information When the client 15 accesses the original web server 14 via the Internet 13, for example, as shown in FIG. By using a part of the number, processing in the original web server 14 or reverse conversion of the URL corresponding to the original number in another web server 27 via the original web server 14 is enabled.

For example, if the identification code is 888, it is processed by the original web server 14, and if it is 001, another web server of kdd connected to the original web server 14 via the original web server 14 For example, it is possible to perform processing by the server 27 and to manage the URL corresponding to the original number in another web server 27 in addition to the original web server 14.

(7) Access Device As an input device of the client 15 at the time of access, in addition to the keyboard interface and the mouse interface as in the first embodiment, a remote control for television operation, karaoke, etc. are attached. A special device interface such as a remote controller is also conceivable. Further, it is also possible to use an input device by a voice input interface in which the user inputs the original number by voice, or the scale corresponding to the original number, and another desired notation by the user by voice.

(8) Additional Service For example, as a service on the side of the original web server 14, a prize is periodically provided in the form of a lottery or the like to an original number input by a user, or a service to a hidden original number is provided. If there is access,
Using the characteristics of the number, such as providing a product to the user who accessed the original number, the Internet 1
Additional services other than the third function can be provided.

Therefore, in the method for accessing the Internet according to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a URL previously represented by a long and complicated character string is converted into an original number having a relatively short number of digits. By assigning, you can access the Internet just by entering this original number, so that you can eliminate the inconvenience of users who are unfamiliar with the keyboard, and use the access data as statistical processing information, It is possible to conduct surveys and analysis of ranking information and Internet audience ratings that summarize the use frequency of the Internet, and to complete a media link with the Internet according to the needs of the user.

The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the first and second embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and does not depart from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that various changes can be made within the range.

[0115]

Advantageous effects obtained by typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

(1) A number having an arbitrary number of digits corresponding to the URL is assigned in advance, and the assigned number is input from an access device to the Internet, so that the data of the URL corresponding to the assigned number is obtained. Since it can be displayed, it is possible to access the Internet by inputting a relatively short number without making a user unfamiliar with the keyboard aware of the URL of a long and complicated character string.

(2) URL corresponding to assigned number
By storing access data using, the access data can be used as statistical processing information according to the desired purpose, such as ranking information and theme information. Becomes possible.

(3) By printing the assigned number on an arbitrary medium and using it, a number corresponding to the URL is printed on a medium such as a business card according to the needs of the user, and the print medium and the Internet are used. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently print and provide the latest information linked to the URL.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept (configuration) of a URL number assignment method in an Internet access method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept (a correspondence table of numbers) of a method of assigning URL numbers in a method of accessing the Internet according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept (a correspondence table for the number of digits) of a URL number assignment method in the Internet access method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for assigning URL numbers in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing various processing procedures in a system application example based on URL number assignment in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input interface according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for accessing the Internet from input of a number to display of a browser in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a URL number assignment area in the Internet access method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of online media in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an Internet system including a number input interface according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an original web server according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a client according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network of an original web server and a client in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Parent Browser 2 Child Browser 3 Search Engine 4 User Registration Table 5 Index Table 6 Actual Data Table 7 Search Engine 8 Index Table 9 Actual Data Table 10 Internet 11 Original Server 12 Access Device 13 Internet 14 Original Web Server 15 Client 16 Information Provision Server 17 Internet server 18 API 19 Database server 20 Client component 21 Cache 22 Browser 23 Router 24 Firewall 25 Log file 26 Log file 27 Other web server

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of clients and a plurality of information providing servers are connected on a network, and access to the Internet using a URL for accessing information resources stored in the information providing server located on the network. An access method in which an arbitrary number of digits corresponding to the URL is assigned in advance, the assigned number is input from an access device to the Internet on the client side, and the input number is input to the client. Communication between the client or the client and the number conversion server via the Internet, and the search engine performs reverse conversion to the URL using a storage table indicating the correspondence between the URL and the assigned number. Performs a search on the Internet with the inversely converted URL, and How access to the Internet and obtains a display or storage device over data to the client side or the number translation server screen. 2. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein the device for accessing the Internet is an input device using a keyboard interface such as a keyboard or a numeric keypad. 3. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus for accessing the Internet uses a medium, such as a barcode reader or an OCR, which encodes the pre-assigned number in an optical or mechanical manner. A method for accessing the Internet, characterized in that the input device is an input device for reading information. 4. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein the device for accessing the Internet is an input device using a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel, or a pen. Method. 5. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein the device for accessing the Internet is an input device using a special device interface such as a remote controller attached to a television, karaoke, or the like. How to access the Internet. 6. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein the device for accessing the Internet is an input device using a voice input interface. 7. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein access data using the URL corresponding to the assigned number is stored, and the access data is statistically processed according to a desired purpose. An Internet access method characterized by using it as information. 8. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 7, wherein the access data is disclosed as classification information or comprehensive ranking information. 9. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 7, wherein the access data is used for survey / analysis of an Internet audience rating. 10. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein the assigned number is printed on an arbitrary medium, and the printed medium is used by being linked to the Internet using the URL. A method for accessing the Internet, characterized in that: 11. A method for accessing the Internet according to claim 10, wherein said assigned number is expressed as voice or character information on a communication broadcasting device such as a television or a radio. how to access. 12. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 10, wherein the assigned number is combined with an address printing, a list management mechanism, or the like, and the URL is set.
A method for accessing the Internet, characterized in that the latest information linked to the Internet is printed on a medium. 13. The method of accessing the Internet according to claim 10, wherein a profile of the client-side user is provided online on the Internet.
The information provider on the information providing server side manages a layer targeted by the information provider, and notifies the assigned number to the user and the user desired by the information provider using the management information. How to access the internet. 14. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 10, wherein a profile of the user on the client side is managed online on the Internet, and the user is randomly assigned to the user using the management information. A method for accessing the Internet, wherein the assigned number is notified. 15. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein when the number is assigned, a number having a predetermined number of digits is automatically assigned. 16. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined number of digits is automatically assigned based on a correspondence table between alphabets and numbers created in advance. How to access the Internet. 17. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined number of digits is automatically assigned to each group according to a purpose such as occupation or region classified into a specific group. Internet access method characterized by assigning to the Internet. 18. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein, when assigning the number, assigning a number having a predetermined number of digits to a desired number according to an application of the user on the client side. Characteristic Internet access method. 19. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 18, wherein the favorite number is a telephone number,
A method for accessing the Internet, which is characterized by a sequence of numbers such as analogy from a company name or personal name, date of birth, vehicle number, address, room number, securities number, and postal code. 20. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein, when assigning the number, examination information is stored in association with the assigned number, and a user other than a user determined on the client side is stored. A method for accessing the Internet, wherein the display or acquisition of the relevant information is restricted when the user accesses the Internet. 21. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein when assigning the number, a number having a predetermined number of digits corresponding to a character string according to an application of a user on the client side is automatically assigned. Internet access method characterized by assigning to the Internet. 22. The method for accessing the Internet according to claim 1, wherein, when assigning the number, a number having a predetermined number of digits corresponding to a scale according to an application of the user on the client side is automatically given. A method of accessing the Internet, characterized by assigning. 23. A plurality of clients and a plurality of information providing servers are connected on a network, and access to the Internet using a URL for accessing information resources stored in the information providing server located on the network. Means for assigning a number having an arbitrary number of digits corresponding to the URL, a storage table indicating a correspondence relationship between the assigned number and the URL, and assigning the assigned number to the URL. A search engine for performing reverse conversion, and inputting the number assigned by the assigning means from the Internet access device on the client side, and inputting the input number using the storage table by the search engine. URL is converted back to the URL, and the converted URL is used on the Internet. Perform exploration, access system to the Internet and displaying or obtaining the relevant data. 24. A plurality of clients and a plurality of information providing servers are connected on a network, and access to the Internet using a URL for accessing information resources stored in the information providing server located on the network. A storage medium storing the access processing of the above, receiving a number of an arbitrary number of digits assigned corresponding to the URL, giving the received number to a protocol method, accessing the Internet, Sending the number to the number conversion server via the Internet, receiving the URL corresponding to the number from the number conversion server via the Internet, and providing the received URL to the client; Before the Internet access process stored in Installed on the client side, input the number from the client-side access device to the Internet, reverse-convert the input number to the URL, and perform a search on the Internet with the reverse-converted URL. And a storage medium storing an access process to the Internet characterized by displaying or acquiring corresponding data.