KR20060061743A - Tool bar providing system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for providing a toolbar via a network and a method thereof.

The present invention includes a DT (dynamic toolbar) data file containing information about controls displayed on a toolbar composed of at least one band displaying information to a user on a file server, and information about an extension control of the toolbar band. DLL (dynamic link library) file is stored. In this state, when a browser for network connection is driven on the user terminal, the toolbar generating module calls the DT data processing module, and the DT data processing module is composed of at least one band for displaying information from the file server to the user. A DT data file containing information about the controls displayed on the screen is provided and transferred to the toolbar generating module. The toolbar generating module generates a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on the DT data file and displays the toolbar on the browser.

According to the present invention, by using a unique process of controlling the toolbar, it is possible to provide a function of controlling and adjusting various toolbars while minimizing the burden on the browser.

Internet, toolbar, band, browser, web surfing, search

Description

Toolbar providing system and method through network

1 is a view showing the overall structure of a toolbar providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a user terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a basic data flow of a toolbar providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a toolbar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a structural example of a toolbar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a toolbar according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

7A is an exemplary diagram illustrating a directory structure of a data file according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is an exemplary diagram illustrating a band of a toolbar according to the directory structure of FIG. 7A.

8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating a structure of a data file and a display example of a band according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a toolbar according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an exemplary view showing a band structure of a toolbar according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram illustrating a toolbar band dynamic change according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a system and method for assisting users in navigating the Internet, and more particularly, to a system for providing a toolbar through a network and a method of providing the same.

In general, when users use the Internet, they usually go to a page they already know or use a search engine to find the page they want to go to. In addition, even if the site is always visited, if the site is large, the user generally does not use a new menu other than his or her own menu, and in this case, the user moves to a desired page using the site map page provided by the site.

In recent years, toolbar products have been launched to promote their sites while making the site more convenient for users. A toolbar is a program that registers various functions of Windows or various programs in advance and conveniently calls them by using simple mouse operation or preset shortcut keys.

Most of the toolbars currently provided have all the necessary information inside, and whenever the information held by the toolbar changes, the user must download and install a new toolbar. In addition, the existing toolbar is not a tool for users but a tool for the site, so the public's awareness of the toolbar was not good, and this was the reason for avoiding the use of the toolbar.

Recently, a toolbar has been released that recognizes the classification to which a site belongs to every time a particular site (or a category of sites) is accessed and replaces the menu or content of the toolbar with similar classification sites. However, these toolbars only display similar types of sites or show ranking information for sites. In addition, this is merely a functional improvement, rather than a groundbreaking functional improvement or invention, and has the following problems.

First, a method of determining which part of a category defined by a manager belongs to a manager is used by a manager who receives a predetermined fee from the site or visits all the sites by hand and defines its characteristics. However, since this method is a manual process, there is a limit that a number of sites cannot be classified and registered, so that even when a user accesses a specific site, the menu or content of the toolbar does not change frequently.

Second, since there is only a basic data change function displayed on the toolbar, and there is no function to change the controls displayed on the toolbar itself in real time, it is inconvenient to go through a separate download step or manual change process in order to be provided with the changed control. Still exists.

Third, all toolbars in Internet Explorer operate independently, eliminating the ability to communicate or coordinate between toolbars. Therefore, there is no way to reduce communication traffic because it communicates independently.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a toolbar that enables users to be provided with various information on the Internet more conveniently.

In particular, the technical problem of the present invention is to extend the function of a toolbar, which is a simple part of an internet browser that provides a user's internet access, to search the user's internet through dynamic generation of bands constituting the toolbar and real-time data change. The purpose of the present invention is to increase the convenience of the Internet environment by improving the function.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, the toolbar providing system according to an aspect of the present invention is connected to a file server through a network, and in the system providing a toolbar, the file server may include at least one band displaying information to a user. Provides a dynamic toolbar library (DT) file containing information about the controls displayed on the made toolbar, and a dynamic link library (DLL) file containing information about the extended control of the toolbar band. A storage unit for storing the DT data file provided from the server; And a toolbar generation module for generating a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on an applied DT data file, and receiving a file from the file server and updating files stored in the storage unit. And a toolbar processing unit including a DT data processing module for providing a DT data file provided from the storage unit or the file server to the toolbar generating module.

A toolbar providing system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for providing a toolbar connected to a user terminal through a network, the system comprising information on the controls displayed on the toolbar consisting of at least one band for displaying information to the user A file server for providing a DLL file including a DT data file and information about an extension control of the toolbar band; And a toolbar generating module for generating a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on the applied DT data file, and a DT data processing module receiving a DT data file from the file server and providing the DT data file to the toolbar generating module. It includes, and includes a toolbar processing unit installed and operated in the user terminal.

In addition, the method for providing a toolbar according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal through a network based on a file server. Invoking a processing module; Receiving, by the DT data processing module, a DT data file containing information about controls displayed on a toolbar formed by at least one band displaying information to a user from the file server and passing the received DT data file to the toolbar generating module; And generating, by the toolbar generation module, a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on the DT data file and displaying the toolbar on the browser.

In addition, in the method for providing a toolbar according to another aspect of the present invention, in the method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal through a network based on a file server, DT file files are stored in a plurality of categories in the file server. At least one selection band for selecting a predetermined category, and a variable band in which information of a category selected by the selection band is displayed, wherein the toolbar is displayed according to a browser driving for network connection on the user terminal. Displaying a category comprising at least one or more steps on a selection band of the toolbar when the user selects a band; When a predetermined category is finally selected among the displayed categories, a DT data processing module receiving a DT data file corresponding to the selected category from the file server and transferring the DT data file to a toolbar generation module; And displaying, by the toolbar generating module, information corresponding to the selected category on the variable band of the toolbar based on the DT data file.

In addition, the method for providing a toolbar according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal through a network based on a file server, wherein the toolbar is displayed according to a browser driving for a network connection on the user terminal. In the state, acquiring, by the DT data processing module, an address input by the user into the address window of the browser; Receiving, by the DT data processing module, a DT data file corresponding to the address from the file server based on the address and delivering the DT data file to a toolbar generation module; And displaying, by the toolbar generation module, a toolbar displayed on the browser based on the DT data file.

In addition, the method for providing a toolbar according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal through a network based on a file server, wherein the toolbar includes at least one selection band for selecting a predetermined function, and the selection A variable band in which information of a function selected by a band is displayed, and when the toolbar is displayed according to a browser driving for a network connection on the user terminal, when a user selects a predetermined function by operating a selection band, a DT is displayed. Determining, by the data processing module, the selected function; The DT data processing module receiving a DT data file corresponding to the selected function from the file server and transferring the DT data file to a toolbar generation module; And displaying, by the toolbar generating module, information corresponding to the selected function on the variable band of the toolbar based on the DT data file.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1 is a view showing the structure of a toolbar providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the toolbar providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of user terminals 310, 320, 330. And the file server 100 is connected through the Internet 200.

The user terminal 00 is a communication device that can receive a predetermined service through the Internet 200. For example, various communication devices such as a wired telephone, a mobile communication terminal, a computer, and a TV that can access the Internet may be used.

2 illustrates the structure of a user terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

The user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an internet browser 310 for connecting to the Internet, a toolbar processing unit 330, and a storage unit 320 for storing a plurality of files for a toolbar. Include.

The storage unit 320 includes a dynamic toolbar (DT) data file including information on controls displayed on a toolbar band constituting a toolbar, and a dynamic link library (DLL) file including information on extended controls of the toolbar band. (Aka DTCtrls.DLL file) is saved. The storage unit 320 may be a local disk. The DT data file stored in the storage 320 may be automatically updated by the toolbar processing unit 330 when the Internet browser 310 is first started or when the user changes a band through a function of a toolbar.

The toolbar processing unit 330 is a kind of toolbar application program provided from a toolbar providing system (file server or the like) and installed in the user terminal 300. As shown in FIG. 2, the toolbar processing unit 330 is displayed on an Internet browser and controls according to a predetermined function. A toolbar generation module 331 for generating a toolbar including at least one band including a band, and a DT data processing module 332 for controlling updating of files stored in the storage 320, display and processing of a toolbar do.

The toolbar generation module 331 displays corresponding information in each band of the toolbar based on the DT data file provided from the DT data processing module 332. In particular, when the Internet browser 310 is initially driven, it operates in conjunction with this to generate and display a toolbar band. In addition, after receiving DT data file, it is necessary to create necessary control according to the information of this file. If there are types of controls that are not built in the band, DLL file is provided from DT data processing module 332. Get control.

The DT data processing module 332 updates DT data files and DLL files having such a feature, and in particular, receives a DT data file from the file server 100 through the Internet 200 to generate a toolbar 331. To provide. In addition, it optionally takes a new version of the DLL file from the file server 100 and copies it to the storage unit 320 and performs the function of registering in the operating system of the terminal 300.

In addition, the DT data processing module 332 has corresponding DT data file information for each band of the toolbar, so that when one band is changed according to a toolbar application or a user's setting, the other band is also linked to it. It is also possible to have each band operate individually. It is also possible for the operation of one band to affect the operation of another band.

In addition, the toolbar processing unit 330 may also perform a function of monitoring the termination of the Internet browser window or the termination of other processes due to an incorrect malfunction of Windows.

Toolbar bands, on the other hand, play a key role in displaying information in Internet browser windows. When the Internet browser window is first executed, the band of the toolbar is also executed. The toolbar generating module 331 first calls the DT data processing module 332, and thus the DT data file provided from the DT data processing module 332 is executed. Based on that, you create a control for that band and display the information on the band accordingly.

Since the DT data processing module 332 is already running when the Internet browser window is executed, the DT data file is directly received from the DT data processing module 332 without a separate calling process and the corresponding information is displayed in the band. In this way, the toolbar generation module 331 updates the band by using the provided DT data file. In particular, the toolbar generation module 331 generates the controls of the band according to the type specified in the DT data file and the properties of each type. Make it available. Each control performs its own functions, and sometimes each control may interact to perform a predetermined function.

Meanwhile, the DT data file stored in the storage 320 is provided from the file server 100, and the DT data file contains information about controls corresponding to a toolbar band. The band of the toolbar is an area where controls are formed into a predetermined icon shape, and corresponding controls operate according to a user's band selection. The controls that appear in the band are all defined in the DT data file, so if the DT data file changes, the changes are immediately reflected in the toolbar's band. Basically, one DT data file may constitute one band. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and several DT data files may be used to configure one band. This may be possible through the ability to specify that other DT data files be included in one DT data file, or may be implemented in a manner that requires multiple DT data files at the toolbar application level.

The DT data file also contains the types of controls to be displayed in the band and the attribute values for each type. For example, if a control to be displayed in a band is a control for the search function, the type of this control may be designated as "search", and its attribute values include whether the box to which the search keyword is to be entered is an edit box or a combo box. The length of the box, the search engine to be used for the search when the enter key is pressed, and whether to display the search result in the current window or the popup window may be included. In addition, the attribute values according to the relations with other controls may include 'moving address on click', 'text displayed on the control', and 'band switching'. The required properties are determined by the control.

On the other hand, if any of the control types entered in the DT data file are not defined in advance, this is operated by a separate control adding mechanism. Controls that are not embedded in the band are provided in a separate DLL file.

The DLL file is also provided from the file server 100, stored and managed in the storage unit 320, and provides an extended control function. After the band receives the DT information from the DT data processing module 332, it is necessary to generate the necessary control according to this information, in order to provide functions of these types when there are types of controls not embedded in the band. These DLL files consist of the function of searching the names of the types that can be provided and the actual function of the types.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 300 and the file server 100 connected through the Internet 200 having the above structure have a plurality of DT data files and DLLs for providing a toolbar according to an embodiment of the present invention. It includes a file storage unit 110 for storing the file, and a file management unit 120 for managing these files and changing and managing the DT data file in real time.

The file server 100 stores DT data files in a directory in a tree structure for convenience of management, and when there is a request from the DT data processing module 332 of the toolbar processing unit 330 installed in the user terminal 300. A predetermined DT data file is transmitted every time.

The file manager 120 is a kind of manager program that manages files stored in a file server. The file manager 120 changes and manages DT data files in the file server in real time. In particular, you can access and change DT data files in a file server directly, or copy them to a separate workspace and upload them to a file server. The file manager 120 is configured to edit and manage DT data in the same form as displayed in the band of the toolbar. The file manager 120 also analyzes link information input to the band and analyzes whether there is a wrong path.

Next, the operation of the toolbar providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described based on such a structure.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a basic data flow for providing a toolbar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed operation flowchart of a system based on this.

Basically, users are provided with a toolbar application, that is, a toolbar processing unit 330, from a toolbar providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention and installed on the terminal 300. As such, the toolbar processing unit 330 may be installed in the terminal 300. Assuming that it is installed, the following operations are performed.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the user first executes the Internet browser 310 on the terminal 300, the toolbar generating module 331 of the toolbar processing unit 330 operates in association with this (S100). . At this time, the toolbar generating module 331 displays a toolbar formed of a band previously displayed according to the execution of the Internet browser.

To this end, the toolbar generating module 331 calls and executes the DT data processing module 332, and the DT data processing module 332 first reads the band-specific DT data file of the toolbar stored in the storage unit 320. Transfer to the toolbar generation module 331 (S110). Accordingly, the toolbar generating module 331 generates the control of each band of the toolbar based on the DT data file provided from the file server 100 and stored in the storage unit 320 according to the execution of the previous internet browser 310. And the corresponding information is displayed on the band. Therefore, the toolbar of the band previously displayed according to the execution of the internet browser is displayed on the window of the internet browser 310 (S120 to S130).

Thereafter, the DT data processing module 332 obtains a DT data file from the file server 100, stores the DT data file in the storage unit 320 (S140 to S160), and transfers the imported DT data file to the toolbar generation module 331. The latest information is displayed on the band (S170 to S180). The DT data processing module 332 uses a buffering technique to ensure that no band display delay due to transmission time is issued when importing a new DT data file from the file server. For example, before receiving the file from the file server, the DT data processing module 332 requests DT data file version information for a predetermined band from the file server, and accordingly version information of the DT data file from the file server. If is provided is compared with the version of the DT data file of the band stored in the storage unit 320. If the version information of the two DT data files match, the DT data file stored in the storage unit 320 is used as it is without downloading a file from the file server. However, if the version information of the two DT data files do not match, the new version of the DT data file corresponding to the band is downloaded from the file server 100 and stored in the storage unit 320, this toolbar generation module 331 To display the new version of the information in the band on the toolbar. Therefore, the user can use a predetermined function according to the new control through the band of the toolbar displayed in the window of the Internet browser without downloading the entire toolbar.

On the other hand, in the step of generating and displaying the control of the band based on the above DT data file, the toolbar generation module 331 has a control type that the band cannot recognize from the information included in the corresponding DT data file of the predetermined band. If so, request the DT data processing module 332 to update the DLL file for the control type, and the DT data processing module 332 downloads and updates the latest DLL file from the file server 100. By providing a new type through this DLL file, you can extend the toolbar's functionality without updating the toolbar application itself.

As described above, the toolbar band is displayed according to the first execution of the Internet browser 310, and after receiving a new version of the DT data file from the file server 100, the toolbar band is updated based on the update. Since the DT information is already held when the window is opened, the DT data processing module 332 of the toolbar processing unit 330 may not download the file from the file server 100 again. On the other hand, when the user closes all the Internet browser windows in use, the DT data processing module 332 ends the process by itself.

The following describes in more detail how a toolbar according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided based on the basic operation as described above.

To this end, first, bands provided in a toolbar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

5 illustrates a structure of a toolbar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The band of the toolbar provides the user with control of a predetermined function, and as shown in FIG. 5, the toolbar according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a selection band B1 to B that provides a selection function for various actions. B4) and the variable band B5 which varies according to the action of the selection bands B1 to B4.

The selection band includes, but is not limited to, the first to fourth selection bands B1 to B4. Here, the first selection band (B1) is composed of a plurality of menus for selecting additional services, such as country change, extended bookmarks, classification registration, etc., the second selection band (B2) is a dynamic site map, a similar kind of site, respectively It consists of a display toggle button ("●") for maps and extended bookmarks. The third and fourth selection bands B3 and B4 are bands for providing services for each category, and are bands for providing services for visiting predetermined sites by category.

The third selection band B3 provides a large classification category service, and the fourth selection band B4 provides a middle classification category service. The user first selects the desired major classification through the third selection band B3, and then selects the middle classification through the fourth selection band B4. According to this action, information (site link address, etc.) about a predetermined site corresponding to the selected category is displayed on the variable band B5.

The variable band B5 displays information according to a predetermined function selected by the above selection bands B1 to B4. In particular, if there are bands determined to match the function selected by each of the selection bands B1 to B4. The resulting bands are displayed. For example, the information display according to the additional service selection of the first selection band B1 may be performed, and when accessing a predetermined site by the second selection bands B2, a site map of the corresponding site (dynamic site map) ) May be displayed, or a site map similar to the corresponding site may be displayed. In addition, predetermined bands provided at sites of the classification selected by the third and fourth selection bands B3 and B4 are displayed.

Next, a toolbar providing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for providing a predetermined service using the toolbar configured as described above will be described.

First, a method of providing a toolbar according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the third and fourth selection bands B3 and B4 of the toolbar allow easy access to a site belonging to a predetermined category, which may be referred to as a "category service".

6 illustrates a process of providing a category service by a method of providing a toolbar according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, suppose that the toolbar processing unit 330 operates according to the execution of the Internet browser 310 to display the toolbar as shown in FIG. 5. In this state, the user can easily access a site belonging to a predetermined category by using the third selection band B3 and the fourth selection band B4 among the bands of the toolbar.

In order to provide a category service using a toolbar band, the searchable information for each category should be classified, and the classification of each information is performed in a predetermined manner (eg, desired by the server administrator). For example, it may be directory classification method information of the same site as that provided by a search engine, or may be an area of interest of users.

For this category service, DT data files corresponding to the third and fourth selection bands B3 and B4 have a predetermined directory structure. An example of the directory structure is shown in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7B shows such a directory structure. The band display method displayed on the third and fourth selection bands B3 and B4 is illustrated. 7B is a directory of searchable information according to a predetermined classification.

When the toolbar band is displayed in the window of the Internet browser 310 as shown in FIG. 7B (S300), when the user selects the third selection band B3, the toolbar generating module 331 of the toolbar processing unit 330 is displayed. ) Displays large classification items as a pull-down menu based on the DT data file corresponding to the third selection band B3 provided from the DT data processing module 332 (S310 to S330). The DT data file corresponding to this large category is called a "BSp.csd file". This file stores each category of the large category in the form of a pull-down menu. When the Internet browser 310 is started for the first time, The file is downloaded from the server 100 and stored in the storage unit 320. The structure of BSp.csd file, which is a DT data file corresponding to a large category, is illustrated in FIG. 8A and is in XML format. This structure can be modified in various forms by the administrator of the server. As shown in FIG. 8B, items corresponding to the major classification may be displayed in a pull-down form by the BSp.csd file having the XML structure as shown in FIG. 8A.

As described above, when the items corresponding to the major category are displayed in the form of a pull-down menu according to the user's selection of the third selection band B3, the DT data processing module 332 selects the selected item. The corresponding file is received from the file server 100 and stored in the storage unit 320 (S340 to S370).

For example, if the user selects a major category 4-2 item among the major categories shown in Fig. 8B, the http: //www.webpierdata described in the item in <Data> from the BSp.csd file shown in Fig. 8A. The .com / menuitem / species / 4-2 / dt.csd file is taken from the file server 100 and stored in the storage unit 320. This file is saved as the "MSP.csd file", which is a subclass.

In this state, when the user selects the fourth selection band B4, that is, the middle classification, the toolbar generating module 331 may select the "MSP.csd file" corresponding to the large classification 4-2 item stored in the storage 320. Based on the corresponding items (S380 to S390). The structure of the MSP.cds file is illustrated in FIG. 8C, and the sub-category items displayed according to this file structure are illustrated in FIG. 8D.

Thereafter, when the user finally selects a predetermined item among the displayed mid-class items, the DT data processing module 332 reads the DT data file corresponding to the finally selected item from the file server 100 to the toolbar generating module 331. In operation S400 to S420, the toolbar generation module 331 displays information corresponding to the DT data file on the variable band B5 (S430). Therefore, the user can browse for the desired site through the information finally displayed on the variable band B5.

As described above, in order to provide searchable information for each category, each information should be classified and stored in the file server 100 in a predetermined form, and corresponding DT data files are stored corresponding to each category item. 8E illustrates a directory structure of DT data files stored in a file server. As illustrated in Fig. 8E, 1 / dt.csd, 2-1 / dt.csd, 2-2 / dt.csd, 3 / dt.csd, 4-1 / inside the dt.csd, which is a DT data file in a large category. dt.csd, 4-2 / dt.csd, etc. files are saved, 4-2.csd, 4-2 / 2 / dt.csd, 4-2 Files of /3-1/dt.csd and 4-2 / 3-2 / dt.csd are stored, and items of contents to be displayed in actual variable bands are stored in dr.csd of variable bands.

As described above, when a user clicks an item of a major category (step 1) in a menu, information including a sub-category (step 2) is displayed in a band, and when a user clicks a predetermined item among the items of the displayed band, Data files are retrieved from the file server and displayed in variable bands. In other words, when the entry of the first step item is clicked, the second step is displayed in the band based on the corresponding DT data file. The DT data file for each item of the first step should have the information of the second step in a tree structure.

In the category service of the toolbar above, you can sometimes increase or decrease the search level. That is, in the above embodiment, the category search is divided into a large category selection area and a middle classification selection area displayed in a band. However, as the number of search sites increases, the search level may increase. If so, you can add a 'small category' to the toolbar area by major, medium, and small categories. In this case, if you select a specific classification in the major category, the subclass for that category will appear immediately to the right of the major category, and if you select the interest category in the middle category, the minor category will appear in the toolbar band.

A simple two-step approach might be better if you want a simple search method rather than a complicated search method for your favorite sites. But if you want a complex search method, you can use three or more steps. However, instead of placing them in stages, the classification can be divided into three stages and the sub-menu of the sub can be divided into stages

Next, a method of providing a toolbar according to a second embodiment of providing a predetermined service using a toolbar according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when a toolbar band corresponding to the site is defined when the user moves to a predetermined site, the toolbar displayed on the Internet browser is automatically changed to the toolbar corresponding to the site and displayed. It is about giving. That is, the toolbar is changed and provided according to the site to which the user moves.

9 is a flowchart of a toolbar providing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, when a user inputs a predetermined site address in the address bar on the Internet browser 310 to move to a specific site, the toolbar generating module 331 reads the address entered in the address bar and processes DT data. Transfer to module 332 (S500 ~ S520).

Accordingly, the DT data processing module 332 transmits the address to the file server 100 and requests information about a site corresponding to the address. That is, when there is a toolbar uniquely provided in the site, a request for a DT data file for the toolbar (S530).

The file manager 120 of the file server 100 determines whether there is predetermined information corresponding to the address from the file storage unit 110 (S540), and if the predetermined information exists, the file manager 100 corresponds to the information, that is, the address. The DT data file of the corresponding site is transmitted to the DT data processing module 332 of the user terminal 300. Accordingly, the DT data processing module 332 transfers the transmitted data file to the toolbar generation module 331, and the toolbar generation module 331 generates a toolbar band based on the new DT data file transferred to the internet browser 310. Display on the image (S550-S560). Therefore, when a user moves to a predetermined site, the user can use a predetermined service by using a toolbar provided separately in the corresponding site without having to download a separate toolbar band from the corresponding site.

However, in the above step (S540), if the address does not exist or there is no predetermined information corresponding to the address, the file management unit 120 notifies the DT data processing module 332, accordingly toolbar generation module 331 Denotes a specific toolbar based on a predetermined data file set to remain as it is or to be displayed in this case (S570 to S580).

Referring to the dynamic display of the toolbar band according to the site movement as an example, first, it is assumed that the toolbar band is classified as shown in FIG. Assuming that the toolbar band is composed of four categories according to entries 1 to 4 as illustrated in Fig. 10, when the user inputs an address of a predetermined site in the address window, the toolbar processing unit 330 is described above. By receiving the DT data file (DT.csd file) corresponding to the address from the file server 100, the toolbar band according to the DT data file is displayed in the area of the entry 4, that is, the variable band B5. Thereafter, the entry 4 area is where bands according to the service provided at the site of the address are displayed. At this time, the bands displayed in the entry 4 region may also be dynamically changed. In this case, the band corresponding to the entries 1 to 3 is not changed, but only the band corresponding to the entry 4 area is changed.

Toolbar band developers, on the other hand, can choose to have their bands change whenever users move around the site. Or you can let the user set it. Of these, letting the user set them may be the most common and desirable way.

In addition, the toolbar band changes as the user moves the site, but the band of the band can be selected and moved from the band menu. For example, when the band reflecting daum.net is displayed on the current daum.net site, the user can select the dreamwiz.com band item from the menu and change the current band to dreamwiz.com Band. .

Next, a method of providing a toolbar according to a third embodiment of providing a predetermined service using a toolbar according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the toolbar bands on the variable band are dynamically changed by the selection bands, as opposed to the toolbar bands displayed on the variable band as the site moves, as in the second embodiment. .

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a toolbar band dynamic change according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

When the user executes the internet browser 310 for the first time, it is assumed that predetermined [band 1] is displayed on an arbitrary selection band as shown in FIG. In this case, each control type and specific control function are defined in the DT data file corresponding to [Band 1]. Functions such as [Search function], [Menu 1], [Menu 2], [Link 1], and [Pop-up Blocker] are displayed on the variable band B5 corresponding to [Band 1] on the selected band. All of this information is also contained in the DT data file corresponding to [Band1].

Suppose you click the Band 1 image to move to another band, and a submenu appears when you click the small button next to the Band 1 image.

When the user presses the next button to move to the lower band while [Band1] is displayed and clicks [Band2], the clock generation module 331 uses the DT data processing module 332 to display the [Band]. 2] after receiving the DT data file (which may be a file stored in a storage unit or a file provided from a file server at this point), and then on the variable band B5 based on the DT data file. Functions corresponding to [Band 2] are displayed. Accordingly, functions such as [search], [shopping], [portal], and [Seoul] corresponding to [band 2] are displayed on the variable band B5.

As described above, functions corresponding to the moved band may be displayed on the variable band according to the movement of the bands provided on the selection band. Switching of these bands is not only possible at specific locations, but at any place. For example, the functions displayed on the variable band are possible.

In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the user is set to switch to the [Seoul] band when the user clicks the [Seoul] button among the functions corresponding to [Band 2]. In this case, all the settings related to the operation are all contained in the DT data file. When the user clicks the [Seoul] button, as shown in the third figure, [Seoul] is displayed on the selection band and corresponding to [Seoul] [Yangcheon-gu Office], [Gangnam-gu Office], [City Development Division], [ Markets] are displayed on the variable band B5. Therefore, the user can open the [Yangcheon-gu Office] page using the controls in the toolbar.

Meanwhile, an extended bookmark function may be provided to users based on the method for providing a toolbar according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. That is, an extended bookmark service may be provided to users by using the first selection band B1, which may be a menu for providing an additional service such as an extended bookmark. To this end, the file server 100 should store and manage bookmark information set for each user. In addition, in particular, users may be classified into a plurality of groups based on predetermined characteristics (for example, gender, occupation, residence, hobby, etc.), and the bookmark information mainly used for each group may be stored and managed.

In this case, when the user selects the extended bookmark function using the first selection band B1, the DT data processing module 332 of the toolbar processing unit 330 requests information about the extended bookmark selected by the file server 100. The file server 100 transmits only the bookmark information stored for the user or the bookmark information of the group to which the user belongs to the DT data processing module 332 according to the request. Accordingly, the DT data processing module 332 transfers the bookmark information provided to the toolbar generation module 331, and the toolbar generation module 331 displays the bookmark information on the internet browser 310. In this case, the received bookmark information can be displayed on the variable band B5 of the toolbar, so that the user can easily browse to a predetermined site based on the bookmark information displayed on the variable band B5. In particular, as bookmark information mainly used by users belonging to the same group is displayed on the toolbar along with the user's bookmark information, users can easily use a lot of information.

As described above, the control of the toolbar band according to the embodiment of the present invention is all defined in the DT data file, and the toolbar application (tool bar processing unit) dynamically generates the controls according to this information. By default, the types or functions of these controls are already built into the toolbar application. If a new type of control is needed, the function is provided through the DTCtrls.DLL file as described above. Therefore, all appearances and actions displayed in the toolbar band are determined by data in a remote file server, not fixed in the toolbar application. This makes the toolbar application run on the basis of data.

In this way, the band itself can be created dynamically based on the data, so that when the user selects an interest category or item using the band's menu (or other UI item), the band can be immediately replaced with a new toolbar band. This allows for dynamic conversion of the band itself. In addition, the new band will be displayed every time a new band is displayed, so the administrator can use the Administrator program to create the band in the form he wants and have it reflected in the user's band. That is, the band can be switched in real time, and the information of the band can be adjusted at any time by the server administrator. Toolbars enable the addition of new controls and changes in real time, including the data and functions displayed in the controls. Therefore, there is no need to update the toolbar application itself unless there is a significant change in toolbar functionality.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, in order to satisfy the search function of the toolbar and the band switching function according to the site at the same time, an option function may be added to the toolbar band to allow the user to select a desired operation method.

In such an embodiment, the extension of the toolbar is not parasitic to the explorer so that the explorer does not interfere with the unique function of the explorer. In addition, the dynamic generation technology and the real-time data change technology of the band is a technical basis that enables the real-time band information change necessary for surfing the user's web.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is well known in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated by the claims. Anyone who owns it can easily find out.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above the following features and effects are provided.

First, the toolbar band has the ability to control and tweak several toolbars with a minimal amount of Explorer burden by using a proprietary process that controls the toolbar. This distributed system has not yet been applied to toolbars.

Second, the process of controlling the toolbars gets DT data from the file server as needed and provides it to the bands. This allows the band's controls to be organized around the data. And because server administrators can change this DT data in real time using the Administrator program, they can change the controls that appear in the toolbar band at any time without upgrading the toolbar application. Not only does the administrator have the ability to change the controls of the toolbar band, but it can also be changed in real time to a new band based on the user's reaction when the user uses the toolbar band (for example, when selecting a field of interest (But these bands should be created by the server administrator in advance). All of this information can be put in the DT data.

Third, you can extend these features to create a so-called "web surfing helper" that helps users surf the web. The administrator has already sorted the information needed to surf the web into several levels. The user may go through each classification step in turn, and when the final step is reached, information to be displayed in the final step may be classified into bands. The server administrator should classify this information well and build up the data on the server in advance. This allows users to selectively use the information to be displayed in the band. Although the necessary information can be created by the server administrator, it can give the user maximum choice. Information that users want to manage individually can be implemented using a separate bookmark function.

Fourth, you can expand these features to show bands that reflect that site when you access it. This will help you surf the web by showing the band that matches your site every time you move around. In practice, this reduces the user's time to surf the web and makes them more comfortable.

Fifth, since the user can share not only their own bookmark information but also bookmark information of other users through the extended bookmark function, users can manage a lot of information at a glance.

Claims (17)

In a system that provides a toolbar by connecting to a file server over a network, The file server includes a DT (dynamic toolbar) data file containing information about controls displayed on a toolbar composed of at least one band displaying information to a user, and a DLL including information about extended controls of the toolbar band. (dynamic link library) file, The system A storage unit for storing a DT data file provided from the file server; And A toolbar generation module for generating a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on the applied DT data file, and receiving a file from the file server and updating files stored in the storage unit; Toolbar processing unit including a DT data processing module for providing a DT data file provided from a storage unit or a file server to the toolbar generating module Toolbar providing system comprising a. In a system that provides a toolbar connected to a user terminal through a network, A file server providing a DT data file containing information about controls displayed on a toolbar composed of at least one band displaying information to a user, and a DLL file including information on extended controls of the toolbar band; And A toolbar generation module for generating a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on an applied DT data file, and a DT data processing module receiving a DT data file from the file server and providing the toolbar to the toolbar generation module; And a toolbar processing unit installed and operated in the user terminal. Toolbar providing system comprising a. The method according to claim 1 or 2 When the DT data processing module generates the predetermined band of the toolbar, if the band does not support the control included in the DT data file to which the band is applied, the DT data processing module receives the DLL file corresponding to the control from the file server and generates the toolbar. Provided by The toolbar generation module is a toolbar providing system for generating a control corresponding to the toolbar band based on the DLL file. The method according to claim 1 or 2 And the DT data processing module receives a file from the file server and stores the file in the storage unit based on buffering provided only a changed file. The method according to claim 1 or 2 The file server A file storage unit for storing a plurality of DT data files and DLL files; And A file manager which manages the files and changes and manages the DT data file in real time. Toolbar providing system comprising a. The method according to claim 1 or 2 The toolbar is a toolbar providing system comprising at least one selection band for selecting a predetermined menu, and a variable band consisting of at least one band which is dynamically variable for each predetermined menu selected by the selection band. In a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal over a network based on a file server, Invoking a DT data processing module by a toolbar generating module when a browser for network connection is driven on the user terminal; Receiving, by the DT data processing module, a DT data file containing information about controls displayed on a toolbar formed by at least one band displaying information to a user from the file server and passing the received DT data file to the toolbar generating module; And Generating, by the toolbar generating module, a toolbar including at least one band including a predetermined control based on the DT data file and displaying the toolbar on the browser; Toolbar providing method comprising a. The method of claim 7, The DT data processing module providing a DT data file stored in a storage unit of a user terminal to the toolbar generating module according to the call so that the toolbar displayed when the browser was previously driven is displayed; Toolbar providing method comprising more. The method of claim 7, Updating, by a file manager, a DT data file stored in the file server; The toolbar providing method, wherein the updated DT data file is reflected in the toolbar as the browser is driven. The method of claim 7, And receiving, by the DT data processing module, a DT data file from the file server and storing the DT data file in a storage unit of the user terminal. The method of claim 7, In the step of generating the toolbar by the toolbar generation module If the predetermined band does not support a control included in an applied DT data file, the DT data processing module receiving a DLL file corresponding to the control from a file server from a file server; And Generating, by the toolbar generation module, a control corresponding to the toolbar band based on the DLL file Toolbar providing method comprising more. In a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal over a network based on a file server, DT file files are stored in the file server for each of a plurality of categories, and the toolbar includes at least one selection band for selecting a predetermined category, and a variable band in which information of a category selected by the selection band is displayed. Displaying a category comprising at least one or more steps on a selection band of the toolbar when the selection band of the user is manipulated while the toolbar is displayed according to a browser driving for a network connection on the user terminal; When a predetermined category is finally selected among the displayed categories, a DT data processing module receiving a DT data file corresponding to the selected category from the file server and transferring the DT data file to a toolbar generation module; And Displaying, by the toolbar generating module, information corresponding to the selected category on a variable band of the toolbar based on the DT data file Toolbar providing method comprising a. The method of claim 12, And in the displaying step, a link address of a predetermined site corresponding to the category is displayed on the variable band. In a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal over a network based on a file server, Acquiring, by a user, an address input in an address window of the browser by a user, while the toolbar is displayed according to a browser driving for a network connection on the user terminal; Receiving, by the DT data processing module, a DT data file corresponding to the address from the file server based on the address and transferring the DT data file to a toolbar generation module; And Displaying, by the toolbar generation module, a variable toolbar displayed on the browser based on the DT data file Toolbar providing method comprising a. The method of claim 14, The toolbar includes at least one selection band for selecting a predetermined menu and a variable band, and the displaying step provides a toolbar for displaying information corresponding to the DT data file corresponding to the input address on the variable band. Way. In a method for providing a toolbar on a user terminal over a network based on a file server, The toolbar includes at least one selection band for selecting a predetermined function, and a variable band displaying information on a function selected by the selection band. Determining, by a DT data processing module, a DT data processing module when a predetermined function is selected by operating a user's selection band while the toolbar is displayed according to a browser driving for a network connection on the user terminal; The DT data processing module receiving a DT data file corresponding to the selected function from the file server and transferring the DT data file to a toolbar generation module; And Displaying, by the toolbar generating module, information corresponding to the selected function on a variable band of the toolbar based on the DT data file Toolbar providing method comprising a. The method of claim 16 In the information display step, when the selected function is an extended bookmark function, the toolbar generating module displays information corresponding to the extended bookmark on a variable band of the toolbar based on the DT data file, wherein the DT data file is the user. And bookmark information of the users of the group to which the user belongs.

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