WO2001080019A1

WO2001080019A1 - Information repeater and client/server system

Info

Publication number: WO2001080019A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/001908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideaki Inoue; Masahiro Hirakawa
Original assignee: Hideaki Inoue; Masahiro Hirakawa
Priority date: 2000-04-12
Filing date: 2001-03-12
Publication date: 2001-10-25
Also published as: AU4109901A

Abstract

An information repeater and a client/server system are provided in which information is transferred reliably between a client and a server. An information repeater for transferring HTTP requests and HTTP responses between a client and a server comprises a means that, based on a particular specification unique to the client, rewrites request header information of a HTTP request to request header information for the server and rewrites response header information of a HTTP response to response header information that the client can recognize.

Description

Specification

Information relay device and client / server system

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an information relay device and a client-server system for relaying an HTTP request and an HTTP response between a client and a server.

[Prior art]

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is used as the protocol in client / server systems using the Internet. In HTTP, information is exchanged between a client and a server by passing an HTTP request including request header information and request tag information and an HTTP response including response header information and response tag information.

For example, when an HTTP request is sent from a client to a content server to obtain content, the content server parses the HTTP request according to HTTP.

In request analysis, it is first determined whether the contents of the request header information can be understood. Then, if it is determined that it can be understood, execute the requested method. If the requested content can be read as a result of executing the method, the information that the request was successful and the HTTP response containing the content are returned to the client.

If the requested content does not exist or cannot be read as a result of executing the method, an HTTP response including information indicating that the request was unsuccessful is returned to the client.

On the other hand, when the client receives the HTTP response, it determines whether or not the contents of the response header information can be understood, and if so, executes a preset process and includes information indicating that the request was successful. If an HTTP response is received, the content is displayed. If an HTTP response including information indicating that the request was unsuccessful is received, that effect is displayed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, if the content server cannot understand the contents of the request header information, it cannot execute the method and cannot return an HTTP response to the client.

In addition, if the client cannot understand the contents of the response header information of the HTTP response sent from the content server, it cannot execute the process, and it is difficult to know whether the request was successful or not. Become.

Therefore, even though the client sent a request to the server, there was a case where information on the Internet could not be obtained without any response.

This situation has become even more evident with the diversification of clients in recent years, especially the emergence of portable terminals with Internet connection functions, such as mobile phones and PDAs, and the explosive increase in their types. ing.

In other words, in the past, desktop PCs were mainly used as clients connecting to the Internet, so standards were unified within a predetermined range. Therefore, the server had to create the program on the assumption that the client was a desktop personal computer, and the client had to create the browser on the assumption that the server was compatible.

However, mobile terminals differ greatly in specifications such as the size of the display screen, the number of display dots, the amount of received data, etc. compared to desktop PCs, and each has its own unique specifications. However, there are ones corresponding to each specification, and there are a wide variety and the number is huge.

Conventionally, the server side created a dedicated program for each mobile terminal, but these tasks must be performed every time a browser version is upgraded or a mobile terminal with new specifications appears. It was complicated and costly. On the mobile terminal side, programs were created to support multiple servers, but it is impossible to support all servers.

Therefore, as described above, the content of the request header information and the response header information cannot be understood, and there are many situations in which some information is not even passed to each other. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information relay device and a client / server system that allow a server and a server to reliably pass accurate information to each other. .

[Means for solving the problem]

The invention according to claim 1, which solves the above-mentioned problem, is an information relay device that relays an HT TP request and an HT TP response between a client and a server. Header information that performs the operation of rewriting the request header information of the HTTP response into server request header information that the server can understand, and rewriting the response header information of the HTTP response into the client response header information that the client can understand. And operating means.

According to the invention described in claim 1, the information relay device is a server request header that allows the server to understand the request header information of the HTTP request from the client based on the specific specification depending on the client. The information is rewritten and passed to the server, and the response header information of the HTTP response from the server is rewritten into client response header information that can be understood by the client and passed to the client.

Therefore, the server can understand the request header information and execute the method. As a result, an HTTP response containing the requested content and information indicating that the request was unsuccessful can be returned to the client.

Similarly, the client can understand the response header information and can execute a preset process. As a result, information indicating that the content or the request was unsuccessful can be displayed.

This eliminates the need for the server to create a dedicated program for each type of client, and the client to save the time and effort required to create a browser to handle multiple servers. Can be omitted.

Therefore, accurate communication between the client and server is possible without being affected by the specific specifications such as the model of the client, the version of the browser, and the server program. In addition, information can be transferred reliably. The above clients include not only personal computers, but also terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs that have an Internet connection function.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information relay device according to the first aspect, the header information operating unit determines a type of the client based on the request header information; Device cartridge holding means having a device cartridge accommodating dependent specific specifications for each type of client, and device cartridge selecting means for selecting a device cartridge according to the type of client.

Rewriting the request header information to the server request header information based on the specifications in the device cartridge selected by the device cartridge selection means, and rewriting the response header information to the client response header information. Is performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the specific specifications depending on the client are contained in the device cartridge provided for each type of the client, and are included in the device cartridge selected according to the client. The request header information and the response header information are rewritten based on the specifications in (1).

Therefore, when a new client goes up, it can be dealt with simply by adding a new device capability. As a result, it is not necessary to modify the entire server program every time a new client appears, as in the past, and early response is possible. In addition, costs associated with program changes can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information relay device according to the second aspect, when the device force storage corresponding to the type of the client is not held in the device force holding means, the browser of the client is used. A provisional HTTP request generating means for generating a provisional HTTP request based on the specifications of the above, a provisional HTTP response from the gateway based on the provisional HT TP request transmitted while transmitting the provisional HTTP request to the client gateway. A temporary HTTP transmission / reception means for receiving the temporary HTTP request and a temporary HTTP request based on the temporary HTTP response. A request success / failure judging means for judging whether or not the request to the gateway by the request succeeded, and a new device cartridge is generated by judging the request success, and a request header of the provisional HTTP request is generated in the device cartridge. A device cartridge generating means for storing the information as a unique specification depending on the client, and changing the content of the request header information of the temporary HTTP request based on the judgment of the request failure, and transmitting the changed information to the gateway again. Communication test means for repeatedly changing the request header information of the provisional HTTP request and transmitting it to the gateway until the request is successfully determined. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when there is access from a new client, the temporary HTTP request generation means generates temporary request header information based on the specifications of the browser of the new client. Automatically generate a temporary HT TP request.

Then, the temporary HTTP transmission / reception means transmits a temporary HTTP request to the gateway of the new client, and looks at the pseudo-access to the gateway as if the HTTP request was received from the new client. .

Then, the request success / failure judging means judges whether or not the request by the provisional HTTP request was successful, based on the provisional HTTP response from the gateway. For example, if the gateway cannot fully understand the request header information of the temporary HTP request, no response is returned, indicating that the request failed.

In addition, when a large amount of data is sent and the data is cut, the limit of the amount of data that the client can receive can be searched. Furthermore, depending on whether a normal response is returned after transmitting arbitrary data, the data structure of the client can be searched.

Then, the transmission to the gateway is repeated while changing the request header information by the communication test means. As a result, the unique specifications of the new client can be searched for and automatically generated. The request is then sent to the gateway by sending a temporary HTTP request based on the automatically generated unique specifications to the gateway. Get success judgment. The device capability generation means generates a new device capability upon determination of a successful request and contains the automatically generated unique specification.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically generate a new client device cartridge, and to automatically transfer information between the new client and the server.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information relay device according to the third aspect, the request success / failure determining means succeeds in the request to the gateway based on the HTTP status code included in the response header information of the temporary HT TP response. It is characterized by judging whether or not it has been done. The invention described in claim 4 specifically shows a judgment method by the request success / failure judging means. According to this, it is possible to easily determine the success or failure of the request.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information relay device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the communication test means changes the content of the request header information of the temporary HTTP request according to a preset rule and pattern. It is characterized by the following. The invention of claim 5 specifically shows the operation of the communication test means. According to this, it is possible to generate a unique specification of a new client in a short time.

The invention according to claim 6 is the information relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the client is connectable to the Internet and the server is a Web server. It is provided between the Internet and a Web server. The invention of claim 6 specifically shows a place where the information relay device is provided. According to this, since it is not necessary to connect the Web server directly to the Internet, the Web server can be protected from unauthorized access from the Internet. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent falsification of data in the Web server and leakage of information in a database connected to the Web server.

The invention according to claim 7 is a client / server system having a client having an Internet connection function and a W relay device, wherein the information relay device is based on the following: Header information operation means for rewriting the header information into server request header information that the Web server can understand, and rewriting the response header information of the HTTP response into client response header information that the client can understand. It is characterized by the following.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the information relay device rewrites the client-dependent header information into server request header information that can be understood by the Web server, and passes it to the server.

Client information

And pass it to the client.

Therefore, the Web server can understand the request header information of the HTTP request from the client, and can execute the method. As a result, H T T containing the requested content and information that the request was unsuccessful

P response can be returned to the client.

Similarly, the client can also understand the response header information of the HTTP response from the Web server, and can execute a preset process. As a result, information indicating that the content or the request was unsuccessful can be displayed.

This eliminates the need to create dedicated programs for each type of client on the Web server side, and saves the client side from creating browsers to support multiple servers. be able to.

Therefore, it is possible to accurately and reliably transfer information between the client and the Web server without being affected by the specific specifications such as the client model, browser version, etc., and the Web server program. .

The invention according to claim 8 is the client-server system according to claim 7, wherein the client is a portable terminal having an Internet connection function. The invention of claim 8 specifically shows an example of a client. In particular, a portable terminal has a greatly different specification from a so-called desktop personal computer. Positive between It is possible to reliably and reliably transfer information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the client / server system according to the seventh aspect, the client is a mobile phone having an Internet connection function. The invention of claim 9 specifically shows an example of a client. In particular, a mobile phone has a significantly different specification from a desktop personal computer, a PDA, or the like. Information can be exchanged accurately and reliably with the eb server.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the client-server system according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the client has a gateway for connecting to the Internet. The invention of claim 10 specifically shows an example of the client. According to this, it is possible to accurately and reliably transfer information to and from the Web server, especially when a dedicated gateway that performs protocol conversion etc. is provided between the client and the Internet. It will be possible.

The invention according to claim 11 is the client server system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the web server displays a banner advertisement displayed on a part of the content supplied to the client. It is an advertisement distribution server that distributes

The invention of claim 11 specifically shows an example of the Web server. Banana advertising is an advertisement that is displayed on a part of the content and has a link function that can be clicked to move to the content associated with the advertisement in advance, and is provided separately from the content server. It is distributed from the distribution server.

The content server is selected and accessed according to the client's will, but the advertisement distribution server is located in a different location from the content server and is selected independently of the client's intention. Therefore, when a banner advertisement is distributed from an advertisement distribution server that does not support it at all, the advertisement distribution server cannot understand the request header information of the HTTP request from the client, and the client does not understand the HTTP header from the advertisement distribution server. Response header information of the response Although the information may not be understood, the information relay device is interposed between the client and the advertisement distribution server to accurately and reliably transfer the information. It can be displayed on a part of the screen.

The invention according to claim 12 is the client server system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the header information operating means of the information relay device determines the type of the client based on the request header information. Terminal type discriminating means for discriminating; device cartridge holding means having a device cartridge containing specific specifications depending on the client for each type of client; and device for selecting a device power cartridge according to the type of client. And a cartridge selection means.

Then, based on the specifications in the device cartridge selected by the device cartridge selection means, the request header information is rewritten to the server request header information, and the response header information is rewritten to the client response header information. And

According to the invention of claim 12, the specific specifications depending on the client are contained in the device cartridge provided for each type of the client, and are included in the device cartridge selected according to the client. The request header information and the response header information are rewritten based on the specifications of.

Therefore, when a new client appears, it can be handled simply by adding a new device cartridge. As a result, it is not necessary to modify the entire Web server program each time a new client appears as in the past, and early response is possible. In addition, costs associated with program changes can be reduced.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the client / server system according to the thirteenth aspect, the information relay device has a device cartridge corresponding to the type of the client held in the device cartridge holding means. If there is no provisional HT TP request generation means that generates a provisional HTTP request based on the specifications of the client's browser, send a provisional HT TP request to the gateway, and A provisional HTTP transmission / reception unit that receives a provisional HTTP response from the gateway based on the HTTP request, and a request success / failure determination unit that determines whether or not the request to the gateway by the provisional HTTP request was successful based on the provisional HTTP response. A device power generation means for generating a new device power cartridge by judging the request success, and storing the request header information of the provisional HTTP request in the device cartridge as a unique specification depending on the client; If the request fails, the contents of the header information of the provisional HTTP request are changed and transmitted to the gateway again, and the request information of the provisional HTTP request is transmitted until the request is determined to be successful. Communication test means for repeatedly changing and transmitting to gateways Characterized in that it has a. According to the invention of claim 13, when the information relay device receives access from the new client, the information relay device generates temporary request header information based on the specification of the browser of the new client by the temporary HTTP request generation means. Automatically generate a temporary HTT request.

Then, the temporary HTTP transmission / reception means transmits a temporary HTTP request to the gateway of the new client, and performs pseudo-access to the gateway as if the HTTP request was received from the new client.

B expression 0.

Then, the request success / failure judging means judges whether or not the request by the provisional HTTP request succeeds based on the provisional HTTP response from the gateway. For example, if the gateway cannot understand the request header information of the temporary HTTP request at all, no response is returned, indicating that the request failed.

Also, when a large amount of data is sent and the data is over, the limit of the amount of data that the client can receive can be searched. Furthermore, depending on whether a normal response is returned after transmitting arbitrary data, the data structure of the client can be searched.

Then, the transmission to the gateway is repeated while changing the request header information by the communication test means. This makes the new client unique You can search for the specifications and generate them automatically. Then, the request is determined to be successful by sending a temporary HTTP request to the gateway based on the automatically generated unique specifications. The device cartridge generation means generates a new device cartridge based on the success of the request, and stores the automatically generated unique specification.

Therefore, the information relay device can automatically generate a device cartridge for a new client, and can automatically transfer information between the new client and the Web server.

The invention according to claim 14 is the client / server system according to claim 12, wherein the request success / failure determination means of the information relay device includes an HTTP status code included in the response header information of the provisional HTTP response. The method is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the request to the gateway is successful based on the password. The invention according to claim 14 specifically shows a judgment method by the request success / failure judgment means of the information relay device. According to this, it is possible to easily determine the success or failure of the request.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the client server system according to the first or second aspect, the communication test means of the information relay device transmits the contents of the request header information of the temporary HTTP request. It is characterized in that it is changed in accordance with preset rules and patterns. The invention of claim 15 specifically shows the operation of the communication test means by the information relay device. According to this, it is possible to generate a unique specification possessed by a new client in a short time.

The invention according to claim 16 is the client according to any one of claims 7 to 15. In the server system, the information relay device determines whether to search the database based on the request tag information included in the HTTP request, and a search determining means, and searches the database based on the determination to search. And a search information adding means for inserting the search result into a request message. According to the invention of claim 16, the information relay device determines whether or not to search the database based on the request tag information included in the HTTP request, searches the database based on the determination to search, and searches the database. Result in request tag insert.

Therefore, the Web server that has received the HTTP request having the request tag can obtain the information of the search result of the database together with the HTTP request, and can use the information in the Web server.

For example, if the Web server is an advertisement distribution server that distributes banner advertisements and is a server that performs so-called targeting, which selects advertisements that match the attributes of the other party when distributing banner advertisements, a database By searching within the website, detailed judgment factors for evening get- ting can be obtained, and banner ads with high relevance can be delivered.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the client 'server system according to the sixteenth aspect, the search determining means of the information relay device makes a search determination based on the cookie information included in the request tag information. It is characterized by the following.

The invention of claim 17 specifically shows the search judging element of the search judging means. According to this, the search determining means can quickly and easily make a search determination as to whether or not to search the database.

[Embodiment of the invention]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a banner advertisement distribution system. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes the Internet, and a mobile terminal 8 as a client is connected to the Internet 1 via a gateway 6. The mobile terminal 8 has a function of acquiring information on the Internet 1 by a browser 7 as browsing software, and a mobile phone having an Internet connection function (a so-called browser phone). ), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), car navigation equipment, etc.

The gateway 6 performs protocol conversion between the mobile terminal 8 and the Internet 1. For example, when the mobile terminal 8 is a mobile phone supporting WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), the HTML document and the WML are used. Performs protocol conversion with the document. Browser 7, even if Gateway 6 has Alternatively, the portable terminal 8 itself may have it.

On the other hand, the server side of the Internet 1 is connected to a Web server (hereinafter referred to as a content server) 2 for providing contents and an advertisement distribution server 3 for distributing banner advertisements.

The content distribution server 2 has a function of, upon receiving an HTTP request requesting the provision of content from the portable terminal 8 as a client, returning an HTTP response including the content to the requesting portable terminal 8.

In addition, the advertisement distribution server 3 has a function of selecting a banner advertisement suitable for the attribute of the user of the portable terminal 8 when distributing the banner advertisement, that is, a function of performing so-called targeting.

An information relay device 10 is provided between the Internet 1 and the advertisement distribution server 3 as a Web server that relays an HTTP request and an HTTP response. The information relay device 10 is configured by connecting a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and an interface to each other through a system bus (not shown) as hardware, and as software. A multi-device handler 11, a device-based class 12, a device-based cartridge 13, an interface class 14, a target clearing class 15, and a cartridge generator 16 have been constructed.

The multi-device handler 11 determines the type of the mobile terminal 8 that has transmitted the HTTP request based on the request header information included in the HTTP request (terminal type determining means).

The device base class 12 holds device cartridges 13 each containing a specific specification depending on the mobile terminal 8 for each type of mobile terminal 8 (device cartridge holding means). The device cartridge 13 corresponding to the requesting portable terminal 8 is selected from the cartridges 13 (device capacity cartridge selection means).

The device base class 12 performs a conversion operation of request header information and response header information (header information operation means), generates an advertisement tag (request evening addition means), and performs a conversion operation (tag information operation means). ), User data as needed A decision is made as to whether or not to search the overnight 21 (search determination means).

The target query overnight class 15 searches the user database 21 described later according to the search instruction from the device base class 12 and inserts the search result into the advertisement tag generated by the device base class 12 Perform processing (search information addition means).

The interface class 14 transmits the HTTP request operated by the device base class 12 to the advertisement distribution server 3, and receives the HTTP response returned by the advertisement distribution server 3 in response to the HTTP request. The cartridge generator 16 receives the HTTP request from the new mobile terminal 8 when the device power is not set in the device base class 12 and the new mobile terminal 8 without the cartridge 13 is set. A temporary HTTP request is generated based on the browser information included in the request header information (temporary HTTP request generation means), and the gateway 6 of the portable terminal 8 is accessed (temporary HTTP transmission / reception means). Based on the response from the gateway 6, it is determined whether the request was successful (request success / failure determination means).

Until the request succeeds, the request header information of the temporary HTTP request is changed alternately and access to the gateway 6 is performed alternately (communication test means), and a corresponding new device cartridge 13 is generated (device Cartridge generation means).

In this manner, the cartridge generator 16 performs a pseudo-access by trapping the gateway 6 as if it had been accessed from the mobile terminal 8, so that the mobile terminal 8 can be appropriately It explores the limit of the amount of data that can be received, the data structure, etc., and dynamically generates the unique specifications of the portable terminal 8. A user database 21 is connected to the information relay device 10 having the above configuration. The user database 21 is an overnight database owned by an advertiser who wants to deliver a banana advertisement, and contains customer information of the advertiser, such as customer purchase history information and questionnaire response information. Are stored in a searchable and readable state. Therefore, the advertisement distribution server 3 selects, from among the previously stored banners and advertisements, advertisements that match the attributes of the user of the mobile terminal 8 accessing the advertisement distribution server 3. When selecting the first advertisement, that is, when so-called targeting is performed, information in the user database 21 owned by the advertiser can be used as a judgment factor, and a banner advertisement with high relevance can be distributed.

Further, a firewall 20 is provided between the information relay device 10 and the user database 21 and between the information relay device 10 and the advertisement distribution server 3. The firewall 20 effectively prevents leakage of information from the user database 21 and falsification of data in the advertisement distribution server 3.

An advertisement distribution method of the above-described advertisement distribution system will be described below.

First, the mechanism by which a banana advertisement is displayed on the content will be described, and then, the processing when the banana advertisement is clicked will be described.

First, when an operation of selecting content on the Internet 1 prepared for the mobile terminal from a menu or the like displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 8 is performed, the gateway 7 is transmitted from the gateway 6 to the content server 2 by the browser 7. HTTP request is sent.

Upon receiving this HTTP request, the content server 2 understands the request header information and executes the method. As a result, the process of inserting the URL of the content corresponding to the request and the A tag (anchor 1) indicating the URL of the information relay device 10 into the HTML of the HTTP response and returning it to the gateway 6 of the mobile terminal device 8 is performed. Be executed.

Upon receiving the HTTP response, the browser 7 of the gateway 6 automatically accesses the URL of the content indicated by the A tag and performs a process of displaying the home page of the content on the display unit of the mobile terminal 8.

The browser 7 executes a banner advertisement display process in parallel with the homepage display process. First, the browser 7 automatically sends the information relay device 10 an HT based on the URL of the information relay device 10 included in the A tag of the HTTP response.

Sends a TP request and requests data distribution of a banner advertisement displayed on the homepage.

When the information relay device 10 receives the HTTP request for the Pana advertisement, the multi-device handler 11 sends the type of the mobile terminal 8 of the request source. Is determined. This determination is made based on the User Agent of the request header information included in the HTTP request. In this case, even if the versions differ even among the same model, it is possible to take more detailed measures The information in the request tag is added as a judgment factor.

Then, the device cartridge 13 corresponding to the type of the mobile terminal 8 is selected by the device base class 12, and the request is made based on the specific specifications of the mobile terminal 8 contained in the device cartridge 13. An operation of converting the header information into server request header information that can be understood by the advertisement distribution server 3 is performed. At the same time, an operation of generating an advertisement tag having tag information for recognizing the advertisement distribution server 3 and having a program that can be executed by the browser of the mobile terminal 8 and inserting the generated advertisement tag into the HTTP request is performed.

Then, the decision whether or not to search for Yuzade one evening Ichisu 2 1 based on the request tag information included in the HTTP request, such as cookie information is performed, it is determined that searches the user database ₂ 1, evening one A search in the user database 21 is performed by the get creator class 15, and the search result is inserted into the advertisement tag of the HTTP request as user information by the device-based class 12. For example, if it is found from the cookie information that the information of the user of the portable terminal 8 accessing the advertisement distribution server 3 is stored in the user database 21, a search in the user database 21 is performed. Detailed information on user attributes is extracted and inserted into the advertisement tag.

When the operation of the request header information and the insertion of the advertisement tag are performed in the information relay device 10, the HTTP request is sent from the interface class 14 to the advertisement distribution server 3.

Upon receiving the HTTP request from the information relay device 10, the advertisement distribution server 3 analyzes the HTTP request and determines whether the request header information can be understood.

Since the request header information is converted into the request header information for the server by the device pace class 12, the advertisement distribution server 3 can accurately and reliably understand the request header information of the HTTP request. , On request Method can be executed.

Specifically, a process of selecting a banner advertisement suitable for the attribute of the user of the portable terminal 8 by targeting is performed. At that time, when user information is inserted in the ad tag by the target creator class 15, more detailed targeting can be performed using the information in the user database 21 owned by the advertiser. It is possible to select a banner advertisement of a category most suitable for the attribute of the user. When selecting the banner advertisement to be distributed, the advertisement distribution server 3 returns an HTTP response having the document to the information relay device 10.

In this document, an A tag indicating the URL of the image information (for example, GIF) for displaying the banner advertisement, an A tag indicating the URL of the advertisement distribution server 3, and an advertisement tag having I have. The URL of the advertisement distribution server 3 indicates a transmission destination of click operation information (click event) when the banner advertisement is clicked.

When the information relay device 10 receives the response of the HTTP response from the advertisement distribution server 3, the information relay device 10 performs a conversion operation of the response header information and the advertisement tag by the device base class 12. The response header information is rewritten into client response header information that can be understood by the browser 7 of the mobile terminal 8 based on the specifications in the device cartridge 13 that has already been selected. In the advertisement, the URL of the advertisement distribution server 3 is rewritten to the URL of the information relay device 10, and the transmission destination of the click operation information is changed from the advertisement distribution server 3 to the information relay device 10.

The HTTP response in which the conversion operation of the response header information and the advertisement tag is performed is passed from the information relay device 10 to the browser 7 via the Internet 1. The browser 7 analyzes the HTTP response and determines whether the response header information can be understood.

Since the response header information is rewritten into the client response header information, the browser 7 can accurately and reliably understand the content of the response header information of the HTTP response. Therefore, it is possible to automatically access the URL of the image information (GIF) indicated by the A tag, acquire the image information, and display the banner advertisement on the display unit of the portable terminal 8. Next, a description will be given of a process performed when a banner advertisement displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 8 is clicked.

When the banner advertisement is clicked on the mobile terminal 8, the program in the advertisement tag is executed by the browser 7, and an HTTP request including the click operation information is transmitted from the gateway 6.

This HTTP request is rewritten from the URL of the advertisement distribution server 3 to the URL of the information relay device 10 when the A tag of the advertisement tag is supplied from the information relay device 10 to the mobile terminal 8 as the response tag information in the HTTP response. Therefore, it is transmitted to the information relay device 10.

When the information relay device 10 receives the HTTP request, the device base class 12 rewrites the request header information into server request header information based on the specifications in the device cartridge, and replaces the A tag of the advertisement tag with The URL of the information relay device 10 is rewritten to the URL of the advertisement distribution server 3.

Then, the interface class 14 transmits the HTTP request to the advertisement distribution server 3. Upon receiving the HTTP request, the advertisement distribution server 3 analyzes the HTTP request to understand the request header information, inserts an A tag indicating the URL of the homepage of the click destination into the advertisement tag, An HTTP response having a response is returned to the information relay device 10.

When the information relay device 10 receives this HTTP response, the device base class 12 rewrites the response header information of the HTTP response to the client response header information based on the specifications in the device cartridge. Then, the information relay device 10 sends an HTTP response to the portable terminal device 8.

The browser 7 analyzes the HTTP response to understand the response header information, automatically accesses the URL of the clicked homepage indicated by the A tag, and displays the clicked homepage on the display of the mobile terminal 8. Display. Therefore, when the advertisement is clicked, the information can be accurately and reliably passed to the advertisement distribution server 3, and the information from the advertisement distribution server 3 can be accurately and reliably transmitted to the portable terminal 8. Can be passed.

As a result, it has been different depending on the type of Even within one advertisement distribution server 3, it is possible to standardize the specifications of the ad tags that have been different due to the difference between the documents.

Next, a description will be given below of a process in a case where an access is made from a new portable terminal 8 for which a device power cartridge has not yet been set. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating a device cartridge 13 corresponding to the new portable terminal device 8. When the information relay device 10 receives the HTTP request from the mobile terminal 8 as described above, the multi-device handler 11 determines the presence of the device cartridge 13 containing the specific specifications of the mobile terminal 8, and responds. If the device cartridge 13 to be used does not exist, it is determined that the portable terminal 8 that has sent the HTTP request is a new client.

In response to this determination, the force cartridge generator 16 generates a new device cartridge 13 in the device base class 12, and stores therein a temporary request header created based on the browser information of the new mobile terminal 8. Accommodates information. When a new device cartridge is generated by the cartridge generator 16, the information relay device 10 transmits an HTTP request having the temporary request header information (hereinafter, temporary HTTP request) to the gateway of the new portable terminal 8. 6 and accepts the HTTP response from the gateway 6 (hereinafter referred to as the temporary HTTP response). In other words, the gateway 6 is trapped and accessed simulatedly as if the access from the portable terminal 8 had been obtained.

The cartridge generator 16 determines whether the request by the provisional HTTP request is successful based on the presence or absence of the provisional HTTP response and the HTTP status code included in the response header information of the provisional HTTP response.

If it is determined that the request has failed, the content of the request header information included in the provisional HTTP request is changed according to a predetermined rule and pattern, and the provisional HTTP request whose content has been changed is gated again by the information relay device 10. 6 to determine the success or failure of the request based on the presence or absence of a provisional HTTP response from the gateway 6.

Then, send a temporary HTTP request to Gateway 6 and the request header The contents of the information are changed alternately until the request is determined to be successful.

Also, when transmitting the provisional HTTP request, the cartridge generator 16 transmits a large amount of data to the gateway 6 and, when the data is cut, limits the amount of data that can be properly received by the portable terminal 8. It searches for a data structure that can be properly received by the mobile phone 8 depending on whether a normal response is returned after transmitting arbitrary data.

By performing the communication connection test to the gateway 6 in this manner, the cartridge generator 16 can limit the specific specifications of the mobile phone 8 and the amount of data that the mobile terminal 8 can properly receive. The specification of the request header information is searched for, and if the request is determined to be successful, the contents of the request header information are set as specifications corresponding to the new mobile terminal 8. Therefore, when a new mobile terminal 8 is accessed, a unique specification of the mobile terminal 8 is dynamically generated, and a device cartridge 13 having the specification is automatically generated in a short time. be able to.

According to the above-described advertisement distribution system, the information relay device 10 converts the request header information of the HTTP request from the portable terminal 8 into the server request information and provides it to the advertisement distribution server 3. Therefore, the advertisement distribution server 3 can accurately and surely understand the content of the request header information, and is not affected by differences in the model of the mobile terminal 8 or the version of the browser 7, and can perform the HTTP request. The processing can be performed according to the request of the server.

Therefore, even when an unexpected HTTP terminal request from an unknown portable terminal 8 is received, an HTTP response can be returned to the client, and the banner advertisement can be reliably delivered.

Also, since the response header information of the HTTP response from the advertisement distribution server 3 is converted into client response header information, the browser 7 of the mobile terminal 8 is affected by differences in the program of the advertisement distribution server 3 and the like. For example, even if the browser 7 receives an HT TP response from an advertisement distribution server 3 that does not support it, the content of the response header information can be accurately and reliably understood, and a banner advertisement based on the HT TP response is displayed. Process to make it happen. The information relay device 10 may automatically convert a language such as HTML or image data such as GIF or BMP into a format suitable for the portable terminal 8. According to this, the banner advertisement can be accurately displayed on the display units of various portable terminals 8 only by creating one banner advertisement file. Therefore, it is possible to remarkably reduce the work burden of the submission worker who has conventionally created the banner advertisement file corresponding to each type of the mobile terminal 8.

In the first embodiment described above, the mobile terminal 8 is used as the client, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the client PC 4 such as a notebook computer or a desktop personal computer is used. Is also good.

(Second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment in which the information relay device according to the present invention is applied to a content distribution system. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a web server having a media site 30 a and connected to the Internet 1, and reference numeral 40 denotes a system center connected to the Internet 1. The web server 30 includes a platform consisting of computer hardware, an operating system (OS), and network software, a web server software (HTTP daemon), and an HTML document (home page). It has a function that can use a mechanism called SSI (Server Side Include) described later.

HTML documents, including those displayed as so-called home pages on the mobile terminal 8 by the browser 7, are created by the content provider that operates the media site 30a on the web server 30, and are stored in the memory of the hardware. ing. HTML documents are described using so-called tags that perform formatting of text, designation of display positions and link destinations of image files, declaration of scripts, and the like.

When the Web server 30 receives an HTTP request from the mobile terminal 8 in the above-described HTML document, the HTTP request is transmitted to the system. In addition to the transfer to the center 40, the document file is received from the system center 40, dynamically inserted into the HTML document, and when the web server 30 distributes the HTML document to the terminal 1, A request tag for performing a process of inserting the document file into the HTML document and distributing it to the portable terminal 8 as a part of the HTML document is described. This request uses a function of the Web server 30 called SSI (Server Side Include), and by using this function, a part of the HTML document can be updated dynamically.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of the system center 40, the web server software 7 (HTTP daemon) 41, the request 2. It has an information relay device 10, a format conversion program 43, and a content distribution server 44 and a content data base 45 are connected via a firewall 46.

The request parser 42 determines the type of the request from the portable terminal device 8 and requests the content to be delivered, for example, delivery of a banner, delivery of mail, delivery of a coupon, etc. Determine if there is.

The format conversion program 43 converts the document file in the content server 45 into a format corresponding to the display format of the portable terminal 8 when distributing the document file to the web server 30. For example, conversion processing is performed so that image data for personal computers with high display capabilities can be displayed on mobile phones or PDAs with low display capabilities.

The content distribution server 44 performs so-called evening targeting, which narrows down the viewers who have accessed the web server 30 to which of the attributes pre-classified by the content provider, and matches the attribute. A document file for the content database is selected from the content database and distributed to the web server 30.

The content database 45 contains both content data collected by the content provider itself and content data supplied from a content vendor database (not shown) in the form of a document file. You.

The information relay device 1.0 is the multi-device handler 11 described in the first embodiment, the device base class 12, the device cartridge 13, the interface class 14, and the evening getter class 1. In addition to 5, and power generator 16, it has extension class 17, tracking class 18, and custom class 19. The extension class 17 extends the function of the information relay device 10 and functions to take, for example, a document file converted by the format conversion program 43 into the information relay device 10. The tracking class 18 performs processing and log management of a click event from the portable terminal device 8, and the custom class 19 receives the content data from the content server 45.

The firewall 46 forms a secure area and prevents unauthorized access to the content distribution server 44, the content database 45, and the user database 21 from the Internet 1. I have.

The case where the content distribution system having the above configuration is used will be described below.

First, as an advance preparation, an HTML document for a homepage is created by a content provider and setting of an evening targeting condition is performed.

Fig. 5 is an image diagram showing a part of the homepage by tags, and Fig. 6 is a list showing an example of the request ID and a part of the category. When creating an HTML document, the content provider specifies the display position of the content with a frame as shown in the figure, and describes a request tag for displaying the content in the frame. In the request tag, a command using SSI, a request ID indicating a type of content (document file), and a category are described.

In the case of the homepage shown in Fig. 5, five frames are provided by the <table> tag,

In frame ①,

<!--# include virtual = "servlet? ReqID = ad"->, In frame ②,

<!-# include virtual = "servlet? ReqID = sliop & CatID = gourmet"-->,

In frame ③,

<!-# include virtual = "servlet? ReqID = weather & CatID = tokyo"-->,

In frame ④,

<! "#include virtual =" servlet? ReqID 二 news & CatID = domestic "->,

In frame ⑤,

<! "# mclude virtual:

"servlet? ReqID = sop & Categry = ourmet & umes = AM"->

Therefore, a document file having various categories of advertisement information is distributed in the frame ある having the request ID ad, and a document file having restaurant information is provided in the frame ある having the request ID shop and the category gourmet. Set to be delivered. In addition, a document file containing the weather information of Tokyo is distributed in the box ③ with the request ID weather and the category tokyo, and a document file containing local news in the box ある with the request ID news and category domestic. Is set to be delivered. Then, the request ID is shop, the category is gourmet, and the identification code “morning” is set in a frame ⑤ so that a document file having run-time information is set to be distributed.

Although not shown, the following request message is described in the HTML document described above to prevent unauthorized distribution to a third party site for the security of the content provider.

Ku!-# Include virtual = "btGet? ReqID = Cont & Param2 Value.>

The request tag described above is a license key when the Web server 30 performs data transmission / reception with the system center 40 in the evening. The Web server 30 transmits an HTTP request having the above request tag to the system center 40 when there is access from the mobile terminal 8.

The system center 40 issues a license key for any parameter in the request tag to the web server 30 that has formally contracted for content distribution. The Web server 30 that has set and sent the HTTP request determines whether or not it is a contracted one. As a result, the distribution request by the request from the third party site is rejected, and illegal distribution is prevented.

The setting of the targeting condition is performed by the content provider inputting an attribute to the content server of the system center 40 according to a predetermined input form. For example, in the frame where Request I 0 is <8 01 ^> and the category is baseball>, if the viewer's attribute is Tokyo, information on the baseball team in Tokyo, and if the viewer's attribute is Yokohama, information on the baseball team based in Yokohama. In the condition that the request is displayed, the request I 0 is < ₈ 110> and the category is gourmets, the information on the Japanese food shop when the viewer's attribute is middle-aged or older, and in the case of young people, Various optional targeting conditions, such as displaying information on western food-based shops, are set by the content provider. Next, a content distribution method will be described. When the viewer inputs the URL of the media site to the portable terminal 8, an HTTP request including the cookies information and request header information that record the attributes of the viewer is transmitted to the Web server 30. Then, the Web server 30 that has received the HTTP request transfers the HTTP request to the system center 40 by processing the request tag in the HTML document.

The system center 40 that has received the HTTP request determines whether the Web server 30 that has transmitted the HTTP request is legitimate based on the license key, and if the Web server 30 is legitimate, Executes content distribution processing.

In the content distribution process, first, the information relay device 10 performs an operation of rewriting the request header information of the HTTP request into the server request header information. Then, at that time, an external database (user database 21 in the first embodiment) is searched, and the attributes of the viewer are grasped in more detail and inserted into the HTTP request.

Upon receiving the HTTP request, the content distribution server 44 determines: 1. the request ID and category in the request tag; 2. the attributes of the viewer based on cookie information and external database searches; 3. the target set by the content provider. Based on the three elements of the targeting condition, a document file of the corresponding content data is selected from the content database 45.

Thus, for example: 1. Request ID is Sports News and the category is set to “Baseball”; If the attribute of the viewer is “Tokyo” and 3. If the attribute is set to “Tokyo” by the evening targeting condition, the information of the Giants team is set to be displayed, the content data of the Giants team is The document file you have is selected.

The document file selected by the content distribution server 44 is inserted into the HTTP response and transmitted to the information relay device 10, and an operation is performed in which the response header information of the HTTP response is rewritten into the client response header information. . Then, the document file is transmitted from the system center 40 to the Web server 30 while being included in the HTTP response.

The Web server 30 inserts the document file distributed from the system center 40 into the HTML document by the function of the SSI, and transmits the HTML document to the portable terminal 8. As a result, on the portable terminal device 8, a home page including the content supplied from the system center 40 is displayed. Therefore, the contents in the home page can be dynamically changed according to the attributes of the viewer.

Therefore, when creating a homepage, the content provider simply describes the request tag with the request ID and category in the HTML document, and enters the conditions for evening targeting in the content server, and the content provider specifies the content on the homepage. Since it is possible to dynamically display content having the category described above and conforming to the attributes of the viewer, it is possible to easily perform a homepage creation operation and a content update operation.

In addition, when updating the home page provided by the user, it was necessary to rewrite the entire HTML document in the past, but according to this system, only the document file of the home page desired to be updated is It is only necessary to create and store it in the content database. Similarly, when posting and updating the content provided by the content vendor, only the document file of the content data is used Since it is only necessary to create the content and store it in the content database overnight, the labor required for updating the content is greatly reduced.

By simply providing a plurality of request tags in the HTML document that request dynamic entry of the document file, it is possible to display multiple contents on the homepage, so that the updating operation can be automated and easy. Content can be enriched in the future.

FIG. 7 (a) shows a document file collected by the content provider itself and stored in the content database.

(b) is an image diagram showing the content displayed in the frame on the homepage when the content distribution server 44 selects the document file of (a). According to the content distribution system described above, the operation of rewriting the request header information of the HTTP request into the request header information for the server is performed by the information relay device 10 of the system center 40. 4 can understand the contents of the request header information without being affected by differences in the model, version, etc. of the mobile terminal 8.

Since the operation of rewriting the response header information of the HT TP response to the response header information for the client is performed, the portable terminal 8 transmits the HT TP response of the HT TP response received from the content distribution server 44 via the Web server 30. Understand the contents of the response header information and perform processing based on it. In addition, when converting languages such as HTML and image data such as GIF and BMP into a format compatible with the mobile terminal 8, content distribution to various mobile terminals 8 becomes possible with one content file. Conventionally, the work load of the submission worker who has created content files corresponding to the types of the mobile terminals 8 can be significantly reduced.

Further, according to this system, since the system center 40 can receive all of the content data from the content vendor in a lump, the content provider can perform complicated procedures such as negotiations and contracts with the content vendor. It can be eliminated. Conventionally, content provided by a content vendor cannot be sorted out by the content provider, and content that is not needed at all is required. Although the content provider had to pay for the content, the content server can distribute only the necessary content data according to the viewer's attributes, so the content provider only has to pay for the information used. It is possible to reduce the amount of money used for overnight content, and to make the operation of the media site easier. And since the viewer can obtain various information according to his / her own attribute at the same time, there is no need to browse other sites. This means that users can be locked in their own media sites, and by increasing the usage rate, the number of page views on the site can be increased, and high advertising revenue can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the advertisement distribution system and the content distribution system have been described as examples, but the present invention may be applied to a client / server system such as a mail distribution system or a program distribution system.

[The invention's effect]

As described above, according to the information relay device of the present invention, the request header information of the HTTP request from the client is rewritten to the server request header information and passed to the server based on the specific specifications depending on the client. At the same time, by rewriting the response header information of the HTTP response from the server to the response header information for the client and passing it to the client, the server can understand the request header information accurately and reliably, and the method can be executed. it can. As a result, an HTTP response containing the requested content and information indicating that the request was unsuccessful can be returned to the client. Similarly, the client can correctly and reliably understand the response header information and can execute a preset process. As a result, information indicating that the content request was unsuccessful can be displayed.

Therefore, the information is passed accurately and reliably between the client and server without being affected by the specific specifications such as the client model and browser version, the server program, etc., and the subsequent processing is executed. be able to. [Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire advertisement system for providing a banner advertisement.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method of generating a device cartridge corresponding to a new device.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a functional configuration of the content distribution system.

Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the architecture of the system center.

Fig. 5 is an image diagram showing a part of the homepage using tags. FIG. 6 is a list showing an example of the request ID and a part of the category. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing contents displayed on the homepage and a document file for displaying the contents.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Internet

2 Content server (Web server)

3 Advertising distribution server (Web server)

4 Client PC

6 Gateway

7 Browser

8 devices (mobile phones)

9 Database

10 Relay server (information relay device)

1 1

1 2 Device base class

1 3 Device power cartridge

1 4 Interface Class

1 5 Target Crier Overnight Class

1 6 Cartridge generator

2 0 Firewall

Claims

The scope of the claims

1.

Information relay device that relays

Rewrite the request header information of the HTTP request into server request header information that can be understood by the server based on a specific specification that depends on the client, and, for the client that can understand the response header information of the HTTP response, An information relay device comprising header information operation means for performing an operation of rewriting the response header information.

2. The header information operating means includes:

Terminal type determining means for determining the type of the client based on the request header information;

A device cartridge holding unit having a device cartridge containing a specific specification depending on the client for each type of the client,

Device cartridge selection means for selecting the device cartridge according to the type of the client,

The request header information is rewritten to the server request header information based on the specification in the device power selection selected by the device power selection means, and the response header information is replaced with the client response header. 2. The information relay according to claim 1, wherein an operation of rewriting the information is performed.

3. Temporary HT TP request generation means for generating a temporary HTTP request based on the specification of the client browser when a device cartridge corresponding to the type of the client is not held in the device cartridge holding means,

The generated temporary HTTP request is transmitted to the client gateway, and the gateway based on the transmitted temporary HTTP request is transmitted. Temporary HTTP transmission / reception means for receiving a temporary HTTP response from the client, request success / failure determination means for determining whether or not the request to the gateway by the temporary HTTP request has been successful based on the temporary HTTP response; A device power generation means for generating a new device power cartridge by judging success, and storing the request header information of the temporary HTTP request in the device skirt ridge as a specific specification depending on the client; The request information of the provisional HTTP request is changed according to the determination of the request failure, and the content of the request information is changed and transmitted to the gateway again, and the request of the provisional HTTP request is continued until the request is determined to be successful. Communication test means for repeatedly changing information and transmitting to the gateway; Information relay apparatus according to claim 2, FEATURE: to have a.

4. The request success / failure determination means:

4. The information relay device according to claim 3, wherein whether or not the request to the gateway is successful is determined based on an HTTP status code included in the response header information of the temporary HTTP response.

5. The communication test means includes:

6. The information relay device according to claim 4, wherein the content of the request header information of the provisional HTTP request is changed according to a preset rule and pattern.

6. The information relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

When the client is connectable to the Internet and the server is a Web server, the client is provided between the Internet and the Web server.

7. A client with an information relay device that relays HTTP requests and HTTP responses between a client with an Internet connection function and a Web server. Iant. In the server system,

The information relay device,

The request header information of the HTTP request is rewritten into server request header information that can be understood by the Web server based on a specific specification that depends on the client, and the response header information of the HTTP response is replaced by the client. A client / server system comprising a header information operating means for performing an operation of rewriting to client response header information which can be understood by the client. 8. The client

The client / server system according to claim 7, wherein the client / server system is a portable terminal having an Internet connection function.

9. The client

8. The client / server system according to claim 7, wherein the client / server system is a mobile phone having an Internet connection function.

1 0. The client

Claims: 1. A device comprising a gateway for connecting to the Internet. A client / server system according to any one of claims 9 to 9.

1 1. The Web server is

A client-server system, which is an advertisement distribution server that distributes a banner advertisement displayed on a part of the content supplied to the client.

1 2. The header information operating means includes:

Forward the device cartridge containing the specific specifications depending on the client Device cartridge holding means for each type of client;

Device cartridge selecting means for selecting the device skirt ledge according to the type of the client,

The request header information is rewritten into the server request header information based on the specifications in the device cartridge selected by the device cartridge selection means, and the response header information is replaced with the client response header information. The client / server system 13 according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein an operation of rewriting is performed. The information relay device,

A temporary HT TP request generating means for generating a temporary HT TP request based on a specification of a browser of the client when a device cartridge corresponding to the type of the client is not held in the device ridge holding means; Temporary HTTP transmission / reception means for transmitting the temporary HTTP request to the gateway and receiving a temporary HTTP response from the gateway based on the temporary HTTP request;

Request success / failure determining means for determining whether or not the request to the gateway by the temporary HTTP request is successful based on the temporary HTTP response; and generating a new device cartridge by determining the request success; A device cartridge generating means for storing the request header information of the temporary HTTP request as a unique specification depending on the client in a cartridge, and changing the content of the request header information of the temporary HTTP request based on the determination of the request failure and re-executing the request. A communication test unit for transmitting to the gateway and repeatedly changing request header information of the temporary HTTP request and transmitting to the gateway until a success of the request is determined. Item 10 0-12 The client's server system as described in Reka.

14. The request success / failure determination means includes:

HTTP status included in the response header information of the provisional HTTP response 14. The client / server system according to claim 13, wherein it is determined whether or not the request to the gateway is successful based on a task code.

15. The communication test means includes:

15. The client server system according to claim 13, wherein the contents of the request header information of the provisional HTTP request are changed according to a preset rule and pattern.

1 6. The information relay device,

Search determining means for determining whether or not to search the database based on request tag information included in the HTTP request;

The client according to any one of claims 7 to 15, further comprising: a search information adding unit that searches the database according to a determination to search, and inserts the search result into the request message. · Server system.

1 7. The search judging means:

17. The client / server system according to claim 16, wherein a search is determined based on cookie information included in the request tag information.

Claims of amendment

[August 20, 2001 (20.08.01) Accepted by International Bureau: Claims 7, 12, 13, and 16 at the time of filing were amended; Claims at the time of filing 8—11, 14, 15, and 17 have been withdrawn; other claims remain unchanged. (Page 3)]

1. (Delete)

2. (Delete)

3. (Delete)

4. (Delete)

5. (Delete)

6. (Delete)

7. (After correction) When the requesting mobile terminal receives the content distribution from the content server, the mobile terminal automatically requests the advertisement distribution server to distribute the banner advertisement, and receives the request. In a banner advertisement distribution system using the Internet, a corresponding banner advertisement is distributed to the portable terminal by the advertisement distribution server,

An information relay device for relaying information distribution between the portable terminal device and the advertisement distribution server is provided,

The information relay device,

When relaying a banner advertisement distribution request from the mobile terminal to the advertisement distribution server, the mobile terminal transmits the banner advertisement based on the HTTP request header information transmitted from the mobile terminal to the information relay device. The type is determined, and a specific specification dependent on the determined mobile terminal is selected from the specific specifications dependent on each mobile terminal accommodated in advance for each type of the mobile terminal, and the selected type is selected. The request header information of the HTTP request is rewritten to server request header information that can be understood by the advertisement distribution server based on a specific specification, and the HTTP request with the rewritten request header information is transmitted to the advertisement distribution server. And

When relaying the banner advertisement from the advertisement distribution server to the mobile terminal, the HTTP response response header information transmitted from the advertisement distribution server to the information relay device depends on the mobile terminal. Rewriting the client request header information that the portable terminal can understand based on the specific specifications

Amended Convention No. A banner advertisement distribution system, which distributes an HTTP response in which the response header information has been rewritten to the portable terminal.

8. (Delete)

9. (Delete)

10. (Delete)

1 1. (Deleted).

12. (After amendment) The information relay device

Device cartridge holding means for holding a device cartridge containing a specific specification depending on the portable terminal for each type of the portable terminal; and holding the device cartridge corresponding to the determined portable terminal in the device cartridge. Device cartridge selecting means for selecting from device cartridges held by the means,

The request header information of the HTTP request is rewritten into server request header information that can be understood by the advertisement distribution server based on the specific specification contained in the selected device cartridge, and the response of the HTTP response is rewritten. 8. The banner advertisement distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the header information is rewritten into client response header information that can be understood by the portable terminal.

13. (After amendment) The information relay device

If it is determined that the device cartridge corresponding to the mobile terminal that has transmitted the HTTP request is not held in the device cartridge holding unit, and the mobile terminal is determined to be a new mobile terminal,

A new device cartridge is generated, and temporary request header information created based on the browser information of the portable terminal is accommodated therein,

A tentative HTTP request having the tentative request header information is transmitted to a gateway that performs a protocol conversion between the portable terminal and the Internet, and a tentative HTTP response from the gateway is received. ,

Judging whether or not the request to the gateway by the temporary HTTP request is successful based on the received temporary HTTP response;

Amended ffl paper (Article Treaty) ' Upon determining that the request has failed, the content of the temporary request header information contained in the new device cartridge is changed, and a temporary HTTP request having the changed temporary request header information is sent to the gateway again. Transmitting and repeatedly changing the provisional request header information and transmitting to the gateway until the success of the request is determined,

By determining the request success, the contents of the temporary request header information of the device cartridge 內 are set as specific specifications depending on the new portable terminal, and a device cartridge corresponding to the portable terminal is automatically generated. 13. The banner advertisement distribution system according to claim 12, wherein:

1 4. (Deleted)

1 5 (deleted)

1 6. (After correction) The information relay device

When relaying a banner advertisement distribution request from the mobile terminal to the advertisement distribution server, a search is performed in a user database in which user information of a plurality of mobile terminals is stored, and user information of the corresponding mobile terminal is searched. The banner advertisement distribution system according to any one of claims 7, 12 and 13, wherein the advertisement distribution server extracts the HTTP request and supplies the HTTP request to the advertisement distribution server.

1 7. (Deleted)

篛 Corrected (Article 19 of the Convention) Statement under Article 19 (1) of the Convention

1. The banner advertisement distribution system in claim 7 is a system in which the requirements described in the previous paragraphs 8 and 11 are added, whereby the mobile terminal receives the provision of the content. As a result, it was clarified that the banner advertisement distribution system automatically requests the advertisement distribution server to distribute the banner advertisement, and distributes the banner advertisement to the portable terminal.

On the other hand, the cited example 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-187572) discloses a data processing device that converts transmission data input from a transmission-side external device into transmission data suitable for a reception-side external device. Reference 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 11-144948) discloses a network system having a relay server that relays information between a server and a client terminal. .

The banner advertisement distribution system according to claim 7 is intended to appropriately relay information distribution between an unknown portable terminal and an advertisement distribution server that are not specified in advance. The II device in the information is provided not between the content server and the mobile terminal, but between the advertisement distribution server and the mobile terminal located at a different location from the content server.

In contrast, the data processing device of Reference 1 is provided between a transmitting terminal device and a receiving terminal device specified in advance, and aims to relay information between these terminal devices. In this respect, the present invention is different from the present invention. In addition, in the network system of Reference 2, a relay server is provided between a client terminal and a server that are specified in advance, and information is relayed between the client terminal and the server that are specified in advance. This is different from the present invention in that it aims at Therefore, the present invention is different from the cited examples 1 and 2 and has novelty and inventive step.

2. In the banner advertisement distribution system according to claim 13, when a new mobile terminal appears, the information relay device automatically sends a temporary HTTP request to the gateway of the mobile terminal. Clarified that a corresponding device cartridge (refer to claim 12) is automatically generated based on the reception of the temporary HTTP response from the gateway.

The cited example 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-68664) describes a communication that transmits and receives a message to and from the other computer and specifies the communication protocol of the other computer based on the analysis result of the received message. A protocol research device is disclosed.

The banner advertisement distribution system according to claim 13 converts the request header information and the response header information by using a device cartridge corresponding to a new portable terminal newly added to the device cartridge holding means, It relays information distribution between the new mobile terminal and the advertisement distribution server. According to this, it is possible to respond promptly to the emergence of a new portable terminal, and to automatically increase the number of corresponding device cartridges in a self-proliferating manner as the type of portable terminal increases. .

On the other hand, the communication protocol investigation device of Example 3 for Bow I only specifies the communication protocol of the other computer. Therefore, unlike the Reference 3, the present invention is considered to have novelty and an inventive step with respect to the Bow I Example 3.