KR20010022493A - Method and apparatus for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

The data is processed based on the Internet connection unit 3 connected to the Internet 2, the telephone line network connection unit 7 connected to the telephone line network 14, the script interpreter execution unit 5 that executes the script, and the script. Any one of a plurality of servers existing on the Internet 2 (e.g., a file storage server 10) having a recognition synthesizing section 8 or the like and a file temporary storage device 6 for temporarily storing file data. The script is optionally downloaded from the), and the processed data is supplied to a communication terminal such as the telephone terminal 15 or the facsimile terminal 16 connected to the telephone line network 14.

Description

Information processing apparatus and information processing method {Method and apparatus for information processing}

In the past, it was difficult for ordinary people to send and distribute information to an unspecified number of people, but in recent years, the Internet has spread rapidly, and by using so-called WWW (World Wide Web) or e-mail, It has been relatively easy to send a call. In particular, software for arranging information has been widely distributed to people who receive the information about the WWW, and a large number of people use various kinds of information (for example, their research achievements, profiles, and information on hobbies). It is open to the public.

Here, in order to extract and view information such as WWW and e-mail on a network, a method of connecting a pulsed computer (so-called personal computer, hereinafter referred to as an enemy PC) or a dedicated terminal to the network is common. That is, according to the WWW, as shown in FIG. 1, several PCs 101 and 102 are connected to the Internet 103, and the so-called web server 104 is connected to the Internet 103 similarly. In the registration of information using this WWW, for example, information from the PC 101 is registered in the web server 104 via the Internet 103. On the other hand, in the extraction of information, for example, the PC 102 receives the information registered in the web server 104 via the Internet 103. According to the electronic mail, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, information from the PC 101 is transmitted to the PC 102 via the Internet 103.

As described above, in the WWW and the e-mail, a computing material such as a personal computer is required as well as the sending side. Therefore, those who do not own their descriptions cannot use the information of the WWW or e-mail, and even if they own the description, for example, they are not familiar with the operation of the software for viewing the description and the information. It is hard to use for man.

In addition, in order to connect these items to a network, it is often necessary to contract with a professional company (so-called Internet provider) and pay a fee, and the burden on the amount of money is large in combination with communication costs such as telephone charges.

The current WWW and the e-mail environment described above are somewhat easy to use, easy to use in their own way, and are actually used by a great many people, but they are easy to use so that they can be easily used by anyone. I can't say it, I can't say it's economic.

On the other hand, as a form in which more people easily receive information, a telephone answering service or a facsimile (FAX) service as shown in FIG. That is, in the telephone answering service or the fax service system, the information (information provided as a service) created by the data creating device 116 is registered in the storage device 115 of the server 113, and the user who wants to receive this information. The telephone terminal 111 dials the server 113 via the telephone line network 112, and dials a specific number corresponding to the information to be received again. At this time, the server 113 interprets the specific number in the conversation program execution unit 114, extracts information corresponding to the specific number from the storage device 115, and the user via the telephone line network 112. Is sent to the telephone terminal 11 of. As a result, the user can receive the desired information.

As described above, with a telephone answering service or a fax service, a user who wants to receive information calls a specific number of the server 113 from the telephone terminal 111 via the telephone line network 112, thereby providing voice communication or video. This is to carry information through communication.

In the telephone answering service and the facsimile service, it is a big feature to use the already widely used materials such as a telephone terminal or a facsimile terminal, and a user purchases a new pulsed computer or moves on the pulsed computer again. You do not need to be familiar with the operation of dedicated software. In addition, it can be expected that the cost of use is relatively low without going through a service such as an Internet provider.

However, in a system such as a telephone answering service or a facsimile service, in many cases, the same device stores, updates, and executes data displaying the contents of the answering service (provided service). Many of the same. In such a case, a person (an organization such as an individual or a company) who wants to provide a response service may, for example, prepare data and prepare and operate the device, or prepare the data for a professional contractor and operate the device. There is much work to entrust. In the former case, the cost of introducing the apparatus is high, in the latter case, it is difficult to update data frequently, and the commissioning cost also occurs. In any case, it does not serve the purpose of sending information easily, such as the WWW.

In addition, in this system, various kinds of information (such as WWW) existing on the Internet cannot be used, and most of them can only access information owned by individuals or organizations that operate the service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method for facilitating the transmission and acquisition of information by ordinary people using, for example, the Internet or a public telephone line network.

1 is a block diagram used for explaining the registration and cancellation of information to the WWW.

2 is a block diagram used for explaining transmission and reception of an electronic file.

3 is a block diagram used to describe a call answering service.

4 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of an information service system to which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an information service system to which the present invention is applied.

6 shows the structure of a script management file.

7 is a flowchart showing the response script and the execution order.

8 is a flowchart showing the registration procedure of the response script.

9 is a view showing an example of a registration form (form) on the drawing.

10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration result notification on the drawing.

11 is a flowchart showing a procedure when using a service.

12 is a diagram used for explaining an example in which a plurality of services are mixed.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing only the parts related to speech synthesis in the overall configuration diagram.

14 is a block diagram used for explaining an example in which a data file is arranged outside the server.

Fig. 15 is a block diagram used for explaining an example in which the response script is arranged outside the server.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram used for explaining the positional relationship of the file transfer control unit.

17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a remote file management file.

18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a local cache management file.

19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure performed on the file cache of the file transfer control unit.

20 is a flowchart showing the cache out processing procedure of the file transfer control unit.

21 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at the end of file access by the file transfer control unit.

22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a site cache setting file.

23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cache setting correspondence file.

24 is a flowchart showing an individual load check processing procedure of the file transfer control unit.

25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a trust site configuration file.

Fig. 26 is a flowchart showing the life checking processing procedure for each file.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing the procedure for deleting a file which has become unnecessary after file access is finished.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by a script interpreter in reading a download file.

29 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of an example script for reproducing two audio files.

30 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of executing the script of FIG. 29.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that make it easy and low-cost to send information or obtain information using the Internet or a public telephone network. It is done.

In the present invention, an information processing apparatus connected to a computer network and also connected to a telephone line network temporarily stores an execution sequence file selectively acquired from another server, analyzes the data temporarily, and processes the data according to the execution sequence. To the communication terminal connected to the telephone line network.

That is, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes network connection means connected to a computer network, telephone line network connection means connected to a telephone line network, analysis execution means for analyzing and executing an execution sequence file, and execution order. A data processing means for processing data and at least temporary storage means for temporarily storing file data, selectively executing execution sequence files from any of a plurality of servers on a computer network, and connecting the processed data to a telephone line network. It characterized in that it is provided to the communication terminal.

Further, the information processing method according to the present invention selectively acquires an execution order file from any of a plurality of servers on a computer network, analyzes the obtained execution order file, and based on the execution order of analyzing the execution order file. The data is processed, and the processed data is provided to a communication terminal connected to a telephone line network.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings.

1. Overview of Information Service System Applying the Present Invention

In the information service system to which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied, the information is managed using the Internet as in the WWW, thereby providing an environment in which information can be created and managed more easily than a conventional telephone answering service or facsimile service. By making it possible to use a telephone terminal or a facsimile terminal as a means of receiving information, more people can receive the information easily.

Fig. 4 shows a configuration of an information service system in which service data is created and managed by a personal computer PC30 and a service is provided by the telephone terminal 15 as a typical usage mode to which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied. . That is, the information service system shown in FIG. 4 has both the advantages of the WWW and the telephone answering service described above, and supplements the disadvantages.

Here, the information service system shown in Fig. 4 is significantly different from the conventional telephone answering system shown in Fig. 3 described above. The device (server 1) operating the answering service is connected to the Internet 2, and It is possible to download data as a response service from another terminal (PC30 or the like) connected on the Internet 2.

That is, according to this information service system, the application creation side PC30 of the response service does not need to be concerned with the operation of the service, and does not need to use its terminal PC30 for service operation. This is one of the advantages of the current WWW. As a result, more people can easily participate in the creation of the answering service application than in the conventional telephone answering service, and more convenient information is expected to be caused by the public in addition to the WWW.

In addition, the device (server 1) operating the response service is connected to the Internet 2, and existing WWW information existing on the Internet 2 can be used. As a result, it is possible to provide a voice response service utilizing the vast amount of existing data of the WWW.

In addition, the information service system is significantly different from the conventional WWW system in that the server 1 is connected to the telephone line network 14, and is connected to the general telephone terminal 15 to receive the service. This makes it possible to access the information on the server 1 using the telephone terminal 15 that is already widely used in the world. That is, in the conventional WWW system, it was common to access a server from a terminal PC connected to the Internet 2 and to view information in a visual form. According to this information service system, the telephone terminal 15 accesses the server. Information can be retrieved in an auditory form.

In order to realize the information service system as described above, a dedicated programming language is defined here. In addition, the conventional WWW uses a so-called HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) language, such as a singer, to describe information. The HTML is based on the premise that the information is visually viewed.

〈HTML〉

〈TITLE〉 test page 〈/ TITLE〉

〈BODY bgcolor = white〉

〈HI〉 test Page 〈/ HI〉

<IMG src = ball.gif> This is a test page. <BR>

For more information, go 〈A href=detail.html〉 here 〈/A〉.

〈/ BODY〉 〈/ HTML〉

On the other hand, in this information service system, a programming language for describing information to be provided to the user of the telephone terminal 15 also assumes that the information is received in an audio form by telephone, and the audio is reproduced. The order, timing, handling of button input from the telephone terminal user, etc. can be programmed. In addition, the information service system also assumes use from terminals (facsimile terminals, etc.) other than the telephone terminal as described below, and therefore, a programming language is designed to be usable by those terminals.

Therefore, in the conventional WWW system, "document files described in HTML and data such as images and audio accompanying them" are accumulated. In this system, "data described in proprietary languages and images and audio accompanying them are included." Is used. In the following description, this "file described in a dedicated language" will be referred to as "response script file" or simply "response script".

A simple example of the response service described in the response script is a so-called telephone service. In other words, when a call is made to the provider of the service, a specific guide voice is reproduced, the user is asked to select the information, and when the user inputs a code number indicating the desired information by the operator of the telephone terminal, the voice of the information to be answered is received. Is to play. In this system, it is possible to provide a service similar to a conventional telephone answering service to a user who is accessed from a telephone terminal. Further, as described later, a service which is not available in the conventional service can be provided.

2. System Configuration

2.1 Overall Configuration

5 shows the overall configuration of the information service system to which the present invention is applied and the internal configuration of the server 1 connected to the information network of the information service system.

In FIG. 5, the server 1 includes a service management unit 20, an Internet connection unit 3, a file transfer control unit 4, and a script interpreter execution unit 5 constituting the conversation program execution unit 31 of FIG. And the telephone line network connection unit 7, the recognition synthesizing unit 8, and the file temporary storage unit 6 constituting a part of the storage unit 32 of FIG. The server 1 communicates with a user terminal such as a telephone terminal 15, a facsimile terminal 16, a computer terminal 17, a dedicated terminal 18 via a telephone network 14, and, if necessary, the Internet ( 2) via another server (a master file storage server 9, a file storage server 10, a server program execution server 11, a database server 12, a web server 19, etc.) or a computer (for example) For example, it communicates with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 13. As a result, the server 1 provides various services in response to a request from the user terminal.

That is, in this server 1, the telephone line network connection unit 7 transmits and receives voice data, facsimile data, dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals, and the like through the telephone line network 14, and the voice recording / reproducing unit ( 7B), the image input / output unit 7C and the DTMF processing unit 7A perform processing such as encode, decode, and error correction on the respective data. In addition, the caller ID detection unit 7D detects the telephone number of the user terminal connected to the server 1 if it can be detected. In this manner, the server 1 can detect various operations of the operator in the telephone terminal 15 and the facsimile terminal 16, input voice, and facsimile data to provide various services. In addition, the user terminal connected to the telephone line network 14 is not limited to the telephone terminal 15 and the facsimile terminal 16, but the computer terminal 17, the dedicated terminal 18, a mobile phone, and a so-called PHS (personal). handyphone system).

The file transfer control section 4 stores the audio data obtained from the Internet connection section 3 via the Internet 2, the image data of the facsimile terminal, the document data of the WWW (World Wide Web), the response sequence script data, and the like. And converts the data format into the data format in the script interpreter execution unit 5 or the file temporary storage device 6, and conversely, the script interpreter execution unit 5 or the file temporary storage device 6 The data transmitted from the ()) is converted into the most appropriate format and output to the Internet (2). However, the data format in the Internet 2 and the data format in the server 1 do not necessarily need to be different.

The master file storage server 9 connected to the Internet 2 holds a master file for controlling the operation of the server 1.

The file storage server 10 holds response order script data, data such as audio and video (collectively referred to as a remote file).

The database 12 maintains a database therein and, upon request from the server program execution server 11, outputs the contents of the database to the appropriate server program execution server 11, and vice versa. The database is updated according to the data input from the server 11.

The server program execution server 11 communicates with the host database 12 to communicate with the Internet 2 in accordance with requests from other terminals connected to the Internet 2 and the contents of the server program held therein. I carry it.

The PC 13 is connected to the Internet 2 and communicates with the host server 1, the master file storage server 9, the file storage server 10, and the server program execution server 11. As a result, the user of the PC 13 can manage the information accumulated on these various servers. However, from the viewpoint of security, each server performs sufficient authentication operation in management operation from outside the server.

With this structure, the server 1 extracts the master file from the master file storage server 9 via the Internet 2, receives the remote file with the file storage server 10, and executes the server program execution server. The data of the database server 12 is received through (11). In addition, the server 1 communicates with another PC 13 connected to the Internet 2, sends information to the PC 13, or conversely, the operation of the server 1 in accordance with a command from the PC 13. It is possible to change or.

The script interpreter execution unit 5 of the server 1 switches the enemy operation in accordance with the contents of the master script input via the Internet 2 or held in the file temporary storage device 6, and the file transfer control unit ( 4) and the file temporary storage device 6 and the telephone line network connection part 7 are controlled, and these devices and data are received.

The file temporary storage device 6 communicates with the file transfer control section 4 and the recognition synthesis section 8, holds the data input therefrom inside, and outputs the data retained in accordance with control from these devices. Or update or delete.

The file temporary storage device 6 has at least one script management file. The script management file has a structure as shown in FIG. 6, for example, and manages the correspondence between the response order script file name and the response service code.

The recognition synthesizing unit 8 performs voice synthesis, voice recognition, character recognition, image synthesis, etc. on data input from the telephone line network connection unit 7 or the file temporary storage device 6 under the control of the telephone network connection unit 7. Processing is performed, and the result is output to the telephone line network connection portion 7 or the file temporary storage device 6. For this processing, the recognition synthesizing section 8 incorporates a voice synthesizing section 8A, a speech recognizing section 8B, a character recognizing section 8C, and an image synthesizing section 8D therein, and use them appropriately.

2.2 files

2.2.1 Response Sequence Script

In this system, a program that manages a conversation that a user using a terminal such as the telephone terminal 15 communicates with the server 1 through the telephone line network 14 is a response sequence script (appropriate, response script, script, etc.). It is called. The program filed as data on the calculator is called a response sequence script file (it is referred to as a hostile, response script file, script file, etc.).

The script file is interpreted by the script interpreter execution section 5 of the server 1, and the server 1 operates according to the content. In other words, the script file records a flow or a command for controlling the operation of the server 1. The following is an example of a response script.

｛

while (TRUE) ｛

&wait_call;

&off_hook;

& play_sound ('hello.snd');

&on_hook;

｝

｝

7 shows the execution procedure of the response script. In this flowchart of Fig. 7, the line is connected when a call is received from the user's terminal at step SP1 and a call is received from the user at step SP2. When the line is connected in step SP2, in step SP3, the audio file whose file name is "hello.snd" is reproduced. After that, the line is disconnected at step SP4.

Among the response sequence scripts, the first one to be read at the start of the server 1 is called a master script.

The script must exist in the file storage server 10 whether the file is electronically filed, the file temporary storage device 6 or the master file storage server 9.

2.2.2 Data

Like "hello.snd" in the program of the above script example, the script file can refer to other data files. Although audio data is referred to in this example, it is also possible to use text data, image data and the like. It is also possible to use data files of various formats for the same voice data. Their data is electronically filed and stored in the file temporary storage device 6, the file storage server 10, and the like.

2.3 Response Service Code

In this information service system, a unique code number is assigned to each service constituted by a response sequence script, which is performed for a user who connects from the telephone line network 14 by the telephone terminal 15 or the like. This is called a response service code. As a result, the user can select various services registered in the server 1, such as a weather forecast service, a road traffic information service, a map printing service, and the like by the corresponding code number at the user terminal.

The management file shown in FIG. 6 associates this code number with a script indicating an actual response service. When the user inputs the code number in the user terminal in the service, the management file is stored in the server 1. Based on this, the corresponding script can be determined.

The response service code is generated by the service management unit 19 when the response order script is small and the script is registered in the server 1.

2.4 Basic Operation

The following items are mentioned as a basic operation of this information service system.

Create response sequence script and related data

Registration of the same script on the server 1

Use of the service by the same script

Maintenance of the same script and related data

Hereinafter, each of the above items will be described.

2.4.1 Writing Scripts and Data

As described in section 2.2 above, the service provided to the user using the apparatus realized by this system and connected to the telephone line network 14 is described in the response sequence script and the data related thereto.

The response sequence script is a text file exemplified in Section 2.2.1, but the language specification is not included in the present invention. Anyone can write it according to the language specification. Anyone can create data (voice, image, etc.) related to the response sequence script. After writing together with the script and data, it is registered with the server 1 and can be used for the first time through the telephone line network 14.

2.4.2 Registration of Response Script

As a method of registering the response script in the server 1 in the PC 13 connected to the Internet 2, various examples can be considered.

8 shows an example of the operation procedure of the server 1 in registering the response script with the server 1 via the Internet 2 in the PC 13.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, when the user starts, for example, the so-called web browsing software on the PC 13, and connects the PC 13 to the server 1 for registration of the script, the web server 19 starts. In response, the web server 19 transmits the web page for script registration to the web browsing software of the PC 13 in step SP11. As a response script registration screen displayed on the display by the web browsing software executed on the PC 13, a screen as shown in FIG. 9 is exemplified. On the response script registration screen, an input unit for a name and an input unit for a file name are displayed, and a soft key display ("OK", "RESET"), etc., indicating whether or not to register the input again is displayed.

The creator of the response script creates a response script on the PC 13, opens this screen, and inputs his name and the file name of the response script in the blanks of the name input section and the file name input section. As a result, the PC 13 sends the response script itself on the PC 13 or the address indicating the location of the response script to the server 1 by HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). Then, the server 1 shifts to the processing of step SP12 and receives the sent data.

Subsequently, the server 1 proceeds to the processing of step SP13, determines whether the script itself has been sent or the address of the script has been sent, and if the address has been sent, proceeds to the processing of step SP14, and Extract the script itself from the address. As the address, for example, a so-called URL (Unified Resource Locator) can be used, and in that case, the server 1 can be connected to the PC (via the Internet 2 in the Internet connection section 3) according to the protocol recorded in the URL. Extract the script from 13).

In this way, the server 1 which received the script by any method next moves to the process of step SP15 to check the contents of the script, and determines whether there is a grammatical error. If an error is detected here, the process proceeds to step SP16 and an error message is sent to the PC 13. As a result, an error message is displayed on the screen of the web browsing software of the PC 13, and it is urged to correct and register the user after correction.

If no error is detected in the check in step SP15, the server 1 proceeds to the processing in step SP17, and the service manager 20 stores this script in the file temporary storage device 6. As shown in FIG. In addition, the process proceeds to step SP19, and the service management unit 20 generates a service code corresponding to the script and informs the web server 19. FIG. Then, in subsequent step SP20, the web server 19 produces | generates the web page for notifying a user of the notified service code, and transmits the data to PC13. Thereby, the user can confirm the service code issued by the server 1 on the screen of the web browsing software on the PC 13. 10 shows an example of screen output displayed on the screen of the web browsing software at this time. In other words, in this example of FIG. The access number of this response script is 3487. ”

2.4.3 Use of Scripts

11 shows the operation procedure of the server 1 when the service user receives the service by the response script.

In FIG. 11, when the service user connects to the server 1 via the telephone line network 14 using the telephone terminal 15, the server 1 shifts to the processing of step SP31, and the telephone terminal ( Send a guidance voice (for example, "Please enter your desired service code"). On the other hand, if the service user inputs the desired service code (3487 for the script registered in the example of FIG. 10) by the operator of the telephone terminal 15, the server 1 proceeds to the processing of step SP32. The signal is received and converted by the telephone line network connection unit 7 into an internal format.

Subsequently, at step SP33, it is determined whether or not this value is appropriate in the service management unit 20, and if not appropriate, that is, if a service corresponding to the input service code is not available, the process at step SP36. The telephone line network connection unit 7 notifies the service terminal's telephone terminal 15 via the telephone line network 14 by voice that the service code is invalid, and then proceeds to step SP32. Go back and wait for the service code to be entered.

In the determination of step SP33, if the service code 20 is appropriate, the process proceeds to step SP34, and the service manager 20 extracts the script corresponding to the service code from the file temporary storage device 6; Then, it is passed to the script interpreter execution unit 5.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step SP35, and the response script passed by the script interpreter execution unit 5 is analyzed and executed.

By assigning code numbers to individual response scripts as described above, a plurality of services can be realized in one server 1. 12 shows an example of the configuration in the case where a plurality of services are realized in one server 1.

In Fig. 12, on the Internet 2, for example, the PC 41 of the response script S1 author of "weather forecast" and the PC 42 of the response script S2 author of "news", for example. Are connected to each other, and both connect to the server 1 and register the script. As a result, the server 1 registers these scripts together with the response script S3 of "Traffic Information" already registered, and issues a code number to each script. The user connected to the server 1 using the telephone terminal 15 enters a number of scripts for providing a desired service among respective code numbers (in this example, S1 or S2 scripts). You can get the service.

2.5 Extensions

2.5.1 Speech Synthesis

As described above, the server 1 can transmit voice data prepared in advance to the user's telephone terminal 15 or the like. However, by using text voice synthesis, it is also possible to generate and transmit voice from text data.

In Fig. 13, only the parts related to voice synthesis are extracted and displayed from the overall configuration shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 13, the file temporary storage device 6 is capable of retaining not only programs and voice data but also text data.

Then, the script interpreter execution unit 5 requests the file transfer control unit 4 for text data suitable for the read program. The file transfer control section 4 extracts the requested file from the file temporary storage device 6 and transmits it to the telephone line network connecting portion 7, and the telephone line network connecting portion 7 sends the same data to the recognition synthesizing portion 8. .

The recognition synthesizing section 8 converts this data into speech in the speech synthesizing section 8A and transmits the generated speech data to the telephone line network connection section 7. Then, voice is transmitted from the telephone line network connection unit 7 to the telephone terminal 15 of the user through the telephone line 14.

In addition, when sending the text data stored in the file temporary storage device 6 to the recognition synthesis section 8, the recognition synthesis section 8 is not limited to the above-described method, but directly from the file temporary storage device 6; You may be sent. In this case, the file interpreter 5 notifies the recognition synthesizing unit 8 of the data interpreter execution unit 5 via the telephone line network connection unit 7.

The following is an example of a script that reads a specific sentence.

｛

while (TRUE)) ｛

&wait_call;

&off_hook;

& play) text ("Stopping service now");

& play_text ("Please try again tomorrow"); . ");

&on_hook;

｝

｝

As described above, in the information service system, since the voice can be generated from the text data and used for the chat service, the person creating the chat service does not necessarily need to prepare the voice data, and the service can be created more simply.

2.5.2 Voice input

As described above, the server 1 can receive and interpret DTMF signals by the operator of the telephone terminal 15 as input from the user, but again receives voice input from the telephone terminal 15 by the user. It is also intended to be. The voice input by the user at the microphone of the telephone terminal 15 is input to the telephone line network connection portion 7 via the telephone line network 14. In practice, this audio data is processed by the script interpreter execution section 95 determined in accordance with the program being executed, and controlling the telephone line network connection section 7.

For example, in the program, when the voice from the telephone terminal 15 is specified to be recorded in the file temporary storage device 6, the voice data inputted to the telephone line network connection unit 7 is the audio recording / reproducing unit 7B. ) Is converted into an internal format and stored in the file temporary storage device 6.

When the voice from the telephone terminal 15 is designated in the program to be used for voice recognition, the voice data inputted to the telephone line network connection unit 7 is sent to the recognition synthesis unit 8, and the voice recognition unit ( In 8B), the voice recognition process is executed, and the result is sent to the script interpreter execution unit 5.

In this way, the server 1 receives the voice input input from the telephone terminal 15 by the user, so that the user's voice can be recorded via the telephone terminal 15 and reproduced later. It is possible to handle a program for realizing a service or the like that can be made by voice by the operator of the telephone terminal 15.

2.5.3 Importing External Files

In the system example shown in FIG. 5 described above, the response script and the data accompanying it are accommodated in the file temporary storage device 6 in the server 1. However, in the present invention, these scripts and data are installed outside the server 1; It is also possible.

In the response script read in Section 2.2.1, a voice file is played in the script (example of the response script). By making the script file name designation part more general, the data in various places on the network can be designated as well as the same place where the script file is stored.

A representative method of indicating the location of data on the Internet (hereinafter referred to as an address) is a URL (Unified Resource Locator), but this information service system uses a URL or the same function as that.

For example, for the example of the response script lifted in the above section 2.2.1, the following script specifies the URL in the portion specifying the voice file name.

｛

while (TRUE) ｛

&wait_call;

&off_hook;

& play_sound ('http://www.foo.co.jp/data/hello.snd');

&on_hook;

｝

｝

This script is registered in the server 1 and stored in the file temporary storage device 6 is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, when the script specifying data is executed on the server 1, the server 1 extracts an enemy designated data file from the Internet connection unit 3 via the Internet 2 as necessary. For example, when the script interpreter execution unit 95 analyzes and executes a script, the Internet connection unit 3 instructs the extraction of the data file, and the voice data extracted from the file storage server 10 through the Internet 2. Is reproduced by the audio recording / reproducing section 7B.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the script itself can be installed outside the server 1.

In the case of this example of FIG. 15, instead of registering the script itself, the author of the response script registers the URL indicating the location of the script in the server 1. The server 1 stores the URL registered in the list of scripts in the file temporary storage device 6, and stores the substance of the response script registered through the Internet 2 at the time required in the response service. Extract and run from. In FIG. 15, the script and the data file are placed on the same server (file storage server 10), but may be placed on different servers. In this case, it would be nice if each had a URL assigned. Alternatively, an encoding method having the same function (a function of uniquely determining the location of data on the network) may be used instead of the URL.

As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, by installing the script or data used in the script outside the server 1, changes or additions thereof can be easily performed. For example, if the script writer manages his web server, the script's contents can be changed from time to time by installing the script on that server.

2.5.4 File Transfer Control

In the server 1 of this information service system, as shown in FIG. 16, by providing the file transfer control part 4 inside, more flexible data transfer can be implement | achieved. 16 shows only the file transfer control part 4 in the server 1, and the part related to it.

In FIG. 16, the file transfer control section 4 converts the response script obtained through the Internet connection section 3 and the various data accompanying it into a data format in the server 1, and executes a script interpreter execution section. (5) or the file temporary storage device 6, and vice versa, converts the data sent from the script interpreter execution unit 5 or the file temporary storage device 6 into an appropriate format suitable for the Internet (2). ) However, the data format on the Internet and the data format inside the server 1 do not necessarily have to be different.

2.5.5 File Cache

When the file transfer control section 4 extracts data requested by the interpreter execution section 5 from another server on the Internet 2, the file transfer control section 4 stores the data in the file temporary storage device 6, and then again stores the same data. When a request is made, the data stored in the file temporary storage device 6 may be returned without being extracted from the site on the Internet 2 again. This avoids delaying the execution of the response script for the time it takes to read the same file. The cache of the download file will be described in detail later in section 2.6 "Download File Cache Details".

In addition, in the cache of the download file, depending on the will of the script writer, it is not uniformly cached, and a distinction is made between files that do not need to be cached, files that are desired to be cached as long as possible, and files that are desired to be cached by a specific time period. You may want to do it. It is also necessary to check whether the cached file has been updated at the site after downloading, but there is a case where the update check frequency may also be specified. Such a request can be responded to by having a management file on the site side and downloading it. Extension control of this cache will be described in detail later in Section 2.7, "Details of Cache Control Expansion".

2.5.6 Reading Files

In this information service system, a file required by the response script during execution or before execution may be read in the file temporary storage device 6 in advance. This prevents the execution of the response script from being delayed compared to starting to read the file for the first time when a file is needed during script execution. The file reading required in the response script during execution will be described in detail in Section 2.8, "Reading Download File Reading," later.

In reading the download file, it is better to read the file faster than the others by the will of the script writer, or may not want to read it in advance.

In such a case, it is possible to respond to such a request by explicitly writing a command to give priority to the reading of a specific file in the script itself, or writing a command to prevent reading.

2.5.7 Restrictions and Changes in Script Functions

In this information service system, it is possible to download and execute response script files from various sites. However, if any response script is allowed to execute various functions unconditionally, the system stability and resource amount, etc., may be a problem. There is a case.

In such a case, by preparing a file in which the execution authority of the script for each site or file is set, by restricting or changing the function described in the script according to the setting, the safety and the amount of source, etc. It is possible to solve the problem.

In the limit of resource amount usage or the like, setting items such as the maximum recording time, the size of the downloadable file, the maximum size of the simultaneously cached file, the priority to be cached out, and the callable level of the response script are considered. In addition, in the restriction by safety, setting items such as whether to upload files in the file temporary storage device 6 or whether to access system files are considered.

In addition, the function change is to perform an alternative process such as reproducing an error audio file when the access restricted audio file is to be reproduced, for example. This is also possible by setting alternative processing together with the functional limitation.

2.5.8 Automatic Selection of Script Engines

In this information service system, the response script is interpreted / executed by the script interpreter execution section 5. This interpreting / executing program (script engine) is not necessarily one. If multiple script engines are prepared for each response script even if there are multiple description languages, before executing the response script, the script interpreter execution unit 5 automatically determines what kind of script engine can be executed and the corresponding script. Can be interpreted / executed by the engine.

Determination of the kind can be performed by, for example, describing the name of the description language at the beginning of the script itself or by describing the name of the corresponding script engine.

In addition, even if the languages for describing the response scripts are the same, there are cases in which the response script converted to the intermediate language format is executed in addition to the execution of the description in the form of the language source.

Even in such a case, it is possible to respond by preparing a script engine for each of the source and intermediate languages.

2.5.9 Automatic download of script execution related files

The script engine does not necessarily need to be prepared on the server 1 beforehand, but may be downloaded from the master file storage server 9 and stored in the file temporary storage device 6 as necessary. For example, when the script engine is to execute a response script that needs to be interpreted / executed, the script interpreter execution unit 5 requests the file transfer control unit 4 to download the necessary script engine, or the file transfer control unit ( When 4) downloads the response script, the script engine required to interpret / execute it may be downloaded by itself when the file temporary storage device 6 is not present.

The file to be automatically downloaded may not be a script engine. For example, when a response script is to be interpreted / executed, a program or data necessary for executing a specific command used in the script is stored in the server 1. ), The necessary file may be downloaded from the master file storage server 9.

By doing in this way, it is not necessary to prepare all the programs and data which can be considered on the server 1 beforehand, and the resource of the file temporary storage device 6 is saved. In addition, even if a script engine or data is updated or newly created after the server 1 is operated, the latest file can be downloaded when needed without stopping the operation of the server 1, so that the system is always up to date. Can be maintained. Also, by installing these files in the file temporary storage device 6, the same cache-in, cache-out, and file read-out functions as those of other download files can be used, and files which are no longer needed can be used to use system resources at any time. It is lost to use without.

2.5.10 User Control Outside of Script Technology

In a so-called WWW browser used on a PC, the user can read the HTML file of any homepage and display it according to the description of the HTML, or stop the file while the file is being read, according to the user's intention during transmission or display. The page displayed on the screen can be displayed again. In the case of a terminal using a screen, it is possible to install a soft switch for the function on the screen and press it when the user likes it. However, in the case of a terminal such as a telephone terminal having a very limited interface that a user can input, the system cannot be occupied for such a special purpose because it is waiting for input by the interface on a response script. There are a lot.

In such a case, in the script interpreter execution unit 5 or the telephone line network connection unit 7, when there is an input of a specific sequence in the interface, the script interpreter execution unit ( 5) may be controlled by the reader's interpretation.

In this way, when "**** 1" is continuously input, for example, by the operator of the telephone terminal 15, the last time is returned to the script, and for example, "**** continuously". If 0 "is inputted, control by returning to the original script etc. becomes possible regardless of the description of the response script itself. Of course, it is also possible to perform the same control not only by the operator but also by input such as "stop" or "return" by voice.

2.5.11 Automatic selection of scripts by destination terminal address / type

By the way, in this information service system, it is not limited that it is convenient to use the service of the same script when the user who uses this system in a communication terminal connects to the said network.

Thus, for example, the telephone line network control unit 7 includes a caller number detection unit 7D, and transmits the number to the script interpreter execution unit 5 at the time of connection from the user's communication terminal, thereby executing the script interpreter execution unit 5. ) May select and execute the response script according to the number.

By doing so, for example, it is possible to immediately provide a service according to a user registered in advance.

In addition, the telephone line network connection unit 7 is provided with a function capable of detecting the type of terminal, and the script interpreter executing unit 5 transmits the type of the terminal to the script interpreter executing unit 5 at the time of connection from the user's communication terminal. (5) may select and execute the response script according to the number.

By doing so, for example, it is possible to provide an optimum service for each user connecting from a telephone terminal, a user following a facsimile terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like.

2.5.12 Server Programs, Database Access

In the response script used by the server of the information service system, other WWW information on the Internet 2 can be referred to and used. As an example of a script for reading the contents of a specific web page on the Internet 2, the following script is considered.

｛

while (TRUE) ｛

&wait_call;

&off_hook;

& read_alound_html ('http://www.foo.co.jp/data/news.html');

&on_hook;

｝

｝

In addition, the information obtained from the data on the WWW and the server program (CGI, etc.) is not limited to being read. For example, if a server program is supposed to return the current time at that time, the script using the program notifies the current time to the connected user as follows.

｛

while (TRUE) ｛

&wait_call;

&off_hook;

$ time = & get_web ('http://www.foo.co.jp/cgi-bin/time.cgi');

& play_text ("The time now is $ time.");

&on_hook;

｝

｝

In the case of processing such a script, the script interpreter execution unit 5 interprets the script, detects the portion described to use the information existing on the Internet 2 outside of the server 1, and the information. Is extracted directly from the Internet connection unit 3 or via the file transfer control unit 4.

As described above, the information service system can use information already existing on the Internet, and the creator of the response script does not need to prepare all the information brought by the script he writes. A service that provides information generated by processing or aggregating information already existing on the Internet can also be provided. Thus, it is possible to provide an environment where more people are creating scripts that provide various services.

2.6 Download File Cache Details

The file transfer control section 4 downloads the file via the Internet 2 in response to a request of the script interpreter execution section 5, but the frequently used file is repeatedly downloaded. Downloading the same file over and over again often takes time in the case of communication via the Internet 2, which is problematic for the convenience of the user.

Therefore, if the downloaded file is temporarily stored in the file temporary storage device 6 and the next file is downloaded to the file temporary storage device 6 when the next file is instructed to be downloaded, the same file is downloaded again. Compared with time, efficiency is good. This process is commonly called a file cache.

17 and 18 show an example of a file (remote file management file, local cache management file) for managing file cache in this information service system. These files are created / updated by the file transfer control section 4 and installed in the file temporary storage device 6.

The remote file management file shown in Fig. 17 records the correspondence between the URL of the remote file and the file name (local file name) stored in the file temporary storage device 6 or the like. Also, the master file may be treated like the remote file. The local file name is generated by the file transfer control section 4 so as not to overlap with any local file name when the remote file is downloaded. Items of this file include a remote file update date and time for recording when the remote file was created / updated, and a final update check date and time for recording when and when the remote file was downloaded. In the example of FIG. 17, the remote file (URL) "http://test.jp/a.txt" is managed as a local file under the file name "a0121.txt", and is the date and time when it was downloaded or created / updated. Is 10:10:15 on November 11, 1997, and it is 12:15:05 on November 13, 1997 that the last update date of this remote file was checked.

Incidentally, the local cache management file in Fig. 18 is for recording information about access of the local file. The items to be recorded for each local file include the last access date and time, which is the last time the local file was last accessed, and the counter during access, which is the number of scripts that are using (downloaded request) the corresponding local file at this time. The counter during this access indicates that the local file is not used when the value is 0, and is used when the value is one or more. This makes it possible to determine whether the local file can be updated or deleted. In the example of FIG. 18, the last file accessed by the local file "a0121.txt" is November 13, 1997 at 15:51:11, which indicates that it is currently used by two scripts.

2.6.1 Cache-in Order

Fig. 19 shows a procedure performed by the file transfer control section 4 in relation to file cache when downloading a remote file. This is performed, for example, when the script interpreter execution section 5 requests the file transfer control section 4 to download the remote file in accordance with the description of the script.

In Fig. 19, first, in step SP41, the remote file (URL) of the remote file management file is used as a search key to search whether the remote file to be downloaded is registered, that is, is already downloaded to the file temporary storage device 6; Initiate. Here, in step SP42, it is determined whether or not the remote file search has succeeded. If the search fails, that is, if the corresponding remote file is not registered, the process proceeds to step SP47 and downloads.

On the other hand, in step SP42, if the search is successful, i.e., if the corresponding remote file is registered, it is determined by checking in the following order whether or not to download again.

In the case where it is determined in step SP42 that the remote file is registered, in step SP43, the corresponding local file name recorded in the corresponding entry of the remote file management file is obtained, and the same local file name in the local cache management file is obtained. Search for an entry.

Next, in step SP44, the counter during the access of the entry is checked. Here, if the value of the counter during entry access is 1 or more, it is assumed that there is a script or the like that is accessing the local file in another place, and the process proceeds to step SP51 without downloading. On the other hand, if the value of the counter during access is 0, the process proceeds to step SP45.

In step SP45, the remote file storage server 10 is inquired of the update date of the remote file itself via the Internet connection unit 3, and the result is obtained as the latest update date and time.

Next, in step SP46, the latest update date and time are compared with the remote file update date recorded in the remote file management file, and if they are the same, the remote file is not updated and is regarded as the local file and is not downloaded. The process proceeds to SP50).

On the other hand, in the determination at step SP46, if the update date and time of the remote file is wrong, the download is performed in the following order, assuming that the remote file has been updated in the previous download.

In the case where it is determined in step SP46 that the update date of the remote file is wrong, in step SP47, it is checked whether or not there is room in the storage capacity of the file temporary storage device 6 as a cache out check, If not, it deletes local files that are no longer used. The detailed description of this operation will be described later when the flowchart of FIG. 20 is explained.

Next, in step SP48, the transfer request of the remote file corresponding to the file storage server 10 or the like is made through the Internet connection unit 3, and downloaded to the file temporary storage device 6. At this time, if the file is registered in the remote file management file, the corresponding local file already exists, and if it is not registered, it is stored as a new local file with a name that does not overlap with another local file.

Subsequently, in step SP49, the contents of the entry corresponding to the remote file management file and the local cache management file are updated with the latest information. If there is an unregistered remote file, a new entry is created in each file. The date and time of the remote file update and the last access date of the local file are set to 0 at the current date and time during the access.

In the next step SP50, the last update check date and time of the remote file management file is updated to the current date and time.

After that, in step SP51, 1 is added to the counter during the access of the local cache management file (1 increment), and the use of the corresponding local file is stored.

Finally, in step SP52, the last access date and time of the local cache management file is updated to the current date and time, and the download process is terminated.

Here, if this processing is performed at the request of the script interpreter execution unit 5, the script interpreter execution unit 5 is notified that the download has been completed.

2.6.2 Cacheout Order

FIG. 20 shows an example of a procedure (usually called a cache out) in which the file transfer control section 4 deletes a local file that is less likely to be used in the file cache, such as when downloading a remote file. In the example of FIG. 20, the file is sequentially deleted from the recently accessed local file until there is room in the area for storing the local file of the file temporary recording apparatus 6. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 20, first, in step SP61, it is checked whether or not there is room in the free area of the file temporary storage device 6, and when there is room, the process ends. On the other hand, if there is no margin, the process proceeds to step SP62.

In step SP62, each entry of the local cache management file is arranged in the order of the last access date and time, and in the next step SP63, the first entry, i.e., the oldest access date and time, is extracted.

Next, in step SP64, it is checked whether or not the value of the counter during the access of the entry is 0. If it is not 0, the access is skipped and the process is executed in step SP68. On the other hand, if the value of the counter during access is 0, in order to delete the corresponding local file, first, the entry corresponding to the local file of the remote file management file and the local cache management file is deleted in step SP65.

Next, in step SP66, the local file itself is deleted.

In the next step SP67, it is checked whether or not the free space of the file temporary storage device 6 has been freed by the deletion of this local file. If the free space has been freed, the process ends. On the other hand, if there is still no room, the process proceeds to step SP68.

In this step SP68, it is checked whether or not the selected entry is the last entry. If the entry is the last entry, the processing is terminated. If the entry is not the last entry, the processing proceeds to step SP69.

In step SP69, the next entry is acquired, and then the processing returns to the processing of step SP64, and the search for a local file that can be deleted again is repeated.

Fig. 21 shows a procedure in which the file transfer control section 4 terminates access to the local file. This means that, for example, when the script interpreter execution unit 5 finishes execution of one script, the file transfer control unit 4 performs processing to inform the file transfer control unit 4 that the use has ended. Make a request. For example, if the script interpreter execution unit 5 requests the processing of FIG. 19 according to the description of the script, the script interpreter execution unit 5 stores the file requested for download, and ends the script. In doing so, the processing is requested for the entire stored file. If the same file has been downloaded multiple times, this processing is called the same number of times.

In Fig. 21, first, in step SP71, an entry is searched for by using the corresponding local file name in the local cache management file as a key.

Next, in step SP72, the last access date and time of the searched entry is updated to the current time.

In the next step SP73, 1 is subtracted from the value of the counter during access, and then the processing is terminated. This enables the basic file cache function.

2.7 Detailed Description of Extensions to Cache Control

The cache function described above includes a general cache function in which all downloaded files are stored in the file cache and erased from the least used file when the free space of the file temporary storage device 6 becomes insufficient. It is applied. It was also checked each time whether the file in the file storage server 10 was updated.

However, in some cases it may be better to specify the handling of the cache for each file. For example, this is the case in which the file is to be left on the file temporary storage device 6 as a default file even if it is not used for a while in a masker file. Such a file is a file which does not need to be updated every time since it is known that it is almost never updated. Conversely, some files do not need to be left in the cache for a long time because they are updated frequently. Although the above-described cache function handled all files equally, handling in the cache can be made special only for each file or a part of files by the following processing.

22 and 23 show an example of a file used for handling the cache individually for the file.

In the site cache setting file shown in Fig. 22, an administrator of the directory is installed in a directory (site) in which the remote file of the file storage server 10 or the master file storage server 9 is located. This file itself is also a remote file. This file has a file name, an update date and time check frequency that indicates how often to check the update date and time of each remote file in the directory (site), and a file life time that indicates how much to install the file in the cache. It is corresponded. In the example of FIG. 22, for example, if the URL of the site cache setting file itself is "http://test.jp/d/sitec.det", the file "a.wav" of the same site, that is, http Since "http://test.jp/d/a.wav" is not scheduled to be updated, it is not necessary to check the update date and time, and it is set to be installed in the cache as long as possible. Similarly, the file &quot; b.scd &quot; is set to check for updates after November 20, 1997, and to delete files from the cache after November 30, 1997. The file &quot; sitec.def &quot; is set when the update check has elapsed for 1 hour or more in the last check, and the cache is handled as usual. The file name of this setting can be designated not only for each file, but also expressed as a wildcard or regular expression. For example, in the file "* .txt" in the example of FIG. 22, for example, "foo.txt" And the like. Since this file "* .txt" is frequently updated, the update temporary check is performed for each access, and the cache is treated as valid only during script execution.

The cache setting correspondence file shown in FIG. 23 is for managing the correspondence between the local file name of the site cache setting file downloaded from the remote site, and the correspondence between the remote site (URL) and the local file name of the cache setting correspondence file of the site. Record it. In the example of FIG. 23, the cache setting corresponding file downloaded from the remote site whose URL is "http://test.jp/d/" is stored in the file temporary storage device 6 under the name of the file "b0533.def". It is. The file is created / updated by the file transfer control section 4 and installed in the file temporary storage device 6.

2.7.1 Individual Cache Check

Fig. 24 shows a procedure in which the file transfer control section 4 performs load check individually with respect to file cache when downloading a remote file. It is assumed that the flowchart of FIG. 24 is inserted between step SP44 and step SP45 in FIG. 19 and executed.

In Fig. 24, first, in step SP81, the URL of the remote site is searched for in the cache setting correspondence file.

In the next step SP82, the URL of the remote site corresponding to the URL of the remote file requested for downloading in step SP81 (the remote file is "http: //www.test/d/a.wav"). In this case, the URL of the remote site searches whether "http: //www.test/d/") is registered in the cache setting correspondence file. In step SP82, if registered, the process proceeds to step SP86, and if not registered, the process proceeds to step SP83.

In step SP83, the corresponding cache setting correspondence file is downloaded.

In the next step SP84, it is checked whether or not the download is successful. If the cache setting correspondence file could not be downloaded, the process proceeds to the process of step SP91, where the process of step SP45 of FIG. Will continue.

On the other hand, when the cache setting correspondence file has been downloaded in step SP84, the processing proceeds to step SP85. In this step SP85, the remote site (URL) and the local file name are registered in the cache setting correspondence file.

Next, in step SP86, the file name of each entry of the corresponding site cache setting file is searched for whether there is a match with the name of the remote file requested to be downloaded. At this time, if the file name has been a wildcard or regular expression, the search is made as such.

In the next step SP87, if there is no entry of the corresponding remote file as a result of the search, the process proceeds to step SP45 in FIG. 19 via step SP91, and if an entry is found, the process of step SP88 occurs. Proceed to processing.

In step SP88, the update date and time check frequency of the corresponding entry is obtained.

In step SP89, it is determined whether or not an update date check is necessary according to the update date and time check frequency, and if necessary, the process proceeds to step SP45 in FIG. 19 through step SP91, and if an update date is not necessary, step SP89. The process proceeds to step SP51 in FIG. 19 via SP92.

In this way, the remote file checks whether or not the update date and time is individually required for processing.

2.7.2 Individual Cache Out Check

25 shows a trust site configuration file. This trust site setting file is a file in which a trusted remote site is registered. The trust site setting file is created by the administrator and stored in the master file storage bus 9, and the file transfer control section 4 stores the date and time when the system is raised. It is supposed to download to the storage device 6. This file is used to determine whether or not the technology of the site cache setting file of a specific remote site is trusted as it is, and is referred to by the file transfer control unit 4 or the script interpreter execution unit 5. In the example of FIG. 25, the remote sites indicated by the URLs "http://master.jp/a/" and "http://test.jp/d" are registered as trusted sites.

Fig. 26 shows a procedure of performing a preset lifespan check for each file when the unused file is deleted from the file cache. This flowchart is assumed to be inserted and executed between step SP64 and step SP65 in FIG.

In FIG. 26, first, in step SP101, the remote file (URL) of the local file that has been deleted from the cache is obtained from the remote file management file.

In the next step SP102, it is checked whether or not the remote site (URL) corresponding to this remote file (URL) is registered in the cache setting corresponding file.

Next, in step SP103, it is checked whether or not the retrieval of the remote site URL has succeeded. If not, the process proceeds to step SP65 in Fig. 20 via step SP110 to delete the local file. If it is registered, the process proceeds to the next step SP104.

In step SP104, the corresponding site cache setting file is specified in the cache setting corresponding file, and the remote file name is retrieved from the file.

In the next step SP105, it is checked whether or not the search for the file name is completed. If no entry of the remote file is found by this search, the process proceeds to step SP65 in Fig. 20 via step SP110, If found, the process proceeds to step SP106.

In step SP106, the file life time of the corresponding entry is obtained.

Next, in step SP107, it is checked whether or not the file write time setting is not a normal setting such as permanent storage, or a setting which has not been deleted yet. The process proceeds to step SP108, otherwise the process proceeds to step SP65 in FIG. 20 via step SP110.

In step SP108, the remote site is searched for in the trust site setting file to check whether the contents of the site cache setting file may be trusted.

In the next step SP109, it is checked whether the search of the remote site URL has succeeded. If the remote site is not found as a result of the search, the process proceeds to step SP65 in Fig. 20 via step SP110. If found, the process proceeds to step SP68 of FIG. 20 via step SP111, and the file is not deleted.

In step SP110, the processing proceeds to step SP65 in FIG. 20. If the file to be deleted is a site cache setting file, a process of deleting a corresponding entry in the cache setting corresponding file is added.

In this way, the timing of deleting from the cache can be adjusted in consideration of the lifespan of the file set in advance for each file.

Fig. 27 shows a procedure for checking whether or not a file is no longer needed by the file transfer control section 4 when local file access ends. It is assumed that the flowchart of FIG. 27 is inserted after the step SP73 of FIG. 21 and executed.

In Fig. 27, first, in step SP121, it is checked whether or not the counter in the access in the local cache management file is zero with respect to the file for which access has been completed. If not, processing ends. On the other hand, if the counter during access becomes 0, the process proceeds to step SP122.

In step SP122 and subsequent step SP123, the same processing as in step SP101 and step SP102 in FIG. 26 is performed. That is, the cache setting corresponding file searches for an entry of the corresponding remote site.

In the next step SP124, it is checked whether or not the search of the remote site URL has succeeded. If no entry is found without being searched, the process ends, and if it is found, the process proceeds to the next step SP125.

In step SP125, the same processing as in step SP104 in FIG. 26 is performed. That is, the entry of the corresponding remote file is searched in the site cache setting file.

In the next step SP126, it is checked whether or not the file name search is successful. If the file name is not found, the process is terminated, and if found, the process proceeds to step SP127.

In step SP127, following the file lifetime of the entry, in step SP128, the setting or cache that the life of the file is coming due to the file lifetime setting, that is, one script is not left in the cache only during the access. It is checked whether or not the setting of the date to be left has already passed, and if the setting is to be deleted, the processing proceeds to the next step SP129, otherwise the processing ends.

In step SP129 and subsequent to step SP130, similarly to steps SP65 and SP66 in Fig. 20, the entry is deleted from each management file and the local file itself is deleted. After that, the processing ends.

In this way, it is possible to individually delete files from the file cache that are not necessary at the end of the script.

2.8 Detailed description of downcode file reading

The file transfer control section 4 downloads the execution result of the remote file, the master file 9 or the server program in response to a request of the script interpreter execution section 5, thereby performing communication using the Internet 2. However, downloads are often more time consuming than systems configured within a local area network (LAN). If the download is performed each time in the portion instructing the download of the file in the script file, the user who is accessing the server 1 by using the telephone terminal 15 or the like is waited at each time, and there is a problem in use.

Therefore, in the information service system, the above problem is roughly solved by downloading the file in parallel with other processing before the part explicitly indicated in the script.

For example, while the user is using the telephone terminal 15 to access the server 1 while performing voice reproduction or the like according to a script, a file that may be downloaded thereafter is downloaded in advance.

FIG. 28 shows a procedure that the script interpreter execution unit 5 performs a process of reading a file when executing a script.

In the flowchart of Fig. 28, first, in step SP141, before executing a script, a file name that may be downloaded from the script is acquired.

In the next step SP142, the acquired file name is sent to the file transfer control section 4 to start downloading of those files. After this, execution is actually performed in the order of the scripts.

In step SP143, the first command of the script is read.

In the next step SP144, it is checked whether the command is a download command, and if it is a command to be downloaded, the process proceeds to step SP145, and if it is another command, the process proceeds to step SP147.

In step SP145, it is checked whether or not the file name to be downloaded is a file which has already started downloading in step SP142, and if it is the file, the processing proceeds to step SP150, and if not, the processing in step SP146. Proceed.

In step SP146, the file name is sent to the file transfer control section 4 to start downloading.

On the other hand, in step SP147, it is checked whether the command other than the command to be downloaded is a command that uses the downloaded file, such as reproduction of a voice file, and if it is wrong, the process proceeds to step SP149 to execute each command. . On the other hand, if it is not the command, the process proceeds to step SP148.

In step SP148, it is checked whether the file has been downloaded to the file temporary storage device 6, and if it has not been downloaded, it waits until it is downloaded.

If the download has been made in step SP148, the processing proceeds to step SP149, and the command is executed.

Finally, in step SP150, it is checked whether the script has finished, and if not, the process shifts to step SP151, after reading the next command from the script, the process returns to step SP144 and the same processing. Repeat.

On the other hand, if the scrap has ended in step SP150, execution of the scrap is finished.

Next, examples of the actual operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30.

Fig. 29 shows, for example, the description procedure of the script itself for downloading and reproducing two audio files in sequence.

In Fig. 29, as the contents of the script, first, the voice file A is downloaded from the file storage server 10 in step SP161.

In the next step SP162, in the same manner as the downloaded audio file A, in step SP163 the audio file B is downloaded, and in step SP164 the downloaded audio file B is played back.

30 shows the procedure that the script interpreter execution section 5 actually executes the script of FIG. 29.

In FIG. 30, first, in step SP171, file names (voice file A and voice file B) of a file that may be downloaded from the script in FIG. 29 are extracted. This corresponds to the process of step SP141 in FIG. 28.

Next, in step SP172, the extracted file names (audio file A and audio file B) are sent to the file transfer control section 4 to request download. This corresponds to the process of step SP142 of FIG.

Next, in step SP173, step SP161 of FIG. 29, which is the head command of the script, is read, and since the download request has already been completed by the download request command, the flow advances to the next command. This corresponds to the processing of step SP145 in step SP143 in FIG. 28 and the processing of step SP151 in step SP150. In addition, since step SP162 in Fig. 29 is a command for using a file (audio file A) that has completed the download request, the file temporary storage device 6 waits until the file has been downloaded. This corresponds to the processing of step SP148 in steps SP144 and SP147 of FIG. 28.

In step SP147, the downloaded audio file A is reproduced by the audio recording / reproducing section 7B of the telephone line network connection section 7 and received. This corresponds to the process of step SP149 in FIG.

Steps SP175 and SP176 also play the audio file B in the same manner as steps SP173 and SP174, and the execution of the script is terminated.

Claims (45)

Network connection means connected to a computer network, Telephone network connection means connected to the telephone network; Analysis execution means for analyzing and executing the execution sequence file; Data processing means for processing data based on an execution procedure by said analysis execution means; At least temporarily storing means for storing file data, An information processing apparatus characterized in that the execution sequence file is selectively acquired from any of a plurality of servers on the computer network, and the data processed by the data processing means is provided to a communication terminal connected to a telephone line network. The method of claim 1, An information processing apparatus characterized by acquiring data to be processed in accordance with the execution order from any of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 2, The server for acquiring the execution sequence file and the server for acquiring the processed data are the same, different, or plural servers. The method of claim 1, And said data processing means synthesizes a voice signal as processing of data based on said execution order, and outputs said voice signal to a communication terminal connected to said telephone line network. The method of claim 1, And said data processing means synthesizes an image signal as processing of data based on said execution procedure, and outputs said image signal to a communication terminal connected to said telephone line network. The method of claim 1, And output the data processed by the data processing means to any of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 1, And the data processing unit acquires data from a communication terminal connected to the telephone line network based on the execution procedure. The method of claim 7, wherein An information processing apparatus characterized by outputting data acquired from the communication terminal or processed data thereof to any of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 7, wherein And the data acquired by the communication terminal is tone data subjected to a predetermined modulation. The method of claim 7, wherein And the data acquired by the communication terminal is voice data. The method of claim 7, wherein And the data acquired by the communication terminal is image data. The method of claim 10, And the temporary storage means includes recording means for recording the voice data acquired by the communication terminal. The method of claim 11, And the temporary storage means includes recording means for recording image data acquired by the communication terminal. The method of claim 10, And said data processing means comprises voice recognition means for recognizing voice data acquired by said communication terminal. The method of claim 14, And said data processing means includes conversion means for converting said recognized speech data into text data. The method of claim 1, An information processing apparatus characterized by acquiring a file for individually controlling limitations and changes in execution means in the execution order file. The method of claim 1, And said analyzing and executing means selects a processing program for executing the execution sequence in accordance with the type of said execution sequence file. The method of claim 17, And the processing program is acquired from any of the plurality of servers together with the execution order file. The method of claim 1, An information processing apparatus characterized in that the data already processed and stored in any of the plurality of servers or the execution order file existing in any of the plurality of servers are specified, and the processed data is acquired from the server. The method of claim 1, And the temporary storage means includes a cache area for caching files or data acquired from the plurality of servers. The method of claim 2, And a file linked to the execution order file or data processed according to the execution order in advance from any of the plurality of servers and stored in the temporary storage means. The method of claim 1, And said analysis execution means performs processing in a different order from said execution procedure, based on a specific input from a communication terminal connected to said telephone line network, during execution of said execution procedure. The method of claim 1, And the execution sequence file is selectively acquired based on information relating to each communication terminal connected to the telephone line network. Selectively acquires an execution sequence file from any of a plurality of servers on a computer network, Parse the obtained execution sequence file, Process the data based on the execution sequence of the above-described execution sequence file, An information processing method comprising providing the processed data to a communication terminal connected to a telephone line network. The method of claim 24, The information processing method, characterized in that the data to be processed in accordance with the execution order is obtained from any of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 25, And wherein the execution order file is obtained from the same or different servers. The method of claim 24, And synthesizing a voice signal based on the execution order, and outputting the voice signal to a communication terminal connected to the telephone line network. The method of claim 24, And an image signal are synthesized based on the execution order, and the image signal is output to a communication terminal connected to the telephone line network. The method of claim 24, And output the processed data according to the execution order to any one of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 24, Information processing method according to the execution procedure, wherein data is obtained from a communication terminal connected to the telephone line network. The method of claim 30, And the data obtained from the communication terminal and the processed data are output to any of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 30, The data obtained by the communication terminal is tone data subjected to predetermined modulation. The method of claim 30, The data acquired by the communication terminal is audio data. The method of claim 30, The data acquired by the communication terminal is image data. The method of claim 33, And the voice data acquired by the communication terminal is recorded. The method of claim 34, And the image data acquired by the communication terminal is recorded. The method of claim 33, An information processing method, characterized in that for recognizing the voice data acquired by the communication terminal. The method of claim 37, And converting the recognized speech data into text data. The method of claim 24, An information processing method characterized by acquiring a file for individually controlling the restriction and the change in the execution order in the execution order file. The method of claim 24, And an processing program for executing the execution order according to the type of the execution order file. The method of claim 40, And the processing program is acquired from any of the plurality of servers together with the execution order file. The method of claim 24, An information processing method characterized in that the data already processed and stored in any of the plurality of servers or the execution sequence file existing in any of the plurality of servers are specified and the processed data is acquired from the server. The method of claim 25, An information processing method characterized in that a file linked to the execution order file or data processed according to the execution order is obtained and stored in advance from any of the plurality of servers. The method of claim 24, An information processing method characterized in that, during execution of the execution procedure, processing in a procedure different from the execution procedure is performed based on a specific input from a communication terminal connected to the telephone line network. The method of claim 24, And the execution sequence file is selectively acquired based on information associated with each communication terminal connected to the telephone line network.