Patent EA-002932-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and system for accessing information on a network
Inventor: OSAKU TEIZO
IPC: G06F17/30
Filed: 1998-10-27
Abstract: 1. A system for accessing network information using simplified network addressing, comprising: a) a platform having a network access and accepting inputs for accessing network information; b) means for accepting a simplified network address corresponding to a network address of the information; c) a database defining a correspondence relation between simplified network addresses and corresponding URLs; d) a search engine for searching the database, the search engine accepting a search key; e) the database being organized such that a search of the database using the received simplified network address as the search key returns a corresponding URL; t) means for searching the database using the simplified network address as the search key, and for returning the corresponding URL; g) means for forming a network access command using the returned URL; and h) means for using the formed command to access the network information via the platform, whereby a simplified network address is inputted and converted to a network access command for retrieving the network information. 2. A storage medium for storing an encoded expression of a process for accessing network information using simplified network addresses on a system providing a platform having a network access and accepting inputs for accessing network information, providing a network server-based database defining a correspondence relation between simplified network addresses and corresponding URLs, providing the database server with a search engine using a search key, the server-based database organized such that a search of the database using a simplified network address as the search key returns a corresponding URL, the provided platform further including a cache for storage of selected correspondence relations, a cache search engine using a cache search key, and a windowed operating system defining a displayed composite window having an address window portion and a network window portion, the storage medium comprising: a) storage means; and b) the encoded expression of the process stored on the storage means, and the expressed process including the steps of: (1) placing selected correspondence relations in the local cache, (2) accepting the simplified network address of network information, (3) searching the cache using the simplified network address as the search key, and if the cache includes a correspondence relation matching the search key, returning the corresponding URL of the matching correspondence relation and continuing with step 8, and when it is determined that the cache does not include the correspondence relation matching the search key, continuing with step 4, (4) forming a conversion request network command including a copy of the simplified network address, the formed command being addressed to the database server, (5) sending the formed conversion command to the database server via the network, (6) searching the database using the copy of the simplified network address as the search key, (7) returning the corresponding URL of the matching correspondence relation via the network, (8) using the returned corresponding URL to form a network access command, (9) using the formed network access command to access the network information via the platform and (10) displaying the simplified network address in the address window portion and displaying the accessed network information in the network window portion of the displayed composite window. 3. A method of retrieving and displaying an Internet home page using a system, in which the system includes a client connected to the Internet, an Internet searchable data storage medium having a Web server and a database, and an Internet accessible search engine, wherein, the method comprises the steps of: a) selecting a URL which comprises a global electronic address of the home page; b) assigning a URL numeric code having one or more digits which is assigned to the URL; c) storing the URL and the URL numeric code in the storage medium; d) using the client for inputting the URL numeric code; e) communicating the URL numeric code to the search engine; f) accessing the server by the search engine; g) sending the URL numeric code from the search engine to the database; h) searching the database for the URL numeric code; i) converting the URL numeric code to the URL; j) using the URL to retrieve the home page; k) sending the home page through the Internet to the client; and l) displaying the home page on a client display. 4. The method of Claim 3 wherein the step of accessing the server includes accessing a URL conversion domain. 5. The method of Claim 3 wherein the client is an Internet TV having a remote control, a Karaoke set having a remote control or a game machine having a remote control. 6. The method of Claim 3 wherein the client has a user interface which is a computer keyboard, a ten-key pad, a bar code reader, an OCR, a mouse pointing device, a pen and touch screen pointing device, a TV remote controller, a Karaoke remote controller or a voice input device. 7. The method of Claim 3 wherein the step of assigning a URL numeric code comprises the steps of: a) selecting an arbitrary number; b) determining whether the arbitrary number has previously been assigned as the URL numeric code; c) assigning the arbitrary number as the URL numeric code when it is determined that the number has not previously been assigned; and d) repeating steps a) through c) using a modified arbitrary number when it is determined that the arbitrary number has previously been assigned. 8. The method of Claim 3 wherein the step of assigning a URL numeric code comprises the steps of: a) providing a ten-key pad having keys wherein each key has a different number ranging from zero through nine and wherein each key additionally has one or more letters comprising an alphabet; b) selecting a string of letters; c) selecting a string of digits by means of the key pad wherein each digit corresponds to each letter of the string, such that the numbers are selected in the same sequence as the letters in the string; d) determining whether the string of digits has previously been assigned as the URL numeric code; e) assigning the string of digits as the URL numeric code when it is determined that the number has not previously been assigned. f) repeating steps b) through e) using a modified string of letters when it is determined that the string of letters has previously been assigned. 9. The method of Claim 3 wherein the step of assigning a URL numeric code comprises the steps of: a) selecting a string of letters; b) selecting a first digit; c) obtaining a four digit first derivative number using the string of letters; d) obtaining a four digit second derivative number using the four digit first derivative number; e) deriving a five digit number comprising the selected first digit and the second derivative number wherein the second derivative number includes the second through fifth digit of the five digit number; f) determining whether the five digit number has previously been assigned as the URL numeric code; g) assigning the five digit number as the URL numeric code when it is determined that the five digit number has not previously been assigned; h) assigning arbitrary numbers as the sixth digit and the seventh digit forming a seven digit number when it is determined that the five digit number has previously been assigned; i) determining whether the seven digit number has previously been assigned as the URL numeric code; j) assigning the seven digit number as the URL numeric code when it is determined that the seven digit number has not previously been assigned; k) assigning arbitrary numbers as the eighth, ninth and tenth digit forming a ten digit number when it is determined that the seven digit number has previously been assigned; l) determining whether the ten digit number has previously been assigned as the URL numeric code; and m) assigning the ten digit number as the URL numeric code when it is determined that the ten digit number has not previously been assigned. 10. The method of Claim 3 additionally comprising the steps of: a) interposing a firewall between the Web server and the database; and b) blocking unauthorized access to the database in the step of sending the number from the search engine to the database.