JP2000348065A - Information provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide an information providing apparatus capable of providing a user with desired display information while reliably and effectively providing passive information such as an advertisement to the user for recognition. thing. SOLUTION: When providing information of the Internet 9 desired by a user from an information providing device 4 to a terminal device 1, passive information such as an advertisement is transmitted to the terminal device 1 together with the Internet information. The terminal device 1 includes means for displaying the Internet information and the passive information on the display 8 in respective display areas. The passive information is controlled so as to be displayed at the forefront of the display 8 and within the displayable range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus using the Internet or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of information have been provided to users using, for example, the Internet or personal computer communication networks. In such an information providing system, a personal computer (terminal device) usually owned by a user is connected to a so-called provider computer (information providing device) via a modem and a public communication network such as a telephone line network. . When the user accesses the information providing device of the provider with the terminal device, desired information supplied to the Internet or a personal computer communication network is transmitted via the information providing device or directly from the information providing device. Provided to The information provided to the user's terminal device is displayed on the display device of the terminal device. The user can confirm desired information on the display and operate the display information to scroll the display information or switch to the sub menu display.

Conventionally, display information provided (transmitted) from an information providing device to a terminal device is displayed in a single display area (window) of the display device of the terminal device. Recent terminal devices can display a plurality of types of information such as display information provided from an information providing device on a display device and file information in the terminal device in a manner superimposed on respective windows. Here, when providing the display information from the information providing device to the terminal device, there is a case where the additional information such as an advertisement is provided together with the display information desired by the user. Conventionally, the display information and the additional information provided to the terminal device are displayed in a single display area (window) of the display device of the terminal device. Therefore, the additional information has been inserted into the screen of the display information desired by the user.

However, when the additional information is displayed on the display device by such a method, when the user updates the display information displayed on the display device of the terminal device by scrolling or the like,
The additional information may disappear. Also, when the user displays file information or the like in the terminal device, the additional information may be hidden behind a window that displays the file information or the like. Therefore, in the conventional system, the additional information such as the advertisement cannot be displayed so that the user can surely recognize it, and the additional information cannot be efficiently provided.

Conventionally, additional information has been randomly transmitted to a terminal of a user who has accessed the information providing apparatus. For this reason, additional information has been provided even to users who do not originally need the additional information or who cannot obtain the desired effect even if provided. Further, in the conventional Internet World Wide Web (WWW), only information selected by the user is provided to the user. That is, information on the World Wide Web (WWW) is transmitted only passively at the request of the user, and information is actively provided to the user from a provider or another host computer that manages the information providing apparatus. I couldn't.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention can provide a user with desired display information while reliably and effectively recognizing and providing additional information such as an advertisement. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing device capable of providing accurate additional information according to the information. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information providing device and a terminal device that allow a provider on the World Wide Web (WWW) and other host computers to actively provide information.

[0007]

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus capable of transmitting at least two types of display information, and an information providing apparatus comprising: A terminal device that is freely connected and disconnected via a communication line and that can display received display information on a display device,
An information display system for transmitting specific display information and other additional information from the information providing device to the terminal device for display, wherein the active information and the additional information received by the terminal device are received. And display control means for displaying on the respective display areas of the display device.

According to the present invention, in response to a request for transmission of the active information from the terminal device to the information providing device, the additional information is transmitted from the information providing device to the terminal together with the active information. Sent to the device. Then, the active information and the additional information received by the terminal device are displayed on respective display areas of the display device of the terminal device by the display control means provided in the terminal device, and independently of each other. Is displayed.

Therefore, in the display device of the terminal device, the active information desired by the user of the terminal device is displayed alone in the display area corresponding to the active information. Further, since the additional information such as advertisement is displayed alone in a display area different from the display area of the active information, even if the active information desired by the user changes in the display area, the additional information is displayed. Are displayed independently in the display area. Thereby, it is possible to effectively provide additional information such as advertisements and provide recognition while providing desired display information to the user.

[0010] In the present invention, the display control means preferably includes means for displaying the additional information on the forefront of the display device, and further, the display control means includes a function for displaying the additional information. It is preferable to provide a means for displaying all the information within the displayable range of the display device. By doing so, the additional information is basically displayed on the foreground of the display device, and all the additional information is displayed within the displayable range of the display device. For this reason, additional information such as advertisements can be effectively recognized and provided by the user of the terminal device. Such display control can be performed by a function of an OS (Operating System) provided in the terminal device, for example.
As an OS (operating system) having such a function, for example, Windows 95 (trademark) of Microsoft Corporation (trademark) can be used.

When the user performs a special operation or when the terminal device has a special program, the additional information is stored in a different format regardless of the display control of the display control means as described above. It may be hidden behind the display or go out of the displayable area of the display device. Therefore, the present invention further detects whether or not the additional information is in the normal display state in which the additional information is displayed on the foreground of the display device and all of the additional information is displayed within the displayable range of the display device. And a warning unit for notifying the terminal device of a warning when the normal display state is not detected by the detection unit.

In this manner, when the additional information is hidden behind the other display or goes out of the displayable area of the display device and the display is not in the normal display state, , Which is detected by the detecting means. At this time, a warning is issued by the warning means. Thus, it is possible to urge the user of the terminal device to display the additional information in a regular display state.

The warning means issues a warning by, for example, displaying a warning on a display device of the terminal device. In this case, in the present invention, if at least the active information can be updated by operation of the terminal device or the like, after a predetermined time has passed after the warning by the warning means, the regular display is performed by the detection means. A delay means is provided for delaying updating of the active information when it is detected that the state is not the state.

Further, a stop means for stopping the updating of the active information when a predetermined time has elapsed after the delay of the update by the delay means and the detection means has detected that the display is not in the normal display state. Prepare. Disconnecting means for disconnecting the communication between the information providing apparatus and the terminal device when the detecting means detects that the display is not in the normal display state after a predetermined time has elapsed after the stop means stops updating; Is provided.

In this manner, even if a warning is issued by the warning means, after the warning is issued, a predetermined time or more is required.
If the additional information is not returned to the regular display state, the delay means delays updating of the display of the active information desired by the user as compared with a case where the display of the active information is normal. Is difficult to see. If the additional information is not returned to the normal display state for a predetermined time or more due to such a delay in updating the display of the active information, the updating of the active information is stopped by the stop means, and the use of the additional information is stopped. Cannot refer to the new active information. Furthermore, even if the additional information is not returned to the regular display state for a predetermined time or more due to such an update delay of the display of the active information, the communication between the information providing device and the terminal device itself is not performed. The user is disconnected by the disconnection means, and the user cannot obtain desired active information at all.

In this way, when the additional information is not in the regular display state, the user is effectively and gradually encouraged to make the regular display state, and recognizes that the regular display state is to be made. Can be done.

In the present invention, when the additional information is not in the normal display state, the user is made to recognize stepwise that the display should be in the normal display state, but at least the active information can be updated. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the additional information is in a formal display state in which the additional information is in the foreground of the display device and all of the additional information is displayed within a displayable range of the display device; And delaying means for delaying updating of the active information when the detecting means detects that the active information is not in the normal display state. May be delayed so that the user recognizes that the display of the additional information should be in the normal display state.

Alternatively, when at least the active information can be updated, the additional information is displayed on the forefront of the display device and all of the additional information is displayed within a displayable range of the display device. Detecting means for detecting whether the display is in the normal display state, and stopping means for stopping updating of the active information when the detection means detects that the display is not in the normal display state, When the information is not in the regular display state, the updating of the active information may be stopped to make the user recognize that the display of the additional information should be in the regular display state.

Alternatively, detecting means for detecting whether or not the additional information is in the normal display state in which the additional information is displayed in the foreground of the display device and all the additional information is displayed within the displayable range of the display device; When the detecting means detects that the information display device is not in the normal display state, the information providing device includes a disconnecting device that disconnects communication between the information providing device and the terminal device. The communication with the terminal device may be disconnected.

In the case where the updating of the active information is delayed by the delay means, for example, the delay means delays the normal transmission of the active information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. This delays updating of the active information. Such a transmission delay can be performed, for example, by transmitting error information to the terminal device at a rate of once per a plurality of times from the information providing device in response to a transmission request from the terminal device.

When the updating of the active information is stopped by the stopping means, for example, the stopping means stops the normal transmission of the active information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. , Stop updating the active information. Such transmission suspension can be performed, for example, by transmitting error information from the information providing device to the terminal device in response to a transmission request from the terminal device.

Also, in the present invention, the delay means
In the case of delaying the update of the active information or stopping the update of the active information by the stopping unit,
After the delay of the update by the delay unit or after the stop of the update by the stop unit, when the detection unit detects that the display is in the normal display state within a predetermined time, the update by the delay unit is delayed. Means for canceling the suspension of the update by the suspending means. According to this, if the display of the additional information is returned to the normal display state within a predetermined time after the delay or stoppage of the update of the active information, the user can obtain the desired active information without any trouble. it can.

In the present invention, when the terminal device has a display memory for storing and holding the display contents of the display device, the detecting means includes the contents of the display memory in a display area of the additional information and the information of the information. Whether or not the additional information is in the normal display state is detected based on whether or not the additional information transmitted from the providing apparatus matches. This makes it possible to reliably detect whether the additional information is in the regular display state.

Further, according to the present invention, the information providing device includes:
A message database that stores a plurality of the additional information and display conditions of the additional information; and transmits the additional information to the terminal device according to the display conditions of the additional information. Thereby, each of the additional information can be provided to the user's terminal device under the desired display condition.

In this case, the display condition of each additional information held in the message database includes a type of a user who is to display the additional information, and the information providing apparatus is configured to transmit the additional information to the user of the terminal device. Based on the user database holding the type information and the information held in the message database, additional information suitable for the type of the user of the terminal device is transmitted to the terminal device. As a result, additional information suitable for the type is provided to the user of the terminal device. Therefore, as described above, while providing desired display information to the user, additional information such as an advertisement is provided to the user. It is possible to effectively provide the user with recognition, and at the same time, it is possible to effectively provide accurate additional information according to the type of the user, such as age and gender.

It is preferable that the type of the user includes at least one of age, gender, marital status, occupation and location of the user of the terminal device.

In the present invention, the display condition of each additional information held in the message database includes an upper limit display count for each user of the terminal device. Means for counting the number of times each additional information is transmitted to the terminal device for each user, and means for prohibiting transmission of the additional information to the terminal device after the number of transmissions reaches the upper limit display number. Is provided. In this way, the additional information is provided to one user with the number of times equal to or less than the upper limit display number, and the same additional information is provided unnecessarily many times. Can be eliminated.

In this case, by setting the upper limit display count to the upper limit display count within a predetermined period, it is possible to provide the same additional information to one user unnecessarily many times within a predetermined period. Can be prevented.

In the present invention, the display condition of each additional information held in the message database includes a total upper limit display number of each additional information.
Means for counting the number of transmissions to the terminal device for each additional information; and means for inhibiting transmission of the additional information to the terminal device after the number of transmissions reaches the total upper limit display number. . According to this, the total number of times one piece of additional information is provided to the terminal device can be limited to a desired total upper limit or less. In this case, the total upper limit display count is, for example, the total upper limit display count within a predetermined period.

In the present invention, the display condition of each additional information held in the message database includes a request display time of each additional information, and the information providing device sets the current time to the request display time. When reached, the additional information is transmitted to the terminal device. According to this, each additional information can be transmitted to the terminal device at the desired request display time and provided to the user of the terminal device. Therefore, according to the present invention, while providing desired display information to the user, the additional information such as an advertisement can be surely and effectively recognized and provided to the user, and at the same time, the user's age and It is possible to provide accurate additional information according to the type such as gender.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for transmitting a plurality of types of display information to a terminal device using a communication line to which the terminal device having a display device can be freely connected and disconnected, Means for receiving, from the terminal device, a request for display information (referred to as active information) actively specified by a user of the device, and a request specified from the plurality of types of display information based on the request. Means for selecting active information, and display information (referred to as passive information) to be displayed on the terminal device irrespective of active designation by a user of the terminal device, among the plurality of display information. And a means for transmitting the active information and the passive information to the terminal device so as to display both the active information and the passive information on the terminal device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for operating a terminal device having means for connecting and disconnecting to a communication line and a display device, wherein the program operates on the terminal device, Means for connecting to an information providing device capable of transmitting a plurality of types of display information, and a request for display information (called active information) actively specified by a user of the terminal device from the information providing device. Means for receiving, based on the request, means for receiving active information selected from the plurality of types of display information, and irrespective of active designation by the user of the terminal device, Means for selecting display information (called passive information) to be displayed on the terminal device from the plurality of pieces of display information, and providing both the active information and the passive information to the information provider. By receiving from the device, that a device to be displayed on the terminal device can provide a recording medium characterized. Further, it is possible to provide a terminal device characterized by performing a program operation described in the recording medium.

[0033]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an information display system according to this embodiment. In this information display system, a terminal device 1 owned by a user is connected to a public line network 3 via a modem 2. An information providing device 4 composed of a computer system owned by the provider is connected to the public line network 3 via a gateway 5 and a modem 6.
The terminal device 1 and the information providing device 4 can communicate via the public network 3. The terminal device 1 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, and includes a main body 7 to which a modem 2 is connected and a display 8 (display device). Although only a single terminal device 1 is shown in FIG. 1, many terminal devices 1 are actually connected to the information providing device 4 via the public network 3.

The information providing device 4 has an Internet gateway 10 connected to the Internet 9.
The terminal device 1 accesses the information providing device 4 to
The user can connect to the Internet 9 via the Internet gateway 10 and obtain desired information on the Internet 9. The Internet gateway 10 and the gateway 5 include a router. The information providing device 4 provides the terminal device 1 with a message database 12 holding additional information (hereinafter, referred to as a message) such as a plurality of advertisements, information on conditions for providing the message to the terminal device 1, and the like. Message management device 1
1 and a user database 13. Information specified on the request of the user and provided to the display device, such as the information on the Internet 9, is called active information. On the other hand, information automatically provided to the terminal device even when not specified by the user as in the above message is called passive information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device 1 of FIG. The CPU 40 is activated by a program stored in the ROM 42. The FD drive 52 and the CD-ROM drive 54 read programs or data from a floppy (registered trademark) disk 56 and a CD-ROM 58, respectively. The CPU 40 installs a program provided by a recording medium such as the floppy disk 56 or the CD-ROM 58 in the hard disk drive 50 and reads out the program into the RAM 44 to execute the program. The timer 46 counts the time set by the CPU 40, and notifies the CPU 40 when the set time has elapsed. The calendar IC is backed up by a battery and provides the current date and time to the CPU 40. The input device 48 inputs data from a user of the terminal device 1.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the message database 12. In the message database, the message ID and message transmission condition (in FIG. 3, the type of the individual limit count, the individual limit count, the type of the total limit count,
Total number of times, display date and time, age range, gender, marital status, occupation,
Location) and drawing data. Message I
D indicates a unique identification code for each message. In each item column of the message transmission condition, data is registered only when the transmission condition is limited by the content of each item.

The individual limit number of times type is a condition for providing each message to the terminal device 1 as an upper limit number of times of displaying a message per one user of the terminal device 1 (each message is displayed on one terminal device 1). A setting mode of the upper limit number of times of display when the upper limit number of times of transmission and display is provided will be described. For example, when the maximum number of display times per day or per month is set, "day" or "month" is indicated. If the period for setting the upper limit display count is not specified, “all total” is indicated. Then, as the individual limit count, a desired upper limit display count for displaying a message per user of the terminal device 1 is described in accordance with the item of the individual limit count type.

The total limit number type indicates a total upper limit display number for displaying each message (an upper limit of the total number of display times at which each message is transmitted from the information providing device 4 and displayed on any one of the terminal devices 1). The setting mode of the total upper limit display count and the like are shown. For example, when providing a total upper limit display count per day or per month, "day" or "month" is indicated. If the period for setting the total upper limit display count is not specified, “all total” is indicated. And, as the total limit number, corresponding to the item of the total limit number type,
The total upper limit display count for displaying each message is described.

When the date and time at which each message is to be displayed is specified, the display date and time (for example, 1996.1.1, 1
2:00 etc.). The age range indicates the age range (for example, 18 to 22 years old) when limiting the age range of the user of the terminal device 1 displaying each message. The gender indicates the gender (male or female) when limiting the gender of the user of the terminal device 1 displaying each message. In the marriage history column, data indicating marriage or unmarriage is described when the user of the terminal device 1 displaying each message is limited to, for example, married or unmarried people.

The occupation item column describes the occupation (eg, office worker, student, etc.) when limiting the occupation of the user of the terminal device 1 that displays each message. When the location of the user of the terminal device 1 displaying each message is limited, the location column (for example, Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, etc.) is described in the location column. The drawing data item column describes the drawing data of each message.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the user database.
The user database 13 holds information on the user of the information providing device 4. Specifically, each user has a user ID, a password, a date of birth, sex, marriage history (whether married or unmarried), occupation type, and address (location). here,
The user ID item field and the password item field each include an identification code of a user of each terminal device 1 connected to the information providing device 4 and information necessary for accessing the information providing device 4 from each terminal device 1. A password is described, and information corresponding to the item name is described in the item columns of date of birth, gender, marriage history (whether married or unmarried), job type, and address (location).

When the information providing apparatus 4 receives the access of the terminal device 1 and provides information on the Internet 9, the information providing device 4 converts each message based on the message database 12 and the user database 13 in accordance with the designated conditions and the like. Send to The information providing device 4 can transmit an emergency message such as earthquake information to the terminal device 1 in addition to a normal message such as an advertisement.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the main body 7. As shown in FIG. Software necessary for communicating with the information providing device 4 and the Internet 9 is installed in the terminal device 1. The main body 7 has, as a functional configuration, an Internet access management unit 1 that manages data exchange with the Internet 9 via the information providing device 4.
4, a TCP / IP driver 15, a PPP driver 16 and a serial driver 17 for transmitting and receiving the data via the modem 2, and a display 8 of the terminal device 1.
And a display management unit 18 (display control means) for performing the display control described above.

FIG. 6 shows a display on the display 8 by the display management unit 18. The display management unit 18 controls the information providing device 4
Access to Internet 9 via Internet (request)
Information (active information, hereinafter referred to as Internet display information) obtained from the Internet 9 and a plurality of messages provided from the information providing apparatus 4
The display on the display 8 is managed while exchanging data with the information providing device 4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the display data of the Internet display information and the message is displayed on each of the display areas a and b of the display 8. In particular, the message is displayed at the forefront of the display 8 and within the displayable range of the display 8 as described later.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of message data that the terminal device 1 receives from the information providing device 4 together with the Internet display information. Message data is message ID
And a message Type such as earthquake information indicating whether the message requires urgent display or a specified display date and time, and drawing data of the message. The terminal device 1 receives a plurality of message data in a queue format from an address indicated by a queue head pointer on a memory (not shown) to an address indicated by a queue tail pointer. The display management unit 18 displays the message data on the display 8 for a predetermined time sequentially from the head message data in the queue.

In FIG. 7, "Previous" indicates the memory address of the message data immediately before each message data in the queue. “Next” indicates the memory address of the message data next to each message data in the queue. Transmission of each message data from the information providing device 4 to the terminal device 1 is also performed in a queue format in the same manner as described above.

In FIG. 5, a display management unit 18 performs the above-described display management and the like. The transmission request counter 19 in the display management unit 18 defines the number of message data received from the information providing device 4. When the drawing data of each message is not in the regular display state in which the drawing data of each message is displayed on the foreground of the display 8 and within the displayable range of the display 8, the check level holding unit 20 indicates the duration of the non-regular display state. Hold. The display timer 21 measures a time for performing each message on the display 8 for a predetermined time. The check timer 22 defines a duration that is not a regular display state. The warning display command unit 23 (warning means) displays a warning on the display 8 under a predetermined condition when the display is not in the regular display state. The display detection unit 24 (detection means) detects whether the display of the message on the display 8 is in a normal display state.

The display detecting section 24 determines whether the VRAM data in the display area of each message on the display 8 matches the drawing data of the entire message based on the data in the display memory (VRAM) of the display 8. Is detected in the normal display state. The transmission request counter 19 increments (increases) the count value by one every time a message transmission request is sent from the terminal device 1 to the information providing device 4, and each time the display of each message in the queue is completed on the display 8. Is decremented by one.

The check level held by the check level holding unit 20 is set to “0” when the message displayed on the display 8 is in an irregular display state, and thereafter, the irregular display state is changed to a check timer. The check level value is incremented by one every time the timer period of 22 (predetermined time) is continued. Note that the alarm display command unit 23
When the irregular display state continues for the timer time (predetermined time) of the check timer 22 after the check level of the check level holding unit 20 is set to “0”, an alarm is displayed on the display 8.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the message management device 11 of the information providing device 4. The message management device 11 transmits the Internet display information from the Internet 9 to the terminal device 1 and transmits the Internet display information to the terminal device 1 based on information in the message database 12 and the user database 13 and the like. A transmission message selection / setting unit 26 for selecting / setting a message to be transmitted, and for each user of the transmission message (each terminal device 1
And a transmission management database 27 that holds a file for counting the number of times of display (the number of times of transmission) when the upper limit of the number of times of display and the total number of times of display are specified.

The Internet information transmission management unit 25 includes an update delay unit 28 (delay means) for delaying the update of the Internet display information provided to the terminal device 1 on the display 8 of the terminal device 1 and stops updating the Internet display information. An update stop unit 29 (stop unit) for making the communication between the information providing device 4 and the terminal device 1 is forcibly interrupted, and a communication disconnection unit 30 (cut unit) for forcibly interrupting the communication is provided as a functional configuration.

The transmission management database 27 holds a total upper limit management file shown in FIG. 9 for counting the number of display times (number of transmissions) of a message when a message for which the total upper limit display count is specified is transmitted. I do. An individual upper limit count management file shown in FIG. 10 for counting the number of display times (number of times of transmission) of a message in which the above-mentioned upper limit display count is designated for each user (each terminal device 1). Is stored for each message.

The total upper limit number management file of FIG. 9 has items of a message ID, a total limit number type, a time stamp, and a display counter related to a message for which the total upper limit display number is designated. When the message for which the total upper limit display count is designated for the first time is transmitted in the items of the message ID and the total limit number of times, the identification code of the message held in the message database 12 and the total upper limit when the message is transmitted for the first time. The setting mode of the number of display times (“day”, “month”, “total”) is written.

In the item of the time stamp, a time stamp at the time of transmission is written corresponding to the setting mode of the total upper limit display count. For example, if the setting mode of the total upper limit display frequency is the total upper limit display frequency per day or per month, the date when the first transmission is performed (for example, 1996.1.1)
And year and month (for example, 1996.1) are written as a time stamp. If the setting mode of the total upper limit display count does not specify a period, the time stamp is set to “0”. In the item of the display counter, “1” indicating that this is the first transmission is written in the first transmission of the message for which the total upper limit display count is specified. Thereafter, the display counter is incremented by one each time a transmission is made.

The individual upper limit number management file shown in FIG. 10 includes a user ID, an individual limit number type, a time stamp, and a display counter related to transmission of a message in which the upper limit display number for each user (each terminal device 1) is designated. Items. In the item of the user ID, the identification code of the user of the terminal device 1 that has transmitted the message is written at the time of the first transmission based on the user database 13. Also, in the items of the individual limit count type, the time stamp, and the display counter, similarly to the total upper limit count management file, the setting mode of the upper limit count (“day”, “month”, “total”), and the corresponding The time stamp (date of transmission, etc.) and the number of times of transmission are written. This individual upper limit number management file is created for each message for which the upper limit display number is specified for each user (each terminal device 1).

FIG. 11 to FIG. 16 show the operation of the terminal device 1. When the user operates the terminal device 1 to obtain desired information from the Internet 9 and completes login to the information providing device 1 (YES in S101), the display management unit 18
Transmits a message transmission request to the information providing apparatus 4 until the count value of the transmission counter 19 reaches a predetermined maximum simultaneous transmission request number. Also, for each transmission, a transmission request counter 1
9 is incremented (S102 to S104).

When the count value of the transmission counter 19 reaches the predetermined maximum number of simultaneous transmission requests, the display management unit 18 waits until a message is received from the information providing device 4 (S
105). Upon receiving the message, the received message is displayed on the display 8 of the terminal device 1 (S10).
6). The received messages are basically held sequentially from the head of the queue as shown in FIG. 5, and the message at the head of the queue is taken out and displayed on the display 8 of the terminal device 1.

In parallel with this operation, the Internet display information desired by the user of the terminal device 1 is also transmitted to the information providing device 4.
Is transmitted to the terminal device 1 separately from the message, and is displayed on the display 8. At this time, the Internet display information and the message are displayed in different display areas a and b of the display 8 as shown in FIG. In this case, the display position of the Internet display information and the message can be moved by operating the terminal device 1.

Next, the display management unit 18 controls the display timer 2
After setting (starting) 1 (S107), it is determined whether a message is newly received (S108). If not received, the process proceeds to S117. When a new message is received in S108, it is determined whether the type of the received message ("Message Type" in FIG. 7) is an emergency message such as earthquake information (S1).
09). If the received message is an urgent message, the message displayed on the display 8 is returned to the head of the queue (see FIG. 7) (S110), and the urgent message is displayed on the display 8 (S11).
1). Further, the display management unit 18 resets the display timer 21 (S112), sets (starts) the display timer 21 again (S113), and proceeds to S117.

In S109, if the newly received message is not an urgent message, the display management unit 18
Determines whether the type of the received message is a message for which the display time is specified (S114). If the new received message is a time-specified message, the time-specified message is replaced with another time in the queue. An interrupt is inserted at the beginning of the message other than the designated message (S115). If the new incoming message is not a timed message,
The message is held after the last message in the queue (S116), and the process proceeds to S117.

In S117, the display management section 18 determines whether or not a predetermined timer time of the display timer 21 has timed out, that is, whether or not the display time of the message being displayed on the display 8 has continued for a predetermined time. If the display time of the message being displayed on the display 8 has continued for a predetermined time and the display timer 21 has timed out,
After transmitting a signal indicating the completion of displaying one message to the information providing device 4 (S118), it is determined whether the queue is empty (S119). If the queue is not empty and the message transmitted from the information providing device 4 is held, the message at the head of the queue is taken out and displayed on the display 8 (S120). In addition, display timer 2
After newly setting (starting) 1 (S121), the transmission request counter 19 is decremented (S122).
Go to 126.

The message previously displayed on the display 8 is deleted when a new message is displayed. In S119, the queue is empty and the information providing device 4
If the message transmitted from the server is not held, the display management unit 18 displays a predetermined idle message on the display 8 (S1).
23), and proceed to S126.

If the display timer 21 has not timed out yet and the display time of the message being displayed has not passed the predetermined time in S117, the display management unit 18
Determines whether the idle message is displayed on the display 8 (S124). When the message displayed on the display 8 is not an idle message (when the message transmitted from the information providing device 4 is displayed), the process proceeds to S126. If the message you ’re viewing is an idle message,
It is determined whether or not the queue is empty (S125). If the queue is not empty and the message transmitted from the information providing device 4 is held, the processes of S120 to S122 are performed, the message at the head of the queue is newly displayed on the display 8, and the display timer After setting 21, the transmission request counter 19 is decremented. Also,
If the queue is empty in S125, the process proceeds to S126.

In S126, the display management unit 18 determines whether or not the sum of the count value of the transmission request counter 19 and the number of messages in the queue is less than the maximum simultaneous transmission request number. If not, the transmission request is transmitted to the information providing device 4 (S127), and then the transmission request counter 19 is incremented (S128).
Go to 30. If the sum of the count value of the transmission request counter 19 and the number of messages in the queue is equal to or greater than the maximum number of simultaneous transmission requests, the process proceeds to S130 without making a transmission request to the information providing device 4.

With the above processing, the messages transmitted from the information providing device 4 in response to the transmission request to the information providing device 4 are sequentially held in the queue of the terminal device 1. Each message is displayed on the display 8 in a separate display area a separately from the Internet display information for a predetermined time from the head message of the queue. The emergency message is displayed on the display 8 immediately after the reception, and the time designation message with the designated display time is displayed on the display 8 immediately after the reception.

Each message is displayed in an independent display area a of the display 8, so that the user of the terminal device 1 scrolls the Internet display information displayed on the display 8 together with the message or changes the display menu. Therefore, even if the Internet display information is updated, the display of the message is not affected, and the user can effectively recognize each message.

In step S130, the display management unit 18 determines whether or not the display area of the message being displayed is within the displayable range of the display 8 by, for example, the function of an OS (operating system) provided in the terminal device 1. Use and judge. For example, when the user operates the terminal device 1 to move the display of the message to a position outside the display range of the display 8 and the display region of the message is not within the displayable range of the display 8, the message is transmitted via the OS of the terminal device 1. Then, the entire message being displayed is forcibly moved to the displayable range of the display 8 (S131). An OS (Operating System) having these functions is, for example, Windows 9 of Microsoft Corporation (trademark).
5 (trademark) can be used. If the message is within the displayable range of the display 8, the process proceeds to S132.

The display management unit 18 determines whether the message being displayed is on the front of the display 8 or not.
(S132). At this time,
For example, when the user operates the terminal device 1, the Internet display information is moved to the front side of the message,
If other file information or the like is displayed on the front side of the message and the message is not displayed on the foreground, the entire message is forcibly transmitted to the display 8 via the OS function of the terminal device 1. Display on top (S13
3). When it is determined that the message is displayed on the foreground of the display 8, the process proceeds to S134. By such processing, the message is displayed within the displayable range of the display 8 and at the forefront (normal display state), and the user can effectively recognize each message.

However, when a special operation of the terminal device 1 is performed by the user or special application software is operated on the terminal device 1 (for example, false display information of the display 8 is given to the display management unit 18). In some cases, when the message is not in the normal display state, the message may be incorrectly recognized as being in the normal display state, and the processing in S131 and S133 may not be performed. To eliminate such a situation, the display management unit 18 performs the following processing.

That is, the display management unit 18 performs
After the process at 133, it is determined whether the check timer 22 is operating (S134). At this time, the check timer 22 is not normally operating. In this case, S1
At 35, the display detection unit 24 detects whether or not the received drawing data of the message being displayed matches the contents of the display memory (VRAM) for the display 8 in the display area of the message. If the actual display of the message is the normal display state, they match, and the process returns to S108 to repeat the processing.

In S134, if the drawing data of the message does not match the contents of the VRAM and the actual display of the message is in an irregular display state, the check level held in the check level holding unit 20 is set to "0". (S136), and after setting (starting) the check timer 22 (S137), the process returns to S108.
Here, the state where the check level is “0” indicates that the terminal device 1
This shows a state in which the actual display of the message has been changed from the regular display state to the non-regular display state during normal communication with the information providing device 4.

If the check timer 22 is operating at S134 (YES at S134), the display management unit 18 proceeds to S13
In step 8, the display detection unit 24 detects whether the message table is in the normal display state in which the data and the contents of the VRAM match. If the display is in the irregular display state, it is determined whether or not the check timer 22 has timed out (S139).
Return to 08. Further, the non-regular state of the message continues for a predetermined timer time of the check timer 22, and S139
When the answer is YES, the display management unit 18 determines that the check level stored in the check level storage unit 22 is "".
It is determined whether the value is "0" (S140). If the check level is "0", a predetermined warning is displayed on the display 8 by the warning display command unit 23 (S141). Is changed from the normal display state to the non-normal display state. When the non-normal display state continues for the timer time of the check timer 22, a warning is displayed on the display 8 and the display state of the message should be returned to the normal display state. This is reported to the user of the terminal device 1.

After the display manager 18 displays a warning on the display 8 and the user confirms it and inputs a predetermined "OK button" (S142), the display manager 18 deletes the warning display (S142). S143), check level holding unit 2
The check level of “0” is increased to “1” (S144),
The check timer 22 is set (started) again (S1
45), and return to S108.

Irrespective of the warning display, the non-regular display state of the message continues, and in this state, if the timer time of the check timer 22 after the warning display elapses, the result is NO in S140 (check level $ 0). In this case, the display management unit 18 determines whether the check level is “1” (S146). If the check level is 1, a level 1 event indicating this is transmitted to the information providing device 4 (S147), and the check level holding unit 2
The check level of 0 is increased to “2” (S148),
The check timer 22 is set again (S149), and S1
Return to 08. Thereafter, similarly, as long as the irregular display state of the message continues, the check level is finally increased by one at every timer time of the check timer 22 to "4", and each time the level 2 event is performed. , The level 3 event is sequentially transmitted to the information providing apparatus 4 (S15)
0-157). Due to the transmission of the level 1 event to the level 3 event to the information providing device 4, the Internet display information desired by the user is not normally transmitted from the information providing device 4 to the terminal device 1 in a stepwise manner.
The communication between the terminal device 1 and the information providing device 4 is forcibly disconnected.

On the other hand, while the check timer 22 is operating as described above (YES in S134), the display state of the message is returned to the normal display state, and when the display detection unit 24 detects that the display state is in S135. , Display management unit 18
Resets (clears stop) the check timer 22 (S
158), the current check level is “0” or “1”
Is determined (S159). At this time, if the check level is 0 or 1, the process returns to S108. If the check level is 0 or 1, that is, if the check level is 2, 3 or 4, after transmitting a restoration event indicating that transmission of the Internet display information should be returned to the normal state to the information providing apparatus 4 (S160),
It returns to S108. In this case, since the check timer 22 is stopped, the result is NO in S134, and as long as the display state of the message is maintained in the normal display state, the warning display, the increase of the check level, and the transmission of the fact are not performed.

FIGS. 17 to 22 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the information providing apparatus 4. When each terminal device 1 is logged in (S201), the message management device 11 of the information providing device 4 first obtains information of the user of the terminal device 1 from the user database 13 (S202).
Set the initial transmission request wait timer (not shown) (start)
(S203). If the transmission request is not received from the terminal device 1 due to a communication error or the like before the predetermined timer time of the initial transmission request waiting timer times out, the communication with the terminal device 1 is disconnected (S204 to S206). When the transmission request is received from the terminal device 1, a predetermined initial message is transmitted to the terminal device 1 (S20).
7). This initial message is displayed on the display of the terminal device 1 in order to notify the user when normal communication with the terminal device 1 has started.

In parallel with such an operation, transmission of Internet information desired by the user of the terminal device 1 to the terminal device 1 is also started.

Next, the message management device 11 determines whether a display completion timer (not shown) has timed out (S208). This display completion timer is set in the next S20.
9. In S210, each time the information providing device 4 receives an event indicating the completion of displaying one message transmitted from the terminal device 1 as described above, the information providing device 4 resets and sets a predetermined timer time. If the display completion timer times out without receiving a display completion event from the terminal device 1 within the timer time of the display completion timer (YES in S208), the same message exceeds the predetermined time on the display of the terminal device 1 for some reason. Some of them are still displayed or have communication errors.
The information providing device 4 disconnects the communication with the terminal device 1 (S2
11).

When the display completion event is received from the terminal device 1 before the timeout of the display completion timer, the message management device 11 determines whether or not the level 1 event has been received from the terminal device 1 (S212).

When the level 1 event is received, a predetermined time has elapsed after the warning is displayed on the terminal device 1, and the display of the message on the display 8 is continuously in an irregular display state. Therefore, the message management device 1
In step S213, the update delay unit 28 of the Internet information transmission management unit 25 transmits the data (IP packet) of the Internet display information to the terminal device 1 once every two times as an error (S213).

In this way, the terminal device 1 delays the reception of the normal Internet display information, so that even if the user attempts to update the Internet display information displayed on the display 8, the update is delayed. Therefore, it is impossible to quickly obtain information displayed on the Internet. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 1 can be more effectively urged to return the display of the message from the non-normal display state to the normal display state than the warning display.

At S212, the level 1 event has not been received, or after the processing at S213, the message management device 11 determines whether or not the level 2 event transmitted from the terminal device 1 has been received (S214).

When the level 2 event has been received, the terminal device 1 continues the Internet display information update delay as described above, and continues for a predetermined time or more.
Since the display of the message on the display 8 is in an irregular display state, the message management device 11 uses the update stop unit 29 of the Internet information transmission management unit 25 to transmit the data (IP packet) of the Internet display information to the terminal device 1. Are transmitted with errors (S215).

As a result, the terminal device 1 cannot normally receive the Internet display information, so that the user cannot update the Internet display information displayed on the display 8. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 1 can be more effectively urged to return the display of the message from the non-regular display state to the normal display state than the delay in updating the Internet display information.

In step S214, the level 2 event has not been received, or after the processing in step S215, the message management device 11 determines whether the level 3 event transmitted from the terminal device 1 has been received (S216). .

At this time, when the level 3 event is received, the terminal device 1 continues to update the Internet display information as described above, and continues to receive the message on the display 8 for a predetermined time or more. Since the display is in an irregular display state, the message management device 11
Causes the communication disconnection unit 30 of the Internet information transmission management unit 25 to forcibly disconnect communication with the terminal device 1 (S217). Thereby, the user of the terminal device 1
Internet display information cannot be received at all.

If no level 3 event has been received in S216, the message management device 11
It is determined whether or not the recovery event transmitted from is received (S218). Here, the terminal device 1 transmits the recovery event because the display state of the message on the display 8 is returned to the normal display state within a predetermined time after the update of the Internet display information is delayed or the update is stopped. Since this is the case, the message management device 11
The terminal device 1 cancels the update delay and the update suspension of the Internet display information by the update delay unit 28 and the update suspension unit 29.
The data transmission of the Internet display information to is returned to the normal state (S219). Thus, the terminal device 1 can normally obtain desired Internet display information.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the terminal device 1
The display state of the message on the display 8 is basically controlled to the normal display state in the terminal device 1, and if the display state is changed to the non-normal display state, the message is displayed stepwise by the duration of the non-normal display state. In addition, a warning display, update delay of desired Internet display information, update stop, and disconnection of communication are performed. In addition, when update or stop of update of Internet display information is performed, a message When the display state is returned to the normal display state, the user can normally obtain desired Internet display information. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 1 is informed of the fact that the message should be in the normal display state with certainty. Can be recognized, and the message in the terminal device 1 is displayed alone in the foreground of the display 8 and in the displayable range of the display 8 You can be assured to be. By ensuring that the message is displayed on the display 8 in such a regular display state, the user can be surely and effectively recognized the message.

After the above processing, the message management device 11
Determines whether a new transmission request has been received from the terminal device 1 (S220), and if a new transmission request has been received, counts up a transmission request counter (not shown) (S221). Next, the message management device 11 determines whether there is a request for transmitting an emergency message such as earthquake information (this transmission request is different from that transmitted from the terminal device 1) (S222). If there is an urgent message transmission request, the urgent message is inserted into the head of the queue provided in the information providing device 4 as in the terminal device 1 (S223).

Further, the message management device 11 judges whether or not the current time is the transmission timing of the designated time message in the message database 12 (S224).
The time-designated message is inserted at the head of the message excluding the urgent message and other time-designated messages in the queue (S225).

Next, the message management device 11 determines whether or not the number of messages in the queue of the information providing device 4 is less than a predetermined allowable maximum number of the queue (S226). , The process proceeds to S246.

On the other hand, when the number of messages in the queue is less than the allowable maximum number and the queue has a free space, the message management device 11 performs the following processing by the transmission message selection / setting unit 26.

That is, the transmission message selection / setting unit 2
6 indicates that the display condition (see FIG. 7) of the next message in the message database 12 to be inserted next into the queue of the information providing device 4 matches the user of the terminal device 1 to which the message is to be transmitted. It is determined whether or not this is based on the data in the user database 13 (see FIG. 8) as described later (S227). If so, the next S23
Go to 0. If the message display conditions do not match the user of the terminal device 1, it is determined whether all the messages in the message database 12 have been scanned (searched) (S228), and the scanning of all the messages has not been completed. In this case, the search pointer for the message in the message database 12 is moved by one (S229), and the process returns to S227 again to judge whether the display condition of the message matches the user. If all the messages in the message database 12 have not been scanned in S228, the process proceeds to S246.

Thus, the message database 12
Is searched for a message whose display condition matches the user of the terminal device 1. In this case, the time-designated message inserted into the queue in S225 and the message whose display date is designated and whose designated date differs from the current date are excluded from the search target.

FIG. 22 shows a method of judging the display condition of the message and the conformity with the user in S227. First, it is determined whether or not the retrieved message (target message) specifies a user's age range as a display condition (S301). If the age range is specified, the age of the user is calculated based on the date of birth of the user stored in the user database 13 (S302). Then, it is determined whether or not the calculated age is within the specified age range of the target message (S303). To end.

Next, the transmission message selection / setting unit 26
Determines whether the target message specifies the gender of the barber or the like (S304), and if there is a gender specification, determines whether the user's gender matches the specified gender (S304).
305) If they do not match, it is determined that they do not match (NG), and the process of determining the match ends.

Similarly, if the display condition of the target message is specified for the marriage history, job type, and location of the user, it is determined whether the display condition of the target message matches the user (S306 to 311). ). If any one of the items for which the display condition is specified does not conform, it is determined that the display condition of the target message does not conform to the user (NG), and any of the designated items conforms, or If no item is specified, it is determined that the display condition of the target message matches the user (OK).

After a message whose display condition matches the user is searched (YES in S227 of FIG. 20), the transmission message selection / setting unit 26 determines whether the message has a designation of the total upper limit display count. It is determined based on the data in the message database 12 (see FIG. 7) (S230). If there is no designation of the total upper limit display count, the process proceeds to S236 described later.

If the total upper limit number of times is specified, the message ID of this message is stored in the total upper limit number management file of the transmission management database 27 shown in FIG.
Is searched using the key as a key (S231). Then, it is determined whether or not a record corresponding to this message is found in the total upper limit management file (S232). If not found, a record related to this message is created in the total upper limit management file (S232). S233). At this time, the item of the message display counter is “0”.

After a record is found in S232 or a new record is created in S233, the transmission message selection / setting unit 26 determines whether or not the display counter of the record is within the total upper limit display count of the message (step S232). S2
34). If the display counter is within the total upper limit display count of the message, the display counter is incremented (S235), and the process proceeds to S236. If the display counter has reached the total upper limit display count, a new message is searched through S228 and S229. I do.

In S236, the transmission message selection / setting unit 26 determines whether or not the current message specifies the upper limit number of display times per user (per terminal device 1) in the message database. The determination is made based on the twelve data (see FIG. 7). However, if there is no designation of the maximum number of display times, the process proceeds to S244.

When the maximum number of display times is specified for each user (for each terminal device 1), the transmission management database 2
In the individual upper limit count management file (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the current message of No. 7 in the user I of the user of the terminal device 1,
A search is performed using D as a key (S237). Then, it is determined whether or not a record corresponding to the user is found in the upper limit count management file for the current message (S238). If not found, the record of the user is managed as a total upper limit count. Create in file (S23
9). At this time, the item of the display counter relating to the user is “0”.

When a record is found in S238 or a new record is created in S239, the transmission message selection / setting unit 26 determines whether the display counter of the user's record is within the upper limit of the current message display count. Is determined (S240). If the display counter is within the upper limit display count of the current message, the display counter is incremented (S241), and the process proceeds to S244. If the display counter has reached the upper limit number of times of the current message, the transmission message selection / setting unit 26 determines again whether the current message has the designation of the total upper limit number of times ( S242) If there is no designation of the total upper limit display count, a new message is searched through S228 and S229. If the total upper limit display count is specified, S23
The display counter relating to the current message in the total upper limit number management file incremented in 5 is decremented and returned to the original (S243), and a new message is searched through S228 and S229.

As described above, the transmission message selection / setting unit 26 selects a message that satisfies the conditions of compatibility with the user, the total upper limit display count, and the upper limit display count for each user.
When a message is selected in this way, the selected message is added to the last part of the other messages in the queue of the information providing device 4 (S244), and after moving the message search pointer of the message in the message database 12 by one ( S245), and proceeds to the next S246.

In S246, the message management section 11
It is determined whether there is an urgent message at the head of the queue of the information providing device 4. If not, it is determined whether the count value of the transmission request counter indicating the number of transmission requests from the terminal device 1 is 1 or more. A determination is made (S247). At this time, if the transmission request counter is 1 or more and a transmission request has been received from the terminal device 1, it is further determined whether there is a message in the queue of the information providing device 4 (S248). If not in the queue, a predetermined default message is set at the head of the queue (S
249). Then, if there is a message in the queue in S248 or the default message is set in S249, the transmission request counter is decremented (S250), and the message at the head of the queue is transmitted to the terminal device 1.
(S251). Thereafter, the processing from S208 is repeated.

In this case, if the emergency message is at the head of the queue in S244, the emergency message is immediately transmitted to the terminal device 1 in S251 irrespective of the presence or absence of a transmission request from the terminal device 1. . Also, S2
At 45, the transmission request counter is "0" and the terminal device 1
If no transmission request has been received from the terminal device 1, the process returns to S208 without performing transmission to the terminal device 1.

In another embodiment, display information on the Internet actively selected by the user and a message passively displayed on the terminal are displayed in different windows, respectively, and the message window is closed. Alternatively, the line between the terminal device 1 and the information providing device 4 may be automatically disconnected. Further, the event is periodically notified from the message display management unit 18 to the information providing device 4,
The information providing device 4 may measure the interval between events. In this case, if an event is not notified from the message display management unit 18 for a certain time, the message display management unit 1
8 is forcibly terminated, the information providing apparatus 4 can disconnect the line.

A program for causing the information providing device 4 and the terminal device 1 to perform the above-described operations can be stored in a recording medium and provided. Examples of the “recording medium” described in the claims include a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a magneto-optical disk such as an MO and an MD, and a miniature card and an IC card. Semiconductor cards also apply. In addition, by using a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or the like of a host computer connected to a communication network as a “recording medium”, a program can be provided via the communication network.

The program stored in the recording medium may be read directly into the RAM 44 and executed by the CPU 40, or may be once installed in the hard disk drive 50 and then read into the RAM 44 and executed. Further, the program may be provided by a single recording medium, or the program may be divided and stored and provided in a plurality of recording media.
The divided recording media may be sold as a single product or may be sold as different products. Further, the program may be encoded and stored in a recording medium. In a designated country in which a patent right is granted for a recording medium having features in a program, any case where the program is stored in the “recording medium” in any of these forms is not included in the scope of the right of the present invention. Needless to say.

As described above, the content of the present invention has been described using the embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. A person skilled in the art can implement the present invention by making various changes to the above embodiment of the present invention. For example, a part of the functions of the information providing device 4 described above may be realized by the terminal device 1 instead of the information providing device 4. Conversely, some of the functions of the terminal device 1 may be executed by the information providing device 4 instead of the terminal device 1. The functions of the terminal device 1 are limited to a function of simply transmitting an input from a user to the information providing device 4 and displaying display data received from the information providing device 4 on the display device. Most may be realized by the information providing device 4.

A data communication network such as a LAN, a dedicated line, or the Internet may be provided between the terminal device 1 and the information providing device 4. Further, a plurality of host computers are connected via such a data communication network, and a part or all of the functions of the information providing device 4 and a part of the functions of the terminal device 1 in the above description are transferred to a plurality of host computers. May be executed in a distributed manner. As a more specific example, the information providing device according to the above-described embodiment may be connected to an information providing device to which a user directly connects via a public communication network such as PSTN or ISDN, and a host computer connected via the Internet. Some or all of the functions of 4,
A part of the functions of the terminal investment 1 may be distributed and executed.

These changes in the design are obvious to those who read this specification, and it is apparent from the description of the appended claims that embodiments with such modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. It is.

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

1. An information display system comprising: an information providing device having means for providing display information received from a communication network to a user; and a terminal device having means for connecting and disconnecting to the information providing device via a communication line. Wherein the terminal device transmits request information for identifying specific display information specified by a user from among the display information to the information providing device via the communication line; and The specific display information transferred from the information providing apparatus based on the means for receiving from the information providing apparatus via the communication line, and in parallel with the reception of the specific display information,
Means for receiving additional display information not specified by the user from the information providing device via the communication line, a display device for displaying an image, the specific display information received from the information providing device, and Means for displaying additional display information in first and second display areas provided on the display device, and means for periodically updating the additional display information displayed in the second display area An information display system comprising:

[0115] 2. 2. The information display system according to item 1, wherein the terminal device further includes means for controlling the additional display information to be displayed on the foreground of the display device.

3. Means for the terminal device to determine whether or not the entirety of the additional display information is displayed within the displayable range of the display device; and the determination means determines that the entirety of the additional display information can be displayed. Means for moving the additional display information so that the entirety of the additional display information is displayed within the displayable range when it is determined that the additional display information is not displayed within the range. Information display system.

4. The terminal device detects whether or not the additional display information is in a normal display state in which the additional display information is displayed on the foreground of the display device and all of the additional display information is displayed within a displayable range of the display device. 4. The information according to item 3, further comprising: a warning unit that causes the terminal device to perform a warning notification when the detection unit detects that the terminal device is not in the normal display state. Display system.

[0118] 5. 5. The information display system according to item 4, wherein the warning unit includes a unit that displays a warning on the display device of the terminal device.

6. The specific display information is updatable, and the terminal device performs the specific display when the detection unit detects that the display is not in the regular display state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the warning notification by the warning unit. The information display system according to item 4, further comprising an update display delay unit that delays update display of information.

7. The terminal device, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the delay of the update display by the update display delay unit, when the detection unit detects that the normal display state is not, the specific display information of the 7. The information display system according to item 6, further comprising update display stopping means for stopping update display.

8. When the terminal device detects that the display device is not in the regular display state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the stop of update display by the update display stop device, the information providing device and the terminal device 8. The information display system according to item 7, further comprising a communication disconnection procedure for disconnecting communication.

9. The specific display information can be updated, and the terminal device displays the additional display information on the foreground of the display device and all of the additional display information is displayed within a displayable range of the display device. Detection means for detecting whether or not the display is in the normal display state, and update display delay means for delaying update display of the specific display information when the detection means detects that the display is not in the normal display state. 3. The information display system according to item 3, wherein:

10. The item 9 is characterized in that the update display delay unit delays the update display of the specific display information by delaying normal transmission of the specific display information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. Information display system described.

11. Means for canceling the delay of the update display by the update display delay means when the detection means detects the normal display state within a predetermined time after the delay of the update display by the update display delay means. Item 9. The information display system according to Item 9, further comprising:

12. At least the specific display information is updatable, and the terminal device displays the additional display information at the forefront of the display device and all of the additional display information within a displayable range of the display device. Detecting means for detecting whether the display is in the normal display state, and when the detection means detects that the display is not in the normal display state,
The information display system according to item 3, further comprising: an update display stop unit that stops the update display of the specific display information.

13. The update display stop unit stops the update display of the specific display information by stopping normal transmission of the specific display information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. Information providing system device as described.

14. After the update display is stopped by the update display stop means, when the detection means detects that the display is in the regular display state within a predetermined time, the means for canceling the stop of the update display by the update display stop means is provided. The information display system according to item 12, further comprising:

15. Detection means for detecting whether or not the additional display information is in the foreground state of the display device and all of the additional display information is in a normal display state displayed within a displayable range of the display device; 4. The information display system according to item 3, further comprising a communication disconnecting unit that disconnects communication between the information providing device and the terminal device when the detection unit detects that the terminal device is not in the normal display state.

16. A recording medium storing a program for operating a terminal device having means for connecting and disconnecting to a communication line and a display device, wherein the program acts on the terminal device to display information received from a communication network. Means for connecting to the information providing apparatus capable of providing a plurality of display information via the communication line, and transmitting a request indicating the display information specified by a user of the terminal apparatus to the information providing apparatus. Means for receiving, from the information providing device, specific display information specified from the plurality of display information by the request, and, in parallel with the reception of the specific display information, using the communication line, Means for receiving, from the information providing device, additional display information that is display information not specified by a user, and the specific display information and the additional display information Recording medium characterized by comprising a means for displaying each of the different display areas provided on the display device.

17. Determining means for determining whether or not the entirety of the additional display information is displayed within a displayable range of the display device; and the determination means determines that the entirety of the additional display information can be displayed. Means for moving the additional display information so as to display the entirety of the additional display information within the displayable range when it is determined that the additional display information is not displayed within the range. A recording medium according to claim 1.

18. Detecting means for operating the terminal device to detect whether or not the additional display information is in a normal display state in which the entirety of the additional display information is displayed in the foreground and in a displayable range of the display device; When the detecting means detects that the display state is not the normal display state,
Item 18. The recording medium according to Item 16, further comprising: a warning unit configured to warn the terminal device.

19. Item 1 is characterized in that the warning means has means for displaying a warning on the display device.
9. The recording medium according to 8.

20. A detection means for causing the program to act on the terminal device to detect whether or not the entire additional display information is in the normal display state displayed in the foreground and displayable range of the display device, 17. The recording medium according to item 16, further comprising a delay unit that delays updating of the specific display information when the detection unit detects that the display state is not the normal display state.

21. The recording according to item 20, wherein the delay unit delays the update of the specific display information by delaying a normal transmission of the specific display information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. Medium.

22. The program, when it is detected by the detection means that the normal display state,
21. The recording medium according to item 20, further comprising: means for canceling the update delay by the delay means.

23. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the whole of the additional display information is in a normal display state in which the entirety of the additional display information is displayed in the foreground and within a displayable range of the display device; 17. The recording medium according to item 16, further comprising: a stopping unit that stops updating of the specific display information when it is detected that the state is not the state.

24. The recording according to item 23, wherein the stopping unit stops updating of the specific display information by stopping normal transmission of the specific display information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. Medium.

25. 23. The recording medium according to item 23, further comprising: a unit that cancels the suspension of the update by the suspension unit when the program detects that the display is in the normal display state. .

26. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the whole of the additional display information is in a normal display state in which the additional display information is displayed in the foreground and in a displayable range of the display device; 17. The recording medium according to item 16, further comprising a disconnecting unit that disconnects communication between the terminal device and the information providing device when it is detected that the terminal device is not in the state.

27. The terminal device includes a display memory that stores and retains display contents of the display device, and the detecting unit includes: a display memory that displays a content of the display memory in a display area of the additional display information; 27. The recording medium according to item 26, wherein whether or not the additional display information is displayed in the regular display state is detected based on whether or not the additional display information matches the target display information.

28. A terminal device connected to an information providing device having a function of transferring a plurality of display information received from a communication network via a communication line, wherein the specific display information specified by a user of the terminal device is transmitted. Transmitting means for transmitting request information for identification to the information providing apparatus via the communication line, and first receiving means for receiving the specific display information transmitted from the information providing apparatus based on the request information; Receiving additional display information selected from a plurality of pieces of additional display information that is information other than information transferred from the communication network without requiring designation by a user of the terminal device. Receiving means, a display device for displaying information, and the specific display information received by the first receiving means and the additional display information received by the second receiving means are provided on the display device. Terminal apparatus characterized by comprising a means for displaying each of the first and second display areas that are.

[0142]

According to the present invention, the active information selected on the communication network side including the information providing device 4 is transmitted to the terminal irrespective of the content or type of information actively selected by the user of the terminal device 1. It is forcibly displayed on the display device of the device 1. Therefore,
For example, in the case of providing an advertisement of a product or service as active information, these advertisements can be reliably provided to the user while the user uses the communication network.

By the processing of the information providing device 4 described above, each message in the message database 12 is
Provided to specified users under specified display conditions such as the total upper limit display count, the upper limit display count for each user, the display date and time, and the type of the specified user.
Is displayed on the display 8. Accordingly, each message is provided to the user unnecessarily many times, and it is possible to avoid providing unnecessary messages to the user of the terminal device 1 at the user or date and time when it is not necessary to provide the message. Each message can be provided to the user of the terminal device 1 accurately in the required number of times, date and time, and user range.

In the present embodiment, the time designation message for which the display time is designated is provided from the information providing device 4 to the terminal device 1 without judging the compatibility with the user. May be provided to the terminal device 1 of the user. Further, in the present embodiment, information of the Internet 9 is provided, but the present invention can be applied to a system for providing information of a general personal computer communication network, for example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall system configuration diagram of an information display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main unit 7 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a message database of the information providing device of the information display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a user database of the information providing device of the information display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a functional block configuration diagram of a main part of software of the terminal device 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of a display 8 in the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a data format of a message in the terminal device 1 of FIG. 1;

8 is a functional block configuration diagram of a main part of the information providing device 4 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a total upper limit number management file of the information providing apparatus 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of an individual upper limit number management file of the information providing device 4 of FIG. 1;

11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information providing device 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information providing apparatus 4 of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing apparatus 4 of FIG.

20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device 4 of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information providing device 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing apparatus 4 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal device 2 Modem 3 Public line network 4 Information providing device 5 Gateway 6 Modem 7 Main unit 8 Display 9 Internet 10 Internet gateway 12 Message database 13 User database 40 CPU 42 ROM 52 FD drive 54 CD-ROM drive 56 Floppy disk 56 58 CD-ROM 50 Hard disk drive

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An information providing device for transferring display information received from a communication network to a terminal device having a display device, comprising: a means for connecting and disconnecting the terminal device freely using a communication line; A user database holding type information of a user of the terminal device; a unit for receiving request information for identifying specific display information specified by the user from the terminal device via the communication line; Means for receiving the specific display information identified by the following from the communication network; displaying a plurality of additional display information that is information other than information received and transferred from the communication network; and displaying the additional display information A message database that holds display conditions including the type information of the user to be associated with, and regardless of whether or not the terminal device is specified by the user,
A selection unit that reads the type information of each user from the user database, and selects the additional display information that matches the display condition from the message database using the read type information; and the specific display information and Means for transmitting the additional display information selected by the selection means to the terminal device in parallel for display on the terminal device. 2. When the whole of the additional display information is not in the normal display state displayed in the foreground and within the displayable range of the display device, the update of the specific display information is delayed. The information providing device according to claim 1. 3. The update according to claim 2, wherein the update of the specific display information is delayed by delaying a normal transmission of the specific display information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. Information providing device. 4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the normal display state, the delay of the update by the delay unit is released. 5. The update of the specific display information is stopped when the whole of the additional display information is not in the regular display state displayed in the foreground and within the displayable range of the display device. The information providing device according to claim 1. 6. The update of the specific display information according to claim 5, wherein the update of the specific display information is stopped by stopping the normal transmission of the specific display information from the display information providing device to the terminal device. Information providing device. 7. The information providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the display is in the normal display state, the suspension of the update by the suspension unit is released. 8. The communication between the terminal device and the information providing device when the additional display information is not in a regular display state where the entirety of the additional display information is displayed in the foreground of the display device and within a displayable range. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing device is cut off. 9. The terminal device further comprises a display memory for storing and holding display contents of the display device, wherein the detecting means includes: a display memory content in a display area of the additional display information; and the information providing device. 9. The information providing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information providing apparatus detects whether or not the additional display information is displayed in the regular display state by comparing the additional display information transmitted from the device with the additional display information. 10. The information according to claim 1, wherein the display of the specific display information is delayed when it is detected that the additional display information is not displayed on the foreground of the terminal device. Providing device. 11. The information according to claim 1, wherein updating of the specific display information is stopped when it is detected that the additional display information is not displayed on the foreground of the display device. Providing device. 12. The communication between the information providing device and the terminal device when detecting that the additional display information is not displayed on the forefront of the display device. 2. The information providing device according to 1. 13. The display of the specific display information is delayed when it is detected that the entirety of the additional display information is not displayed within the displayable range of the display device. 2. The information providing device according to 1. 14. The update of the specific display information is stopped when it is detected that the entirety of the additional display information is not displayed within the displayable range of the display device. 2. The information providing device according to 1. 15. When detecting that the entirety of the additional display information is not displayed within the displayable range of the display device, disconnecting communication between the information providing device and the terminal device. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: 16. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type information of the user includes at least one of age, gender, marital status, occupation, and location of the user. 17. The display condition includes a maximum number of display times for each user of the terminal device, and means for counting the number of transmissions of each additional display information to the terminal device for each user of each terminal device. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting transmission of the additional display information to the terminal device after the number of transmissions reaches the upper limit number of times of display. 18. The display apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the upper limit display count is an upper limit display count within a predetermined period.
Information providing device according to the item. 19. The display condition includes a total upper limit display count for each additional display information, a unit for counting the number of transmissions to the terminal device for each additional display information, and the transmission count is the total upper limit. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting transmission of the additional display information to the terminal device after the number of times of display has been reached. 20. The information providing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the total upper limit display count is a total upper limit display count within a predetermined period. 21. The display condition further includes a request display time of each additional display information, and further comprising means for transmitting the additional display information to the terminal device when the current time reaches the request display time. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein 22. The information providing device is connected to the Internet, the terminal device has means for requesting information on the Internet as the specific display information, and the information providing device is connected to the Internet by the terminal device. 2. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting information on the Internet and transmitting the selected information to the terminal device in response to the request. 23. The information providing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the additional display information is information sequentially transmitted from the information providing apparatus and periodically updated on the display apparatus. 24. The information providing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: means for transmitting advertisement information of a product or service to the terminal device as the additional display information.
Information providing device according to the item. 25. A claim provided for securing an opportunity for correction.