JP3369577B2 - Terminal that automatically saves information on the communication network to local memory - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a terminal device which receives information selected from a communication network such as the Internet and stores the information in a local memory. This application is related to the following five Japanese applications.
Regarding designated countries in which incorporation by reference to documents is permitted, the contents described in the following application are incorporated into the present application by reference and made a part of the description of the present application.

1. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-9521 Application Date January 23, 1996 2. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-67278 Application Date February 28, 1996 3. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-139689 Application Date May 10, 1996 Date 4. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-139690 Filing Date May 10, 1996 5. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-163679 Filing Date June 5, 1996 Background Art In recent years, the traffic of communication networks including the Internet has increased. This causes a problem such as a decrease in access speed. To solve such problems, eg NETSCA
The PE (trademark) Internet browser automatically caches the information once accessed to the terminal device, and when the same information is requested, reads the information from the cache stored in the terminal device and displays it on the screen. There is. While reading only the already cached information, the information provided on the communication network can be viewed without connecting to the communication network.

In POINT CAST NETWORK (trademark), a fixed number of news items of the genre specified by the user are distributed to the user and stored in the terminal device. The user can repeatedly read the news from the terminal device.

However, according to the conventional caching method, the cached data is provided to the user even when the data on the communication network is changed. Further, according to the conventional method, the user cannot know which of the cached information and the actual information on the communication network is provided. Therefore, even if the data on the communication network is changed, the user may accidentally read old information. Further, according to the conventional method, when the user repeatedly views the cached information, the information provider cannot grasp the frequency of use of the information.

The present invention aims to solve such problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve such an object, a terminal device of the present invention is connected to a communication network, and a designation information receiving unit that receives message designation information designating a message to be transmitted to a terminal from the communication network. Message receiving means for receiving a message from the communication network based on the message designation information,
And a storage means for storing the message received from the communication network. Here, "communication network" means PS in the detailed description.
It includes TN, ISDN, information providing device 20, message distribution device 39, payment system 35, or Internet 32.

The saving unit may determine whether to save the message based on the information included in the message designation information or the information included in the message. Further, the storage means may further include storage setting means for setting whether or not to store the message, and it may be determined whether or not to store the message based on the setting by the storage setting means. It further comprises display means for displaying the message received by the receiving means, and input means for inputting whether or not to save the message displayed by the display means, and the saving means displays the message based on the input from the input means. You may decide whether to save.

The specification information receiving means further includes means for transmitting user identification information for identifying a user of the terminal to the communication network, and the specification information receiving means receives message specification information for specifying a message selected based on the user identification information from the communication network. You may. The message stored in the storage unit may be deleted based on the command received from the communication network. A storage deadline input means for inputting deadline information for defining deadlines for storing a plurality of messages, and a deleting means for deleting the message based on the deadline information may be further provided. Here, the “deadline information” may be information that directly specifies a calendar date, or may be “information that indicates a period” based on the date when storage is started.

The storage time limit input means may receive the time limit information using the designated information receiving means. The retention term input means preferably receives the term information using the message receiving means. It is further preferable that the storage time limit input means inputs the time limit information from the user of the terminal. The term information may be information indicating a period or information indicating a date and time. It is preferable that the storage means has a limit of capacity for storing the message, and the deleting means deletes the message based on the deadline information when the capacity of the message stored in the storage means approaches the limit.

The limit of the capacity that can be stored in the storage unit may be set by the user. In this case, when the capacity of the message stored in the storage means approaches the limit, it is preferable that the deleting means deletes the messages from the oldest message in the oldest order or from the messages with the nearest deadline. The deadline information has a specified end time for ending the saving of the message and a period for saving the message, and the message is set based on the time added when starting the saving of the message or the specified end time, whichever comes first. You may delete it.

When the same kind of information as the message received from the communication network is stored in the storage means, the same message stored in the storage means is deleted and the message received from the communication network is stored in the storage means. Good. There may be provided means for displaying a message stored in the storage means while not connected to the communication network, and means for connecting to the communication network when the message is operated.

When further provided with a function of receiving and storing a plurality of information from the communication network, based on the information indicating whether to store the information, which is associated with each of the plurality of information,
The information may be stored. The information may be stored based on information associated with each of the plurality of pieces of information and defining a time limit for storing the information.

A first host computer connected to the first and second host computers via a communication network and stored in the first host computer;
An active information receiving unit that receives the first image from the first host computer based on the operation of the user of the terminal device that specifies one of the images of the second image and the second information that is not specified by the operation of the user. In parallel with the designation information receiving means for sequentially receiving the designation information for specifying the image from the second host computer and the reception of the first image by the active information receiving means, the second image is obtained based on the designation information. A message which is information including the following: a passive information receiving means for sequentially receiving a message via a communication network; a storing means for storing the first and second images in the terminal device; and a first and second image, It is further preferable to include display means for displaying in each of the first and second display areas provided on the display device.

The "host computer" in the claims means a device that provides information such as images and commands to a terminal device via a communication network, and each of the host computers 30 in the embodiment, the entire plurality of host computers 30, and information. It includes a provider 20 and a message distribution system 39. The “image” in the claims includes the home page received via the Internet 32 and the message received from the message management device 24 in the embodiment.

The message has link information that is information identifying one of the first images, and the first information identified by the link information when the second image is displayed in the second display area.
Of the first image received from the first host computer, the first image specified by the link information is received from the first host computer based on the input from the user. The image may be displayed in the first display area.

When the user inputs a request for the first image specified by the link information, it corresponds to the second image displaying the information indicating that the first image is requested in the second display area. It may be attached and stored. The second stored by the storage means
Further has a list display means for displaying a list of images of
The list display means may display information indicating whether or not the first image specified by the link information is requested by the user in association with the second image included in the message having the link information. .

The list display means includes a second image included in the message in which the first image linked by the link information is not requested.
The image may be displayed above the other second image.
Corresponding to the second image displaying the information indicating when the first image is requested in the second display area when the user inputs the request for the first image specified by the link information. It may be attached and stored. The list display means may display the other second images in chronological order when the first image linked by the message having the second image is requested.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an entire communication system in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal 10.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 of the main body 14.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on the display 12.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configurations of the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, and the host computer 30.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the hardware configuration of the message distribution system 39.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message user database 34.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message user database 34.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message transmission condition database 36.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the message transmission condition database 36.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence of the terminal 10, the Internet 32, and the message distribution system 3928.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of an HTML document.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for saving a message.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the index of the message stored in the hard disk.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the save message dialog.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation when the message viewer 76 is activated by the user.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation when the message viewer window 62 is operated.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the message receiving operation of the message viewer 76.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the processing for activating the save message dialog.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of connection processing.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the connection operation of the connection management device 23.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the connection operation of the message management device 24.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire system in the second embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire system in the third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire system in the fourth exemplary embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 Embodiment 1 1.1 Configuration 1.1.1 Overall System Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, one or a plurality of terminals 10 are provided in each of a plurality of information providing devices 20 and a modem 1
6, 18, a public network (communication network) 17, and a public network gateway 19 are connected. The information providing device 20 is managed by a so-called Internet provider, and is connected to a plurality of host computers 30 via the Internet 32. The information providing device 20 is also connected to the payment system 35 via a dedicated line 29.

In the payment system 35, the message distribution system 39
Is connected to a computer 28 of a credit card company via a closed network 27 such as CAFIS.
Further, the message distribution system 39 is connected to a plurality of information providing devices 20 via a dedicated line, and displays information about products such as advertisements (called a message) provided by a store selling the products on the communication network. Terminal via the information providing device 20
Send to 10. The message may be a still image, a moving image, a voice, or a combination thereof. In each message, data indicating the address of the website of the dealer on the World Wide Web (WWW) is described. Message management device 24 of information providing device 20
Stores the message received from the message distribution system 39 in the message database 26 in association with the identification number (message URL) of the message.

Home page of each dealer (and its subordinate pages)
Are stored in the host computer 30. Terminal 10
Information such as a home page can be received from the Internet 32 via the Internet getway 22 of the information providing apparatus 20. The user orders the product by accessing the home page and lower pages of the dealer. Further, the terminal 10 can receive a message from the message management device 24. The message management device 24
Message database 26 based on the request from the terminal 10
The message read from is transmitted to the terminal 10. The user has an ID (provider user I to connect to the Internet gateway 22 via the public line gateway 19).
D) and a password, and an ID (message user ID) and a password for obtaining a message from the message management device 24.

1.1.2 Configuration of Main Body 14 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the main body 14 of the terminal 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the CPU 40 is a ROM
It operates based on the programs stored in 42 and RAM 44. The timer 46 counts a predetermined time. Input device
Data is input from the user via 48. A hard disk drive 50, which is an example of a storage device, stores data such as images, information about users, and programs for the CPU 40 to operate.

The calendar IC 51 is backed up by a battery and provides the CPU 40 with the current date and time. Floppy disk drive 52 reads data or programs from floppy disk 56 and provides them to CPU 40. The CD-ROM drive 54 reads data or programs from the CD-ROM 58 and provides them to the CPU 40. Furthermore, the main body 14 comprises an interface for connecting to the modem 16 and the display 12.

1.1.3 Software Configuration of Terminal 10 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 shown in FIG. These software are stored in a recording medium such as the floppy disk 56 or the CD-ROM 58 and provided to the user. The software stored in the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed from the recording medium to the hard disk drive 50, read out to RAM44, and stored in C
It is executed by PU40.

The software stored in the recording medium and provided, that is, the software installed in the hard disk drive 50, includes the PPP driver 70 and the TCP / IP as the functional configuration.
Communication module 73 with driver 72 and browser 74
And a message viewer 76. PPP driver 70
Creates a data link on a physically single line to the public line gateway 19 (FIG. 1). Browser 74
Over the data link generated by the PPP driver 70, TCP / I
It communicates with the Internet gateway 22 via the P driver 72 and displays the received image on the display 12. As the browser 74, for example, Netscape (trademark) or Mosaic (trademark) can be used.

The message viewer 76 communicates with the message management device 24 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70 and displays the received image on the display 12.
To display. The message viewer 76 has a functional configuration
It has a connection module 80 connected to the message management device 24, an input processing module 82 for processing an input from a user, and an event processing module 84 for processing an event generated by a request from an internal or communication line.

1.1.4 Screen Configuration of Terminal 10 FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 12 shown in FIG. On the display 12, a window (browser window) 60 of the browser 74 and a window (message viewer window) 62 of the message viewer 76 are opened. Information such as a home page received from the Internet 32 is displayed in the browser window 60, and a message received from the message management device 24 is displayed in the message viewer window 62.
The message viewer window 62 displays a new message for a predetermined period, for example, every minute.

Information selected based on a user operation, such as the information displayed in the browser window 60, is referred to as active information in the present specification and claims. On the other hand, information automatically displayed from the network without any user operation, such as information displayed in the message viewer window 62, is referred to as passive information in the present specification and claims.

The message viewer window 62 has a homepage button 64, a document request button 66, a connect button 65, and a disconnect button.
It has a 67, a save message button 68, and a setting button 69. A home page is associated with each message. When the homepage button 64 is pressed, the homepage corresponding to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 is displayed in the browser window 60. When the material request button 66 is pressed, materials of various products related to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 are transmitted from the message management device 24 and displayed in the message viewer window 62. The message or the material is provided with a button for ordering the displayed product. When the connect button 65 is pressed, the call is connected from the terminal 10 to the information providing device 20. Disconnect button
The call is disconnected when 67 is pressed. Save message button
When 68 is pressed, a list of messages stored in the terminal 10 is displayed. The setting button 69 can be used to set the message.

1.1.5 Connection management device 23, message management device 24,
Configuration of Host Computer 30 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, and the host computer 30 shown in FIG. In the figure, the CPU 90 is a ROM
It operates based on the programs stored in 92 and RAM 94. The timer 96 counts a predetermined time. The communication interface 98 processes input / output with a communication line. Data is input from the user via the input device 100. The database interface 102 connects to various databases such as a hard disk. The floppy disk drive 104 reads data or programs from the floppy disk 106 and provides them to the CPU 90. The calendar IC provides the date and time to the CPU90. The display 108 displays the communication status and the like to the operator.

1.1.6 Configuration of Message Distribution System 39 FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the message distribution system 39 shown in FIG. The parts corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of FIG. 5, and therefore their description is omitted. The message distribution system 39 includes a message user database 3 that stores information about message users of each terminal 10.
4. It has a message transmission condition database 36 that stores the transmission conditions of each message, and a connection log 38 that stores the communication history. Further, instead of the communication interface 98, a communication interface for connecting to the closed network 27 and a communication interface for connecting to the information providing device 20 may be provided respectively.

1.1.7 Structure of Message User Database 34 FIG. 7 shows the message user database shown in FIG.
The structure of 34 is shown. The message user database 34 is
ID of the user who uses each message (message user
Provider (ID) and password (message user password), which identifies one information providing device 20
D, the user ID (provider user) used when the user accesses the Internet using the provider
ID), message display time, and information about the user such as date of birth 312, gender 314, marital status 316, occupation 318, and address 320 (referred to as user information).

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of the message user database 34 other than that shown in FIG. The message user database 34 further has the number and expiration date of the credit card used by the user, the name, and the last communication date and time.
Each user is given parameters according to the amount of messages displayed in the message viewer window 62.
The message database 34 stores parameters 332, 334, and 336 of the last month, last month, and this month.

The user inputs the user information to the terminal 10 when the message viewer 76 is used for the first time or when the message viewer 76 is installed in the terminal 10. Terminal 10
The hard disk drive 50
And the message management device 24. The message management device 24 transmits the user information received from the user to the message distribution system 39. The message distribution system 39 stores the user information in the message user database 34. As the user information, other information such as age, occupation, income, hobbies, etc. may be stored.

1.1.8 Configuration of Message Transmission Condition Database 36 FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message transmission condition database 36. Message transmission condition database 36
Stores the message URL for identifying each message and the condition for sending the message in association with each other. Message transmission conditions include restrictions on the display frequency for each user, restrictions on the display frequency for all users, the time when the message should be displayed, and the age range, sex, marital status, and occupation of the user who should display the message. , And address etc. are stored.

FIG. 10 shows the message transmission condition database 36 shown in FIG.
Configurations other than those shown in are shown. Messages are billed each time they are displayed in the user's message viewer window 62. Therefore, a limit 210 for charging for each message is provided for each information providing device 20. The limit amount 210 stores the limit amount of charging for providing a message to the user of the information providing device 20. Also the total limit
220 stores the limit of the total value of charges for the provision of messages to the users of all the information providing devices 20.

The limit amount 210 is a message unit price 212 imposed on a message when a message is displayed to the user of the information providing device 20, and a button unit price 214 imposed on each message when a button in each message is pressed. , A period type 216 that defines a predetermined period, a charge limit amount (period limit amount 217) in each period defined by the period type 216, and a total charge amount for the display of the information providing device 20 to the user ( Has a total limit 218).

The message distribution system 39 reads user information from the message user database 34 in response to a request from the terminal 10, and retrieves a message from the message transmission condition database 36 using the user information. Then, the URL of the retrieved message is transmitted to the terminal 10. Therefore, the message URL of the message suitable for the user (for example, the advertisement of the product related to the user) can be transmitted to each terminal 10.

1.2 Connection Sequence A connection sequence of the terminal 10, the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, the message distribution system 39, the internet gateway 22, and the internet 32 will be described with reference to FIG. When the communication module 73 of the terminal 10 makes a PPP connection request (S102), the connection management device 23 inquires whether the received provider user ID and provider user password are registered in the provider user database 25 (S104). ).

If the ID and password are registered, the connection management device 23 sends a PPP connection permission to the terminal 10 (S106). Further, the provider user ID is notified to the message management device 24 (S108). If PPP connection is allowed, browser 7 on terminal 10
4 connects to the Internet gateway 22 with TCP / IP (S
110), and communicates with the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 (S112). Also, the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 is connected to the message management device 24 and the TC.
Make a P / IP connection (S114). Then, the message management device 24
Requests authentication information from the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 (S118).

Upon receiving the authentication information request, the connection module of the message viewer 76 sends the message user ID and password as authentication information to the message management device 24 (S1
20). The message management device 24 transmits the provider user ID received from the connection management device, the message user ID and the message user password received from the message viewer 76, and the provider ID of the information providing device 20 to the message distribution system 39. Yes (S121). Then, the message distribution system 39 uses the received message user ID and message user password as the message user DB 34.
It is determined whether or not it is registered in (S122). If these are registered, connection permission is transmitted to the message viewer 76 (S124).

The browser 74 and the Internet gateway 22, and the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 can communicate independently of each other by logically independent calls using different TCP / IP port numbers. Therefore, the message viewer 76 can display the message without impairing the function of the existing browser. browser
Since the communication method between the 74 and the Internet 32 is well known, its explanation is omitted. The message viewer 76 uses the timer 46 to periodically request the message URL from the message distribution system 39 (S134). When the message distribution system 39 receives the retrieved message URL, the message URL
Message to the message management device 24 (S13
6).

The message management device 24 receives the message URL
Message is retrieved from the message database 26 and transmitted to the message viewer 76 (S136). As this message, for example, an advertisement of a product can be transmitted. The user can order the advertised product. Although the communication between the Internet 32 and the browser 74 is inexpensive, it is unreliable because it is communicated through many computers in the Internet. On the other hand, since the dedicated line is used for the communication between the message management device 24 and the message distribution system 39, the reliability is high.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the HTML document in the message received by the terminal 10 in S136 of FIG. The message has an image in addition to this HTML document. Also, the HTML in each message
The document includes a "message title", a "client name" indicating the provider of the message, and the message on the terminal.
"Save flag" indicating whether to save in 10, "start date" indicating the date on which the display of the message is started on the terminal 10, "save end date" indicating the date when the save on the terminal 10 should be ended, It has “retention period” indicating the period for which the message should be retained, and “link information” indicating the address on the Internet 32 of the home page linked from the message. If the save flag of the message received by the terminal 10 in S136 is YES, the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 stores the received message in the hard disk.
Store in 50.

FIG. 13 shows a process when the message viewer 76 saves a message in the hard disk. First, the message viewer 76 determines whether the storage end date is specified in the HTML document (S202). When the storage end date is specified, it is determined whether the storage period is further specified (S204). If the retention period is also specified, the end date and time of the retention period is calculated by adding the retention period on the current day (S206). Next, it is determined which of the end date of the retention period and the designated retention end date is earlier (S20
8). If the specified save end date is earlier, the specified end date is set as the end date for storing on the hard disk (S210). On the other hand, if the specified save end date is later, the end date of the save period calculated in S208 is set as the end date of storing in the hard disk 50 (S210).

If the storage end date has not been designated in S202, it is determined whether or not a storage period has been designated (S212). If neither the storage end date nor the storage period is specified, the storage period is set to a predetermined period, for example, 30 days (S214). Next, the end date of the retention period is calculated by adding the retention period on the current day (S216), and the date is set as the date to end the retention on the hard disk 50 (S218). A saved message index indicating a message stored in the hard disk 50 is separately stored in the hard disk 50. Therefore, a new record is added to the message index, and the title of the message to be saved, the client name, the save date / time, the start date / end date, the pointer to the message, etc. are written (S220). It also stores the message in the location specified by the pointer.

1.3 Data Structure of Saved Message Index Figure 14 shows the structure of the saved message index.
The saved message index is "message ID" that identifies each message, "title" of each message,
"Client name", "Start date" indicating the date to start displaying, "End date" indicating the date when saving to the hard disk 50 ends, "Save date" indicating the date when the message was saved, the Message HT
"HTML pointer" that shows the location where the ML file is stored, "Display record" that shows the number of times each message is displayed, and "Home page display date" that shows the date when the home page associated with each message was last displayed. Is stored. If the home page associated with the message is not yet displayed,
The value 00.00.00 (0/0/0) is stored. Further, the hard disk 50 stores a “sort type” indicating whether the messages displayed on the message viewer 62 are sorted based on the retention date, the end date, or the home page display date.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the display on the display 12. Save message button in the message viewer window 62
When 68 is pressed, a save message dialog 63 showing a list of save messages is displayed on the display 12.
As a result, a list of messages stored in the hard disk is displayed regardless of whether the terminal 10 and the information providing device 20 are connected or not connected.

In the save message dialog 63, "Display button" 5
7, "Delete button" 59, and "Close button" 61 are provided. Select one message displayed in the save message dialog 63 and press the display button 57,
The message is displayed in the message display area of the message viewer 62. Further, by selecting a message and pressing the delete button 59, the message is deleted from the hard disk 50. When the close button 61 is pressed, the save message dialog 63 is closed.

When the home page associated with the message has never been displayed in the browser window 60, a red asterisk is blinked on the right side of the list of the message. Also, a yellow asterisk is made to blink on the right side of the message for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the corresponding home page was displayed. However, as another embodiment, an asterisk "*" is displayed on the right side of the message list only when the period in which the home page associated with the message has not been displayed in the browser window 60 exceeds a predetermined period. You may blink it. The predetermined period may be set in advance or may be described in the HTML format message file shown in FIG. 12 and transmitted from the information providing device 20 to the terminal 10. In the latter case, the message index (Fig. 14) is provided with a column for describing the predetermined period,
Record the predetermined period of time for each message.

1.4 Operation of Terminal 10 FIG. 16 shows the processing when the user activates the message viewer 76. When the message viewer 76 starts up (S402). The message viewer 76 opens the save message dialog window 63 (S404). At this time, the messages stored in advance on the hard disk 50 are sorted in the order in which they should be displayed. Next, one message is displayed on the message viewer window 62 (S406). Here, the message received from the message management device 24 is RA
If it is in the buffer in M44, the first message in the buffer is displayed. If the message is not in the buffer of the RAM 44, one of the saved messages saved in the hard disk 50 is displayed.

In S406, if the message is stored in the message buffer provided in the RAM 44, the message is displayed. If no messages are stored in the message buffer, the messages sorted in S404 are displayed in order. At this time, the display count data associated with the message in the message index is incremented. However, if there are no messages in the message buffer and all the messages stored in advance on the hard disk 50 have already been displayed, the sorted messages are displayed again in order from the beginning. Information indicating the displayed message is transmitted to the message management device 24. However,
Information indicating the displayed message (display message information) when no call is generated with the information providing device
Is stored in the hard disk 50.

Next, the timer 1 which counts a predetermined period is set (S410). When the timer times out (S412), S4
Return to 06 and display the next message. As a result, the next message is sequentially displayed for each period of the timer 1. S4
If the timer has not timed out in 10, it is determined whether the display button 57 on the message dialog window 63 has been pressed (S416). When the display button 57 is pressed, the selected message is displayed in the message viewer window 62 (S418). As a result, the user can select and display the desired message from the already saved messages. Next, the information indicating the displayed message is notified to the message management device 24 (S420). However, if a call to the information providing device 20 has not been generated, information indicating the displayed message (display message information) is stored in the hard disk 50. Next, the timer 2 is set (S422) and the process returns to S412. Timer 2 counts a longer time than timer 1. As a result, the messages selected by the user can be displayed for a longer time than the messages selected sequentially.

When a message is selected on the message dialog window and the delete button 59 is pressed, or when an instruction to delete the message is received from the message distribution system 39 or the information management device 20, the message displayed in the delete instruction is displayed. Determine if the message is included. If the displayed message is included, the message is deleted (S428) and the process returns to S406. If the message to be deleted does not include the displayed message, the message is deleted (S430), and it is determined whether or not the close button 61 is pressed (S432). When the close button 61 is pressed,
Stop timer and save message dialog window
Close 63 (S434). Next, the process for the operation in the message viewer window 62 is performed (S440), and the process returns to S412.

FIG. 17 shows the detailed contents of the processing (S440) for the operation in the message viewer window 62. When the connect button on the message viewer window 62 is pressed (S45
0), it is determined whether or not a call is generated with the information providing device 20 (S452), and if not, a connection process is performed (S454). When connection is established due to connection processing (S454)
Jump to S490 and perform communication processing (S455). If communication is not in progress, the process returns to the process of FIG. 16 (S455). When the home page button 64, the material request button 66, or the button in the message of the message viewer window 62 is pressed (S456), it is determined whether or not the communication state is established (S45).
8) If it is not in the communication state, the connection process is performed (S460). If communication is not established even after the connection process, the process returns to the process of FIG. 16 (S455). When communication is in progress (S455), the browser 74 is activated (S462), and the URL associated with the pressed button (identification information that specifies information on the Internet)
Is passed to the browser 74 (S464). Then, the browser 74 receives the home page corresponding to the received URL from the information providing device and displays it on the browser window 60. Therefore,
Message window whether or not you are communicating
The home page corresponding to the message displayed in 62 can be displayed in the browser window 60. Further, it notifies the message management device 24 that the information provided on the Internet has been accessed (S466). Next, the home page display date of the displayed message in the saved message index (FIG. 14) is updated to the current date (S467). If the save message dialog 63 is displayed, the asterisk in the displayed message is erased (S468) and the communication process (S490) is performed. .

When the save message button 68 of the message viewer window 62 is pressed (S470), the save message dialog window 63 is opened (S472). Therefore, the save message dialog window 63 can be opened even during communication. Next, it is determined whether or not a call is generated with the information providing device 20, and if the call is generated, the communication process (S490) is performed, and if the call is not generated, the process of FIG. 16 is performed. Return.

FIG. 18 shows details of the communication process (S490) for receiving a message from the message management device 24. First, the RA of terminal 10
It is determined whether or not the message buffer provided in M44 is free (S500). If there is no space, jump to S520. If there is a space, the message distribution system 39 is requested for a URL as an example of "message designation information" for designating a message (S502). Then, the message distribution system 39 reads the characteristics of the user from the message user database 34, searches the message using the characteristics of the user from the message transmission condition database 36, and outputs the message designation information indicating the searched message to the terminal. Send to 10.

The message viewer 76 receives the message designation information (S504) and requests the message designated by the message designation information from the message management device 24 (S506). When the message is received (S508), it is stored in the message buffer (S510). The messages stored in the message buffer are selected as messages to be displayed next in the order in which they are stored, and are displayed in S406 (FIG. 16). If the save flag of the received message is not YES (S51
2) Jump to S520. If the save flag is YES (S514), the title and the client further determine whether the same message is already saved in the hard disk 50, and if the same message is saved, the old message is saved. Is deleted (S516). In addition, a "message save process" to save new messages (Fig. 1
Perform 3) (S518). Message viewer window 62
When the disconnection button 67 inside is pressed (S520), the information providing device
The call to 20 is disconnected (S522). Then, the process returns to S412 in FIG. Since the process returns to S412 even during communication, the selected message can be displayed in response to the pressing of the message display button in the save message dialog (S416) (S418).

In the message storage process, it is determined whether or not there is a free storage capacity for storing a new message by comparing the storage capacity of the already stored message with the storage amount preset by the user. When the free storage amount is insufficient, the message stored in the hard disk 50 is selected and deleted by referring to the message index display frequency data. However, as another embodiment, when the message is displayed once, the message may be deleted. When there are a plurality of messages having the same display count, the end date of each message (the date when the storage ends) provided in the message index is referred to, and the messages with the closest end date are deleted in order. This makes it possible to prevent the deletion of a message that should be stored for a long period of time even when the free storage capacity is insufficient. However, as another embodiment, the messages may be deleted in order from the oldest retention date.

Figure 19 shows the save message dialog open process (S4
04, S472) is a flowchart showing the details. First,
The “sort type” indicating the order in which the messages stored in the hard disk 50 are displayed is read from the hard disk 50. This "sort type" can be set to any of the order of saving date, the order of ending date, or the order of displaying home page by pressing the setting button 69 of the message viewer window 62. If the "sort type" is the end date order, the messages are sorted in ascending order using the end date in the message index, that is, the messages with the closest end date are sorted (S522). If the sort type is sorted by date saved, the messages are sorted in descending order.
That is, the messages are sorted in order from the newest retention date (S5
44). If the sort type is Home Page Display Date, use the Home Page Display Date to sort the messages in ascending order,
That is, the home pages associated with each other are sorted in order from the oldest message displayed (S556). Since 00.00.00 is stored in the homepage display date column of a message whose homepage has never been displayed, messages whose homepage has never been displayed are sorted at the top.

Next, for each message, it is determined whether the current date has passed the end date stored in the message index (S558). If the end date has passed, the message is deleted (S560). Here, the record in the message index, the MTML document, and the file such as the image attached to the HTML document are deleted. Therefore, messages with a short retention period are deleted early. Therefore, it is possible to save the storage capacity in the hard disk and prevent old information from being provided to the user. S558 and S560 are repeated until all messages are checked (S562). Next, the sorted messages are displayed in the message dialog window 63 (S5
64).

Next, the type of asterisk displayed to the right of the list of each message is calculated (S568), and the asterisk of the calculated type is displayed (S570). Here, if the home page associated with the message has never been displayed in the browser window 60, a red asterisk is blinked on the right side of the list of the message. Also, a yellow asterisk is made to blink on the right side of the message for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the corresponding home page was displayed. Finally, the sorted first message is selected as the message to be displayed next (S580), and the process returns to the main routine. However, if the message received from the information providing device 20 is already stored in the message buffer, the sorted first message is selected as the message to be displayed next to the message stored in the message buffer (S580). Return to main routine. The selected messages are sequentially displayed in S406 (FIG. 16).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of the message viewer 76 in the connection processing (S454, S460). When the connection process is started, the save message dialog is closed (S600). Next, the title message is displayed in the display message area of the message viewer window 62 (S602). As the title message, for example, the logo mark of the service provider may be displayed.
Next, the timer is reset (S604), and the PPP driver 70 is used to dial up the PPP connection to the information providing apparatus 20 (S606). If a PPP connection is made before the time is up (S
607), and the message viewer 76 is TCP / IP driver 72
Connect to TCP / IP using (S608). When authentication information is requested from the information providing device 20 (S609), the message user ID
And send the message user password (S610)
Wait for a response.

When the information providing device 20 permits the connection, ACK is transmitted (S
612), the call is established. Then Message Viewer 76
Transmits the display message data stored in the hard disk drive 50 (information indicating the content and display frequency of the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 when offline) to the information providing device 20 (S618). This allows the message management device 24 or the message distribution system 39 to know how many times each message is provided to the user offline. If the information providing device 20 does not permit the connection, NAK is transmitted (S614). In this case, the message viewer 76 disconnects PPP (S61
6) and returns to the process of FIG.

1.5 Operation of Connection Management Device 23 FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection management device 23 in the connection sequence with the terminal 10. When the PPP connection is requested from the terminal 10 via the public line gateway 19 (S310), the connection management device 23 requests the terminal 10 for the provider user ID and password and receives them (S3).
12). Next, the provider user database 25 is inquired whether or not the received provider user ID and password are recorded (S314).

The provider user database 25 stores the ID (provider user ID) and password (provider user password) of each provider user. If the received provider user ID and provider user password are not registered in the provider user database 25, the connection management device 23 disconnects the line (S318) and ends the process (S330). If the provider user ID and password are registered in the provider user database 25, the terminal 10 is permitted to make a PPP connection (S322), a connection notice is sent to the message management device 24 (S324), and the process ends. (S330).

1.6 Operation of Message Management Device 24 FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message management device 24 in the connection sequence with the terminal 10. When the message management device 24 receives a connection notification from the connection management device 23 (S810), the received provider user ID is stored in the RAM 94.
It records in (S812). Then start timer 96 (S81
4), it is judged whether or not the TCP / IP connection is established from the message management device 24 (S816). If no TCP / IP connection is made, it stands by (S816, S818). When the timer 96 times out during standby (S818), the process ends (S840).

When connected to TCP / IP (S816), Message Viewer 76
Authentication information is requested to (S822). Further, the timer 96 is reset and the counting is started again (S824). If the timer 96 times out before receiving the authentication information (S828), the process ends (S840). When the authentication information is received (S82
6), read the provider user ID from RAM94 (S83
2), the provider ID for identifying the provider, the message user ID received from the message viewer 76, and the message user password are sent to the message distribution system 39 (S834). Then, communication is performed between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution system 39 (S836).

1.7 Operation of Message Distribution System 39 FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message distribution system 39. When the provider ID, the message user ID and the password are received from the message management device 24 (S900), they are sent to the message user database 34.
Search from (S902). NA if not registered
Send K (S906) and jump to disconnection processing (S926). If registered, send ACK (S908),
The characteristics of the user are read from the user database 34. Further, the display characteristics are retrieved from the message transmission condition database 36 using the read characteristics (S910). Therefore, a message suitable for the characteristics of each user is retrieved.
For example, a message whose transmission condition is limited to women in their twenties is searched only for users who are in their twenties and whose gender is female as a characteristic of the user.

Next, it waits for a request for message identification information from the terminal 10 (S912). When a message is requested (S91
2) If there is a display candidate (S914), the message searched in S910 is transmitted (S916). When there are no more display candidates, the process returns to S910 to search for the next candidate (S918). Terminal 10
When a message is requested from (S912) and there is no display candidate (S914), a predetermined default message is transmitted (S920). If there is no request for logout, the process returns to S912. If there is a logout request, disconnect processing is performed (S92
6) Finish the process.

2 Second Embodiment FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the entire system in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the message database 26 is connected to the message distribution system 39 instead of the message management device 24 as compared with the above embodiment. Therefore, a message request from the message viewer 76 is transmitted to the message distribution system 39 via the message management device 24. The message management device 24 simply connects the message distribution system 39 and the message viewer 76 and communicates between them.

According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the message database 26 in the plurality of information providing devices 20, and the configuration of the message management device can be simplified. Therefore, the entire system can be constructed at low cost. Further, since only the single message database 26 is provided, the message database 26 can be easily maintained. In particular, even when the message distribution system 39 and the information providing device 20 are installed in physically separate places such as different countries, the message database 26 should be maintained only in the place where the message distribution system 39 is installed. You can Therefore, the maintenance cost can be reduced.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load on the message distribution system 39 and the dedicated line 29. Therefore, when the access frequency to the message database 26 is high, the configuration of the first embodiment can operate more efficiently.

3. Third Embodiment FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. Compared with the configuration described in the third embodiment, in the present embodiment, the message distribution system 39 is connected to the information providing device 20 via the Internet 32 instead of the dedicated line 29. Further, in this embodiment, the message management device 24 does not exist. Therefore, a message request from the message viewer 76 is transmitted to the message distribution system 39 via the message management device 24.

According to this embodiment, the message management device 24 is not required in the plurality of information providing devices 20, so that the entire system can be configured at low cost. Moreover, since the existing Internet providing apparatus can be used as the information providing apparatus 20, the system can be rapidly spread. In particular, even if the message distribution system is provided only in a limited number of countries, it is possible to provide services to each country in the world where the Internet providing device exists.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the first or second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load on the message distribution system 39 and the dedicated line 29. Therefore, the message database 29
When the frequency of access to is high, the configuration of the first or second embodiment can operate more efficiently.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 26 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a BBS such as CompuServe (trademark), Niftyserve (trademark), and AOL (trademark) is provided as the information providing device 20 in place of the connection device of the Internet 32. The information providing device 20 charges the message distribution system 39 for the amount of BBS used by each user. According to this embodiment, the information in the BBS is stored in the terminal device 10 for a period suitable for each information. For example, the latest information can be provided to the user by assigning a short storage period to information having a high update frequency such as news. On the other hand, the frequency of access to the BBS can be reduced by assigning a long storage period to information whose update frequency is low, such as historical items and items described in encyclopedias.

5 Others In the above-described embodiment, the browser 74 displays the homepage information and the like of the Internet 32. However, the browser 74 may provide an internet telephone or an internet videophone that performs voice communication via the internet. In the above embodiment, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 36,
Although the connection log 38 and the connection log 38 are shown as independent disk devices, they may be stored in the same disk device. Also, the mutual relation of the data of each field can be realized by various file configurations. For example, the message user database 3 can be stored in different areas of the same file.
4, the message transmission condition database 36 and the connection log 38 may be configured.

Floppy disk 56 as an example of a recording medium or
The CD-ROM 58 can store some or all of the functions of the operation of the terminal 10 described in the present application. In addition, the floppy disk 106 can store some or all of the functions of the operation of other devices. These programs may be directly read from the recording medium to the RAM and executed.

As recording media, in addition to floppy disks and CD-ROMs, optical recording media such as DVD, magnetic recording media such as MD, P
Magneto-optical recording medium such as D, tape medium, magnetic recording medium, IC
A semiconductor memory such as a card or a miniature card can be used. Such a recording medium, the terminal 10,
Message management device 28 or message distribution system
It is only used to manufacture 39, and it is clear that manufacturing and sales of such recording media as business constitutes infringement of patent right under the present application.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the invention according to the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. The invention described in the claims can be implemented by making various modifications to the above-described embodiment. It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that such an invention belongs to the technical scope of the invention according to the present application.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, whether or not to save in the local memory and the storage period are determined for each message. Therefore, frequently updated information such as campaign information and news can be stored in local memory for a short period of time. As a result, the latest information can be provided to the user for information that is frequently updated. Also, information that is updated infrequently, such as sales of land and information on companies, can be stored in the local memory of the terminal device for a long period of time. As a result, the frequency of access to the communication network can be reduced.

Further, by providing the save message dialog window, the user can know whether the data on the communication network is displayed or the information saved in the local memory is displayed. Furthermore, even if the information stored in the local memory is displayed to the user,
By pressing the connect button to connect to the communication network,
Users can obtain the latest information.

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-243018 (JP, A) Takao Hotta Outside 1 person, HTML reference, OPEN DESIGN, Nihon, CQ publisher, April 1, 1996, Volume 3, No. 2 (circle No. 13), p. 14 −−22,80 −− 84,135 −− 139 Shin Yoshimura, Serial Use and Mechanism of Internet 11 Mosaic, UNIX MAGAZINE, Japan, Askey Corporation, March 1, 1994, Vol. 9, No. 3 ( Circular No. 89), p. 36 − − 49 Ken Inoue, Comfortable! !! WINDOWS UTILITY Y GIF Construction Set for Internet, INTERNET Surfer, Japan, AI Publishing Co., Ltd., August 1, 1996, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Vol. 3, No. 3), p. 66 --- 69 Product Review Information program dedicated browser PointCast, Nikkei Multimedia, Japan, Nikkei BP, September 15, 1996, No. 15, p. 94 −−97 Interview No Internet connection charges will hurt anyone, Yuichiro Itakura, President of Hypernet, Nikkei Communication, Japan, Nikkei BP, April 1, 1996, No. 219, p. 82 --84 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 12/00 G06F 15/00 G06F 17/30 G06F 17/60

Claims (26)

(57) [Claims] 1. A terminal device connected to a host computer via a communication network for displaying an image received from the communication network, the message buffer storing a message including the image temporarily, and the message buffer in the message buffer. Designation information receiving means for sequentially receiving a plurality of designation information for designating a specific message from the host computer when there is a space, and transmitting the plurality of designation information received from the host computer to the communication network. Means, passive information receiving means for sequentially receiving from the communication network the plurality of messages respectively specified by the plurality of designation information transmitted to the communication network, and a plurality of passive information receiving means received by the passive information receiving means. Means for sequentially storing the messages in the message buffer; Display means for reading the messages stored in the message buffer in the order stored in the message buffer at predetermined time intervals, and displaying an image included in the read messages; and receiving by the passive information receiving means. Determining means for determining whether or not to save the message for each message, saving means for saving the message determined by the determining means in the terminal device, and saving by the saving means And a unit that displays the image included in the message again. 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether or not to save the message based on information included in the designation information. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether or not to save the message in the terminal device, based on information included in the message. 4. The designated information receiving means requests the designated information to the host computer when the message buffer has a space, and the designated information transmitted from the host computer in response to the request. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting user identification information for identifying the user to the host computer, and the designation information receiving means designates a message selected based on the user identification information. The information is received from the host computer.
Terminal device according to. 6. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising means for deleting the message stored in the storage means based on a command received via the communication network. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising deadline input means for inputting deadline information for specifying a deadline for storing the message, and deleting means for deleting the message based on the deadline information. Terminal device according to. 8. The specified information includes the deadline information, The designated information receiving means has the deadline inputting means. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The message has the deadline information, The passive information receiving means has the deadline inputting means. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein: 10. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the deadline information is information indicating a deadline. 11. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the time limit information is information indicating a date and time. 12. The storage means has limit information indicating a limit of capacity for storing the message, and the deleting means includes the limit information indicating a capacity of the message stored in the storage means. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein when the limit is approached, the message is deleted based on the deadline information. 13. The deletion means deletes the messages in the order of the oldest retention date when the capacity of the message stored in the storage means approaches the limit. Terminal device according to. 14. The deletion unit according to claim 7, wherein when the capacity of the message stored in the storage unit approaches the limit, the deletion unit sequentially deletes the messages with the closer deadlines. Terminal device. 15. The deadline information includes a designated end time for ending the storage of the message and a period for storing the message, and when the storage time of the message is started, the period is added or the designated time. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the message is deleted based on whichever comes first, whichever comes first. 16. When the same kind of information as the message received from the communication network is stored in the storage means, the same message stored in the storage means is deleted, and the communication network is deleted. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the message received from is stored in the storage unit. 17. When not connected to the communication network,
The terminal device according to claim 7, further comprising: a unit that displays an image included in the message stored in the storage unit; and a unit that connects to the communication network when the image is operated. 18. A method for storing a plurality of messages including images,
An information providing device having means for connecting to a plurality of terminal devices, wherein a message database that stores transmission conditions for transmitting each of the plurality of messages in association with message identification information that identifies the message, A user database that stores information about each user in the terminal device of the device in association with user identification information that identifies the user, and the user that identifies the user from the user who uses the information providing device. Means for receiving identification information; means for retrieving information about the user from the user database based on the user identification information received from the user; and the message based on the retrieved information. Search means for searching the message identification information from a database, and before searching by the search means Means for transmitting the message corresponding to the message identification information to the terminal device, and information for each message indicating whether or not the message transmitted to the terminal device is stored in the terminal device, to the terminal device An information providing apparatus comprising: a unit; and a unit that receives the number of times the message is displayed on the terminal device. 19. The information providing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising means for transmitting, to the terminal device, information specifying a deadline for the terminal device to store each of the images. 20. A first image received from the first host computer and a second image received from the second host computer connected to first and second host computers via a communication network. A terminal device having a display device for displaying, wherein the first image is received from the first host computer based on an operation of a user of the terminal device specifying one of the first images. Active information receiving means, a message buffer for temporarily storing a message including the second image, and a plurality of designation information for designating a particular message when the message buffer has a space
Designated information receiving means for sequentially receiving from the second host computer, means for transmitting the plurality of designated information received from the second host computer to the communication network, and the first image by the active information receiving means. In parallel with receiving the message, the plurality of messages respectively specified by the plurality of specified information transmitted to the communication network, passive information receiving means for sequentially receiving through the communication network, A display unit for displaying one image in a first display area provided on the display device; a unit for sequentially storing the plurality of messages received by the passive information receiving unit in the message buffer; The messages stored in the message buffer are read and read at a predetermined time interval in the order in which they are stored in the message buffer. Display means for displaying the image included in the issued message in a second display area provided on the display device; and the message as to whether or not to save the message received by the passive information receiving means. A terminal comprising: a determination unit that determines each of the items; a storage unit that stores the message determined to be stored by the determination unit; and a unit that displays the message stored by the storage unit again. apparatus. 21. The message is one of the first images.
Link information that is information that identifies one of the messages, and in the state where the image in the message is displayed in the second display area, the request for the first image identified by the link information is used. Means for inputting from the person, a link image receiving means for receiving the first image specified by the link information from the first host computer based on the input from the user, the link image 21. The terminal device according to claim 20, further comprising: a unit that displays the first image received by a receiving unit in the first display area. 22. When the request for the first image specified by the link information is input from the user, the first image is displayed.
22. The terminal device according to claim 21, further comprising means for storing information indicating that the image of is requested in association with the message displayed in the second display area. 23. The system further comprises list display means for displaying a list of the messages stored by the storage means, wherein the list display means requests the first image specified by the link information from the user. 23. The terminal device according to claim 22, wherein the information indicating whether or not the link information is displayed is displayed in association with the image included in the message having the link information. 24. The list display means displays the image included in a message in which the first image linked by the link information is not requested, above the other images. Item 22. The terminal device according to Item 22. 25. When the request for the first image specified by the link information is input from the user, the first image
25. The terminal device according to claim 24, further comprising means for storing information indicating when the image is requested in association with the image displayed in the second display area. 26. The terminal device according to claim 25, wherein the list display means lists the messages in ascending order when the first image linked by the message is requested.