JP2004192053A - Client terminal program for reporting update information, and update information report system to client terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal program and update information report system for reporting the latest update information to a client terminal, which can grasp the connecting state with the client terminal so as to be usable for marketing information while avoiding the load on a communication network or the like as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: A display content file 21 of an promotion image or the like of a WWW server 20 is downloaded to the client terminal 10, and an application window is started up to repeatedly display it. The client terminal 10 contacts a specified file 22 the update information of which is to be acquired for the latest information according to a designated condition, and the received latest information such as the formation time of the file is compared with the recent information of a recent data storage part 12. When the latest information is changed from the recent information, the specified file is regarded to be updated, and an update report file 13 is displayed. When there is no change, the specified file is regarded not to be updated, and a display content file 11 is repeatedly displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a client terminal program for notifying a client terminal of the latest update information through a communication network, and a system for notifying a client terminal of an update information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The Internet has been widely used as an information distribution means, and it has become common for companies and the like to provide information from a Web page using the WWW (World Wide Web) for advertising and enclosing customers. . In order to enhance the effect of providing information using a Web page, it is desirable to transmit the update of the information posted on the Web page to the client terminal as soon as possible so that the user can recognize the latest information as soon as possible. There is also a need from the user side to obtain updated information as soon as possible when information is updated on a Web page on which information of interest is posted.
[0003]
When the user wants to obtain the update information of the Web page by using an information update function generally provided in a browser which is software for browsing the Web page on the client terminal side in order to obtain the update information of the Web page In general, an information update instruction is started, and the latest data is acquired from a Web server that stores a Web page. However, according to this method, the user cannot immediately know the timing at which the information has been updated, and must acquire the same information as the previous time even when the information on the Web page has not been updated. Have a problem.
[0004]
In response to such a problem, as a dedicated software or a browser function, a specified Web server is accessed at regular intervals, information is periodically acquired, and display information on the client terminal is updated. The technology called "push type" is used.
[0005]
Also, regardless of the technology of the client terminal side, the update information is provided to the client terminal designated to update the information of the Web page in the Web server on the information providing side or a dedicated server for notification of update information. (For example, see Patent Literatures 1 and 2).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-10-260886 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-73455
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The update method based on the push-type technology described above can automatically acquire predetermined information without the user activating the information update instruction, thereby preventing forgetting to take information due to forgetting the update instruction. This is excellent in that information can be notified in a state close to real time by frequently setting automatic updating. However, even if the information on the Web page has not been updated, the same information as the previous one must be obtained, so that unnecessary information is transmitted and received, and an extra load is imposed on the processing of the communication network and the client terminal. The problem remains.
[0008]
On the other hand, the inventions described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 are superior in that the client terminal is notified only when the information on the Web page is updated, so that transmission of unnecessary information can be avoided. This is convenient for the user.
[0009]
However, from the information providing side, since the Web server does not accept the access for acquiring the update information from the client terminal, it is necessary to confirm whether the client terminal continuously accesses the Web page. Therefore, there is a problem that the access information cannot be collected and used for marketing or the like. In recent years, it has become common to use log information, which is a record of access to a Web server, as basic data for customer / market analysis. In order to do so, it is preferable to be able to investigate not only the number of accesses to the Web page from the client terminal but also the status of whether or not the client terminal continues to connect to the Web page.
[0010]
In addition, when it is confirmed that the user is still connected to the Web page by the above-described method, the fact that the user wants the update information of the specific Web page means that the user wants to update the specific Web page. Since the relevant information can be continuously displayed on the client terminal while the corresponding client terminal regularly updates the information of the Web page, the marketing effect of the marketing effect can be improved. From the viewpoint, it is more preferable.
[0011]
In response to such a problem, the present invention not only notifies a client terminal of Web page update information, but also minimizes a load on a communication network or the like due to transmission and reception of unnecessary information. To provide a client terminal program for notifying the client terminal of the latest update information through a communication network and a system for notifying the client terminal of the update information, which can grasp the connection status of the client terminal and use it as marketing information. The purpose is.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a client terminal program for notifying update information, wherein a computer sets a specific file stored in a storage device connected through a communication network, After storing the reference information included in the specific file obtained from the storage device via the communication network, and storing the reference information, after the new reference included in the specific file from the storage device via the communication network Setting a condition for acquiring information; acquiring the new reference information from the storage device through a communication network according to the condition; comparing the new reference information with the reference information; When the reference information includes information different from the reference information Is a program for causing and a step of displaying notification information for notifying that the serial identified file has been updated, the.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the client terminal is required to confirm whether or not the specific file has been updated without regularly acquiring the data of all the specific files of the Web page that the user wants to continuously refer to from a storage device such as a WWW server. By acquiring only the minimum reference information and referring to the change from the immediately preceding information, when the update is confirmed, the user can be notified of the fact. Note that the location of the specific file can be specified by a URL if it is a Web page.
[0014]
According to the present invention, an access log from a client terminal or the like is recorded because conditions for referring to a specific file are set such as checking update information at regular intervals such as 10 minutes or 1 hour. It is possible to check the connection status with the client terminal from the log data and use it for marketing and the like.
[0015]
Further, the first invention has a step of causing a computer to execute a step of storing display content data obtained from a second storage device through a communication network, and a step of displaying the display content file. Can also be characterized. The display of the content data may be continuously performed.
[0016]
The display content data used here is, for example, image data used for displaying on a connected client terminal when a connection with a specific WWW server or the like is maintained to receive notification of update information. is there. In this configuration, the display content data is installed on the client terminal, and can be displayed on the client terminal for the purpose of advertisement or the like while the connection is maintained and the update check is continuously performed.
[0017]
Further, the first invention has a step of causing a computer to execute a step of receiving display content data from a second storage device through a communication network and a step of displaying the display content data. It can also be. The display of the content data may be continuously performed.
[0018]
In this configuration, similarly to the above case, image data and the like are used for display on the connected client terminal, but display content data is distributed to the client terminal in real time from a storage device such as a WWW server. When the connection is maintained and the update confirmation is continuously performed, such display content can be displayed on the client terminal for the purpose of advertising and the like, as in the above case. .
[0019]
The reference information and the new reference information may be a creation time of the specific file. The reference information and the new reference information may be a file size of the specific file. The reference information and the new reference information include at least a part of a source code of the specific file, and in the step of comparing the new reference information with reference information stored in the terminal device, It may be characterized by comparing keywords included in.
[0020]
In order to confirm whether or not the specific file has been updated on the client terminal side with as little data amount as possible, it is effective to confirm the change in the creation time of the specific file and the file size of the specific file. Alternatively, a keyword may be set and the presence or absence of an update may be confirmed from the change.
[0021]
According to a second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a means for transmitting the program according to claim 1 to a client terminal through a communication network, a means for storing a specified file specified in the client terminal, Means for transmitting, to the client terminal, a program for displaying notification information notifying that the specific file has been updated, the update information notification system. The information processing apparatus may further include means for recording access information from the client terminal to the specific file.
[0022]
In order to use the client terminal program according to the first aspect of the present invention, the present invention can be configured as a system on the information provider side having a function of downloading the program and an update notification to the client terminal. it can. Further, an access log or the like may be recorded so that the connection status from the client terminal can be used for marketing or the like. According to the present invention, the information provider can improve the customer service by notifying the client terminal of the latest information while collecting the marketing data on the user.
[0023]
Also, a second invention is a means for transmitting the program according to any one of claims 2 to 4 to a client terminal through a communication network, a means for storing a specific file specified in the client terminal, and Means for transmitting, to the client terminal, a program for displaying notification information notifying that the specific file has been updated; means for transmitting, to the client terminal, display content data to be displayed on the client terminal via a communication network; And an update information notification system. The information processing apparatus may further include means for recording access information from the client terminal to the specific file.
[0024]
In this configuration, since the content data for the continuous display of the client terminal is transmitted from the information provider side system, the connection state is confirmed as described above, and as the advertisement for the content in which the user is interested, Display content can also be used.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a use form of a client terminal program and an update information notification system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information distribution system including the update information notification system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of data transmission / reception by the client terminal program for update information notification according to the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are first and second flowcharts, respectively, of a client terminal program for notifying update information according to the present invention.
[0026]
A use form of the client terminal program and the update information notification system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a client terminal program according to the present invention is stored in a client terminal 10. The client terminal 10 is connected to the Internet and browses Web pages included in the WWW servers 20, 30, and 40, respectively. be able to. The client terminal program may be stored in a medium such as a CD-ROM by an information provider and distributed to the user, or may be configured to be downloaded from the WWW server to the client terminal 10.
[0027]
In the client terminal 10, for a Web page from which update information is to be obtained, the URL of the relevant Web page and the conditions for obtaining the update information are set in the client terminal program. As a condition for acquiring the update information, it is general to set a constant interval, for example, every 10 minutes or every hour. However, it is necessary to set a timing when turning on the computer or starting a browser. You may.
[0028]
As the URL set in the client terminal program, a single URL may be set, or a plurality of URLs may be set. When a plurality of designations are made, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the WWW servers 20, 30, and 40 is accessed according to designated conditions, and data necessary for confirming update information is acquired. The URL may be set and selected by the user on the client terminal 10 side. However, if the information provider sets the URL related to the client terminal program in advance in the client terminal program, the information is set. It can also be used as a promotional tool for providers.
[0029]
For confirmation of the update information, a creation time of a file for displaying a Web page, a file size, a keyword included in a source code, and the like can be used. The creation time of the file referred to before the acquisition of the update information, the file size, the keywords included in the source code, and the like are recorded on the client terminal 10, and the creation time of the new file acquired from the WWW servers 20, 30, and 40. By comparing with the file size, keywords included in the source code, and the like, if these data have changed, it is determined that the file has been updated, and a display for notifying the update information is displayed on the client terminal 10. Just do it.
[0030]
Next, a configuration of an information distribution system in a case where an information provider distributes an advertisement image or the like to a client terminal 10 for promotion together with an update information notification system according to the present invention will be described using FIG. In FIG. 2, an information distribution system 50 provided by an information provider includes a Web page WWW server 51 for distributing information to be displayed on a Web page, and a display for distributing content to be continuously displayed on the client terminal 10. A content WWW server 52 and an access log recording device 53 are provided.
[0031]
The point that the client terminal 10 obtains the update information from the Web page WWW server 51 in accordance with the designated condition is the same as in the above case, but in this configuration, the display content WWW server 52 continuously transmits the update information to the client terminal 10. Is delivered. The content data may be displayed in any format such as a moving image, a still image, and characters, and the file format is not limited.
[0032]
The distributed content data can be used as a promotion tool for the information provider by continuously displaying the content data in an application window on the client terminal 10. When the client terminal 10 acquires the update information from the Web page WWW server 51, a screen for notifying the application window of the update may be inserted between the display contents and displayed. Alternatively, another application window may be launched to notify the update.
[0033]
The content data may be distributed from the display content WWW server 52 to the client terminal 10 in a streaming format, or may be configured to be downloaded from the display content WWW server 52 to the client terminal 10. In the case of downloading, when the content data of the display content WWW server 52 is updated by the same updating method as the Web page WWW server 51, the user is configured to download new content data. It will also be possible to provide the latest promotion information to.
[0034]
In FIG. 2, the web page WWW server 51 and the display content WWW server 52 are described as independent servers. However, in terms of a physical system configuration, the same hardware has both functions. You may.
[0035]
The access log recording device 53 records access information for acquiring update information from the client terminal 10 to the Web page WWW server 51. By grasping the connection status of each user from the access information, it is possible to analyze the user's preferences and behavior patterns and utilize the information as marketing information. According to the conventional access log acquisition method, only the number of accesses can be analyzed. However, by recording the status of continuous inquiries from the client, how much the update status of the accessed Web page can be updated It is possible to grasp whether the connection state requested is continuing.
[0036]
Next, the flow of data transmission and reception by the client terminal program for update information notification according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the WWW server 20 has both functions of a Web page display function and a display content file transmission function.
[0037]
First, a display content file 21 such as a promotion image included in the WWW server 20 is downloaded to the client terminal 10. The downloaded display content file 11 is repeatedly displayed by launching an application window on the client terminal 10, during which the client terminal 10 obtains a specific file 22 of the WWW server 20 from which update information is to be obtained in accordance with specified conditions. Is inquired about the latest information.
[0038]
On the other hand, the latest information on the specific file 22 is transmitted from the WWW server 20 and compared with the latest information stored in the latest data storage unit 12. The information to be compared is, for example, the creation time of the file, the file size, and the like. If the latest information has changed from the latest information, it is regarded that the specific file has been updated and the file is installed in the client terminal 10. The update notification file 13 is displayed to notify the user of the update. The display of the update notification file may be performed on an application window that displays the display content, or another application window may be started. If the latest information does not change from the latest information, the specific file is regarded as not being updated, and the display content file 11 is continuously displayed on the client terminal 10 repeatedly.
[0039]
The processing flow of the client terminal program for updating information notification according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. In the case of FIG. 4, when the computer which is the client terminal is first activated, an application window is started up and display contents such as promotion information of the information provider are displayed (S01). Here, it is confirmed whether or not the time according to the interval set in the program is reached (S02). If the set time has not been reached, the display content is continuously displayed (S01).
[0040]
When the set time has been reached, the designated file of the Web server corresponding to the Web page registered in the program is accessed (S03). Here, the creation time of the specified file is acquired (S04), and the two are compared with reference to the creation time acquired in the previous inquiry and recorded in the client terminal (S05). It is determined whether the creation time has been updated based on whether the acquired creation time is later than the recorded creation time (S06).
[0041]
If the creation time has not been updated, it is determined that the Web page has not been updated, and the display of the display content is continuously repeated (S01). If the creation time has been updated, it is determined that the Web page has been updated, and update information for notifying the update is displayed on the client terminal (S07).
[0042]
In the case of FIG. 5, the process from starting the computer which is the client terminal to accessing the designated file of the Web server corresponding to the Web page registered in the program is the same as the case of FIG. 4 (S11). ~ 13).
[0043]
In this case, the source code of the specified file is acquired (S14), and the two are compared by referring to the keyword included in the source code acquired in the previous inquiry and recorded in the client terminal (S15). With respect to the acquired source code, it is determined whether or not a file for displaying a Web page has been updated based on a change in the number or position of keywords recorded in advance (S16).
[0044]
If the number or position of the keywords has not changed, it is determined that the Web page has not been updated, and the display of the display content is repeated (S11). If the number or position of the keywords has changed, it is determined that the Web page has been updated, and update information for notifying the update is displayed on the client terminal (S17).
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a user on the client terminal side can quickly acquire update information such as a Web page. Since unnecessary transmission / reception of information is excluded when acquiring update information, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the client terminal.
[0046]
Also, for the information provider on the side of the WWW server or the like, the update information can be reliably notified according to the user's request, and the load on the communication network or the like for transmitting the update information can be reduced. it can. Since the connection status can be grasped by receiving a periodic inquiry from the client terminal, it is also possible to utilize an access log or the like as marketing information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a use form of a client terminal program and an update information notification system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information distribution system including an update information notification system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of data transmission / reception by a client terminal program for update information notification according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a first flowchart of a client terminal program for updating information notification according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a second flowchart of a client terminal program for updating information notification according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Client terminal 11 Display content file 12 Latest data storage unit 13 Update notification file 20 WWW server 21 Display content file 22 Registration file 30 WWW server 40 WWW server 50 WWW server 51 Web page WWW server 52 Display content WWW server 53 Access log Recording device

Claims (10)

A client terminal program for update information notification, wherein the computer
Setting a specific file stored in a storage device connected through a communication network;
Storing reference information included in the specific file obtained from the storage device through a communication network;
After the step of storing the reference information, setting a condition for acquiring new reference information included in the specific file from the storage device through a communication network;
Acquiring the new reference information from the storage device through a communication network according to the condition;
Comparing the new reference information with the reference information;
When the new reference information includes information different from the reference information, displaying notification information notifying that the specific file has been updated,
A program characterized by executing On the computer,
Storing the display content data obtained from the second storage device through the communication network;
Displaying the display content file;
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is executed. On the computer,
Receiving display content data from the second storage device through the communication network;
Displaying the display content data;
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is executed. The program according to claim 2, wherein the display of the content data is continuously performed. The program according to claim 1, wherein the reference information and the new reference information are creation times of the specific file. The program according to claim 1, wherein the reference information and the new reference information are a file size of the specific file. The reference information and the new reference information include at least a part of a source code of the specific file, and in the step of comparing the new reference information with reference information stored in the terminal device, The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the keywords included in the program are compared. Means for transmitting the program according to claim 1 to a client terminal through a communication network;
Means for storing a specified file specified in the client terminal;
Means for transmitting to the client terminal a program for displaying notification information notifying that the specific file has been updated through a communication network,
An update information notification system comprising: Means for transmitting the program according to any one of claims 2 to 4 to a client terminal through a communication network;
Means for storing a specified file specified in the client terminal;
Means for transmitting to the client terminal a program for displaying notification information notifying that the specific file has been updated through a communication network,
Means for transmitting display content data to be displayed on the client terminal to the client terminal through a communication network,
An update information notification system comprising: 10. The update information notification system according to claim 8, further comprising means for recording access information from the client terminal to the specific file.

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