JP2004234059A - Information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pay information providing system capable of commonalizing the information for a member and a nonmember. <P>SOLUTION: In information edition device 3, a level matching the viewing right is set in a part of offered information in a user terminal 2, and information data pairing the original information and the viewing right level information with each other is edited and accumulated in an information DB 4. When an information request is made from the user terminal 2 via the Internet 1, user information of the user terminal 2 is referred to a user management device 6 from the information offering device 5. In the information providing device 5, the information data are read from the information DB according to the user information, and information for publication is created in association with the view right. For example, publication information, in which all the set parts are masked, is created for the nonmember, while original data not masked is transmitted to the user terminal 2 for the member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing system for providing pay information on the Internet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-93560
[0004]
Conventionally, when providing paid information such as investment information on the Internet, provide detailed information only to registered members in advance and provide general information to unregistered general users, Alternatively, no information is provided. For this reason, even when a sample is provided from an information provider, it has been difficult for a general user to determine whether or not to pay for an information fee and obtain information using only the sample. On the other hand, the information provider needed to prepare information for members and information for non-members separately.
[0005]
As a method for solving this problem, a method has been proposed in which part of information to be provided is encrypted and transmitted, and a registered member is decrypted by transmitting a decryption key in response to a request. As a result, information for members and information for non-members can be shared, and non-members can be provided with samples that can determine to some extent whether or not the information is the target information. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventional information provision by encryption may be deciphered by a malicious user, and in the case of a regular member, it must be decrypted at the user terminal, which increases the burden on the terminal side. was there.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to solve the problem of the prior art and provide an information providing system for pay information that can share information for members and non-members without using encryption.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention of the present invention is a method for transmitting corresponding information data from an information database stored in an information providing device in response to an information request made from a user terminal via the Internet. In the information providing system which reads and edits and provides the information for publication, the information providing apparatus performs a concealment process on a part of the read information data based on a viewing right level of the user terminal, It is configured to edit information for publication.
[0009]
According to a second invention, the information providing apparatus according to the first invention refers to a user database in which the browsing right level is registered for each user, and is set in advance for a user not registered in the user database. The concealment process is performed on all the areas that have been set, and for the user registered in the user database, the concealment of the predetermined area is released based on the browsing right level, and the information for publication is edited. Make up.
[0010]
According to the first and second inventions, since the information providing device is configured as described above, the following operation is performed.
[0011]
When an information request is made from the user terminal via the Internet, the information providing device reads the corresponding information data from the information database. Further, based on the browsing right level of the user terminal, a part of the read information data is subjected to concealment processing, and the information for publication is edited. The edited public information is provided to the requesting user terminal via the Internet.
[0012]
According to a third aspect, in response to an information request made from a user terminal via the Internet, the corresponding information data is read from an information database stored in an information providing device, edited into public information, and provided. In the providing system, the information providing apparatus, in response to an information request from the user terminal, edits and provides concealment public information that has been subjected to concealment processing to a preset area in the corresponding information data, When the user terminal requests disclosure of the concealed part of the concealed public information, the disclosed public information that discloses the concealed part is provided.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect, the information providing apparatus according to the third aspect edits concealment public information in which a fee for disclosing the concealed part is displayed in the concealed part subjected to the concealment process, and provides the user terminal with the concealed public information. It is composed.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect, the information providing apparatus according to the third aspect edits the concealment public information in which the concealed portion subjected to the concealment process is classified and displayed to indicate the type of information of the concealed portion, and provides the edited information to the user terminal. It is configured to
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect, the information providing apparatus according to the third aspect refers to a user database in which a browsing right level for each user is registered when a disclosure request is made from a user terminal, and is registered in the user database. For users who do not have the information, guidance information for online registration is provided, and only users registered in the user database are provided with disclosure disclosure information in response to a disclosure request from the user terminal. It is composed.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the information providing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention provides disclosure public information to a user terminal of a registered user, the information providing apparatus displays the disclosure public information on a display screen of the disclosure public information based on the disclosure. It is configured to display the amount to be collected.
[0017]
According to an eighth aspect, in the concealment processing according to the first to seventh aspects, when the area to be concealed is a character area, a character string in the area is replaced with a specific character or symbol, and the area to be concealed is an image. In the case of a region, this is realized by manipulating the pixel values in the region.
[0018]
According to the third to eighth aspects, the following operation is performed.
[0019]
When an information request is made from the user terminal via the Internet, the information providing device reads the corresponding information data from the information database. Further, the concealment public information obtained by performing concealment processing on a preset area of the information data is edited and transmitted to the requesting user terminal via the Internet. Further, when there is a request from the user terminal for disclosure of the concealed portion of the concealed public information, the information providing device edits the disclosed public information disclosing the concealed portion and provides the edited information via the Internet.
[0020]
According to a ninth aspect, in the information providing system, in response to an information request made from a user terminal via the Internet, information data stored in each information database is read to correspond to the registration data of the user terminal. A plurality of information providing devices for editing and providing information for publication, and in response to an inquiry from the plurality of information providing devices, providing registration data of the user terminal, and providing the unregistered user terminal And a user management device for providing registration guidance information.
[0021]
According to a tenth aspect, in the information providing system, a plurality of information editing apparatuses for editing information data in a format that can perform concealment processing on a part of the information provided according to the registration type of the user terminal; An information database for storing the information data edited by the information editing device, and reading the information data stored in the information database in response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet, And a plurality of information providing devices that edit and provide information for publication corresponding to the registration type of the information.
[0022]
According to an eleventh aspect, in the information providing system, an advertisement database storing advertisement information to be displayed on the user terminal and an information database stored in the information database in response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet. An information providing device for reading out the information data, editing the information for publication, attaching the advertisement information stored in the advertisement database, and providing the advertisement information to the user terminal.
[0023]
A twelfth invention provides an information providing system, comprising: an advertisement database storing advertisement information to be displayed on a user terminal; a user database storing registration information of the user terminal; In response to the information request made, the information data stored in the information database is read to edit the information for publication, and the advertisement database is referred to by referring to the registration information of the user terminal registered in the user database. And an information providing device for extracting advertisement information suitable for the user terminal from among the above, and attaching the advertisement information to the information for publication and providing the information to the user terminal.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
This information providing system provides information to a user terminal 2 through the Internet 1 and includes an information editing device 3, an information database (hereinafter, referred to as "information DB") 4, an information providing device 5, and a user management device 6. It is configured.
[0025]
The information editing device 3 edits information to be provided to the user terminal 2 by operation of an operator, and includes a scanner 3a for optically reading images, drawings, documents, etc., a keyboard 3b for inputting characters and the like, and an operation screen. A mouse 3c for performing various operations in conjunction with the input / output device, an input / output device such as a display 3d on which an editing process screen is displayed, and an information editing unit 3e including a processor controlled by a program. I have. An information DB 4 that stores information data edited by the information editing device 3 is connected to the information editing unit 3e.
[0026]
The information providing device 5 provides information in response to an information request from a user input from the user terminal 2 via the Internet 1, and includes an information disclosure unit 5a and an information creation unit 5b. The information disclosure unit 5a inquires the user management device 6 of user information such as user qualifications input from the user terminal 2 and issues an information creation instruction to the information creation unit 5b based on the user information. The information is transmitted to the corresponding user terminal 2. The information creation unit 5b reads the information DB 4 based on an instruction from the information disclosure unit 5a, processes the information DB 4 into the instructed information, and outputs the information to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0027]
The user management device 6 includes a user database (hereinafter, referred to as a “user DB”) 6a in which types of users (for example, a temporarily registered level 1 user, a fully registered level 2 user, and the like) are registered, and an information disclosure unit 5a. A user management unit 6b that reads out the user DB 6a in response to an inquiry from and provides user information.
[0028]
On the other hand, the user terminal 2 connected to the Internet 1 has a general user terminal 2A not registered as a user, a level 1 user terminal 2B registered as a level 1 user, and a level 2 user registered as a level 2 user. There are three types of level 2 user terminals 2C.
[0029]
Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11 in terms of the creation of a database (1) and the provision of information to a user terminal (2).
[0030]
(1) Creating a database
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an information editing screen during editing displayed on the display 3d of the information editing apparatus 3 in FIG.
[0031]
The operator uses the information editing device 3 to read information to be provided from the scanner 3a or to input information as character data from the keyboard 3b. From the scanner 3a, it is possible to input character data by character recognition processing in addition to inputting image information. The input information is displayed in the information display frame 11 of the information editing screen 10 as shown in FIG.
[0032]
The operator uses the mouse 3c and the cursor key of the keyboard 3b in the information display frame 11 to specify the area 12 considered to be important. The area where characters are displayed is specified in units of characters, and the area where images are displayed is a rectangular area represented by vertical and horizontal coordinate values (XL, XR, YT, YB). Is specified.
[0033]
Next, inside the designated area 12, for example, the mouse 3c is double-clicked, and the area 12 is selected. As a result, an area frame with a “■” symbol added to the four corners and the middle of the frame of the specified area 12 is displayed, indicating that the area 12 has been selected. The selected area 12 can be freely moved using the mouse 3c or the like, and the range can be enlarged or reduced.
[0034]
When the “level setting” button 13 on the information editing screen 10 is pressed in a state where the area 12 is selected, a level setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and a disclosure level for designating the importance of the area 12 is set. can do. The public level includes, for example, "no designation" also provided to the general user terminal 2A, "level 1" provided to the level 1 user terminal 2B and the level 2 user terminal 2C, and the level 2 user terminal. There are three levels, "level 2", provided only for 2C.
[0035]
When the “region release” button 14 is pressed in a state where the region 12 is selected, the selected region 12 is released. Note that the selected area 12 is also released when "not specified" is selected on the level setting screen shown in FIG.
[0036]
As described above, the areas considered important in the information display frame 11 are sequentially selected, and the disclosure level is set for each of the selected areas. A rectangle in the information display frame 11 shown in FIG. 2 indicates a region frame indicating a range of the region, a rectangle indicated by a solid line indicates a region frame of level 1, and a rectangle indicated by a broken line indicates a region frame of level 2. ing.
[0037]
When the “Preview” button 15 is pressed at the stage when the designation of each area is completed, a preview screen 20 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. On the default preview screen 20, public information corresponding to “no designation” is displayed in the information display frame 21. That is, characters in the areas set as level 1 and level 2 are all replaced with "@" and displayed.
[0038]
When the “preview level” button 22 on the preview screen 20 is pressed, a level setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and the display content in the information display frame 21 of the preview screen 20 is changed to “level 1” or “level 2”. Can be switched to public information corresponding to.
[0039]
The operator confirms that there is no mistake in the specified area on the preview screen 20 and presses a “return” button 23. As a result, the screen returns to the information editing screen 10 shown in FIG. 2, and the operator further presses the “Save” button 16.
[0040]
Here, when image information is included in the information to be stored, an information storage screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The information storage screen has a field for inputting a file name and a field for inputting a title (title) of an image. The operator inputs, for example, “image1.jpg” as the file name and “announces a new product of Oki Electric” as the title from the keyboard 3b and presses the “OK” button. If there is no image information, the information storage screen is not displayed.
[0041]
Information data is edited in the information editing unit 3e by the operation of the operator as described above.
[0042]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing information data edited by the information editing unit 3e of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the information data has a format similar to HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and information of an area edited on the information editing screen 10 shown in FIG. 2 is added to information to be disclosed. It is a thing. The information data is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of elements, and each element is expressed in the form of “<element name”>, and the range of the element is up to the appearance of </ element name>.
[0043]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list of elements used in the information data shown in FIG. 6 and their meanings. FIG. 8 shows a list of attributes used in the information data shown in FIG. 6 and their meanings. FIG.
[0044]
The portion sandwiched between </ DOC> in the last line and <DOC> in the last line in FIG. 6 is one unit of information to be provided. <TEXT ALIGN = "CENTER" SIZE = "14" TYPE = "TITLE"> on the second line specifies a display method of character data described before </ TEXT> appears next time. . ALIGN is an attribute indicating a method of arranging a character string, and here, "CENTER" indicating that the character string is displayed at the center is designated. SIZE is an attribute indicating the character size, and 14 points is specified here. TYPE is an attribute indicating a type, and here, "TITLE" meaning a title of data is specified.
[0045]
Also, there is <MASK LEVEL = "1"> before </ TEXT> appears. This is a portion corresponding to the area 12 specified on the information editing screen 10 shown in FIG. 2. Here, since the disclosure level of this area 12 is specified as level 1, the LEVEL attribute of the MASK element becomes “1”. ing.
[0046]
The image information is defined as an element of <IMAGE... In this example, “http: //homehoge/image/image1.jpg” is set as the REF attribute in the IMAGE element, and this value indicates image information to be disclosed. The element starting from <TITLE> is defined in the range where the next >> appears, and the TITLE element is set to "Oki Electric New Product Announcement" as the VALUE attribute, whereby the title of the image to be disclosed is set. It is shown. An element starting from <RECT> is defined in a range where a next appears, and the RECT element has attributes of LEVEL, XL, XR, YT, and YB. LEVEL is a disclosure level, and XL, XR, YT, and YB are coordinate values of the four corners of the area 12 specified in FIG. Thus, the image to be disclosed is indicated by the disclosure level and its area coordinates.
[0047]
As described above, until </ DOC> appears, information data as shown in FIG. 6 is edited in the same format according to the area specified on the information editing screen 10 shown in FIG. 2 and its disclosure level. The information data edited by the information editing unit 3e is sent to the information DB 4 and stored as information for publication.
[0048]
(2) Provision of information to user terminals
Next, the provision of information from the database created in this way to the user terminal 2 will be described.
[0049]
The general user of the general user terminal 2A is logged in as a "guest" who does not need to perform user registration and other procedures. When there is an information provision request from the general user terminal 2A, a request to create disclosure information corresponding to "guest" is issued from the information disclosure unit 5a to the information creation unit 5b.
[0050]
The information creation unit 5b creates the disclosure information corresponding to the “guest” in accordance with the request from the information disclosure unit 5a. As a creation method, first, the latest information is read from the information DB 4, and concealment processing is performed based on the read information. Here, since the information is for "guests", characters, symbols, image information, and the like are unconditionally replaced with "@" in all designated areas (level 1 and level 2), and characters and symbols representing elements and attributes are further included. Is removed, and public information is created. The created disclosure information is output to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0051]
The disclosure information given to the information disclosure unit 5a is converted into, for example, an HTML format and transmitted to the general user terminal 2A. Thereby, a general user screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the general user terminal 2A.
[0052]
On the other hand, when logging in to the information disclosure unit 15 as a level 1 user, the user of the level 1 user terminal 2B needs to register a user ID in advance. As a registration method, for example, there is a method of mailing an application form and a billing method to an information providing company, or a method of online registration. When the registration is accepted, the user ID, the password, and the browsing right level (level 1) are registered in the user DB 6b.
[0053]
When there is an information provision request from the level 1 user terminal 2B, the information disclosure unit 5a inquires the user management unit 6b of the user ID and password of the logged-in user. As a result, the information disclosure unit 5a is notified of the inquiry result and the browsing right level assigned to the user ID. If there is no problem in the inquiry result, the information disclosure unit 5a issues a request to the information creation unit 5b for creation of public information corresponding to "level 1" which is the level of the user ID.
[0054]
The information creation unit 5b creates the disclosure information corresponding to “level 1” according to the request from the information disclosure unit 5a. As the creation method, the characters, symbols and image information inside the area corresponding to “Level 1” are left as they are, and the characters, symbols and image information inside the area corresponding to “Level 2” are unconditionally replaced with “■”. Concealment processing is performed. Further, characters and symbols representing elements and attributes are removed, and information for publication is created. The created disclosure information is output to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0055]
The disclosure information given to the information disclosure unit 5a is converted into a format protected by, for example, SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or the like, and transmitted to the level 1 user terminal 2B. As a result, a level 1 user screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the level 1 user terminal 2B.
[0056]
Further, when logging in to the information disclosure unit 15 as a level 2 user, the user of the level 2 user terminal 2C needs to register a user ID in advance, as with the level 1 user.
[0057]
When there is a login from a properly registered Level 2 user, a request for creating public information corresponding to “Level 2” is issued from the information disclosure unit 5a to the information creation unit 5b. In the information creating unit 5b, the characters, symbols, and image information in all the areas are not concealed and are left as they are. Then, characters and symbols representing the elements and attributes are removed, public information is created, and output to the information publishing unit 5a.
[0058]
The disclosure information given to the information disclosure unit 5a is converted into a format protected by SSL or the like, and transmitted to the level 2 user terminal 2C. As a result, a level 2 user screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the level 2 user terminal 2C.
[0059]
As described above, the information providing system of the first embodiment prepares the same provided information for the general user and the registered user, and according to the user level, a part of the provided information. By concealing, the public part is restricted. This eliminates the need to prepare completely different pieces of provided information for each user level, and has an advantage that information for members and information for non-members can be shared. In addition, since the partially concealed information is provided to the non-member, it is possible to estimate the contents of the pay information, and there is an advantage that the non-member can easily determine whether the information is the target information. .
[0060]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which components common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by common reference numerals.
[0061]
This information providing system includes, instead of the information editing device 3 and the user management device 6 of FIG. 1, an information editing device 3A having slightly different editing contents and a user management device 6A having a different management method for each user terminal 2. ing.
[0062]
The information editing device 3A edits information data so as to display an information fee in a monetary amount for each information setting area, and has an information editing unit 3f having a different processing content from the information editing unit 3e in FIG. ing. Further, the user management device 6A has a charging management unit 6c for charging an information fee according to the information provided for each user terminal 2, and the charging management unit 6c periodically controls each user. An invoice 6d is created. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
[0063]
Next, the operation of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an information editing screen during editing displayed on the display 3d of the information editing device 3A in FIG.
[0064]
In the information editing screen 10A, a “price setting” button 17 is provided instead of the “level setting” button 13 in the information editing screen 10 of FIG. On the other hand, in the information display frame 11, character data and image information input from the scanner 3a and the keyboard 3b are displayed as in the information editing screen 10 in FIG. The method of selecting the area 12 in the information display frame 11 by the operator is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0065]
When the “price setting” button 17 on the information editing screen 10A is pressed while the area 12 is selected, a charge setting screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, and the value of the information in this area 12 (that is, the information charge) is displayed. It can be entered and set by converting it to an amount.
[0066]
When the operator presses a “preview” button 15 after setting an information fee for each area, a preview screen 20A shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. In the preview screen 20A, a part of the public information in the information display frame 21 where the charge is not set is displayed as it is. In addition, the area for which the charge is set is replaced with “$” and displayed, and the charge required to display the area is displayed.
[0067]
The operator confirms that there is no mistake in the specified area on the preview screen 20A, and presses a “return” button 23. Thereby, the screen returns to the information editing screen 10A shown in FIG. 13, and the operator further presses the "save" button 16. Thus, the information editing section 3f edits the information data.
[0068]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of information data edited by the information editing unit 3f in FIG.
The information data is basically in a format similar to HTML as in FIG. 6, but as shown in FIG. 16, the MASK element corresponding to the character area has not the LEVEL attribute but the PRICE attribute. The PRICE attribute sets an information fee for the corresponding MASK element.
[0069]
Similarly, the RECT element corresponding to the image area has not the LEVEL attribute but the PRICE attribute. The PRICE attribute sets an information fee for the corresponding RECT element.
[0070]
The information data edited by the information editing unit 3f is sent to the information DB 4 and stored as information for publication.
[0071]
Next, the user logs in to the information disclosure unit 5a using the user terminal 2 in order to obtain information. The login information is sent from the information disclosure unit 5a to the user management unit 6b, and the user management unit 6b checks whether the logged-in user is a registrant. If the user has not been registered, the user is notified of the initial registration or an error in the input data is notified. If the user is a registered user, the charging status of the user is confirmed, and a check is made for a non-payment. If the examination reveals the existence of a problem, the user is notified of the fact, and if there is no problem, the information disclosure section 5a is notified that the examination has passed.
[0072]
A public document list screen (not shown) is transmitted from the information disclosure unit 5a to the user terminal 2, and the user selects a document to be viewed. When a user requests a browsing document, the information disclosure unit 5a requests the information creation unit 5b to create disclosure information.
[0073]
The information creation unit 5b reads information data corresponding to the requested document from the information DB 4, performs concealment processing based on the read information data, and creates disclosure information. In the concealment, the character string surrounded by the MASK element on the information data and the rectangular area specified by the RECT element are unconditionally replaced with "@", and the information set by the PRICE attribute on the replaced concealment area This is done by overwriting the fee. Further, elements and attributes are removed from the information data to create disclosure information, which is output to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0074]
The information for disclosure is converted into the HTML format in the information disclosure unit 5a and transmitted to the user terminal 2. As a result, the user terminal 2 displays a user terminal screen in which the area is painted black.
[0075]
When the user views the provided information and wishes to view the blackened portion, for example, he or she clicks on the area with the mouse. The position information clicked on the terminal display screen is sent to the information disclosure unit 5a, and the corresponding area is restored.
[0076]
The restoration is performed as follows. First, the position clicked with the mouse (for example, the Nth character from the head of the document) is transmitted to the information creation unit 5b, and the information data corresponding to the document is read from the information DB 4 by the information creation unit 5b. Next, a MASK element and a RECT element corresponding to the position clicked with the mouse are determined, and the part replaced by “@” in the element of the public information is restored to the information before replacement. At the same time, the value of the PRICE attribute (information fee) is obtained, and the total amount is counted. The total amount is added to the information for publication as billing information and given to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0077]
The created disclosure information is transmitted from the information disclosure unit 5a to the user terminal 2, and the billing information is output to the user management unit 6b. As a result, a user terminal screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the user terminal 2. In FIG. 17, since the user has made a request to view the uppermost concealed portion that is originally concealed, the total usage fee is 4 yen, and information in which the uppermost concealed portion has disappeared is displayed.
[0078]
On the other hand, the accounting information provided from the information disclosure unit 5b to the user management unit 6b is added to the accounting information in the user DB 6a of the corresponding user. The billing information is compiled by the billing management unit 6c for each user, for example, at the end of each month, and a bill 6d is issued. As a result, an information fee is collected.
[0079]
As described above, according to the second aspect, the disclosure information for which the information fee is displayed for each concealed portion is edited. Thereby, in addition to the same advantages as the first embodiment, it is possible to immediately know the fee required for browsing the information, and there is an advantage that the user can use the information with confidence.
[0080]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a diagram of an information editing screen showing the third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of an information providing system using this information editing screen is the same as that of FIG.
[0081]
The information editing screen 10B is provided with an “ID setting” button 18 instead of the “level setting” button 13 in the information editing screen 10 of FIG. On the other hand, the inside of the information display frame 11 is the same as the information edit screen 10 of FIG. 2, so that character data and image information input from the scanner 3a and the keyboard 3b are displayed in the information display frame 11. Has become. The method of selecting the area 12 in the information display frame 11 by the operator is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0082]
When the "ID setting" button 18 is pressed while the area 12 is selected on the information editing screen 10B, an area ID setting screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. The operator can input and set an area ID representing the type of information of the selected area 12 in the area ID frame of the area ID setting screen.
[0083]
When the operator presses a “preview” button 15 after setting an area ID for each area, a preview screen 20B as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. On the preview screen 20B, a part of the public information in the information display frame 21 in which the area ID is not set is displayed as it is. In addition, the part where the area ID is set is replaced with “■” and displayed, and the area ID is displayed.
[0084]
The operator confirms that there is no mistake in the specified area on the preview screen 20B, and presses the “return” button 23. As a result, the screen returns to the information editing screen 10B shown in FIG. 18, and the operator further presses the "save" button 16. Thus, the information editing section 3f edits the information data.
[0085]
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of information data corresponding to the information editing screen of FIG. 18 edited by the information editing unit 3f.
[0086]
The information data is basically in a format similar to HTML as in FIG. 6, but as shown in FIG. 21, the MASK element corresponding to the character area has a GROUP attribute, not a LEVEL attribute or a PRICE attribute. ing. The GROUP attribute sets an area ID for the corresponding MASK element.
[0087]
Similarly, the RECT element corresponding to the image area has a GROUP attribute, not a LEVEL attribute or a PRICE attribute. The GROUP attribute sets an area ID for the corresponding RECT element.
[0088]
The information data edited by the information editing unit 3f is sent to the information DB 4 and stored as information for publication.
[0089]
A series of operations from when the user logs in using the user terminal 2 in order to obtain information until the user selects a document to be viewed is the same as in the second embodiment.
[0090]
When a user requests a browsing document, the information disclosure unit 5a requests the information creation unit 5b to create disclosure information.
[0091]
The information creation unit 5b reads information data corresponding to the requested document from the information DB 4, performs concealment processing based on the read information data, and creates disclosure information. In the concealment, the character string surrounded by the MASK element on the information data and the rectangular range specified by the RECT element are unconditionally replaced with "@", and further set on the replaced concealment area with the GROUP attribute. This is performed by overwriting the area ID. Further, elements and attributes are removed from the information data to create disclosure information, which is output to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0092]
The information for disclosure is converted into the HTML format in the information disclosure unit 5a and transmitted to the user terminal 2. As a result, the user terminal 2 displays a user terminal screen in which the area is painted black.
[0093]
When the user views the provided information and wants to view the blackened portion, for example, he or she clicks on the area with the mouse. The position information clicked on the terminal display screen is sent to the information disclosure unit 5a, and the corresponding area is restored.
[0094]
The restoration is performed as follows. First, the position information clicked with the mouse is transmitted to the information creation unit 5b, and the information creation unit 5b reads information data corresponding to the document from the information DB 4. Further, a MASK element and a RECT element corresponding to the clicked position are determined, and the GROUP attribute of the MASK element and the RECT element is referred to, and the MASK element and the RECT element having the same GROUP attribute are replaced with "@". Is restored to the information before replacement. At the same time, the number of disclosed area IDs is counted. The counted number of area IDs is added to the disclosure information as billing information, and provided to the information disclosure unit 5a.
[0095]
The created disclosure information is transmitted from the information disclosure unit 5a to the user terminal 2, and the billing information is output to the user management unit 6b. As a result, a user terminal screen as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed on the user terminal 2. In FIG. 22, since the user has made a request to view the concealed portion of the originally concealed region ID “1”, all the concealed portions set in the region ID “1” have been unmasked. If the information fee per area ID is set to 50 yen, in FIG. 22, since only the area ID "(1)" is unmasked, the total usage charge is displayed as 50 yen.
[0096]
On the other hand, the accounting information provided from the information disclosure unit 5b to the user management unit 6b is added to the accounting information in the user DB 6a of the corresponding user. The billing information is compiled by the billing management unit 6c for each user, for example, at the end of each month, and a bill 6d is issued. As a result, an information fee is collected.
[0097]
As described above, according to the third aspect, the disclosure information in which the area ID corresponding to the pay information is displayed is edited. Thus, in addition to the same advantages as those of the first embodiment, a trouble of setting the same area ID for similar contents and charging a plurality of times for browsing the same contents is avoided. Has the advantage that it can be used with confidence.
[0098]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which components common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by common reference numerals.
[0099]
This information providing system includes a user terminal 2 for browsing information, a user management device 6 for performing user registration and charging management, and a user DB 6a for storing user registration information and charging information. Information providing device 5 to provide ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ And each of these information providing devices 5 ₁ ~ 5 ₃ Information DB4 attached to ₁ ~ 4 ₃ It has. In addition, information DB4 ₁ ~ 4 ₃ The creation of the information data stored in each information DB 4 ₁ ~ 4 ₃ The information is edited by an information editing device (not shown) provided in correspondence with the above.
[0100]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mask release processing in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of FIG. 24 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0101]
The user uses the user terminal 2 and, for example, the information providing device 5 ₁ Connect to and request information. Information providing device 5 requested for information ₁ Uses the information concealment method as described in the first to third embodiments to transmit to the user terminal 2 information that has been subjected to a masking process such as blackening of an important portion.
[0102]
The user browses the information including the mask portion on the user terminal 2, and clicks the mask portion with a mouse or the like, for example, when the user wants to see the mask portion. Thus, the mask release processing of FIG. 24 is started.
[0103]
In step S1 of FIG. 24, the information providing device 5 receives a request for mask release processing from the user. ₁ Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the release processing request is the first time after connection. This determination can be made using, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the user terminal 2 or a MAC (Media Access Control) address. As a result of the determination, if it is the first time, the process proceeds to step S2. If not, the process proceeds to the charging process of step S5.
[0104]
In step S2, a login request is made. In the login request, for example, a login screen is displayed on the user terminal 2, and the user inputs a login name and a password. The input login name and password are sent to the user management device 6, and the process proceeds to step S3.
[0105]
In step S3, the login name and password sent to the user management device 6 are analyzed, and a member examination process is performed to determine whether the logged-in user is a new user or a registered user. If it is a new user, proceed to step S4, and if it is a registered user, proceed to step S5.
[0106]
In step S4, a user registration process is performed. In the user registration process, for example, the information providing device 5 ₁ Becomes a relay point, connects the user terminal 2 and the user management device 6, sets a login name and a password of the user, and, for example, instructs the user management device 6 Notified. The information notified to the user management device 6 is stored in the user DB 6a. After step S4, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0107]
The billing process in step S5 is as described in the first to third embodiments. When the charging process in step S5 is completed, the process proceeds to the mask release process in step S6.
[0108]
The mask release processing in step S6 is as described in the first to third embodiments.
[0109]
The connection is continued until the user logs off the user terminal 2. Alternatively, when there is no communication for a certain period of time, the information providing apparatus 5 ₁ The connection can be automatically disconnected from the side.
[0110]
As described above, in the information providing system according to the fourth embodiment, the user only needs to register the user in the common user management device 6 to obtain a plurality of information providing devices 5. ₁ ~ 5 ₃ Information DB4 attached to each ₁ ~ 4 ₃ You can browse paid information. Thereby, each information providing device 5 ₁ ~ 5 ₃ Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an individual user management device corresponding to the above, and the system can be made more efficient.
[0111]
(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which components common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by common reference numerals.
[0112]
The information providing system includes a user terminal 2 for browsing information, an information providing device 5 for providing information to a user, an information DB 4 for storing information data to be provided, and information for storing in the information DB 4. Multiple information editing devices 3 for creating data ₁ , 3 ₂ , 3 ₃ And a user DB 6a for storing user registration information and billing information.
[0113]
In such an information providing system, a plurality of information editing devices 3 ₁ ~ 3 ₃ Independently edited information data is stored in the common information DB 4. On the other hand, the user accesses the common information providing device 5 and can access the plurality of information editing devices 3. ₁ ~ 3 ₃ You can arbitrarily browse the information created in. Note that the mask release processing for the user is as described in the fourth embodiment.
[0114]
As described above, in the information providing system according to the fifth embodiment, the user only needs to access one information providing device 5 to obtain a plurality of information editing devices 3. ₁ ~ 3 ₃ You can browse the paid information created in. This eliminates the need to access different information providing devices according to the information to be obtained, and has the advantage that the required information can be obtained quickly.
[0115]
(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 26 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to the elements in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0116]
The information providing system includes a user terminal 2 for browsing information, an information providing device 5 for providing information to a user, an information DB 4 for storing information data to be provided, and a user registration information and a billing information. In addition to the user DB 6a to be stored, an advertisement editing device 7 for editing advertisement data and an advertisement DB 8 for storing advertisement data edited by the advertisement editing device 7 are provided.
[0117]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mask release processing in FIG. 26. Elements common to those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the operation of FIG. 26 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0118]
First, the user connects to the information providing apparatus 5 using the user terminal 2 and requests information. The information providing apparatus 5 that has been requested for information creates information in which an important part is subjected to a masking process such as blacking using the information hiding method described in the first to third embodiments, The data is transmitted to the user terminal 2 and made public.
[0119]
The user browses the information including the mask portion on the user terminal 2 and clicks the mask portion with a mouse or the like, for example, when the user wants to see the mask portion. Thus, the mask release processing of FIG. 27 is started.
[0120]
In step S1 of FIG. 27, based on the IP address and the MAC address of the user terminal 2, the information providing device 5 that has received the request for the mask release process determines whether or not the request for the release process is the first time after the connection. Is determined. As a result of the determination, if it is the first time, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process proceeds to the advertisement display of step S5A.
[0121]
In step S2, a login screen is displayed on the user terminal 2, and a login process is performed by the user inputting a login name and a password. The input login name and password are sent to the user management device 6, and the process proceeds to step S3.
[0122]
In step S3, the login name and password sent to the user management device 6 are analyzed, and a member examination process is performed. If the user is a new user, the process proceeds to step S4, and if the user is a registered user, the process proceeds to step S5A.
[0123]
In step S4, user registration is performed by storing the user's login name and password, the credit card number for requesting an information fee, the user's hobbies and occupations, etc. in the user DB 6a. After step S4, the process proceeds to the advertisement display in step S5A.
[0124]
In step S5A, user information is read from the user DB 6a. Then, for example, an advertisement related to the user's interest is selected and read from the advertisement DB 8, and the read advertisement data is displayed on the user terminal 2. Furthermore, the total number of times this advertisement has been displayed is recorded in the advertisement DB 8.
[0125]
FIG. 28 is a diagram of an advertisement screen displayed on the user terminal of FIG. When the user presses the "return to information browsing" button 31 on the advertisement screen 30, the advertisement display ends, and the process proceeds to the mask release processing in step S6.
[0126]
The mask release processing in step S6 is as described in the first to third embodiments.
[0127]
The connection is continued until the user logs off the user terminal 2. Alternatively, the connection can be automatically cut off from the information providing device 5 when there is no communication for a certain period of time continuously.
[0128]
As described above, the information providing system of the sixth embodiment has the advertisement DB 8 for displaying an advertisement according to the user's interest. Therefore, for example, by collecting the advertisement fee from a company that performs the advertisement, it is not necessary to collect the information fee from the user, and the system operation can be simplified.
[0129]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, there are the following modifications.
[0130]
(A) The method of concealing the concealed area is not limited to black painting. It can be concealed by various methods such as arbitrary colors, figures, symbols, and mosaics.
[0131]
(B) The amount of the information fee can be set arbitrarily. The method of billing the fee, the discount, and the like are out of the scope of the present invention and may be arbitrarily determined.
[0132]
(C) The user level of the user terminal is not limited to the illustrated one.
[0133]
(D) The number of the information providing devices 5 in FIG. 23 and the number of the information editing devices 3 in FIG. 25 are not limited to those illustrated.
[0134]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the first aspect, information provision in which a part of the information data is concealed according to the viewing right of the user terminal, and the information for publication is edited and provided to the user terminal It has a device. Thereby, for example, information data for members and non-members can be shared. In addition, for non-members, the content can be estimated from the hidden information for public use, and it can be easily determined whether or not it is necessary to become a paid member and obtain information without a hidden portion. This has the effect.
[0135]
According to the second invention, there is provided a user database in which browsing rights are registered for each user. As a result, the presence or absence of user registration and the viewing right are clarified, and in addition to the effects of the first invention, there is an effect that the determination of the user is facilitated.
[0136]
According to the third invention, when there is a request for disclosure of the concealed portion of the concealed public information from the user terminal, the disclosed public information that discloses the concealed portion is provided. Thereby, in addition to the effect of the first invention, the user does not need to pay the information fee for unnecessary information, and a rational fee system can be formed.
[0137]
According to the fourth aspect, the fee for each concealed portion is displayed, so that in addition to the effects of the first and third aspects, the user can request information with confidence.
[0138]
According to the fifth aspect, since the type of information of each concealed portion is displayed, in addition to the effects of the first and third aspects, it is possible to eliminate waste that the user makes unnecessary information requests. it can.
[0139]
According to the sixth aspect, a configuration is provided in which guidance information for online registration is provided to an unregistered user. Thus, even an unregistered user can immediately register, and can be provided with information.
[0140]
According to the seventh invention, the amount of the information fee is displayed on the display screen of the disclosure disclosure information. As a result, the user can make an information request while checking the fee.
[0141]
According to the eighth aspect, when the concealment target is a character, the area is replaced with a specific character or symbol, and when the concealment target is an image, the concealment process is performed by manipulating the pixel value of the area. . Thereby, there is an effect that the concealed portion and the non-concealed portion can be clearly distinguished, and the contents of the concealed portion can be estimated.
[0142]
According to the ninth aspect, a plurality of information providing apparatuses have a common user management apparatus. Thereby, the efficiency of the system can be improved.
[0143]
According to the tenth aspect, there is provided an information database for integrally storing information data edited by a plurality of information editing apparatuses. Thereby, the efficiency of the system can be improved.
[0144]
According to the eleventh aspect, the advertisement information is attached to the information data and provided to the user terminal. Thus, for example, by converting the advertising fee to the information fee, the fee collection from the user becomes unnecessary, and the operation can be simplified.
[0145]
According to the twelfth aspect, the advertisement information suitable for the user terminal is extracted by referring to the registration information of the user, and is provided to the user terminal by attaching it to the information data. Thereby, in addition to the eleventh effect, there is an effect that a user can browse useful advertisements.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an information editing screen during editing in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a level setting screen of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a preview screen of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an information storage screen of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the information data of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list of elements used in information data and their meanings.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a list of attributes used in information data and their meanings.
9 is a diagram of a general user screen displayed on the general user terminal of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram of a level 1 user screen displayed on the level 1 user terminal of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a level 2 user screen displayed on the level 2 user terminal of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an information editing screen during editing in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a charge setting screen of FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a preview screen of FIG. 12;
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the information data in FIG. 12;
17 is a diagram of a user terminal screen displayed on the user terminal of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a diagram of an information editing screen according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an area ID setting screen of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a preview screen corresponding to FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of information data corresponding to FIG. 18;
FIG. 22 is a diagram of a user terminal screen corresponding to FIG. 18;
FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mask release process in FIG. 23;
FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of mask release processing in FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is a diagram of an advertisement screen displayed on the user terminal of FIG. 26;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Internet
2 User terminal
3 Information editing device
4 Information DB
5 Information provision device
6 User management device
6a User DB
7 Advertising editing device
8 Advertising DB

Claims (12)

In response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet, an information providing system that reads out the corresponding information data from the information database stored in the information providing device, edits the information data for publication, and provides
The information providing system, wherein the information providing apparatus performs concealment processing on a part of the read information data based on a viewing right level of the user terminal, and edits the information for publication. The information providing device refers to a user database in which the browsing right level is registered for each user, and performs concealment processing on all areas set in advance for users not registered in the user database, 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the concealment of a predetermined area is released for the user registered in the user database based on the browsing right level, and the information for publication is edited. system. In response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet, an information providing system that reads out the corresponding information data from the information database stored in the information providing device, edits the information data for publication, and provides
In response to an information request from the user terminal, the information providing apparatus edits and provides concealment public information obtained by performing concealment processing on a predetermined area of the corresponding information data, and provides the user terminal An information providing system configured to provide, when there is a disclosure request for a concealed portion of the concealed public information, the disclosure public information that discloses the concealed portion. 4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information providing device edits the concealment public information in which a fee for disclosing the concealed portion is displayed in the concealed portion subjected to the concealment processing, and provides the concealed public information to the user terminal. Information providing system. The information providing apparatus edits the concealed public information in which the concealed portion subjected to the concealment process is classified and displayed to indicate a type of information of the concealed portion, and provides the edited concealed public information to the user terminal. 3. The information providing system according to 3. The information providing device refers to a user database in which the browsing right level for each user is registered when the disclosure request is made from the user terminal, and for a user not registered in the user database, Providing guidance information for online registration, and providing the disclosure disclosure information only to users registered in the user database in response to a disclosure request from the user terminal. The information providing system according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein The information providing device, when providing the disclosed disclosure information to the user terminal of the registered user, to display the amount to be collected based on the disclosure in the display screen of the disclosure public information The information providing system according to claim 6, wherein the information providing system is configured. The concealment process replaces a character string in the area to be concealed with a specific character or symbol when the area to be concealed is a character area, and operates a pixel value in the area when the area to be concealed is an image area. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information providing system is realized by: In response to an information request made from a user terminal via the Internet, a plurality of information data stored in respective information databases are read out, and information for publication corresponding to registration data of the user terminal is edited and provided. Information providing device,
In response to an inquiry from the plurality of information providing devices, while providing registration data of the user terminal, a user management device that provides registration guidance information for unregistered user terminals,
An information providing system, comprising: A plurality of information editing devices for editing information data in a format capable of performing concealment processing on a part of information provided according to the registration type of the user terminal;
An information database that stores the information data edited by the plurality of information editing devices;
In response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet, a plurality of information data read out from the information database and edited and provided for public information corresponding to the registration type of the user terminal are provided. Information providing device,
An information providing system, comprising: An advertising database that stores advertising information to be displayed on user terminals,
In response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet, the information data stored in the information database is read out to edit the information for publication, and the advertisement information stored in the advertisement database is attached to the An information providing device to be provided to the user terminal,
An information providing system, comprising: An advertising database that stores advertising information to be displayed on user terminals,
A user database in which registration information of user terminals is stored,
In response to an information request made from the user terminal via the Internet, the information data stored in the information database is read to edit the information for publication, and the registration of the user terminal registered in the user database is performed. An information providing apparatus for extracting advertisement information suitable for the user terminal from the advertisement database with reference to information, attaching the advertisement information to the information for publication, and providing the advertisement information to the user terminal,
An information providing system, comprising:

Images