Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/018—Input/output arrangements for oriental characters
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
  • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
  • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
  • G06F16/955—Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
  • G06F16/9566—URL specific, e.g. using aliases, detecting broken or misspelled links
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0489—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
  • G06F3/04895—Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
  • H04L61/30—Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L2101/00—Indexing scheme associated with group H04L61/00
  • H04L2101/30—Types of network names
  • H04L2101/32—Types of network names containing non-Latin characters, e.g. Chinese domain names

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for extending the functions of existing information processing means, and a program provided with the method.
• the present invention enhances the expressive power and use value of a URL by flexibly interpreting the URL on a WWW server.
• Fig. 2 shows an example of how to use the WWW (world-wide web) service (also called “Web service”) on the Internet.
• the WWW server (210) and the WWW client (202) are usually connected via a small or wide area network such as (204) or (208).
• Figure 6 shows the general configuration of the WWW server (210) and related data.
• FIG. 3A simply shows communication processing exchanged between a WWW server (210) and a WWW client (202). Basically, (1) The WWW client (202) issues an HTTP request (resource access request based on HTTP) to the WWW server (210),
• the WWW server (210) returns a predetermined resource as a response (HTTP response) to the WWW client (202);
• the URL (uniform resource locators) shown in Fig. 4 is used as a method to represent the resources on the WWW server that the WWW client wants to access. URLs are also a convention specified as one of the RFCs.
• Fig. 3B shows how a WWW client (202) accesses a WWW server (210) via a hypertext markup language (HTML) file.
• HTML hypertext markup language
• the WW client (202) makes a transmission request to the WWW server (210) by including the file name “index.html” in the URL path section (see Fig. 4A) according to HTTP.
• the WWW server (2 10) sends index and html to the WWW client (2 0 2) as a response.
• a character string as shown in Fig. 4A (this is "URL". Note that this is only an example.)
• the WWW client (202) is sent to the WWW server (210) specified in the URL host (see Fig. 4A).
• URL, etc. auxiliary information such as browser type may be added as necessary.
• the URL path part (see Fig. 4A) contains the name of the file to be accessed.
• the WWW server (2110) processes URLs and other information as appropriate.
• the URL path part indicates the location of the file to be accessed directly or indirectly (see Fig. 19).
• the WWW server (210) follows the contents of the URL path part
• a predetermined file is read from the file holding unit (620) in the WWW server (210).
• the internal structure of the file holding unit (620) is as shown in Fig. 8, and files are stored.
• files are stored.
• the WWW server (210) sends the result (file contents) as an HTTP response to the WWW client (202) that issued the HTTP request.
• the HTTP response includes a status code indicating the success or failure of the access. If the read is not successful, the WWW server (210) uses a status code or the like indicating a read error as the HTTP response.
• FIG. 9 shows an example of the home page of “ ⁇ X Shokai” (a pseudonym.
• the domain name corresponding to ⁇ X Shokai is “ox. Comj.”)
• the top page screen (90 2) is (90 2) As shown in 2), the browser URL input display field (50 2)
• nttp //www.ox. com / index, html
• the file “: index.html” (see Fig. 8) in the file storage unit (620) of the WWW server (210) is in compliance with the HTML display rules. This is displayed in the received data display field (504) of the browser.
• @X Shokai actually replaces the expression method shown in the URL input display field (901) of FIG. 9 with the URL input display fields (1001), (1007), and (1009) of FIG. URLs that contain kanji, hiragana, and katakana as shown in the following (hereinafter, such URLs are referred to as “KURL” (Kanji URL).) .
• KURL Kanji URL
• a character set is a character code set with a 7-bit or 8-bit space. For example, AS CI I code.
• pseudo-realization of 1 full-width character in such a kanji processing method, double-byte characters including one-byte characters (for example, “/” (slash) in some OSs) that the OS does not use for file names may not be correctly handled. There is.
• TrURU has restrictions on notation other than full-width characters such as kanji.
• TrURL the only character code set that can be used in TrURL is the ASCI I code, which is a character code set of at most 7 bits.
• TrURL has further restrictions.
• Non-graphic characters in (1) are special characters (characters) that cannot be printed on paper.
• shape refers to characters that can be displayed, such as “a” and “two,” and has a different meaning from “shapes” such as circles and triangles that are commonly used in arithmetic and mathematics. Please be careful.
• Non-graphical character is a control character (also called a functional character) that generates a bell sound (a code assigned the code “0x07” in hexadecimal notation in the C language.). is there.
• a control character also called a functional character
• bell sound a code assigned the code “0x07” in hexadecimal notation in the C language.
• “(2)“ Unsaf e ”” means that it may or may not be used as expected depending on the usage pattern. The behavior may change depending on the operating conditions set for the WWW server (or browser) to be used; Therefore, it is desirable not to use it, or care must be taken when using it.
• ⁇ tom is a WWW server Means a directory owned by the user "tom”, while another WWW server may simply mean a string of 4 bytes in length.
• “/” for separating the URL host part and the URL path part and expressing a hierarchical structure can be given as an example.
• the notation “dirl / dir2 / file” in the URL path part indicates a file “fi le” below the directory “dir2” below the structure (directory) “dirl”. ing. Similarly, the notation “3/4" indicates a file “4" under the directory "3".
• TrURL Because of these notational restrictions in TrURL, it must be said that when TrURL is considered as a will display means, its expression ability as a will display means is low. For example, it is not possible to write English sentences as usual. The same applies to Japanese, etc.
• the English question-style URL shown in Fig. 12A has the same meaning and processing result as the URL shown in Fig. 12B according to the RFC rules.
• Fig. 128 is equivalent to Fig. 12B, and "?”
• Fig. 12A does not have a value as a question mark in English, that is, a value as a character or code.
• FxURL Full-width characters such as characters unique to Chinese characters and kanji
• the present invention can be attached to an existing W-book server so that it can flexibly interpret the URL path part of the URL transmitted from the WWW client to the WWW server and perform various character string processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a function expansion device, a function expansion method, and a recording medium on which a function expansion program having the above functions is recorded. Disclosure of the invention
• the function expansion device of claim 1 uses an error inducing means that intentionally induces an error to perform processing related to a URL from an existing WWW server to a character string processing means that is a processing means other than the existing WWW server.
• the character string processing means is a means newly prepared according to the present invention. At that time, the information of the storage means stored as a result of the information processing by the existing WWW server is used. This enables flexible interpretation of the URL path part, which was difficult to achieve with existing WWW servers.
• FIG. 1 shows a processing flow of a WWW server provided with a function expansion unit and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention. There is no reason to limit the information processing contents in the character string processing means, and various information processing using a character string (see FIG.
• An existing server equipped with the function expansion device of claim 1 has the effect of increasing the degree of freedom in expressing URLs and increasing its value as a means of notification (hereinafter, such a WWW server is referred to as This is called “FxURL-compatible WWW server.”
• the industrial utility value of is greatly improved.
• the function expansion device according to claim 2 is capable of detecting errors such as what kind of URL path part causes an error (or not), and at what time period the error is caused.
• the existing WWW server processing means can be switched between the existing WWW server processing means and the newly provided character string processing means according to the purpose.
• the function expansion device has all the elements constituting the function expansion device (excluding the condition changing means of claim 2) without changing the fixed part of the existing WW server processing means.
• the “fixed part” means once you start using
• the non- “fixed part” is, for example, an initialization information holding unit (6 14) (referred to by a WWW server initialization processing unit (608)) (in the case of a certain WWW server program package, "This is a text file named httpd.confJ. Not a software text file, but switches that can be turned on and off, and volumes that can be easily changed in application amount.)
• the file in the file storage unit (620) transmitted by the WWW server as an HTTP response can be cited as an example. Since there is no need to make any changes, it can be applied easily or at a low cost, so that it can be applied to commercial WWW servers where it is generally difficult to obtain the source code. Even if it is not difficult to obtain the source code, There is no need to modify and recompile, so it can be applied promptly. Also, if you use an interpreted language that does not require source code compilation,
• the first feature of the function expansion device of claim 4 is that the URL to be processed corresponds to the character string entered in the URL input display field (502) of the WWW client (typically a browser).
• this character string is referred to as “client-side input character string”.
• client-side input character string instead of the “client input character string” means that the WWW relay processing means (20) is between the WWW server (210) and the WWW client (202). 6) may intervene.
• the W ⁇ relay processing means (206) When the W relay processing means (206) intervenes, the W ⁇ relay processing means (206) directly communicates with the WWW server (210) via HTTP.
• the processing means (206) normally communicates with the WWW server (210) at the request of the WWW client (202).
• the function expansion device is a WWW client (202).
• the character string displayed as entered in the URL input display field (502) (the character string entered on the WWW client side is hereinafter referred to as “character string 1”).
• character string 2 the character string reproduced on the WWW server side is referred to as “character string 2”.
• character string 1 the character string reproduced on the WWW server side
• it appears as character string 1 (that is, At that time, it has a means for acquiring the same character string on a WWW server.
• a character string including double-byte characters such as kanji and the above-mentioned “Unsafe” character is used as a URL in the URL input display field (502)
• a character string including double-byte characters such as kanji and the above-mentioned “Unsafe” character
• the character string processing means uses the information of the storage means provided in the WWW server while using the URL input display field of the WWW client (202). 50 Character string 1 as displayed when input in 2) can be obtained as character string 2. However, "#" (unencoded) itself is included in the URL input display field (50 2)
• the function expansion device of claim 4 can sufficiently respond to this.
• the function expansion device of claim 4 is manufactured, it is used inside the function expansion device. It is desirable to unify the kanji code system at an early stage of processing. When performing more complicated processing later in this function expansion device, the advantage is that processing can proceed without being aware of differences in the kanji code system.
• the first feature of the function expansion device according to claim 5 is that the URL to be processed is derived from a character string given from other than the URL input display field (502) of the browser.
• the second feature is the same as that of the function expansion device of claim 4.
• the first feature will be described in more detail.
• the WWW client (202) is often a computer having a program called a browser.
• An overview of the screen interface of the browser is shown in Figure 5.
• the URL to be processed on the WWW server it may be Tr URL or FxURL—is given.
• the input or selection of the URL to be processed on the WWW server is performed manually, whether by a human using a keyboard or by using a mouse to select among several items.
• Will be Some will do this with a good GUI (graphical user interface) provided by commercial browsers, and others will do this with a browser with a CUI (character user interface) rather than a GUI.
• a specialized program ie, a “browser”
• the function expansion device of claim 5 is not,
• An example of the former is a program called "telnet”.
• An example of the latter is a self-made program that can handle HTTP, for example. Since the latter program can be processed without manual intervention, it is suitable for processing a large number of processes automatically and collectively or appropriately distributed. At the same time, such programs do not need to have a GUI or even a primitive user interface, so the size of source code (or executable files) is small, and the processing speed is suitable even for low-performance personal computers. Will be obtained.
• a function expansion device makes a URL generated by using the program according to the above (1) or (2) having such a characteristic a processing target in the WWW server. Therefore, since the UR to be processed in the WWW server does not necessarily need to be manually operated, it is suitable for processing a large amount of processing automatically and collectively or appropriately distributed. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a character string serving as a URL from the URL input display field (502) of the browser, even a character string that cannot be input or is difficult to input from the URL input display field (502). It can be a URL to be processed in the server. This makes it possible to use a more diverse string of characters, such as kanji and symbols that are difficult to enter—that is, FxURL—as a URL, which is convenient.
• the function expansion device of claim 6 is:
• the URL path contains kanji, hiragana or katakana, and
• the URL path part is the URL described in the RFC. If the character string conforms to the normal display style of the URL, it is not within the scope of the present invention that the URL can be processed. For example, if the URL path part is a character string such as "? Iroha” or "index.cgi? Iroha", it is not within the scope of the present invention that the URL can be processed with respect to the URL. This will be described more specifically.
• the URL path of the URL shown in Fig. 13B was used as a parameter of the CGI processing means normally provided in existing WWW servers. This is because the browser will properly encode so that the part can be processed.
• FIG. 13B is inferior to FIG. 13A for the following reasons. Assuming that the reader of the URL has basic English proficiency, in Figure 13A, focusing on the URL host part and the URL path part, "My name is Takeshi Hayashi" In other words, you can imagine (interpret as meaning) the meaning of “My name is Takeshi Hayashi”. Figure 13B may not be so imaginable and interpretable, but the "?” At the beginning of the URL path is superfluous. Such a "?” Is not used in ordinary sentence expressions, and the name of an individual or corporation will not contain the "?”.
• the function expansion device is characterized in that the URL path portion includes a phrase (word) in a language used in a country or region such as Japanese, English, or French. This automatically means including phrases or sentences (see A, B, C, D and F in Figure 14). Do not rule out artificial languages such as Esperanto. From the URL input display field (502) in the browser or by other means, the characters of the non-ASCI I character code in the (DIS08859-1 character code set)
• Figure 14H is an example of (1) that contains a French phrase
• Figure 14I is an example of (2) that contains an old font of “high”.
• the function expansion device according to claim 7 may be characterized in that it includes a form of expression such as an expression used in a specific academic field (for example, mathematics), or includes instructions in a computer language.
• Figure 14G is an example of a URL that contains a mathematical formula (a quadratic equation of X).
• Figure 14E is an example of a URL that includes the C language, a type of computer language. This makes it possible to use URLs with various expressive powers, including sentences and expressions in various languages, so that expressive URLs can be used. URL information expression method The utility value is further improved, and it is suitable for use in business activities. The inventor believes that it would be possible to use exciting expressions in the URL that would inspire consumers to purchase; In conclusion, it is clear that any means of expression is possible.
• the language may be Braille or sign language, or gestures or body language.
• the URL input display field (502) is not regarded as an area where a predetermined character string can be displayed, input, and edited as it is implemented in existing browsers. It can be re-implemented as ⁇ Area where arbitrary image data can be displayed, entered, and edited>.
• URL input display field with a new specification as ⁇ image editor with editable horizontal rectangular area>.
• image-compatible URL input display field can be made to look the same as the conventional URL input display field.
• the URL input display field (502) shown in FIG. 5 can be regarded as an image-compatible URL input display field.
• VURL URL path part
• MIME multipurpose internet mail extensions
• VURL An example of a VURL is shown in Figure 14J.
• the URL path contains images that look like small icons that resemble human faces.
• Such an extended function may also be achieved as described in claim 1 of the present invention, such as "error inducing means for intentionally inducing an error when a WWW server processes a URL" or "at least a URL path section.
• Character string processing means that performs processing using By using the function expansion device of the invention of the present invention, the www server side can be handled relatively easily.
• the www client (browser) side can be handled by a commonly used function expansion means called “plug-in”.
• the image data part of the VURL is encoded with BASE64, the image data is "a" to "Iz”,
• any image data including braille (more precisely, image data in the style of Braille) and pictograms, can be used as a means of expressing information in a URL.
• VURLs including Braille
• Braille Braille
• a special device is required separately. It should be easy to read the contents of the VURL, but if the VURL is printed on paper, etc. In the case where it is displayed on a medium, it is often difficult to enter the same as the read description (unlike a character string) in the URL input display field. In this case, for example,
• VURL is printed on the card, a magnetic stripe or the like is provided on the card, the encoded VURL is recorded in the card, and mechanically input using a magnetic card reader or the like;
• the interpretation of the URL that actually means depends on the character font used (eg, Mincho and Gothic). It is also possible to implement. in this case,
• the function expansion device can also include encrypted data in the URL path portion.
• the character string When encrypting data and outputting this as a character string, the character string normally uses the graphic characters of the ASCI I character code set, but FxURL is ⁇ Unsafe '' or ⁇ Reserved '' like TrURL Since there is no character type, encrypted data can be placed in the URL path part without special encoding processing.
• Figure 14K shows an example. After "encrypted /", there are This is a character string that is obtained by encrypting data using the No. DES method (in the computer industry) called “DES”. This is only an example, and the encryption method is arbitrary.
• the function expansion device is characterized in that a character string instructing a search is included in the URL path portion.
• a character string instructing a search is included in the URL path portion.
• Figure 15B shows an example using wild force.
• Figure 15A is also an example using wildcards, with eight-character file names beginning with “a” and ending with “z.html” (eg, “abz.html”, “a-z.html”, “ az html "). If there is more than one such file,
• Figure 15C shows an example using a regular expression. This indicates that the file name is to be searched for a file consisting of only numbers.
• Figure 1 5 D the database that is external to the WWW server processing section (the data base in this example - scan identifier should be interpreted meaning is set to "names j p.” Japanese personal name database..) Name of Is instructed to search for a person whose first character is "Tanaka”.
• Fig. 15E shows an example of searching for a person whose name ends with "child” from the database "names.jp".
• the WWW client (202) side and the WWW server (2) define in advance what type of notation (character string) has what meaning and decide dynamically. 10) It is necessary to agree on certain rules with the side.
• the search instruction using the second natural language will be described.
• Figure 15E2 is an example of expressing the meaning equivalent to Figure15E using natural language instead of using wildcards. You may write in other than Japanese. It can also include a question sentence as shown in Figure 15F (or Figure 15F2 with the database identifier omitted). If you use such FxURL on the WWW client (202) side and try to process it on the WWW server (210) side,
• the latter method is similar to computer language programming in that the format is well-defined.
• the function expansion device is characterized by including at least one of the following two contrasting means.
• TrURL makes such an interpretation, but FxURL does not always have to do so.
• the function expansion device according to claim 9 makes it possible to use “/” for a meaning other than the symbol indicating the boundary of the hierarchical structure. The same applies to "/”.
• the "special character string ordinary interpretation means” provides benefits such as the ability to include more natural expressions in the URL path.
• the second means, the special character string special interpretation means allows the interpretation of any character string as an indication of the boundary of the hierarchical structure, contrary to the above special character string normal interpretation means.
• the KURL in Figure 16B has no indication of a hierarchical boundary. This can be replaced by the KURL in Figure 16B2 by interpreting "in” or "no" as equivalent to "/”.
• the KURL in Fig. 16B2 is a Japanese sentence using kanji etc.
• the conversion process from Fig. 16B2 to Fig. 16B3 is based on the URL path part. Rather than understanding the linguistic meaning of the content, mere replacement is sufficient.
• TrURL does not use “no” in this sense, nor can it use kanji, so it has to be written as shown in Figure 16 B3.
• KURL or FxURL including it becomes widespread, it may be possible to lower the “barrier to entry” of computer use by several steps, and to reduce the number of users of WWW services. Increase can be expected. At the same time, it is expected that the number of users of the entire Internet service will increase.
• the “some character string” to be interpreted as indicating the boundary of the hierarchical structure may be a Japanese phrase in Roman notation, an English phrase in Roman notation, or another symbol string.
• Figure 16 B4 shows the Romanized English text. In this case, first replace () with “/” (where “ ⁇ ” is a blank character in the ASCII character code set. 0x20 in hexadecimal notation in C language, indicating a so-called half-width space. Also in the drawing). Further, by swapping the arrangement of the left and right words, Fig. 16B3 can be obtained. If English-Japanese translation is performed, Fig. 16B2 can be obtained.
• the items defined by the RFC as "indicating the boundaries of the hierarchical structure" and the corresponding character strings are taken up, but the same applies to other items.
• the "ordinary character string special interpretation means” provides advantages such as the ability to include a sentence with a more natural expression in the URL path portion.
• the present invention having claim 1 as its peak has an extremely wide range of application. This greatly contributes to the fact that there is no particular reason to restrict the content of the information processing in the character string processing means.
• the target device In order to use the function expansion device according to the present invention, the target device must be
• condition 2 For example, “CPU” is not a “WWW server”, but many CPUs meet these conditions. Considering this, a question arises as to whether claim 1 limits the device to be expanded in function to only the WWW server. "What happens if we remove this limitation?" The inventor asked himself. If data such as computer files are regarded as "resources”, URLs can be said to be character strings for identifying resources on the Internet. In fact, the official name of "URL”, "Uniform Resource LocatorsJ”, indicates this. Then, when the character string indicating the location of the resource is called "addressing character string",
• Etc. can also be called "addressing character strings”. From this point of view, it is speculated that the present invention is likely to be applicable to all servers that process character strings for addressing. In particular,
• An e-mail server which is a means for delivering e-mail, etc.
• DNS Domain name system
• FTP file transfer protocol
• Erasure inducing means for intentionally inducing an error when the existing e-mail server processes an e-mail address, and at least e-mail out of the data stored in the storage means by the e-mail server
• a character string processing means for performing processing using the user ID part of the address; and a branching means for branching processing from the existing e-mail server to the character string processing means when an error occurs due to the error induction.
• An extended device. If we proceed further, it can be inferred that the present invention is likely to be applicable to areas other than the Internet. For example, it may be applicable to a circuit switching system based on telephone numbers in a telephone communication network.
• the first is to provide an error trigger setting step for intentionally triggering an error.
• the present invention is a recording medium that records a “function extension program” provided as a program for a computer among WWW servers in the category of the invention of claim 12.
• the invention of the method and the medium of the medium corresponding to the invention of the function expansion device other than the claim 1 exist.
• the inventor further pursued the idea and found that the error inducing means did not necessarily have to be included as a component of the function expansion device. Therefore, the present invention was described as claim 14.
• a “character string” refers to a sequence of one or more characters.
• "character” means any character that can be expressed on a computer.
• character codes are uniquely determined in some character code set (code system).
• “Character code set” refers to a group of characters for which the corresponding code is uniquely defined, or a name given to the group.
• “Full-width characters” refer to characters in the character set defined as "JIS X 0208" as a character code set including kanji, hiragana, katakana, etc. specified in JIS for writing Japanese and other texts. . Characters represented by one byte or less (7 bits or 8 bits) are commonly called “half-width characters”, whereas one character is represented by two bytes (16 bits). It seems to be called “full-width character”. This concept includes the so-called “supplementary kanji” (JIS X 0212), in which one character is represented by two or more bytes, and the kanji used in China, Korea, and Taiwan that represent one character in two or more bytes.
• “Character string processing” refers to information processing using character strings. You can decompose a string into multiple strings, translate Japanese characters into English, For example, replacing one character string with another character string based on a file, counting the number of characters in a character string, and the like. Speaking of URLs, breaking down a URL into a URL host, a URL path, and other parts is an example of string processing. In the present invention, "a recording medium on which a program is recorded"
• a recording medium that records a program that can be directly executed by a computer a recording medium that records a program that can be executed once by being installed on another recording medium (such as a hard disk), or an encrypted recording medium
• the concept includes a recording medium on which a compressed program is recorded.
• CGI processing means or “CGI program” refers to information processing means called from the WWW server processing means by a mechanism called CGI (common gateway interface).
• CGI program indicates that the information processing means is implemented as a program.
• CGI Common gateway interface
• the “top page” is usually the first page displayed on the home page (see Figure 9). Originally, the “homepage” refers to the page at the entrance of the homepage that we call today (previously called “website” etc.), but this has been established due to widespread misuse.
• the home page is associated with multiple document files, image data, or CGI programs, each file having its own address (URL). Generally, when you say “homepage address (or URL)", it refers to the "top page” URL.
• WWW server is a program that provides server-side functions of WWW services (see Fig. 3). Files required for such programs to function
• WWW client is a program that provides the client-side functions of the WWW service. It is a concept that also includes files and the like necessary for such a program to function. Such a program (and the necessary files, etc.) is installed on a computer such as a workstation or personal computer. It is a concept that includes. This is a concept in which the function of the WWW client includes a dedicated device built in as software or a hardware. In particular, the one in which the above-mentioned program II device is operating is called as follows. When the focus is on the WWW client screen interface (see Fig. 5), it is called “browser".
• Network is a concept that includes the Internet, which is a wide-area public network, the intranet, which is a network within an organization, and the LAN (local area network), which is a relatively small network. It does not preclude the inclusion of networks that do not use TCP / IP (Internet Protocol defined by RFC) in the communication protocol.
• TCP / IP Internet Protocol defined by RFC
• the “directory” is a special information area in which file index information is stored in the file system (means for managing files or media storing files). Depending on the OS, this information area may be implemented as a type of file.
• File is a general term for data files, program files, and special files.
• the data file is a file storing data such as text (character strings, documents) information, image data, and audio data.
• Program files also called “programs” or “executable files,” are files that can be run on a computer.
• a typical example of a special file is the directory.
• directories some operating systems handle screens and keyboards as files.
• file simply refers to a data file and a program file in a narrow sense, and refers to only a data file in a narrow sense. If you want to limit the contents of the file or the contents that may be unclear, Files, program files, or directories.
• “os” refers to a module called “library”, a kernel peripheral module called “library”, and a module for providing a user interaction function called “shell” in addition to a part called “power channel” which is the core of the OS.
• the source of "Document 1" in this invention is page 11 of the April 20, 1998 issue of "Nikkei Communication” (published by Nikkei BP).
• the source of “Document 2” in this invention is the sixth page of “Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun” dated April 15, 1998. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a www server provided with a function expansion unit and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general use form of the WWW service.
• Figure 3 is a simplified diagram of the exchange between the client and the server in the WWW service.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the components of the URL.
• FIG. 5 is a simplified view of the screen interface of the browser.
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components of an existing WWW server and related data.
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing components of a WWW server provided with a function expansion unit and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 8 shows the relationship between the index area and the file area in the file system. It is a figure showing a run.
• Figure 9 is a diagram showing the URL of the homepage of ⁇ X Shokai (the URL is a normal TrURL) and its contents.
• Figure 10 shows the URL of the homepage of ⁇ X Shokai (the URL is a KURL that contains kanji, etc.)
• Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the suitability of using each ASCI I character in the notation of a URL.
• FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a URL including a symbol “?” At the end.
• FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the presence or absence of the symbol “?” In a URL and the expressive ability of the URL.
• FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a URL expression enabled by the present invention with emphasis on the richness of available character types.
• FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a URL expression enabled by the present invention with emphasis on a search function.
• FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a URL expression enabled by the present invention with emphasis on a point where everyday sentence expression is possible.
• FIG. 17 is a diagram showing components of a WWW server processing device provided with a function expansion unit and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a function of a URL disassembly means for disassembling a given URL into four parts such as a URL path part.
• Fig. 19 is a diagram showing how the contents of the initialization file of the WWW server and the URL path part obtained from the WW client work to determine the actual file to be accessed. A brief description of the reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 to 19 is described below.
• SI Initialization processing step
• Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a WWW service using an FxURL-compatible WWW server according to the present invention.
• the WWW client (202) connected to the LAN (204) can communicate with the WWW server (210) via the WWW relay processing means (206) and the Internet (208).
• WWW client (connected to the Internet (208) 202) can communicate with the WWW server (210) via the Internet (208).
• WWW servers (210) include existing WWW servers and FxURL compatible WWW servers. Since the parts other than the expanded functions are common, the parts other than the expanded functions are described without particular division. Prefix with the adjectives "existing" or "for FxURL" as appropriate. Therefore, the WWW server (210) shown in Fig. 2 may be an existing WWW server or an FxURL compatible WWW server. However, at least one WWW server (210) in Fig. 2 is an FxURL compatible WWW server.
• Block diagrams 6 and 7 show the relationship between the components of the WWW server (210) and related data.
• Figure 6 is from an existing WWW server.
• Fig. 7 is from a WWW server that supports FxURL.
• the WWW server executes the initialization processing unit (608) to perform its own initialization, and then waits for an HTTP request from the W client.
• the control unit (610) performs overall control with each processing unit.
• the operating conditions and the like given to the initialization information holding unit (6 14) are read, and the data are stored in the variable information holding unit (6 18) as necessary.
• the result variable information storage unit (618) stores the location of the file storage unit (620) that stores files (see Fig. 3B and Fig. 8) to be transmitted to the WWW client as HTTP responses. Is done.
• Data receiving unit (6 0 2) is for capturing an HTTP request from the WWW client (FIG. 3 A see) as a string.
• Character string data such as imported URLs
• the data is stored in the variable information storage unit (6 18) as needed.
• the control unit (1608) passes the URL and related information data to the URL interpretation unit (606).
• the URL interpreter (606) converts the URL (1802) of the data received by the URL decomposer (1804) shown in Fig. 18 for the purpose of extracting the URL path, etc. ,
• the present invention does not prevent the character string from being regarded as being input by the browser user.
• the character string of the UR path part obtained in this way is stored in the file holding part (620). This is the information for accessing. "Access” here often means
• the file to be actually accessed is determined to be a directory, and the directory Content, ie shown in Figure 8A The information itself of such an index area is displayed.
• Directorylndex has been set, the file name held in the variable information holding unit is appended to the “/”, and the location of the file actually accessed (this is called “full path”. 1910), (see 1914).
• the control unit (610) of the WWW server converts this into the variable information storage unit ( In addition to storing the data in (6 18), an attempt is made to access the target file via the file access section (6 16).
• the file access unit (6 16) accesses the index area (see FIG. 8A) of the file holding unit (620) to obtain the storage location (posll, posl2, etc.) where the target file is stored, and Attempt to access this file (see Figure 8B). If the target file is text data such as image data, it is read. If the target file is a CGI program, execute it (if you have permission to execute it).
• the contents of the file and the execution result of the program obtained above are called a header.
• the data is transmitted as an HTTP response to the WWW client via the data transmission unit (604) together with the predetermined data to be transmitted.
• An error will occur if access to the target file fails.
• an error message is generated in the error processing unit (610), and transmitted to the WWW client via the data transmission unit (604) as an HTTP response together with the header.
• an error message such as "The target file cannot be accessed" is displayed in the received data display field (504) of the browser.
• the above is the outline of the processing in the existing www server.
• the following describes the features of the FxURL-compatible WWW server in this embodiment. See Fig. 7 for the internal configuration and related data area of the WWW server, and Fig. 1 for the processing flow of the FxURL-compatible WWW server. In the FxURL-compatible WWW server of this embodiment, the fixed part of the WWW server is not changed at all.
• a character string processing unit to be a function expansion unit (702). Any processing that uses the URL path part may be performed.For example, an external database is searched using the character string in the URL path part as a key, and the character string that forms the URL corresponding to the key is used as a value. Character string processing means for obtaining the value and transmitting the URL to a WWW client together with a predetermined status code, thereby performing URL transfer processing;
• Preparation of the function expansion unit (702) is completed here.
• the function expansion section (702) is newly provided, regardless of the fixed or non-fixed parts of the existing WWW server.
• set the data that causes an error Data for intentionally inducing an error is set in the error inducing information holding unit (706) in the file holding unit (620).
• the setting is made so that all accesses to the file holding unit (620) result in errors.
• This setting is the access control file that the WWW server refers to when running
• the file holding unit (620) in FIG. 7 shows a state including the error-inducing information holding unit (706).
• Branch destination when an error occurs due to the error inducing information holding unit (706) Is set in the branch destination information holding unit (704) in the initialization information holding unit (6 14).
• the function expansion unit (702) is set to be the branch destination.
• This setting can be realized by using a configuration file that is referred to by the WWW server at the time of startup (this file is stored in a separate area from the file storage unit (620).).
• the initialization information holding unit (6 14) in FIG. 7 shows a state including the branch destination information holding unit (704). Preparation is now complete.
• start a WWW server equipped with a function expansion unit that is, a WWW server that supports FxURL.
• the condition changing unit (708) since the condition changing unit (708) is provided, the error inducing information holding unit (706) and the branch destination information holding unit (706) can be used by using the condition changing unit (708) as necessary. 704) can be changed.
• the WWW server When the WWW server starts, initialization is performed as shown in Fig. 1.
• the WWW server performs processing such as storing variables necessary for its own operation in the variable information holding unit (618) (step (S1)), and then stores the branch destination information set at the time of error occurrence set above. It is taken out from the branch destination information storage unit (704) and stored in the variable information storage unit (618) (step (S2)). Thereafter, it enters a state of waiting for an HTTP request from the W ⁇ client (step (S3)).
• this FxURL-compatible WWW server receives the information obtained from the WWW client via the data receiving unit (602), acquires the URL path unit and the like using the URL interpreting unit (606) (step (S4)), and The path part, etc. is stored in the variable information storage unit (618), and the file to be accessed is stored using the information (1902) such as DocumentRoot stored in the variable information storage unit (618). Decide (Step (S5)). When the file to be actually accessed (see (1 9 14)) is determined in this way, access to the target file in the file holding section (620) is performed via the file access section (6 16). Attempt (step (S6)).
• Step (S7) the control unit (6 10) of the WWW server transfers control to the error processing unit (6 12). Then, the error processing unit (6 12) transfers the branch destination information at the time of occurrence of the error set in step (S 2) from the branch destination information holding unit (704) in the variable information holding unit (6 18). Take out and branch to the specified branch destination (Step (S 9
• step (S10)) o Control is thereby transferred to the character string processing means serving as the function expansion unit (702), and desired character string processing is performed (step (S10)).
• the processing result of the character string processing means is sent to the WWW client of the HTTP request source.
• Step (S11) the processing for this HTTP request ends.
• the process returns to step (S3) and waits for the next HTTP request.
• the URL transfer is described as an example of the character string processing means, but this is an example. For example, a Japanese sentence is written in the URL path part, translated into English, and the result is called the received data display field (504), URL input display field (502), or "status line" of the browser.
• Embodiment 2 Another example of intentionally causing an error is as follows. Note that, in the following, almost only items specific to this embodiment (Embodiment 2) will be described. Refer to the description of Embodiment 1 for the overall processing flow and the like. Originally, 26 files from a.html to z.html are stored under DocumentRoot and http://www.ox.com/a.htm ⁇ ,
• the intentional error inducing means is to store the files (d. Html ⁇ z. Html) in a directory other than the DocumentRoot (eg, / httpd / doc2) except for the file in (3). Can also be taken. If you do this,
• Embodiment 3 In the following, almost only items specific to this embodiment (Embodiment 3) will be described. Refer to the description of Embodiment 1 for the overall processing flow and the like. Another example of intentionally causing errors is to put no files under the DocumentRoot; If you do this,
• the URL path part is a character string that is an FxURL such as “sales information”.
• character string processing such as identifying different URLs can be easily realized, such as transmitting the same file as an HTTP response.
• the number of files that can be stored in one directory is limited. Restrictions can be virtually eliminated.
• a large number of files (including directories) and files that can be accommodated in one directory due to restrictions due to the specifications of the OS file system and others, even if it is desired to accommodate them, are Even if this was possible, management was difficult.
• Many Internet providers will provide a home page directory for their members, but managing them will likely be more difficult as the number of members grows. Some providers use multiple computers because a single computer cannot accommodate them. This makes management more difficult and costly.
• necessary information is obtained from an external large database for all HTTP requests that involve file access, without being restricted by the hierarchical structure specified on (the URL path part of) the WWW client. Because such a WWW server can be constructed, it is relatively easy to unify and manage 10 million homepages, for example. This means that one directory can have a homepage for 10 million people virtually. If necessary, more than 10 million websites can be set up. In effect, it can be said that the restriction on the number of files that can be accommodated has been lifted.
• FIG. 17 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a device using a CPU (1706) as a processing means having the respective units shown in FIG. Note that all or part of each part shown in FIG. 7 may be configured by hardware logic without using a CPU.
• CPU (1 706) has
• the hard disk (1718) stores the OS (1720), the httpd program (1722), which is an essential program for the WWW server, and various setting information and variables while the httpd program is running.
• a work area for the httpd program (1774) and a public file (1772) storing information and the like provided by the httpd program as needed in response to an HTTP request from a WWW client are stored. These are the basic elements of a WWW server.
• the hard disk (1718) also stores a function expansion program (1728) and a work area for function expansion program (1730) that exist only in the WWW server using the present invention. This is an extension of the WWW server.
• the elements that are unique to the WWW server are the httpd program (1 722), the work area for the httpd program (1 724), and the public file (1 726).
• httpd The program (1 722) is usually a fixed part that involves compiling the source code for modification. Compiling source code can be a very time-consuming task, such as obtaining the compiler itself, unpacking the source code on a hard disk, compiling, and (re) installing it. At least one of the error generating means, the character string processing means, and the branching means described in claim 1 satisfies claim 3 if the httpd program (17722) can be provided without any change. .
• the present invention can be applied to a commercial WWW server and the source code of the commercial WWW server is not provided, If so, it satisfies claim 3. Even if it is a program called "free software" for which the release of source code is common, if the present invention can be applied without recompiling the source code of the program, it will be claimed. 3 will be satisfied.
• the data receiving unit (1602) of the WWW server receives the HTTP request sent from the WWW client via the network interface (1702) and the OS (1720).
• the data transmission unit (1604) of the WWW server sends data (HTTP response) to the WWW client via the OS (1720) and the network interface (1702) in response to the HTTP request. Send.
• the URL interpreter (606) of the WWW server not only executes computations in the CPU when decomposing URLs, but also performs hard disk (1) 7 18) Store or temporarily store as a variable in the work area (1 724) for the httpd program in (1) or as data in the memory (1 708).
• the initialization information storage unit (614) referred to by the initialization processing unit (608) of the WWW server is realized as an initialization file (also called a configuration file) of the httpd program (1722). This file is stored in the work area (1 724) for the httpd program on the hard disk (1 718).
• an editor text file editing program
• an editor text file editing program
• the contents of the file can be rewritten by making a key input using the keyboard (1712) while displaying the contents of the encrypted file on the display (1170). It should be noted that, without using the display (17110) keyboard (1772), other computers connected to the network (1704) via the network interface (1702).
• the contents of the initialization file can be rewritten by file transfer or other means.
• Files such as HTML files (text files) and GIF files (image data) that are sent in response to HTTP requests from WWW client clients are placed under DocumentRoot, and CGI programs are usually placed under ScriptAlias or DocumentRoot. You. All of these are included in the file holding unit (620) in Fig. 7 and in the public file (17726) in Fig. 17. Some or all of the CGI program may be placed outside (1 726).
• an error-inducing information holding unit (706) for intentionally inducing an error is provided in the form of a file as a part of the file holding unit (620). Has been inserted. This file is called the access control file. In Figure 17, it is stored as a part of the public file (1 726). In another embodiment of the WWW server embodying the present invention, the error inducing information holding unit (706) is inserted in the initialization information holding unit (6 14). In this case, in FIG. 17, it is stored in the httpd program work area (1 724).
• the WWW server embodying the present invention has a branch destination information holding unit (704) for determining information for determining a branch destination when an error occurs, but a data piece that is a source of this information is initialized. It is assumed that it is inserted into the information storage unit (618), and is stored in the variable information storage unit (618) by the processing of the initialization processing unit (608). In this case, since the data piece that is the source of the branch destination information exists in the initialization file, it is stored in the httpd program work area (1724) in FIG. However, if claim 3 does not need to be satisfied, the source code of the httpd program (1722) is modified and the branch destination information holding unit (16614) is stored inside the httpd program (1722).
• the w-book server embodying the present invention includes a function expansion unit (6 1 2) for expanding the functions of the www server.
• the function expansion section (6 12) is stored in the hard disk (1 718) as a function expansion program (1 728) and a work area for the function expansion program (1 730).
• a WWW server that implements the present invention and satisfies claim 2 includes a condition changing unit (708) as a means for changing the contents of the branch destination information holding unit (704).
• the condition changing unit (708) is for correcting the branch destination information holding unit (704) or a portion corresponding thereto in the access control file or the file providing the equivalent function.
• the CD-ROM drive (1 716), the display (1 710), and the keyboard (1 172) were used, but the files in the hard disk (1 178) were used.
• the remote processing remote processing from another computer (not shown) that can be connected to the network (1 704), the CD-ROM drive (1 716), the display ( It is not necessary to have 1710) and key board (1712).
• the flexible interpretation of the URL on the WWW server can greatly enhance the expressiveness and usefulness of the URL. At the same time, it has the effect of lowering barriers to using Internet services. These With the synergistic effect of this, it is possible to provide services that offer benefits to both current and future Internet users. In addition, since it can be applied to other than the WWW server, effects can be obtained in various fields.

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• 1998
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