WO2001075646A1

WO2001075646A1 - An internet full service system and graphic user interface accessible at this system

Info

Publication number: WO2001075646A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Jeon
Original assignee: Nexter Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-03-21
Filing date: 2001-03-21
Publication date: 2001-10-11
Also published as: AU2001244766A1; KR20000030847A; KR20010092415A

Abstract

A graphical user interface apparatus based on a client computer system, which is accessible to a server computer system through a computer network includes a user connection unit, a linking unit to link graphical identifiers to service managers, a display for displaying the graphical identifiers in a menu bar on a screen of the client system and displaying service managers in a function-executing window when the graphical identifier is selected, and an editing unit for receiving service information defined by the graphical identifier from the server system and editing the function-executing window. So, the client may use desired service by only one selection of the identifier.

Description

AN INTERNET FULL SERVICE SYSTEM AND GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE ACCESSIBLE AT THIS SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a graphical user interface (GUI),

and more particularly to a graphical user interface apparatus based on

a client computer system, which is accessible to a server computer

system through a computer network.

And, the present invention also relates to an integrated Internet

service system, which allows an Internet user to efficiently use overall

service throughout Internet with a personal computer.

BACKGROUND ART

As a beginning of the computer era, the development of EDVAC

computer system in 1948 is often quoted. After EDVAC, the computer

systems have been more developed and sophisticated, and used in

variant circumstances. Such rapid spread of the computers also has

promoted development of a computer network allowing mutual

communications among computers.

Owing to introduction of a personal computer, many people could

become accustomed to the computer. This also leads development of a

network using personal computers, which allows people to network using personal computers, which allows people to

communicate with each other by using the personal computer. With

such network, many members in a company may communicate at the

same time with a software application executed on a computer system.

Recently, the most prevalent one among the important computer

networks is Internet. Internet has occurred based on such spread of

computers and networks, and has been developed into a very

complicated world wide network, which is a resource of the computer

system, generally known as a world-wide-web or WWW.

Each personal computer (PC) user who wants to gain access to

Internet, commonly uses a software application, known as a web

browser. The web browser gives access to another computer, known as

a web server, through Internet and receives information to be displayed

on the computer terminal of the user from the web server.

As described above, in order to use a specific functional service

on Internet, the user should connect with Internet and drive the web

browser, and then connects to a portal site and moves through several

sites to obtain desired service at a desired site.

For example, a user who wants the chatting service in Internet

should connect with Internet, drive the web browser, connect to a first

web page, set by the user, and then move to another site providing the

chatting service. If any client program is needed for such chatting service, one more action of downloading the program is required. In

addition, if the user intends to check e-mail while using the chatting

service, the user should repeat above actions from driving the web

browser till connecting to an e-mail service site.

As for now, frequent physical actions are required for the Internet

user to use Internet service. Moreover, due to insufficient linking

among services, if wanting to use a lot of services at the same time, the

user should endure more time and physical actions.

Recently, to relieve such inconvenience, Internet service providers

sometimes suggest Internet services without using the web browser,

which employ a client program such as the instant messenger.

However, such a service generally provides only one specific function on

which the service provider focuses its effort (e.g. messenger, chatting,

Internet search, stock exchange, etc.).

There is probably no service providing various Internet functions

except the portal site. Therefore, there is still a need to develop an

Internet service system and a user interface, which not only provides

various contents but also Internet communication functions so that

each function may be linked each other.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is designed to overcome such drawbacks and problems of the prior art. Therefore, an object of the invention is

to enable a user to access various desire service provided by a specific

server system only by selecting a graphical identifier based on a client

system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a graphical user

interface based on a client system, which helps a user to easily access

Internet service such as e-mailing, search, file transfer, remote file

management, chatting, messenger and so on.

Another objects and advantages of the present invention will be

described below in detail, and acknowledged by preferred embodiments

of the present invention. Also, the objects and advantages of the

present invention can be realized by means and compositions thereof

written in the claims.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention

provides a graphical user interface apparatus for a client computer

system, accessible to a specific server computer system through a

computer network, which includes means for connecting the client

system to the server system and transmitting client identification

information to the server system; linking means for linking a plurality of

graphical identifiers to a plurality of service managers, the graphical

identifiers being provided for selection or designation of service provided

by the server system; means for displaying the group of graphical identifiers in a menu bar on a screen of the client system; means for

displaying each of the linked service managers in a function-executing

window with a plurality of menus in response to the selection of the

graphical identifier; and means for receiving service information defined

by the corresponding graphical identifier from the server system in

response to the selection of the graphical identifier, and editing the

function-executing window on the basis of the service information.

Therefore, the client may request a desired service from the server

system only by selecting the graphical identifier displayed on the

screen.

„ Preferably, the graphical user interface apparatus of the present

invention further includes subordinate means for hierarchically

subordinating a plurality of sub-identifiers to the graphical identifier;

and means for displaying the subordinated sub-identifiers in a

pull-down menu in response to the selection of the graphical identifier

so that the linking means may link the sub-identifiers to the service

managers.

In order to obtain the above object, the present invention also

provides a method for transmitting a request of a client system to a

server computer system, accessible through a computer network, which

includes the steps of connecting the client system to the server system

and transmitting client identification information to the server system; displaying a group of graphical identifiers for selection and designation

of service from the server system in a menu bar on a screen of the client

system; selecting a desired graphical identifier in the menu bar by using

a pointing device of the client system; displaying a service manager

linked to the corresponding graphical identifier in response to the

selection of the graphical identifier; receiving service information

corresponding to the service manager from the server system, and

editing the service manager in a function-executing window with a

plurality of menus on the basis of the service information; and

transmitting a client request to the server system by executing a specific

menu in the function-executing window.

The method of the present invention may further include the

steps of: displaying a plurality of sub-identifiers, hierarchically

subordinated to the corresponding graphical identifier, in a pull-down

menu in response to the selection of the graphical identifier; and

displaying the service manager linked to the corresponding

sub-identifier in response to the selection of the sub-identifier.

At this time, the edition of the function-executing window is

preferably distinctive depending on each client.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention

provides an integrated Internet service system having a server system

for providing a client connected thereto through a network with integrated service including search, e-mailing, messenger, chatting and

entertainment.

The server system includes a customized-information server for

providing customized information reflecting desire of the client in real

time; a file management server for storing a file uploaded by the client

and downloading the stored file to the client when required; a search

server for searching URL(Uniform Resource Locator) information

designated by a Korean domain, which is input by the client, with use

of a search information database storing the Korean domain and the

URL information matched in one-to-one relation, and providing the

searched URL information to the client; a messenger server for

transmitting a message from the client to another client and storing the

message; and a network server for transmitting data from the client to a

wireless communication terminal by using a wireless communication

network including a pager network and a mobile communication

network.

In addition, the integrated Internet service system may further

include a mail server for providing e-mail service; a chatting server for

providing chatting service; and a resource-providing server for providing

game information resources and stock information resources.

The customized-information server may include means for

reading an introduction message of the customized information set by the client from a corresponding user storage area of a customized

information database; and means for displaying the introduction

message read by the reading means together with an address of a

storage area storing detailed information related to the introduction

message on a screen of the client in real time by attaching the address

to the introduction message, whereby the client is provided with the

detailed information of a desired customized information by selecting a

corresponding introduction message from the customized-information

server.

In addition, the file management server may include storing

means having a plurality of user storage areas for storing user data

according to a user ID; uploading means for receiving a file from the

user computer in a packet unit and then storing the file in the

corresponding user storage area of the storing means; and downloading

means for transmitting the file stored in the corresponding user area of

the storing means to the corresponding user in a packet unit.

Preferably, the file management server may further include file

transmission linking means for transmitting a file, which is received

from one user computer, to another user computer.

Furthermore, the messenger server may include message storing

means for storing a message from the user computer; personal message

sending means for sending the message, stored in the message storing means, to another specific user; and group message sending means for

sending the message, stored in the message storing means, to all users

in a specific group.

Preferably, the messenger server may further include connection

determining means for determining whether a computer of the specific

user who is to receive the message is in connection to the messenger

server or not.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred

embgdiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the

following detailed description, taken accompanying drawings. In the

drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a network where an integrated

Internet service system of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a server system and a client

computer system in which a graphical user interface of the present

invention is installed;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of installing the

graphical user interface of the present invention to a client computer;

FIG. 4 shows a Windows screen for illustrating the process of

generating a client request with use of the graphical user interface according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exterior view of a menu bar according to the

present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a Windows screen for describing how to move or

adjust size of the menu bar of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of generating a

client request with use of the graphical user interface of the present

invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of executing

customized-information service of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of executing a

real-time user connecting service of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of executing a

messenger service of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of file uploading

and downloading practiced by a disk management server of the present

invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of executing a

file transfer service between users; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for illustrating the process of executing a

Korean domain search service. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will

be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First of all, terms and words used in the specification and the

claims should be interpreted not in a limited normal or dictionary

meaning, but to include meanings and concepts conforming with

technical aspects of the present invention, based on the face that

inventors may appropriately define a concept of a term to describe

his/her own invention in a best way.

Therefore, the configurations described in the specification and

drawn in the figures are just most preferred embodiments of the present

invention, not to show all of the technical aspects of the present

invention. So, it should be understood that there might be various

equalities and modifications to be replaced with them.

FIG. 1 shows a network system to which an integrated Internet

service system of the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, the network system includes client

computer systems 50a to 50c, which may communicate each other

through a network 3, a server computer system 20 and a database

system 40 connected to the server system 20.

The client computer systems 50a to 50c are client-side terminals,

which are provided with on-line service described below, and in which a 1.2

graphical user interface program described below is installed.

As the client computer system, a personal computer or a

notebook computer may be preferably, but not limitedly, adopted.

Namely, the client computer system may include all wire /wireless

terminals having a data transmission function to exchange information

such as data or file with the server system.

The server computer system 20 is set to a service provider, which

provides integrated Internet service of the present invention. The

server computer system 20 provides service such as e-mailing, search,

messenger, chatting, remote file management, customized information

and, so on to the client systems 50a to 50c.

Configuration of the server computer system 20 is described later

in detail.

The database system 40 includes a plurality of databases linked

to the server system 20. The database system 40 stores various

resources to be delivered from the server system 20 to the client

systems 50a to 50c.

The network 30 means Internet in which many computer

networks (LAN/WAN) are connected each other, but not limited to such

an example. That is, the network 30 can be any wire/wireless

communication network in which the client and the server are

connected thereto so as to transmit and receive multimedia information such as data, text, graphic, etc. each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing internal configurations of the

client system 50, the server system 20 and the database system 40 in

the network system of FIG. 1.

The client system 50 in FIG. 2 includes a browser program 52 for

getting a web page on the basis of URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of

the web site, analyzing HTML codes of the web page and displaying the

web page on a monitor, an OS (Operating System) program 51 for

overall management and control of the computer system, and a GUI

(graphical user interface; 53) described later. The client system 50 also

includes a network connection tool to access a plurality of objects and

resources dispersed in the distributed network.

The server system 20 includes a main server 21 , a mail server 22,

a chatting server 23, a file management server 24, a messenger server

25, a search server 26, a network server 28 and a

customized-information server 27.

The main server 21 provides the client system with a client

program (GUI) so that the client may easily access the integrated

Internet service of the present invention. The main server 21 may also

act as a resource-providing server, which provides stock information,

game information, web page, etc. to the client system. In addition, a

server-side program for overall control of the server system is included in the main server 21.

The main server 21 also provides the client system with

information specialized for each client in response to selection of a

graphical identifier so that a function-executing window may be

specialized for each client.

The mail server 22 provides e-mailing service to the client by

using a protocol such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP

(Post Office Protocol) and so on. Particularly, the mail server 22 of the

present invention is not in a type of supporting an e-mailing tool

accomplished on the web, but allows the client to exchange a mail by

using the GUI shown in FIG. 5 without executing a web browser.

The chatting server 23 enables users, connected to the server

system of the present invention, to exchange typed-in or voice messages

in real time. In particular, the chatting server 23 may support a

multimedia chatting function like a video chatting using a PC camera.

The file management server 24 plays a role of giving a remote

storage area to each user, connected through the main server 21. In

other words, the file management server 24 gives each user a storage

area in a disk means thereof so that the corresponding user may upload

or download files. Such an upload/ download function of the file

management server 24 will be described in detail with reference to the

process routine of FIG. 11. Moreover, the file management server 24 may have a function of

transferring a file stored in the disk means to other user if desired by

the client who has uploaded the file.

The messenger server 25 executes the process routine as shown

in FIG. 8 so as that a client connected to the server system of the

present invention may exchange a message with other desired client.

In particular, the messenger server 25 of the present invention may use

TCPfTransmission Control Protocol) /UDP(User Datagram Protocol)

program so that the clients may communicate by exchanging files. In

addition, the messenger server 25 may give a message storage area to

each client so that the client may store important messages in that area.

Also, the messenger server 25 may have a function of checking whether

a specific user is in connection or whether any message is written with

a keyboard.

The search server 26 enables the user to use a search engine

such as Yahoo, Altabista, Shimmani, etc. with only one action through

the GUI of the present invention installed in the client system.

Moreover, the search server 26 may provide a specialized search

function such as English-Korean dictionary, Korean-English dictionary,

MP3 search, picture search, phone number search, etc. In addition,

the search server 26 may execute the process routine as shown in FIG.

13 so that, when a client inputs a Korean domain, the search server 26 may extract a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the

Korean domain from a search information database 43 and provide it to

the client.

The customized-information server 27 provides the user with

desired customized information by executing the process routine as

shown in FIG. 8.

The network server 28 acts a role of interfacing Internet, wireless

communication network and pager network each other so that a client

connected to the server system of the present invention may send voice

or text message to a portable communication terminal such as a

cellular phone or a pager and use free Internet phone or fax service

such as Dialpad.

Now, detailed configuration of the database system 40, linked to

the server system 20 of the present invention to provide multimedia

resources such as data, text, file, picture and voice to the server is

described.

The database system 40 includes a member management DB 41,

a customized-information DB 42 and a search information Db 43.

The member management DB 41 is used for storing information

of members who use the service of the present invention and storing

personal management information such as a personal address book or

a schedule book. In particular, the member management DB 41 stores ID and password of each member to support the certification process of

the main server 21.

The customized-information DB 42 is working together the

customized-information server 27 to provide a client with information

resources such as news, entertainments, sports, etc. matching for the

taste of the client.

The search information DB 43 stores resources for search such as

Korean-English dictionary, English-Korean dictionary and phone

numbers as well as a matching table in which a Korean domain is

matched with URL of a web page corresponding to the Korean domain

in one-to-one relation.

FIG. 3 shows the process routine that the client systems 50a to

50c access the main server 21 through the network and then install the

GUI program as shown in FIG. 5 in the OS of the client computer

system.

At first, a user who wants to receive the service of the present

invention connects his/her own computer with the main server 21 of

the present invention to secure a data link between the client system

and the server system (STEP Al).

The main server 21 includes the client-side program (GUI) in a

shape as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, a user downloads the client-side

program from the main server 21 to his/her own computer (STEP A2). The client- side program downloaded from the main server 21 is

installed in a secondary memory unit of the client computer (STEP A3).

The client-side program includes a setup program for installing

the GUI as shown in FIG. 5 to the client computer. Therefore, the

setup program is automatically executed to install the GUI on the OS of

the client program.

Hereinafter, the process of generating a user request to be

transmitted to the server system with use of the GUI is described in

detail with reference to FIG. 4.

If the client-side program downloaded from the server system (or,

it can be copied from another storing media to the client system) is

installed on the OS of the client system, an icon 1 10 is automatically

generated on the OS screen 100 (or, Windows screen) of the client

system.

First of all, the user who wants to use service provided from the

server system with use of the GUI of the present invention, connects the

client system to the network by using a network connection tool.

In the state that the client system is connected to the network,

the user clicks the icon 110 with a pointing device such as a mouse,

and then a window for connection to server and user certification 120 is

displayed on the Windows screen 100.

The server connection and user certification window 120 has input boxes for inputting user ID and password, which are distinctively

endowed to each user.

If the user inputs user ID and password (hereinafter, commonly

referred to as 'user identification information') in the input boxes by

using an input device such as a keyboard, the client program transmits

the user identification information to the server system.

In addition, the client program has location information (IP

address) of the server computer. Therefore, the client program extracts

the location information in response to a connection request from the

user, automatically accesses the server system on the basis of the

location information, and then transmits the user identification

information to the connected server system.

If receiving the user identification information together with the

connection request from a specific client system, the main server of the

server system secures a data link with the client system and then

prepares information specialized for the client.

In the state that the client system is in connection to the server

system, a menu bar 130 is displayed on the Windows screen of the

client system. The menu bar 130 has size adjusting means for

enlarging or reducing a size of the menu bar as desired on the Windows

screen, as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the menu bar 130 can be

moved as desired on the Windows screen, as shown in FIG. 6. Outward appearance of the menu bar will be described later in

detail with reference to FIG. 5.

The menu bar 130 has a plurality of graphical identifiers in an

icon shape. Each graphical identifier is used to select or designate one

of various service provided from the server system. In other words, an

icon in a floppy disk shape is for requesting the remote file management

service from the file management server, and an icon in a mailbox

shape is used to generate a client request for the mailing service from

the mail server.

As described above, each graphical identifier is corresponded to

eacht kind of service from the server system. Therefore, the user may

distinguish the kind of service to be requested to the server system only

by using the graphical identifiers. Also the user may transmit a user

request to the server system only by selecting a desired one of the

graphical identifiers.

The graphical identifier may have sub-identifiers 140 shown in

FIG. 4. In other words, many sub-identifiers may be hierarchically

subordinated to one main identifier. Of course, it does not mean that

all graphical identifiers have such sub-identifier.

If the service provided from the server system includes many

small groups in one category (e.g. a lot of subordinate service such as

schedule management, business card management and memo pad are existing in one category of a personal information management), it is

possible that the big category is linked to one main graphical identifier

and the small groups are linked to subordinated sub-identifiers,

respectively.

Therefore, the user may easily transmit a user request to the

server system by selecting a main graphical identifier on the menu bar

and then continuously selecting a sub- identifier subordinated to the

main identifier.

The sub-identifiers 140 are preferably displayed in a pull-down

menu connected to the main graphical identifier, as shown in FIG. 4.

. As described above, if a user selects a graphical identifier or a

sub-identifier related to a specific service of the server system on the

menu bar, a service manager 150 linked to the selected identifier is

displayed on the windows screen. The service manager 150 is

preferably displayed in a shape of a function-executing window, as

shown in FIG. 4.

At this time, the function-executing window is preferably in a type

of a web browser. In addition, the service information defined by the

graphical identifier or the sub-identifier and provided by the service

server is preferably a HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) document.

For example, if a user selects the graphical identifier linked to the

remote file management service (the icon of a floppy disk shape), a remote file manager 150 linked to the graphical identifier is called out.

The remote file manager 150 has a shape of a function-executing

window, as shown in FIG. 4, which includes a menu portion, a my

computer directory and a directory of the remote storage area, in brief.

The menu portion has menus like upload, new folder, change

name and so on. The 'my computer directory' shows the Explorer of

Windows in itself, which is usually included in the client computer.

The remote storage area directory is edited with information received

from the server computer. That is, if the user calls out the remote file

manager by selecting the graphical identifier, the user request is

transmitted to the server system and the file manager server of the

server system transmits directory information of the storage area

corresponding to the client to the client system. If the information

specialized to the client is transmitted from the server system, the

remote storage area directory is then edited based on the specialized

information.

In other words, if the user selects a specific graphical identifier,

the server manager related to the graphical identifier is displayed on the

Windows screen. At the same time, the server system, which receives

the selection information, checks whether there is specialized

information defined by the corresponding graphical identifier for the

corresponding client. If any specialized information exists, the server system transmits the specialized information to the client system and

the client system receiving the specialized information configures the

service manager to conform to the corresponding client.

As described above, the graphical user interface device of the

present invention sets a circumstance for user, which provides each

service from the server system in a shape of an easily distinguishable

graphical identifier so as to possibly generate a concrete user command

in response to selection of the graphical identifier.

Also, the GUI of the present invention acts as a helper, which

guides the client to the server system without using an application

program such as a browser. The GUI is displayed in a menu bar type

having a long bar, as shown in FIG. 5.

The menu bar is classified into four parts, in brief.

The menu bar includes a specialized-information providing

window 4 for giving information conforming to the user taste, a

graphical identifier group 5 to 13, 18, 19 used for selecting service such

as remote file management, e-mailing, chatting, messenger and so on, a

search window 16 for searching URL or phone number, or using

electronic commerce, English-Korean dictionary, Korean-English

dictionary and so on, and additional function-executing portions 1, 17

for movement or size adjustment of the menu bar, personal bookmark

and so on. At first, the reference number 1 in FIG. 5 is a movement button,

which provides a function for the user to move the menu bar to an up,

down, right or left direction while using the GUI in order to position the

menu bar as desired.

The reference number 2 is a logo button (showing "Nexter" as an

example), to which a URL of a main page of the homepage provided by

the main server 21 is linked. Therefore, the user may call out the

homepage provided by the main server 21 of the present invention to be

displayed only by clicking the logo button 2 with use of a pointing

device such as a mouse. In addition, the logo button 2 may include

various menus for convenience of user.

The reference number 3 indicates an alarm button. The alarm

button 3 is for generating an alarm when the request information

registered in the web site provided from the main server 21 is received,

a member registered as a friend of the user accesses the main server, or

a message such as e-mail or a slip of paper is transmitted.

The reference number 4 shows the customized-information

display window. The customized-information display window 4 is a

window, in which the request information registered in the web site or

various messages are displayed in real time. The request information

of the user means information, which is registered in the

customized-information server 27 through a customized-information icon 13 according to the taste of the user. Therefore, the

customized-information server 27 displays messages related to the

customized information, which is determined based on the registered

information, in the customized-information display window 4 in real

time.

When clicking the customized-information display window 4 in

the menu bar, the user may receive the customized information

matching with the message displayed in that time.

The reference number 5 indicates a file management icon. The

file management icon 5 includes a command to call out the remote file

manager for interfacing the user with the file management server 24.

That is, if the user clicks the file management icon 5, the remote file

manager is called out so that the user may store a file, which is made in

his/her own computer, in the disk of the file management server (or, a

storage area for the corresponding user), which is on-line storage area,

with use of the remote file manager. In addition, the user may download

the file, which is stored on the on-line storage area, to his/her own

computer with use of the remote file manager.

The reference number 6 is an e-mail icon. The e-mail icon 6

includes a command for interfacing the user with the mail server 22.

That is, if the user clicks the e-mail icon 6, the mail manager is called

out and the user may use various e-mail services without calling out any mail browser (e.g. Outlook Express of Microsoft). Therefore, the

user may check and transmit e-mail on the menu bar without setting or

driving any mail program account. With clicking the e-mail icon 6, the

user may also use the function of the mail transmission reservation

service and the mass mailing service. Particularly, with the e-mail icon

6, the user may use a group mailing function and personally issue to

another person a mail account related to the user.

The reference number 7 shows an on-line theater icon. The

on-line theater icon includes a command for calling out an integrated

entertainment manager, which interfaces the user with an integrated

entertainment providing server (not shown) providing service such as

movie, animation, music video, broadcast TV, CATV, radio and so on.

The reference number 8 is a messenger icon for providing an

instant messenger function. The messenger icon 8 includes a

command for calling out the messenger manager to interface the user

with the messenger server 25. That is, if the user calls out the

messenger manager, the user may use a one-to-one or one-to-multi

message transmission function or a file transmission function through

the messenger manager.

The reference number 9 is a chatting icon. The chatting icon 9

includes a command for calling out the chatting manager to interface

the user with the chatting server 23. The chatting manager is a client-oriented chatting program, which realizes a general chatting

function and an integrated chatting process in linkage to the messenger

server 25. In addition, with use of the chatting manager, it is also

possible to experience domestic or international video communication

or meeting through the video chatting.

The reference number 10 is a personal information management

icon. The personal information management icon 10 includes

sub-identifiers such as a schedule management, a business card

management, a memo pad and so on. The sub-identifiers also include

commands for calling out a schedule manager, a business card

manager and a memo pad manager, respectively.

The reference number 1 1 is a network icon. The network icon 1 1

calls out a network manager for connecting the user computer to the

wireless communication network through the network server 28. That

is, with use of the network manager, the user may send a voice or text

message to a cellular phone or a pager and use a free Internet phone

and even a fax.

The reference number 13 indicates a customized-information icon.

The customized-information icon may include sub-identifiers such as

CJ cafe, digital times, data storehouse, talk rest room, my club, your

favorites and so on.

The reference number 18 is a game icon, the reference number 12 is a shopping mall icon, and the reference number 19 is an electronic

wallet icon. However, detailed functions of such graphical identifiers

have no direct relation to the present invention, so not described in

detail.

The reference numbers 14 and 15 indicate URL/SER selection

buttons. The user may access a desired search engine server or move

to a desired web page with use of the selection buttons 14 and 15.

The reference number 16 is a search window for inputting an

inquiry word or a Korean domain in order to use service through the

selection buttons 14 and 15.

The reference number 17is a kind of bookmark button, which

enables to register Internet information used by the user into the main

server so that the user may use his/her own address book even when

the user uses another computer, not his/her own computer.

The reference number 20 is a size adjustment button. The size

adjustment button is for the user to enlarge or reduce the size of the

menu bar as desired for convenience of the user. The size adjustment

has three stages, in general.

Hereinafter, the process of transmitting the client request to the

server system by using the above-described GUI device is described with

reference to FIG. 7.

At first, a user who wants to user service such as remote file management, e-mailing, instant messenger, personal information

management, search, game and so on from the service provider of the

present invention connects his/her own client computer to the

computer network with use of a network connection tool.

After the client system is connected to the network, the user

selects a GUI icon on the Windows screen by using a pointing device

(STEP A 10).

In response to the user selection of the GUI icon, the GUI

program displays the server connection and user certification window

on the windows screen (STEP Al l).

If the user inputs the user identification information such as user

ID and password in the user certification window, the GUI program

access the server system based on the server location information and

transmits the user identification information to the server system. If

the user identification is transmitted to the server system, the main

server of the server system executes user certification on the basis of

the identification information (STEP A 12).

At this time, the main server checks whether the user is a proper

user, based on the identification information, and then displays the

menu bar as shown in FIG. 5 on the screen of the client system if the

user is a proper user (STEP A 13, STEP A 14).

If the menu bar is displayed on the screen, the user selects a graphical identifier corresponding to a desired service (STEP A 15). For

example, if wanting to use the e-mailing service, the user selects the

e-mail icon on the menu bar.

At this time, the GUI determines whether the graphical identifier

has sub-identifiers (STEP A 16).

If sub-identifiers exist for the graphical identifier, all

sub -identifiers subordinated to the main identifier are displayed in a

pull-down menu (STEP A 17).

If the subordinated sub-identifiers are displayed, the user selects

a sub-identifier, which defines desired service (STEP A 18).

_r If a specific graphical identifier is selected in the STEP A15 or a

specific sub-identifier is selected in the STEP A 18, a service manager

linked to the corresponding main identifier or sub-identifier is called out

and then displayed as a function-executing window 150 having a shape

shown in FIG. 4 on the screen (STEP A 19).

And, in response to the selection of a main identifier or a

sub-identifier, the user selection information is transmitted to the main

server of the server system. The main server, which receives the user

selection information, then determines which service the user is

requesting, and then calls out a service server related to the requested

service to determine whether customized information related to the

corresponding user exists. If there is any customized information, the information is transmitted to the GUI of the client system.

If receiving the customized information from the server system,

the GUI program edits the function-executing window based on the

customized information so as to make the service manager suitable for

the user (STEP A20). For example, if the mail manager is called out,

the mail server of the server system edits the mail executing window

suitable for the user by transmitting information of e-mails sent from or

received to the client to the GUI program.

With a specific function-executing window being displayed, the

user selects a specific menu in the function-executing window in order

to send a client request to the server system. Accordingly, the user

may use various service such as file management, e-mailing, chatting,

game and so on from the server system only by a simple action of

selecting the graphical identifier (STEP A21).

Hereinafter, detailed contents of various services provided from

the server system by using the menu bar (the GUI exclusively used for

Internet) are described.

First, the process of selecting and providing the customized

information is described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

In the state that a user circumstance like the menu bar is set on

the OS of the client computer, the user clicks the

customized-information icon to display a check box for selecting customized information.

If the check box is displayed, the user selects user taste

information among menus such as news, stocks, weather and so on in

the check box, as desired, so as to transmit the user taste information

to the customized-information server. The customized-information

server, which receives the user taste information survey data, stores the

survey data in a storage area corresponding to the user ID. If

previously surveyed data is already stored in the storage area, the

existing survey data should be updated with new survey data, of course

(STEP B 1).

, In the state that the taste information survey data for a user is

stored in a corresponding storage area of the user, the

customized-information server displays a customized-information list (a

message group of brief introductions for several kinds of the customized

information) in the customized-information display window of the menu

bar at predetermined intervals (STEP B2).

If the message of introducing the customized information on the

customized-information display window is displayed, the user selects

desired customized information, and then clicks the corresponding

display window with a mouse so as to generate a user selection request.

The user selection request is transmitted to the

customized-information server through the network such as Internet (STEP B3).

The customized-information server, which receives the user

selection request, transmits detailed explanation for the selected

information to the user computer. That is, the customized-information

server transmits the URL address of a homepage, which provides the

selected customized information, or the detailed explanation for the

corresponding customized information, stored in the

customized-information DB, to the client computer (STEP B4).

The client computer, which receives the URL address or the

detailed explanation for the customized information, calls out and

displays the web page, designated by the corresponding URL, or

displays the detail explanation transmitted from the

customized-information DB (STEP B5).

FIG. 9 shows the process routine for executing the function of

informing other users that a registered user is connected to the server.

If a user secures a data link with the main server through the

GUI (STEP Cl), the main server 21 checks the user list in the member

management DB 41 whether there is any other user (or, a friend user)

who is linked to the user (STEP C2).

At this time, if there is any other user (a friend user) who is to be

informed of the connection information of the user (STEP C3), the main

server checks whether the friend user is in connection to the main server (STEP C4).

If the friend user is in connection to the main server, such

connection information is transmitted of the friend user to the user

(STEP C6), while, if the friend use is not in connection to the main

server, the process returns to the STEP C4 to check whether another

friend user is in connection (STEP C5) .

With use of such a process routine, the user may always check

whether another user, whom the user wants to send a file or a message,

is in connection or not.

FIG. 10 shows the process routine for the instant messenger

service.

When wanting to use the instant messenger service, the user calls

out the messenger manager by clicking the messenger icon 8 on the

menu bar displayed on his/her own computer. If the messenger

manager is called out, the data link is secured between the user

computer and the messenger server 25 (STEP D l).

If accessing the messenger server, the user determines whether a

message is sent through the messenger manager to one user or a group

including many users (STEP D2).

At this time, if the message to be sent is a group message, the

messenger server receives the message (STEP D3). After receiving the

message, the messenger server obtains IDs of all users belonging to the group (STEP D5).

On the while, if the message is not a group message in the STEP

D2, the messenger server, receives the message and an ID of the user

who will receive the message (or, a recipient) (STEP D4).

The messenger server then checks whether the user or the users

in the group who will receive the message (or, a recipient or recipients)

are in connection to the main server by using the process routine of FIG.

9 (STEP D6).

At this time, if the recipient(s) is in connection to the main server,

the messenger server sends the message to the recipient(s) without

delay (STEP D8). However, if any recipient is not in connection, the

message is stored in the message storage area (STEP D9). The message

storage area can be prepared in either a disk of the messenger server or

an additional database.

FIG. 11 shows the process routine for the remote file management

function executed in the server system of the present invention.

When wanting to use the remote file management service for

storing a file in the on-line storage area or managing the file on-line, the

user calls out the file manager by clicking the remote file management

icon on the menu bar, which then secures a data link between the user

computer and the file management server (STEP El).

The file management server ensures the file storage area corresponding to the user ID. With the file manager called out, the

user determines whether to upload or download a desired data or file

to /from the file storage area corresponding to the user ID in the file

management server (STEP E2).

At this time, in case of downloading a file, the file download

routine (STEP E3 to STEP E8) is executed, while in case of uploading a

file, the file upload routine (STEP E13 to STEP E16) is executed.

The file download routine is as follows.

At first, the user selects a file to be downloaded from the

corresponding user storage area of the file management server (STEP

E3). _

When a file to be downloaded is selected, a message informing

that the selected file is to be downloaded is transmitted to the server

together with the user ID. The file management server receives the

message and the user ID (STEP E4), and then checks whether the user

ID is a proper ID, which is stored in the member management DB (STEP

E5).

If the user ID is checked as proper, the file management server

reads the selected file from the storage area and then divides the file

into packets and transmits each packet to the user computer, which

has an IP address corresponding to the user ID (STEP E6). The reason

of dividing the file into packets is that the server may ease the burden of transmission capacity and the user may feel that the file is transmitted

at a surprising rate.

The client computer then stores the file, which is transmitted in a

packet unit from the file management server, in a specific storage area

of the client computer (STEP E7), and then sends a message informing

of completion of file transmission to the file management server (STEP

E8).

Now, the file upload routine is described.

If the file upload is selected in the STEP E2, the file management

server receives the user ID from the user computer and then executes

user, certification (STEP D 13).

If the user is certified, the user computer transmits information

about name and size of the file to be transmitted to the file management

server (STEP El 4).

The user computer, which has sent information of the file to be

transmitted, transmits the file by dividing into packets. The file

management server combines the packets to generate one file and then

stores the generated file in the storage area for the user (STEP El 5).

After storing the uploaded file in the storage area for the

corresponding user, the file management server sends an upload

completion message to the user computer so that the user computer

may receive the message (STEP El 6). In FIG. 12, the routine that a user in connection to the file

management server of the present invention sends a file to another user

is shown.

Hereinafter, the routine of file transmission between user

computers is described in detail.

The user computer, which is in connection to the file management

server, transmits a name of the file to be transmitted, an ID of a user

who will receive the file (or, a receiver), and an ID of the user who sends

the file (or, a sender) (STEP FI).

The file management server then checks whether the user

computer, which has an ID to receive the file, (or, a receiver computer)

is in connection to the main server (STEP F2).

If the receiver computer is in connection, the file management

server receives the file and then requests the receiver computer to

accept a file link (STEP F3) .

If the receiver computer accepts the file link, the file management

server transmits the file to the receiver computer so that the receiver

may use the file (STEP F5).

If the file transmission is completed, the file management server

sends a message informing of the completion of the file transmission to

the sender computer (STEP F6).

The sender computer then completes the file transmission work after confirming the completion message (STEP F7).

On the other hand, if the user computer having an ID of the

receiver (or, a receiver computer) is not in connection, the file

management server sends a message informing that the receiver ID is

not in connection to the sender computer and then quits the file

transmission work (STEP F4).

The above-described remote file management function shown in

FIGs. 1 1 and 12 is perceived on the facts that the storage capacity of

the floppy disk is so insufficient that it is difficult to move or manage a

lot of personal data made in PC because the data volume of various

document is more increasing due to multimedia functions, the e-mail

service providers commonly give a limited data storing capacity, the

customer demand for mobile computing circumstance using the

network is strongly increased, and the mobile computer such as

notebook is not sufficiently spread due to its high price.

In other words, such remote file ^' management function enables

the user to manage data, made in his/her own PC, in an on-line storage

area and provides a storage area only for the user, which is accessible

around world through the network circumstance.

In addition, the remote file management function makes it

possible to unite such service with other service or site having a fax or

e-mail transmission function. FIG. 13 shows the routine for executing the Korean domain

search function executed in the search server of the present invention.

At first, the user inputs a Korean domain, which provides desired

information, in the search window on the tool bar by using an input

device such as a keyboard (STEP Gl).

The search server receives the Korean domain information input

in the search window and then searches URL information

corresponding to the Korean domain in the search DB (STEP G2).

The search DB stores the matching table in which Korean

domains and URL information are matched in one-to-one relation.

- Therefore, the search server determines whether there is a URL

address corresponding to the input Korean domain in the matching

table (STEP G3). If there is no corresponding URL address, the search

server outputs an error message to the user computer, while, if existing,

the search server reads the corresponding URL information and

transmits it to the web browser of the user computer (STEP G4).

If receiving the URL, the web browser calls out a web page,

designated by the URL, and then displays on the browser screen (STEP

G5).

At this time, the user can feel like not passing the browser to

access the web page because the user may access the web page only by

inputting the Korean domain in the search window on the menu bar. Therefore, it would be understood that the client program related to the

menu bar includes various functions, which enable to use functions of

the common web browser as they are.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to the

embodiment herein, but various modifications and changes will be

readily apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the

present invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention may integrate main

functions of Internet by using the desktop menu bar and realize

business automation.

In addition, by linking or integrating off-line, on-line and wireless

communications, the present invention helps to develop and provide the

one-stop solution for integrated support of various useful

communication and business through Internet, and makes it possible

that general Internet users, SOHO founders for, such as, electronic

commerce and other Internet-related business runners build Internet

circumstance without any personal preparation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A graphical user interface apparatus for a client computer

system, which is accessible to a specific server computer system

through a computer network, the graphical user interface apparatus

comprising:

means for connecting the client system to the server system and

transmitting client identification information to the server system;

linking means for linking a plurality of graphical identifiers to a

plurality of service managers, the graphical identifiers being provided

for selection or designation of service provided by the server system;

means for displaying the group of graphical identifiers in a menu

bar on a screen of the client system;

means for ^• displaying each of the linked service managers in a

function-executing window with a plurality of menus in response to the

selection of the graphical identifier; and

means for receiving service information defined by the

corresponding graphical identifier from the server system in response to

the selection of the graphical identifier, and editing the

function-executing window on the basis of the service information,

whereby the client requests a desired service from the server

system only by selecting the graphical identifier displayed on the screen.

2. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim

1 , further comprising:

subordinate means for hierarchically subordinating a plurality of

sub-identifiers to the graphical identifier; and

means for displaying the subordinated sub-identifiers in a

pull-down menu in response to the selection of the graphical identifier,

whereby the linking means links the sub-identifiers to the service

managers.

r

3. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim

1, wherein the service information transmitted from the server

system is distinctive depending on each client.

4. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim

2 or 3, wherein the function-executing window is a web browser and the

service information is a HTML(Hyper Text Markup Language) document.

5. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

means for adjusting size of the menu bar as desires; and

means for moving the menu bar on the screen as desires.

6. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim

1 , wherein the menu bar includes:

(a) an icon displaying portion where the plurality of graphical

identifiers are arranged in icon type;

(b) a message displaying window for displaying messages from the

server system in real time; and

- (c) a URL(Uniform Resource Locator) input window for inputting a

URL.

7. A method for transmitting a request of a client system to a

server computer system, which is- accessible through a computer

network, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting the client system to the server system and

transmitting client identification information to the server system;

displaying a group of graphical identifiers for selection and

designation of service from the server system in a menu bar on a screen

of the client system;

selecting a desired graphical identifier in the menu bar by using a pointing device of the client system;

displaying a service manager linked to the corresponding

graphical identifier in response to the selection of the graphical

identifier;

receiving service information corresponding to the service

manager from the server system, and editing the service manager in a

function-executing window with a plurality of menus on the basis of the

service information; and

transmitting a client request to the server system by executing a

specific menu in the function-executing window.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the

steps of:

displaying a plurality of sub-identifiers, hierarchically

subordinated to the corresponding graphical identifier, in a pull-down

menu in response to the selection of the graphical identifier; and

displaying the service manager linked to the corresponding

sub-identifier in response to the selection of the sub-identifier.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7,

wherein the edition of the function-executing window is

distinctive depending on each client.

10. An integrated Internet service system having a server

system for providing a client connected thereto through a network with

integrated service including search, e-mailing, messenger, chatting and

entertainment, the server system comprising:

a customized-information server for providing customized

information reflecting desire of the client in real time;

a file management server for storing a file uploaded by the client

and downloading the stored file to the client when required;

a search server for searching URL(Uniform Resource Locator)

information designated by a Korean domain, which is input by the

client, with use of a search information database storing the Korean

domain and the URL information matched in one-to-one relation, and

providing the searched URL information to the client;

a messenger server for transmitting a message from the client to

another client and storing the message; and

a network server for transmitting data from the client to a

wireless communication terminal by using a wireless communication

network including a pager network and a mobile communication

network.

11. The integrated Internet service system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a mail server for providing e-mail service;

a chatting server for providing chatting service; and

a resource-providing server for providing game information

resources and stock information resources.

12. The integrated Internet service system as claimed in claim

10, wherein the customized-information server includes:

means for reading an introduction message of the customized

information set by the client from a corresponding user storage area of

a cuβtomized information database; and

means for displaying the introduction message read by the

reading means together with an address of a storage area storing

detailed information related to the introduction message on a screen of

the client in real time by attaching the address to the introduction

message,

whereby the client is provided with the detailed information of a

desired customized information by selecting a corresponding

introduction message from the customized-information server.

13. The integrated Internet service system as claimed in claim

10, wherein the file management server includes: storing means having a plurality of user storage areas for storing

user data according to a user ID;

uploading means for receiving a file from the user computer in a

packet unit and then storing the file in the corresponding user storage

area of the storing means; and

downloading means for transmitting the file stored in the

corresponding user area of the storing means to the corresponding user

in a packet unit.

14. The integrated Internet service system as claimed in claim

13, , wherein the file management server further includes file

transmission linking means for transmitting a file, which is received

from one user computer, to another user computer.

15. The integrated Internet service system as claimed in claim

10, wherein the messenger server includes:

message storing means for storing a message from the user

computer;

personal message sending means for sending the message, stored

in the message storing means, to another specific user; and

group message sending means for sending the message, stored in

the message storing means, to all users in a specific group.

16. The integrated Internet service system as claimed in claim

15,

wherein the messenger server further includes connection

determining means for determining whether a computer of the specific

user who is to receive the message is in connection to the messenger

server or not.

17. A graphical user interface apparatus which allows a client

computer to use various service on Internet by connection to a plurality

of servers through Internet, the interface apparatus comprising:

first graphical identifier for transmitting a request of the client to

a server which manages a storage area in order to upload or download a

file to/ from a user area of the storage area;

second graphical identifier for transmitting a request of the client

to a server, which allows one user to transmit or receive a file to/ from

another user;

third graphical identifier for transmitting a request of the client to

a mail server which provides e-mail service; and

fourth graphical identifier for transmitting a request of the client

to a chatting server, which provides chatting service.

18. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim

17, further comprising fifth graphical identifier for transmitting a

request of the client to a resource providing server which provides game

information resources and stock information resources.

19. The graphical user interface apparatus as claimed in claim

17, further comprising sixth graphical identifier for transmitting a

request of the client to a network server which transmits data from the

user to a wireless communication terminal by using a wireless

communication network including a pager network and a mobile

communication network.