Database system and method for accessing the same

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a database system and a method for accessing the same, and more particularly, to a database system and an accessing method which permit a processing for acquiring information from a database to execute efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Database accessing has been proposed, in which user-to-user information is used within a call control procedure to transfer information concerning a communication between a database system and a user, so that information can efficiently be acquired from a database system over a communication line.

For the foregoing database accessing, when access to a database system is obtained to acquire desired information, before the desired information is acquired actually, a request for using the database system and an acknowledgment thereof, user's personal identification information and subscriber number, and a designation of requested information and an acknowledgment thereof must be transferred between an user and the database system.

In the past, the above information as well as desired information has not been transferred until a communication channel is established between the user and database system.

A database system accessing method has been proposed as another technique, in which information recording media, in which information is recorded, are changed automatically depending on the frequencies of accessing information recorded in a database system.

In one method of accessing such a database system, information recording media that have large storage capacities though can hardly be rewritten; such as, a compact disc (CD), a magnetic tape, an optical disc are used to record lots of information that is large in quantity per title; such as, music or images.

The above types of information recording media, which are characteristic of long access times, require long waiting times to retrieve intended information and hardly permit multiple access at a time. When a lot of requests are made for specific information, many busy signals or repulse signals are transmitted, or many information recording media are installed to store the same information.

As mentioned above, when an attempt is made to access a database system and acquire desired information, before desired information is acquired actually, a communication channel must have been established first in the past. Thereafter, a request for using the database and an acknowledgment thereof, user's personal identification information and subscriber number, and a designation of requested information and an acknowledgment thereof are transferred over the communication channel.

After a communication channel is established, before desired information is transferred actually, some time has elapsed in the past. A manager of a database system suffers from a drawback of a deteriorated operating ratio of a database system. Users are annoyed about a drawback of increasing communication charges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to provide a database accessing method based on the fact that Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) has a communication procedure for transferring user-to-user information which is applicable to end-to-end communication. Specifically, before a call control message including user-to-user information is used to establish an information channel, over which desired information is transferred, between an user and a database system, a control procedure describing the connection of a call on a signal channel is developed to transfer a set of information; such as, a request for using the database system and an acknowledgment thereof, user's personal identification information and subscriber number, and a designation of requested information and an acknowledgment thereof. This results in the improved operating ratio of the database system, enabling users to enjoy reduced communication charges.

As described above, if a long waiting time is required to retrieve intended information, much communication time is wasted. When a lot of requests are made for certain information, if many busy signals are sent, users cannot enjoy the presence of affluent communication lines and the quick acquisition of intended information.

Supposing a database system were constructed using numerous information recording media, which store the same information, in an effort to solve the above problem, the database system would not be advantageous in terms of economy.

Another object of this invention is to provide a database system accessing method that offers improved efficiency in using a database system and thus to improve the use efficiency Of a database system. Specifically, a certain number of semiconductor memories or hard discs, each of which offers a much shorter access time than the CD, magnetic tape, or optical disc and is quickly rewritable, as well as ISDN lines are used to develop a control procedure describing call connection within which user-desired information specified as user-to-user information is grasped. Thus, while desired information is being transmitted to a user, information recording media are changed automatically depending on the cumulative numbers of requests made by users that are counted title by title.

The foregoing objects and other objects of this invention have been achieved by the provision of a database accessing method in a database access mode for a communication network in which a Call Setup message, an Accessed message, an Acknowledge message, or a Clear message can be transferred according to a call control procedure, comprising: a step at which an user terminal transmits a Call Setup message in which access information concerning user's access to a database is specified as user-to-user information; a step at which a database system receives the Call Setup message and extracts the user-to-user information; a step at which the database system transmits an Accessed message, in which the fact that the database System has received the access information concerning user's access to a database is specified as user-to-user information; a step at which the database system interprets the user-to-user information in the Call Setup message and determines whether the user has the intention of using the database system and the user's personal identification information is valid, and what is the designation of requested information; a step at which when determining that a set of information sent from the user does not represent a database system use request, that the user's personal identification information is invalid, that the designation of requested information is inconsistent, or that the requested information is unfond, the database system transmits a Clear message; a step at which when determining that the set of user information sent from the user represents a database system user request, that the user's personal identification information is valid, and that the designation of requested information is consistent, the database system transmits an Acknowledge message in which a request for asking an user to stand by in order to receive information is specified as user-to-user information; a step at which the user terminal determines whether a message succeeding the Accessed message is a Clear message or an Acknowledge message; a step at which when determining at the determining step that the succeeding message is a Clear message, the user terminal receives and interprets the Clear message; a step at which when determining at the determining step that the succeeding message is an Acknowledge message, the user terminal receives the Acknowledge message, interprets the user-to-user information, and then establishes a communication channel; a step at which the database system transmits requested information over the established communication channel; a step at which the user terminal receives the desired information from the database system; a step at which the database system transmits a Clear message in which information concerning information sources accommodated by the database system is specified as user-to-user information; and a step at which the user terminal receives the Clear message.

Further, a database accessing method in a database access mode for the communication network, comprising: a step succeeding the step at which an user information transmits a Call Setup message in which access information concerning user's access to a database is specified as user-to-user information, at which a database system receives the Call Setup message and extracts the user-to-user information; a step succeeding the step of extracting the user-to-user information, at which the database system transmits an Accessed message in which the fact that the database system has received the access information concerning user's access to a database is specified as user-to-user information; a step succeeding the step of extracting the user-to-user information, at which the database system interprets the user-to-user information in the Call Setup message, and determines whether the user has the intention of using the database system and the user's personal identification information is valid, and what is the designation of requested information; a step succeeding the determining step, at which when determining that a set of information sent from the user does not represent a database system user request, that the user's personal identification information is invalid, that the designation of requested information is inconsistent, or that the requested information is unfond, the database system transmits a Clear message; a step succeeding the determining step, at which when determining that the set of information sent from the user represents a database system use request, that the user's personal identification information is valid, and the designation of requested information is consistent, the database system transmits an Acknowledge message in which a request for asking the user to stand by in order to receive information is specified as the user-to-user information; a step succeeding the step at which the database system transmits an Accessed message, at which the user terminal receives the Accessed message; a step succeeding the step of receiving the Accessed message, at which the user terminal determines whether the message is a Clear message or an Acknowledge message; a step succeeding the determining step, at which when determining at the determining step that the message is a Clear message, the user terminal receives and interprets the Clear message; a step succeeding the determining step, at which when determining at the determining step that the message is an Acknowledge message, the user terminal receives the Acknowledge message, interprets the user-to-user information, and then establishes a communication channel; a step succeeding the step of establishing a communication channel, at which the database system transmits requested information over the established communication channel; a step succeeding the step of transmitting information over the communication channel, at which the user terminal receives the desired information from the database system; a step succeeding the step of receiving the information, at which the database system transmits a Clear message in which information concerning information sources accommodated by the database system is specified as user-to-user information; and a step succeeding the step of transmitting the Clear message, at which the user terminal receives the Clear message.

Further, user's intention of using the database system, user's personal identification information such as an attribute and a subscriber number, and information of a designation of requested information are used as access information concerning user's access to a database.

Further, after interpreting the user-to-user information in a Call Setup message and determining whether the user has the intention of using the database system and the user's personal identification information is valid, when finding that a database system user request is not issued or that the user's personal identification information is invalid, the database system transmits a Clear message in which the fact that access to the database system is illegal is specified as user-to-user information.

Further, after interpreting the user-to-user information in a Call Setup message and determining what is the designation of requested information for which the database system is to be used, when finding that the designation of requested information is inconsistent, the database system transmits a Clear message in which the fact is specified as user-to-user information.

Further, information concerning announcement of new products, access method for accessing the new products, and a charge list are used as the information concerning information sources accommodated by the database system that after information requested by an user is transmitted over the communication channel, is specified as user-to-user information in a Clear message.

Further, a communication network employed is conformable to ISDN.

To solve the aforesaid problems, this invention in the second mode provides a database system comprising: a plurality of types of information recording media that can be assigned priority levels before information sources to be supplied to users are recorded therein; a means that accumulates and stores the numbers of requests made by users in one-to-one correspondence with information sources; a means for recording the number of requests for at least an information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in each of information recording media assigned high priority levels; a means for changing an information recording medium, in which an information source is to be recorded, according to the number of requests made by users; a network connection control means capable of receiving an information source requested by an user within a control procedure describing call connecting; and a communication channel over which the information source requested by an user is transmitted to the user.

Further, the database system includes a comparing means for comparing the cumulative value of the number of requests for an information source requested by an user with the cumulative value of the number of requests for an information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in an information recording medium.

Further, the database system includes a means for setting an initial value of the number of requests for each information source.

Further, the database system includes a means for recording in which information recording media information sources are recorded.

Further, the database system includes a display means capable of displaying the numbers of requests for respective information sources and a listing of the information sources recorded in information recording media.

Further, an ISDN call control procedure can be employed.

Further, an accessing method for a database system including at least a plurality of types of information recording media, a network connection control means capable of receiving an information source requested by an user within a control procedure describing call connection, and a communication channel over which the information source requested by an user is transmitted to the user, comprising: a step at which when a call terminates, a Call Setup message including user-to-user information is received and an information source requested by an user is extracted from the user-to-user information; a step succeeding the step of extracting an information source, at which an information recording medium in which the information source is recorded is identified; a step at which the information source requested by the user is fetched from the information recording medium and transmitted to a communication network over the communication channel; and a step at which the information recording medium in which the information source is recorded is changed according to the number of requests for the information source requested by the user.

Further, an accessing method for a database system including at least a plurality of types of information recording media that can be assigned priority levels before information sources to be supplied to users are recorded therein, a means that accumulates and stores the numbers of requests made by users fin one-to-one correspondence with information sources, a means for recording the number of requests at least for an information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in each of information recording media assigned high priority levels, and a communication channel over which an information source requested by an user is transmitted to the user, comprising: a step of identifying an information recording medium in which an information source requested by an user is recorded; a step of fetching the information source requested by an user from the information recording medium and transmitting it to a communication network over the communication channel; a step at which when an information recording medium in which the information source requested by an user is recorded has the highest priority level, a cumulative value of the number of requests for the information source requested by the user is incremented by one; a step at which when the information recording medium in which the information source requested by an user has any of the second highest to second lowest priority levels, the cumulative value of the number of requests for the information source requested by the user is incremented by one; a step at which a cumulative value of the number of requests for an information source, which ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in an information recording medium whose priority level is higher by one level than that of the information recording medium in which the information source requested by the user is recorded, is compared with the number of requests for the information source requested by the user; a step at which when the number of requests for the information source requested by an user exceeds the cumulative value of the number of requests for the information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in the information recording medium whose priority level is higher by one level than that of the information source requested by the user, the information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in the information recording medium whose priority level is one-level higher is replaced with the information source requested by the user; a step at which when the information recording medium in which the information source requested by the user is recorded has the lowest priority level, a cumulative value of the number of requests for the information source requested by the user is incremented by one; a step at which the cumulative value of the number of requests for an information source, which ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in an information recording medium whose priority level is higher by one level than that of the information recording medium that ranks lowest in terms of a priority level an in which the information source requested by the user is recorded, is compared with the number of requests for the information source requested by the user; and a step at which when the number of requests for the information source requested by the user exceeds the cumulative value of the number of requests for the information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests among those recorded in the information recording medium whose priority level is higher by one level, the information source requested by the user is transcribed to the information recording medium whose priority level is higher by one level, and the information source that ranks lowest in terms of the number of requests is deleted from the information recording medium whose priority level is higher by one level.

When originating a call, an user of a database system uses a signal channel to transmit a Call Setup message in which a set of access information concerning access to the database system; such as, a request for using the database system, user's personal identification information, and a designation of requested information is specified as user-to-user information.

When receiving the Call Setup message over the signal channel, the database system extracts the user-to-user information from the Call Setup message. The database system then transmits an Accessed message, which describes that the database system is in a call-terminated and accessed state (at this time, the signal channel for user in transmitting call control signals has been connected but an information channel for use in transferring information has not been connected), to the user.

The database system interprets the user-to-user information included in the Call Setup message and determines whether a database system user request is issued and the user's personal identification information is valid, and what is the destination of requested information.

When no database system user request is issued, the user's personal identification information is invalid, the destination of requested information is inconsistent, or the requested information is unfond, no communication channel is established but a Clear message is transmitted immediately. The database system then passes control to a clear procedure.

After interpreting the user-to-user information, when determining that a database system use request is issued, the user's personal identification information is valid, and the destination of requested information is consistent, the database system establishes a communication channel and transmits an Acknowledge message in order to transmit the designated information.

At this time, in the Acknowledge message, a message describing that the information sent from an user of the database system has been accepted and a request for asking the user to stand by in order to receive information are specified as user-to-user information.

In response to the Acknowledge message, the user makes preparations for receiving the desired information, returns an acknowledgment, and establishes a communication channel.

Thereafter, the database system transmits the requested information over the established communication channel. The user receives the desired information from the database system. When the information transfer is completed, control is passed to the clear procedure. The communication thus terminates.

Information recording media are divided into three types: one types of information recording media (hereinafter, type-1 information recording media) are hardly rewritable and require long access times but have large storage capacities, including a CD, a magnetic tape, and an optical disc; another type of information recording media (hereinafter, type-2 information recording media) are readily rewritable, require short access times, and have relatively large storage capacities, including a hard disc; and yet another type of information recording media (hereinafter, type-3 information recording media) are readily rewritable and require very short access times but have relatively small storage capacities, including a RAM and a flash memory.

Among the information recording media of three types, data in a type-1 medium can be copied into a type-2 or type-3 medium, data in a type-2 medium can be transcribed to a type-3 medium, and data in a type-3 medium can be transcribed to a type-2 medium.

Herein, "copying" means that information is duplicated with the source information left retained, while "transcribing" means that information is duplicated with the source information deleted.

Initially, information is recorded in a type-1 information recording medium. On the assumption of the number of requests made by users, necessary information is copied from the type-1 information recording medium to type-2 and type-3 information recording media.

When an information recording medium is in use, the number of requests made by users is counted information by information. When the count exceeds a specific value, the information in a type-1 medium is copied into a type-2 medium, and the information in a type-2 medium is transcribed to a type-3 medium. When the count becomes lower than another specific value, the information in a type-3 medium is transcribed to a type-2 medium, and the information in a type-2 medium is deleted.

Owing to the foregoing operation, information recording media, which have different storage capacities and require different access times, can be used selectively according to the numbers of requests made by users. Furthermore, information that has frequently been requested by users can be supplied for a short access time, and thus multiple information recording media can be utilized efficiently.

According to the database accessing method of this invention, before an user receives desired information from a database system over an information channel, the user and database system can transfer within a call control procedure a request for using the database system and an acknowledgment, user's personal identification information, and a designation of requested information and an acknowledgment.

Accordingly, communication over the information channel can be dedicated to transfer of desired information in practice. A manager of the database system can benefit by the improved use efficiencies of communication lines and the upgraded operating ratio of the database system. Users will enjoy the reduced communication charges.

Using the database accessing method according to this invention, information recording media, which have different storage capacities and require different access times, can be used selectively according to the numbers of requests made by users. The selective use can be achieved automatically but will not disturb an operator of the database system. Furthermore, information that has frequently been requested by users can be accessed for a short access time, and thus multiple information recording media can be utilized efficiently.

The states of records in the respective information recording media, which vary at every time an user makes a request, can be grasped.

A request made by an user is received not after a communication channel is reserved but within an ISDN call control procedure. This results in the improved use efficiencies of communication lines and the upgraded operating ratio of the database system. Users can enjoy the reduced communication charges.

The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of a message communication system according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an user terminal according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a database system according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a connection control procedure defining the connection between an user terminal and a database system according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control procedure implemented in an user terminal according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control procedure implemented in a database system according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of a database system according to this invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a database system accessing method;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a database system accessing method; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a database system accessing method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

(1) First Embodiment

In FIG. 1, 1 shows a communication system that permits the communication between a database system 3 and an user terminal 4 via a communication network 2; such as, an ISDN network. Based on a database accessing method according to this invention, before an information channel is established, a signal channel in the communication network 2 is used to transfer a set of information; such as, a request for using the database 3 system 3 and an acknowledgment thereof, user's personal identification information, and a designation of requested information and an acknowledgment between the user terminal 4 and a database system 3.

The user terminal 4 comprises a transmitting means for transmitting messages for controlling a call on the signal channel which are composed of such as, a Call Setup message, an Accessed message, an Acknowledge message, a Clear message, a Release message, and a Release Completed message, a receiving means, and a communicating means using a communication channel formed with an information channel.

The database system 3 comprises a transmitting means for transmitting messages for controlling a call on a signal channel which are composed of such as, a Call Setup message, an Accessed message, an Acknowledge message, a Clear message, a Release message, and a Release Completed message, a receiving means, and a communicating means using a communication channel formed with an information channel, a storage means for storing information, and an access means for accessing information.

In this embodiment, the user terminal 4 consists of, as shown in FIG. 2: a CPU 11 for executing control programs; a system bus 12 over which the CPU 11 is allowed to transmit data and that consists of a data bus, an address bus, and a control bus; a control program memory 13 that contains control programs and is formed with a ROM; a call control message memory 14 that contains messages for controlling an outgoing call and is formed with a RAM; an user information memory 15 that is formed with a RAM and that stores information concerning user's access to the database system, that is, a set of information including a database system user request, user's personal identification information, and a designation of requested information, which is specified as user-to-user information in a Call Setup message, and that also stores information specified as user-to-user information in a Clear message and sent from the database system; an operation unit 16 for use in dialing or creating user information; a display unit 17 for displaying information sent from the database system and user information; a calling unit 18 that generates ring tones at the time of call termination; a communication channel 19 that is an information channel; a reproducing unit 20 activated when information to be acquired is music; a loudspeaker 21; and an interface 22 for providing the interface with an ISDN network.

The ISDN network 2 provides the user terminal 4 with a signal channel D for use in transferring call control signals such as a Call Setup message, an Accessed message, an Acknowledge message, and a Clear message at the time of call origination or termination, and an information channel B for use in end-to-end information transmission.

User-to-user information, which is usable for data transfer between the user terminal 4 and the database system 3, is included as one information element in each of the Call Setup message, Accessed message, Acknowledge message, and Clear message.

The network interface 22 separates or units the signal channel D and information channel B, which are provided by the ISDN network, and transfers call control signals to or from the CPU 1 over the channel D. The network interface 22 also transfers end-to-end information to or from the communication channel 19 through the channel B.

The CPU 11 executes programs existent in the control program memory 13 and transfers call control signals to or from the network interface 19 over the system bus 12. The CPU 11 also controls all the operations of the user terminal 4.

The database system 3 in this embodiment consists of, as shown in FIG. 3: a CPU 31 for executing control programs; a system bus 32 that consists of a data bus, an address bus, and a control bus and over which the CPU 11 is allowed to transmit data; a control program memory 33 that contains control programs and is formed with a ROM; a call control message memory 34 that contains messages for controlling an outgoing call and is formed with a RAM; an user information memory 35 that stores information specified as user-to-user information in each call control message and sent to an use, and information specified as user-to-user information in each call control message and sent from an user to the database system 3, that is, a set of information including an user request for using the database system 3, user's personal identification information and subscriber number, and a designation of requested information, and that is formed with a ROM; a second user information memory 36 that stores various information concerning an user, such as, user's personal identification information and subscriber number; an information accumulator 37 in which information sources to be supplied to users are contained in a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 37A, a hard disc 37B, and an optical memory such as a compact disc 37C; an operation display unit 38 for use in specifying communication control or creating management data for managing information to be stored in the information accumulator 37; a communication channel 10 that is an information channel for use in transmitting the information sources existent in the information accumulator 39 to the ISDN network; and a network interface 39 for providing the interface with the ISDN network.

The information sources stored in the information accumulator 37 include music sources, and text information and Jacket image information concerning the artists.

Next, the operations of the user terminal 4 and database system 3, which are carried out before an user acquires desired information from the database system and on the basis of a database accessing method according to this invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 showing a connection control procedure that describes connection control among the user terminal 4, an exchange 40, and the database system 3. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the control procedures for the user terminal 4 and database system 3.

FIG. 4 shows th