Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing – Accessing a remote server
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-19
2004-06-15
Vu, Viet D. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
Accessing a remote server
C709S224000, C719S329000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06751656
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a service providing apparatus for identifying a desirable service to be provided to a user from a large number of provided services such as broadcasting programs in a cable television (CATV), an interactive television and the Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and to a service receiving apparatus, a service providing host, a computer-readable recording medium for storing a selected-service receiving program, a computer-readable recording medium for storing a selected-service transmitting program, a service selecting method in a service receiving apparatus, and a method for transmitting a selected service in a service providing host.
More specifically, the present invention is directed to a service providing apparatus that is configured to select a service to be provided based on service utilization information of a plurality of users, a service receiving apparatus, a service providing host, a computer-readable recording medium for storing a selected-service receiving program, a computer-readable recording medium for storing a selected-service transmitting program, a service selecting method in a service receiving apparatus, and also to a method for transmitting a selected service in a service providing host.
B. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, various services such as broadcasting programs of a CATV, and open channels for IRC are available for accessing and are typically selected directly by users. However, there are many services available, specifically, there are hundreds of open channels found in IRC and therefore, it is difficult for individual users to select desirable services. In particular, when first attempting to use such services, users have an extremely difficult time learning about even the most basic of the services available. This problem is especially acute when attempting to use IRC. The reasons for such problems are easy to understand. In the CATV, since the programs are determined before broadcasting the programs, the users may obtain information concerning programming by referring to a program table in order to select desirable programs. On the other hand, with reference to IRC, there are no such program listings available which reveal the contents of conversations in the IRC programs, even when the main subjects on open channels are pre-determined in advance.
To solve the above-described difficulties which occur when a user attempts to select a service, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-86279 discloses a home terminal system for CAM This CATV home terminal system allows the services to be classified according to the contents thereof and the users to designate the classification, so that the number of services displayed on the screen will be reduced. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-261609 discloses transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and transmission/reception system for broadcasting program, in which the audience rating of programmed services is displayed, and the number of services is reduced to display on the screen in an order based upon increasing audience ratings. Furthermore, another system has been proposed, in which, while using specific phrases and theme music concerning in the contents of the services to be provided, specific services are selected from a large number of services, on behalf of users, and then the selected specific services are displayed on the screen. For instance, there is a system which allows a user to designate a keyword appearing in an open channel of IRC and produce a list of channels which include this keyword on the display screen.
However, in such the systems as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-86279 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-261609, when the users attempt to select desirable services, the number of services which will be displayed on the screen is slightly reduced so as to make the selection task a little easier. Further, in the conventional system where a keyword is designated the users, the users will have no chance to learn about such services that fall outside of the designated keyword.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and therefore, has an object to provide a service providing apparatus, service receiving apparatus, a service providing host, a computer-readable recording medium for recording a selected-service receiving program, a computer-readable recording medium for recording a selected-service transmitting program, a service selecting method employed in the service receiving apparatus, and a method for transmitting a selected service in a service providing host, capable of selecting a desirable service from a large number of services, on behalf of a user, in order that the user can effectively access a service that has compatible information, and moreover the user can access all of the available services with little difficulty.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an information service includes a host and a plurality of receiving apparatuses connected to the host via a communication network. The receiving apparatuses is configured to request service information from the host and the host is configured to provide the service information in response to the request. The plurality of receiving apparatuses include a storage means for storing selection information relating to at least one separate service, selected service data and user data sets. A transmission means transmits the user data set and the selection information to the host. A receiving means receives the response from the host. The host includes a means for compiling and sorting the selection information to produce service utilization information based on the user data sets sent from the plurality of receiving apparatuses. A service selection means produces a list of selected services to be provided to the plurality of receiving apparatuses based on the service utilization information and the selection information. A response means transmits to the receiving apparatuses the service information where the service information is derived from the list of selected services.
Preferably, the host further includes an address database which includes a plurality of addresses. The addresses correspond to storage locations of a plurality of corresponding separate services including services on the list of selected separate services. The host also includes an address reading means for reading the plurality of addresses, identifying and reading each of the addresses corresponding to each separate service of the list of selected separate services.
Preferably, in each of the plurality of receiving apparatuses, the user data set further includes data relating to a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving apparatuses, data relating to user attributes, and data relating to utilization place.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a receiving apparatus is configured for connection to an information service and at least one of a plurality of separate services, where the information service provides information about the plurality of separate services, the information service including a host for providing the information service in response to a request from the receiving apparatus. Further, a plurality of the receiving apparatuses are connected to the host via a communication network. The receiving apparatus includes an input means for inputting selection information relating to at least one of the separate services. A storage means stores the service selection information and a user data set containing a selected service data. A transmission means transmits the user data set and the selection information to the host and transmits a request to the host for the information service. A reception means receives from the host the information service.
Preferably, the storage means is further configured to store service selection information ide
Kohda Youji
Matsui Kazuki
Matsukura Ryuichi
Matsumoto Yasuhide
Obata Akihiko
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