Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-30
2001-11-13
Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2176)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C345S440000, C707S793000, C709S217000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317757
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing system which permits users to create information issuing screen images, such as home pages, with simple operations.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 9-100818, filed Apr. 4, 1998, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Information can be issued to anyone in the world over the Internet by setting up a home page on the WWW (World Wide Web). The utilization of home pages is not restricted to specific persons. Any person can set up a home page if he or she has a personal computer. As information issuing means, therefore, the home pages set up on the WWW have attracted attention in recent years.
A home page is set up under a contract with a WWW service provider. However, the home page itself must generally be created by the user. For this reason, there is now commercially available application software that is adapted to create home pages. However, some special knowledge is required to create a home page even if the commercially available application software is used.
In contrast, one way to allow those who have no special knowledge to set up their own home pages will be to request dealers concerned to create the home pages. However, this entails cost.
Therefore, it is not so easy for an individual to set up a home page at present.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing system which allows anyone to issue information easily.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a server and a terminal unit for use with the above mentioned information providing system.
According to the present invention, an information providing system comprises a server; and clients adapted to be connected to the server over a communications network. The clients comprise an image data memory for storing plural image data for each of plural parts of an information issuing screen image; part combination information receiving means for receiving part combination information representing a combination of image data forming a given information issuing screen image from said server; and screen image creating means for reading plural image data for each of the plural parts of the given information issuing screen image from the image data memory in accordance with the part combination information received by the receiving means and creating the given information issuing screen image by combining read image data. The server comprises a user screen image information memory for storing part combination information representing combinations of image data forming information issuing screen images specific to each of said clients; and transmission means responsive to a request from a first client for reading the part combination information associated with a second client from the user screen image information memory and sending read part combination information to the first client.
According to the present invention, a server adapted to be connected over a network to clients having an image data memory for storing plural image data for each of plural parts of an information issuing screen image, comprises a user screen image information memory for storing combination information representing combinations of image data forming information issuing screen images specific to each of the clients; and transmission means responsive to a request from a first client for reading the part combination information associated with a second client from the user screen image information memory and sending read part combination information to the first client, whereby the first client creates an information issuing screen image based on the part combination information.
According to the present invention, a terminal device adapted for receiving personal information about members registered in a service center from a server over a communication network, comprises a display unit; an image data memory for storing plural image data for each of plural parts of an information issuing screen image; part combination information receiving means for receiving part combination information representing a combination of image data forming an information issuing screen image from the server; and screen image creating means, responsive to the part combination information received by said receiving means, for reading image data from the image data memory and displaying the information issuing screen image on the display unit.
According to the information providing system of the present invention, the clients share parts of image data that make up home pages. Each user simply selects desired image data parts to create a home page specific to him or her. Thus, each user can create an information issuing screen image to introduce him or her to other persons without special knowledge. To watch a home page of another person, the user simply receives information representing a combination of parts as opposed to a home page image itself. In this case, the terminal creates the home page of another person based on the received parts combination information. Therefore, the time and cost required to transmit image data can be reduced.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention.
The objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Bashore William L.
Casio Computer Co. Ltd.
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Hong Stephen S.
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