JP3479627B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system for searching a message suitable for a user from a communication network such as the Internet and providing the message to the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A user of a communication service such as the Internet can communicate with various host computers on the Internet via a host computer (referred to as an information providing device) provided by a provider. An image of a homepage or the like designated based on the user's operation is read and displayed on the terminal connected to the Internet.

In such communication services such as the Internet, many virtual stores have been formed in recent years, and users can purchase goods or services by mail order via the Internet. It is also possible to purchase products such as programs and data via the Internet. You can pay for these goods or services by sending your credit card number and expiration date over the Internet.

Furthermore, in recent years, advertisements of goods or services sold on the communication network and advertisements of goods or services sold by ordinary stores independent of the communication network have often been used on the communication service in recent years. It is provided. For example, a horizontally long advertisement is also embedded in the home page of Yahoo (trademark), which is a search engine for home pages on the Internet.

Further, in order to efficiently sell a product or service using the above-mentioned advertisement and payment system, a counting system for counting the number of times a user accesses a home page of a virtual store or the like that sells the product or service. Is used. By using this system, the advertisement provider can estimate to some extent which homepage has a high advertisement effect based on the number of times of counting.

[0006]

However, in the conventional counting system, since it is not known whether or not the user is looking at the terminal device when the advertisement is displayed on the terminal device, the number of times the advertisement is provided to the user. Can not be counted correctly. In particular, when an advertisement such as a moving image is displayed for a relatively long period of time, there is a high possibility that the user will not see the advertisement halfway.

[0007] Further, as the types of information provided by communication services such as the Internet increase, it is becoming more difficult for users to find information suitable for themselves or advertisements for products and services of interest. In addition, since users who use services such as the Internet are diversified, it is becoming difficult for information providers to deliver information to users who are suitable for the information.

Since many people can access the communication service, if the credit card number and the expiration date are sent in order to pay for the product or service, the information will be misused by a third party. There is a risk that In particular, since information transmitted on the Internet is recorded in many servers (host computers), it is dangerous to transmit information regarding credit cards, which hinders the sale of goods or services using communication services. . A system for encrypting and transmitting information about a credit card has also been developed, but there is a limit to the high security because the code may be broken.

Furthermore, if an advertisement is embedded in a homepage on the Internet as in the conventional case, the advertisement cannot be provided to the user unless the user accesses a predetermined homepage. Also, if the user scrolls the home page within the window, the advertisement will disappear from the window. Further, the advertisement cannot be provided to the user even when another window is opened on the browser window of the Internet or the browser window is moved off the screen.

In addition, when the number of accesses to the home page is counted by the conventional method, for example, even when the same user repeatedly accesses the home page in order to make the number of accesses to the home page appear to be large, the number of counts increases. For this reason, it is not possible to correctly count the number of user accesses to the homepage and the advertising effect. Furthermore, since it is not known which user is accessing the home page or advertisement, when using the conventional counting system, which user should be targeted to sell the product or service? I can't decide what to market like.

Particularly, for example, consumers who are interested in the product "ski" have a high ratio of interest in the product "ski wear" and the service "ski tour". As described above, there are many cases where a plurality of types of products or services are associated with each other such that “the ratio of having the same consumer is high”. However, it is not possible to find a consumer who is interested in the product or service having the above-mentioned "relationship" by the conventional counting system of the number of times of accessing the homepage, and the product or service is appropriately provided to such a consumer. I can't market.

Further, conventionally, in order to use a communication service such as the Internet, it has been necessary to pay a connection fee or a usage fee to an Internet provider having a host computer as a connection destination. For this reason, the user cannot continue to access the communication service for a long time, which is an obstacle to the spread of advertisement provision, product sales, and payment using the communication service.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system which can solve all the above problems.

[0014]

In order to achieve such an object, the communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes any one of an image, a sentence, a voice to be transmitted to a terminal, or a combination thereof. A message database for storing messages is provided, and the message read from the message database is transmitted to the terminal and displayed. Further, when a parameter corresponding to the amount of access by the user to the message is stored for each user and the message is displayed on the terminal, the parameter associated with the user of this terminal is increased. However, if the user is not in an active state in which the message can be recognized, the parameter increase is stopped.
According to the present embodiment, the above parameters are increased only in an active state in which the user can recognize the message, so that the rate at which the user recognizes the message can be more accurately counted.

The communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a user database for storing the characteristics of each user of the terminal, the characteristics of the user who should send the message, and message identification information for identifying each message. And a message transmission condition database that stores them in association with each other. When a user requests a message, the user identification information that identifies this user is used to read the user characteristics from the user database, and the read user characteristics are used to retrieve the message identification information from the message transmission condition database. Search for. Further, the message retrieved by the message retrieval means is read from the message database and transmitted to the terminal. According to the present embodiment, a message having a search condition that matches the characteristics of the user is searched, so that the user can effectively obtain an advertisement of a product or service of interest. Moreover, the provider of the advertisement message can effectively provide the message to the users who are highly likely to purchase the product or service.

A communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention has means for selling a product or service to a user via a communication network. The price of the product or service is determined according to the size of the parameter, and when the product or service is sold to the user, the value of the parameter associated with this user is reduced. According to the present embodiment, the price of the product or service is determined by the size of the parameter according to the access amount to the message, so that, for example, a user with a large parameter value can be charged with a small price. . This allows the message to be actively accessed by the user.

The communication system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention determines whether or not the user is active depending on whether or not the terminal is operated within a predetermined time. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the parameter from being increased when the user is away from the terminal device.

The communication system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention displays an operation unit for operating a message when displaying a message, and determines whether or not the user is active depending on whether or not the operation unit is operated. To do. Therefore, even when a plurality of windows are opened in the terminal, the parameter can be increased only when the user is looking at the window displaying the message.

In the communication system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention,
It is determined that the user is active because the user has input according to the text in the message. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from performing an appropriate operation and increasing the parameter without reading the display in the window displaying the message.

In the communication system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
The increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the display of the message on the display. Therefore, when the user cannot recognize the message, it is possible to prevent unnecessary messages from being sent to the terminal.

In the communication system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention,
The message database has a first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display, and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display, and the first message when the user is inactive. The increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the display of the message on the display. Therefore, it is possible to continue transmitting the message while preventing the parameter from being increased.

The communication system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention further comprises means for connecting to the Internet having a host computer. The terminal forms a first data link to the host computer via the communication network and the internet, forms a second data link to the message transmission condition database via the communication network, and forms a second data link. Send the data to the message sending condition database using the link. According to this embodiment, since two independent data links are formed, the terminal sends a message to the user even if the user accesses any home page by the first data link. It is possible to make a request to the transmission condition database and receive information for identifying the message.

In the communication system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the terminal requests access to a host computer connected to the Internet, an identification signal for identifying the transmitting means is transmitted to the terminal. The terminal uses the identification signal to form a data link with the transmitting means and further forms the second data link. Therefore, the terminal can surely and quickly recognize the transmitting means by using the identification signal.

In the eleventh aspect of the communication system of the present invention, the parameter is increased on the condition that the user appropriately responds to the question in the message displayed on the display. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to answer the question.

A communication system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is
The update information that is updated independently of the terminal is stored, and this update information is transmitted to each of the terminals a predetermined number of times via the communication network. Conventional Internet providers do not have a means for actively transmitting information to users on Internet browsers. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably display, on the terminal, information that is highly important to convey to the user a predetermined number of times, for example, when communication software needs to be updated.

In the communication system of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is judged whether or not the update information has already been transmitted to the user, and if it has not been transmitted, the update information is transmitted. Therefore, the update information can be transmitted to all users once.

In the communication system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the number of times the update information is transmitted to each user is counted, and when the communication with the terminal is connected, the update information is not transmitted a predetermined number of times. If so, send update information. Therefore, the update information can be displayed as soon as the communication with the terminal is started.

In the communication system of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, new update information is transmitted when the elapsed time from the transmission of update information is longer than the predetermined time. Therefore, for example, the update information can be transmitted to all users one by one by setting the time when the update information was last updated to a predetermined time.

In the communication system according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, an image, a text, a message to be transmitted to a terminal connected to the communication network,
A message database that stores messages containing either voice or a combination of these, a means for displaying messages sent to the terminal on the terminal, and a characteristic of each user of the terminal connected to the communication network A user database and a message transmission condition database that is connected to a communication network and stores the characteristics of a user who should transmit a message and the message identification information for identifying each message in association with each other. When a user requests a message, the user identification information that identifies this user is used to read the characteristics of this user from the user database, and from the message transmission condition database using the read characteristics of the user. Retrieve message identification information. The retrieved message is read from the message database and sent to the terminal. According to this embodiment, the message retrieved based on the characteristics of the user is transmitted to the user, so that the user can obtain an advertisement of a product or service that is strongly related to himself.

The communication system according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention is
When a user accesses a message,
The user identification information of this user and the contents of access are stored in association with the message identification information for identifying the message. Therefore, it is possible to judge for each user what kind of access has been made to each message. In the conventional method, it is not possible to judge the number of times of access or the content of access in this manner for each user. Further, in the present embodiment, the recorded user identification information is used to search the characteristics of the user from the user database, and the characteristics and access contents of the searched user are associated with the message identification information of the message. To store. Therefore, the message provider can determine the characteristics of the user who is interested in each message, such as sex and age group.

A communication system according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is
User identification information for identifying the user who has accessed the message is stored in association with the message identification information for identifying the message. Further, the message transmission condition database stores the message identification information of the target message in association with the message identification information of the other message, and the message retrieval means identifies the user identification associated with the other associated message. Search for a message that contains the user identification information of the user who requested the message in the information. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the target message can be transmitted only to the user who has accessed the message previously associated with the target message. For example, by associating the advertisement message of the product "ski wear" with the advertisement message of the product "ski", the advertisement message of the product "ski wear" is provided only to the user who has accessed the advertisement message of the product "ski". You can

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1.1 Configuration 1.1.1 Overall System Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, one or more terminals 10 are connected to each of a plurality of information providing devices 20 via modems 16 and 18, a public network (communication network) 17, and a public network gateway 19. Information providing device 2
0 is managed by a so-called Internet provider and is connected to a plurality of host computers 30 via the Internet 32. Further, the information providing device 20
It is connected to the payment system 35 via a private line 29.

In the payment system 35, the message distribution device 39 uses a closed network 27 such as CAFIS (trademark) (a credential network, a host computer of a credit card company and a communication network connecting the user terminal of the host computer). It is connected to the computer 28 of the credit card company through. Further, the message distribution device 39 is connected to the plurality of information providing devices 20 via the dedicated line.
Is connected to the terminal 10 through the information providing device 20 and transmits information (referred to as a message) regarding a product such as an advertisement, which is provided from a store selling the product on the communication network. The message may be a still image, a moving image, a voice, or a combination thereof. In each message, data indicating the address of the home page on the World Wide Web (WWW) of the shop is described. The message management device 24 of the information providing device 20 stores the message received from the message distribution device 39 in the message database 26 in association with the identification number such as the message URL of the message.

The home page (and its subordinate pages) of each dealer is stored in the host computer 30. The terminal 10 can receive information such as a homepage from the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 of the information providing apparatus 20. The user orders the product by accessing the home page and lower pages of the dealer. The terminal 10 can also 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 can access the Internet gateway 2 through the public line gateway 19.
It has an ID (provider user ID) and password for connecting to 2, and an ID (message user ID) and password for obtaining a message from the message management device 24.

1.1.2 Configuration of Main Body 14 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the main body 14 of the terminal 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the CPU 4
0 operates based on the programs stored in the ROM 42 and the RAM 44. The timer 46 counts a predetermined time. Data is input from the user via the input device 48. A hard disk drive 50, which is an example of a storage device, stores data such as images, information about a user, and a program in which the CPU 40 operates.

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

1.1.3 Software Configuration of Terminal 10 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of software executed by the CPU 40 shown in FIG. These software are floppy disk 56 or CD-ROM
It is stored in a recording medium such as 58 and provided to the user. The software stored in the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed from the recording medium to the hard disk drive 50, and the RAM4
4 and is executed by the CPU 40.

The software stored in the recording medium and provided, that is, the software installed in the hard disk drive 50, includes a communication module 73 having a PPP driver 70 and a TCP / IP driver 72 as a functional configuration, a browser 74, and a message. Viewer 7
6 and 6. The PPP driver 70 creates a data link on one physical line with the public line gateway 19 (FIG. 1). The browser 74 communicates with the Internet gateway 22 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70, and displays the received image on the display 12. As the browser 74, for example, Netscape (trademark) or Mosaic (trademark) can be used.

The message viewer 76 communicates with the message management device 24 via the TCP / IP driver 72 on the data link generated by the PPP driver 70, and displays the received image on the display 12. The message viewer 76 has a functional configuration as a message management device 2.
4 has a connection module 80 for connecting to the No. 4, an input processing module 82 for processing an input from a user, and an event processing module 84 for processing an event generated by a request from an internal or communication line.

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

The message viewer window 62 has a homepage button 64, a material request button 66, a suspend / resume button 68, and an end button 69. When the homepage button 64 is pressed, the homepage corresponding to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 is displayed in the browser window 60. When the material request button 66 is pressed, materials of various products related to the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 are transmitted from the message management device 24 and displayed in the message viewer window 62. The message or the material is provided with a button for ordering the displayed product.

1.1.5 Configuration of Connection Management Device 23, Message Management Device 24, and Host Computer 30 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the connection management device 23, message management device 24, and host computer 30 shown in FIG. It is a figure. In the figure, the CPU
90 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 92 and the RAM 94. The timer 96 counts a predetermined time. The communication interface 98 processes input / output with a communication line. Data is input from the user via the input device 100. Database interface 10
Reference numeral 2 connects to various databases including a hard disk and the like. Floppy disk drive 10
4 reads the data or program from the floppy disk 106 and provides it to the CPU 90. Calendar I
C provides the date and time to the CPU 90. Display 108
Displays the communication status to the operator.

1.1.6 Configuration of Message Distribution Device 39 FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the message distribution device 39 shown in FIG. The parts corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of FIG. 5, and therefore their description is omitted. The message distribution device 39 includes a message user database 34 that stores information about message users of each terminal 10,
It has a message transmission condition database 36 that stores transmission conditions of each message, and a connection log 38 that stores communication history. Also, instead of the communication interface 98,
A communication interface for connecting to the closed network 27 and a communication interface for connecting to the information providing apparatus 20 may be provided respectively.

1.1.7 Message User Database 3
4. Structure of FIG. 7 FIGS. 7 and 8 show the structure of the message user database 34 shown in FIG. The message user database 34 includes an ID (message user ID) and a password (message user password) of a user who uses each message, a provider ID for identifying one information providing device 20, and a user using a provider. User ID used to access the Internet
(Provider user ID), message display time, date of birth 312, gender 314, marital status 316, job category 3
18 and information about the user such as the address 320 (referred to as user information).

In FIG. 8, the message user database 34 further has the number and expiration date of the credit card used by the user, the name, and the last communication date and time. For each user, the message viewer window 62
Parameters are given according to the amount of displayed messages. The message database 34 stores parameters 332, 334, and 336 of the last month, last month, and this month.

The user is, for example, a message viewer 76.
The user information when the message viewer 76 is first installed or when the message viewer 76 is installed on the terminal 10.
To enter. The terminal 10 stores the input user information in the hard disk drive 50 and sends it to the message management device 24. The message management device 24 transmits the user information received from the user to the message distribution device 39. The message distribution device 39 stores the user information in the message user database 34. As the user information, other information such as age, occupation, income, hobbies, etc. may be stored.

1.1.8 Structure of Message Transmission Condition Database 36 FIGS. 9 and 10 show the structure of the message transmission condition database 36. Message transmission condition database 3
6 stores a message URL for identifying each message and a condition for transmitting the message in association with each other. Message transmission conditions include restrictions on the display frequency for each user, restrictions on the display frequency for all users, the time when the message should be displayed, and the age range, sex, marital status, and occupation of the user who should display the message. , Address, and IDs of other messages that are strongly related to the message are stored.

In FIG. 10, each time a message is displayed in the message viewer window 62 of the user, the provider of the message is charged. Therefore, a limit 210 for charging for each message is provided for each information providing device 20. The limit amount 210 stores the limit amount of charging for providing a message to the user of the information providing device 20. Further, the total limit 220 stores the limit of the total amount of charges for the provision of messages to the users of all the information providing devices 20.

The limit amount 210 is imposed on each message when a message is displayed to the user of the information providing device 20, and the message unit price 212 is imposed on each message when a button in each message is pressed. Button unit price 2
14, period type 216 and period type 2 that determine a predetermined period
16 has a charge limit amount (period limit amount 217) in each period and a charge amount limit amount (total limit amount 218) for displaying the information providing device 20 to the user.

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

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the connection log 38.
The connection log records the provider ID, an event such as logon or charge stop, and the date and time when the event occurred for each provider user ID. Since the message is displayed on the terminal 10 while the charging is stopped,
The message provider can be charged for the message. Therefore, the cost of the provider for the connection of the user can be paid from the owner of the message distribution device 39 to the provider. Therefore, the provider user
You can access the internet for free in exchange for viewing the message. For example, the example of FIG. 11 indicates that the charging of the provider user XXX has been stopped after the login. Message distributor 39
Can determine the time when billing is stopped by the connection log 38, and thus can pay the provider according to the time.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the message access log 37. The message access log 37 records a log of user's access to each message. The message distribution device 39 stores the message user ID of the user who displayed the message, the ID of the displayed message, the date and time when the message was accessed, and the type of access. If the content of the access is a message display, the access type is "1".
However, if the access content is the display of the home page linked from the message, "2" is stored as the access type, and if the access content is a request for material, "3" is stored as the access type. The message distribution device 39, based on the message access log 37,
The price of the message displayed in the message viewer window 62 can be charged to the message provider.

1.2 Connection Operation 1.2.1 Connection Sequence A connection sequence of the terminal 10, the connection management device 23, the message management device 24, the message distribution device 39, the internet gateway 22, and the internet 32 will be described with reference to FIG. When the communication module 73 of the terminal 10 makes a PPP connection request (S102), the connection management device 23 inquires whether the received provider user ID and provider user password are registered in the provider user database 25 (S10).
4).

If the ID and password are registered, the connection management device 23 sends a PPP connection permission to the terminal 10 (S106). Also, the provider user ID is notified to the message management device 24 (S108). When the PPP connection is permitted, the browser 74 of the terminal 10 makes a TCP / IP connection to the Internet gateway 22 (S1).
10) Communicates with the Internet 32 via the Internet gateway 22 (S112). Further, the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 makes a TCP / IP connection with the message management device 24 (S114). Then, the message management device 24 requests the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10 for the authentication information (S118).

Upon receiving the authentication information request, the connection module of the message viewer 76 uses the message user ID and password as the authentication information and the message management device 2
4 (S120). Message management device 24
Is the provider user ID received from the connection management device
And the message user ID and the message user password received from the message viewer 76, and the provider ID of the information providing device 20.
9 (S121). Then, the message distribution device 39 determines whether the received message user ID and message user password are registered in the message user DB 34 (S122). If these are registered, connection permission is transmitted to the message viewer 76 (S124).

Since a data link is set between the browser 74 and the Internet 32, and between the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24, both can communicate independently. Since the communication method between the browser 74 and the Internet 32 is well known, its explanation is omitted. The message viewer 76 periodically requests the message URL from the message distributor 39 using the timer 46 (S134). When the message distribution device 39 receives the retrieved message URL, it requests the message of the message URL from the message management device 24 (S136).

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

1.2.2 Connection Operation of Terminal 10 FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal 10 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. This processing is performed by the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76. The connection module 80 first activates the communication module 73 (S210). Then, the communication module 73 uses the provider user ID and the provider user password to establish a PPP connection with the connection management device 23 via the public line gateway 19. When the PPP connection is confirmed (S212)
The connection module 80 activates the browser 74 (S21
4). Then, the browser 74 makes a TCP / IP connection with the Internet gateway 22. Next connection module 8
0 indicates the message management device 24 and TCP / IP using the TCP / IP port number unique to the message viewer 76.
Connect (S216).

The browser 74 and the internet gateway 22, and the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 can communicate with each other independently by logically independent calls using different TCP / IP port numbers. Therefore, the message viewer 76 can display the message without impairing the function of the existing browser. After that, when the message management device 24 requests the authentication (S218), the message user ID and the message user password are transmitted as the authentication information (S220).

When the message management device 24 permits the connection (S222). The message viewer 76 sends a simple information request (S224). The simple information request is a signal that requests the terminal 10 to send a message quickly. Each message is stored in the message database 26 in association with message identification information such as a URL for identifying the message. When the message management device 24 receives the simple information request, the message management device 24 stores the URL of an appropriate message in the message database 26.
Selected from among and transmitted to the terminal 10. Terminal 10 is a URL
Is received (S226), and the image specified by the URL is requested again to the message management device 24 (S22).
8). The received image is stored in the image buffer provided in the RAM 44 of the terminal 10.

The simple information request is not transmitted to the message distribution device 39, but is transmitted only to the message management device 24. That is, the message corresponding to the user data stored in the message user database 34 is not searched for the simple information request. Therefore, the time until the first message is displayed can be shortened, and the time when nothing is displayed in the message viewer window 62 can be shortened. However, as another embodiment, a simple information request may be transmitted to the message distribution device 39, and the message distribution device 39 may select an appropriate message. Also, the message distribution device 39 may retrieve a message based on a part of the user data when a simple data request is made. By simplifying the message search conditions, messages can be searched quickly. Next, the connection module 78 activates the timer 46 (S230). The timer 46 indicates the timing of displaying a new message. Thereafter, the connection module activates the input processing module 82 to process the input from the user and the public network 17.

1.2.3 Connection Operation of Connection Management Device 23 FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection management device 23 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. When the PPP connection is requested from the terminal 10 via the public line gateway 19 (S310), the connection management device 23 requests the terminal 10 for the provider user ID and password and receives them (S312). Next, the provider user database 25 is inquired whether or not the received provider user ID and password are recorded (S314).

The provider user database 25 stores the ID (provider user ID) and password (provider user password) of each provider user. The received provider user ID and provider user password are the provider user database 25.
If not registered in, the connection management device 23 disconnects the line (S318) and ends the process (S330). If the provider user ID and password are registered in the provider user database 25, the
Allowing P connection (S322), the message management device 2
The connection notification is sent to No. 4 (S324), and the process ends (S330).

1.2.4 Connection Operation of Message Management Device 24 FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message management device 24 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. Upon receiving the notification of connection from the connection management device 23 (S810), the message management device 24 records the received provider user ID in the RAM 94 (S812). Next, the timer 96 is started (S814), and it is determined whether or not the TCP / IP connection is established from the message management device 24 (S816). If the TCP / IP connection is not established, it stands by (S816, S818). Timer 96 while waiting
If is timed out (S818), the process is terminated (S820).

When the TCP / IP connection is established (S816),
Request authentication information from the message viewer 76 (S82)
2). Further, the timer 96 is reset and the counting is started again (S824). Timer 9 before receiving authentication information
When 6 times out (S828), the process ends (S830). When the authentication information is received (S82
6), the provider user ID is read from the RAM 94 (S832) and is sent to the message distribution device 39 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). . Then, communication is performed between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution device 39 (S836).

1.2.5 Connection Operation of Message Distribution Device 39 FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the message distribution device 39 in the connection sequence shown in FIG. The message distribution device 39 is the message management device 2
When the message user ID and the message user password are received from S4 (S410), the message user database 34 is inquired whether or not they are recorded (S412). If not registered, an inquiry is made to the message viewer 76 as to whether or not to register as a new user (S414). If registered, user information is received from the message viewer 76 and stored in the message user database 34 (S416). ). Further, 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 (S4
14) Request authentication information such as the message user password from the message viewer 76 again (S420), wait until the authentication information is received (S422) and return to S412. When the message user ID and the message user password can be authenticated (S412), the connection permission is notified (S424). Next, the provider ID received from the message management device 24 is read (S428). The message user ID and the provider ID are provided independently. Therefore, even if a single message user has contracts with multiple providers, the provider ID
Thus, the information providing device 20 of the provider currently being used by the user can be identified. The connection management device 23
The message is charged with an amount of money corresponding to the information providing device 20 indicated by the provider ID.

1.3 Operation after Connection 1.3.1 Operation of Terminal 10 After Connection FIG. 18 shows an input process of the terminal 10 after the connection sequence. This processing is performed by the input processing module 82 of the message viewer 76. First, if the message viewer window 62 or the material request button in the message is pressed (S512), the timer 46 is cleared (S51).
4). This can prevent the message from being changed during the user's operation. Next, the address of the user is displayed on the message viewer window 62 to prompt confirmation of the address (S516). When the confirmation is obtained (S518), the message distribution device 39 is requested to mail the material to the address of the user (S520).

If the material request button has not been pressed in S512, it is determined whether the home page key has been pressed (S522). If the home page key is pressed, the timer 46 is cleared (S524) and the URL of the home page is passed to the browser 74 (S526). That is, the U stored in the message in association with the home page key
The RL is passed to the browser 74. It also notifies the message distributor 39 that the home page key has been pressed.

If the home page key is not pressed in S522, the operating system is inquired whether or not the user is active (S53).
2). Here, the operating system determines that the user is inactive unless there is an operation from the user for a predetermined time or longer. If there is an operation from the user within a predetermined time, it is determined that the user is active. However, as another embodiment, it may be determined that the user is active when an operation such as scrolling is performed on the message within a predetermined time. Further, it may be determined that the user is active depending on whether or not a response to the display in the message is made within a predetermined time.

The RAM 44 is provided with an active flag indicating whether or not the user was active at the time of the previous determination. If the user is active (S532) and the active flag is NO (0) (S53)
4) The state of the user has changed from inactive to active. Therefore, the recovery event is notified to the message distribution device 39 (S536), and the active flag is changed to YES (S538).

If the user is active (S532) and the active flag is YES (1) (S53).
4) The user status remains active and has not changed. Therefore, the recovery event (S536) is not notified. S
If the user is active in 532, terminal event processing is performed regardless of the state of the active flag (S54).
0).

If the user is not active (S5
32), it is detected whether the user's state has changed (S5).
42), if the status has changed from the active state, the message distributor 39 is notified of the pause event (S54).
4) Change the active flag to NO (S54)
6). The active flag is not changed unless the user's state has changed. If the user is not active (S532), terminal event processing (S540)
Do not do.

1.3.2 Event Processing of Terminal 10 FIG. 19 shows the details of the event processing (S540) of the terminal 10. This processing is performed by the event processing module 84 of the message viewer 76. First, if there is a predetermined number or more of free spaces in the queue (S554), a URL is requested, and a free URL
Is reduced (S556). When the URL is received (S
558) The URL is loaded in the queue (S560). If there is space in the message buffer (S562), the message management device 24 uses the URL loaded at the head of the queue 84.
To request a message and decrement the number of empty message buffers by 1 (S564). When the message is received (S5
66), the received message is stored in the message buffer (S588).

When the timer 46 counts up (S5
70), the earliest received message in the message buffer is displayed (S574). Next, the URL of the displayed message and the data indicating that the message is displayed are notified to the message distribution device 39 (S578) and the timer 46 is reset (S580). After that, the process returns to the process of FIG. 18 to process the input (S590). If the user is not active, the terminal event process (S540) is not performed.

Therefore, the URL is not requested to the message distribution device 39 when the user is not active. If the user is not active, no message is requested from the message management device 24. Furthermore,
When the user is not active, the received URL and message are not stored in the memory. Further, even if the message has already been received, the message is not displayed. Therefore, when the user is not active, the message display device 39 is not notified of the message display.

1.3.3 Message Distribution Device 39 After Connection
FIG. 20 shows the message distribution device 39 after the connection sequence.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. UR from terminal 10
Upon receiving the L request (S710), the message distribution device 39 determines the provider ID of the user who transmitted the URL.
And the provider user ID is read from the connection log 38 (S712). Next, using the provider ID and the provider user ID, the message user database 34
The user is searched from and the user information of the user is read (S714).

Next, the message URL is retrieved from the message transmission condition database 36 using the user information (S716). Therefore, a message suitable for the characteristics of the user indicated by the user information is searched for for each user. When another message is specified in the “related message” field of the message transmission condition database 36, the provider of the user who has read the home page associated with the message or the user who requested the material for the message. The user ID is read from the message user file described later. And S
A message is searched on the condition that the provider user ID read in 712 is registered in the message user file. Therefore, the message can be effectively sent only to the user who responds to the associated message. Further, in the retrieved message, the charge amount of the information providing device 20 during the current period does not exceed the period limit amount 217, and the information providing device 20
A message is searched for in which the total amount of charges to the server does not exceed the total limit 218, and the total amount of charges passed through all the information providing devices 20 does not exceed the total limit 220 (S).
718).

If the search for the message URL is hit (S720), the URL of the message is transmitted to the terminal 10 (S724). If the search does not hit (S72
0), the message URL having a parameter of 0 is selected from the message data transmission condition database 36 (S72).
2) The selected message URL is transmitted to the terminal 10 (S724). Upon receiving the message display report from the terminal 10 (S730), the message distribution device 39 searches for the message using the message URL in the message display report, and charges the message unit price 212 to the message (S724). Furthermore, the number of parameters of the message is read, and the user's parameter 336 of this month is read.
To (S736).

When the material is requested from the message viewer 76 (S740), the provider of the message is notified that the material should be sent (S742). Further, the button unit price 214 of the message is read from the message transmission condition database 36 and the message is charged (S744).

When the home page is requested from the message viewer 76 (S750), the button unit price of the message is 2 from the message transmission condition database 36.
14 is read and the message is charged (S75
2). That is, the user operates the button in the message to request the material or to open the home page, whereby the message provider is charged. The button unit prices corresponding to the material request button and the home page button may be provided in the message transmission condition database 36, and the message may be charged with the amount of money according to the type of the pressed button.

1.4 Parameters 332, 334, 336
Use of the parameters shown in FIG.
4, 336 shows how to use. The user has a browser 74
Host computer 3 on the Internet 32 using
An item is ordered from 0 (S150). Examples of products include image data, document data, and audio data delivered online via the Internet, as well as items mailed offline. Alternatively, a subscription right to a magazine or the like may be purchased as a product. The host computer 30 returns an order response to the order request (S150) from the user (S152).

The order response (S152) requests the message viewer 76 as a helper application and transmits the order response to the message viewer 76 (S15).
4). The message viewer 76 is the message management device 2.
4. Send order response to 4. Then, the message management device 2
4 requests payment of the ordered product from the message distribution device 39 (S158). The message distributor 39 checks the remaining parameters of the user by using the user ID (S
160).

If there are sufficient remaining parameters for paying the price of the product, the message distribution device 39 sends a payment response to the message management device 24 (S162). Then, the message management device 24 notifies the order data to the host computer 30 (S164). The host computer 30 stores the order data in the RAM 94 and performs the product transmission or mailing process (S166). Next, the host computer 30 sends a purchase notification to the message management device 24 (S168).

The message management device 24 receives the data of the amount and the ordered product in the order response received in S156, and S1.
It is determined whether the amount of money and the data of the ordered product received in 68 are the same (S169). If they are the same, it is determined that the product has been properly ordered, and a purchase notification is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 (S170). Then, the message distribution device 39 reduces the number of parameters necessary for paying the price of the product in the order of the parameter of the previous month, the parameter of the previous month, and the parameter of this month (S170). Also, the fact that payment should be made is recorded in a log (S172).

If the data do not match in S169, the message management device 24 determines that there is an error in the order response (S156) and sends it to the message viewer 76 of the amount of money and the ordered product received in S168. When the confirmation of the amount and the ordered product is received from the message viewer 76, the purchase notification is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 (S170). If the confirmation cannot be received from the message viewer 76, the host computer 30 is notified that the order should be canceled.

When the product purchase notification is received from the message management device 24 (S170), the message management device 24
Records the content and amount of the ordered product in the user log and performs payment processing (S172). Next, the message management device 24 is notified that the recording in the log is completed (S174). The message management device 24 notifies the message viewer 76 that the purchase of the product has been recorded in the log (S176). Then the message viewer 76
To the RAM 44 and the hard disk drive 50,
Record the items purchased.

After that, when the user inquires about products already purchased, the message viewer 76 reads the list of already purchased products from the hard disk drive 50 and displays it on the display 12. When a product provided online is specified in the displayed list, it is determined whether the product is already stored in the hard disk drive 50. The product is a hard disk drive 50
If it is stored in, the product is read and output. If the product is not stored in the hard disk drive 50, the product is downloaded from the host computer 30 via the browser 74, stored in the hard disk drive 50, and the data is output to the display 12 or the like.

The host computer 30 transmits the product when the download of the product notified of the purchase in S166 is requested. As a result, data such as images, voices, sentences, etc. are transmitted to the message viewer 76. According to this embodiment, the user has sufficient parameters 332, 334,
In the case of having 336, the commodity on the host computer 30 can be purchased. The parameters are stored by displaying the message on the message viewer 76 or by pressing the button in the message. Therefore, by displaying the message on the message viewer 76 or pressing the button in the message, the user can You can purchase over 30 products.

When the user's parameters are not enough to purchase the product, the message distribution device 39 notifies the message viewer 76 that the shortage will be deducted by a credit card. Upon approval from the message viewer 76, the message distribution device 39 reads the credit card number and expiration date of the user from the message user database 34. Further, by notifying such data to the credit card company 28 via the closed network 27, the shortage charge is deducted from the credit card company 28. Since the data of the credit card number and the expiration date are transmitted only within the closed network even when the charge is deducted by the credit card, it is necessary to improve the safety of the data compared to the case of transmitting the data on the Internet. You can

Further, the information providing device 20 may request the message distribution device 39 for the usage fee of the information providing device 20 by the user. The message distribution device 39 subtracts the usage fee of the information providing device 20 from the number of parameters of each user. If the number of parameters is not sufficient, the shortfall is withdrawn from the credit card company 28 via the closed network 27. The parameter is accumulated by the user displaying the message on the message viewer 76 or operating the button in the message, so that the information providing apparatus 20 can be accessed free of charge. That is, the user can access the Internet 32 free of charge by displaying the message viewer 76.

According to this embodiment, when the user is not active, the message is displayed in the message viewer 7.
6 is not displayed, it is possible to prevent the message provider from being charged even though the user is not actually looking at the display.

1.5 Processing of Message Access Log 37 FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the statistical processing of the message access log 37 performed by the message distribution device 39. The message distribution device 39, for example, once a month,
The operation of this flowchart is executed periodically. First, one message is selected (S610), and the first log of the message access log 37 is selected (S620). S6
If the message ID of the log selected in 20 differs from the message ID of the message selected in S610 (S63
0) Since the log is not the access log for the message, the process returns to S620 and the next log is selected.

FIG. 23 is a message user file showing the user who has accessed the message. One message user file is created for one message, and is associated with the message user ID of the user who used the message, and the number of times each user has displayed that message is linked from that message. The number of times the home page is displayed and the number of times the material is requested for the message are stored. Message distributor 39
Indicates that the message ID of the log selected in S620 is S61.
If it is the same as the message ID of the message selected in 0 (S630), it is determined whether the message user ID described in the log selected in S620 is already registered in the message user file (S640).

If the message user ID has not been registered yet, a record of the message user is added, and the number of times the message image is displayed, the number of times the home page is displayed, and the number of times the material is requested are set to 0 (S650).
Further, the value of each field in the message user file is incremented depending on whether the log type is message display, home page display, or material request (S660). When S620 to S660 are repeated until all logs are examined (S670), the obtained message user file is output as a file (S675).

FIG. 24 is a statistical file showing statistics of access to each message by the user. This file is also created for each message, and displays the category of each item indicated by the user characteristics of the message user database, for example, the number of times that message was displayed to men, and the home page linked from that message. It stores the number of times, the number of times the message was displayed, the number of users who displayed the home page, and the number of users who requested the material.

When the message distribution device 39 outputs the message user file as a file (S675), the message display count field and the value of the home page display count are summed to obtain the total display count and the total home page jump count, respectively. calculate. In addition, the number of users is counted and used as the number of users to display, and the number of users whose home page is displayed is 0 is subtracted from the number of users to display the number of home pages. Furthermore, the number of users whose number of material requests is not 0 is counted as the number of requested materials. Similarly, the message distribution device 39 retrieves the characteristics of each user from the message user database using the message user ID, and the above-mentioned display count, home page display count, display number, and home page for each user characteristic classification. The number of displayed persons and the number of requested persons are counted to create a table of a statistical file (S680) and output it to the file (S690).
S610 to S695 are performed for all the messages (S695), and the process is terminated. Therefore, the response state of the message user to each message can be grasped for each characteristic of the user.

2. Second Embodiment The configuration of this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. The operation is also similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the operation different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

2.1 Operation of Terminal 10 after Connection FIG. 25 shows an input process of the terminal 10 in this embodiment. The processing from S512 to S528 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the event processing of the terminal is performed regardless of whether the user is active (S522, S540).

2.2 Event Processing of Terminal 10 FIG. 26 shows the details of the event processing (S540) of the terminal 10. The processing from S544 to S570, S578,
And S580 are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, when the timer 46 counts up (S570), it is determined whether or not the user is active (S574), and if the user is not active, the message with the parameter 0 is searched from the message database. And is displayed (S576). When the user is active, the messages are displayed in order from the front message as in the first embodiment (S574).

According to this embodiment, the message is displayed even when the user is not active, but since the displayed message has no parameter, it is possible to prevent the parameter from being added to the user database. You can Therefore, when the user is not looking at the screen, it is possible to prevent the message provider from being charged by displaying the message.

Third Embodiment The system configuration of this embodiment is the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment. The connection operation of the entire system is also similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the terminal 10, the connection management device 23,
The connection sequence between the message management devices 24 is different from that in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the difference in the connection sequence will be described below.

FIG. 27 shows a connection sequence in this embodiment. The processing from S102 to S112 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the connection management device 23
Message viewer 76 if is allowed PPP connection
Connection module 80 searches for the message management device 24 to be TCP / IP connected by a predetermined method. For example, the IP address and the port number corresponding to the information providing apparatus 20 and the message management apparatus 24 that may be connected are sequentially searched.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the user requests the connection management device 23 to access the Internet 32, the connection management device 23 indicates that the data link has been formed with the terminal 10. Message management device 24
To notify. In response to the notification of the provider user ID from the connection management device 23 (S108), the message management device 24 notifies the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 of its own IP address and port number (S).
113). The connection module 80 uses the IP address and the port number to connect the information providing device 20 to be connected.
And the message management device 24 thereof can be specified immediately. Then, using the IP address and the port number, the connection module 80 makes a TCP / IP connection to the message management device 24 (S114). The IP address specifies the information providing device 20 to be connected from the plurality of information providing devices 20. The port number is the information providing device 20.
One message management device 24 is specified from among a plurality of communication targets in the above.

According to this embodiment, since the IP address and the port number are given from the message management device 24, the connection module 80 can connect to the desired message management device 24 quickly and accurately. Further, since the message viewer 76 can perform connection to the message management device 24 independently of the browser 74 and subsequent actions, the existing general browsers (Netscape (trademark), Mosaic (trademark) are used as the browser 74. )
Etc.) can be used as they are.

Fourth Embodiment The system configuration of this embodiment is also the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted. In the connection sequence of this embodiment, the message management device 24 notifies the connection module 80 of the IP address and port number, as in the third embodiment. Further, the difference from the first embodiment is that the message distribution device 34 notifies the message viewer 76 of the updated information and the updated information is displayed. Hereinafter, the operation regarding the display of the update information will be described in detail.

FIG. 28 shows a connection sequence of this embodiment. As shown in S113, the message management device 2
The IP address and the port number are notified from 4 to the connection module 80. The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment up to S124. In the present embodiment, after transmitting the connection permission S124, the message distribution device 34 determines whether or not to notify the update information (S126). If it is determined that the notification should be sent, the update information is displayed in the message viewer 76.
(S128).

FIG. 29 shows an example of update information. The update information corresponds to news that the provision of a new service is started, for example, the number of commodities that can be purchased is increased, or useful software is available through communication between the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24. The update information is updated irregularly by the message provider, the message distribution device provider or the Internet provider, and stored in the message distribution device 39. The message distributor 39 determines whether or not to notify the update information (S1).
The condition 26) corresponds to, for example, the case where there is update information that has not been notified to the user even once. In order to specifically judge whether or not this condition is met,
The last communication date and time of the message user DB 34 is compared with the date and time when the update information was updated. Then, if the last communication date and time is before the date and time when the update information is updated, it is determined that there is update information that has not been notified, and the update information is notified.

FIG. 30 shows the details of the message distribution device update determination (S126). First, the message distribution device 39 reads the last communication date and time from the message user DB 34 (S910). Next, it is judged whether the last communication date and time is within two hours from the current date and time (920). Specifically, the date and time of the last communication is compared with the date and time (current date and time-2 hours). If the date and time of the last communication is before the date and time (current date and time-2 hours), the process of S930 is executed. On the other hand, if the last communication date and time is within 2 hours from the current date and time, the process ends to avoid displaying the update information frequently (S970).

When the user frequently repeats the connection between the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24 and the stop of the connection, the update information is displayed each time the connection is made, and the user receives the update information. You may feel that the display is unnecessary. Therefore, when reconnection is made within a predetermined time from the latest last communication date and time, the update information is not displayed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display of update information from being frequently repeated.

In S930, the date and time when the latest update information was updated is compared with the last communication date and time. If the date and time when the update information is updated is after the last communication date and time, the update information updated after the last communication date and time is selected (S940).
The selected update information is transmitted from the message distribution device 39 to the message viewer 76 (S950). Along with the transmission of this update information, the last communication date and time in the message user DB 34 is also updated to the current date and time (S960), and then this processing ends (S970).

As a modification of this embodiment, the user may be notified of the update information a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). In this case, the communication date and time is stored from the latest number as many times as the predetermined number of times. Then, the update date and time of the update information is compared with the oldest communication date and time among the predetermined number of final communication dates and times. Then, the user is notified of all update information updated after the oldest communication. In this case, the message viewer 76 and the message management device 24
Even if and are reconnected, the date and time when the connection was released is not stored as the last communication date and time. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the update information from being repeatedly displayed at least within the predetermined time.

5. Fifth Embodiment The system configuration of the present embodiment is also the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the connection sequence of this embodiment, the message management device 24 notifies the connection module 80 of the IP address and port number, as in the fourth embodiment. Further, the message distribution device 34 notifies the message viewer 76 of the update information, and the update information is displayed. The present embodiment is characterized by a process of acquiring the message viewer module when a notification that the upgraded message viewer module is available is provided as the update information.

FIG. 31 shows a part of the connection sequence of this embodiment. The processing up to S128 is basically the fourth embodiment.
Is the same as. However, in this embodiment, the upgraded message viewer 76 is transmitted to the terminal 10. Therefore, when transmitting the authentication information in S120, in addition to the message user ID and password, the message viewer 76 version of the terminal 10 and the OS type of the terminal 10 are also transmitted.

FIG. 32 shows the remaining part of the connection sequence of this embodiment. When the updated information about the upgraded message viewer 76 is notified (S12)
8) The update information is displayed on the terminal 10.

FIG. 33 shows an example of update information in this embodiment. The update information has a button for inputting whether or not to download the software. The user transmits to the message distribution device 39 as an update response that he / she does not want to obtain the message viewer 76 (S130). Message distributor 3
9 determines whether or not to download the software according to the update response (S131: update process). When it is determined that the software is downloaded, the software is transmitted to the connection module 80 of the message viewer 76 (S132: download). The user can obtain the software for upgrading the message viewer 76 by the above process.
In this case, the message viewer 76 is switched (S1
33), upgraded message viewer 76
Control communication, image display, etc. The user is
Other software can be obtained through communication between the message viewer 76 and the message distribution device 39. When the software is transmitted from the message distribution device 39, it is stored in the hard disk drive 50 of the terminal 10.

In FIG. 34, the update judgment (S126) and the update process (S131) executed by the message distribution device 39.
The flowchart of is shown. First, it is determined whether the version of the received message viewer module is the latest version (S1010). If it is the latest version, this process ends (S1070). On the other hand, if the received version is not the latest version, update information regarding the message viewer module of the latest version is selected (S1020) and transmitted (S103).
0). It is determined whether there is a download request responding to the transmission of the update information (S1040). If there is no download request, this process ends (S1070). On the other hand, if there is a download request, the O of the terminal 10
Based on the S type, select the latest version of the message viewer module that matches the OS type (S10
50). The selected message viewer module is transmitted to the terminal 10 (S1060). Through such processing, the user can easily obtain the desired software.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the message distributor 39 determines whether or not to notify the update information.
This determination may be made by the message management device 24. In this case, the message management device 24 refers to the latest communication date and time and update date and time received from the message distribution device 39, and determines whether or not to notify the update information. If the message management device 24 controls notification of update information, the load on the message distribution device 39 can be reduced.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 35 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the message database 26 is connected to the message distribution device 39 instead of the message management device 24 as compared with the above-described embodiment. Therefore, a message request from the message viewer 76 is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 via the message management device 24. The message management device 24 simply connects the message distribution device 39 and the message viewer 76 and communicates between them.

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

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

Seventh Embodiment FIG. 36 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. Compared with the configuration described in the third embodiment, in the present embodiment, the message distribution device 39 is connected to the information providing device 20 via the Internet 32 instead of the dedicated line 29. Further, in this embodiment, the message management device 24 does not exist. Therefore, a message request from the message viewer 76 is transmitted to the message distribution device 39 via the message management device 24.

According to this embodiment, since the message management device 24 is not required in the plurality of information providing devices 20, the whole system can be constructed at low cost. Moreover, since the existing Internet providing apparatus can be used as the information providing apparatus 20, the system can be rapidly spread. In particular, even when the message distribution device is provided only in a limited number of countries, the service can be provided to each country in the world where the internet providing device exists.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the first or second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load on the message distribution device 39 and the dedicated line 29. Therefore, when the access frequency to the message database 26 is high,
The configuration of Embodiment 1 or 2 can operate more efficiently.

Eighth Embodiment FIG. 37 shows the configuration of the entire system in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the information providing device 20 is replaced with a connection device of the Internet 32, and B such as CompuServe (trademark), Niftyserve (trademark), AOL (trademark) is used.
BS is provided. The information providing device 20 charges the message distribution device 39 for the amount of BBS used by each user. The message distributor 39 determines whether the parameters of the user are sufficient to pay the usage fee,
If sufficient, the usage fee is paid to the information providing device 20. When the parameters are insufficient, the insufficient amount is withdrawn by a credit card via the closed network 27.

According to this embodiment, the message can be displayed by the message viewer 76, so that the user can access the BBS free of charge.

[Embodiment 9] In the above embodiment, the parameters of the user are increased on condition that the message is displayed, and the message is charged. However, as another form, the message may be charged by increasing the parameter on condition that the user operates the display in the message. In this case, it is possible to prevent the parameter from increasing when the user has not seen the message at all, and to prevent the user from being charged for the message even though the user has not seen the message at all.

In still another embodiment, the message may be charged by increasing the parameter on the condition that the user's operation on the display in the message is appropriate. For example, a question that can be surely answered correctly based on the content displayed in the message is displayed in another area of the message, and the point of the user is increased if the answer to the question is correct. May be. In this case, the points of the user can be increased and the message can be charged only when the user reads the message.

Whether or not the response from the user is appropriate may be judged by the message viewer 76 or the message distributor 39. When judged by the message viewer 76, the traffic on the communication network can be reduced. Further, the load on the message distribution device 39 can be reduced. On the other hand, the message distribution device 3
When the determination is made in 9, the load on the message viewer 76 is reduced. In addition, it is possible to easily change the determination sequence as to whether or not the response from the user is appropriate only by updating the software of the single message distribution device 39.

Tenth Embodiment The point increasing method of the above embodiment and the point increasing method of the ninth embodiment may be combined. For example, when the message is displayed, the first predetermined point is added, and the second predetermined point is added on condition that the button in the message is pressed, and the user's response to the message is appropriate. You may add the 3rd point on the condition that it is. In this case, the message provider is charged an amount of money according to the point value. As a result, the message can be appropriately charged according to the expected value recognized by the user.

Eleventh Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the payment system 35 uses a credit card to pay the price of a product. However, the "payment system" includes all systems that have a function of paying the price to the dealer of the product. For example, it may be a system that transfers the payment from the user's bank account to the dealer, or a system that temporarily withdraws the payment from the user's bank account to the bank account for the payment system and further transfers the payment to the dealer of the product. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the browser 74 displayed the homepage information of 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 the above embodiment, the message user database 34 and the message transmission condition database 3 are used.
Although 6 and the connection log 38 are shown in the figure of the independent disk device, these may be stored in the same disk device. Also, the mutual relation of the data of each field can be realized by various file configurations. For example, the message user database 34, the message transmission condition database 36, and the connection log 38 may be configured in different areas within the same file.

A floppy disk 56 or a CD-ROM 58 as an example of a recording medium can store some or all of the functions of the operation of the terminal 10 described in the present application. Further, the information providing device 2 described in the above embodiment
0, when a part of the operation of the host computer 30 or the payment system 35 is executed by the terminal device 10 instead of those devices, the information providing device 20, the host computer 30, or the payment system 35 described in the above embodiment. Part of the operation of the floppy disk 56 or CD
-Can be stored in ROM 58. The floppy disk 106 can store some or all of the functions of the information providing device 20, the host computer 30, or other devices of the payment system 35 described in the above embodiment.

These programs are read directly from the recording medium.
It may be read out to the AM and executed, or once installed in the hard disk drive and then read out to the RAM and executed. Further, the program may be stored in a single recording medium or a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be stored in an encoded form.

As the recording medium, a floppy disk,
In addition to CD-ROM, optical recording media such as DVD, MD
And the like, a magneto-optical recording medium such as a PD, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card and a miniature card, and the like can be used. Alternatively, the information providing device 20, the message distribution device 39, or a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in the host computer 30 may be used as a recording medium to provide the program to the terminal 10 via a communication network. Such a recording medium is used only for manufacturing the terminal 10, the message management device 28, or the message distribution device 39, and the manufacture and sale of such recording medium as a business is the subject of the present application. It is clear that it constitutes an infringement of the patent right thereunder.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the invention according to the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. The invention described in the claims can be implemented by making various modifications to the above-described embodiment. For example, the information providing device 20 described in the above embodiment,
The message distribution device 30 or a part of the functions of the host computer is executed by the terminal 10, and the information providing device 2
0, the message distribution device 30, or the load on the host computer may be reduced. On the other hand, the load of the terminal 10 may be reduced by causing the information providing device 20, the message distribution device 30, or the host computer to execute a part of the functions of the terminal 10 described in 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.

According to the present invention, it is apparent that the following system, device and recording medium have been provided.

1. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, and a message database that is further connected to the communication network and stores a message to be transmitted to the terminal, the message including any one of an image, text, voice, or a combination thereof. A transmission means for transmitting the message read from the message database to the terminal, a display means for displaying the message transmitted to the terminal on the terminal, and an amount of access to the message transmitted to the terminal. Means for storing a parameter corresponding to each user, increasing means for increasing the parameter associated with the user of the terminal when the message is displayed on the terminal by the display means, Detection means for detecting whether or not the person is in an active state in which the message can be recognized, Communication system is characterized in that a stopping means for serial user stops the increase of the parameter by the increasing means when not in an active state.

2. A user database connected to the communication network and storing characteristics of each user of the terminal;
A message transmission condition database that is connected to the communication network and stores the characteristics of a user who should send the message and message identification information that identifies each message in association with each other, and when the user requests the message. , Characteristic reading means for reading the characteristics of the user from the user database by using user identification information for identifying the user, and the characteristics of the user read from the user database by the characteristic reading means Message retrieval means for retrieving the message identification information from the message transmission condition database using, and the transmission means reads out the message retrieved by the message retrieval means from the message database and transmits the message to the terminal. The communication system according to item 1 characterized in that Beam.

3. Means for selling a product or service to the user through the communication network; means for determining the price of the product or service according to the size of the parameter; and the product or service for the user. Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1, further comprising means for reducing the value of the parameter associated with the user when sold.

4. 2. The communication system according to item 1, wherein the detecting means determines whether the user is active or not depending on whether the terminal is operated within a predetermined time.

5. Further comprising means for displaying an operation unit for operating the message when the message is displayed,
Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1, wherein the detection unit determines whether the user is active or not depending on whether or not the operation unit is operated.

6. Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1, wherein the detection unit determines that the user is active depending on whether the user has input according to a sentence in the message.

7. Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1, wherein the stopping unit stops increasing the parameter by stopping displaying the message on the display.

8. The message database has a first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display, and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display, and the stopping means includes The communication system according to item 1, wherein the increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the display of the first message on the display when the user is not active.

9. Means for connecting to the Internet having a host computer, wherein the terminal forms a first data link with the host computer via the communication network and the internet; and via the communication network , And a means for forming a second data link to the message transmission condition database, and a means for transmitting data to the message transmission condition database using the second data link. The communication system according to item 1.

10. The transmitting means includes signal means for transmitting an identification signal for identifying the transmitting means to the terminal when the terminal requests access to the host computer connected to the Internet, and the terminal includes the identifying signal. 10. The communication system according to item 9, wherein the communication means is used to form a data link with the transmission means, and further the second data link is formed.

11. Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1, wherein the increasing unit increases the parameter on the condition that the user appropriately responds to the question in the message displayed on the display. .

12. An update information storage unit that is connected to the communication network and stores update information that is updated independently of the terminal, and transmits each of the update information to each of the terminals a predetermined number of times via the communication network. Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1, further comprising update information transmitting means.

13. If the predetermined number of times is one, the update information transmitting means has a determining means for determining whether or not the update information has already been transmitted to the user, and the core determining means determines that the update information has not yet been transmitted. If judged,
13. The communication system according to item 12, which transmits the update information.

14. The update information transmission means has means for counting the number of times the update information is transmitted to each of the users, and when the communication with the terminal is connected, the update information is transmitted the predetermined number of times. Item 13. The communication system according to Item 12, wherein the update information is transmitted when the communication information is not transmitted.

15. The update information transmitting means further includes a comparing means for comparing an elapsed time from the transmission of the update information with a predetermined time, and transmitting new update information when the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time. 15. The communication system according to item 14, which is characterized.

16. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, a plurality of messages connected to the communication network and including any one of an image, a sentence, a voice, or a combination thereof transmitted to the terminal, and the plurality of messages A message database that stores message identification information for identifying each of the messages in association with each other, a transmission unit that reads the message from the message database and transmits the message to the terminal, and the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmission unit. Display means for displaying on a terminal, a user database that is connected to the communication network and stores the characteristics of each user of the terminal and user identification information for identifying the user in association with each other, and the communication network Receiving means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the The characteristic reading means for reading the characteristic of the user from the user database using the received user identification information, and the characteristic read by the characteristic reading means are displayed on the terminal by the display means. And a statistic recording means for storing the message in association with the message identification information for identifying the message.

17. When the user accesses the message sent to the terminal by the sending means, the statistical recording means identifies the contents of the access and identifies the message sent to the terminal by the sending means. Item 17. The communication system according to Item 16, further comprising means for storing the message in association with the message identification information.

18. When the user accesses the message sent to the terminal by the sending means, the statistical recording means stores the contents of the access in association with the characteristic read by the characteristic reading means. Item 17. The communication system according to Item 16, further comprising:

19. A communication network, a terminal connected to the communication network, a plurality of messages connected to the communication network and including any one of an image, a sentence, a voice, or a combination thereof transmitted to the terminal, and the plurality of messages And a message database that stores message identification information for identifying each of the terminals in association with each other, and associates the characteristics of each user of the terminal with the user identification information that identifies the user. A user database to be stored as a message transmission condition database that is connected to the communication network and stores the message identification information and the characteristics of the user who should transmit the message, and the communication network, A means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal, and the characteristic of the user by using the user identification information. From the user database, message retrieval means for retrieving the message identification information from the message transmission condition database using the characteristic read from the user database by the characteristic reading means, and the message. Displaying the message associated with the message identification information retrieved by the retrieval means from the message database and transmitting the message to the terminal, and displaying the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting means on the terminal. A communication system comprising: a display unit.

20. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting means, the user identification information for identifying the user who accessed the message and the message identification information of the message are displayed. Related message storage means further comprising user identification information storage means for storing in association with each other, wherein the message transmission condition database stores the message identification information for identifying each message in association with the message identification information of another message. And the message search means requests the message in the user identification information associated by the user identification information storage means with the other message associated by the related message storage means. Include the user identification information of the user Communication system according to claim 19, characterized in that retrieving the message as a condition.

21. An image, a sentence, which is a host computer connected to a communication network and is transmitted to the terminal.
Message transmission condition database storing message identification information for identifying each of messages having voice or any combination thereof, and transmission means for transmitting the message identification information read from the message transmission condition database to the terminal. A means for storing, for each user, a parameter according to an access amount to the message transmitted to the terminal, and the terminal transmitted when the message transmitted by the transmitting means is displayed on the terminal. Means for increasing the value of the parameter associated with the user, detection means for detecting whether or not the user is in an active state in which the message can be recognized, and the user is not in an active state And a stop means for stopping the increase of the parameter when Host computer to the butterflies.

22. The message transmission condition database stores the characteristics of the user who should send the message in association with the message identification information of the message, and the characteristics of each user of the terminals connected to the communication network. And a message search means for searching the message transmission condition database for the message identification information using the characteristic of the user read from the user database. Item 22. The host computer according to Item 21, wherein the message identification information retrieved by the message retrieval unit is transmitted to the terminal.

23. Means for selling a product or service to the user through the communication network; means for determining the price of the product or service according to the size of the parameter; and the product or service for the user. Item 22. The host computer according to Item 21, further comprising means for reducing the value of the parameter associated with the user when the host computer is sold.

24. 22. The host computer according to item 21, wherein the stop means determines that the user is active when the message is operated.

25. Item 22. The host computer according to Item 21, wherein the stopping unit determines that the user is active when the user inputs an item according to a sentence in the message.

26. Item 2. The stopping means stops the increase of the parameter by stopping the display of the message on the display.
1. The host computer according to 1.

27. The message database is
The stop means includes a first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display. Item 22. The host computer according to Item 21, wherein the increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the transmission of the first message to the terminal when not active.

28. An update information storage unit that is connected to the communication network and stores update information that is updated independently of the terminal, and transmits each of the update information to each of the terminals a predetermined number of times via the communication network. Item 22. The host computer according to Item 21, further comprising update information transmitting means.

29. 29. The host computer according to item 28, wherein the predetermined number of times is one, and the update information transmitting unit transmits the update information to the user who has not yet transmitted the update information. .

30. A host computer connected to a terminal via a communication network, connected to the communication network,
A message database that stores a plurality of messages including any of images, sentences, voices, or a combination thereof to be transmitted to the terminal and message identification information that stores message identification information that identifies each of the plurality of messages in association with each other; A means for reading out from the message database and transmitting it to the terminal, and connected to the communication network to store the characteristics of each user of the terminal and the user identification information for identifying the user in association with each other. User database, and a receiving means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the communication network, and the user identification information received by the receiving means, the use Characteristic reading means for reading the characteristic of the person from the user database, and transmitting the characteristic to the terminal by the transmitting means. Statistics recording means for storing the characteristic read by the characteristic reading means in association with the message identification information of the message transmitted to the terminal when the message is accessed by the terminal. A host computer characterized by having.

31. When the user accesses the message sent to the terminal by the sending means, the statistical recording means identifies the contents of the access and identifies the message sent to the terminal by the sending means. 31. The host computer according to item 30, further comprising means for storing the message in association with the message identification information.

32. When the user accesses the message sent to the terminal by the sending means, the statistical recording means stores the contents of the access in association with the characteristic read by the characteristic reading means. 31. The host computer according to item 30, further comprising:

33. A host computer connected to a terminal via a communication network, connected to the communication network,
A message database that stores a plurality of messages including any of images, sentences, sounds, or a combination thereof transmitted to the terminal and message identification information that identifies each of the plurality of messages in association with each other, and the communication A user database connected to the network and storing the characteristics of each user of the terminal in association with user identification information for identifying the user, and connected to the communication network to send the message A message transmission condition database that stores the characteristics of the user and the message identification information in association with each other, and means for receiving the user identification information of the user of the terminal from the terminal via the communication network, A characteristic reading means for reading the characteristic of the user from the user database using the user identification information; A message search unit that searches the message transmission condition database for the message identification information by using the characteristics read from the user database by the output unit, and the message identification information searched by the message search unit. And a sending unit that reads the message from the message database and sends the message to the terminal.

34. When the user accesses the message transmitted to the terminal by the transmitting means, the user identification information for identifying the user who accessed the message and the message identification information of the message are displayed. Related message storage means further comprising user identification information storage means for storing in association with each other, wherein the message transmission condition database stores the message identification information for identifying each message in association with the message identification information of another message. And the message search means requests the message in the user identification information associated by the user identification information storage means with the other message associated by the related message storage means. Include the user identification information of the user The host computer according to claim 33, characterized in that retrieving the message as a condition.

35. A recording medium that stores a program executed by a terminal connected via a communication network in a message database that stores a message including any of images, sentences, voices, or a combination thereof.
The program acts on the terminal to receive the message identification information for identifying one of the messages from the communication network, and the message identification information received by the receiving means to communicate the message. Means for requesting a message database provided on the network, receiving means for receiving the message read from the message database, display means for displaying the received message, and display means for displaying the received message on the terminal. When a message is displayed,
Means for notifying a user database that stores a parameter corresponding to the amount of access to the message for each user, that the parameter associated with the user of the terminal should be increased; A recording medium comprising: detection means for detecting whether or not the message is in an active state capable of recognizing the message; and stop means for stopping the increase of the parameter when the user is not active.

36. The user database stores the characteristics of each user of the terminal for each user, and the receiving unit associates the characteristics of the user to which the message should be transmitted with the message identification information. 36. A record according to item 35, characterized in that the message identification information obtained by searching the message transmission condition database to be stored with the characteristic of the user read from the user database is received. Medium 37. 36. The recording medium according to item 35, wherein the detection means determines that the user is active when the terminal is operated within a predetermined time.

38. Item 3 is characterized in that the detection means determines that the user is active by operating the message within a predetermined time.
The recording medium according to 5.

39. 36. The recording medium according to item 35, wherein the detecting unit causes the user to determine that the user is active because the user inputs the sentence in the message.

40. Item 3 characterized in that the stopping means stops the increase of the parameter by stopping displaying the message on the display.
The recording medium according to 5.

41. The message database is
The stop means includes a first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display. 36. The recording medium according to item 35, wherein the increase of the parameter is stopped by stopping the display of the first message on the display when it is inactive.

42. The communication network is further connected to the Internet having a host computer, and the program establishes a first data link to the host computer via the communication network and the Internet, and the communication network. Via means for forming a second data link to the message transmission condition database, and means for transmitting data to the message transmission condition database using the second data link. Characteristic item 35
The recording medium described in.

43. The communication network is connected to update information storage means for storing update information that is updated independently of the terminal, and the program stores each of the update information from the update information storage means via the communication network. Item 3 characterized by further comprising means for receiving a predetermined number of times
The recording medium according to 5.

44. The predetermined number of times is one, and the program causes the update information storage device to receive the update information when the update information is not transmitted from the update information transmission means to the user. The recording medium according to item 43.

45. The update information transmission means has means for counting the number of times the update information is transmitted to each of the users, and the program is configured such that when the communication with the terminal is connected, the update information is The recording medium according to item 44, characterized in that the update information is received from the update information storage means when the update information has not been transmitted a predetermined number of times.

46. The update information transmission means further includes means for measuring an elapsed time after transmitting the previous update information, and the program stores the update information when the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time. Item 45. The recording medium according to Item 45, which is received from the update information storage means.

[0184]

According to the present invention, the parameter assigned to the user increases in accordance with the display of the message and the operation of the message. If this parameter is large enough, the message distribution device pays the product purchased by the user or the internet or BBS communication charge by the user. Therefore, the user can display the message for free on the Internet or BB.
It is possible to access a communication network such as S or purchase the product for free from the communication network.

Since the information provider can provide services such as the Internet or BBS free of charge, many users can be recruited. Further, the message provider can provide the message to the user suitable for each message. In addition, it is possible to provide the user with only messages that are related to the user. Further, according to the present invention, the update information can be reliably provided from the system provider to the user of the terminal 10.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an entire communication system in a first embodiment.

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

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

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

FIG. 5 is a connection management device 23 and a message management device 2.
4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host computer 30 and the host computer 4.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration of a message distribution device 39. FIG.

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

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

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

10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a message transmission condition database 36. FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a connection log 38.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a message access log 37.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence of the terminal 10, the Internet 32, and the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a connection process by the connection module 78 of the terminal 10.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the connection management device 23.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the message management device 24.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an input process of the terminal 10 after the connection sequence.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing event processing of the terminal 10 after the connection sequence.

FIG. 20 is a message distribution device 3 after the connection sequence.
It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 9.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing a purchase sequence of products using parameters assigned to users.

FIG. 22 is a log file of access to a message.

23 is a message user file showing a user who has accessed the message R. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a statistics file showing statistics on access to messages.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an input process of the terminal 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing event processing of the terminal 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of update information displayed on the display 12 according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing details of update determination of the message distribution device.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection sequence according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of update information displayed on the display 12 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of update determination and update processing executed by the message distribution device 39.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire system in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to the eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 terminals 14 body 16, 18 modem 17 Public network (communication network) 19 Public network gateway 20 Information providing device 22 Internet Gateway 24 Message management device 26 message database 27 closed network 28 Computer 29 leased line 30 host computer 32 Internet 35 payment system 39 Message distributor 40 CPU 42 ROM 44 RAM 46 timer 48 input device 50 hard disk drive

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 8-139689 (32) Priority date May 10, 1996 (May 10, 1996) (33) Priority claim country Japan (JP) (56) References JP-A-63-299453 (JP, A) Kamiba, The Krakatoa Chronicle: Interactive personal newspaper utilizing the agent function on WWW, Research Report of Information Processing Society of Japan, Japan, incorporated association. IPSJ, December 1, 1995, Volume 95, No. 115, p. 13-18 (95-OS-71-3, 95-DPS-73-3) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 17/30 G06F 13/00 G06F 17/60 JISST file (JOIS)

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A host computer connected to a communication network, which stores message identification information for identifying each message transmitted to a terminal, the message having any of an image, text, voice, or a combination thereof. A message transmission condition database and read from the message transmission condition database ,
A plurality of said message identification information identifying a plurality of said message, and transmitting means for transmitting to said terminal, with said plurality of message identification information transmitted to the terminal
A unit for storing a parameter according to the amount of access to the plurality of identified messages for each user, and the message identified by the message identification information transmitted by the transmitting unit is displayed on the terminal. Means for receiving the message identification information and the data indicating that the message has been displayed from the terminal, and receiving the message identification information and data indicating that the message has been displayed from the terminal If you do
The value of the parameter associated with the user of the terminal ,
The message to be imposed on the displayed message
Means for increasing the message unit price corresponding to the above, and if there is an operation from the user within a predetermined time,
It is determined that the user is active, and the
If there is no operation from the user, the user is active
By determining that there is no, and the detecting means for the user to detect whether or not the active state capable of recognizing the message, stop means for the user to stop the increase of the parameter if not the active state And a host computer. 2. The message transmission condition database stores the characteristics of the user who should transmit the message in association with the message identification information of the message, and each of the terminals connected to the communication network. Further comprising: a user database for storing the user characteristics of the user; and message search means for searching the message identification information from the message transmission condition database by using the characteristics of the user read from the user database. The host computer according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the message identification information retrieved by the message retrieval unit to the terminal. 3. A means for receiving an order request for a product or service from the user via the communication network, and the parameter associated with the user when it is determined that the order has been properly placed. The host computer according to claim 1, further comprising means for reducing the value by the number required to pay for the goods or services. 4. The host computer according to claim 1, wherein the stopping unit determines that the user is active when the message is operated. 5. The host according to claim 1, wherein the stopping unit determines that the user is active when the user makes an input according to a sentence in the message. Computer. 6. The host computer according to claim 1, wherein the stopping means stops the increase of the parameter by stopping displaying the message on the display. 7. The message database comprises a first message that increases the parameter when displayed on the display, and a second message that does not increase the parameter when displayed on the display. The host computer according to claim 1, wherein: 8. An update information storage unit that is connected to the communication network and stores update information that is updated irregularly, and each of the update information is transmitted a predetermined number of times to each of the terminals via the communication network. 2. The host computer according to claim 1, further comprising: update information transmitting means for performing the update. 9. The predetermined number of times is one, and the update information transmitting means transmits the update information to the user who has not yet transmitted the update information. 8. The host computer according to item 8.