JP2002063138A - Internet connection apparatus, Internet connection method, and recording medium recording Internet connection program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an Internet connection device that can easily perform a connection operation by simply selecting a service name to be connected without inputting a user ID and a password every time the connection is made. An Internet connection device that connects to an information distribution device on the Internet that provides information to receive an information distribution service, and selects a desired service from names of information distribution services stored in advance. Service selecting means and a U corresponding to the selected service
Connection request means for specifying an RL and requesting use of a service providing system having the URL, and a user I responding in response to an authentication request from the service providing system
ID conversion means for converting a service ID assigned to a selected service and a password from a service ID assigned to the selected service, and an authentication request response means for transmitting the user ID and password obtained by converting the service ID to the service providing system And characterized in that:

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an Internet connection device for connecting to an information distribution device on the Internet that provides information for receiving an information distribution service, an Internet connection method, and a recording medium storing an Internet connection program. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When receiving an information distribution service using a computer network, a user enters a user ID given in advance and a password arbitrarily set by the user to perform authentication. After receiving the information, you will receive the information distribution service. Normally, a user ID given to a user is given for each service received, so that the user has a plurality of user IDs. By the way, since the user ID is generally known information, the use of the password as secret information prevents unauthorized use of the user ID by a third party. Therefore, it is desirable to further prevent unauthorized use by setting different passwords for a plurality of user IDs.

[0003] However, a user having a plurality of user IDs has to remember a combination of a plurality of user IDs and passwords for each corresponding service, which is troublesome.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and simply performs a connection operation by simply selecting a service name to be connected without inputting a user ID and a password every time a connection is made. It is an object to provide an Internet connection device, an Internet connection method, and a recording medium that stores an Internet connection program.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is an Internet connection device for connecting to an information distribution device on the Internet that provides information for receiving an information distribution service, wherein the Internet connection device is provided. Is a service selecting means for selecting a desired service from names of information distribution services stored in advance, a URL corresponding to the selected service, and a use request to a service providing system having the URL. A connection requesting means to be performed, and a user ID and a password responding to the authentication request from the service providing system, which are converted from the service ID assigned to the selected service.
D conversion means, and an authentication request response means for transmitting a user ID and a password obtained by converting the service ID to the service providing system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the Internet connection device provides a service name, a UR
L, a user ID, and a password. The service name and URL are registered in the first storage unit, and the user ID and the password are registered in the first storage unit. Distribution service information registration means for registering the information registered in the first storage means with the information registered in the second storage means by a service ID assigned to each service. And further comprising:

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet connection method for connecting to an information distribution apparatus on the Internet for providing information for receiving an information distribution service, wherein the Internet connection method is stored in advance. A service selecting step of selecting a desired service from the names of the information distribution services, a connection requesting step of specifying a URL corresponding to the selected service and making a use request to a service providing system having the URL; An ID conversion process of converting a user ID and a password responding to an authentication request from the service providing system from a service ID assigned to a selected service, and a user ID and a password obtained by converting the service ID And an authentication request response step of transmitting the request to the service providing system. The features.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the Internet connection method, a service name, a UR
L, a user ID, and a password. A service name and a URL are registered in the first storage unit, and a user ID and a password are registered in the first storage unit. In the second storage means, and associating the information registered in the first storage means with the information registered in the second storage means by a service ID assigned to each service. And further characterized by:

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium recording an Internet connection program for connecting to an information distribution apparatus on the Internet for providing information for receiving an information distribution service, The Internet connection program performs a service selection process of selecting a desired service from names of information distribution services stored in advance, specifies a URL corresponding to the selected service, and provides a service providing system having the URL. A connection request process for making a use request, an ID conversion process for converting a user ID and a password responding to an authentication request from the service providing system from a service ID given to a selected service, and
An authentication request response process for transmitting a user ID and a password obtained by converting from a service ID to the service providing system is performed by a computer.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the Internet connection program stores, for each service, a service name,
A distribution service information input process for inputting a URL, a user ID, and a password, and a service name and a URL among information input in the distribution service information input process.
Are registered in the first storage means, the user ID and the password are registered in the second storage means, and the information registered in the first storage means and the information registered in the second storage means are A distribution service information registration process associated with a service ID assigned to each service is further performed by a computer.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electronic information delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Is a block diagram showing a configuration of the same embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic information delivery system. Reference numeral 2 denotes an information provider that provides information using the electronic information delivery system 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a user who uses the electronic information delivery system 1, and obtains information provided by the information provider 2 using a Web browser 31 operating on a personal computer and a mobile phone 32 connectable to the Internet. Reference numeral 1a denotes a management unit that manages a delivery process of electronic information, and includes an operation management unit 11 that manages operation of the electronic information delivery system 1 and a delivery information management unit 12 that manages electronic information to be delivered. Reference numeral 1b is a delivery processing unit. Reference numeral 13 denotes a filter function unit that performs a filtering process on the information received from the information provider by the delivery information management unit 12. Reference numeral 14 denotes an individualization function unit that individualizes information filtered by the filter function unit 14.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a distribution distribution unit that distributes and distributes the information individualized by the individualization function unit 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a history information file that records a change in the state of the delivered information. Reference numeral 17 denotes a history reference unit that refers to the history information file 16 and notifies the information provider 2 of the status of the delivered information. Reference numeral 18 denotes a user attribute information file in which attribute information of the user 3 is defined, and information on hobbies and preferences is defined for each user 3. Reference numeral 19 denotes an electronic post-office box having a data file provided for each user, and information provided by the information provider 2 is stored in the electronic post-office box by the delivery processing unit 1b. Reference numeral 20 denotes a delivery server that delivers information to the user 2. Reference numeral 21 denotes a mobile phone connection gateway for connecting the mobile phone 32 to the electronic information delivery system 1.

Next, the basic operation of the electronic information delivery system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, information provider 2
Will be described as an example of transmitting a direct mail to the user 3. First, the information provider 2 creates electronic information, which is the content of the direct mail, using a personal computer or the like owned by the information provider 2. The electronic information created here is digital data including document data, image data, sound data, and the like. Then, the information provider 2 sends a direct mail dispatch request including the created electronic information to the electronic information delivery system 1. At this time, the information provider 2 sends the electronic information to the electronic information delivery system 1 together with the delivery conditions for delivering the electronic information. The delivery condition here is a condition for limiting the delivery destination to which direct mail is delivered, and specifies the age range, hobbies, and preferences of the user, and direct mail is sent only to users who meet this condition. Is used to deliver.

The electronic information and the delivery conditions transmitted from the information provider 2 are received by the delivery information management unit 12, and the electronic information is held in the delivery information management unit 12. Then, the delivery information management unit 12 outputs the electronic information and delivery conditions held therein to the filter function unit 13. In response to this, the filter function unit 13 refers to the user attribute information file 18 and extracts a user that matches the received delivery condition. Subsequently, the filter function unit 13 separates the electronic information for each user who matches the delivery condition with the individualizing function unit 14.
Output to The electronic information output here is output by the same number as the number of users that match the delivery conditions.

Next, the individualizing function unit 14 performs an individualizing process of adding necessary information for each user to the electronic information received from the filter function unit 13 and converting the information into a direct mail format. In this individualization process, information such as a destination and a sender is given, and a process of inserting electronic information into a predetermined direct mail format is performed. However, the destination here is a post office box ID for specifying the electronic post office box 19 provided for each user 3.

Next, the individualizing function unit 14 outputs the electronic information subjected to the individualizing process for each user to the delivery distribution unit 15. In response, the delivery distribution unit 15 performs distribution based on the destination (post-office box ID) assigned to the electronic information received from the individualization function unit 14 and outputs the electronic information to the electronic post-office box 19. The electronic post-office box 19 receives this electronic information and stores it in a corresponding data file based on the post-office box ID. In addition, the delivery distribution unit 15
In synchronization with the output of the electronic information to the electronic post-office box 19, the delivery server 20 notifies the user 3 who owns the post-office box that has delivered the direct mail that the direct mail has arrived. The user 3 receives this notification, and
The electronic information stored in the electronic post-office box 19 is acquired by the web browser 31 or the mobile phone 32. Thus, the direct mail transmitted from the information provider 2 reaches the user 3.

On the other hand, when the electronic information is received from the delivery distribution unit 15 and when the user 3 obtains the electronic information stored in the electronic post-office box 19, the electronic post-office box 19 stores information indicating that fact in the history. The information is stored in the information file 16. The information provider 2 transmits a history information reference request to the electronic information delivery system 1 at an arbitrary timing after transmitting the direct mail dispatch request. This history information reference request is received by the history reference unit 17. In response to this, the history reference unit 17 reads the history information on the relevant direct mail from the history information file 16 and transmits the contents to the information provider 2.

The information provider 2 acquires the history information transmitted from the history reference unit 17 and checks the contents. Thus, the information provider can grasp how many direct mails requested to be sent have been sent and how many users have viewed the sent direct mails.

In the above description, the operation when the delivery condition is specified has been described.
The mail may be directly delivered to the electronic mail box 19 by designating the mail box ID in advance.

As described above, the information provider 2 can send a plurality of direct mails to the electronic information delivery system 1 only by transmitting the contents of the direct mail and the delivery conditions. In addition, since direct mail is sent only to users who meet the delivery conditions, mail can be sent efficiently.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment. 2, the same components as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes N (N is a natural number) electronic information delivery systems that provide an information delivery service, and are shown here as information delivery services 1 to N. Reference numeral 31 denotes a Web browser provided in the user terminal owned by the user 3. Reference numeral 41 denotes an Internet browsing device for browsing information provided from the information distribution services 1 to N. Reference numeral 42 denotes a service information management unit, and reference numeral 43 denotes an ID.
It is a conversion unit. Reference numeral 44 denotes a list acquisition device, which requests acquisition of a list of service names based on an instruction from the Internet browsing device 41.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a service name and a UR of the service.
A distribution service information management device that stores and manages L (Uniform Resource Locator). Reference numeral 46 denotes a list generation device that generates a list of service names from information stored in the distribution service information management device 46. Code 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a distribution service information registration device that registers information related to a service in the distribution service information management device 46. Reference numeral 48 denotes an ID conversion information management device that stores and manages a user ID and a password that are input in response to an authentication request when each service is provided. Symbol 49
Is an ID conversion device for requesting conversion of authentication information. Reference numeral 50 denotes an ID transmission device that transmits a user ID and a password to a system that provides each service.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. First, the initial registration operation will be described. First, the user 3 activates the Internet browsing device 41 provided in the user terminal (step S).
1). Subsequently, the user 3 uses the Internet browsing device 4
From above, a request for information distribution service registration is made to the distribution service registration device 47 (step S2). In response to this, the distribution service registration device 47 sends the service information (service name,
URL, service ID, etc.) (step S)
3). At the same time, the distribution service registration device 47 sends a service ID, a user ID,
And a set of passwords is registered (step S3).

In response to the registration, the distribution service information management device 45 and the ID conversion information management device 48 return the registration result to the Internet browsing device 41 (step S4).

Next, the operation of connecting the user terminal to a system for providing an information distribution service on the Internet when the user 3 receives information distribution will be described. First, the user 3 activates the Internet browsing device 41 from the user terminal when using the information distribution service (step S5).
Then, the user 3 makes a service list acquisition request from the Internet browsing device 41 to the list acquisition device 44 in order to obtain a list for selecting an information distribution service to be used (step S6). In response, the list acquisition device 44 makes a service information acquisition request to the distribution service information management device 45 (step S7).

Next, the distribution service information management device 45
The distribution service information stored therein is read out, and the contents are sent to the list generation device 46 to request a list generation (step S8). In response, the list generating device 46 generates a distribution service list from the received distribution service information, and returns the distribution service list to the Internet browsing device 41 (step S9).

As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution service list includes “service ID”, “service name”, “URL”
Is a list in which the three pieces of information are associated with each other, and is generated from information stored in the distribution service information management device 45 by a registration operation first. In the example of FIG. 2, the “service ID” is “# 000001”,
"Service name" is "information distribution service 2" and "U
RL "becomes" http: //www.***.com ". Further, in this example, only one case is illustrated, but a list is generated from all registered information.

Next, the user 3 browses the distribution service list on the Internet browsing device 41 and selects a distribution service to be used. Here, it is assumed that the selected service name is “information distribution service 2”. Then, the Internet browsing device 41 transmits the URL (here, http: //www.***.com) corresponding to the selected service name.
), And accesses the information distribution service 2 to make a usage request (step S10).

In response to this, the electronic information delivery system 1 that provides the information delivery service 2 uses the Internet browsing device 4
1 is returned (step S11). The Internet browsing device 41 starts the ID conversion device 49, and activates the service ID (here, # 0) of the service selected earlier.
00001) to the ID conversion device 49 (step S12). Subsequently, the ID conversion device 49 sends an authentication information conversion request by sending the service ID to the ID conversion information management device 48 (step S13). In response, the ID conversion information management device 48 sends the service I
Based on D, the corresponding user ID and password are paid out, and the result is sent to the ID transmitting device 50 (step S1).
4). The ID conversion information management device 48 has a “service ID”
A corresponding “user ID” and “password” are defined for each, and if the service ID is # 0000001, the user ID and the password are “hki2001” and “kgi73elo”
Becomes

Next, the ID transmitting device 50 transmits a set of the user ID and the password to the electronic information distribution system 1 which performs the information distribution service 2 via the Internet browsing device 41 (step S15). As a result, the user terminal is connected to the electronic information distribution system 1 that performs the information distribution service 2.

As described above, the user 3 can easily perform the connection operation only by selecting the service name to be connected without inputting the user ID and the password every time the connection is made. Also, the distribution service information management device 45
, The service name and the URL are stored in the ID conversion information management device 48, and the user ID and the password are stored in the ID conversion information management device 48. Even if it is acquired, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the service based on the acquired contents.

Note that in order to prevent unauthorized use of the user terminal owned by the user 3 by a third party,
At the start-up in steps S1 and S5, the operator may be required to input a password, and the Internet browsing device 41 may be started only when a predetermined password is input.

Further, a program for realizing the functions of the processing shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read by a computer system and executed to execute the Internet. Connection processing may be performed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” also includes a homepage providing environment (or a display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” means a portable medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. . Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. And those holding programs for a certain period of time.

The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. further,
What can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user simply selects the service name to be connected and does not need to input the user ID and password each time the connection is established, and the Internet connection operation is easily performed. Is obtained. Also, the service name and URL
And the set of user ID and password are registered in different storage means, so that even if one of the contents is obtained illegally, it is prevented from using the service illegally based on the acquired contents. The effect is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... electronic information delivery system, 2 ... information provider, 3 ... user, 11 ...
-Operation management unit, 12 ... delivery information management unit,
13: filter function unit, 14: individualization function unit,
15: delivery distribution unit, 16: history information file, 17: history reference unit, 18
... User attribute information file, 19 ... E-mail box, 19a ... Data file, 20 ...
Delivery server, 21 ... mobile phone connection gateway, 3
1 ... Web browser, 32 ... mobile phone,
1a: management unit, 1b: delivery processing unit,
41 ・ ・ ・ Internet browsing device, 4
2 ... service information management unit, 43 ... ID conversion unit, 44 ... list acquisition device, 45 ...
・ Distribution service information management device, 46: list generation device, 47: distribution service information registration device,
48 ... ID conversion information management device, 49 ... ID
Conversion device, 50 ... ID transmission device.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An Internet connection device for connecting to an information distribution device on the Internet that provides information to receive an information distribution service, wherein the Internet connection device includes a name of the information distribution service stored in advance. Service selection means for selecting a desired service from the URL; and specifying a URL corresponding to the selected service.
Connection requesting means for making a use request to the service providing system having L, and converting a user ID and a password responding to the authentication request from the service providing system from the service ID assigned to the selected service. An Internet connection apparatus, comprising: an ID conversion unit to be obtained; and an authentication request response unit to transmit a user ID and a password obtained by converting the service ID to the service providing system. 2. The distribution service information input means for inputting a service name, a URL, a user ID, and a password for each service, and a service among information input in the distribution service information input means. The name and URL are registered in the first storage unit, the user ID and the password are registered in the second storage unit, and the information registered in the first storage unit and the information registered in the second storage unit 2. The Internet connection device according to claim 1, further comprising: distribution service information registration means for associating with a service ID assigned to each service. 3. An Internet connection method for connecting to an information distribution apparatus on the Internet that provides information to receive an information distribution service, wherein the Internet connection method includes a method of storing a name of the information distribution service stored in advance. A service selection process of selecting a desired service from the URL; identifying a URL corresponding to the selected service;
L, a connection requesting step of making a use request to the service providing system having a L, and converting a user ID and a password responding to the authentication request from the service providing system from the service ID assigned to the selected service. An Internet connection method, comprising: a required ID conversion step; and an authentication request response step of transmitting a user ID and a password obtained by converting the service ID to the service providing system. 4. The internet connection method includes: a delivery service information inputting step of inputting a service name, a URL, a user ID, and a password for each service; and a service out of the information input in the delivery service information inputting step. The name and URL are registered in the first storage unit, the user ID and the password are registered in the second storage unit, and the information registered in the first storage unit and the information registered in the second storage unit 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: a distribution service information registration step of associating with a service ID assigned to each service. 5. A computer-readable recording medium recording an Internet connection program for connecting to an information distribution apparatus on the Internet that provides information for receiving an information distribution service, wherein the Internet connection program is stored in advance. Service selection processing for selecting a desired service from the names of the selected information distribution services, specifying a URL corresponding to the selected service, and
A connection request process for making a use request to the service providing system having L, and converting a user ID and a password responding to the authentication request from the service providing system from the service ID assigned to the selected service. An Internet connection program characterized by causing a computer to perform a required ID conversion process and an authentication request response process of transmitting a user ID and a password obtained by converting the service ID to the service providing system. recoding media. 6. The distribution service information inputting process for inputting a service name, a URL, a user ID, and a password for each service, and a service out of the information input in the distribution service information inputting process. The name and URL are registered in the first storage unit, the user ID and the password are registered in the second storage unit, and the information registered in the first storage unit and the information registered in the second storage unit 6. The recording medium according to claim 5, further comprising: causing a computer to perform a distribution service information registration process for associating the service with a service ID assigned to each service.