JPH11161603A - Device and method of repeating data, information terminal device and method thereof, data communication system, and record medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain update information on data put on a server without increasing the load on a user. SOLUTION: A history information holding means 2a holds a data request form the information terminal device 1 as history information. A data acquiring means 2b accesses the server 4 at need to acquire and output data through a data output means 2c. An updated data detecting means 2d reads history information out of the history information holding means 2a for every specific period to detect updated data. An information selecting means 2e selects specific data out of the data detected by the updated data detecting means 2d at a request from the information terminal device 1. An information providing means 2f provides the updated data selected by the information selecting means 2e for the information terminal device 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a data relay device, a data relay method, an information terminal device, an information processing method of the information terminal device, a data communication system, and a recording medium.
In particular, the present invention relates to a data relay device connected to a server via a network, a data relay method, an information terminal device, an information processing method of the information terminal device, a data communication system, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet, which is a huge computer network connecting the whole world, is rapidly spreading. The Internet, which is an inter-net, has LAN
(Local Area Network), etc., which can be accessed from a client computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a "client") which is an information terminal device inside a closed network, and which can send an e-mail or use an external database. be able to. As described above, there are various services on the Internet. Among them, WWW (World Wide Web), which can receive multimedia screens composed of various moving images and sounds from all over the world, is very popular.

[0003] To browse data on the WWW, Net
scale Navigator (Netscape Communicat
Use client software called a browser such as (registered trademark of ions). The user writes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) specifying the WWW to be viewed, or links (a highlighted character or image, such as a character or image in an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) document,
By selecting the character or the image with a pointing device or the like, other data related to the document being viewed at that time can be viewed. ), Desired information can be obtained.

When the Internet is used from the inside of a LAN or the like, a method is generally adopted in which a client running client software is indirectly connected to the Internet via a data relay device called a proxy server. By employing such a configuration, communication efficiency can be improved.

That is, once acquired data is stored in a cache in its own server, and when the same data is accessed again from inside the LAN, the data is supplied from there, thereby burdening the network. Can be minimized and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0006] Such a data relay device basically mediates the exchange of information between an external server and a client inside the LAN. However, a highly functional data relay device has been proposed as follows.

[0007] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-168027 discloses an HTML language for absorbing differences in screen display caused by differences in client settings (differences in the type of browser software used, etc.). A data relay device that converts the data described in (1) into image data and supplies the data to a client is disclosed. According to such a method, it is possible to always obtain a constant display content regardless of the type of browser software used by the client.

[0008] By the way, data posted on a server on a network (for example, a multimedia screen)
Is updated regularly or irregularly. Therefore, in order to constantly browse the latest data, it is necessary to frequently access the server.

When a large amount of data is desired to be browsed, the burden on the user increases. To solve such a problem, for example, WebWhat's New
(Registered trademark of AI Software Co., Ltd.). In such software, a plurality of data are periodically checked for updates, so that the burden on the user is not increased.
It is possible to follow the data update.

[0010]

However, in such a conventional technique, it is possible to obtain updated data by setting the name of a target server, the date and time of data acquisition (or acquisition cycle), and the like. , A message that the data has been updated is displayed as a message. Therefore, if the data is updated irregularly,
There was a problem that it was difficult to respond.

That is, the information that is updated irregularly is often important information, for example, information about a campaign whose period is limited. In order to obtain information that is suddenly updated as described above, it is desirable to set the frequency of accessing the server as high as possible. However, if the frequency is set to be high, the number of accesses to the server increases, and the communication cost increases accordingly.

[0012] When a plurality of data are set, including data updated in a short cycle (for example, every day), and the user is notified that the data has been updated, a long time is set. Data that is updated periodically or irregularly and data that is updated in a short period are displayed simultaneously. In that case, there is a problem that the displayed information becomes excessive and important information displayed in a mixture with a plurality of information updated in a short cycle may be overlooked.

[0013] Even if such important information is successfully obtained, the new and old information cannot be compared if the user has not obtained the information before the update. there were.

Further, when data of a plurality of servers is to be tracked, software setting becomes complicated, and when a user leaves the set information terminal (for example, during a business trip). Then, there was a problem that the updated data could not be browsed.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and when data posted on a server is changed, the fact that the data has been updated and the updated data have been added without burdening the user. The purpose is to provide the data in a form desired by the user.

[0016]

According to the present invention, there is provided a data relay apparatus for relaying data between a server on a network and a plurality of information terminal apparatuses. History information holding means for holding history information about past data requests, and when a new data request is input from the information terminal device, history information holding means for adding information about the data request as history information,
A data acquisition unit that accesses a server on the network in response to the data request and acquires the requested data; and transmits the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the information terminal device that has input the data request. Data output means, update data detection means for detecting updated data with reference to the history information, and, in response to a request from the information terminal device, predetermined information from detection results of the update data detection means A data relay device is provided, comprising: an information selecting means for selecting; and an information providing means for providing selected information to the information terminal device.

Here, the history information holding means holds history information on past data requests from the information terminal device, and when a new data request is input from the information terminal device, stores the information on the data requests in the history. Add as information. The data acquisition means accesses a server on the network in response to the data request, and acquires the requested data. The update data detection unit transmits the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the information terminal device that has input the data request. The update data detection means detects updated data with reference to the history information. The information selection means selects predetermined information from the detection result of the update data detection means in response to a request from the information terminal device. The information providing means provides the selected information to the information terminal device. This makes it possible to generate update information of data accessed by a plurality of information terminal devices and provide the update information in response to a request from each information terminal device.

In addition, data is relayed to and from the server, and the relayed data and the data on the server connected via a network via a data relay device which holds and manages the updated information are transmitted to the server. In the information terminal device to be accessed, when a data acquisition request is input, a request analysis unit that analyzes whether the data acquisition request is a request for access to a server or a request for acquisition of data update information; As a result, when the data acquisition request is an update information acquisition request, specific information for identifying the update information is extracted from the data acquisition request, and specific information output means for outputting to the data relay device; The update information transferred from the data relay device is output to a display device according to the specific information output from the specific information output unit. The information terminal device, wherein is provided to have a that display output unit.

Here, when the data acquisition request is input, the request analysis means analyzes whether the data acquisition request is a request to access the server or a request to acquire data update information. The specific information output means extracts the specific information for specifying the update information from the data acquisition request when the data acquisition request is the update information acquisition request as a result of the analysis of the request analysis means, and sends the information to the data relay device. Output to The display output unit outputs the update information transferred from the data relay device to the display device according to the specific information output from the specific information output unit. This makes it possible to refer to the update information generated in the data relay device.

Further, in a data communication system comprising a plurality of information terminal devices and a data relay device for relaying data between the plurality of information terminal devices and a server on a network, When a data acquisition request is input, request analysis means for analyzing whether the data acquisition request is a request to access a server or a request to acquire data update information, and a result of the analysis by the request analysis means, the data acquisition request Is a request to obtain update information, extracting specific information for specifying the update information from the data acquisition request, a specific information output unit that outputs to the data relay device, and the specific information output unit Display output means for outputting the update information transferred from the data relay device to a display device in accordance with the output specific information. The data relay device holds history information on past data requests from the information terminal device, and when a new data request is input from the information terminal device, adds information on the data request as history information. History information holding means, a data acquisition means for accessing a server on the network in response to the data request and acquiring requested data, and inputting the data request with the data acquired by the data acquisition means. Data output means for transmitting the updated data to the information terminal device, updated data detection means for detecting updated data with reference to the history information, and the update data according to the specific information transmitted from the information terminal device. An information selection unit for selecting predetermined information from a detection result of the detection unit, and providing the selected information to the information terminal device Data communication system characterized by having a multi-address providing means.

Here, in the information terminal device, when a data acquisition request is input, the request analysis means analyzes whether the data acquisition request is a request to access a server or a request to acquire data update information. The specific information output means extracts the specific information for specifying the update information from the data acquisition request when the data acquisition request is the update information acquisition request as a result of the analysis of the request analysis means, and sends the information to the data relay device. Output to The display output unit outputs the update information transferred from the data relay device to the display device according to the specific information output from the specific information output unit. In the data relay device, the history information holding means holds history information relating to past data requests from the information terminal device, and when a new data request is input from the information terminal device, stores the information relating to the data request as history information. Add as The data acquisition means accesses a server on the network in response to the data request, and acquires the requested data. The data output unit transmits the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the information terminal device that has input the data request. The update data detection means detects updated data with reference to the history information. The information selection means selects predetermined information from the detection result of the update data detection means according to the specific information transmitted from the information terminal device. The information providing means provides the selected information to the information terminal device. This allows
Update information of data accessed by a plurality of information terminal devices is generated in the data relay device, and the generated update data can be referenced from each information terminal device.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.
In this figure, an information terminal device 1 includes a data relay device 2
Via the network 4 and obtains desired data from data 4a stored in a server 4 connected to the network 3.

The data relay device 2 includes a history information holding unit 2
a, data acquisition means 2b, data output means 2c, update data detection means 2d, information selection means 2e, information provision means 2
f, obtains desired information from the server 4 in response to a data request from the information terminal device 1, and generates and manages its history information. In addition, by referring to the history information, information (update information) indicating the data update status is generated, and when requested by the information terminal device 1, desired data update information is selected and provided.

In the data relay device 2, the history information holding means 2a generates and holds a history of data requested to be obtained from the information terminal device 1. Data acquisition means 2b
First, when a data acquisition request is issued from the information terminal device 1, first retrieves desired data from the history information, and sends the data to the information terminal device 1 if it exists. If the desired data does not exist, a request is made to the server 4 via the network 3 to obtain the desired data and output it to the information terminal device 1.

The data output means 2 c
The data acquired by b is output to the information terminal device 1. The update data detecting means 2d detects updated data (update data) with reference to the history information held in the history information holding means 2a.

The information selecting means 2e selects the data desired by the user of the information terminal device 1 from the update data detected by the update data detecting means 2d, and provides the information providing means 2f.
Is output as update information. Information provision means 2f
Provides the update data selected by the information selection means 2e to the information terminal device 1.

Here, for example, assuming an in-house LAN or the like to which a plurality of information terminal devices 1 are connected, since each user often has a common purpose, the type of the server 4 to be accessed is also common. It will be. Therefore,
In such a group, on average, there are many cases where someone always accesses the server 4 with high importance. In such a situation, the history information holding means 2a includes: It is expected that history information on highly important data is stored regardless of whether it is regular or irregular.

The update data detecting means 2d detects the update data from the history information thus accumulated, and outputs the detected update data to the information selecting means 2e according to the request of each user. Select and provide by the information providing means 2f. Therefore, according to the data relay device 2 described above, it is possible to selectively provide only update information related to update data that is important for the user.

Next, an example of the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of the data relay device 2. FIG.
2 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are as follows.

That is, the function of the history information holding means 2a is provided in the history information holding unit 21. The function of the data acquisition unit 2b is a request processing unit 22a and a data holding unit 22b.
And have. Further, the function of the data output means 2c is as follows.
The data output unit 23 has. Update data detecting means 2
The function d is included in the update data extraction unit 24a and the update information holding unit 24b. Furthermore, the functions of the information selecting unit 2e and the information providing unit 2f are included in the information selecting unit 25 and the update information providing unit 26, respectively.

The history information holding unit 21 determines the acquisition request for the data input from the clients 11 and 12 via the LAN 10 by the date and time when the request was made (hereinafter abbreviated as “request date and time”) and the identifier of the client ( Less than,
(Abbreviated as “client identifier”) and stored as history information.

The request processing unit 22a of the data acquisition unit 22
The data acquisition request from the clients 11 and 12 is analyzed, and the history information of the requested data is stored in the history information holding unit 21.
, The corresponding data is read from the data holding unit 22b and output to the data output unit 23.
When the history information of the requested data does not exist, desired data is obtained from the target server (the server 31 or the server 32) via the network 30 and stored in the data holding unit 22b. The data is output to the data output unit 23.

The data output unit 23 includes a data holding unit 22b
Is output via the LAN 10 to the client making the request. The update data extraction unit 24a of the update data detection unit 24 extracts, for example, history information corresponding to updated data from one month of history information and outputs the history information to the update information holding unit 24b as update information. The update information holding unit 24b holds the extracted update information.

The information selecting section 25 is provided for the clients 11, 1
In response to the request from the server 2, the information stored in the update information holding unit 24b is selected and output to the update information providing unit 26.

The update information providing section 26 provides the update information supplied from the information selecting section 25 to the clients 11 and 12. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the client 11 shown in FIG. Note that the client 12 has the same configuration as the client 11, and a description thereof will be omitted. In this figure, an input unit 110 is operated when a user inputs predetermined information. The request analysis unit 111 analyzes the information input from the input unit 110, determines whether the request is a data acquisition request or an update information acquisition request, and transmits a corresponding control code to the data relay device 2.
And the display output unit 112 is controlled.

The display output unit 112 outputs the information transmitted from the data relay device 2 to the display device 113 under the control of the request analysis unit 111. Display device 11
3 displays and outputs the data output from the display output unit 112 as an image.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed in the data relay device 20 illustrated in FIG. This process is executed when a data request is made from the client 11 or the client 12.

When this processing is executed, the following processing is performed. [S1] The request processing unit 22a determines whether a data request has been made. As a result, there was a data request (YE
If it is determined as S), the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is determined that there is no data request (NO), the process ends (END). [S2] The history information holding unit 21 stores the data request, the request date and time, and the client identifier as history information. [S3] The request processing unit 22a refers to the history information holding unit 21 and determines whether the requested data already exists in the history information. As a result, already existing (Y
ES), the process proceeds to step S4, and
If it is determined that it does not exist (NO), the process proceeds to step S7. [S4] The request processing unit 22a acquires the update date and time of the requested data from the server. [S5] The request processing unit 22a compares the server data update date and time with the history date and time (request date and time) stored in the history information storage unit 21, and determines whether the server data update date and time is newer. Is determined. As a result, when it is determined that the update date and time of the server data is newer (YES), the process proceeds to step S7, and when it is determined that the history date and time is newer (NO), the process proceeds to step S6. . [S6] The request processing unit 22a acquires data corresponding to the request from the data holding unit 22b. [S7] The request processing unit 22a acquires the requested data from the server. [S8] The request processing unit 22a obtains an acquisition result (success / failure)
Is output to the history information holding unit 21 and, if successful, together with the data identifier.
To be added to the history information. [S9] The data output unit 23 outputs the acquisition result and data to the client when the acquisition is successful. Then, the process ends (END).

According to the above-described processing, when a data request is received from the clients 11 and 12, the data relay device 20 uses the data request, the request date and time, and the client identifier as history information and In addition to storing the data in the storage unit 21 and referring to the history information storage unit 21, the requested data is acquired before and the data storage unit 22 b
It is determined whether it is stored in the. As a result, if the data has not been acquired before, the data relay device 20 reads the desired data from the corresponding server, stores the data in the data holding unit 22b, and outputs the data to the client that made the request.

The requested data is stored in the data holding unit 2.
2b, the data relay device 20
Inquires the corresponding server about the update date and time of the requested data, and compares it with the request date and time of the data stored in the data holding unit 22b. If the update date and time of the server is newer, data is obtained from the server and supplied to the client and the data holding unit 22b. If the date and time requested by the client is newer, the data is read from the data holding unit 22b and supplied to the client that has made the request.

FIG. 5 shows an example of history information obtained as a result of the processing of FIG. As shown in the figure, the history information includes a data request, a request date and time, a client identifier, a data acquisition result, and a data identifier. Note that a blank indicates a delimiter. For example, in the history information shown on the first line, the data request is “http: //www.p
reppy.co.jp/ ”and the request date and time is“ 19797009
070030 "(7:30:30 on May 9, 1997)
, The client identifier is “terminal 1”, the data acquisition result is “success”, and the data identifier is “data 1”. In the history information on the third line, “http: /
/www.harry.co.jp/ "was requested from" terminal 1 "at" 12:08:20 on August 26, 1997 ", and the result of the acquisition is shown to be" failure ". I have.

Next, an example of a process of generating update information will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed, for example, at a predetermined time (for example, midnight) in the data relay device 20 shown in FIG. When this flowchart is executed, the following processing is performed. [S20] The update data extracting unit 24a acquires the history information for the last month from the history information holding unit 21. [S21] The update data extraction unit 24a obtains, from the acquired history information for one month, history information for which different data has been acquired as a result of the same data request (history information corresponding to the updated data). ) Are all extracted. [S22] The update data extraction unit 24a determines whether or not the updated data has been detected (exists) as a result of the processing in step S21. As a result, when it is determined that the updated data exists (YES), the process proceeds to step S23. If it is determined that the updated data does not exist (NO), the process ends (END). [S23] If there is data that has been updated after a specific client makes a data request twice or more, the update data extracting unit 24a extracts the data request as update information of the client that made the request. [S24] The update data extraction unit 24a puts together the data requests extracted for each client, adds the current date and time, and stores them in the update information holding unit 24b. Then, the process ends (END).

According to the above processing, the history information holding unit 21
If there is data updated after a specific client makes a data request twice or more from the history information stored in the update information storage unit, a corresponding data request is extracted for each client, and the update information holding unit is used as update information. 24b.

Next, a specific operation of the above flowchart will be described with reference to FIG. Step S20
Is executed, the update data extracting unit 24a extracts the history information for the last one month from the history information holding unit 21. FIG. 7 shows the processing result. In this example,
Six pieces of history information are shown.

When the process in step S21 is executed, the update data extracting unit 24a extracts history information corresponding to the data being updated. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the information displayed on the first, fourth, and sixth lines is extracted on the assumption that there are a plurality of different pieces of history information as the acquisition result of the same data request. In this example, “data 1”, “data 1”, and “data 4” are obtained for the data request “http://www.preppy.co.jp/”, and the same data request It can be seen that two different types of data have been obtained for.

In step S22, since there is information to be updated, it is determined as YES, and step S2 is determined.
Proceed to 3. Then, the update data extraction unit 24a extracts data that has been updated after a specific client has made a data request at least twice. In the example of FIG. 7, the client whose client identifier is "terminal 1" makes a data request "http://www.preppy.co.jp/" twice, and as a result, "data 1" is obtained. . Subsequently, for the same data request made by the client whose identifier is “terminal 3”, “data 4” (updated data) is obtained.

Therefore, in the process of step S23, the data request “http://www.preppy.co.jp/” is extracted and used as the update information of the client corresponding to the client identifier “terminal 1”. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, where the generated update information is added with the current date and time, and stored in the update information holding unit 24b. Then, the process ends (END).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the update information generated by the above processing. In this example, of the data requests issued by the client 11 and the client 12 during the past month, the data request whose update has been confirmed (May 29, 1994) is displayed. For example, in the case of the client 11 (terminal 1), "http: //www.p
reppy.co.jp/ "," http://www.haryy.com/Tokyo/Ginza
/ 7030 / "and" http://www.exorbitant.com/ "are shown as updated information. The client 12
In the case of, "http://www.preppy.co.jp/" and "ht
tp: //www.boozer.co.jp/ "is shown as update information.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of a process for referring to the update information generated as described above from the clients 11 and 12. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the client 11 (or the client 12) illustrated in FIG. This process is executed at a predetermined cycle by, for example, a program interrupt process. When this flowchart is executed, the following processing is performed. [S30] The request analysis unit 111 determines whether a search request for update information has been input from the input unit 110. As a result, if it is determined that a search request has been input (YES), the process proceeds to step S31, and if it is determined that a search request for update information has not been made (NO), the process ends (END). [S31] The display output unit 112 displays an input screen for inputting information necessary for searching for update information on the display device 1.
13 and waits until the user inputs predetermined information. [S32] The request analysis unit 111 transmits the URL, the client identifier, the period, and the non-daily information (the details will be described later) input to the data connection device 20 with reference to the input screen. [S33] The display output unit 112 outputs the update information returned from the data connection device 20 to the display device 113 for display. [S34] The request analysis unit 111 refers to the update information displayed on the display device 113, and determines whether there is an input requesting transfer of the update information. As a result, if it is determined that the transfer of the update information has been requested (YES), the process proceeds to step S35, and if it is determined that the transfer of the update information has not been requested (NO), the process ends (END). . [S35] The request analysis unit 111 sends a data request to the data relay device 20. [S36] The display output unit 112 receives the data transferred from the data relay device 20 and outputs the data to the display device 113. [S37] The request analysis unit 111 refers to the display screen of the display device 113 and determines whether a display request for predetermined data (data before or after update) is made from the input unit 110. As a result, if it is determined that a display request has been made (YES), the process proceeds to step S38.
If it is determined that the display request has not been made (NO), the process ends (END). [S38] The display output unit 112 supplies the corresponding data to the display device 113 for display. Then, the process ends (END).

Next, an example of processing executed in the data relay device 20 when the above processing is executed on the client side will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart executed by the data relay device 20 at a predetermined cycle using, for example, a software interrupt. When this flowchart is executed, the following processing is performed. [S40] The information selection unit 25 determines whether or not there has been a search request for update information from the client. As a result, if it is determined that there is a search request (YES), the process proceeds to step S41, and if it is determined that there is no search request (NO), the process ends (END). [S41] The information selection unit 25 refers to the search condition transmitted from the client and searches for and selects the corresponding information from the update information stored in the update information holding unit 24b. [S42] If the non-daily information flag of the search condition transmitted from the client is in the state of “1” (true), the information selection unit 25 proceeds to step S43, and returns to “0”.
In the case of (false), the process proceeds to step S44. [S43] The information selection unit 25 excludes information corresponding to data updated daily from the update information selected in step S41. [S44] The update information providing unit 26 sends the information selected by the information selecting unit 25 to the client that made the request. [S45] The request processing unit 22a determines whether the client has made a transfer request for the updated data. As a result, when it is determined that the transfer request has been made (YES), the process proceeds to step S46. If it is determined that a transfer request has not been made (NO), the process ends (END). [S46] The request processing unit 22a acquires from the history information holding unit 21 history information up to one month before the update date and time of the requested data. [S47] The request processing unit 22a extracts history information corresponding to the requested data. [S48] The request processing unit 22a determines, in the extracted history information, the latest data obtained by a request from the client and the latest data (in all data) in the extracted history information. The data is extracted and the data corresponding to them is acquired from the data holding unit 22b. [S49] The request processing unit 22a supplies the data acquired in step S48 to the client via the data output unit 23 as pre-update and post-update data.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. When the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9 is executed, in step S30, the request analysis unit 111 of the client 11 illustrated in FIG. 3 determines whether a search request for update information has been input from the input unit 110. As a result, if it is determined that a search request has been made (YES), the process proceeds to step S31, and a screen for inputting update information as shown in FIG.

In the display example shown in FIG. 11, the search target U
Multiple windows for entering RL, client identifier, period, and non-daily information are displayed, each of which is "http://myproxy.crl.preppy.co.jp/kensaku-cgi/
kensaku.html "," terminal 1, terminal 2 "," 199705
01-19970509 "and" YES "are input.

When the input is completed, the process proceeds to step S 32, where the input data is transmitted from the request analysis unit 111 to the data relay device 20. As a result, in the data relay device 20, in step S40 shown in FIG. 10, it is determined that there is a search request from the client (YES), and the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the corresponding information is retrieved from the update information. Now, since the information input on the screen of FIG. 11 is transmitted as search conditions, update information satisfying these conditions is obtained from the update information holding unit 24b.

In the following step S42, it is determined whether or not the non-daily flag is "1" (true). Now, FIG.
Since "YES" is entered next to the item "Do you want to omit the data updated every day?" On the input screen shown in Fig. 7, the non-daily flag is "1" (true). Is determined as YES, and the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the information updated every day is excluded from the acquired update information.
Go to 44. Then, in step S44, the obtained update information is transmitted to the client 11.

As a result, the client 11 receives the data transmitted in step S33, and
13, a screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In this display example, from May 1, 1997 to 1997
The data updated between May 2, 2011 and the data in the past accessed by clients whose client identifiers are “terminal 1” and “terminal 2” are displayed.

On such a display screen, the box displayed to the right of the data to be referred to is checked, and if the "reacquire" button is pressed, the transfer of the update information is performed in step S34. Requested (YE
S) is determined, and the process proceeds to step S35. Step S3
In 5, the data transfer request corresponding to the checked box is sent to the data relay device 20 on the display screen shown in FIG.

As a result, the data relay device 20 determines in step S45 that a transfer request for the updated data has been made (YES), and proceeds to step S46.

In step S46, history information from the update date and time of the requested data to one month before is acquired from the history information holding unit 21. In this example, history information from May 1, 1997, and one month before May 2, 1997 is acquired. Then, the process proceeds to step S47, at which information corresponding to the requested data is extracted from the acquired history information. In the present example, from the history information from May 1, 1997 to one month before, "http: //www.crl.pre
history information corresponding to "ppy.co.jp/"
From the history information from May 2, 997 to one month ago,
The history information corresponding to “http: /www.status.com/” is extracted.

In step S48, data before and after updating are acquired with reference to the acquired history information. That is, taking "http://www.crl.preppy.co.jp/" as an example,
The data corresponding to the history information having the client identifier “terminal 2” is stored in the data holding unit 22 as the data before the update.
b. Also, the data request “http: //www.c
From the history information having “rl.preppy.co.jp/”, data corresponding to the latest history information is read from the data holding unit 22b and is set as updated data.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S 49, wherein the extracted data is transmitted to the client 11. As a result, in the client 11, the data transferred in step S36 is received, and the acquired data is displayed on the display device 113 as shown in FIG.

In the display example shown in FIG. 13, the data request checked in the display example of FIG. 12 is displayed, and buttons indicating old data and new data are displayed on the right of the data request. Then, by pressing these buttons on such a display screen, YES is determined in step S37, and the corresponding data is displayed on the display device 112 in step S38.

According to the above-described embodiment, in a data relay device to which a plurality of clients are connected, a data request from a client is retained as history information, and update data is updated from the history information at predetermined intervals. Since data is generated and supplied in response to a request from a client, data accessed in a group having the same purpose or the like can be used as an asset common to the group.

Since non-daily information makes it possible to exclude information updated in a short cycle (for example, daily) from search targets, a plurality of pieces of information are displayed on the screen. Excessive information can be prevented.

Further, it becomes possible for each client to easily know the presence or absence of updated data from the data accessed in the past in the above-described group, and to compare the data before and after the update. It is also possible.

The above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In this case, the processing contents of the functions that the data relay device and the information terminal device should have are described in a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Is realized by a computer. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device and a semiconductor memory. When distributing to the market, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Onl
The program can be stored and distributed on a portable recording medium such as (y Memory) or a floppy disk, or stored in a storage device of a computer connected via a network, and transferred to another computer via the network. . When the program is executed by the computer, the program is stored in a hard disk device or the like in the computer, and is loaded into the main memory and executed.

[0068]

As described above, in the data relay device of the present invention, in a data relay device to which a plurality of information terminal devices are connected, history information is generated from a data request from each information terminal device, and the history information is generated. Update information is generated based on the information, and in response to a request from the information terminal device, desired information is selected and provided from the generated update information. It becomes possible to know.

Also, in the information terminal device of the present invention, specific information for specifying desired update information is input, the input specific information is transmitted to the data relay device, and as a result, the transmitted update information is transmitted. Is displayed, it is possible to refer to data updated periodically or irregularly from each information terminal device without increasing communication costs and without requiring complicated settings. Become.

Further, in the data communication system of the present invention,
Generates history information from a data request from each information terminal device, generates update information based on the history information, and selects desired information from the generated update information according to the specific information transmitted from the information terminal device And provided on the information terminal device side, so that, for example, in a group having the same purpose, it is possible to know data that has been frequently referred to in the past, to determine whether or not such data has been updated, and to determine whether the data has been updated. It is possible to easily refer to data before and after.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client illustrated in FIG. 2;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a history information generation process performed in the data relay device illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of history information generated by the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an update information generation process performed in the data relay device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of history information generated by the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of update information generated by the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed in the client illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed in the data relay device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a display example of a screen displayed on the display device of the client when the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are executed.

FIG. 12 is another display example of a screen displayed on the display device of the client when the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are executed.

FIG. 13 is another display example of the screen displayed on the display device of the client when the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are executed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2a history information holding means 2b data acquisition means 2c data output means 2d update data detection means 2e information selection means 2f information provision means

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A data relay device for relaying data between a server on a network and a plurality of information terminal devices, wherein the data relay device holds history information on past data requests from the information terminal devices, When a new data request is input from the information terminal device, history information holding means for adding information relating to the data request as history information, and a server on the network is accessed in response to the data request. A data acquisition unit for acquiring data; a data output unit for transmitting the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the information terminal device that has input the data request; and detecting updated data with reference to the history information. Update data detecting means, and in response to a request from the information terminal device, predetermined information from a detection result of the update data detecting means. An information selection means for selecting, data relay apparatus characterized by having an information providing means for providing the selected information to the information terminal device. 2. The data relay according to claim 1, wherein said update data detection means detects data updated after a data request is made twice or more from the same information terminal device from said history information. apparatus. 3. The data relay device according to claim 1, wherein said information selecting means selects information on condition of identification information of the information terminal device which has issued the data request. 4. The data relay device according to claim 1, wherein the information selection unit does not select data updated at a predetermined cycle. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage unit for storing data obtained by said data obtaining unit, wherein said information providing unit stores data before and after updating corresponding to the information selected by said information selecting unit. 2. The data relay device according to claim 1, wherein the data relay device reads the data from the data storage means and provides the data terminal device with the information terminal device. 6. A data relay method for relaying data between a server on a network and a plurality of information terminal devices, wherein history information on past data requests from the information terminal devices is retained. When a new data request is input from the information terminal device, a history information holding step of adding information relating to the data request as history information; and accessing a server on the network in response to the data request. A data acquisition step of acquiring data, a data output step of transmitting the data acquired in the data acquisition step to the information terminal device that has input the data request, and detecting updated data with reference to the history information. Update data detecting step, and in response to a request from the information terminal device, the update data detecting step An information selection step of the detection result to select the prescribed information, data relay method characterized by having an information providing step of providing the selected information to the information terminal device. 7. A recording medium for recording a computer program used in a data relay device for relaying data between a server on a network and a plurality of information terminal devices, wherein a past data from the information terminal device is recorded. A history information holding step for holding history information about a request, and when a new data request is input from the information terminal device, a history information holding step of adding information about the data request as history information, and the network according to the data request. A data acquisition step of accessing the above server and acquiring requested data; a data output step of transmitting the data acquired in the data acquisition step to the information terminal device that has input the data request; An updated data detecting step of detecting updated data with reference to the information terminal An information selecting step of selecting predetermined information from a detection result of the update data detecting step in response to a request from the device; and an information providing step of providing the selected information to the information terminal device. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded. 8. A method for relaying data to and from a server, and relaying the relayed data and data on a server connected via a network via a data relay device which holds and manages the updated information. In the accessing information terminal device, when a data acquisition request is input, a request analysis unit that analyzes whether the data acquisition request is a request to access a server or a request to acquire data update information, and a request analysis unit that analyzes the request. As a result, when the data acquisition request is an update information acquisition request, specific information for identifying the update information is extracted from the data acquisition request, and specific information output means for outputting to the data relay device; Outputting the update information transferred from the data relay device to a display device in accordance with the specific information output from the specific information output means. An information terminal device comprising: a display output unit. 9. The identification information is information that identifies the date and time when the data was updated, information that identifies the server on which the information was stored, information that identifies the information terminal device, or is updated at a predetermined cycle. 9. The information terminal device according to claim 8, comprising at least one of information for excluding data. 10. An input means for inputting information for selecting predetermined update information with reference to the update information displayed on the display device, and before and after update corresponding to the selected update information. 9. The information terminal device according to claim 8, further comprising: transfer request means for requesting the server to transfer the data, and receiving means for receiving the data transferred by the transfer request means. 11. A method for relaying data to and from a server, and relaying the relayed data and data on a server connected via a network via a data relay device which holds and manages updated information. In the information processing method for an information terminal device to be accessed, when a data acquisition request is input, a request analysis step of analyzing whether the data acquisition request is an access request to a server or a request to acquire data update information; As a result of the analysis of the step, when the data acquisition request is an update information acquisition request, specific information for identifying the update information is extracted from the data acquisition request, and the specific information output to the data relay device is extracted. An output step, and the update transferred from the data relay device in accordance with the specific information output from the specific information output step. A display output step of outputting new information to a display device, the information processing method for an information terminal device. 12. A method for relaying data to and from a server, and relaying the relayed data and data on a server connected via a network via a data relay device which holds and manages update information thereof. In a recording medium for recording a computer program used in an accessing information terminal device, when a data acquisition request is input, a request for analyzing whether the data acquisition request is a request to access a server or a request to acquire data update information. An analyzing step, as a result of the analysis of the request analyzing step, when the data acquisition request is an update information acquisition request, extracting identification information for identifying the update information from the data acquisition request; Specific information output step to output to the, according to the specific information output from the specific information output step, And a display output step of outputting the update information transferred from the data relay device to a display device. 13. A data communication system comprising: a plurality of information terminal devices; and a data relay device for relaying data between the plurality of information terminal devices and a server on a network, wherein the information terminal device comprises: When a data acquisition request is input, request analysis means for analyzing whether the data acquisition request is a request for access to a server or a request for acquiring data update information, and a result of the analysis by the request analysis means, the data acquisition request Is an update information acquisition request, extracting specific information for identifying the update information from the data acquisition request and outputting the specific information to the data relay device; Display output means for outputting the update information transferred from the data relay device to a display device in accordance with the output specific information. The data relay device holds history information on past data requests from the information terminal device, and when a new data request is input from the information terminal device, adds information on the data request as history information. History information holding means, a data acquisition means for accessing a server on the network in response to the data request and acquiring requested data, and inputting the data request with the data acquired by the data acquisition means. A data output unit for transmitting to the information terminal device, an update data detecting unit for detecting updated data with reference to the history information, and the update data according to specific information transmitted from the information terminal device. An information selecting unit for selecting predetermined information from a detection result of the detecting unit, and providing the selected information to the information terminal device Data communication system characterized by having a that information providing unit.