Patent Publication Number: US-2002007296-A1

Title: System for providing information relating to dream

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to a technique for providing information via a network, such as the Internet, and more particularly to a technique for providing both information that is related to an entry registered by a registered member and a site for facilitating communication with other members.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The Internet has grown dramatically in recent years, and a huge number and variety of homepages have been created. Because of the enormous amount of information that has thus been made available, a lot of people frequently come up with difficulty to obtain an objective URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a web site on the Internet that provides desired information. If, for example, the objective information concerns something like, “my dream”, the task of finding appropriate information becomes even more difficult.  
       [0003] Also, although many web sites carry advertisements, and although many means have been devised for the dispersal of advertisements, so many unnecessary advertisements are still distributed on the Internet. On the other hand, it is difficult to find an advertisement related to, for example, “my dream” as the need arises. It is also difficult to find web sites about experts in specific fields, and there is little chance that a user will be able to receive comments or advice directly from experts or from persons having the same object.  
       [0004] As described above, conventionally, no total service is available that provides information for the accomplishment of a specific object, or a dream, and/or a site for facilitating communication with other persons having the same object and/or having expertise in a specific field.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a technique for furnishing a total information service that enables a user to aggressively pursue and fulfill own dream.  
       [0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique that enables clients who share a specific object to communicate with each other.  
       [0007] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a technique for providing useful information that relates to an attribute, such as a specific object, of a client.  
       [0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a technique for enabling a client to communicate with an expert concerning an attribute, such as a specific object.  
       [0009] According to the present invention, a computer system reads out, from a data storage device, client specification information (e.g., image information for a votive panel that is registered by each client) respectively specifying one client and other clients (or other participants) who belong to a genre (e.g., a “dream” genre) registered by the one client in advance if client identification information (e.g., the member ID) is received from a terminal (e.g., a member) of the one client. Then, the computer system transmits to the terminal of the one client, display information (e.g., information of a tree web page (FIG. 1)) wherein each of the read client specification information is positioned at a predetermined location. Thus, the client can easily ascertain that there are other participants who share the same dream, and from this, can acquire a sense of comradeship with other participants and a strengthened determination to achieve his or her object. Furthermore, this can provide motivation for communication with other participants. In addition, even if the client does not remember his or her registered genre, the client can automatically obtain display information relative to the genre registered by the client from the computer system of the present invention. Therefore, usability is enhanced by the present invention.  
       [0010] The computer system may further retrieve, from a data storage device, information, that matches an attribute registered in advance, of a selected client corresponding to a selected client specification information if information concerning a selection of client specification information is received from the terminal of the one client, and forms display information (e.g., information for a votive panel web page (FIG. 2)) for the selected client. Then, the computer system may further transmit, to the terminal of the one client, the formed display information. With this configuration, the user can read not only his own homepage but also the homepages of others. Since information that matches the attribute is displayed, there is no possibility that an unnecessary advertisement will be presented.  
       [0011] In addition, the computer system may further comprise means for registering comments for each client by other clients and form display information for the client that includes the comments registered by other clients. With this configuration, communication between clients can be facilitated.  
       [0012] The computer system may further comprise means for registering comments from an expert in a genre that has been registered by the client in advance, and form display information for the client which includes the comments from the expert. With this configuration, advice provided by the expert can be obtained. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example tree web page;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example votive panel web page;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a comment input screen;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example public homepage for an expert;  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of a system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example member information management table;  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example link destination management table for each genre;  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example display information management table;  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example votive panel shuffle management table;  
     [0022]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example screen if the arrangement of votive panel images in FIG. 1 has been changed;  
     [0023]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the member registration processing;  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example dream information input screen;  
     [0025]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example menu list for a genre box;  
     [0026]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the member information registration processing;  
     [0027]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the processing performed if a member terminal accesses to a network votive panel server;  
     [0028]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing performed if a member selects his or her own votive panel in FIG. 1;  
     [0029]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing performed if a member selects a votive panel of another member in FIG. 1;  
     [0030]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing performed if a preceding tree button or a next tree button is selected on in FIG. 1;  
     [0031]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing performed if another genre is selected in a genre box in FIG. 1;  
     [0032]FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B is a flowchart showing the processing performed if an expert advice request button in FIG. 2 is depressed;  
     [0033]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example expert web page;  
     [0034]FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example to indicate the expert web page;  
     [0035]FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing performed if an add button in FIG. 2 is clicked on;  
     [0036]FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing performed to shuffle votive panel images on a tree web page;  
     [0037]FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams showing how a votive panel shuffle management table is changed; and  
     [0038]FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the change of a tree HTML file. 
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0039] The overview of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described while referring to FIGS.  1  to  4 . A service related to this embodiment is a service for providing information concerning a “dream”. For example, a user can register his or her dream and can receive information related to the dream, and an advertisement for a product or a service associated with the dream. Then, the user can get in touch with clients (members) who share the same dream, and can receive advice from an expert whose field is associated with that of the dream. In this embodiment, the provision of a service that is governed by rules of membership is premised. Thus, a person who desires to participate as a member has to register in advance, and has to have received a member ID and a password. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example screen (hereinafter referred to as a tree web page) that is displayed on the terminal of a member after the ID and the password of that member has been verified.  
     [0040] In this example, an image of a tree  130  is displayed, and votive panels  110  to  122 , for the member who has just logged in and for other members who have registered the same genre as that of the “dream” of the pertinent member, are hung from the tree  130 . The images of the votive panels  110  to  122  are registered in advance by the respective members, and are reduced in size for the display. As shown FIG. 1, the images of votive panels include portraits. However, the portrait is only an example; any images can be employed so long as the respective members can be identified. The representation of the tree  130  can be changed seasonally. For example, for the weaver festival season the tree image can be changed to that of a bamboo, or in spring, an image of a cherry tree in full blossom can be used. Furthermore, links to the web sites for respective members are embedded in the image information of the votive panels  110  to  122 .  
     [0041] A menu for the selection of the genre of a dream is provided in a genre box  100 . For this embodiment, an upper level menu  102 , a medium level menu  104  and a lower level menu  106  are available. If a member desires to refer to a genre other than the “dream” genre that he or she has registered, the member selects a desired genre in accordance with the order represented by the upper, the medium and lower level menus. Then, a screen (a tree web page) which includes a tree representing the selected genre and the votive panels are displayed on the terminal of the requesting member.  
     [0042] When, for a genre, a large number of members are registered, votive panels for all of the members can not be hung from one tree  130 , i.e., can not all be displayed on the same screen. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of votive panels to be hung from one tree  130  is limited to a predetermined number (eight in FIG. 1). When the number of registered members exceeds the predetermined number, another tree is formed and the votive panels of the remaining members are hung therefrom. Thus, if a plurality of trees are prepared for the same genre, an instruction to change from one tree to another is given by clicking on a previous tree button  132  or on a next tree button  134 , positioned in among the tree branches (part other than votive panel) or at the bottom of the screen. Then, another screen (tree web page) is displayed in which the votive panels of different members are hung from a tree.  
     [0043]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (hereinafter referred to as a votive panel web page) that is displayed if a member who logged in uses a mouse to click on the image of his or her own votive panel  110  for selection. On this screen, a votive panel area  220  is displayed that includes: a comment column  244  including comments concerning the dream, a button  222  for reproducing, if registered, a voice message; and an add button  226  for adding a comment etc. In addition, this screen includes: an expert advice request button  230 , for displaying a screen on which a user enters an inquiry, or the details of a personal affair, if he or she seeks advice from an expert in a field related to his or her dream; an advice display column  240 , for displaying the advice provided by the expert in response to the inquiry or the details of the personal affair, that was previously entered using the expert advice request button  230 ; and an advice or a comment display column  242 , for displaying advice or comments received from another member. The experts associated with this embodiment each have a public homepage and a work homepage, and when a member depresses an expert home page button  244 , the public homepage of the expert can be displayed.  
     [0044] In this embodiment, a member can also read the votive panel web page of a different member. That is, if the screen in FIG. 1 (tree web page) is displayed, and if the member selects the image of a desired votive panel by clicking on it, the votive panel web page of the selected member is displayed, regardless of who that web page belongs to. If, while reading the votive panel web page of another member, a member desires to enter advice or a comment therein, the member need only depress a “your advice” button  246  in FIG. 2. Then, an advice or comment input screen appears. When the member enters and registers his or her advice or comment, the entry will be displayed in the advice or comment display column  242 .  
     [0045] A banner advertisement  232  for an “English academy”, a banner advertisement  234  for the “A English conversation school”, a banner advertisement  236  for the “B English conversation school”, and a column  238  which includes link destination information of the web page that can help the member achieve his or her dream are displayed on the right of the votive panel web page screen. When a member clicks on an interesting banner advertisement, the votive panel web page is shifted to the web site of the pertinent advertiser. The same procedure can be employed to switch to an interesting link destination.  
     [0046] Also provided in the topmost panel of the votive panel web page are a “to dream tree” button  200 , for returning to the tree web page in FIG. 12, and a previous member button  210  and a next member button  212 , for shifting the screen to the votive panel web page of another member.  
     [0047]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example screen if the expert advice request button  230  in FIG. 2 is clicked on. As shown in FIG. 3, a comment input column  250  and a register button  252  are provided on the screen, and if the register button  252  is clicked on, the data entered in the comment input column  250  are registered. The screen shown in FIG. 3 also appears if the “your advice” button  246  is clicked on, and permits a member to enter advice.  
     [0048]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the homepage of an expert that is displayed upon the depression of the expert homepage button  244  in FIG. 2. Provided on this homepage is an advice request list  260  of inquiries or requests for counseling that the expert has accepted. The respective items in the advice request list  260  are buttons, and if one of the items is clicked on, the homepage is shifted to the votive panel web page of the member who issued the inquiry or who requested the counseling. Information that the pertinent expert voluntarily provides, i.e., a link  262  to a “My profile” page, a link  266  to “Stories of my hardship days”, a link  264  to a “List of books I have translated”, a link  268  to “My valuable information” are provided below the advice request list  260 .  
     [0049] By presenting these screens to members, information that matches the states or attributes of the members can be provided, communication among the members can be encouraged and further communication with the experts is also facilitated. Thus, an attractive communication environment for achieving the dream can be provided.  
     [0050] An overview of the system employed for the embodiment will now be described while referring to FIG. 5. One or more member terminals  3 , one or more expert terminals  5 , a network votive panel server  7 , which mainly provides a service relating to the embodiment, one or more recommended link destination servers  11 , which provide useful information for the achievement of a “dream”, one or more advertiser servers  13 , which are run by banner advertisers, and an expert server  15 , which provides expert information, are connected to a network  1 , the Internet, for example. The network votive panel server  7 , the recommended link destination server  11 , the advertiser server  13 , and the expert server  15  have a so-called web server function. The member terminal  3  and the expert terminal  5  may be so-called personal computers, and can execute a Web browser.  
     [0051] The network votive panel server  7  comprises a display processor  71 , mainly for performing the web server function; an information registration unit  73 , for performing a member registration process; a genre analyzer  75 , for analyzing the genre of a “dream” that a new member registers at the time of the member registration, and for performing necessary processing; and a comment processor  77 , for processing comments that an expert and/or a certain member enters when advising another member. Further, a member information registration table  91 , a link destination management table  93  for each genre, a display information management table  95 , a votive panel shuffle management table  97 , and a comment storage unit  99  are prepared in a storage device  9  that is connected to the network votive panel server  7 .  
     [0052]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example member information registration table  91 . For each member, the member information registration table  91  includes a member ID/password (PW), the file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) of a votive panel HTML file for a votive panel web page, the image file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) of a votive panel image, an item name selected for each level (level  1  to n) of the “dream” genre, the profile information for a member (n profiles can be registered in this embodiment), and the voice file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) of the member. Although in this embodiment a GIF type file is employed for the image file, a JPEG type image file may also be employed.  
     [0053]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example link destination management table  93  for each genre. This table  93  is a table representing a model for selecting information that should be provided for a member who has chosen a specific genre. A genre input by the member is specified by the genres  1  to n. Corresponding to the specified genre, a dream code, which is a code for a genre at the lowest level, advertisement links  1  to n, expert links  1  to n, and useful information links (not shown) are stored. In the member registration process, information, including advertisement links and etc. that corresponds to the specified genre (dream code), is copied and entered in the information column of the pertinent member in the display information management table  95 .  
     [0054]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example display information management table  95 . In this table, information is stored that is required for the formation of a tree web page. In addition, the votive panel web page can also be formed by using the display information management table  95 . This table  95  includes a dream code, a tree HTML file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) for a tree web page, the genre name of n-th genre level and the genre name of n-1-th genre level, a member ID (a password may be included), a votive panel HTML file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) for a votive panel web page, a GIF file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ), and information, including advertisement links, that corresponds to the genre that is specified in the link destination management table  93  for each genre. The member ID, the votive panel HTML file name, and the GIF file name are those that have been copied from the member information registration table  91 .  
     [0055] The dream code corresponds to the genre at the lowest level, and basically, in this embodiment, a tree web page is prepared for each dream code. That is, a tree HTML file is provided for each dream code. However, as described above, the number of votive panels that can be hung from a single tree is limited, and a plurality of tree HTML files may be prepared for a single dream code. In FIG. 8, the following situation is encountered for a dream code Y 1 . First, it is assumed that four votive panels are hung from a single tree. Then, since the votive panels of all seven members can not be hung from a tree included in a tree HTML file whose name is tree  1 , a tree is formed included in the tree HTML file name tree  2 , and the votive panels of the remaining three members are hung therefrom.  
     [0056] For a genre (dream code) for which not many member registrations have been accomplished, preparation of a tree HTML file for each dream code is not efficient. Thus, in FIG. 8, a single tree HTML file is prepared even for different dream codes if the genre immediately above the lowest level (n-th genre level) is the same. That is, in FIG. 8, since the genres for the dream codes Y 3  and Y 4  (the internal medicine department and the surgical department in the genre n) differ, the dream codes Y 3  and Y 4  have the same genre n- 1  (personal), and a tree HTML file “tree  4 ” is prepared for the two codes.  
     [0057]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example votive panel shuffle management table  97 . As shown in FIG. 10, the votive panel shuffle management table  97  is employed for the shuffling of the votive panels  110  to  122  to change their locations on the tree web page in FIG. 1. The dream code, the tree HTML file name, the GIF file name and the votive panel HTML file name, all of which are registered in the display information management table  95 , and a GIF number (GIF-No), which is attached to a GIF file which include a votive panel image, are stored in the votive panel shuffle management table  97 . The shuffling process employed for this table will be described in detail later.  
     [0058] The comment storage unit  99  stores comments for each member so as to identify that a person who has registered the comment is an expert or another member. The storage device  9  also stores the GIF files, the votive panel HTML files and the tree HTML files.  
     [0059] An overview of the operation of the system will now be explained. A user who desires a service provided by this embodiment operates the member terminal  3  to access to the network votive panel server  7  via the network  1 . Then, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits display information for membership registration to the member terminal  3 . The member terminal  3  receivers the display information for member registration and display it on the display device. The user completes the entry of the required data. Subsequently, the member terminal  3  transmits the data input by the user to the network votive panel server  7 , along with the file containing the image information used for the votive panel, especially in this embodiment. Thereafter, the information registration unit  77  in the network votive panel server  7  registers the received information in the member information registration table  91 , and transmits a membership ID and a password, via the display processor  71 , to the member terminal  3 , thereby completing the registration of the user as a member. That is, the user has become a member.  
     [0060] Then, the genre analyzer  75 , based on the member information that has been newly registered in the member information registration table  91 , searches the link destination management table  93  for each genre and obtains information concerning link destinations for the member. Thereafter, the member information stored in the member information registration table  91 , and the obtained link destination information are registered in the display information management table  95 . In addition, the genre analyzer  75  also sets the tree HTML file and the votive panels shuffle management table  97  etc.  
     [0061] Following this, if the member operates the member terminal  3  to log in the network votive panel server  7  by using the ID and the password, the display processor  71  employs the display information management table  95  and the votive panels shuffle management table  97  to transmit the information for the tree web page in FIG. 1 to the member terminal  3 . If the member, using the member terminal  3 , selects his or her votive panel or a votive panel for another member and transmits information concerning the selection to the network votive panel server  7 , the display processor  71  refers to the display information management table  95  and the comment storage unit  99  to transmit the information for the votive panel web page to the member terminal  3 . Then, if the member terminal  3  requests the votive panel web page for another member for the network votive panel server  7  in accordance with the member instruction, the member terminal  3  receives information from the network votive panel server  7  and displays the votive panel web page on the display device of the member terminal  3 . If the member depresses the “your advice” button  246  on the votive panel web page for another member and causes the member terminal  3  to transmit information concerning the depression of the button  246 , the display processor  71  transmits, to the member terminal  3 , information for the comment or advice input screen shown in FIG. 3. After the member has entered his or her comment and has clicked on the registration button  252  by using the member terminal  3 , the data that have been entered are transmitted to the network votive panel server  7 . The comment processor  77  of the network votive panel server  7  stores the received comment in the storage area provided for the addressee member in the comment storage unit  99 .  
     [0062] When the member operates the member terminal  3  and selects useful information or a banner advertisement included in the votive panel web page in FIG. 2, the member terminal  3  accesses to the recommended link destination server  11  or the advertiser server  13 . The recommended link destination server  11  or the advertiser server  13  transmits the useful information or the contents of an advertisement to the member terminal  3 . Furthermore, if the member operates the member terminal  3  and clicks on the expert homepage button  244  that is provided for the votive panel web page in FIG. 2, the member terminal  3  accesses to, for example, the expert server  15 , which has prepared a homepage of an expert related to the member. Thereafter, the expert server  15  transmits information for the public homepage of the pertinent expert to the member terminal  3 , and the member terminal  3  receives information for the web page and displays the public home page on the display device.  
     [0063] If the member operates the member terminal  3  and clicks on the expert advice request button  230  in FIG. 2, the member terminal  3  transmits information concerning the depression of the button  230  to the network votive panel server  7  and then receives information for the input screen shown in FIG. 3. Then, using the input screen, the member enters contents of an inquiry and/or a request for counseling and cause the member terminal  3  to transmit the input data to the network votive panel server  7 . The comment processor  77  of the network votive panel server  7  thereafter transmits to the expert server  15 , the contents of the inquiry and/or the request for counseling (including the member ID), together with the identification information for the expert related to the member. The expert server  15  receives the contents of the inquiry, and/or the request for counseling, and stores them in the storage area for a specified expert, and then transmits to the specified expert, an e-mail notifying the expert that an inquiry and/or a request for counseling has been received. The expert then employs the expert terminal  5  to access to the expert server  15 , and the expert server  15  transmits to the expert terminal  5 , information for an expert work homepage. The expert then enters a comment in reply to the inquiry and/or the request for counseling on the expert work homepage, and cause the expert terminal  3  to transmit the comment to the expert server  15 . Subsequently, the expert server  15  transfers the comment received from the expert to the network votive panel server  7 . At this time, the member who was the source of the inquiry can be identified. The comment processor  77  of the network votive panel server  7  stores the comment information into the storage unit  99 , as well as information that indicates that the comment came from an expert.  
     [0064] The processing performed by the system in FIG. 5 will now be described in detail while referring to FIGS.  11  to  26 . FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing performed for member registration. A user operates the member terminal  3  to access to the member registration page of the network votive panel server  7  (step SI). Then, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits the member registration page to the member terminal  3  (step S 3 ), as shown in the example member registration page in FIG. 12.  
     [0065] The member registration page in FIG. 12 includes: a name or nickname input column  260 , an age input column  262 , an address input column  264 , a upper level dream genre (genre  1 ) selection box  266 , a medium level dream genre (genre  2 ) selection box  268 , a small level dream genre (genre  3 ) selection box  270 , a column  272  for entering a comment relative to a dream, a column  274  for designating a votive panel image file, a reference button  276  for referring to files in the member terminal  3 , a voice file designation column  278  for registering a voice, a reference button  280  for referring to files in the member terminal  3 , a profile input column  282 , and a registration button  284  for transmitting input data to the network votive panel server  7  for registration.  
     [0066] The dream genre is selected by a user using a table shown in FIG. 13. Choice items in the genre  1 , which is an upper level genre, are stored in a table  266   a . Also, the pointers to the table for the genre  2 , which is the medium level genre and corresponds to each choice item included in the genre  1 , are stored in the table  266   a . In the upper level genre selection box  266 , the choice table  266   a  is employed to display choice items. The pointers to the table for the genre  3 , which is lower level genre and corresponds to each choice item included in the genre  2  are stored in the table  268   a . In the medium level genre selection box  268 , the choice table  268   a  is employed to display the choice items. Choice items in the genre  3 , which is the lower level genre, are stored in the table  270   a . In the lower level genre selection box  270 , the choice table  270   a  is employed to display the choice items.  
     [0067] A desired dream genre may not be included in the choice items. To cope with this, the genre input column may be prepared. If, as in this case, a genre is added, it is possible to configure so that a user who registers next selects the added genre as well as the conventional choice items.  
     [0068] The votive panel image file and the voice file are transmitted to the network votive panel server  7  in accordance with, for example, the FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Further, when the reference buttons  276  and  280  are depressed, the screen for the selection of a file is displayed. The profile input column  282  in FIG. 12 is so designed that sentences can be entered in a single column; however, a column for the selection of the user attributes may also be provided.  
     [0069] Referring again to FIG. 11, the member terminal  3  transmits dream information (including information entered on the member registration page in FIG. 12 and an image file) via the network  1  to the network votive panel server  7  (step  7 ). The information registration unit  73  in the network votive panel server  7  receives the dream information for the member registration (step S 9 ), and issues a member ID and a password to the member terminal  3 . Then, the information registration unit  73  transmits the member ID and a password to the terminal  3  (step  11 ). The member terminal  3  receives the member ID and the password, and displays them on the screen to provide notification for the user (step S 13 ). The network votive panel server  7  performs the member information registration process (step S 15 ). This member information registration process will now be described while referring to FIG. 14.  
     [0070] First, the information registration unit  73  stores the received dream information for a new member in the member information registration table  91  (step S 19 ). Then, the genre analyzer  75  searches the link destination management table  93  for each genre, based on the registered dream information, and identifies an expert and a recommended link destination that are related to the genre registered by the pertinent member (step S 21 ). The genre analyzer  75  stores, in the display information management table  95  and in the votive panel shuffle management table  97 , contents (the member ID, the votive panel HTML file name and the GIF file name) of the member information registration table  91  and the identified link destination information (including the information concerning the expert) in accordance with a predetermined form (step S 23 ).  
     [0071] The information registration unit  73  determines whether the tree HTML file should be prepared (step S 25 ). The preparation of the tree HTML file is required if the member registers a new genre, or if the number of members exceeds the limit number of the votive panels that can be hung from one tree, and a new tree HTML file must be defined. If no need exists for the preparation of a new tree HTML file, the processing is thereafter terminated. However, if a new tree HTML file must be prepared, the information registration unit  73  prepares an tree HTML file in the lower level genre unit (=by the dream code), basically, and stores the file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) in the display information management table  95  and the votive panel shuffle management table  97  (step S 27 ). If there are too many members and a new tree HTML file must be prepared, an added tree HTML file is prepared for the lower level genre (the dream code). It should be noted that if a new genre is registered, only a small number of members are registered for the tree prepared in the lower level genre unit, so that a tree HTML file should be prepared in the medium level genre unit. However, if a tree HTML file is already available for the medium level genre unit, the pertinent tree HTML file should be employed. Furthermore, the dream information may not be registered at the time the member is registered. That is, the member ID and the password may be issued first, and at the next log-in time, the dream information may be registered.  
     [0072] Through the registration process, the tree web page and the votive panel web page, which will be described later, can be displayed by the member terminal  3 .  
     [0073] An explanation will now be given, while referring to FIG. 15, for the processing performed if the member employs the member terminal  3  to log in to the network votive panel server  7 . The member operates the member terminal  3  to access to the network votive panel server  7  (step S 31 ), and then, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits, to the member terminal  3 , the display information requesting the input of the member ID and the password (step S 33 ). Thereafter, the member terminal  3  displays the display information of the input request received from the network votive panel server  7 , and the member enters his or her member ID and password and causes the member terminal  3  to transmit the entered data (step S 35 ). The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the member ID and the password, and performs the member certification process by referring to, for example, the member information registration table  91  (step S 37 ). If the member ID and the password do not match those registered in the member information registration table  91 , the message “password is incorrect” is transmitted to the member terminal  3 . Then, the member terminal  3  displays the message (step S 39 ).  
     [0074] If the member certification process is successful, the display processor  71  searches the display information management table  95 , based on the member ID, and specifies the tree HTML file (step S 41 ). The specified tree HTML file name is then employed to refer to the votive panel shuffle management table  97  (step S 43 ). Since the tree HTML file name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) and the votive panel image file (GIF file) name (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) are stored in the votive panel shuffle management table  97 , the display processor  71  forms the tree web page for the member who logged in and transmits the information for the tree web page to the member terminal  3  (step S 45 ).  
     [0075] The member terminal  3  receives and displays the information for the tree web page (step S 47 ). When the tree web page is displayed, the member can select a process performed if clicking on his or her own votive panel (step S 49  to a terminal  1 ), a process performed if clicking on the votive panel of another member on the same tree (step S 51  to a terminal  2 ), a process performed if clicking on the “previous tree” or the “next tree” (step S 53  to a terminal  3 ), or a process performed if clicking on another genre in the genre box (step S 55  to a terminal  4 ). The member terminal  3  then accepts the click by the member and performs the corresponding process.  
     [0076] Therefore, even without entering his or her desired genre, the member can obtain the tree web page that includes a tree from which his or her votive panel is hung. That is, since the entry of a troublesome instruction is not required, a user friendly service can be provided.  
     [0077] The processing (the processing following the terminal  1  in FIG. 15) performed if the member clicks on his or her votive panel will now be described while referring to FIG. 16. When the member uses a mouse to click on his or her votive panel, the member terminal  3  transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating that the member&#39;s own votive panel has been selected (step S 59 ). The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  then employs the display information management table  95  to form the votive panel web page for the pertinent member, and then transmits the information for the votive panel web page (step S 61 ). At this time, the display processor  71  employs the votive panel HTML file, the votive panel image GIF file and the link destination information to form the votive panel web page.  
     [0078] The member terminal  3  receives, from the network votive panel server  7 , information for the votive panel web page shown in FIG. 3, and then displays it on the display device (step S 63 ). While the votive panel web page is being displayed, the member may click on a banner advertisement, and the member terminal  3  will accept the click of the banner advertisement (step S 65 ) and access to the advertiser server  13  of the banner advertisement (step S 67 ) and subsequently receive contents of the advertisement transmitted by the advertisement server  13  of the banner advertisement.  
     [0079] The member may also click on a recommended link destination, and the member terminal  3  will accept the click of the recommended link destination (step S 69 ) and will access to the recommended link destination server  11  (step S 71 ), and receive information that can usefully be employed by the member to achieve his or her dream. Thereafter, the member terminal  3  can communicate with, for example, the recommended link destination server  11 . In addition, the member may also click on the expert advice request button  230 . The member terminal  3  will accept the click of the expert advice request button  230  (step S 73 ) and perform the process following the terminal  5 . Furthermore, the member may also click on the expert homepage button  244 . The member terminal  3  will accept the click of the expert homepage button  244  (step S 75 ) and will access to the public homepage of the expert associated with the pertinent member in the expert server  15  (step S 77 ). In this manner, by communicating with the expert server  15 , the member terminal  3  can receive the public homepage information from the expert server  15 . In addition, the member may click on the add button  226 , and the member terminal  3  will accept the click of the add button  226  (step S 79 ) and perform the process following terminal  6 .  
     [0080] The processing (the process following the terminal  2  in FIG. 15) performed if the member clicks on the votive panel of another member will now be described while referring to FIG. 17. When the member clicks on the votive panel image of another member, the member terminal  3  transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating the votive panel of another member has been selected (step S 85 ). The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  then forms a votive panel web page for the pertinent member using the display information management table  95 , and transmits information for the web page (step S 87 ). The votive panel web page is formed in the same manner as at step S 61  in FIG. 16. That is, the display processor  71  employs the votive panel HTML file, the votive panel image GIF file, and the link destination information to form the votive panel web page.  
     [0081] The member terminal  3  receives and displays the information for the votive panel web page for another member (step S 89 ). When the votive panel web page for another member is displayed, the member can click on the advice button  246 . The member terminal  3  then accepts the click of the advice button  246  (step S 91 ), and transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating the advice button  246  has been selected (step S 93 ). Then, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits information for the data input web page in FIG. 3 to the member terminal  3  (step S 95 ). The member terminal  3  receives the information from the network votive panel server  7 , and displays the data input web page (step S 97 ). Thereafter, the member enters his or her advice or comment in the input column  250  on the data input web page, and clicks on the registration button  252  to transmit the information that has been entered, such as advice. In response to the click of the registration button  252 , the member terminal  3  transmits the information that has been entered, such as advice, to the network votive panel server  7  (step S 99 ).  
     [0082] The comment processor  77  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the input advice information, and stores it, in the storage area for the addressee in the comment storage unit  99 , as advice received from another member (step S 101 ). The display processor  71  then refers to the comment storage unit  99  to form the votive panel web page that includes the input advice that has been registered at, for example, the head of the “advice from others” column  242  in FIG. 2, and transmits information for the votive panel web page to the member terminal  3  (step S 103 ). Thereafter, the member terminal  3  receives the information from the network votive panel server  9  and displays the votive panel web page, including the advice (step S 105 ).  
     [0083] When the votive panel web page of another member is displayed, the member may click on the “previous member” button  210  or the “next member” button  212 . The member terminal  3  accepts the click of the previous member button  210  or the next member button  212  (step S 107 ), and shifts the program control to the terminal  2 , which is the head in FIG. 17. Furthermore, the member may click on the “to dream tree” button  200 , and the member terminal  3  will accept the click of the “to dream tree” button  200  (step S 109 ) and shift the program control to the terminal  9  in FIG. 15.  
     [0084] In this manner, the member can communicate with another member.  
     [0085] The processing (the process following the terminal  3  in FIG. 15) performed if the member clicks on the “previous tree” button  132  or the “next tree” button  134  will now be described while referring to FIG. 18. When the member uses a mouse to clicks on the “previous tree” button  132  or the “next tree” button  134 , the member terminal  3  transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating the “previous tree” or “next tree” has been selected (step S 113 ). The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  then specifies the previous or the next tree HTML file in the display information management table  95 , and refers to the votive panel shuffle management table  97  (step S 115 ). The display processor  71  forms the information for the tree web page concerning the specified tree HTML file, and transmits the information to the member terminal  3  (step S 117 ). Subsequently, the member terminal  3  receives the information from the network votive panel server  9  and displays the information for the tree web page (step S 119 ), and thereafter, program control is shifted to the terminal  7  in FIG. 15.  
     [0086] The processing (the processing following the terminal  4  in FIG. 15) performed if the member clicks on a different genre in the genre box will now be described while referring to FIG. 19. When the member uses a mouse to select a different genre in the genre box, the member terminal  3  transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating the selected genre (step S 123 ). Thereafter, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the information indicating the selected genre and employs the display information management table  95  to select an arbitrary tree HTML file for the selected genre (step S 125 ), and then, the display processor  71  employs the selected tree HTML file name to refers to the votive panel shuffle management table  97  (step S 127 ). Subsequently, the display processor  71  forms the information for a tree web page and transmits the information to the member terminal  3  (step S 129 ). The member terminal  3  receives the information from the network votive panel server  7  and displays the tree web page (step S 131 ). Program control is thereafter shifted to the terminal  7  in FIG. 15.  
     [0087] The processing (the processing following the terminal  5  in FIG. 16) performed if the member issues an inquiry or counseling request for an expert will now be described while referring to FIGS. 20A, 20B,  21  and  22 . When the member uses a mouse to click on the expert advice request button  230 , the member terminal  3  transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating that the expert advice request button  230  has been selected (step S 135  in FIG. 20A). In response to receipt of the information indicating the selection of the expert advice request button  230 , the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits, to the member terminal  3 , display information used to request the entry of the member&#39;s ID and password (step S 137 ). These are required because the member must personally accept the advice from the expert, and the expert&#39;s advice must be reflected on the member&#39;s votive panel web page.  
     [0088] Thus, the member terminal  3  receives and displays the display information used to request the entry of the member&#39;s ID and password. Then, the member enters the required information. The member terminal  3  then transmits the member&#39;s ID and password to the network votive panel server  7  (step S 139 ). The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the member ID and password, and certificates them using the information stored in the member information registration table  91  (step S 141 ). It is also possible that only the entry of the password is required. In such a case, if a member clicks on the expert advice request button  230  on the votive panel web page for another member, the advice given to the member who clicked on the expert advice request button  230  should be prevented from being registered on the votive panel web page for another member. Therefore, it may be checked whether the input password matches a password for a member ID, which corresponds to the votive panel web page in which the expert advice request button  230 , which is the origin of the password entry, is provided. In any case, whether the member ID and the password are correct is determined during the member certification process. If the member ID and the password are not correct, the message “password is incorrect” is transmitted to the member terminal  3 .  
     [0089] If the member certification processing is successful, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits the information for an inquiry input screen (FIG. 3) to the member terminal  3  (step S 143 ). The member terminal  3  receives the information and displays an inquiry input screen, and the member enters contents of an inquiry and/or request for counseling. The input information, such as an inquiry, is thereafter transmitted to the network votive panel server  7  (step S 145 ) by the member terminal  3 . The display processor  71  receives it and selects from the display information management table  95  an expert appropriate for the member. The display processor  71  then transmits to the expert server  15  the inquiry information (including the member ID) and the information identifying the expert (step S 147 ). Thereafter, the member terminal  3  returns program control to the terminal  8  (FIG. 16).  
     [0090] The expert server  15  receives the inquiry information (including the member ID) and the information identifying the expert, and registers the inquiry information in the storage area for the designated expert (step S 149  in FIG. 20B). The expert server  15  then transmits an e-mail to the expert, as notification that an inquiry has been received (step S 151 ). The expert uses his or her expert terminal  5  to receive the notification that the inquiry has arrived (step S 153 ). The expert then uses the expert terminal  5  to access to his or her web page (step S 155 ). In response to the access by the expert terminal  5 , the expert server  15  certifies the expert and transmits information for the web page for the expert to the expert terminal  5  (step S 157 ). The web page for the expert is prepared by extracting inquiry information from the storage area allocated for the designated expert.  
     [0091] An example expert web page is shown in FIG. 21. The web page includes an inquiry list frame  290  as an advice request list, a button or link for each content, an advice input column  292 , and a transmission button  294 . In this embodiment, a mark “New” is added to an inquiry in the inquiry list frame  290  that has not been selected by the expert.  
     [0092] When the expert clicks on a specific inquiry in the inquiry list frame  290 , the expert terminal  5  transmits, to the expert server  15 , information indicating which inquiry has been selected (step S 159 ). The expert server  15  identifies the ID of the member who is the source of the inquiry selected by the expert, and transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , a request for the votive panel web page of the pertinent member (step S 161 ). The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the request for the votive panel web page of the member (step S 163 ), forms the votive panel web page using data retrieved from the display information management table  95 , and transmits information for the web page to the expert web server  15  (step S 165 ). The expert server  15  receives the information for the votive panel web page for the member from the network votive panel server  7 , and transmits it to the expert terminal  5  for inclusion in the frame in the expert web page (step S 167 ).  
     [0093] The votive panel web page of the member may also be obtained directly from the network votive panel server  7 , without the intervention of the expert server  15 .  
     [0094] The expert terminal  5  receives the information for the member votive panel web page from the expert server  15 , and displays contents of the web page in the inquiry list frame  290  (step S 169 ). The resultant display is shown in FIG. 22. The inquiry list frame  290  is replaced by contents of the screen shown in FIG. 2, so that the expert can refer to the votive panel web page of the member while entering his or her advice in the advice input column  292 . Afterwards, the expert terminal  5  transmits the input advice to the expert server  15  (step S 171 ). The expert server  15  receives the input advice, together with the member ID, from the expert terminal  5 , registers the advice and the member ID data in the storage area for the respective expert, and then transmits the two items to the network votive panel server  7  (step S 173 ).  
     [0095] The comment processor  77  of the network votive panel server  7  receives, from the expert server  15 , the advice provided by the expert and the member ID and registers them in the storage area allocated for the member ID in the comment storage unit  99 , so that the member can ascertain that the advice was provided by the expert (step S 175 ). The processing is thereafter temporarily terminated. Note that in consonance with the timing of an entry made by an expert, a member will not always receive requested advice in real time.  
     [0096] Through the processing in FIG. 15, the member then employs the member terminal  3  to access to his or her own votive panel web page (step S 177 ). At this time, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  refers to the comment storage unit  99  and the display information management table  95  to prepare a votive panel web page that includes the advice provided for the pertinent member, and transmits information for the votive panel web page to the member terminal  3  (step S 179 ). The member terminal  3  receives the information for the votive panel web page, including the provided advice, and displays it (step S 181 ), so that the member can read the advice given by the expert. The member can begin actively to apply it in the pursuit of his or her dream. In this embodiment, program control thereafter returns to the terminal  8  in FIG. 16.  
     [0097] The processing (the processing following terminal  6  in FIG. 16) performed if the member clicks on the add button  226  in FIG. 2 to add information to be registered will now be described while referring to FIG. 23. When the member clicks on the add button  226  in FIG. 2, the member terminal  3  transmits, to the network votive panel server  7 , information indicating that the add button  226  has been selected (step S 185 ). In response to that, the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  transmits to the member terminal  3 , information for the screen requesting the input of the member ID and the password (step S 187 ). The member terminal  3  receives the display information and displays the screen requesting the input of the member ID and the password, and the member enters his or her ID and password. Thereafter, the member terminal  3  transmits the member ID and the password to the network votive panel server  7 .  
     [0098] The display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the member ID and password from the member terminal  3 , and certifies the member using the information stored in the member information registration table  91  (step S 187 ). For this process, only the password may be entered, and in such a case, processing is required to determine whether the input password is the password for the member ID that corresponds to the votive panel web page which is the origin of the password input.  
     [0099] Thus, the information registration unit  73  of the network votive panel server  7  is used to access to the member information registration table  91  and obtains the current registered contents of the member. Then, the information registration unit  73  transmits to the member terminal  3 , the display information, for example, like the screen shown in FIG. 12 in such a state that the registered contents can be corrected (step S 193 ). For example, the contents registered in the column  272  for inputting the comment about the dream in FIG. 12 may be included in the screen in FIG. 3, for example, and information for the screen may be transmitted to the member terminal  3 . The member terminal  3  receives and displays the display information wherein the current registered contents can be corrected (step S 195 ), and the member uses the member terminal  3  to add to and/or correct the registered contents. Thereafter, the member terminal  3  transmits the information after the update (addition and/or correction) to the network votive panel server  7  (step S 197 ).  
     [0100] The information registration unit  73  of the network votive panel server  7  receives the information after the update, and registers it in the member information registration table  91  (step S 199 ). Subsequently, the display processor  71  prepares for the member a votive panel web page in which the addition and/or correction is reflected, and transmits information for the votive panel web page to the member terminal  3  (step S 201 ). At this time, the display processor  71  simply performs a process for changing the contents of the votive panel HTML file, and the member terminal  3  receives and displays the votive panel web page information in which the addition and/or correction is reflected (step S 203 ). Program control thereafter shifts to the terminal  8  in FIG. 16.  
     [0101] Through this processing, the current situation wherein the member has advanced and is one step nearer the realization of his or her dream can be registered and can be reported to other members.  
     [0102] The shuffling process employed to change the display in FIG. 1 so as to provide the display in FIG. 10 will now be described. The shuffling function is used to build members&#39; interests in this service. That is, a game-playing element, in which the member searches for his or her votive panel, can be introduced to this service by changing the location of the votive panel image of each member each time he or she visits the tree web page.  
     [0103] This shuffling process is performed by the display processor  71  of the network votive panel server  7 . For this process, it is assumed that if a shuffle is performed, a shuffle time is stored in the elapsed time count area, and that the shuffling process in FIG. 24 will be performed at predetermined intervals. First, the system timer for the network votive panel server  7  is examined to calculate the time that has elapsed since a previous shuffle (step S 211 ), and a check is instituted to determine whether twenty minutes has elapsed (step S 213 ). In this case, twenty minutes is merely an example, and another period may be set. If twenty minutes have not elapsed, the processing is thereafter terminated. But if twenty minutes have elapsed, the order of the GIF-Nos that are included in the tree HTML file in the votive shuffle management table  97  are exchanged in the tree HTML block (step S 215 ). Then, the current time is stored in the elapsed time count area (step S 217 ).  
     [0104] The process at step S 215  is shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B. One part of the votive panel shuffle management table  97 , before it is changed, is shown in FIG. 25A. This is the same as the table shown in FIG. 9. If twenty minutes has elapsed, the process at step S 215  is performed, and in the example in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the GIF-No G 4  on the fourth line in the tree  1  block of the tree HTML file is moved to the first line. Accordingly, the GIF-No G 1  on the first line is moved to the second line, the GIF-No G 2  on the second line is moved to the third line, and the GIF-No G 3  on the third line is moved to the fourth line. The resultant state is shown in FIG. 25B.  
     [0105] Through this processing, if the display processor  71  prepares a tree web page upon the receipt of a request from the member terminal  3 , and transmits information for the tree web page to the member terminal  3 , a CGI script by Perl, for example, which is included in the display processor  71 , rewrites the tree HTML file wherein the votive panel image (GIF file) of the member should be included. This is specifically shown in FIG. 26. A tree HTML file  300  in FIG. 26 includes a tag  302  for reading an image file, a tag  304  for designating a link destination and a tag  306  for reading the next image file, and succeeding tags are not shown. The tree HTML file  300  is tree  1  in FIG. 25A. The GIF file name (GIFA 1 .gif) on the first line (GIF-No:G 1 ) in FIG. 25A is used for the tag  302 , and a votive panel Al (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ), which is the votive panel HTML file name on the first line in FIG. 25A, is used for the tag  304 . The GIF file name (GIFD 1 .gif) on the second line (GIF-No:G 2 ) in FIG. 25A is used for the tag  306 .  
     [0106] When the votive panels in the votive panel shuffle management table  97  are shuffled, the CGI script modifies the tree HTML file  300  to provide a tree HTML file  310 . The tree HTML file  310  in FIG. 26 includes a tag  312 , for reading an image file, a tag  314 , for designating a link destination, and a tag  316 , for reading the next image file, but shows no subsequent tags. The tree HTML file  310  is a tree  1  in FIG. 25B. The GIF file name (GIFP 1 .gif) on the first line (GIF-No G 4 ) in FIG. 25B is used for the tag  312 , and a votive panel P 1  (or the storage location in the storage device  9 ) that is the votive panel HTML file name on the first row in FIG. 25B is used for the tag  314 . The GIF file name (GIFA 1 .gif) on the second line (GIF-No G 1 ) in FIG. 25B is used for the tag  316 . Using this process, the tree web page in FIG. 10 can be displayed by the member terminal  3 .  
     [0107] The embodiment of the present invention has been explained; however, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The function blocks of the network votive panel server  7  constitute merely an example, and modules are not always provided in accordance with these functional blocks. Another table having the same contents as the table in this embodiment may be prepared in the storage device  9 , and although the expert server  15  and the network votive panel server  7  have been separately provided, they may be conjoined. Further, the tree web page and the whole of the votive panel web page may be prepared by the CGI script, instead of the HTML file being prepared.  
     [0108] The above system can be implemented by installing a special program in an ordinary computer. In such a case, the program will be stored on a storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or a magneto-optical disk, or in a storage device, such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk, and the intermediate processing results will be temporarily stored in the memory.  
     [0109] As described above, a user can register information concerning his or her dream in a database, and can employ the information to achieve the dream. The user can also communicate with, or exchange data with, other users whose dream is representative of the same genre, and can advance together to realize their dreams. Further, the user can obtain advice from an expert or a person who has achieved his or her dream, or from a banner advertisement, related to an associated facility or a product that may assist the user in employing a specific realistic activity to implement his or her dream. Furthermore, since there is no limitation for the reference over the genre, the user can freely refer to other votive panel web pages in the different genre, and communicate with other users over the genre. Therefore, the user&#39;s world can be extended and user&#39;s consciousness can be raised.  
     [0110] A service provider is, for example, an Internet service provider. If memberships in which member IDs and passwords are necessary for login are adopted, an increase in sales can be expected as the number of members is increased. Further, income from banner advertisements and income from use of other services can be additionally expected.  
     [0111] As described above, the present invention can provide a technique for furnishing a total information service that enable a user to aggressively pursue and fulfill own object, such as a dream.  
     [0112] Further, the present invention also provides a technique that enables clients who share a specific object to communicate with each other.  
     [0113] Furthermore, a technique can be obtained for providing useful information that relates to an attribute, such as a specific object, of a client.  
     [0114] In addition, a technique can be provided for enabling a client to communicate with an expert concerning an attribute, such as a specific object.  
     [0115] Although the present invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment thereof, various change and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.