JP2007011760A - Server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server for supplying contents capable of appropriately displaying the contents including an image file to be provided in a plurality of kinds of mobile communication terminals with different image display functions from each other. <P>SOLUTION: This server 41 for supplying the contents receives a content request requesting display information of contents (submenu image), and display function identification information for identifying a display function in a display means of the mobile communication terminal 10, from the mobile communication terminal 10. Next, the server 41 generates the image file of the contents in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal 10 from data of the contents to be provided, and transmits the file to the mobile communication terminal 10. If the display function of the mobile communication terminal 10 having transmitted the content request does not support the image file in a vector format, an image file in bitmap format of the contents is generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server that provides content to a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone.

Conventionally, as this type of server, a server that receives a content request from a mobile communication terminal and transmits content data corresponding to the content request to the mobile communication terminal in a predetermined format is known. For example, it is known that a search request is received together with a search keyword from a mobile communication terminal, and content data of a search result corresponding to the search request is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal in a predetermined format (Patent Document 1). reference). The content of the search result is a search list obtained by searching browsing information (WEB page) including the search keyword from index information created from character information of browsing information (WEB page) collected on the Internet. , Including link destination information to browsing information (WEB page).
JP 2000-298670 A

With the recent increase in functionality of the display means of mobile communication terminals, content data received from the server can be displayed in various data formats. For example, by incorporating a Flash (registered trademark, hereinafter the same) player application into a mobile communication terminal, all or part of the content displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal can be converted into a vector format Flash format. It can be displayed as an image file.
However, some mobile communication terminals that are actually used do not support Flash format image files. In such a mobile communication terminal, when the content received from the server includes a Flash format image file, there is a problem that the content cannot be displayed properly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to appropriately display content including an image file to be provided on a plurality of types of mobile communication terminals having different image display functions. It is to provide a server for content provision.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a content providing server capable of communicating with a mobile communication terminal via a mobile communication network, and a content request for requesting display information of content, Content function receiving means for receiving display function identification information for identifying a display function in the display means of the mobile communication terminal from the mobile communication terminal, and the display function of the mobile communication terminal from the data of the content to be provided And a file generation means for generating an image file of the content in a data format corresponding to the above, and an image file transmission means for transmitting the image file of the content to the mobile communication terminal. .
When receiving a content request from a mobile communication terminal, the server generates an image file of the content in a data format corresponding to the display function based on the display function identification information received together with the content request. The content image file generated in the predetermined data format is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal. Since the content image file transmitted to the mobile communication terminal in this way has a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal, the content is transmitted using the image file received by the mobile communication terminal. It can be displayed properly.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is the server of claim 1, wherein the file generation means can generate a vector format image file of the content to be provided and a bitmap format image file of the content, When the display function of the mobile communication terminal that has transmitted the content request does not support a vector format image file, a bitmap format image file of the content is generated.
When the display function of the mobile communication terminal that has transmitted the content request does not support the vector format image file, this server generates a content bitmap format image file. Since the image file of content generated in the bitmap format having high versatility generated in this way can be transmitted to a mobile communication terminal that does not support the image file of the vector format, the content can be displayed more reliably. .

The invention of claim 3 further comprises storage means for storing template files for each of a plurality of data formats corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal in the server of claim 1 or 2, wherein the file generation means comprises: The image file of the predetermined format is generated from the content data to be provided using the template file.
This server stores in advance in the storage means a template file in which a background portion that is not likely to be changed is described in the final image file and data can be added to the portion that is likely to be changed. An image file in a predetermined format can be generated from the content data to be provided using this template file. Therefore, the content image file can be generated more efficiently than when the image file itself is regenerated every time the data included in the image file is changed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the server of the second or third aspect, in the image file in the vector format, different links are set in each of a plurality of image display areas constituting an image displayed in the image file. It is characterized by that.
This server generates an image file in a vector format in which different links are set in each of a plurality of image display areas constituting an image, and transmits it to the mobile communication terminal. In the mobile communication terminal that receives the image file in the vector format, when one of the plurality of image display areas is selected, the contents such as the web page and the file linked to the selected image display area are displayed. can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the server of the second or third aspect, the bitmap image file is a detailed link in which different links are set for a plurality of display items in an image displayed in the image file. It is characterized in that a link to content is set.
This server generates and transmits a bitmap-format image file in which links to detailed link contents in which different links are set to a plurality of display items in an image to a mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal that has received the bitmap image file can receive and display the detailed link content linked to the image by selecting the image displayed in the image file. Furthermore, by selecting any one of a plurality of display items on the detailed link content, it is possible to display content such as a WEB page or a file linked to the selected display item.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the server of the first, second, fourth, or fifth aspect, the content request receiving means searches the browsing information that can be browsed on a communication network by a predetermined keyword as the content request. Upon receipt of the requested search request, the file generation means generates an image file of the content in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal from the content data of the search result comprising the list of browsing information. It is characterized by doing.
When receiving a search request from the mobile communication terminal, the server generates an image file of the search result content in a data format corresponding to the display function based on the display function identification information received together with the search request. The search result content image file generated in the predetermined data format is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal. Since the image file of the search result content transmitted to the mobile communication terminal has a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal, the image file received by the mobile communication terminal is used. The search result content can be displayed appropriately.

The invention according to claim 7 is the server according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the content request receiving means includes, as the content request, keyword ranking information included in browsing information that can be browsed on a communication network. The file generation means generates an image file of the content in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal from the content data of the ranking information. It is what.
When this server receives a ranking information request from a mobile communication terminal, the server generates an image file of ranking information content in a data format corresponding to the display function based on the display function identification information received together with the ranking information request. To do. The image file of the ranking information content generated in the predetermined data format is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal. Since the image file of the ranking information content transmitted to the mobile communication terminal in this way has a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal, the image file received by the mobile communication terminal is used. The content of ranking information can be displayed appropriately.

Further, as the “mobile communication terminal”, mobile phones such as PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) system, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) system, TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) system, IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) -2000, etc. Mobile phone standardized by TD-SCDMA (MC: Multi Carrier), which is one of TD-SCDMA (Time Division Asynchronous Code Division Multiple Access) methods, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and the like.
Moreover, the process and control in the said mobile communication terminal and the said server can also be implement | achieved by running a predetermined | prescribed program with the computer provided in these. Delivery of the program used in the computer may be performed using a recording medium such as an FD or a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded as digital information, or may be performed using a communication network such as a computer network.

  According to the present invention, since the image file of the content transmitted to the mobile communication terminal is generated in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal, the image file received by the mobile communication terminal Content can be displayed appropriately using. Therefore, there is an effect that the content including the image file to be provided can be appropriately displayed on a plurality of types of mobile communication terminals having different image display functions.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a menu image providing system capable of providing a menu image according to an embodiment of the present invention. This menu image providing system includes a menu server 30 and a search service providing server 41 constituting the search system 40. Each of the menu server 30 and the search service providing server 41 is a content providing server, and can communicate with the mobile phone 10 as a mobile communication terminal via the mobile phone communication network 20 as a mobile communication network. Further, the menu server 30 and the search service providing server 41 may be provided so as to be connected to the mobile phone communication network 20 as illustrated, and on the Internet 50 connected to the mobile phone communication network 20 via the gateway 22. May be provided. Further, various content providing servers 60, 61,... That can communicate with the mobile phone 10 are connected on the Internet 50. These content providing servers can provide content that can be acquired by the mobile phone 10 in response to a request from the mobile phone 10. Each of these servers 30, 41, 60, 61 may be configured by a single computer device, or may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers each having a plurality of functions via a network.

  The mobile phone communication network 20 includes a base station 21 that performs direct wireless communication with the mobile phone 10, as well as an exchange (not shown), a dedicated line, a router, a firewall, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the relationship between each means constituting the menu server 30. As shown in FIG. The menu server 30 is used for a system bus, a CPU, an internal memory composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc., an external storage device composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical disk drive, etc., and a cellular phone communication network for communicating with each cellular phone 10. A communication device and the like are provided. The menu server 30 implements functions such as a storage unit 301, a menu image request reception unit 302, a menu image information transmission unit 303, and the like by executing predetermined programs on hardware such as a CPU.

The storage unit 301 includes a CPU, an internal memory, an external storage device, and the like, and stores display information of the main menu image and URL information of the link destination server in association with each other. A menu information database is constructed using this storage means 301. Here, the main menu image is an image that mainly constitutes a menu image in which links to a plurality of content providing servers 41, 60, 61 are set, that is, a menu image displayed on the mobile phone 10, which will be described later. It is an image of a part other than the menu image. The display information of the main menu image is stored in a plurality of types so as to be compatible with various display functions of the mobile phone 10. For example, for the same main menu image, a menu content file corresponding to Flash and a menu content file corresponding to XTML (eXtensible HyperText Markup Language) are stored. In order to display a menu image using a menu content file corresponding to Flash, a Flash player application needs to be installed in the mobile phone 10. In addition, in order to display a menu image using a menu content file compatible with XTML, a browser application compatible with XHTML needs to be installed in the mobile phone 10.
The link destination server is a content providing server that links to at least one sub menu image that constitutes a part of the menu image and provides display information of the sub menu image.
In the present embodiment, the case where the link destination server is the search service providing server 41 is shown.

  The menu image request receiving unit 302 includes a communication device for a mobile phone communication network, a CPU, and the like, and receives a menu image request for requesting a menu image from the mobile phone 10 via the mobile phone communication network 20.

  The menu image information transmission means 303 is composed of a communication device for a mobile phone communication network, a CPU, and the like, and displays main menu image display information corresponding to the menu image request to the mobile phone 10 via the mobile phone communication network 20. And the URL information of the search service providing server 41 are transmitted. Here, the display information of the main menu image transmitted to the mobile phone 10 corresponds to the display function of the destination mobile phone 10. For example, when the mobile phone 10 has a Flash player display function, a menu content file corresponding to Flash is transmitted as display information of the main menu image. When the mobile phone 10 has a display function corresponding to XHTML, a menu content file in XHTML format is transmitted as display information of the main menu image.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the search system 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the search system 40 is roughly divided into a search service providing server 41, a search server 42 as search processing means, an index server 43 as index creation means, and a collection server 44 as collection means. It has a server. In this search system 40, the collection server 44 periodically circulates the content provided by the content providing servers 60 and 61 on the Internet 50 and takes in data, and the index server 43 uses the character information on those contents. Create a database called an index. Based on this index database, the search server 42 executes a search process.

  The search service providing server 41 receives a search request from the user, sends it to the search server 42, and transmits the returned search result to the user's mobile phone 10. The search service providing server 41 includes a response unit 415 and a template holding unit 416. The response unit 415 responds to a search request or the like from the mobile phone 10. The template holding unit 416 holds search page and page data for displaying search results. Further, the search service providing server 41 displays submenu image display information such as keyword ranking information related to the search service, which forms part of the menu image in response to a request from the mobile phone 10 as shown below. To the mobile phone 10.

In the present embodiment, the following seven types of ranking template files (XSLT files) are stored in the template holding unit 416. Here, as current affairs ranking template files for PNG image files, two types of image sizes A and B are prepared so that appropriate image display can be performed for each mobile phone having a different display image size. Has been. For example, a template file with an image size A corresponds to a larger image size for a QVGA compatible device, and a template file with an image size B corresponds to a smaller image size for a non-QVGA compatible device. .
(1) Current ranking template file (for Flash data file)
(2) Current affairs ranking template file (for PNG image file: image size A)
(3) Current ranking template file (for PNG image file: image size B)
(4) Current affairs ranking template file (for XHTML file)
(5) Chaku-Uta / Ringtone ranking template file (for XHTML files)
(6) Game ranking template file (for XHTML file)
(7) Wallpaper / standby image ranking template file (for XHTML files)

In addition, the search service providing server 41 activates the ranking file creation tool software, and creates the following seven types of ranking files as display information of the sub menu image using the ranking template file and the keyword file described later. ing.
(1) Current affairs ranking file (Flash data file)
(2) Current affairs ranking file (PNG image file: image size A)
(3) Current affairs ranking file (PNG image file: image size B)
(4) Current affairs detailed ranking file (XHTML file)
(5) Chaku-Uta / Ringtone ranking file (XHTML file)
(6) Game ranking file (XHTML file)
(7) Wallpaper / standby image ranking file (XHTML file)

  The search server 42 includes a database 421 and a search unit 422. The database 421 stores index table data. The search unit 422 searches the database 421 based on the keyword obtained from the search service providing server 41 and returns the search result to the search service providing server 41.

  The search server 42 creates a keyword file from the database 421 at a predetermined frequency (for example, n times / day, n times / week). This keyword file is a text file in which keywords collected for a predetermined content classification category, the number of keywords, and the like are stored. In this embodiment, keyword files are created for four types of categories: “current affairs”, “ringtones / ringtones”, “games”, and “wallpapers / standby images”.

The index server 43 generates a database called an index so that the user can easily find a target page by classifying the collected content subjected to the morphological analysis process or adding information. The index server 43 includes index generation means 431 that generates an index from content information subjected to morphological analysis, and an index creation file 432 that adds additional information to the index.
First, the index server 43 generates an index table (see Table 1) in which words and URLs of content information in which the words appear are paired from the morphological-analyzed content information.
Further, the index server 43 adds additional information such as a content ID, a content name, a top URL, a content introduction sentence, and a category obtained from the content information to the index table (see Table 1). The categories and auxiliary keywords in Table 1 are used when a user searches for a keyword from a search menu image displayed on the mobile phone 10.
Further, the index server 43 adds a necessary word even if there is no word in the contents of the content information so as to be hit at the time of search. For example, even if words such as “New Arrival”, “POP”, and “Indie” are not included in the character information of the content information, the content information content is related to “New Arrival”, “POP”, and “Indie”. If it is content, add these words. The index table to which the additional information is added by the index server 43 is transferred to the database 421 of the search server 42 and stored.

  The collection server 44 includes a robot 441 that is a program for automatically collecting HTML files constituting a WEB page provided by a WEB server on the Internet, a collection definition file 442 for controlling the robot 441, Morphological analysis means 443 that performs morphological analysis on content information collected by the robot 441 is provided.

  The management server 45 is content information in which a collection definition file 442 for controlling contents collected by the collection server 44, a collection start time, and the like, and an index creation file 432 used when creating a database in the index server 43 are collected. And a table 451. The management server 45 also has an administrator Web function 452 for displaying the content information table 451. The administrator manages information in the content information table 451 from the personal computer 46 via the administrator Web function 452. be able to.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the relationship between each means constituting the search service providing server 41. The search service providing server 41 includes a system bus, an internal memory including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM and the like, an external storage device including a hard disk drive (HDD) and an optical disk drive, and a mobile phone communication network for communicating with each mobile phone 10. Communication devices and the like. The search service providing server 41 executes a predetermined program on hardware such as a CPU to store a storage unit 411, a content request receiving unit (sub menu image request receiving unit) 412, an image file transmitting unit (sub menu). Each function such as an image information transmission unit 413 and a file generation unit 414 is realized. Among these units, the storage unit 411 corresponds to the template holding unit 416 in the search service providing server 41 shown in FIG. The content request receiving means (submenu image request receiving means) 412 and the image file transmitting means (submenu image information transmitting means) 413 correspond to the response unit 415 in the search service providing server 41 shown in FIG.

The storage unit 411 includes a CPU, an internal memory, an external storage device, and the like, and stores a template file. This template file is used when generating an image file as display information of a sub menu image that is a content constituting a part of a menu image displayed on the mobile phone 10.
Here, the template file used for generating the image file which is the display information of the sub menu image is stored in a plurality of types so as to be compatible with various display functions of the mobile phone 10. For example, for the content of the same submenu image, a submenu content file (image file) in a vector format corresponding to Flash and an image file submenu content file (image file) in a bitmap format corresponding to XML are generated. A possible template file is stored. As a sub menu content file corresponding to the XML, an image file in a bitmap format of a sub menu image created so that an image having the same appearance as the image displayed in the Flash format image file is displayed, for example, PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format image files are saved. As the bitmap format image file, a GIF format image file or a JPEG format image file may be used.

  The content request transmitting means (sub-menu image request receiving means) 412 includes a communication device for a mobile phone communication network, a CPU, and the like, and is content of ranking information from the mobile phone 10 via the mobile phone communication network 20. A content request (submenu image request) requesting display information (image file) of the submenu image is received.

  The image file transmission means (sub-menu image information transmission means) 413 includes a communication device for a mobile phone communication network, a CPU, and the like, and sends the content request (sub-menu) to the mobile phone 10 via the mobile phone communication network 20. The display information (image file) of the sub menu image corresponding to (image request) is transmitted.

The file generation means 414 generates display information (image file) of the sub menu image in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile phone 10 that has transmitted the content request from the data of the keyword ranking information that is the content to be provided. To do.
For example, when the mobile phone 10 has a flash player display function, a sub menu content file corresponding to the flash is generated as display information of the sub menu image.
Further, when the mobile phone 10 has a display function corresponding to XHTML, an image file of, for example, a PNG format submenu content is generated as display information of the submenu image. In addition, when the display information of the submenu image composed of a bitmap format image file such as PNG is transmitted, the submenu image includes the second link content as the detailed link content composed of the HTML format file or the XHTML format file. A link to a URL that provides display information of the sub menu image is set. In the plurality of display item portions in the second submenu image, links to URLs of contents corresponding to the respective items are set. When a user operates the mobile phone 10 to select a sub-menu image portion composed of the image file, the second sub-menu image is displayed on the mobile phone 10. When the user further operates the cellular phone 10 to select any of a plurality of display items that can be included in the second submenu image, the content corresponding to the selected item is displayed.

  FIG. 5 is an external view of the mobile phone 10. This mobile phone 10 is a clamshell (folding) type mobile phone having a lid portion 101 and a main body portion 102 that can swing with respect to a hinge portion. The lid 101 can be in an open state in which the keys 103a to 103e of the key operation unit provided in the main body unit 102 can be operated and a closed state in which the keys 103a to 103e of the key operation unit are covered. . A liquid crystal display (LCD) 104, a speaker 105, and the like are provided on the casing that forms the outer wall of the lid 101 in the open state. The casing constituting the outer wall portion of the main body 102 is provided with keys 103a to 103e constituting the key operation portion, a microphone 106, and the like. The key operation unit including these keys 103a to 103e and the liquid crystal display (LCD) 104 are provided on the outer wall portion on the side facing the user of the casing in the open state that can be operated by the user. Accordingly, the user can operate the keys 103a to 103e of the key operation unit while looking at the screen of the liquid crystal display 104.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile phone 10. The cellular phone 10 includes a control unit 111, an internal memory 112, a wireless communication unit 113 as a communication unit, and an antenna 114. Further, the control unit 111 is connected with a microphone 116 as a sound input unit and a speaker 117 as a sound output unit via a voice processing unit 115, and connected with a display unit 119 through an image processing unit 118, and further with a key. An operation unit 120 is connected.

The control unit 111 includes, for example, a CPU, a cache memory, a system bus, and the like, and performs data transmission / reception to / from each unit such as the internal memory 112 and the wireless communication unit 113 by executing a predetermined control program. To control.
The internal memory 112 is constituted by a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a ROM, and stores a control program executed by the control unit 111 and various data.
The wireless communication unit 114 is controlled by the control unit 111 and performs wireless communication with the base station 21 of the mobile phone communication network 20 through the antenna 114 by a predetermined communication method. Through this wireless communication, voice telephone communication with a specific mobile phone or the like, transmission / reception of electronic mail, data between the menu server 30, the search service providing server 41, and the other content providing servers 60 and 61 are performed. You can communicate.
The voice processing unit 115 encodes the transmission voice signal input from the microphone 116 by a predetermined method and sends the encoded signal to the control unit 111. Also, the voice processing unit 115 decodes the received voice signal received by the wireless communication unit 113 and outputs it from the speaker 117.
The image processing unit 118 is configured to use the display information of the main menu image received from the menu server 30 and the display information of the sub menu image received from the search service providing server 41 under the control of the control unit 111. Image data processing for synthesizing images is performed. Then, the synthesized menu image is displayed on the display unit 119 including a liquid crystal display (LCD).
The key operation unit 120 includes a data input key (ten key, * key, # key), a call start key, an end key, a scroll key, a multi-function key, and the like. Used for scrolling and selecting displayed information. The key operation unit 120 is also used when the user selects an image portion in which a link to a specific server in the menu image displayed on the display unit 119 is set.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the relationship between each means constituting the mobile phone 10. The mobile phone 10 executes a predetermined program on the hardware shown in FIG. 6 to thereby execute a menu image request transmission unit 131, a menu image information reception unit 132, a sub menu image request transmission unit 133, and a sub menu image information reception unit. Each function of 134, the display means 135, the memory | storage means 136, etc. is implement | achieved.

  The menu image request transmission unit 131 includes a control unit 111, a wireless communication unit 113, an antenna 114, and the like, and sends a menu image request for requesting a menu image with links to a plurality of content providing servers to the menu server 30. Send.

  The menu image information receiving unit 132 includes a control unit 111, a wireless communication unit 113, an antenna 114, and the like, and receives display information of the main menu image and URL information of the search service providing server 41 from the menu server 30.

  The sub menu image request transmission unit 133 includes a control unit 111, a wireless communication unit 113, an antenna 114, and the like, and requests a sub menu image request to the search service providing server 41 specified by the URL information. Send. Further, the sub menu image request transmission unit 133 stores the display information of the sub menu image provided by the search service providing server 41 in the storage unit 136 described later, and the publication expiration date of the display information of the sub menu image. If the menu item has not elapsed, the sub menu image request is not transmitted to the search service providing server 41.

  The sub menu image information receiving unit 134 includes a control unit 111, a wireless communication unit 113, an antenna 114, and the like, and receives display information of sub menu images from the search service providing server 41.

  The display unit 135 includes a control unit 111, an image processing unit 118, and a display unit 119 (liquid crystal display 104), and displays a menu image obtained by combining the main menu image and the sub menu image. Further, the display unit 135 is configured such that the display information of the sub menu image provided by the search service providing server 41 is stored in the storage unit 136 described later, and the publication expiration date of the display information of the sub menu image has not elapsed. Displays the submenu image based on the display information of the submenu image stored in the storage unit 136.

  The storage unit 136 includes a control unit 111, an internal memory 112, and the like, and has a function as a cache memory that stores display information of the sub menu image received by the sub menu image information receiving unit 134.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of communication processing between the mobile phone and the server when the mobile phone 10 is operated to display a search menu image including keyword ranking information and perform a search. In this example, the mobile phone 10 is a flash-incompatible device, and the display information of the sub menu image constituting the search menu image is newly downloaded from the search service providing server 41 without using the cache data. Yes.

First, the user operates the mobile phone 10 to display the WEB service top page 200 shown in FIG. 9A on the display 104 of the mobile phone 10 (S101).
Next, when the user operates the mobile phone 10 and performs a switching operation to the search menu by selecting the “search” tab displayed at the top of the top page (S102), the mobile phone 10 displays A menu image request including function identification information (in this example, information indicating that the device is not compatible with Flash) is transmitted to the menu server 30 (S103). This display function identification information can be written and transmitted in a header portion in a menu image request in HTTP format, for example.
Upon receiving the menu image request, the menu server 30 carries the display information of the main menu image excluding the display portion of the sub menu image and the URL information of the search service providing server 41 used for acquiring the display information of the sub menu image. A reply is made to the telephone 10 (S104). Here, since the mobile phone 10 is a flash incompatible device, data in the XHTML format is selected and transmitted as display information of the main menu image.
Next, the mobile phone 10 displays the search menu top screen 201 shown in FIG. 9B based on the display information of the main menu image received from the menu server 30 (S105). However, at this stage, the display area 201a of the sub menu image in the top screen 201 of the search menu is not drawn. Furthermore, the mobile phone 10 makes a submenu image request (content request) for requesting information on a submenu image to be drawn in a predetermined area in the top screen of the search menu based on the URL information received from the menu server 30. Then, it is transmitted to the search service providing server 41 (S106). This submenu image request also includes display function identification information.
The search service providing server 41 that has received the sub menu image request returns the display information of the sub menu image to the mobile phone 10 (S107). Here, since the mobile phone 10 is a Flash incompatible device, an image file made up of PNG format data instead of Flash format data is selected and transmitted as display information of the sub menu image. The PNG format data is created so that the display image is the same as that displayed when the Flash format data is displayed.
Next, the mobile phone 10 displays the sub menu image in the sub menu image display area 201a of the top screen 201 of the search menu shown in FIG. 9B based on the display information of the sub menu image received from the menu server 30. Drawing is performed (S108). In the example of FIG. 9B, as the sub menu image, an image showing ranking information from the first place to the third place of the current affairs contents published on the Internet is displayed.

In the above embodiment, the display information of the sub menu image received from the search service providing server 41 may be saved as cache data in the internal memory so that it can be reused.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the mobile phone when storing and reusing cache data of display information of the sub menu image. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of communication processing between the mobile phone and the server in this case.
First, as in the case of FIG. 8, the mobile phone 10 displays the top screen of the search menu based on the display information of the main menu image acquired from the menu server 30 (S201 to S204 in FIG. 10, FIG. 11). S301 to S305).
Next, on the basis of the URL information acquired from the menu server 30, the mobile phone 10 displays the display information of the sub menu image provided by the search service providing server 41 specified by the URL information as cache data within the public validity period. Is determined (S205 in FIG. 10). If there is no cache data for the sub-menu image within the public validity period, the sub-menu image display information is acquired from the search service providing server 41 as in the case of FIG. 8 (S206 in FIG. 10). On the other hand, if there is cache data for the sub-menu image within the public expiration date, the top screen of the search menu shown in FIG. 9B is obtained using the cache data without newly acquiring the display information of the sub-menu image. A submenu image is drawn in the submenu image display area 201a 201 (S207 in FIG. 10, S306 in FIG. 11).
As described above, when the display information of the sub menu image is stored as cache data within the public validity period, it is determined that there is no change in the display information of the sub menu image, and the sub menu is displayed from the search service providing server 41. Do not get image display information. In this case, the sub menu image is drawn using the display information of the sub menu image already stored in the internal memory. When it is determined that there is no change in the contents of the sub menu image in this way, the display information acquisition process for useless sub menu images is performed by using the display information of the sub menu images already stored in the internal memory. It can be avoided.

In the above embodiment, after the top screen of the search menu is displayed on the mobile phone 10, the search result is displayed and the search is narrowed down as follows.
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing in the case of performing a search result display and narrowing search for the top items in the current affairs ranking from the top screen of the search menu displayed on the mobile phone 10 not compatible with Flash.
First, the user operates the mobile phone 10 to select a current event ranking display area 201a that is a sub-menu image portion in the top screen 201 of the search menu in FIG. 9B (S401). With this selection, the cellular phone 10 transmits a sub menu image request for requesting display information of the sub menu image in the XHTML format to the search service providing server 41 (S402).
The search service providing server 41 that has received the sub menu image request returns to the mobile phone 10 display information of the sub menu image in the XHTML format that can individually select and instruct each of the upper items of the current affair ranking (S403).
Next, the mobile phone 10 displays the XHTML format sub menu image received from the search service providing server 41 (S404). When the user selects one of the top items in the current topic ranking in the submenu image (S405), the mobile phone 10 requests a search process for the current keyword (eg, “Tetris”) of the specified item. A search request is transmitted to the search service providing server 41 (S406).
The search service providing server 41 that has received the search request sends a search request including information on the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the designated item to the search server 42, and uses the search result information returned from the search server 42 as XHTML. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 as format data (S407).
Next, the cellular phone 10 displays the search result of the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the designated item received from the search service providing server 41 (S408). On the search result display screen, an input column and a category specification column for auxiliary keywords (auxiliary words) and deletion keywords (deleted words) for narrowing search are also displayed. Here, when the user desires further refinement search, the cellular phone 10 is operated to instruct refinement search (S409). Specifically, a narrow search is instructed by designating a specific category or inputting an auxiliary keyword or a deletion keyword. When the user instructs the narrow search, the mobile phone 10 transmits a narrow search request including information on the designated category (S410).
The search service providing server 41 that has received the refined search request sends a refined search request including information of the specified category to the search server 42, and uses the search search result information returned from the search server 42 as XHTML. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 as format data (S411).
The mobile phone 10 can display the search result of the narrow search for the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the specified item received from the search service providing server 41 (S412).

In the embodiment described above, the display of the search result or the narrowed search after the top screen of the search menu is displayed on the mobile phone 10 can be performed as follows.
For example, when an arbitrary keyword is input in the keyword input field 201b displayed at the top of the top screen of the search menu shown in FIG. 9B and the “Search” button is selected, the search result executed for the input keyword (Content list) can be displayed. In this keyword search, the category can be specified by selecting the category specifying button 201d. In the initial setting, “all menus” in which no category is designated is selected, but when the category designation button 201d is selected, a category designation screen 202 for narrowing search shown in FIG. 13A is displayed. On this category designation screen 202, the user can designate a desired category.
When “Chaku-Uta / Ringing Melody” in the “TOP Ranking” column is selected on the top screen of the search menu shown in FIG. 9B, the ranking display screen for the ringing-tone / ringing melody shown in FIG. 203 is displayed. When any item (singer, song, etc.) in the ranking of the ringtone / ring melody is selected, the selected item is searched for as a keyword, and the search result (content list) as shown in FIG. A screen 204 is displayed. Also on the search result (content list) screen 204, the user can further perform a refined search by inputting additional keywords.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the mobile phone 10 is a flash incompatible device is shown. However, when the mobile phone 10 is a flash compatible device, a search menu image is displayed and an additional refinement search is performed as follows. .

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a communication process between the mobile phone and the server when the flash compatible mobile phone 10 is operated to display a search menu image including keyword ranking information and perform a search.
First, the user operates the mobile phone 10 to display the WEB service top page 200 shown in FIG. 9A on the display 104 of the mobile phone 10 (S501).
Next, when the user operates the mobile phone 10 and performs a switching operation to the search menu by selecting the “Search” tab displayed at the top of the top page (S502), the mobile phone 10 displays A menu image request including function identification information (in this example, information indicating that the device is a Flash compatible device) is transmitted to the menu server 30 (S503).
Upon receiving the menu image request, the menu server 30 carries the display information of the main menu image excluding the display portion of the sub menu image and the URL information of the search service providing server 41 used for acquiring the display information of the sub menu image. A reply is made to the telephone 10 (S504). Here, since the mobile phone 10 is a flash compatible device, data in the flash format is selected and transmitted as display information of the main menu image.
Next, the cellular phone 10 displays the search menu top screen 201 shown in FIG. 9B based on the display information of the main menu image received from the menu server 30 (S505). However, at this stage, the display area 201a of the sub menu image in the top screen 201 of the search menu is not drawn. Furthermore, the mobile phone 10 makes a submenu image request (content request) for requesting information on a submenu image to be drawn in a predetermined area in the top screen of the search menu based on the URL information received from the menu server 30. Then, it is transmitted to the search service providing server 41 (S506). This submenu image request also includes display function identification information.
The search service providing server 41 that has received the sub menu image request returns display information of the sub menu image to the mobile phone 10 (S507). Here, since the mobile phone 10 is a flash compatible device, an image file composed of data in the flash format is selected and transmitted as the display information of the sub menu image.
Next, the mobile phone 10 displays the sub menu image in the sub menu image display area 201a of the top screen 201 of the search menu shown in FIG. 9B based on the display information of the sub menu image received from the menu server 30. Drawing is performed (S508). In the example of FIG. 9B, a Flash format image indicating the ranking information from the first to the third place of the current topical content published on the Internet is displayed as the sub menu image. The ranking items from the first to the third ranking included in the submenu image can be individually selected. When any of the ranking items is selected, the search result for the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the item is selected. (Content list) can be displayed.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of communication processing between a flash-compatible mobile phone and a server in the case of storing and reusing cache data of display information of a sub menu image.
First, similarly to the case of FIG. 14, the mobile phone 10 displays the search menu top screen based on the display information of the main menu image in the Flash format acquired from the menu server 30 (S <b> 601 to S <b> 605).
Next, on the basis of the URL information acquired from the menu server 30, the mobile phone 10 displays the display information of the sub menu image provided by the search service providing server 41 specified by the URL information as cache data within the public validity period. It is determined whether or not there exists. If there is no cache data for the sub-menu image within the public validity period, the sub-menu image display information is acquired from the search service providing server 41 as in the case of FIG. On the other hand, if there is cache data for the sub-menu image within the public validity period, the search menu shown in FIG. 9B is used by using the cache data without newly acquiring the display information of the flash-type sub-menu image. The sub menu image is drawn in the sub menu image display area 201a of the top screen 201 (S606).

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing when a search result is displayed and a narrow search is performed on the top items in the current affairs ranking from the top screen of the search menu displayed on the flash compatible mobile phone 10.
First, the user operates the mobile phone 10 to select one of the top items of the current ranking in the sub-menu image in the top screen 201 of the search menu in FIG. 9B so that the user specifies (S701). ). With this selection operation, the mobile phone 10 transmits a search request for requesting a search process for the current keyword (eg, “Tetris”) of the designated item to the search service providing server 41 (S702).
Upon receiving the search request, the search service providing server 41 sends a search request including information on the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the designated item to the search server 42, and the search result information returned from the search server 42 is flashed. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 as format data (S703).
Next, the cellular phone 10 displays the search result of the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the designated item received from the search service providing server 41 (S704). In the search result display screen, an auxiliary keyword for refined search, an input column for a deleted keyword, and a category designation column are also displayed. Here, when the user desires further refinement search, the cellular phone 10 is operated to instruct refinement search (S705). Specifically, a narrow search is instructed by designating a specific category or inputting an auxiliary keyword or a deletion keyword. This refinement search instruction may be instructed using AND or NOT logic operation symbols. For example, in the case of AND search, a keyword is input by inserting a blank character. In the case of NOT search, a keyword is input by inserting a “#” symbol.
When the user instructs the narrow search, the mobile phone 10 transmits a narrow search request including information on the designated category and the like (S706).
The search service providing server 41 that has received the refined search request sends a refined search request including information on the specified category to the search server 42, and the information on the refined search result returned from the search server 42 is flashed. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 as format data (S707).
The mobile phone 10 can display the search result of the narrow search for the current keyword (for example, “Tetris”) of the specified item received from the search service providing server 41 (S708).

In addition, when searching for a keyword from the ranking display of a predetermined category such as the above ringtone / ringtone, game, wallpaper, standby image, etc., only the content belonging to the predetermined category is displayed at the same time as the keyword search. A refined search may be executed. For example, in the case of keyword search by “Tetris” or the like from the ranking display of the game category, the “game” is searched simultaneously with the keyword search by the “Tetris” or the like so that only content belonging to the game category is displayed. Refine search by category is executed. In this way, by performing automatic refinement search using category information at the time of ranking display, it is possible to reduce search noise and lead to search results intended by the user while improving operability during keyword search. it can.
The category information (identifier) used for the automatic refinement search is inserted into, for example, the header area of the keyword search screen data when the keyword search screen data is acquired from the server from the category ranking display. The mobile phone 10 temporarily stores the received category information (identifier) in the memory, and transmits the category information (identifier) together with the keyword input by the user when transmitting the search request to the server.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content image file transmitted to the mobile phone 10 is generated in a data format (vector format or bitmap format) corresponding to the display function of the mobile phone 10. The content can be appropriately displayed using the image file received by the telephone 10. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately display contents such as ranking information and search results including image files to be provided on a plurality of types of mobile phones 10 having different image display functions.
In particular, according to the present embodiment, when the display function of the mobile phone 10 that has transmitted the content request (submenu image request) does not support the vector format image file, the content bitmap format image file Is generated. Since the content image file having the bitmap format having high versatility generated as described above can be transmitted to the mobile phone 10 that does not support the vector format image file, the content can be displayed more reliably.
Further, according to the present embodiment, a template file in which a background portion that is not likely to be changed is described in the final image file and data can be added to a portion that is likely to be changed is stored in the template holding unit in advance. I remember it. Using this template file, an image file in a predetermined format can be generated from the content data to be provided such as ranking information. Therefore, the content image file can be generated more efficiently than when the image file itself is regenerated every time the data included in the image file is changed.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to generate a vector format image file in which different links are set in each of a plurality of image display areas constituting an image and transmit the generated image file to the mobile phone 10. In this case, in the cellular phone 10 that has received the image file in the vector format, by selecting one of the plurality of image display areas, contents such as a WEB page and a file linked to the selected image display area are displayed. Can be displayed.
Further, according to the present embodiment, a bitmap-format image file in which links to detailed link contents in which different links are set in a plurality of display items in an image is generated and transmitted to the mobile phone 10. be able to. In this case, the cellular phone 10 that has received the bitmap image file can receive and display the detailed link content linked to the image by selecting the image displayed in the image file. Furthermore, by selecting any one of a plurality of display items on the detailed link content, it is possible to display content such as a WEB page or a file linked to the selected display item.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the display information of the main menu image corresponding to the display function of the mobile phone 10 is received from the menu server 30 and the display information of the sub menu image corresponding to the display function is retrieved from the search service providing server. 41 can be received. As described above, the menu image can be synthesized by receiving the display information of the main menu image and the display information of the sub menu image corresponding to the display function of the mobile phone 10, so that the menu image can be displayed reliably.
Further, according to the present embodiment, when a part of the display content of the top screen 201 of the search menu is changed, the content of the change is sent from the search service providing server 41 to the menu server 30 each time the change is made, There is no need to modify the display information on the top screen of the search menu stored in the menu server 30. Therefore, a part of the display content of the menu image displayed on the mobile phone 10 can be easily changed.
In particular, according to the present embodiment, a submenu image of a search menu that tends to be frequently changed is arbitrarily changed not on the menu server 30 side but on the search service providing server 41 side that provides the submenu image. be able to. Therefore, when a submenu image that tends to be changed frequently, such as an image of a keyword ranking linked to the search service providing server 41, is changed, the content of the change is retrieved from the search service providing server 41 each time the change is made. There is no need to send to the menu server 30 or to correct the display information of the menu image stored in the menu server 30.
Further, according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that there is no change in the contents of the sub menu image, the useless sub menu is displayed by using the display information of the sub menu image of the cache data stored in the internal memory. An acquisition process of image display information can be avoided.

  In the above embodiment, the cellular phone 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other mobile communication terminals in the same manner.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a menu image providing system capable of providing a menu image according to an embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram which shows the relationship of each means which comprises a menu server. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a search system. The functional block diagram which shows the relationship of each means which comprises a search service provision server. FIG. The block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a mobile telephone. The functional block diagram which shows the relationship of each means which comprises a mobile telephone. The sequence diagram which shows an example of the communication process between a mobile telephone and a server when operating a mobile telephone incompatible with Flash and displaying a search menu image including keyword ranking information and performing a search. (A) is explanatory drawing of the top page of WEB service. (B) is explanatory drawing of the top screen of a search menu. The flowchart which shows an example of the process in the mobile telephone incompatible with Flash in the case of performing the preservation | save and reuse of the cache data of the display information of a submenu image. The sequence diagram which shows an example of the communication process between the mobile telephone and a server. The sequence diagram which shows an example of a process in the case of performing display of a search result with respect to a high-order item of a current affair ranking, and an aperture search from the top screen of the search menu displayed on the cellular phone incompatible with Flash. (A) is explanatory drawing of the category designation | designated screen for refined search. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of a display screen for the ranking of Chaku-Uta / Ring melodies. (C) is an explanatory view of a search result (content list) screen. The sequence diagram which shows an example of the communication process between a mobile telephone and a server when operating a Flash corresponding mobile telephone and displaying a search menu image including keyword ranking information and performing a search. The sequence diagram which shows an example of the communication process between the mobile telephone and a server. The sequence diagram which shows an example of a process in the case of performing display of a search result with respect to the high-order item of a current affair ranking, and a narrow search from the top screen of the search menu displayed on the mobile phone of Flash correspondence.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mobile phone 20 Mobile phone communication network 30 Menu server 40 Search system 41 Search service providing server 50 Internet 411 Storage means 412 Content request receiving means (submenu image request receiving means)
413 Image file transmission means (sub-menu image information transmission means)
414 File generation means

Claims (7)

A server for providing contents that can communicate with a mobile communication terminal via a mobile communication network,
A content request for requesting content display information, and a content request receiving means for receiving display function identification information for identifying a display function in the display means of the mobile communication terminal from the mobile communication terminal;
File generation means for generating an image file of the content in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal from the content data to be provided;
Image file transmitting means for transmitting the image file of the content to the mobile communication terminal;
A server characterized by comprising: The server of claim 1,
The file generation means can generate a vector format image file of the content to be provided and a bitmap format image file of the content, and the display function of the mobile communication terminal that has transmitted the content request is a vector. A server that generates a bitmap image file of the content when the image file does not support the format. In the server according to claim 1 or 2,
Storage means for storing a template file for each of a plurality of data formats corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal;
The server, wherein the file generation unit generates the image file of the predetermined format from content data to be provided using the template file. In the server according to claim 2 or 3,
The server in which the vector format image file has different links set in each of a plurality of image display areas constituting an image displayed by the image file. In the server according to claim 2 or 3,
The server according to claim 1, wherein the bitmap format image file is set with links to detailed link contents in which different links are set in a plurality of display items in an image displayed in the image file. The server according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5,
The content request receiving means receives, as the content request, a search request that requests a search with a predetermined keyword for browsing information that can be browsed on a communication network,
The server, wherein the file generation unit generates an image file of the content in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal from the content data of the search result including the browsing information list. The server according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5,
The content request receiving means receives, as the content request, a ranking information request for requesting ranking information of keywords included in browsing information that can be browsed on a communication network,
The server, wherein the file generation means generates an image file of the content from the content data of the ranking information in a data format corresponding to the display function of the mobile communication terminal.

Images