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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A communications system comprising an information provider which provides a connection to the World Wide Web, and a terminal which accesses the World Wide Web through the
information provider, wherein,
the terminal has:
a means for establishing a communication line to the information provider;
a means for transmitting user information about a user of the terminal to the information provider;
a means for activating a browser for displaying a browser window and a first image provided on the World Wide Web;
a means for establishing a first TCP/IP link with a first link identification on the communication line;
a means for receiving the first image from the information provider using the first TCP/IP link and displaying the first image within the browser window; and
a means for establishing a second TCP/IP link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
the information provider has:
a message database storing second images; and
a means for transmitting one of the second images selected from the message database based on the user information, to the terminal through the second TCP/IP link; and
the terminal further has;
a means for activating a viewer for displaying a viewer window and the second image; and
a means for receiving the second image through the second TCP/IP link and displaying the second image within the viewer window.
2. A terminal connected to the World Wide Web through an information provider for receiving a first image provided on the World Wide Web and a second image provided on the information provider, comprising:
a means for establishing a communication line to the information provider;
a means for activating a browser for displaying the first image;
a means for establishing a first TCP/IP link with a first link identification on the communication line;
a means for receiving the first image through the first TCP/IP link and displaying the first image within a browser window opened by the browser;
a means for activating a viewer for displaying the second image;
a means for establishing a second TCP/IP link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
a means for receiving the second image through the TCP/IP link and displaying the second image within a viewer window opened by the viewer.
3. The terminal according to claim 2, wherein
the second image has correspondence information for designating the first image; and
the viewer has:
a means for displaying a button within the viewer window;
a means for reading the correspondence information from the second image when the button is selected;
a means for supplying the correspondence information to the browser so as to display the first image designated by the correspondence information within the browser window.
4. A terminal according to claim 3, wherein
the viewer has a means for supplying information which indicates that the first image designated by the linking information has been selected, to the information provider.
5. A terminal according to claim 4, wherein the communication line is established as a PPP connection.
6. An information provider connected to a communications network for transferring a first image provided in the communications network, to a terminal, comprising:
a means for establishing a communication line to the terminal;
a connection manager for establishing a first logical link having a first link identification on the communication line;
a means for transferring the first image from the communications network to the terminal using the first logical link, based on a request sent from a user of the terminal for display of the first image in a browser window on the terminal;
a message distribution system for storing identification information of second images and transmittal conditions for the second images, and for selecting a one of the second images for receipt by the terminal;
a means for establishing a second logical link having a second link identification on the communication line;
a message manager, operating outside of the user's control, for causing one of the second images to be transmitted to the terminal using the second logical link for display in a viewer window of the terminal, the second images selected by the
message distribution system based on user information stored in association with the user.
7. An information provider according to claim 6, the message database having a plurality of second images, and the information provider further comprising:
a user identification receiving means for receiving, from the terminal, a user identification which identifies the user;
a connection means for connecting a second communication line to a searcher which stores the user information in association with the user identification, and stores transmittal conditions of the second images in association with image
identifications of the second images;
a user identification transferring means for transferring the user identification received by the user identification receiving means, to the searcher using the second communication line;
a reading means for reading a second image from the message database based on an image identification searched for by the searcher based on the user information, which is read by the searcher using the user identification; and
a message transmitting means for transmitting the second image read by the reading means to the terminal.
8. An information provider according to claim 7, wherein the connection manager has:
a means for requesting the user identification from the terminal before establishing the first logical link;
the user identification receiving means; and
a means for transmitting the user identification to the message manager; and
the message manager has:
the connection means; and
the user identification transferring means.
9. An information provider according to claim 8, wherein:
the message manager further has a means for receiving an image request requesting a second image, from the terminal through the second logical link; and
the message transmitting means transmits the second image to the terminal in response to the image request.
10. An information provider according to claim 9, wherein the message manager has a means for sending a notification indicating a display status of the terminal, to the connection manager.
11. An information provider according to claim 10, wherein the connection manager has a means to stop charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the second image is displayed on the terminal, and a means to start charging the
terminal when the notification indicates that the second image is not displayed on the terminal.
12. An information provider according to claim 10, wherein the connection manager has a means to stop charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the whole second image is displayed on the terminal, and a means to start charging
the terminal when the notification indicates that the whole of the second image is not displayed on the terminal.
13. An information provider according to claim 10, wherein the connection manager has a means to stop charging the terminal when the notification indicates that a viewer, which displays the second image on the terminal, is active, and a means to
start charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the viewer is not active.
14. An information provider according to claim 10, wherein the connection manager has:
a means to stop charging the terminal upon determining, based on the notification, that the whole second image was displayed on the terminal for a predetermined period of time; and
a means to start charging the terminal upon determining, based on the notification, that the whole of the second image was not displayed on the terminal for the predetermined period of time.
15. An information provider according to claim 14, wherein the communications network is the World Wide Web.
16. A communications system comprising an information provider for providing a connection to the World Wide Web, and a terminal which accesses the World Wide Web through the information provider, wherein,
the terminal has:
means for establishing a communication line to a gateway of the information provider;
means for transmitting user information about a user of the terminal to the information provider;
means for activating a browser for displaying a browser window and a first image stored within the World Wide Web;
means for establishing a first TCP/IP link with a first link identification on the communication line;
means for receiving the first image from the information provider using the first TCP/IP link and displaying the first image within the browser window; and
means for establishing a second TCP/IP link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
the information provider has:
a message distribution system for storing identification information of second images and transmittal conditions for the second images, and for selecting a one of the second images for transmission to the terminal; and
means for transmitting location information of second images to the terminal; and
the terminal further has;
means for activating a viewer for displaying a viewer window and the second image; and
means for receiving the location information of the second images;
means for receiving a one of the selected second images through the second TCP/IP link and displaying the one second image within the viewer window.
17. A terminal connected to the World Wide Web by an information provider, the terminal for receiving a first image provided on the World Wide Web and a second image selected by the information provider, comprising:
means for establishing a communication line to a gateway of the information provider;
means for transmitting user information about a user of the terminal to the information provider;
means for activating a browser for displaying the first image;
means for establishing a first logical link with a first link identification on the communication line;
means for receiving the first image through the first logical link and displaying the first image within a browser window opened by the browser;
means for establishing a second logical link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
means for receiving the second image selected by the information provider through the second logical link and displaying the second image within a viewer window opened by the viewer.
18. The terminal connected to the World Wide Web by an information provider of claim 17 wherein the first link identification comprises a first IP address and the second link identification comprises a second IP address.
19. The terminal connected to the World Wide Web by an information provider of claim 17 wherein the first link identification comprises a first port and the second link identification comprises a second port.
20. The terminal connected to the World Wide Web by an information provider of claim 17 wherein the viewer window is distinct from the browser window.
21. The terminal connected to the World Wide Web by an information provider of claim 17 wherein the viewer controls the viewer window to remain fully displayed so long as a condition is met.
22. A method of operating a terminal connected to the World Wide Web by an information provider, the method for displaying on the terminal a first image provided on the World Wide Web and a second image selected by the information provider, the
method comprising the steps of:
activating a viewer;
establishing a communication line to a gateway of the information provider;
activating a browser for displaying the first image;
establishing a first logical link with a first link identification on the communication line;
receiving the first image through the first logical link and displaying the first image within a browser window opened by the browser;
establishing a second logical link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
receiving the second image selected by the information provider through the second logical link; and
displaying the second image within a viewer window opened by the viewer.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the viewer controls the viewer window to remain fully displayed so long as a condition is met.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the viewer window is distinct from the browser window.
25. A method of providing a connection to the World Wide Web to a user of a terminal by an information provider, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the terminal with a viewer, the viewer comprising a program for operating the terminal to:
establish a communication line to a gateway of the information provider;
transmit user information about the user of the terminal to the information provider;
activate a browser for displaying a browser window and a first image stored within the World Wide Web;
establish a first logical link with a first link identification on the communication line;
receive the first image from the World Wide Web through the first logical link and displaying the first image within the browser window; and
establish a second logical link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
request the second image;
receive the second image through the second logical link; and
display the second image within the viewer window;
(b) providing a message distribution system for:
storing identification information and location information of second images and transmittal conditions for the second images;
selecting a one of the second images for transmission to the terminal; and
transmitting location information of the selected second image to the terminal.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the viewer controls the viewer window to remain fully displayed so long as a condition is met.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the viewer window is distinct from the browser window.
28. A method of transferring a first image provided in a communications network to a terminal, the method comprising:
the terminal establishing a communication line to a gateway of an information provider;
establishing a first logical link with a first link identification on the communication line;
transferring the first image from the communications network to the terminal using the first logical link, based on a request sent from a user of the terminal for display of the first image in a browser window on the terminal;
the information provider storing identification information of second images and transmittal conditions for the second images,
the information provider selecting a one of the second images for transmission to the terminal;
establishing a second logical link on the communication line with a second link identification, the second link identification being different from the first link identification;
the terminal receiving on the second logical link one of the second images;
the terminal displaying the received second image in a viewer window of the terminal. |
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Description |
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RELATED APPLICATIONS
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/188,571 entitled, "Message Searching System and Terminal."
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/206,385 entitled "Terminal Information Providing Device, System and Recording Medium."
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/117,331 entitled, "Information Display System. "
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/125,894 entitled "Communication System for Distributing Such Message as Advertisement to User of Terminal Equipment."
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/276,708 entitled, "Terminal Which Stores Information on Communication Network in Local Memory Automatically."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an information provider, a searcher and a computer terminal, for providing information obtained from a communications network, such as Internet (the World Wide Web, WWW). The present invention is related to the
following Japanese patent applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Japanese application 8-9521 filed on Jan. 23, 1996.
Japanese application 8-67278 filed on Feb. 28, 1996.
Japanese application 8-139689 filed on May 10, 1996.
Japanese application 8-139690 filed on May 10, 1996.
Japanese application 8-163679 filed on Jun. 5, 1996.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When accessing a communications network such as the World Wide Web (WWW) or a personal computer communications network which is based on a BBS function, the terminal (e.g., personal computer) of a user is connected via a modem and a telephone
line to a first host computer, which is referred to as an information provider. Users can access the information provider, and other host computers further connected to the communications network, through the information provider. Users can receive
information from both the information provider and other host computers connected to Internet (the World Wide Web) or personal computer network.
The information provider and the other host computers connected to the information provider identify each user based on a user ID and a password in order to be able to charge for their services while providing information. The information
supplied to the user is displayed within a single window on the display. Users can scroll the displayed information within the window and jump to sub pages. The information provider on Internet may provide designated information selected by the user
together with additional information such as advertisements. In this case, the additional information is displayed within the same window as the designated information.
However, when the user scrolls the designated information on the terminal, the additional information may disappear. This prevents the additional information such as advertisements from being efficiently provided to the user. Furthermore,
identical information can oftentimes be accessed through any of multiple information providers, which can also be accessed by the same terminal software. A typical example of such identical information is a home page provided on Internet. When
accessing such information, a user can not tell which information provider he is using.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communications system, a host computer and a computer terminal which are capable of providing the additional information such as advertisements to the user, regardless of the user's
operation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a communications system, a host computer and a computer terminal such that users can tell which host computer they are connected to.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a terminal connects to the World Wide Web through an information provider for receiving a first image provided on the World Wide Web and a second image provided by the information provider.
The terminal establishes a PPP communication line to the information provider and activates a browser for displaying the first image. The terminal establishes a first TCP/IP link on the communication line to receive the first image and displays the
first image within a browser window. The terminal further activates a viewer for displaying the second image, establishes a second TCP/IP link on the communication line to receive the second image, and displays the second image within a viewer window.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the viewer displays a button, reads the linking information from the second image when the button is selected, and supplies the linking information to the browser so as to display the first
image designated by the linking information within the browser window. The viewer further supplies the information provider with information indicating that the first image has been accessed.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, a terminal connects through a communications network to an information provider having a plurality of images. The terminal requests the information provider to select a first image from the
plurality of images and to transmit the first image, receives the first image and displays the first image within a window. The terminal further requests the information provider to select and transmit a second image, receives the second image while the
first image is displayed, and switches the first image to the second image. Because the second image is received while the first image is displayed, the terminal is able to switch the images quickly.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the terminal transmits terminal user information to the information provider and requests the information provider to search for the second image using information which includes that not
used for searching for the first image. Because of the simple search conditions for the first image, it can be searched quickly. Here, a counter may be provided for measuring a period of time during which a given image is displayed within the window so
that a second image may be displayed when the counter reaches a predetermined value, without any adverse influence on the network system from data traffic.
The terminal may reset the value of the counter when the window or the image in the window is operated on, so as to keep the image displayed for a longer time when the user is interested in the image. The second image can still be displayed
quickly because it is held in a buffer even when the window or the image is operated on.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the terminal connects to an information provider to receive an image and displays the image. The terminal also displays a button for requesting information related to the image displayed,
and requests the name and address of the terminal user from the information provider when the button is selected. The terminal receives and displays the name and address, inputs a confirmation of the name and address, and requests the information
related to the displayed image to be sent to the name and address, when the confirmation is input.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the terminal can connect to host computers through one of a plurality of information providers. The terminal receives a first image, which identifies the information provider through which
the terminal is communicating with the host computer, and a second image selected by the host computer, and displays both the first and second images. Therefore, a user can tell which information provider he is using to communicate with a host computer.
In this case, the terminal receives an image identification (image ID) which identifies the first image to be received from the information provider through which the terminal communicates with the host computer and receives the first image from
the information provider only when the terminal does not already have the first image. The terminal displays the first image read from the terminal when the terminal has identified the first image by the image identification. Therefore, data traffic
between the information provider and the terminal is decreased and the first image can be displayed on the terminal quickly.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the terminal transmits the image identification of the first image stored in the terminal to the information provider, and displays the first image stored in the terminal. Therefore, data
traffic between the information provider and the terminal is decreased and the first image is displayed on the terminal quickly. Here, the information providers may have a plurality of identification images for identifying the information provider. The
image identification may include first information for identifying the information provider with which the terminal is communicating and second information for identifying one identification image from those stored in the information provider.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a communication line is connected between a terminal and an information provider connected to Internet. A first logical link is established on the communication line to forward a first
image from Internet to the terminal. A second logical link is also established on the communication line to transmit a second image from the information provider to the terminal periodically. Since the two logical links are independent, the second
image can be periodically changed and displayed on the terminal regardless of Internet home page being accessed by the terminal user.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the information provider receives a user ID, which identifies the terminal user. The information provider connects a second communication line to a searcher storing user information about
the user and message transmission conditions, and forwards the user ID to the searcher. The information provider reads out a message from a message database based on a message ID identifying the message searched for by the searcher, and transmits the
message to the terminal. Therefore, regardless of Internet home page being accessed by the user, the second image (message) is searched for based on the user information and displayed on the terminal.
The information provider may transmit a image based on a message request sent from the terminal via a second logical link, so that the terminal can change the timing for displaying the next image.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a message manager may notify a connection manager in the information manager of the status of the terminal display.
The information manager may stop charging the terminal when the whole message is displayed on the terminal and start charging the terminal when the whole of the message is not displayed on the terminal. Users are thus encouraged to keep the
whole message displayed on the terminal. As an alternative, the information manager may stop charging the terminal when the whole message was displayed on the terminal for a predetermined period of time and may start charging the terminal when the whole
of the message was not displayed on the terminal for the predetermined period of time.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the information provider may stop charging the terminal when the notification of the terminal display status indicates that the message viewer which displays the message on the terminal
is active, and start charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the message viewer is not active. Therefore, when the message can not be periodically displayed because, for example, the message viewer is frozen, the information provider
can start charging the terminal.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a searcher searches for a second image and sends the second image to the terminal which also receives a first image through the information provider from a communications network, such as
Internet. The searcher has a message user database for storing user information about the terminal user, and a transmittal condition database for storing transmittal conditions of the messages. The searcher receives a message user ID for identifying
the user of the message through a communication line when the user starts connecting to the communications network, and retrieves the user information from the message user database based on the message user ID. The searcher retrieves a message from the
transmittal condition database based on the user information and transmits a message ID identifying the retrieved message to the terminal through the communication line.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the message user database has a provider user ID for identifying a user from those of the information provider. The searcher further retrieves the provider user ID based on the message
user ID, and transmits the provider user ID to the information provider when it starts transmitting the message.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the searcher receives link identification information identifying the link used for receiving the message user ID. The searcher stores the provider user ID in the connection log in
association with the link identification information and receives the notification of the display status of the message on the terminal. The searcher retrieves the provider user ID from the connection log based on the port number of the link which was
used to receive the notification on the communication line, and transmits a command based on the notification to the information provider with the provider user ID.
In the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the searcher instructs the information provider via the command to stop charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the entire message is displayed on the terminal, and instructs
the information provider via the command to start charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the entire message is not displayed on the terminal. Therefore, users are encouraged to keep the whole message displayed.
According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the searcher instructs the information provider via the command to stop charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the message viewer which displays the message on the
terminal is active, and instructs the information provider via the command to start charging the terminal when the notification indicates that the message viewer is not active.
According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the searcher instructs the information provider via the command to stop charging the terminal when whole message was displayed on the terminal for a predetermined period of time, and
instructs the information provider via the command to start charging the terminal when the whole message was not displayed on the terminal for the predetermined period of time.
According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the searcher periodically transmits a confirmation request specified by the link identification information recorded in the connection log to the terminal to confirm whether the
terminal is in communication with the searcher.
The communication line may be a dedicated line. In this case, the searcher communicates with the plurality of information providers through the dedicated line. According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the provider user ID is
used as a message user ID. This simplifies the connection sequence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the terminal 10.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the connection manager 23 and the message distributor 28.
FIG. 4 illustrates the message user database 34.
FIG. 5 illustrates the transmittal condition database 36.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the software to be executed by the CPU 40 of the main body 14.
FIG. 7 illustrates a screen display of the display 12.
FIG. 8 shows a connection sequence among the terminal 10, message manager 24, etc.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a connection process of the terminal 10.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a message request operation of the terminal 10.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a connection process of the connection manager 23.
FIG. 12 is the provider user database 25.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the message manager 24.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a connection process of the message distributor 28.
FIG. 15 illustrates the structure of the connection log 38.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the presence confirmation sequence of the message viewer.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the halt/resume process (S232) of FIG. 10 in detail.
FIG. 18 shows the communication sequence in the halt/resume process.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the charging process of the connection manager.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the event process (S234) of FIG. 10 in detail.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the message access process (S236) of FIG. 10 in detail.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the operation of the message distributor 28 after being connected to the message viewer 76 of the terminal 10.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the event process (S464) of FIG. 21 in detail.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a hardware of the overall communications system according to the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the communication sequence in the third embodiment.
FIG. 26 is an alternate construction of the communications system.
FIG. 27 is an alternate construction of the communications system.
FIG. 28 is an alternate construction of the communications system.
FIG. 29 is an alternate construction of the communications system.
FIG. 30 is an alternate construction of the communications system.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings, in the order of with the following index.
Index
1. First Embodiment
1.1 Hardware Construction
1.1.1 Communications System
1.1.2 Terminal 10
1.1.3 Connection Manager 23, Message Manager 24 and Message Distributor 28
1.2 Data and Software Construction
1.2.1 Message User Database 34
1.2.2 Message Transmittal Condition Database 36
1.2.3 Software for Terminal 14
1.2.4 Display
1.3 Operations for Beginning Communication
1.3.1 Connection Sequence
1.3.2 Operation of Terminal 10 in the Connection Sequence
1.3.2.1 Establishing Connection
1.3.2.2 Changing Logo
1.3.2.3 Displaying Initial Message
1.3.3 Operation of Connection Manager 23 in the Connection Sequence
1.3.4 Operation of Message Manager 24 in the Connection Sequence
1.3.5 Operation of Message Distributor 28 in the Connection Sequence
1.4 Operations after Communication Begins
1.4.1 Connection Log
1.4.2 Confirming Message Viewer
1.4.3 Halting and Resuming Communication
1.4.4 Charging Process in Connection Manager 23
1.4.5 Message Request Process in Terminal 10
1.4.6 Message Access Process in Terminal 10
1.4.7 Charge Process in Message Distributor 28
1.4.8 Message Searching Process in Message Distributor 28
2. Second Embodiment
2.1 Hardware Construction
2.2 Operation
3. Third Embodiment
4. Other Embodiments
4.1 Timing to Begin Charging
4.2 Function of Browser 74
4.3 Database Construction
4.4 User Identification
4.5 Recording Medium Construction
4.6 Appearance on Display 12
4.7 Network System Construction
5. Some Alternatives
1. First Embodiment
1.1 Hardware Construction
1.1.1 Communications System
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the information display system of the invention. A plurality of terminals 10 is connected to each of the information providers 20 via the modems 16 and 18, a public network 17 (communications
network), and a public network gateway 19. Each information provider 20 is managed by a so-called Internet provider.
One or more message providers 30 are connected to the message distribution system 39 by a dedicated line. A message provider 30 supplies to the message distribution system 39 additional information such as advertisements (also referred to as
messages), transmittal conditions for the respective messages, and Internet home page address of the respective message providers. Messages may include still images, dynamic images, voice sounds, or any combinations of these.
The message distribution system 39 has a message distributor 28 (searcher), a message user database 34, a transmittal condition database 36, and a connection log 38. The message distribution system 39 distributes messages received from the
message providers 30 and home page addresses of the message providers to the information provider 20. The message distribution system 39 further stores the transmittal conditions of each message, received from the message provider 30, in the message
transmittal condition database 36 in association with identification information for the message. The message user database 34 stores data about the message user of each terminal.
The message distributor 28 is connected to the information providers 20 by dedicated lines. The message distributor 28 transmits the messages supplied from the message providers 30 to each of the information providers 20 of the respective
message providers. Each message contains data indicating the home page address of the message provider. The message manager 24 in the information provider 20 receives the message from the message distribution system 39, and stores the message in the
message database 26 in association with the message ID (URL).
The terminal 10 can receive information, such as a home page, from Internet 32 through Internet gateway 22 of the information provider 20. The terminal 10 also receives messages from the message manager 24. The message manager 24 reads out a
message from the message database 26 and transmits the message to the terminal 10 based on a request from the terminal 10. The user of the terminal 10 is assigned a provider user ID and provider user password that are used to connect through the public
network gateway 19 to Internet gateway 22. The user is also assigned a message user ID and message user password which are used to obtain messages from the message manager 24.
If a plurality of information providers 20 is connected to the public network 17, users can connect to any one of the information providers 20 to communicate with Internet 32 and the message distributor 28. The user needs the respective provid | | |
