JP3034310B2 - Message retrieval system and terminal device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a message search system and a terminal device for displaying information obtained from a network such as the Internet. This application is related to the following five Japanese applications. For those designated countries that are allowed to be incorporated by reference to the literature, the contents described in the following application are incorporated into this application by reference and are incorporated as a part of the description of this application.

1. Filing date of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-9521, January 23, 1996 2. Filing date of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-67278, February 28, 1996 3. Filing date of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-139689, May 10, 1996 Date 4. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-139690 Application date May 10, 1996 5. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-163679 Application date June 5, 1996 Background Art In recent years, the Internet and personal computer communications centered on the BBS function. Much information is provided to users via communication networks such as. A terminal such as a personal computer possessed by the user is connected to a so-called provider computer (information providing device) via a modem and a telephone line. The user accesses the provider's information providing device through a terminal. Further, other information providers can be accessed via a communication network connected to the information providing apparatus. Thereby, information can be obtained from the information providing apparatus or the information provider on the Internet or a personal computer communication network connected to the information providing apparatus.

The information provider or another business entity connected to the information provider identifies and charges the user using the identification number and password of the user, and provides the user with information. The information provided to the user is displayed in a single window on the display. The user can scroll the displayed information or switch to a submenu display. An operator on a communication network may provide additional information such as advertisements. In this case, the additional information is also displayed in the same window as the designated information.

However, conventionally, when the user scrolls the display of the terminal, the display of the additional information disappears, so that the additional information such as the advertisement cannot be efficiently provided to the user. In order to solve such a problem, the applicant of the present application has applied for a method of displaying two windows on a user terminal, displaying information specified by the user on one side, and displaying display information such as an advertisement on the other side. (Japanese Patent Application No. 8-67278). According to the invention described in this application, display information such as an advertisement suitable for characteristics such as the age and gender of a user is displayed on the terminal.

However, user characteristics change over time. Furthermore, when the user reaches an adult age, such as smoking and drinking, it may be necessary to newly input the characteristics of the user.
Further, depending on the content of the advertisement, it may be necessary to input a new type of characteristic of the user. In particular, the content (content) of a communication network represented by the Internet greatly changes over time. Accordingly, it is desirable to select display information suitable for new contents of the communication network and new characteristics of the user and display the selected information on the terminal device. Furthermore, even when a plurality of users copy and use the same program, it is desirable to display information suitable for each user on a terminal. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a message search system and a terminal device that can solve such a problem.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a message search system, comprising: a message user storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of a terminal connected through a communication line; A database, a message transmission condition database storing identification information of each of a plurality of messages to be transmitted to the terminal, and a search condition of each of the messages, and a necessity of updating the user information when communicating with the terminal. Means for detecting, means for updating the user information when the necessity of the update is detected, and, in response to a request from the terminal, the user information of the user of the terminal in the message user database Means for reading from the message, and the message based on the user information read from the message user database. Means for retrieving the identification information of the message from a transmission condition database.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the message user database holds the date of birth of the user as the user information, and the message user database stores the date of birth of the user. Holding the last communication date and time with the user, the detecting means added a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last communication date and time of the user when the user connected to the message search system When the date has passed, it is determined that the user information needs to be updated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, means for adding a new item to the message user database, and updating of the message user database by adding the new item Means for holding a date and time, wherein the detecting means determines that the user information needs to be updated when the last communication date and time is earlier than the item update date and time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the message user database holds the date of birth of the user as the user information, and the message user database stores the date of birth of the user. Holding the last update date and time of the user information, the detection means added a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last update date and time of the user when the user connected to the message search system When the date has passed, it is determined that the user information needs to be updated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, means for adding a new item to the message user database, and updating of the message user database by adding the new item Means for holding a date and time, wherein the detecting means determines that the user information needs to be updated when the last update date and time is earlier than the item update date and time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, when the terminal is connected,
Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the terminal with the last update date and time of the user information on the user in the message user database; Means for transmitting the user information on the user in the message user database to the terminal when the last update date and time of the user information of the user database is later than the last update date and time of the user information of the terminal. Is further provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, when the terminal is connected,
Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the terminal with the last update date and time of the user information on the user in the message user database; Means for receiving the user information held in the terminal when the last update date and time of the user information of the user database is earlier than the last update date and time of the user information of the terminal; Means for updating the user information about the user in the message user database.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, identification information for identifying each item of the user information, an attribute, a range, and a size of each item are retained. The message user database has the identification information for each item of the user information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a terminal device, a message inspection system for searching for a message to be transmitted to the user using user information relating to the characteristics of the user, and a terminal device communicating using a communication line A storage device for storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of the terminal, a detecting means for detecting the necessity of updating the user information during communication with the message search system, Means for requesting, using the communication line, a dialog for updating the user information of the user of the terminal when the necessity is detected, using the dialog received from the communication line, Means for updating the user information in the storage device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage device holds the date of birth of the user and the date and time of the last communication with the message search system, When the terminal starts communication with the message search system, the user information is determined based on whether a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last communication date and time of the user has passed. Detect the need for updates.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, further comprising means for receiving from the message user database an item update date and time when a new item has been added to the message user database, The detecting means determines that it is necessary to update the user information of the storage device when the last communication date and time is before the item update date and time.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage device holds a birth date of the user and a last update date and time of the user information, When the user connects to the message search system, the update of the user information is determined based on whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the birth date after the last update date and time of the user has passed. Detect the need.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, further comprising means for receiving, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item is added to the message user database, The detecting means determines that it is necessary to update the user information of the storage device when the last update date and time is before the item update date and time.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the message search system has user information of each user, and the terminal device is the message search system. Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the storage device with the last update date and time of the user information regarding the user of the message search system when connected to the storage device. And when the last update date and time of the user information in the message search system is earlier than the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device, the user information on the user in the storage device is Means for transmitting to the message search system.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to fourteenth aspects of the present invention, when the message search system has user information of each user and is connected to the message search system. Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal stored in the storage device with the last update date and time of the user information on the user of the message search system; Means for receiving the user information held in the message search system when the last update date and time of the user information in the system is later than the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device; Depending on the user information,
Means for updating the user information about the user in the storage device.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, update detecting means for detecting that the user has updated the user information in the storage device, Means for transmitting the user information in the storage device to the message search system when the update detection means detects that the user information has been updated.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal device, the CP
U is a terminal device for processing information by U, storage means for storing the processing information read and processed by the CPU, storage means for storing the processing information in the storage means at the position where the processing information is stored, Input means for inputting identification information for identifying a user; determining means for determining the position of the processing information in the storage means when processing the processing information; and determining the position of the processing information stored in the storage means. When the position is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determination unit, the input is performed by the re-input unit that requests the user to input the identification information of the user of the terminal device again, and the input unit. If the identification information is different from the identification information input by the re-input means, a user different from the user who has input the identification information by the input means is using the terminal device. User determination means for determining that

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the input unit further includes a unit for inputting the password of the user, and the re-input unit is stored by the storage unit. Means for requesting the user again for the password of the user when the position of the processed information is different from the position of the processed information determined by the preceding occurrence determining means; Determines that a user different from the user who has input the identification information by the input means is using the terminal device when the password input by the input means is different from the password input by the re-input means And means for performing the following.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a seventeenth or eighteenth aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the embodiment, the processing information is a program executed by the CPU.

However, as another configuration, the processing information may be data read by the CPU.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects of the present invention, the means for communicating with the information processing apparatus via a communication line, and the user determining means, If it is determined that a user different from the user who has input the password is using the terminal device, it is determined whether the identification information and the password input by the re-input unit are registered in the information processing device. Means for inquiring about

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information display system of the present invention in an embodiment.

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

FIG. 3 shows the connection management device 23 and the message distribution device 28.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message user database 34.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message transmission condition database 36.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 of the main body 14.

 FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on the display 12.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a connection sequence of the terminal 10, the message management device 24, and the like.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the terminal 10.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the connection management device 23.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the provider user database 25.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the connection processing of the message distribution device.

 FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the connection log 38.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the connection processing of the message distribution device.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an update sequence of the user information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the user information updating process of the message distribution device 28.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the communication processing in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the user information updating process of the message viewer 76.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the event processing in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an update sequence of the user information according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message user database 34 in the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating item types according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the entire system according to the fourth 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.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information display system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, each information providing device 20
One or more terminals 10, modems 16, 18, public network 17
(Communication network), and a public network gateway 19. The information providing device 20 is managed by a so-called Internet provider.

Also, one or a plurality of message providers 30 are connected to the message distribution system 39 by a dedicated line. The message provider 30 provides the message distribution system 39 with additional information (referred to as a message) such as an advertisement, transmission conditions of each message, and the address of a home page on the Internet of each message provider 30. Any of a message, a still image, a moving image, a sound, and a combination thereof may be used. The message distribution system 39 (message retrieval system) includes a message distribution device 28 (message retrieval device), a message user database 3
4. It has a message transmission condition database 36 and a connection log 38. The message transmission condition database 36
Stores transmission conditions for each message. The message user database 34 stores information on the message user of each terminal 10.

The message distribution device 28 is connected to the information providing device 20 via a dedicated line. The message distribution device 28 transmits the message provided by the message provider 30 to the information providing device 20 of each provider. The message contains data indicating the homepage address of the message provider. 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 (URL) of the message.

The terminal 10 can receive information such as a home page from the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 of the information providing device 20. The terminal 10 can receive a message from the message management device 24.
The message management device 24 transmits the message read from the message database 26 to the terminal 10 based on the request from the terminal 10. The user of the terminal 10 receives an ID (provider user ID) and a password for connecting to the Internet gateway 22 via the public line gateway 19 and a password for obtaining a message from the message management device 24.
It has an ID (message user ID) and a password.

A plurality of information providing devices 20 of a plurality of providers are connected to a public network 17
When connected to any of the information providing apparatuses 20, the user may connect to any of the information providing apparatuses 20. In this case, the user must have a provider ID for each information providing device 20 to be connected. However, a single message user ID can be used in all information providing devices 20.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the main body 14 of the terminal 10. In FIG. 2, the CPU 40 includes a ROM 42 and an RA
It operates based on the program stored in M44. The timer 46 counts a predetermined time. Data is input from the user via the input device 48. The hard disk 50 as an example of the storage device includes data such as images, information about the user (user information 49), and the last update date and time of the user information 49.
47 and a program for operating the CPU 40.

The calendar IC 51 is backed up by a battery and provides the current date and time to the CPU 40. The floppy disk drive 52 reads data or a program from the floppy disk 56 and provides it to the CPU 40. The CR-ROM drive 54 reads data or a program from the CD-ROM 58 and provides it to the CPU 40. Further, the main body 14 includes a modem interface for connecting to the modem 16 and a display interface for connecting to the display 12.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, and the message distribution device 28. In FIG. 3, a CPU 90 includes a ROM 92 and a RAM 94.
It operates based on the program stored in. Timer 96
Counts a predetermined time. Communication interface 98
Processes input / output with a communication line. The message distribution device 28 may include a communication interface 98 for connecting to the message provider 30 and a communication interface 98 'for connecting to the information providing device 20, respectively. Data is input from the user via the input device 100. The database interface 102 connects to various databases including a hard disk and the like. The floppy disk drive 104 has a floppy disk 106
The data or the program is read from and provided to the CPU 90. The calendar IC provides the date and time to the CPU 90. The display 108 displays the communication status and the like to the operator.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the message user database 34. The message user database 34 includes a message user ID of each message user, a message user password, a provider ID for identifying a single information providing apparatus 20, a provider user ID, a display time of information, and
It has information (called user information) on the user such as date of birth, gender, marital history, occupation, address, name, and whether or not to drink. The user information items can be added later.
In the figure, a smoking item 35 indicating whether or not to smoke is newly added. In the message user database 34, the last communication date and time indicating the date and time when each user last communicated with the message distribution device, and the item update date and time indicating the date and time when the item was last added to this database are recorded.

Each user inputs user information to the terminal 10 when first using a message viewer for receiving information from the message management device 20 or when installing a program of the message viewer on the terminal 10, for example.
The terminal 10 stores the input user information in the hard disk 50 and transmits it to the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 transmits the user information received from the user to the message distribution device 28. The message distribution device 28 stores the information received from the information providing device 20 in the message user database 34. Other user information includes age,
The occupation type, income, hobby, etc. may be stored.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the message transmission condition database 36. Message transmission condition database 36
Stores a message URL for identifying each message and a condition for transmitting the message in association with each other. The conditions for sending messages are: display frequency restrictions for each user, display frequency restrictions for all users, display time, age range of users to be displayed, gender, marital status, occupation, address, and whether to drink alcohol. Whether or not is stored. Search items can be added to the message transmission condition database 36 as needed. In this figure, a smoking item 37 indicating whether or not to smoke is newly added. The message distribution device 28 searches for a message using the user information in response to a request from the terminal 10, and transmits the URL of the searched message to the terminal 10. Therefore, a message suitable for the user can be transmitted to each terminal 10.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 of the main body 14. These software are stored in a recording medium such as the CD-ROM 58 or the floppy disk 56 and provided to the user. The software stored on the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed on the hard disk 50 from the recording medium. At this time, information indicating the position on the hard disk 50 where the message browser 76 is installed (message viewer position information) is stored in the hard disk 50. The software stored in the hard disk 50 is executed by the CPU 40 after being read into the RAM 44.

The software stored and provided on the recording medium, that is, the software installed on the hard disk 50,
PPP driver 70 and TCP / IP driver 72 as functional configuration
, A browser 74, and a message viewer 76. The PPP driver 70 creates a data link with the gateway 19. Browser 74
Is TCP / I on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70.
It communicates with the Internet gateway 22 via the P driver 72. It communicates with the message management device 24 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70. Message Viewer 76, Connection Module 7
8. It has an update processing module 83 for updating user information, an event processing module 86, and a queue 84 for storing the URL received from the message distribution device 28. Queue 84
Are configured on the RAM 44 in terms of hardware.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display 12. The display 12 includes a browser 74 window (browser window) 60 and a message viewer 76 window (message viewer window) 62
Is opened. Internet in browser window 60
The information received from 32 is displayed. As the browser 74, for example, Netscape (trademark) or Mosaic (trademark) can be used.

The information providing device 20 is displayed in the message viewer window 62.
The message received from is displayed. The message viewer window 62 has a home page button 64, a material request button 66, a suspend / resume button 68, and an end button 69. When the homepage button 64 is pressed, a 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, the material corresponding to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 is transmitted to the user.

The message viewer window 62 displays a new message for a predetermined period, for example, every minute. While the message is being displayed, the interruption / resumption button 68 indicates “interrupted”. At this time, if the suspend / resume button 68 is pressed, the reception of the message is suspended. When the message is not displayed, the resume is displayed on the suspend / resume button 68. At this time, if the suspend / resume button 68 is pressed, the reception of the message is resumed. When the end button 69 is pressed, the message viewer ends the communication with the message management device 24.

The outline of the connection sequence of the terminal 10, the public line gateway 19, the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, the message distribution device 28, the Internet gateway 22, and the Internet 32 will be described with reference to FIG. Terminal 10
When the communication module 73 makes a PPP connection request (S102),
The connection management device 23 inquires of the provider user database 25 whether or not the provider user ID and the password of the user who has requested the connection are recorded (S104).

If the ID and the password have been registered, the connection management device 23 transmits a PPP connection permission to the terminal 10 (S106). The provider user ID is notified to the message management device 24 in association with the port number in the PPP connection (S108). The message management device 24 stores the provider user ID in the RAM 94 in association with the port number of the PPP connection.

When the PPP connection is permitted, the browser 74 of the terminal 10 makes a TCP / IP connection to the Internet gateway 22 (S110), and transmits the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22.
The communication is made (S112). Also, the message viewer of terminal 10
76 makes a TCP / IP connection with the message management device 24 (S11
Four). 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 message viewer 76 transmits the message user ID and the password to the message management device 24 (S120). The message management device 24
The provider user ID corresponding to the port number of the PPP connection used by the user is read from the RAM 44, and the message is sent together with the provider ID for identifying the provider, the received message user ID, and the message user password. The data is transmitted to the distribution device 28 (S121).

The message distribution device 28 receives the message
ID and message user password are message users
It is inquired whether or not it is registered in the DB (S122). If the message user ID and password are registered,
The connection permission is transmitted to the message viewer 76 (S124).
Next, the message distribution device 28 notifies the connection management device 23 that charging for the user having the provider user ID received in S121 should be stopped (S130).

The detailed operation of each device in the connection sequence shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection module 78 of the message viewer 76. The connection module 78 first activates the communication module 73 (S210). Then the communication module 73
Makes a PPP connection with the public line gateway 19 using the provider user ID and password. When the PPP connection is confirmed (S212), the connection module 78 starts the browser 74 (S214). Then, the browser 74 makes a TCP / IP connection with the Internet gateway 22. Next, the connection module 78 makes a TCP / IP connection with the message management device 24 using the unique TCP / IP port number of the message viewer 76 (S216).

Since the browser 74 and the Internet gateway 22, and the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 are connected with different TCP / IP port numbers, they can communicate with each other independently. Therefore, the message viewer 76 can display a message without impairing the functions of the existing browser.

Next, the message viewer 76 compares the message viewer position information with the position where the message viewer 76 is actually stored (S218). If these positions are not different, the process waits for a request for authentication from the message management device 24 (S222). The authentication information, i.e., the message user's ID and password, is used when the message viewer 76 first communicates with the message distributor 28.
And stored in the hard disk 50. When authentication is requested from the message management device 24, the message viewer 76 reads out the message user ID and password from the hard disk 50 and transmits them (S224).

If the message viewer position information differs from the position where the message viewer 76 is actually stored in S218, it is highly likely that the message viewer 76 has been copied to another computer. Then, the user is requested to input the message user ID and the password again (S220). The input message user ID and password are stored in the hard disk 50 together with message viewer position information indicating a new position of the message viewer.

After that, it waits for a request from the message management device 24 (S2
22), message users stored on the hard disk 50
The ID and the password are transmitted (S224). This allows
Even if the message viewer 76 is copied to another computer, the message user ID of the true user can be transmitted to the message management device 24. When the connection is permitted from the message management device 24 (S226), the message viewer 76 starts the timer 46 (S228) and proceeds to the user information updating process (FIG. 18).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection management device 23 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. When a 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 a provider user ID and password and receives them (S312). Next, an inquiry is made to the provider user database 25 as to whether the received provider user ID and password are recorded (S314).

As shown in FIG. 11, the provider user database 25
Contains the ID of each provider user (provider user ID),
The password of the provider user (provider user password), the total value of the charging time up to now, and the charging amount are stored. If the received provider user ID and password are not registered in the provider user database 25, the connection management device 23 disconnects the line (S318 in FIG. 10) and ends the process (S320). If the provider user ID and the password are registered in the provider user database 25, the terminal 10 is permitted to make a PPP connection (S322), and sends a connection notification to the message management device 24 (S324). Further, the process waits until a billing stop notification for stopping the billing for the provider user is received from the message distribution device 28 (S326), and the billing is stopped (S328).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message management device 24 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. Upon receiving the connection notification from the connection management device 23 (S810), the message management device 24 stores the received provider user ID in the RAM 9
4 is recorded (S812). Next, start Titer 96 (S81
4), it is determined whether or not a TCP / IP connection has been made from the message management device 24 (S816). If a TCP / IP connection is not established, the process stands by (S816, S818). When the timer 96 times out during standby (S818), the process ends (S820).

When TCP / IP connection is established (S816), Message Viewer 76
Request authentication information (S822). Further, the timer 96 is reset to start counting again (S824). If the timer 96 times out before receiving the authentication information (S828), the process ends (S830). When the authentication information is received (S82
6) Read the provider user ID from RAM 94 (S83)
2) The message is transmitted to the message distribution device 28 together with the provider ID for identifying the provider, the message user ID received from the message viewer 76, and the message user password (S834). Thereafter, communication is started between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution device 28 (S836).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message distribution device 28 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. Upon receiving the message user ID and the message user password from the message management device 24 (S410), the message distribution device 28 inquires of the message user database 34 (FIG. 4) whether or not they have been recorded (S412). . If not registered, the message viewer 76 is inquired about whether to register as a new user (S41).
4) When registering, the user information is received from the message viewer 76 and stored in the message user database 34. The message user ID and the message user password are given to the user (S418).

If the user is not registered as a new user (S414), authentication information is requested from the message viewer 76 (S420), and the process waits until the authentication information is received (S422), and returns to S412. When the message user ID and the message user password can be authenticated (S412), the connection permission is notified (S424), and the logon is recorded in the connection log 38 (S426).

The provider ID received from the message management device 24
And reads the provider user ID (S428), notifies the provider specified by the provider ID that charging to the user specified by the provider user ID should be stopped (S430), and notifies the connection log 38 of that fact. Record (S432). Since the message user ID and provider user ID are provided independently, even if a single message user has multiple providers or multiple provider user IDs, only billing for the provider ID in use is performed. Can be stopped. The connection management device 23 is a provider user ID
Stop charging the user indicated by. That is, access to the Internet 32 is maintained without charging.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the connection log 38. The connection log records, for each provider user ID, a provider ID, an event such as logon or accounting stop, and the date and time when the event occurred. Provider charges for the connection while billing is suspended are paid to the provider from the owner of the message distribution system 39. Therefore, the provider user can access the Internet for free in exchange for seeing the message.

For example, in the example of FIG. 14, the charge of the provider user XXX is L
Indicates that it was stopped after ogon. The message distribution device 28 determines the time during which charging has been stopped based on the connection log 38, and pays the provider a fee corresponding to the time.
Further, the message distribution device 28 requests the message provider 38 for the value of the message displayed on the message viewer 76.

FIG. 15 shows an outline of a communication sequence of the terminal 10, the message management device 23, and the message distribution device 28 after the connection from the terminal 10 to the message distribution device 28 is permitted. The message distribution device 28 first receives the user information of the terminal 10
49 inquires the terminal 10 of the last updated date and time (S1
40). When the update date and time of the user information is transmitted from the terminal 10 (S142), it is determined whether or not the user information needs to be updated using the update date and time and the data in the message user database 34 (S142). S144).

If the user information 49 of the terminal 10 needs to be updated, the message distribution device 28 requests transmission of the user information (S14
6), the terminal 10 transmits the user information. Further, if it is necessary to update both the user information 49 of the terminal 10 and the user information in the message user database 34, the message distribution device 28 requests the terminal 10 to input the user information (S1).
50).

The terminal 10 requests the message management device 28 for a dialog for updating the user information (S152), downloads it (S154), and displays it on the display 12. When the user inputs the user information (S156), the user information is transmitted to the message distribution device 28 (S158). Then, the message distribution difference 28 registers the user information in the message user database 34 and returns it to the terminal 10 (S160). As described above, the user information of the message distribution device 28 and the terminal 10 is updated, and communication is started (S162, S164).

FIG. 16 shows the detailed operation of the message distribution device 28 in the communication sequence of FIG. The message distribution device 28
When the date and time of updating the user information of the terminal 10 is inquired and received (S450), it is compared with the last communication date and time with the user in the message user database 34 (S452). If the update date and time of the user information of the terminal 10 is later, the user information 49 of the terminal 10 has been updated. Then, the user information 49 is requested (S454). Further, the message user information database 34 is updated with the received user information (S456).

Further, the last communication date and time with the message user is compared with the date and time when the item of the message database 34 was updated. For example, when a new item 35 (FIG. 4) is added to the message user database 34, it is necessary to input data of the new item 35 from all message users. If the update date and time of the item is later than the last communication date and time, the user information of the user has not been updated again. Then, the terminal 10 requests the terminal 10 to input user information of a new item from the message user (S460). When new information is input, the message user database 34 is updated (S462).

Next, the current date, the value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the date of birth, and the last communication date are compared (S464). If the value obtained by adding the predetermined value to the date of birth is smaller than the current date and larger than the last communication date, the user is requested to input a predetermined user item corresponding to the predetermined value (S466). As the predetermined value, for example, 20 years, which is a period until reaching the youth, can be used. Also, as the predetermined user items,
For example, inquire about information such as whether or not to smoke. In this case, when the user has reached the adult age from the last communication date to the present, the user is requested to input user information on whether or not to smoke in S466. When the user information is received from the terminal 10, the message user database 34 is updated (S468).

Further, the message distribution device 28 stores the user information 49 of the terminal 10.
Date and time when the message was updated
A comparison is made with the date and time of the last communication with the user in S34 (S470).
If the update date and time of the user information of the terminal 10 is small, there is a possibility that the message user database 34 has been updated by access from a terminal other than the terminal. So terminal 10
The user information in the message user database 34 is transmitted to the terminal 10 in order to update the user information of the user (S472).
As described above, the updating of the user information is completed, and thereafter, the communication process is started (S474).

FIG. 17 shows details of the communication process (S474) of the message distribution device 28. When receiving the message request (URL request) from the terminal 10 (S710), the message distribution device 28 searches the connection log 38 for the provider ID and the provider user ID using the TCP / IP port number in the URL request. Reading is performed (S712).

Next, the user information is searched and read from the message user database 34 using the provider ID and the provider user ID (S714). Further, using the read user information, a message to be transmitted is searched from the message transmission condition database 36, and its URL is read (S71).
6). Next, the read URL is transmitted to the terminal 10, and the process returns to FIG. 16 (S720).

FIG. 18 shows the detailed operation of the message viewer 76 in the communication sequence of FIG. Message Viewer 76
When a request for user information is received (S240), the user information 49 is read from the hard disk 50 and transmitted (S242). Further, when receiving a request for input of user information (S246), it requests the message management apparatus 23 for a dialog screen for inputting user information from the user (S248). Then, the message management device 23 transmits a dialog screen. The message viewer 76 downloads the dialog (S248) and displays it on the display 12 (S250).

When the user inputs user information from the user (S252), the message viewer 76 transmits the user information to the message distribution device 28 (S254). When the user information is received (S256), the user information 49 in the hard disk 50 is updated (S258). If none of the user information request, user information input request, and user information are received,
If S242, S254, or S258 has been completed, event processing is performed (S244), and the process returns to S240.

FIG. 19 shows details of the event processing (S244) in FIG.
This processing is performed by the event processing module 86 of the message viewer 76. First, the event processing module 86
Is the URL if there is more than a predetermined number of free spaces in the queue 84 (S514)
The request is sent (S516). As a result, the terminal 10 receives the URL of the message searched by the message distribution device. When the URL is received (S518), a reception response is transmitted (S52).
0) The URL is stored in the queue 84 (S522). On the other hand, when the timer 46 counts up (S524), the image in the image buffer is displayed (S526). As a result, the message of the URL searched by the message distribution device is displayed. Next, the timer 46 is reset (S528), and a new image is requested to the message management device 24 using the URL loaded at the head of the queue 84 (S53).
0). When an image is received from the message management device (S53
2), storing the received image in the image buffer (S53)
Four). The time required for updating the image can be reduced by storing the image in the image buffer in advance.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 20 shows a user information update procedure in this embodiment. In the first embodiment, the message distribution device 28 determines the necessity of updating the user information. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 determines the necessity of updating the user information. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

When connection is permitted from the message distribution device 28 in step 124 of FIG. 8, the message viewer 76 inquires of the message distribution device 28 about the last communication date and time with the user and the item update date and time in the message user database 34 ( S170). Then, the message distribution device 28
The provider ID and the provider user ID of the user are read from the connection log 38 using the port number. Also, the last communication date and time of the user is read from the message user database 34 using the provider ID and the provider user ID, and transmitted to the terminal 10 together with the item update date and time (S172).

The message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 compares the received last communication date and time with the last updated date and time 47 of the user information 49. If the last communication date and time is later, the message user database 34 may have been updated from another terminal. Therefore, user information is requested to the message distribution device 28 (S174). Then, the message distribution device 28 reads out the user information in the same
Send to 10 (S176). When receiving user information, the terminal
The ten message viewers 76 update the user information 49 in the hard disk 50.

Next, the message viewer 75 is connected to the message distribution device 28.
Compare the item update date and time received from the server with the last communication date and time. If the item update date is later, the message user database 34 does not describe the newly updated item. Then, a dialog for adding an item is requested to the message management device 34 (S178). Then terminal 10
Receives the dialog from the message management device 24 and displays it on the display 12 (S180). When a new item of user information is input from the user (S182), the user information 49 on the hard disk 50 is updated and transmitted to the message distribution device 28 (S184).

Even if the value obtained by adding the predetermined value to the date of birth of the user is before the current date and time and before the last communication date and time,
A request is made to the message management device 24 for a dialog for adding a predetermined item as user information (S178). Further, it receives a dialog from the message management device 24 and displays it on the display 12. For example, if the date obtained by adding 20 years to the date of birth is between the last communication date and time and the current date and time, a dialog for inquiring whether to smoke is newly displayed.

If the last update date and time 47 of the user information 49 is later than the last communication date and time received from the message distribution device 28, the user information 49 is updated without communicating with the message distribution device 28. At this time, even if the item of the message user database 34 is not updated, the user information 49 is transmitted to the message distribution device 28 (S186).
Then, the message distribution device updates the user information in the message user database. Thereafter, the message viewer 76 starts communication with the message distribution device 28 (S188, S190). According to the present embodiment, the user information can be easily updated as in the first embodiment. Further, the load on the message distribution device 28 can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 21 shows the configuration of a message user database 34 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, an item type field is provided before each item of the user information.
Other configurations are the same as the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, each item type corresponds to one item name. Each item type is assigned attributes such as a date, a number, and a character, a data range, and a data size (the number of bytes). The message provider 30
Select any item as a message search condition. The message distribution device 28 stores the search condition of each item in the message user database 34 following the item type of each selected item. A plurality of item types and the conditions of each item may be stored in the message user database 34 in association with each message.

According to the present embodiment, a search condition for a new item can be set only by rewriting the user information. Therefore, a new item type can be added without changing the configuration of the message user database 34.
Therefore, the search condition can be flexibly added or changed according to various requests from the message provider 30.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 23 shows a hardware configuration of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the information providing apparatus 20 functions not as an Internet provider but as a computer communication (BBS) providing apparatus such as RC-VAN (trademark) or Compuserve (trademark). Compared with the configuration of FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the Internet gateway 22 and the Internet 32 are not connected, and instead, a BBS database is connected to the connection management device. Also, a BBS user database 25 'is provided in place of the provider user database 25.

The configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 8 is the same as the configuration of the present embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted. 6, in this embodiment, character-based or image-based communication software for communicating with the BBS is used as the browser 74. In the present embodiment, the browser 74 communicates with the connection management device 23.

In S110 of FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the browser 74 makes a TCP / IP connection to the message management device 24. In addition, data is transmitted to and received from the message management device 24 (S112). The other connection operations in FIG. 8 and the configurations in FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 13 to 22 are the same as the configurations in the present embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the BBS user database 25 'is the same as the configuration of the provider user database of FIG. However, in this embodiment, instead of the provider ID, the provider user ID and the provider user password,
Use the BBS ID, BBS user ID and BBS user password respectively.

According to this embodiment, an independent call is generated for the BBS database 21 and the message database 26, so even when information is obtained from the BBS, information independent of the BBS is displayed in the message viewer window 62. Can be displayed. In addition, it is possible to control whether or not BBS is charged based on the display state or the like on the message viewer window 62. For this reason, for example, it is possible to charge the message provider 30 without charging the user for the BBS usage fee when displaying the advertisement in the message viewer window 62.

In the present embodiment, two logical calls are connected using TCP / IP, but a non-procedural call is connected to the connection management device 23,
Then, a different data link from the message viewer 76 to the message data management device 24 may be formed.

(Others) In the above embodiment, the browser 74 displays homepage information on the Internet 32 and the like. However, the browser 74 may provide an Internet telephone or an Internet videophone that performs voice communication via the Internet. In particular, even when the browser 74 does not display any information on the display, the message distribution device 28 can manage the billing for communication with the Internet as in the above embodiment. Thereby, the function of the Internet telephone can be provided to the user at low cost.

The browser 74 may display on-demand video information. In this case, a video providing device may be provided in place of the Internet gateway 22, and the charge for providing the on-demand video at the time of providing the additional information may be stopped. This makes it possible to provide on-demand video information to users at low cost.

In the above embodiment, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 36, and the connection log 38 are shown as independent disk devices, but they may be stored in the same disk device. Further, the mutual relationship between the data in each field can be realized by various file configurations. For example, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 36, and the connection log may be configured in different areas in the same file. A value obtained by dividing the count of the timer by hardware or software may be used as the count value of the various timers in the above embodiment. In this case, the count value of the timer may be set as a software parameter.

The Internet browser window and the message display module window may be arranged vertically on the display 12. Further, the Internet browser 60 and the message display module 76 may be integrated, and one window may be divided into two areas. In this case, the information received from the Internet 32 and the information received from the message management device 24 can be displayed in each area in one window.

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 flowchart of the terminal 10 described in the present application.
Also, the floppy disk 106 can store some or all of the functions of other flowcharts. These programs may be read directly from the recording medium to the RAM and executed. Recording media include floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical recording media such as DVDs, magnetic recording media such as MDs, magneto-optical recording media such as PDs, tape media, magnetic recording media, IC cards and miniature cards. And the like can be used. In particular, the following recording medium can be provided by the invention described in the above embodiment.

1. A recording medium storing a program to be executed by a CPU of a terminal device having communication means, wherein the program has, for the CPU, user information on characteristics of a user of each of a plurality of terminals. Means for communicating with a message search system and the communication means, means for storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of the terminal in a storage means of the terminal device, and communication of the user information with the message search system. Detecting means for detecting the necessity of updating, and means for requesting a dialog for updating the user information of the user of the terminal using the communication line when the necessity of updating is detected. Using the dialog received from the communication line,
Means for updating user information in the storage device.

2. The program further causes the CPU to store the date of birth of the user and the last communication date and time with the message search system in the storage device. The necessity of updating the user information depending on whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth has passed since the last communication date and time of the user when communication with the message search system was started. 2. A recording medium according to item 1, further comprising: means for detecting

3. The program further causes the CPU to receive, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item has been added to the message user database; Means for determining that the user information of the storage device needs to be updated if the date and time is earlier than the item update date and time.

4. The program further causes the CPU to cause the storage device to retain the date of birth of the user and the last update date and time of the user information. When connected to a message search system, the necessity of updating the user information is detected based on whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the birth date after the last update date and time of the user has passed. 3. The recording medium according to item 3, comprising:

5. The program further causes the CPU to receive, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item is added to the message user database, and the final update using the detection unit. Means for determining that the user information of the storage device needs to be updated if the date and time is before the item update date and time.

6. The program further includes, for the CPU, when the terminal device connects to the message search system, the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the storage device; Means for comparing the last update date and time of the user information relating to the user of the message search system; and the last update date and time of the user information in the message search system is earlier than the last update date and time of the user information in the storage device. Means for causing the message search system to transmit the user information about the user in the storage device.

7. The program further provides the CPU with the last update date and time of the user information of the user of the terminal held in the storage device when the message search system is connected to the CPU. Means for comparing the last updated date and time of the user information in the message search system, and the last updated date and time of the user information in the message search system is later than the last updated date and time of the user information in the storage device. Item 1 comprising: means for receiving user information held in a search system; and means for updating the user information on the user in the storage device with the received user information. 7. The recording medium according to any one of items 1 to 6.

8. The program further includes an update detecting unit that causes the CPU to detect that the user has updated the user information in the storage device, and that the update detecting unit updates the user information. Means for transmitting the user information in the storage device to the message search system when the storage medium is detected, the recording medium according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein

9. A recording medium storing a program to be executed by a CPU, wherein the program causes the CPU to store processing information to be read and processed by the CPU; Storage means for storing the stored position; input means for inputting identification information for identifying a user of the terminal device; and when processing the processing information, determining the position of the processing information in the storage means. Determining means for inputting identification information of a user of the terminal device to the user when the position of the processing information stored by the storage means is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determining means; Re-input means for requesting again, when the identification information input by the input means is different from the identification information input by the re-input means, Recording medium, characterized in that different users and users who enter different information and a user determination means for determining that utilizes the terminal device.

10. The program further causes the CPU to input the password of the user using the input unit, and to use the re-input unit to determine a position of the processing information stored by the storage unit. When the position is different from the position of the processing information determined by the determining unit, the password is further input to the user by the input unit using the user determining unit. Means for determining, when the password is different from the password input by the re-input means, a user different from the user who has input the identification information by the input means, using the terminal device. 14. The recording medium according to item 9, wherein:

11. The recording medium according to item 9 or 10, wherein the processing information is a program executed by the CPU.

12 The program further causes the CPU to perform communication with the information processing apparatus via a communication line, and a user different from the user who has input the identification information using the user determination unit. Means for inquiring whether or not the identification information and the password input by the re-input means are registered in the information processing device when it is determined that the terminal device is used. 12. The recording medium according to any one of items 9 to 11.

The recording medium storing the program for executing the function of the message viewer 76, the recording medium storing the program for executing the function of the message management device 24, or the recording medium storing the program for executing the function of the message management device 28 are respectively Terminal 10, message management device 2
8, or only used to manufacture the message distribution device 28, and it is clear that the commercial manufacture and sale of such recording media constitutes infringement of patent rights under this application. .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention according to the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. The invention described in the claims can be implemented by adding various changes to the above 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 According to the present invention, even when the characteristics of a user change, display information suitable for the new characteristics of the user can be selected and displayed on the terminal device. Furthermore, even when a plurality of users copy and use the same program, information suitable for each user can be displayed on the terminal.

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-7-311776 (JP, A) JP-A-2-257392 (JP, A) JP-A-2-83622 (JP, A) JP-A-5-61834 (JP) JP-A-59-229646 (JP, A) JP-A-63-262724 (JP, A) JP-A-2-272650 (JP, A) JP-A-7-84849 (JP, A) "Cooperation in News Filtering Agents," Information Processing Society of Japan Workshop, Vol. 2, p. 63-69, 1995 (Heisei 7-10-25) ・ Kanba, “The Krakatoa Chronicle: An Interactive Personal Newspaper Using an Agent Function on the WWW,” IPSJ Research Report (OS-71-3, DPS) −73-3), Vol. 95, No. 115, p. 13-18, 1995 (Heisei 7-11-30) Nikkei Communication April 1, 1996, p.82-84 Endo, "WWW Browser with Automatic Dictionary Lookup Function", Information Processing Society of Japan 51st (late 1995) National Conference Lecture Proceedings (3) p. 323-324 (Heisei 7-9-20) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 17/30 G06F 15/00 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A message user database storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of a terminal connected through a communication line, identification information of each of a plurality of messages transmitted to the terminal, and retrieval of each of the messages A message transmission condition database for storing conditions, and, based on information stored in the terminal and the message user database, means for detecting the necessity of updating the user information when communicating with the terminal, Means for updating the user information when the necessity of the update is detected, and means for reading the user information of the user of the terminal from the message user database in response to a request from the terminal. Based on the user information read from the message user database, Message retrieval system characterized by comprising a means for retrieving identification information of the message from the database. 2. A message user database storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of a terminal connected through a communication line, identification information of each of a plurality of messages transmitted to the terminal, and retrieval of each of the messages A message transmission condition database for storing conditions, a unit for detecting the necessity of updating the user information when communicating with the terminal, and updating the user information when the necessity of the update is detected Means, in response to a request from the terminal, means for reading the user information of the user of the terminal from the message user database, and based on the user information read from the message user database, Means for retrieving identification information of the message from a message transmission condition database; The user database holds the date of birth of the user as the user information, the message user database holds the date and time of the last communication with the user, and the detecting unit determines whether the user When connecting to a message search system, it is determined that the user information needs to be updated when a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last communication date and time of the user has passed. Characterized message search system. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for adding a new item to the message user database; and means for holding an item update date and time when the new item is added to the message user database. The message search system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the user information needs to be updated when the last communication date and time is before the item update date and time. 4. A message user database storing user information relating to characteristics of a user of a terminal connected through a communication line, identification information of each of a plurality of messages transmitted to the terminal, and retrieval of each of the messages A message transmission condition database for storing conditions, a unit for detecting the necessity of updating the user information when communicating with the terminal, and updating the user information when the necessity of the update is detected Means, in response to a request from the terminal, means for reading the user information of the user of the terminal from the message user database, and based on the user information read from the message user database, Means for retrieving identification information of the message from a message transmission condition database; The user database holds the date of birth of the user as the user information, the message user database holds the last update date and time of the user information, and the detection unit determines whether the user When connecting to a message search system, it is determined that the user information needs to be updated when a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last update date and time of the user has passed. Characterized message search system. 5. The message user database further includes: a unit that adds a new item; and a unit that holds an item update date and time when the new item is added to the message user database. 5. The message search system according to claim 4, wherein when the last update date is before the item update date, it is determined that the user information needs to be updated. 6. The message user database stores the date and time of the last communication with the user for each user, and when the terminal is connected, uses the terminal held by the terminal. Means for receiving, from the terminal, the last update date and time of user information of the user, the last update date and time of the user information received from the terminal, and the message user database,
Means for comparing the last communication date and time with the user, the last communication date and time with the user stored in the message user database after the last update date and time of the user information received from the terminal The message search system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: transmitting, to the terminal, the user information on the user in the message user database in some cases. 7. The message user database stores the date and time of the last communication with the user for each user, and when the terminal is connected, uses the terminal held by the terminal. Means for receiving, from the terminal, the last update date and time of user information of the user, the last update date and time of the user information received from the terminal, and the message user database,
Means for comparing the last communication date and time with the user, and the last communication date and time with the user stored in the message user database is earlier than the last update date and time of the user information received from the terminal. In this case, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving user information held in the terminal; and means for updating the user information on the user in the message user database with the received user information. The message search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a database for storing identification information for identifying each item of said user information, an attribute, a range, and a size of each item, wherein said message user database is provided for each item of said user information. The message search system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the identification information. 9. A terminal device for communicating using a communication line with a message search system having user information relating to the characteristics of each user of a plurality of terminals, wherein the user information relating to the characteristics of the users of the terminals is provided. A storage device for storing; and a detecting unit for detecting the necessity of updating the user information based on information stored in the terminal device and the message search system during communication with the message search system; Means for requesting, using the communication line, a dialog for updating the user information of the user of the terminal when the necessity of updating is detected, using the dialog received from the communication line Means for updating user information in the storage device. 10. A terminal device for communicating using a communication line with a message search system having user information relating to the characteristics of each user of a plurality of terminals, wherein the user information relating to the characteristics of the user of the terminal is provided. A storage device for storing, when communicating with the message search system, a detecting means for detecting the necessity of updating the user information, and when the necessity of the update is detected, Means for requesting a dialog for updating user information using the communication line, and means for updating user information in the storage device using the dialog received from the communication line. The apparatus holds the date of birth of the user and the date and time of the last communication with the message search system. Detecting the necessity of updating the user information based on whether or not a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last communication date and time of the user when the communication is started. A terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. 11. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: means for receiving, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item has been added to the message user database; 11. The terminal device according to claim 10, wherein it is determined that it is necessary to update the user information of the storage device when it is before. 12. A terminal device for communicating using a communication line with a message inspection system having user information relating to the characteristics of each user of a plurality of terminals, wherein the user information relating to the characteristics of the users of the terminals is provided. A storage device for storing, when communicating with the message search system, a detecting means for detecting the necessity of updating the user information, and when the necessity of the update is detected, Means for requesting a dialog for updating user information using the communication line; and means for updating user information in the storage device using the dialog received from the communication line. The apparatus holds the date of birth of the user and the date and time of the last update of the user information, and the detecting unit determines that the user has connected to the message search system. A terminal device for detecting the necessity of updating the user information based on whether a date obtained by adding a predetermined period to the date of birth after the last update date and time of the user has passed. . 13. The message user database further comprises means for receiving, from the message user database, an item update date and time when a new item has been added to the message user database; If it is before, it is determined that the user information of the storage device needs to be updated.
13. The terminal device according to 12. 14. The message search system stores user information and the last communication date and time with the user for each user, and when the terminal device connects to the message search system, Means for receiving the last communication date and time with the user of the terminal from the message search system; the last update date and time of the user information about the user of the terminal held in the storage device; and the reception from the message search system. Means for comparing with the last communication date and time with the user, when the last communication date and time received from the message search system is earlier than the last update date and time of the user information stored in the storage device, Means for transmitting the user information about the user in the storage device to the message search system. 14. The terminal device according to claim 9. 15. The message search system stores user information and the last communication date and time of the user for each user, and when the terminal device is connected to the message search system, the message is stored. Means for receiving the last communication date and time with the user of the terminal from the search system, the last update date and time of the user information relating to the user of the terminal held in the storage device, and Means for comparing the received last communication date and time with the user, and the last communication date and time with the user received from the message search system, the user information of the user stored in the storage device of the user information Means for receiving the user information stored in the message search system when the date is later than the last update date and time; The terminal device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising: means for updating the user information on the user in the storage device with user information. 16. An update detecting means for detecting that the user has updated the user information in the storage device, and when the update detecting means detects that the user information has been updated, 16. The terminal device according to claim 9, further comprising: means for transmitting user information in a storage device to the message search system.