Patent Publication Number: US-2004049519-A1

Title: Upgrade of online access client software

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to a communication system that searches for messages suitable to individual users from, for example, Internet, and provides the messages to the users. The present invention is related to the following five Japanese patent applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       [0002] Patent application No. 8-9521 filed on Jan. 23, 1996  
       [0003] Patent application No. 8-67278 filed on Feb. 28, 1996  
       [0004] Patent application No. 8-139689 filed on May 10, 1996  
       [0005] Patent application No. 8-139690 filed on May 10, 1996  
       [0006] Patent application No. 8-163679 filed on Jun. 5, 1996  
       [0007] Internet users can communicate with various host computers within Internet through a host computer (which is called an information provider) offered by an Internet provider. The terminal connected to Internet reads out images, such as home pages, as designated by the user, and displays the images.  
       [0008] Recently, many virtual shops have been established on Internet, and users can purchase goods by mail-order through Internet. Programs and data are also sold through Internet. Payment for these goods or services is made by transmitting a credit card number and expiration date over Internet.  
       [0009] Advertisement of such goods and services from virtual shops, as well as advertisement of goods or services offered by ordinary retailers are often seen on communications networks. For example, the home page of Yahoo (trademark), which is a search engine for home pages on Internet, displays advertisements as sidebars.  
       [0010] To sell goods or services efficiently using advertisements and the payment system mentioned above, a counter system is also used to count the number of times users access the home pages of virtual shops which sell goods or services. Based on the counter results, advertisers can estimate, to some extent, whether an advertisement has been effective.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] However, a conventional counter system can not accurately measure the number of times that users actually look at a particular advertisement, because it is not known whether the users are actually watching that advertisement when the advertisement is displayed on users&#39; terminals. In particular, when an advertisement using moving pictures is displayed for a certain period of time, users may stop watching the advertisement halfway through.  
       [0012] Furthermore, as the amount of information offered on communications networks, such as Internet, increases, it becomes difficult for a user to find appropriate information or advertisements for goods or services, which the user is actually interested in. It is also difficult for an information provider to supply information to users for whom that information is suitable, because the users who utilize Internet have become a highly diverse group of consumers.  
       [0013] In addition, concerning payment for goods or services, there is the possibility that a credit card number or expiration date may be improperly used by a third party because the credit card number or expiration date is transmitted on the communications network, and many people can access the communications network. Since information transmitted on Internet is recorded in several servers (host computers), it is dangerous for users to transmit their credit card information. This situation curbs the growth of sales of goods and services via communications networks. While systems for encoding credit card information and transmitting the encoded information have been developed this information remains insecure when transmitted over Internet because the codes can be decoded.  
       [0014] If an advertisement is embedded in a home page on Internet, the advertisement can not be offered to a user until the user actually accesses the home page. Further, when the user scrolls down the home page in the window, the advertisement disappears from the window. Also, when another window is opened over the browser window, or the browser window is moved off the screen, the advertisement does not reach the user.  
       [0015] With the conventional counter system, the user easily manipulates the number of times a home page is accessed, for example, by repeatedly accessing the home page for the purpose of increasing the number of times accessed. In such a case, the counter result for that home page or its advertisement is deceptive and not correct. Moreover, the conventional counter system can not offer information about what types of users access what kinds of home pages or advertisements. It is difficult to determine from the counter results of the conventional system who the target customers of a particular good or service are and how the good or service should be marketed.  
       [0016] For example, it is highly probable that those users who are interested in the product “skis” will also take an interest in the product “ski suit” or the service “ski tour”. Several goods or services are often related in this way, all appealing to the same customers. However, the conventional counter system can not identify such related goods or services that users would be interested in, and therefore fails to efficiently market the appropriate goods or services to users.  
       [0017] To use a communications network, such as Internet, users have to pay a connection fee to Internet provider who owns the host computer to which the user&#39;s terminal is connected. This fact discourages users from accessing the communications network for a long time, which presents an obstacle to expanding advertising, sales or payment transactions via communications networks.  
       [0018] It is an object of this invention to provide a communication system, which can overcome all of the problems, described above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019] In order to achieve the above object, the communication system according to the first aspect of the invention has a message database which stores an image, text, sound, or combination thereof to transmit to a terminal. The message read out from the message database is transmitted to a terminal, and displayed on the terminal. The message database also stores a parameter for each user, the parameter representing the amount of access by the associated user. When a message is displayed on a terminal, the value of the parameter for the user of that terminal is increased. However, if the user is not actively recognizing the message, the value of the parameter is not increased. In this configuration, the value of the parameter is increased only when the user actively views the message. Accordingly, the extent to which a user accesses a message (the amount of access) can be measured more accurately because apparent access by inactive users can be measured and discounted.  
       [0020] The communication system according to the second aspect of the invention has a user database, which stores characteristics of the respective terminal users, and a transmittal condition database, which stores a message ID in association with user characteristics suitable for that message and which is used for identifying messages based on those user characteristics. When a user requests a message, the user&#39;s characteristics are read out from the user database based on a user ID for identifying the user. Then, a message ID is searched from the transmittal condition database based on the user&#39;s characteristics read out from the user database. The messages found by the message searcher are read out from the message database, and transmitted to the user&#39;s terminal. In this configuration, those messages that satisfy particular search conditions, which correspond to certain user characteristics, are searched for. As a result, users can readily find advertisements for goods or services, which match their interests, and advertisers can efficiently provide messages to potential users who have a high probability of purchasing their goods.  
       [0021] The communication system according to the third aspect of the invention has a means for selling goods and services to users through a communications network. The price of a good or service is discounted according to the value of the aforementioned parameter assigned to the user. When a good or service is sold to a user, the value of the parameter for the user is decreased. In this configuration, the price of a good or service is modified according to the value of the parameter, which corresponds to the frequency of accessing messages. Those users who have parameters with higher values will pay less for the same goods or services. This encourages users to operates messages frequently and actively.  
       [0022] The communication system according to the fourth aspect of the invention determines whether or not a user is active by detecting whether any actions are performed on the terminal within a predetermined period of time. For example, if the user is away from the terminal for a while, the aforementioned parameter is prevented from being increased.  
       [0023] The communication system according to the fifth aspect of the invention provides an operation window when displaying a message on a terminal. The communication system determines if the user is active by detecting whether or not the operation window has been operated on. Even if a plurality of windows is opened on the terminal, the aforementioned parameter is increased only when the user is actually watching the operation window, which shows the message.  
       [0024] The communication system according to the sixth aspect of the invention determines if the user is active by detecting whether or not the user returns an appropriate answer in response to the text contained in a message. This prevents the situation in which the parameter is increased even when the user gives an unreasonable answer without reading the text displayed in the window.  
       [0025] The communication system according to the seventh aspect of the invention stops increasing the value of the parameter by interrupting the display of the message on the user&#39;s terminal. This configuration prevents messages from being transmitted to terminals in vain when the user is not actively recognizing the message.  
       [0026] In the communication system according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the message database has a first message for increasing the value of the parameter when it is displayed on the user&#39;s display, and a second message which does not increase the value of the parameter even if it is displayed on the display. When it is determined that the user is not active, the communication system stops transmitting the first message in order to prevent the value of the parameter from increasing. The second message is continuously transmitted to the terminal without increasing the value of the parameter.  
       [0027] The communication system according to the ninth aspect of the invention further has a connection means for accessing Internet which has host computers. The user&#39;s terminal establishes a first data link with a host computer through a communications network and Internet, and establishes a second data link to the transmittal condition database through a communications network. The user transmits data to the message-transmission database using the second data link. Because two independent data links are established, the terminal can transmit a request for a message to the transmittal condition database and receive information for identifying the message, while the user is accessing desired home pages through the first data link.  
       [0028] In the communication system according to the tenth aspect of the invention, when the terminal user requests access to a host computer connected to Internet, the communication system transmits an identification signal for identifying a transmitter for the terminal. The terminal establishes a data link with the transmitter using the identification signal, and further establishes the aforementioned second data link. The terminal can identify the transmitter using the identification signal promptly and reliably.  
       [0029] The communication system according to the eleventh aspect of the invention increases the value of the aforementioned parameter on the condition that the user appropriately responds to the question contained in the message displayed on the display. This configuration urges users to respond to the question.  
       [0030] The communication system according to the twelfth aspect of the invention stores update information, which is updated independently of the terminal, and transmits the update information to each terminal through a communications network a predetermined number of times. This information, for example, information about the updating of the communications software, is important to users. Conventional Internet providers do not have a means for actively notifying users of this information via Internet browser. However, in the present invention, the communication system can display this information on the terminal a predetermined number of times without fail.  
       [0031] The communication system according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention determines whether the update information has already been transmitted to the user. If it has not, the communication system transmits the update information to the user. The update information is reliably transmitted to every user at least once without fail.  
       [0032] The communication system according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention counts the number of times the update information was transmitted to each user. If the update information has not been transmitted to the user the predetermined number of times, then the communication system transmits the update information at the time the terminal is connected to the communication system. As soon as the communication starts up between the terminal and the communication system, the update information is displayed on the terminal.  
       [0033] In the communication system according to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, new update information is transmitted to the user when a predetermined period has passed since the last transmission of the update information. If the predetermined time is set to the time the information was updated last, the update information is automatically transmitted to the user once, at the next connection.  
       [0034] The communication system according to the sixteenth aspect of the invention has a message database which stores at least one of images, texts, sounds and combinations thereof. This data is transmitted to a terminal connected to a communications network. The communication system further has a display means for displaying the message transmitted to the terminal, a user database which is connected to the communications network and stores users&#39; characteristics, and a transmittal condition database which is connected to the communications network and stores the message ID in association with user characteristics suitable for that message for identifying a message based on those user characteristics.  
       [0035] When the user requests a message, the user&#39;s characteristics are read out from the user database based on the user ID for identifying the user. Then, a message ID is searched from the transmittal condition database based on the user&#39;s characteristics, which were read out from the user database. The messages found by the message searcher are read out from the message database, and transmitted to the terminal. In this configuration, appropriate messages are searched for based on users&#39; characteristics, and transmitted to the respective users. Thus users can find advertisements for the goods or services in which they are interested.  
       [0036] In the communication system according to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, when the user operates a message, the communication system stores the type of the operation (i.e. message display, home page display, or materials request) and the user&#39;s ID in association with the message ID for identifying that message. This configuration allows for the determination of the types of operations executed by each user. The conventional method was not capable of extracting the number of times messages were operated or the types of operations for each user. Moreover, the communication system of the preferred embodiment searches each user&#39;s characteristics from the user database using the recorded user ID, and the searched user characteristics found and the type of operation are stored in association with the message ID. Thus message providers can know the characteristics of the user, such as sex, age, etc.  
       [0037] The communication system according to the eighteenth aspect of the invention stores a user ID for identifying a user who operates a message, in association with the message ID for identifying that message. The transmittal condition database stores the message ID of a target message in association with message IDs of other related messages. When users request a message, the message searcher means searches all the messages and retrieves those messages whose user ID is the same as that of the requested message ID. The target messages are transmitted to only those users who operated the messages that are associated with the target message. For example, the advertisement message for the goods “ski suit” is associated with the advertisement message for the goods “skis”. The advertisement message for “ski suit” is supplied to only those users who operates the advertisement message for “skis”. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0038]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall hardware construction of the communication system according to the first embodiment.  
     [0039]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hardware construction of the terminal  10 .  
     [0040]FIG. 3 shows the functional construction of the software executed by the CPU  40  of the main body  14 .  
     [0041]FIG. 4 illustrates a display screen on the display  12 .  
     [0042]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the hardware construction of the connection manager  23 , the message manager  24 , and the host computer  30 .  
     [0043]FIG. 6 shows the hardware construction of the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0044]FIG. 7 shows part of the structure of the message user database  34 .  
     [0045]FIG. 8 shows part of the structure of the message user database  34 .  
     [0046]FIG. 9 shows part of the structure of the transmittal condition database  36 .  
     [0047]FIG. 10 shows part of the structure of the transmittal condition database  36 .  
     [0048]FIG. 11 shows a connection log  38 .  
     [0049]FIG. 12 shows a message access log  37 .  
     [0050]FIG. 13 shows a connection sequence among the terminal  10 , Internet  32 , and the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0051]FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the connection process of the terminal  10 , which is performed by the connection module  78 .  
     [0052]FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the connection process of the connection manager  23 .  
     [0053]FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the connection process of the message manager  24 .  
     [0054]FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the connection process of the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0055]FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the input process of the terminal  10  after the connection sequence.  
     [0056]FIG. 19 is a flow chart of the event process of the terminal  10  after the connection sequence.  
     [0057]FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the log statistic process of the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0058]FIG. 21 shows a sequence of purchasing goods using parameters assigned to users.  
     [0059]FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the statistical process for the message access log  37 .  
     [0060]FIG. 23 illustrates a message user file indicating the users who has operated messages.  
     [0061]FIG. 24 is a statistics file indicating the statistics of the operations to messages.  
     [0062]FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the input process of the terminal  10 .  
     [0063]FIG. 26 is a flow chart of the event process of the terminal  10  in the second embodiment.  
     [0064]FIG. 27 is a connection sequence in the third embodiment.  
     [0065]FIG. 28 is a connection sequence in the fourth embodiment.  
     [0066]FIG. 29 illustrates an example of the update information displayed on the display  12  according to the fourth embodiment.  
     [0067]FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the detailed process of update determination in the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0068]FIG. 31 is a part of a connection sequence in the fifth embodiment.  
     [0069]FIG. 32 is a part of a connection sequence in the fifth embodiment.  
     [0070]FIG. 33 illustrates an example of the update information displayed on the display  12  according to the fifth embodiment.  
     [0071]FIG. 34 is a flow chart of the update determination and the update process executed by the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0072]FIG. 35 is a block diagram of the overall system construction in the sixth embodiment.  
     [0073]FIG. 36 is a block diagram of the overall system construction in the seventh embodiment.  
     [0074]FIG. 37 is a block diagram of the overall system construction in the eighth embodiment.  
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OT THE PRESENT INVENTION  
     [0075] 1. First Embodiment  
     [0076] 1.1 Construction  
     [0077] 1.1.1 System Construction  
     [0078]FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of the communication system of the first embodiment. One or more terminals  10  are connected to each of the information providers  20  through the modems  16  and  18 , public network (communications network)  17  and a public network gateway  19 . The information provider  20  is administered by Internet provider, and is connected to a plurality of host computers  30  through Internet  32 . The information provider  20  is also connected to the pay system  35  through a dedicated line  29 .  
     [0079] In the pay system  35 , the message distribution apparatus  39  is connected to the computer of a credit card company through a closed network  27 , such as CAFIS™ (a preliminary communications network: a network for connecting the host computer of the credit card company with the user terminal). The message distribution apparatus  39  is also connected to a plurality of information providers  20  by a dedicated line. The message distribution apparatus  39  transmits information (i.e., messages) regarding goods, such as advertisements, which are offered by a store selling goods on the network. Messages may include still images, dynamic images, sound images or combinations thereof. Each message contains data, which represents the home page address of the store on the World Wide Web (WWW). The message manager  24  of the information provider  20  stores messages received from the message distribution apparatus  39  in association with an ID, such as the message URL, which it assigns to each message.  
     [0080] The host computer  30  stores a home page of each of the stores and its lower pages. The terminal  10  can receive information, such as home pages, from Internet  32  through Internet gateway  22  of the information provider  20 . The user can order goods by accessing the home page of a store and its lower pages. The terminal  10  can also receive messages from the message manager  24 . The message manager  24  reads a message from the message database  26  based on a request from the terminal  10 , and transmits the message to the terminal  10 . Each user has an Internet provider&#39;s user ID and a password for connecting to Internet gateway  22  through the public network gateway  19 , as well as a message user ID and a password for obtaining a message from the message manager  24 .  
     [0081] 1.1.2 Main body  14   
     [0082]FIG. 2 shows the hardware block diagram of the main body  14  of the terminal  10 . The CPU  40  operates based on a program stored in the RAM  44  and the ROM  42 . The timer  46  counts a predetermined period of time. The user inputs data though the input device  48 . The hard disk drive  50 , which is an example of the storage media, stores data (e.g. image data), user information, and programs to be operated by the CPU  40 .  
     [0083] The calendar IC  51  is backed up by the battery, and provides the current time and date to the CPU  40 . The floppy disk drive  52  reads data or programs from the floppy disk  56  and provides them to the CPU  40 . The CD-ROM drive  54  reads data or programs from the CD-ROM  58  and provides them to the CPU  40 . The main body  14  has an interface for connecting to the modem  16  and the display  12 .  
     [0084] 1.1.3 Software of Terminal  10   
     [0085]FIG. 3 shows the functional structure of the software, which is executed by the CPU  40 . The software is provided to the user from the recording medium, such as a floppy disk  56  or CD-ROM  58 , in which it is stored. The software stored in the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed in the hard disk drive  50  from the recording medium, and is read out by the RAM  44  to be executed by the CPU  40 .  
     [0086] The software stored in the recording medium and provided to the user (that is, the software to be installed in the hard disk drive  50 ) contains the communication module  73  including the PPP driver  70 , the TCP/IP driver  72 , the browser  74  and the message viewer  76 . The PPP driver  70  creates a data link on one physical line to the public network gateway  19  (FIG. 1). The browser  74  communicates with Internet gateway  22  through the TCP/IP driver  72  on the data link created by the PPP driver  70 . The browser  74  receives and displays images on the display  12 . Suitable examples of the browser  74  include NETSCAPE™ and MOSAIC™.  
     [0087] The message viewer  76  communicates with the message manager  24  through the TCP/IP driver  72  on the data link created by the PPP driver  70 . The message viewer  76  receives and displays images on the display  12 . The message viewer  76  contains the connection module  78  for connecting to the message manager  24 , the input processing unit  82  for processing the user input, and the event process module  84  for processing events, which occur due to the request inside or on the communication line.  
     [0088] 1.1.4 Display  12  of terminal  10   
     [0089]FIG. 4 is an example of the screen on the display  12  of FIG. 1. The window (browser window)  60  of the browser  74  and the window (message viewer window)  62  of the message viewer  76  are opened on the display  12 . The browser window  60  displays the information received from Internet  32 . The message viewer window  62  displays the message received from the message manager  24 . The message viewer window  62  displays a new message once every predetermined time interval, for example, once every minute.  
     [0090] The message viewer window  62  has a home page button  64 , a material request button  66 , a halt/resume button  68 , and a quit button  69 . When the home page button  64  is selected, the browser window  60  displays the home page corresponding to the message in the message viewer window  62 . When the material request button  66  is selected, the message manager  24  transfers informational materials concerning the goods advertised in the message displayed in the message viewer window  62 . The message viewer window  62  displays these informational materials. Within the display of the message and the informational materials there is a button for ordering the displayed goods.  
     [0091] 1.1.5 Connection Manager  23 , Message Manager  24 , and Host Computer  30   
     [0092]FIG. 5 is a hardware block diagram of the connection manager  23 , the message manager  24 , and the host computer  30  of FIG. 1. The CPU  90  operates based on the program stored in the RAM  94  and the ROM  92 . The timer  96  counts a predetermined time. The communication interface  98  processes inputs and outputs from the communication lines. The user inputs the data through the input device  100 . The database interface  102  connects various databases comprising the hard disk drive. The floppy disk drive  104  reads data or programs from the floppy disk  106  and provides them to the CPU  90 . The calendar IC provides the date and time to the CPU  90 . The display  108  displays the communication status for the operator.  
     [0093] 1.1.6 Message Distribution Apparatus  39   
     [0094]FIG. 6 shows the construction of the message distribution apparatus  39  of FIG. 1. The explanations of the reference numerals already explained are eliminated because the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding elements. The message distribution apparatus  39  has a message user database  34  storing the message user information, a transmittal condition database  36  storing the transmittal conditions for each message, and a connection log  38  storing communication records. A first communication interface for connecting to the closed network  27  and a second communication interface for connecting to the information provider  20  may be employed, instead of the communication interface  98 .  
     [0095] 1.1.7 Message User Database  34   
     [0096]FIGS. 7 and 8 show the construction of the message user database  34  of FIG. 6. The message user database  34  stores the ID and password of each message user, Internet provider IDs for identifying the respective information providers  20 , and a user ID (Internet provider&#39;s user ID) assigned to each user by an Internet provider and used when the user accesses Internet through that Internet provider. The message user database  34  also has, for each message display period, information about the user (user information) such as date of birth  312 , sex  314 , marital status  316 , occupation  318 , and address  320 .  
     [0097] In FIG. 8, the message user database  34  further has the user&#39;s credit card number, credit card expiration date, name, and the last communication date. Each user is assigned a parameter whose value is determined by the number of times the message is displayed in the message viewer window  62 . The message user database  34  stores parameters  336 ,  334 , and  332  representing the number of times the message is displayed for the current month, the previous month, and the month before that, respectively.  
     [0098] For example, the user inputs his user information in terminal  10  when using message viewer  76  for the first time or when installing message viewer  76  in the terminal  10 . The terminal  10  stores the input user information in the hard disk drive  50 , and sends the user information to the message manager  24 . The message manager  24  transmits the user information received from the user to the message distribution apparatus  39 . The message distribution apparatus  39  stores the user information in the message user database  34 . Age, occupation, marital status, income level and hobbies can also be stored as user information.  
     [0099] 1.1.8 Transmittal Condition Database  36   
     [0100]FIGS. 9 and 10 explain the construction of the transmittal condition database  36 . The transmittal condition database  36  stores the message URL which identifies each message and the corresponding communication conditions for each message. The transmittal condition database includes such information as the frequency of display for an individual user, the frequency of display for all users, the message display period, the age range of the users, the sex, marital status, occupation and address of an individual user, and the ID numbers of other messages which are closely related to the message.  
     [0101] In FIG. 10, every time a message is displayed in the message viewer window  62  of the user, the message provider of that message is charged a fee. Thus, each information provider  20  has a charge limit  210  and an absolute limit  220 . The charge limit  210  stores the limit for each message displayed for each user. The absolute limit  220  stores the total charge limit for each message being provided to the all users of the information provider  20 .  
     [0102] The charge limit  210  has a message unit price  212  which is charged for a message when the message is displayed for the information provider  20  user, a button unit fee  214  which is charged for the message when the button is clicked in the message, a term  216  which indicates a predetermined time period, a term limit  217  which is a limit of total charges for the period determined by the term  216 , and a total limit  218  which is a limit of total charges for each message displayed to the users of the same information provider  20 .  
     [0103] When receiving a request from the terminal  10 , the message distribution apparatus  39  reads the user information from the message user database  34  and searches for a message from the transmittal condition database  36  using the user information. Then, the message distribution apparatus  39  sends the URL of the messages it has found to the terminal  10 . Thus, the URL of messages suitable for each user (for example, advertisements for goods which are suitable for the user based on his characteristics and which are related to goods the user has already shown an interest in) can be transmitted to each terminal  10 .  
     [0104]FIG. 11 shows an example of connection log  38 . The connection log records, for each provider user ID, the provider ID, events, such as a logon or charge stop, and the date and time of occurrence of the events. While the user is not charged for accessing the information provider, a message is displayed on the terminal  10 , and the message distributor charges the message fee to the message provider. The user connection fee is paid to Internet provider by the message distribution apparatus  39 . In other words, users of Internet provider can access Internet for free on the condition of recognizing messages. For example, FIG. 11 indicates that the charge on the user XXX, who uses an Internet provider, was stopped after logon. The message distribution apparatus  39  determines the period of time between logon and charge stop based on the connection log  38 , and pays the connection fee corresponding to that time period to Internet provider.  
     [0105]FIG. 12 shows the structure of the message access log  37 . The message access log  37  records the user&#39;s operations to messages. The message distribution apparatus  39  stores the message user ID of the user who displays the message, the message ID of the displayed message, the date and time when the message is operated, and the operation type. When the operation is to display a message, operation type “1” is stored. If the operation is to display a home page linked to that message, then operation type “2” is stored. If the operation is to request materials, operation type “3” is stored. The message distribution apparatus  39  can charge the message fee for displaying the message on the message viewer window  62  to the message provider.  
     [0106] 1.2 Connection Operation  
     [0107] 1.2.1 Connection Sequence  
     [0108] In reference to FIG. 13, the connection sequences among the terminal  10 , the connection manager  23 , the message manager  24 , the message distribution apparatus  39 , Internet gateway  22 , and Internet  32  are explained. When the communication module  73  of the terminal  10  requests a PPP connection (S 102 ), the connection manager  23  inquires of the provider user database  25  whether the received provider user ID and the provider user password have been already registered (SI  04 ).  
     [0109] If the user ID and the password have been registered, the connection manager  23  sends a PPP connection allowance to the terminal  10  (S 106 ) and informs the message manager  24  of the provider user ID (S 108 ). If the PPP connection is allowed, the browser  74  of the terminal  10  connects to Internet gateway  22  by a TCP/IP connection (S 110 ), and communicates with Internet  32  through Internet gateway  22  (S 112 ). The connection module  78  of the message viewer  76  also connects to the message manager  24  by a TCP/IP connection (S 114 ). Then, the message manager  24  requests approval information (identification) from the message viewer  76  of the terminal  10  (S 118 ).  
     [0110] Upon receiving the request for approval information (identification), the connection module  78  of the message viewer  76  sends the message user ID and the password as the approval information to the message manager  24  (S 120 ). The message manager  24  sends the provider user ID received from the connection manager  23 , the message user ID and the password received from the message viewer  76 , and the provider ID of the information provider  20  to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 121 ). Then, the message distribution apparatus  39  determines whether the received message user ID and the password are stored in the message user database  34  (S 122 ). If the message user ID and the password are stored, the message distribution apparatus  39  sends the connection allowance to the message viewer  76  (S 124 ).  
     [0111] Since separate data links are established between the browser  74  and Internet  32 , and between the message viewer  76  and the message manager  24 , each link can communicate independently. The communication method between the browser  74  and Internet  32  is known. Thus, the explanation of this is not given here. The message viewer  76  requests the message URL periodically from the message distribution apparatus  39  using the timer  46  (S 134 ). When the message viewer  76  receives the message URL searched by the message distribution apparatus  39 , the message viewer  76  requests the message corresponding to the message URL from the message manager  24  (S 136 ).  
     [0112] The message manager  24  searches for the corresponding message from the message database  26 , and sends the message to the message viewer  76  (S 136 ). The transmitted message includes, for example, advertisements of goods. Users can order the goods advertised. The communication between Internet  32  and the browser  74  is inexpensive but unreliable because the communication is made through multiple computers within Internet. On the other hand, the communication between the message viewer  76 , the message manager  24 , and the message distribution apparatus  39  is highly reliable because of the dedicated line.  
     [0113] 1.2.2 Connection Operation of Terminal  10   
     [0114]FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the terminal  10  in the connection sequence shown in FIG. 13. The connection module  78  of the message viewer  76  performs this process. First, the connection module  78  starts the communication module  73  (S 210 ). Then, the communication module  73  makes a PPP connection to the public network gateway  19  by using the provider user ID and the provider user password (S 210 ). After the PPP connection is confirmed (S 212 ), the connection module  78  starts the browser  74  (S 214 ). Then, the browser  74  makes a TCP/IP connection to Internet gateway  22 . Then, the connection module  78  makes a TCP/IP connection to the message manager  24  by using an independent TCP/IP port number of the message viewer  76  (S 216 ).  
     [0115] The browser  74  and the message viewer  76  can communicate with Internet gateway  22  and the message database  26  respectively and independently, by theoretically independent links using separate TCP/IP port numbers. Thus, the message viewer  76  can display messages without the terminal losing the function of the existing browser. Afterwards, when the message manager  24  requests confirmation (S 218 ), the message user ID and the message user password are sent as the confirmation (S 220 ).  
     [0116] If the message manager  24  allows the connection (S 222 ), a simple information request is sent out (S 224 ). The simple information request is a signal requesting the terminal  10  to send a message quickly. When the simple information request is received, the message manager  24  selects an appropriate message URL from the message database  26  and sends it to the terminal  10 . The terminal  10  receives the URL (S 226 ) and requests the corresponding image (S 228 ). The terminal  10  stores the received image in the image buffer provided in the RAM  44  of the terminal  10 .  
     [0117] In the case of a simple information request, messages corresponding to the user data stored in the message user database  34  are not searched for. Therefore, the time required for the first message display is shortened, and the period in which no image is displayed in the message viewer window is shortened. However, in other embodiments, messages may be searched for based on a part of the user data when a simple information request is received. Messages can be searched for quickly by employing less strict message search conditions.  
     [0118] Next, the connection module  78  activates the timer  46  (S 230 ). The timer  46  shows the time at which a new message is to be displayed. Then, the connection module processes the inputs from the user and the public network  17  by starting the input processing unit  82 .  
     [0119] 1.2.3 Connection Operation of the Connection Manager  23   
     [0120]FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the connection manager  23  in the connection sequence shown in FIG. 13. When a PPP connection is requested from the terminal  10  through the public network gateway  19  (S 310 ), the connection manager  23  requests the provider user ID and the password from the terminal  10  and receives them (S 312 ). Then, the connection manager  23  inquires of the provider user database  25  whether the provider user ID and the password, which have been received, are registered (S 314 ).  
     [0121] The provider user database  25  stores each provider user ID and corresponding provider user password. When the provider user ID and the password received are not registered in the provider user database  25 , the connection manager  23  disconnects (S 318 ) and finishes the process (S 330 ). When the provider user ID and the password are registered in the provider user database  25 , the connection manager  23  allows the PPP connection to the terminal  10  (S 322 ) and sends the connection allowance to the message manager  24  (S 324 ), and then finishes the process (S 330 ).  
     [0122] 1.2.4 Connection Operation of the Message Manager  24   
     [0123]FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the operation of the message manager  24  in the connection sequence shown in FIG. 13. When the connection allowance is received from the connection manager  23 , the message manager  24  stores the received provider ID in the RAM  94  (S 812 ). Then the timer  96  starts (S 814 ) and the message manager  24  determines whether a TCP/IP connection is established (S 816 ). If a TCP/IP connection is not established, the message manager  24  waits (S 816 , S 818 ). The process ends if the timer  96  runs out (S 818 ) while waiting (S 820 ).  
     [0124] When a TCP/IP connection is established, the message manager  24  requests approval information from the message viewer  76  (S 822 ). The timer  96  is reset to start a new count (S 824 ). If the timer  96  runs out before the approval information is received (S 828 ), the process ends (S 830 ). When the approval information is received (S 826 ), the message manager  24  reads the provider user ID from the RAM  94  and sends it to the message distribution apparatus  39  along with the provider ID which identifies the provider, the message user ID and the message user password received from the message viewer  76  (S 834 ). Then, the message manager  24  communicates with the message viewer  76  and the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 836 ).  
     [0125] 1.2.5 Connection Operation of the Message Distribution Apparatus  39   
     [0126]FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the message distribution apparatus  39  in the connection sequence shown in FIG. 13. When the message distribution apparatus  39  receives the message user ID and the message user password from the message manager  24  (S 410 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  asks the message user database  34  whether the message user ID and the password have been registered (S 412 ). If the message user ID and the password have not been registered, the message distribution apparatus  39  asks the message viewer  76  whether to register a new user is to be registered (S 414 ). To register a new user, the user information is received through the message viewer  76  and stored in the message user database  34  (S 416 ). The message user ID and message user password are given to the new user (S 418 ).  
     [0127] When a new user is not to be registered (S 414 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  requests approval information, such as the message user ID and the password, from the message viewer  76  again (S 420 ), waits until the approval information is received (S 422 ), then returns to S 412 . If the message user ID and the password are approved (S 422 ), a connection allowance is sent out (S 424 ). Then the provider ID received from the message manager  24  is read (S 428 ). The message user ID and the provider user ID are set independently. Thus, even when the message user has contracts with multiple providers, the information provider  20  which the user is currently using can be distinguished. The connection manager  23  charges the information provider  20  indicated by the provider user ID for the message.  
     [0128] 1.3 Operations after Connection  
     [0129] 1.3.1 Operations of Terminal  10  after Connection:  
     [0130]FIG. 18 shows the operation flow chart of the input process of the terminal  10  after the connection sequence. The input-processing unit  82  of the message viewer  76  executes this operation. If the home page button or the material request button is selected (S 512 ), the timer  46  is cleared (S 514 ). This prevents the message from being changed during the user&#39;s operation. The terminal  10  displays the user&#39;s address in the message viewer window to obtain the user&#39;s confirmation (S 516 ). When the address is confirmed (S 518 ), the terminal  10  directs the message distribution apparatus  39  to mail the material to the user&#39;s address (S 520 ).  
     [0131] If the material request button is not selected at S 512 , it is determined whether the home page button has been selected (S 522 ). If the home page button has been selected, the timer  46  is cleared (S 524 ), and the URL of the home page is transferred to the browser  74  (S 526 ). The fact that the home page button has been selected is transmitted to the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0132] If it is determined at S 522  that the home page button has not been selected, an inquiry is sent to the operations system about whether the user is active (S 532 ). If there is no action from the user for a predetermined period of time, the operation system determines that the user is not active. If there is action from the user within the predetermined period of time, the operation system determines that the user is active. Alternatively, if any operation, such as scrolling, occurs, or any response is made to the displayed message within the predetermined period of time, it may be determined that the user is active.  
     [0133] The RAM  44  has an activity flag, which indicates whether the user is active or inactive. If the user is active (S 532 ), and if the activity flag is still indicating NO (“0”) (S 534 ), this means that the user&#39;s state has changed from inactive to active. In this case, a restoration event notice is sent to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 536 ) to change the activity flag to YES (“1”) (S 538 ).  
     [0134] If the user is active (S 532 ), and if the activity flag is indicating YES (S 534 ), this means that the user&#39;s state has remained active without change. In this case, no restoration event notice is issued (S 536 ). If the user is active at S 532 , terminal event processing is executed, regardless of the state of the activity flag (S 540 ).  
     [0135] If the user is inactive (S 532 ), it is detected whether the user&#39;s state has changed (S 542 ). If the user&#39;s state has changed, a restoration event notice is transmitted to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 544 ) to change the activity flag to NO (S 546 ). If the user&#39;s state has not changed, the activity flag is not changed. If the user is inactive (S 532 ), terminal event processing is not executed (S 540 ).  
     [0136] 1.3.2 Event Process of Terminal  10   
     [0137]FIG. 19 shows the details of the event processing (S 540 ) of the terminal  10 . The event process module  84  of the message viewer  76  performs this process. If there are more than a predetermined number of empty spaces in the queue (S 554 ), a URL request is transmitted (S 556 ). Upon receiving the URL (S 558 ), the terminal  10  stacks the URL in the queue (S 560 ). If there is an empty space in the message buffer (S 562 ), the terminal  10  requests the message manager  24  to send the message, using the URL which has been stacked at the head of the queue  84  (S 564 ). Upon receiving the message (S 566 ), the terminal  10  stores the message in the message buffer (S 588 ).  
     [0138] When the timer  46  runs out (S 570 ), the message which was received earliest in the image buffer is displayed (S 574 ). The terminal  10  transmits data indicating the URL of the displayed message and the fact that the message was displayed, to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 578 ), and resets the timer  46  (S 580 ). The operation returns to S 512  of FIG. 18 to process the input (S 590 ). If the user is inactive, the terminal event processing (S 540 ) is not executed.  
     [0139] When the user is inactive, no request for a URL is transmitted to the message distribution apparatus  39 , nor is a request for a message transmitted to the message manager  24 . Furthermore, when the user is inactive, any received URL or message is not stored in the memory. Even when a message has been received, the message is not displayed. Therefore, when the user is inactive, no notice that a message has been displayed is transmitted to the message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0140] 1.3.3 Operation of Message Distribution Apparatus  39  after Connection  
     [0141]FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operations of the message distribution apparatus  39  after the connection sequence. Upon receiving a URL request from the terminal  10  (S 710 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  reads the provider ID and the provider user ID of the user who transmitted the URL out of the connection log  38  (S 712 ). Next, the message distribution apparatus  39  searches for and reads out the user information from the message user database  34  based on the provider user ID (S 714 ).  
     [0142] Then, the message distribution apparatus  39  searches the transmittal condition database  36  for message URLs based on the user information (S 716 ). In this manner, messages are retrieved for each user that are suitable to the user based on his characteristics as indicated by his user information. If other messages are designated in the “relevant message” field in the transmittal condition database  36 , the provider user IDs of those users who read the home page associated with the message or who requested the material of the message, is read out from the message user file.  
     [0143] Then, appropriate messages are searched for on the condition that the provider user ID read out in S 712  is registered in the message user file. Therefore, messages are efficiently transmitted to precisely those users whose characteristics are appropriate for the messages. Of the retrieved messages, those messages for which the amount charged to the information provider  20  for the current term does not exceed the term limit  217 , the total amount charged to the information provider  20  does not exceed the total limit  218 , and the sum of the amounts charged to all the information providers  20  does not exceed the absolute limit  220 , are selected (S 718 ).  
     [0144] If the URL search makes a hit (S 720 ), the message URL is transmitted to the terminal  10  (S 724 ). If the search does not make a hit (S 720 ), a message URL whose parameter value is “0” is selected from the message data transmittal condition database  36  (S 722 ), which is then transmitted to the terminal  10  (S 724 ). When the message distribution apparatus  39  receives a message display report from the terminal  10  (S 730 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  searches for that message, based on the message URL contained in the message display report (S 732 ), and charges the message unit price  212  for that message (S 734 ). The message distribution apparatus  39  further reads out the parameter value of the message to add it to the user&#39;s parameter  336  for the current month (S 736 ).  
     [0145] When a material request is sent from the message viewer  76  (S 740 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  instructs the message provider to send the material to the user (S 742 ). The message distribution apparatus  39  also reads the button unit charge  214  for that message out of the transmittal condition database  36  to charge for the message (S 744 ).  
     [0146] When a home page request is sent from the message viewer  76  (S 750 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  reads the button unit charge  214  for that message out of the transmittal condition database  36  to charge for the message (S 752 ). Every time the user operates a button within the message viewer window to request material or open a home page, the message provider is charged. Alternatively, button unit charging rates for material requests and home page displays may be established in the transmittal condition database  36 , and the amount corresponding to the selected button may be charged to the message provider.  
     [0147] 1.4 Usage of Parameters  332 ,  334 , and  336   
     [0148]FIG. 21 shows how to use the parameters  332 ,  334  and  336  assigned to the user. A parameter is assigned to each user. The user can increase the value of the parameter every time he displays the message on the display screen, and can make payment for goods on the host computer  30  using the parameter. The user orders goods from the host computer  30  on Internet  32  through the browser  74  (S 150 ). Examples of such goods include image data, document data and sound data which are to be delivered on-line, and products which are to be delivered off-line, for example, by mail. The user may also purchase a subscription to a magazine, etc. In response to an order request from the user (S 150 ), the host computer  30  sends back an order receipt response (S 152 ).  
     [0149] The order receipt response (S 152 ) requires the message viewer  76  as a helper application device. The order receipt response received at the message viewer  76  (S 1154 ) is transferred to the message manager  24  (S 156 ). Then, the message manager  24  requests the message distribution apparatus  39  to pay for the order (S 158 ). The message distribution apparatus  39  checks the remaining value of the user&#39;s parameter based on the user ID (S 160 ).  
     [0150] If the value of the user&#39;s parameter is sufficient to pay for the goods, the message distribution apparatus  39  transmits a payment acceptance response to the message manager  24  (S 162 ). The message manager  24  then sends ordering data to the host computer  30  (S 164 ). The host computer  30  stores the ordering data in the RAM  94  to be used for the process of transmitting or mailing the goods (S 166 ). The host computer  30  transmits a purchase notice to the message manager  24  (S 168 ).  
     [0151] The message manager  24  compares the ordering data and the payment amount which were contained in the order receipt response received at S 156  with the ordering data and the payment amount which were sent from the host computer  30  at S 168 , to determine whether they are in agreement with each other (S 169 ). If they match, the message manager  24  determines that the ordering process has been appropriately executed, and transmits the purchase notice to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 170 ). Then, the message distribution apparatus  39  subtracts the amount necessary to pay for the goods from the value of the user&#39;s parameters, in the order of the parameter  332  (of two months prior),  334  (of the prior month), and  336  (of the current month) (S 170 ). The message distribution apparatus  39  also records the requirement for payment in the user&#39;s log (S 172 ).  
     [0152] If the data do not match at S 169 , the message manager  24  determines that there is an error in the order receipt response of S 156 , and transmits a specification of the goods ordered and the payment amount received at S 168  to the message viewer  76 . If the message manager  24  receives a confirmation of the goods ordered and the payment amount from the message viewer  76 , the message manager  24  transmits a purchase notice to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 170 ). If the message manager  24  does not receive a confirmation, the message manager  24  instructs the host computer  30  to cancel the order.  
     [0153] Upon receiving a purchase notice from the message manager  24  (S 170 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  records the goods and the price in the user&#39;s log to execute the payment (S 172 ). Then, the message distribution apparatus  39  notifies the message manager  24  of the completion of recording in the log (S 174 ). The message manager  24  further notifies the message viewer  76  that the purchase of the goods has been recorded in the log (S 176 ). The message viewer  76  records the list of the purchased goods in the RAM  44  and in the hard disk drive  50 .  
     [0154] When the user wishes to check the goods that he has already purchased, the message viewer  76  reads out the list of the goods from the hard disk drive  50  and displays the list on the display  12 . If the user selects goods, which can be delivered on-line, the message viewer  76  checks whether the goods have already been stored in the hard disk drive  50 . If the goods are in the hard disk drive  50 , the message viewer  76  reads out the goods to output. If the goods have not been stored in the hard disk drive  50  yet, the message viewer  76  downloads the goods from the host computer  30  through the browser  74  to store them in the hard disk drive  50 , and at the same time, the message viewer  76  outputs the data on the display  12 .  
     [0155] When the host computer  30  receives a request for downloading the goods, for which a purchase notice was issued at S 166 , the host computer  30  transmits the goods, for example, image data, sound data, text data, etc. to the message viewer  76 . In the preferred embodiment, if the value of the user&#39;s parameters  332 ,  334 ,  336  is sufficient, the user can purchase goods from the host computer  30 . Since the value of the parameter is increased by displaying the message on the message viewer  76 , or by selecting a button in the message viewer window, the user can obtain goods from the host computer  30  for free by having the message frequently displayed on the message viewer  76  or by operating a button within the message viewer window.  
     [0156] If the value of the user parameters is not sufficient for purchasing the desired goods, the message distribution apparatus  39  informs the message viewer  76  that the balance is to be charged to the user&#39;s credit card account. If an approval is sent from the message viewer  76 , the message distribution apparatus  39  reads out the user&#39;s credit card number and the expiration date from the message user database  34 . These data are transmitted through the closed network  27  to the credit card corporation, and the balance is charged by the credit card corporation. When a credit card is used, the credit card number and the expiration date are transmitted only within the closed network, where the data is more secure than in Internet.  
     [0157] The information provider  20  may charge a user&#39;s information fee to the message distribution apparatus  39 . In this case, the message distribution apparatus  39  would subtract the information fee from the value of the user&#39;s parameters. If the value of the user&#39;s parameters is not sufficient, the balance is charged to the user&#39;s credit card account by the credit card corporation through the closed network  27 . When the user displays a message on the message viewer  76  or operates a button within the message viewer window, the value of the user&#39;s parameter is increased. Therefore, the user can access the information provider  20  for free when the value of his parameters is sufficiently high. In other words, the user may access Internet  32  for free by opening the message viewer  76  frequently.  
     [0158] In this embodiment, if a user is inactive, no message is displayed on the message viewer  76 . This prevents an access fee from being charged to the message provider when the user does not view the display.  
     [0159] 1.5 Processing Message Access Log  37   
     [0160]FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the statistical process for the message access log  37 , which is executed by the message distribution apparatus  39 . The message distribution apparatus  39  executes the operations shown in this flowchart periodically, for example, once a month. First, one of the messages is selected (S 610 ), and the first item in the message access log  37  is selected (S 620 ). If the message ID of the item selected in S 620  is different from the message ID of the message selected in S 610  (S 630 ), the item does not correspond to that message, and therefore, the process returns to S 620  to select the next item.  
     [0161]FIG. 23 illustrates a message user file indicating the users who accessed a particular message. One message file is created for each message. The message file records the number of times a user displayed a message, the number of times the user displayed the home page which is linked to that message, and the number of times the user requested material offered in that message, in association with the message user ID of the user who accessed the message. If the message ID of the item selected in S 620  is the same as the message ID of the message selected in S 610  (S 630 ), then the distribution apparatus  39  determines whether or not the message user ID of the item selected in S 620  has already been registered in the message user file (S 640 ).  
     [0162] If the message user ID has not been registered yet, a record of that message user is added to the file, and the number of times the message image is displayed, the number of times the relevant home pages are displayed, and the number of times the material is requested are set to zero (S 650 ). Then, based on the item&#39;s access type (i.e., display of the message, display of relevant home pages, or request for material), the value of the corresponding field in the message user file is increased (S 660 ). The steps S 620  through S 660  are repeated until all of the items in the message access log  37  are checked (S 670 ), and the obtained message user files are output (S 675 ).  
     [0163]FIG. 24 is a statistics file showing the access statistics for each message. One statistics file is created for each message. The statistics file stores the access statistics for each group (e.g., male) represented by the user characteristics in the message user database. The statistic file stores, for example, for the group of male users, the number of times a message was displayed, the number of times the home page linked to the message was displayed, the number of users who displayed the home page, and the number of users who requested material.  
     [0164] Upon outputting the message user file (S 675 ), the message distribution apparatus  39  sums up the field of the message display numbers and the field of the home page display numbers to calculate the total number of times the message was displayed and the total number of times users accessed the home page. The number of users who displayed the message is counted. The number of users who never displayed the home page (users whose home page display number is zero) is subtracted from the number of users who displayed the message to obtain the number of users who displayed the home page. The number of users whose material request numbers are other than zero is counted.  
     [0165] The message distribution apparatus  39  searches the user characteristics of each of the listed users from the message user database, based on the message user IDs. The message distribution apparatus  39  creates a statistical table for each of the user characteristics, which contains the number of times the message was displayed, the number of times the home page was displayed, the number of users who displayed the message, the number of users who displayed the home page, and the number of users who requested material (S 680 ). The table is output to a file (S 690 ). The steps S 610  through S 695  are repeated for every message (S 695 ), and the process terminates. The reaction of message users to each message can be recorded in terms of the user characteristics.  
     [0166] 2. Second Embodiment  
     [0167] The network system structure of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The overall operation is also similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, only different operations will be explained.  
     [0168] 2.1 Operation of Terminal  10  after Connection  
     [0169]FIG. 25 shows the input process of the terminal  10 . The operation flow from S 512  through S 528  is the same as in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, event processing by the terminal  10  is performed regardless of whether the user is active (S 522 , S 540 ).  
     [0170] 2.2 Event Process of Terminal  10   
     [0171]FIG. 26 shows the details of the event processing (S 540 ) of the terminal  10 . The steps S 544  through S 570  and the steps S 578  and S 580  are the same as in the first embodiment. When the timer  46  runs out (S 570 ), it is determined whether the user is active (S 574 ). If the user is inactive, those messages whose parameter value is zero (“0”) are searched for from the message database and displayed (S 576 ). If the user is active, messages are successively displayed in the order of receipt (S 574 ).  
     [0172] In this embodiment, a message is displayed even when the user is inactive. However, because only those messages that have a parameter value of “0” are selected when the user is inactive, no value is added to user&#39;s parameter in the user database. The message provider is not charged for the message display when the user does not actively view the display screen.  
     [0173] 3. Third Embodiment  
     [0174] The network system construction of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The connection operation of the whole system is also similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the connection sequences among the terminal  10 , the connection manager  23 , and the message manager  24  are different from those of the first embodiment. Thus, only these points of difference are explained.  
     [0175]FIG. 27 shows a connection sequence of this embodiment. The processes from S 102  to S 112  are the same as the corresponding processes of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when the connection manager  23  allows the PPP connection, the connection module  78  of the message viewer  76  searches for a message manager  24  to which the TCP/IP connection can be made. For example, the connection module  78  searches the message managers  24  of all the information providers  20  to find one to which the connection module  78  can connect, using the IP addresses and port numbers corresponding to the message managers.  
     [0176] In this embodiment, when the user is to access Internet  32  through the connection manager  23 , the connection manager  23  notifies the message manager  24  that a data link has been established from the terminal  10  (S 108 ). After receiving the provider user ID sent from the connection manager  23  (S 108 ), the message manager  24  sends its own IP address and port number to the connection module  78  of the message viewer  76  (S 1113 ).  
     [0177] Based on the received IP address and the port number, the connection module  78  can immediately specify an appropriate information provider  20  and its message manager  24  to connect to. Then, the connection module  78  makes a TCP/IP connection to the message manager  24  using the received IP address and port number (S 114 ). The IP address specifies a specific information provider from among the many information providers  20 . The port number specifies one message manager from among the several communication modules in the information provider  20 .  
     [0178] According to this embodiment, the IP address and port number are given by the message manager  24 . Therefore, the connection module  78  can connect the terminal  10  to the appropriate message manager  24  quickly and correctly. Because the message viewer  76  can connect itself to the message manager  24  and execute subsequent operations independently of the browser  74 , existing general browsers (e.g., NETSCAPE™, MOSAIC™ and so on) can be used as the browser  74 .  
     [0179] 4. Fourth Embodiment  
     [0180] The network system construction of this embodiment is also the same as the system construction of the first embodiment. Thus, its explanation is eliminated. In the connection sequence of this embodiment, the IP address and the port number are sent from the message manager  24  to the connection module  78  as in the third embodiment. The update information is sent from the message distributor  39  to the message viewer  76  and displayed on the terminal. The display operation of the update information is explained in detail below.  
     [0181]FIG. 28 shows the connection sequence in this embodiment. As shown in S 113 , the IP address and the port number are sent from the message manager  24  to the connection module  78 . Other operations up to S 124  are the same as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the message distributor  39  decides whether the update information should be sent (S 126 ) after transmitting the connection allowance at S 124  (S 126 ). If the update information needs to be sent, the message distribution apparatus  39  sends the update information to the message viewer  76  (S 128 ).  
     [0182]FIG. 29 shows examples of the update information. The update information includes information about new services, such as newly available goods, and new software programs available by communication between the message viewer  76  and the message manager  24 . The update information is updated at irregular intervals by the message provider, the providers of the message distributor, or Internet providers, and is stored in the message distribution apparatus  39 . The condition for the message distribution apparatus  39  to send update information (S 126 ) is, for example, that update information which has never been sent to the user exists. In order to determine if this condition is satisfied, the message distribution apparatus  39  compares the last communication time with the last update time in the message user DB  34 . When the last communication time is before the last update time, the message distributor  39  determines that there is update information, which has not been sent and sends this update information.  
     [0183]FIG. 30 shows in detail the process wherein the message distributor determines whether to send the update information (S 126 ). First, the message distribution apparatus  39  reads the last communication time from the message user DB  34  (S 910 ). Then, the message distribution apparatus  39  determines whether the last communication time is within two hours of the present time (S 920 ). Specifically, the last communication time is compared with the time two hours before the present time. If the last communication time is more than two hours before the present time, then the process S 930  is executed. On the other hand, if the last communication time is within 2 hours of the present time, the process ends (S 970 ) in order to avoid displaying the update information too frequently. In this case, the time at which the message viewer  76  and the message manager  24  connect is not recorded as the last communication time. Thus, repeated displays of the update information within a predetermined time interval may be avoided.  
     [0184] When the user frequently repeats connecting and disconnecting the message viewer  76  and the message manager  24 , the user may feel that update information does not need to be displayed at every connection. Thus, if the user reconnects within a predetermined time from the last communication time, the update information is not displayed. Thus, too frequent displays of the update information may be avoided.  
     [0185] In S 930 , the last update time and the last communication time are compared. If the last update time is later than the last communication time, the update information provided at the last update time is selected (S 940 ). The selected update information is sent to the message viewer  76  from the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 950 ). When the update information is sent, the last communication time in the message user DB  34  is reset to the current time (S 960 ), and this process ends (S 970 ).  
     [0186] As a modification of this embodiment, the update information may be sent a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) to the user. In this case, the last several communication times are recorded into the memory. Then, the oldest communication time in the memory is compared to the update time of the update information. All update information, which was updated after the oldest communication time, is sent to the users.  
     [0187] 5. Fifth Embodiment  
     [0188] The network system construction of this embodiment is also the same as that of the first embodiment. Thus, its explanation is omitted. In the connection sequence of this embodiment, the IP address and the port number are sent from the message manager  24  to the connection module  78 . The update information is sent from the message distributor  39  to the message viewer  76 , and displayed on the message viewer  76 . In this embodiment, a new message viewer can be obtained when information about the new message viewer module is transmitted as update information.  
     [0189]FIG. 31 shows a part of the connection sequence in this embodiment. The process up to S 128  is basically the same as that of the fourth embodiment. However, in this embodiment, an upgraded message viewer  76  is sent to the terminal  10 . For this purpose, in addition to the message user ID and the password, the version of the message viewer  76  and the OS type of the terminal  10  are transmitted at the time approval is transmitted at S 120 .  
     [0190]FIG. 32 shows the rest of the connection sequence. When the update information about the upgraded message viewer  76  is transmitted (S 128 ), the update information is displayed on the terminal  10 .  
     [0191]FIG. 33 shows an example of this update information. In the update information window, there is a button to download the software for upgrading the message viewer  76 . The user sends an update response, indicating whether he wishes to obtain the message viewer  76 , to the message distribution apparatus  39  (S 130 ). The message distribution apparatus  39  determines whether to download the software according to the update response (S 131 : update). If the message distribution apparatus  39  determines that the software is to be downloaded, the software is sent to the connection module  78  of the message viewer  76  (S 132 : download).  
     [0192] The user can obtain the software to upgrade the message viewer  76  by the above process. In this way, the message viewer  76  is switched (S 133 ), and the upgraded message viewer  76  controls the communication and image display. The user may also obtain other software by communication between the message viewer  76  and the message distribution apparatus  39 . After the software is sent from the message distribution apparatus  39 , it is stored in the hard disk drive  50  of the terminal  10 .  
     [0193]FIG. 34 shows the process of determining whether to send update information (S 126 ) and the update process (S 131 ), which are performed by the message distribution apparatus  39 . First, it is determined whether the received message viewer module version is the newest (S 1010 ). If the version is the newest, this process ends (S 1070 ). If the version is not the newest, the update information about the new message viewer module is selected (S 1020 ) and sent (S 1030 ). Then it is determined whether there is a downloading request in response to the update information (S 1040 ). If downloading is not requested, this process ends (S 1070 ). If downloading is requested, the newest message viewer module is selected (S 1050 ) according to the OS type of the terminal  10 , and the selected message viewer module is sent to the terminal  10  (S 1060 ). By the above process, users may easily obtain desired software.  
     [0194] In the fourth and fifth embodiments, as described above, the message distribution apparatus  39  determined whether to send the update information. However, as an alternative, the message manager  24  may carry out this process. In such a case, the message manager  24  uses the last communication time and the last update time received from the message distribution apparatus  39 , and decides whether to send the update information. When the message manager  24  controls sending the update information, the burden on the message distribution apparatus  39  is reduced.  
     [0195] 6. Sixth Embodiment  
     [0196]FIG. 35 shows the structure of the overall system in accordance with the sixth embodiment. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the message database  26  is here connected to the message distribution apparatus  39 , instead of being connected to the message manager  24 . Accordingly, in this embodiment, message requests from the message viewer  76  are transmitted through the message manager  24  to the message distribution apparatus  39 . The message manager  24  performs merely connection and communication between the message distribution apparatus  39  and the message viewer  76 .  
     [0197] In this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a message database  26  for each of the plurality of information providers  20 . This embodiment can also simplify the structure of the message manager  24 . These factors lead to a less expensive system structure. Furthermore, since only a single message database  26  is provided in the overall system, maintenance of the message database  26  can be facilitated. Even if the message distribution apparatus  39  and the information provider  20  are located physically apart far from each other, for example, in different countries, the message database  26  is maintained in the location where the message distribution apparatus  39  is established. This results in reduced maintenance costs.  
     [0198] On the other hand, in the first and second embodiments, the load on the message distribution apparatus  39  and on the dedicated line  29  is lightened. Therefore, in a situation where the frequency of access to the message database  26  is higher, the structure of the first or second embodiment can operate more effectively.  
     [0199] 7. Seventh Embodiment  
     [0200]FIG. 36 shows the overall structure of the system according to the seventh embodiment. Unlike the sixth embodiment, the message distribution apparatus  39  is connected to the information provider  20  through Internet  32 , instead of via the dedicated line  29 . Also, the system of this embodiment does not include message managers  24 . Accordingly, message requests sent from the message viewers  76  are forwarded to the message distribution apparatus  39  through Internet gateways  22 .  
     [0201] In this structure, the information providers  20  do not need message managers  24 , resulting in less expensive system structure. The system is established by utilizing existing Internet providers as information providers  20 . Even if the message distribution apparatus  39  is provided in only a limited number of countries, the service can be provided wherever Internet exists anywhere in the world.  
     [0202] On the other hand, the structure of the first and second embodiments can reduce the burden on the message distribution apparatus  39  and the dedicated line  29 . Therefore, in a situation where the frequency of access to the message database  26  is higher, the system of the first or second embodiment can operate more effectively.  
     [0203] 8. Eighth Embodiment  
     [0204]FIG. 37 shows the overall structure of the system according to the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, a BBS, such as COMPUSERVE™, NIFTY-SERVE™, AOL™, etc., is used as an information provider  20 , instead of connecting to Internet  32 . The information provider  20  charges the BBS information fee for each user to the message distribution apparatus  39 . The message distribution apparatus  39  determines whether the value of the user&#39;s parameter is sufficiently high to pay the information fee. If the value of the user&#39;s parameter is adequate, the message distribution apparatus  39  pays the information fee to the information provider  20 , deducting from the value of user&#39;s parameter. If the value of the user&#39;s parameter is too low to pay the information fee, the balance is charged to the user&#39;s credit card account via the closed network  27 .  
     [0205] The user may access such a BBS for free by frequently displaying a given message on the message viewer  76 , as explained above.  
     [0206] 9. Ninth Embodiment  
     [0207] In the above-described embodiments, every time a message is displayed on the user&#39;s message viewer  76 , the value of the user&#39;s parameter is increased, and an information fee for the message is charged. However, as an alternative embodiment, the value of the user&#39;s parameter may be increased and an information fee for the message may be charged only when the user takes some action with regard to the displayed message. This can prevent the situation where the value of the user&#39;s parameter is increased and an information fee for the message is charged even though the user has not viewed the message.  
     [0208] Alternatively, the value of the user&#39;s parameter may be increased and an information fee for the message may be charged, only when the user&#39;s response to the content of the message is proper. For example, a question, to which the user can certainly give a correct answer based on the content of the displayed message, may be displayed in an area of the message. The value of the user&#39;s parameter would be increased only when the user inputs a correct answer. In other words, the value of the user&#39;s parameter would be increased and an information fee for the message would be charged only when the user reads the message.  
     [0209] Either the message viewer  76  or the message distribution apparatus  39  may be used to determine whether the user&#39;s response is correct. If the message viewer  76  is used for the determination, this does not make traffic on the communications network heavier, and no extra burden is put on the message distribution apparatus  39 . If the message distribution apparatus  39  is used for the determination, no extra burden is put on the message viewer  76 , and the determination sequence for deciding whether the user&#39;s response is correct can easily be changed simply by updating the software of the single message distribution apparatus  39 .  
     [0210] 10. Tenth Embodiment  
     [0211] The method of increasing the value of the user&#39;s parameter of the ninth embodiment may be combined with that of embodiments 1 through 5. For example, the value of the parameter is increased by a first predetermined amount when the message is displayed, by a second predetermined amount only when a button in the message viewer window is operated, and by a third predetermined amount only when the user&#39;s response to the message is correct. The amount of increase in the value of the parameter is charged to the message provider. The charge for the message is determined according to an expectation value, which indicates the extent to which the message attracts the user&#39;s attention.  
     [0212] 11. Eleventh Embodiment  
     [0213] Although, in the above-described embodiments the payment system  35  pays for the goods by using a credit card, the payment system of the invention covers any system which has the function of paying the bill for the goods to the store. For example, the system may transfer money from the user&#39;s bank account to the store, or withdraw money from the user&#39;s account and transfer it to the bank account of the payment system, and then, further transfer it to the store.  
     [0214] Although, in the above-described embodiments the browser  74  displays home page information of Internet  32 , the browser  74  may be an Internet telephone or Internet TV phone which communicates by voice with Internet  32 .  
     [0215] Although the message user database  34 , the transmittal condition database  36  and the connection log  38  are shown as separate disc devices, they may be stored in a single device. The relationships among the data of the respective fields can be made in various file structures. For example, the message user database  34 , the transmittal condition database  36  and the connection log  38  may be arranged in different areas of a single file.  
     [0216] The floppy disk  56  or the CD-ROM  58 , as examples of the recording media, can store a portion or all of the functions of the operation flow of the terminal  10 . If a portion of the function of the information provider  20 , the host computer  30  or the payment system  35  is to be executed by the terminal  10 , the portion that is executed by the terminal  10  can be stored in the floppy disk  56  or the CD-ROM  58 . The floppy disk  106  may store a portion or all of the functions of the devices other than the information provider  20 , the host computer  30  and the payment system  35 . The stored programs may be read out from the recording medium directly to the RAM for execution, or may be installed in the hard disc drive first, and then read out to the RAM for execution. The programs may be stored in a single recording medium, or in a plurality of recording media. The programs may be stored in an encoded form.  
     [0217] In addition to floppy disks and CD-ROM, the recording media used in the invention may include optical recording media, such as DVDs, magnetic recording media, such as MDs, magneto-optical recording media, such as PDs, tape media, and semiconductor memory, such as IC cards and miniature cards. Also, the storage, such as a hard disc drive or the RAM provided in the information provider  20 , the message distribution apparatus  39 , or the host computer  30 , may be used as the recording medium. If this is the case, the programs are supplied to the terminal  10  through the communications network. All such recording media are used exclusively to manufacture the terminal  10 , the message manager  24  or the message distribution apparatus  39 . Therefore, it is obvious that the manufacture and sale of such recording media will constitute infringement of the patent rights based on the present invention.  
     [0218] Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.  
     [0219] For example, a portion of the function of the information provider  20 , the message distribution apparatus  39 , or the host computer  30  can be executed by the terminal  10  to reduce the load on the information provider  20 , the message distribution apparatus  39 , or the host computer  30 . Alternatively, a portion of the function of the terminal  10  may be executed by the information provider  20 , the message distribution apparatus  39 , or the host computer  30  to reduce the burden on the terminal  10 . It is clear that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0220] The value of the parameter assigned to the user increases as the user displays or operates on a message. If the value of the user&#39;s parameter is sufficiently high, the message distributor pays the user&#39;s connection fee or the price of the goods purchased by the user to Internet or the BBS using the value of the user&#39;s parameter. The user may access the communications network, such as Internet or a BBS for free, or buy goods from the communications network for free, by frequently displaying messages on the terminal.  
     INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION  
     [0221] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a message provider can acquire a number of subscribers by offering the service of Internet or a BBS for free. The message provider can provide each message to those for whom the message is suitable. Therefore, an information fee is charged only for those messages, which attract the user&#39;s attention. Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the system providers can reliably provide update information to users.