WO2001042982A1

WO2001042982A1 - Site guiding system

Info

Publication number: WO2001042982A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/008682
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazumi Mizuguchi
Original assignee: Adc Technology Inc.
Priority date: 1999-12-07
Filing date: 2000-12-07
Publication date: 2001-06-14
Also published as: JP2001297245A; JP2000123105A; AU1886901A

Abstract

In the site guiding system used in a network to which a huge number of sites are connected, sites can be easily accessed. According to the present site guiding system, in (a), a site which matches a keyword is retrieved by inputting the keyword to an edit box (34), or a site falling under a category is extracted by clicking on the displayed category (38) ((b) is an example). When a field (42) displaying the name of a site is clicked on, the site is displayed. Then a point (one) is given to a user, and when the user purchases goods at the site, a point (two) is given to the user. If points are accumulated up to a predetermined value, the user uses the site guiding system thereafter because a special favor is given to the user. Accordingly, a site guided by the present site guiding system can be more easily accessed than a site guided by other systems.

Description

Description Site guidance system Technical field

The present invention relates to a site guidance system for guiding a site connected to a network. Background art

A variety of servers and sites are connected to a network and are actively used for mutual use. In particular, on the Internet, a wide-area information system called WWW (World Wide Web) is used. If a site is connected to the Internet, it can be accessed across national borders simply by specifying a URL, and hypertext can be used. It can be used to move inside and outside the site with one touch. For this reason, various sites provided by organizations such as companies, universities, municipalities, and government agencies are open to the public on the Internet.

Some of these sites have been set up by individuals other than those provided by the organization. The purpose of setting up the site is to gather colleagues with the same interests, communicate with the gathered colleagues, and use it as a place for self-expression.

However, in a large-scale network such as the Internet, the number of connected sites is enormous, and it is often difficult to access the sites opened by oneself. In this case, the above objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved.

Also, organization sites may not receive much access. For companies, their sites can publicize their business and promote products. Can be a place to go. For this reason, URLs are posted on newspaper advertisements and packages of their products to encourage access, but it is hard to say that they are working effectively. The same is true when the site provider is a local government or a government agency (hereinafter referred to as “corporate” as such an organization that wants PR activities).

To a greater or lesser extent, similar situations may occur in networks other than the Internet (for example, i-mode networks provided by NTT Mobile Communications Network Co., Ltd. (in this case, only Internet sites). In addition, sites connected to the i-mode center are also included in the above sites), personal computer communication (in this case, the sites correspond to forums, etc.), and intranets. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make a site guide system (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a system) easily accessible to a site.

In addition, the site guide system of the present invention proposes a criterion when an accessing side (referred to as a user) selects a site.

Further, the site guidance system of the present invention proposes one mode of site utilization.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a site guide system (hereinafter simply referred to as “provider”) of a site provider with the right to receive access by the system at low cost.

Further, the site guidance system of the present invention aims at preventing a provider from receiving excessive access.

Furthermore, the site guidance system of the present invention It is a suggestion.

A further object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily browse a site selected by a user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a site guidance system that does not impair advantages even when the number of sites that can be guided by the system becomes enormous.

It is another object of the present invention to make it easier for a user to select a site, and to further enhance the advantage of using the system. A site guidance system of the present invention made to solve such a problem is provided. A site for storing a plurality of sites connected to a network and site information including a point set for each site. Information storage means, site information display means for displaying at least a part of the site information stored in the site information storage means on an image display device, and information displayed by the site information display means. Designating means for designating a site that the user wants to use from the site information; and receiving the designation by the designating means, using the point set for the designated site. When the sum of the points given by the user and the points given by the points reaches a predetermined value, a privilege is given to the user who has stored the points. And a privilege providing means.

In the site guidance system of the present invention, site information relating to a plurality of sites, each of which has a predetermined point, is previously stored in the site information storage means, and the site information display means stores these site information. At least a part of the information is displayed on the image display device. When the user specifies a site to be used from the displayed site information using the specifying means, points set for the site are given to the user by the point giving means. If the sum of the points thus awarded reaches a preset value, The giving means gives the privilege to the user.

Here, the point may be an abstract value such as a numerical value itself, or a numerical value (for example, an amount of money, a mileage distance) that specifically indicates something. Examples of benefits include product purchase rights, cash, gift certificates, air tickets, free viewing rights for paid programs, free usage rights for Internet paid sites, free usage rights for telephone calls, and discount tickets.

When cash is given as points, the cash given as 1 yen, 3 yen, etc. may be used as it is, or these may be used as a coherent value such as 500 yen, 100 yen, etc. It may be possible to use it as a privilege only after it becomes. In the former case, one yen is a “predetermined value”, and in the latter case, 500 yen or 100 yen is a “predetermined value”. This cash may be transferred to the user's account or may be given as electronic money that can be used on a network or the like.

Points can be earned by using the site through this system, so that users can directly use the site without using other systems or receiving guidance from other systems. There are advantages to using this system rather than watching. For this reason, the provider who wants to receive access can store the information of his or her own site in the site information storage means, and can receive access compared to a site that is not stored in the site information storage means. The nature becomes high.

Therefore, according to the site guide system of the present invention, access to the site can be easily received.

In the above-described site guide system, the site information includes at least a name of each site and a value of a point given to a user when using each site. The site information display means includes a name of each of the sites, and a voice provided to a user when each of the sites is used. It is preferable that the value is displayed on the image display device in correspondence with the value of the unit.

In such a site guidance system, the site information display means associates the name of each site with the value of a point given to a user when using each site, and displays the image display device. Is to be displayed. In accordance with this, the site information includes at least the name of each site and the value of points given to the user when using each site.

According to this system, since the points obtained when using each site are displayed on the image display device, the user does not need to remember the point value. By looking at the points displayed on the image display device, it can be determined whether or not to use the site. If there are sites similar to each other, it is also possible to select a site with a higher point. By displaying the points in this way, competition of the height of the points occurs between the sites. In other words, the higher the number of points, the greater the possibility of access. Therefore, the points of providers who strongly desire to receive access are set higher.

Therefore, according to such a site guide system, a point displayed on the image display device can be used as a material when a user selects a site. Also, since the point value is set higher, the system has many advantages for users.

Incidentally, the name of the site included in the site information does not have to be the official name. For example, it may be a service mark used by the provider, an image that implies the contents of the site, or a nickname of the provider. In addition to the site information described above, site information, a summary of the site, introduction of benefits other than points, and a list of providers The contact information or the like may be included as appropriate, and the site information display means may display a part (or all) of them in accordance with the information.

Further, in the above-mentioned site guidance system, there is provided a site browsing means for displaying the site designated by the designating means on the image display device, wherein the point giving means is provided by the site browsing means, and The points may be given when displayed on the image display device.

Such a site guidance system includes a site browsing means for displaying a site designated by the designating means, and a point providing means provides a point when the site is displayed by the site browsing means. <Sites provided by companies are worthwhile if their content can be seen by users (for example, advertisements), so it is meaningful just to be browsed in this way.

Therefore, according to such a site guidance system, a user can gain points by browsing the site. In addition, users can see the contents of the sites they provide.

Further, in the above-described site guide system, the site information regarding the plurality of sites stored in the site information storage means is provided in accordance with the fact that one's own site is viewed by the user, The site information provided by a person who pays at least a contract fee corresponding to the above-mentioned point given to the user by the site providing means to the operator of the site guide system is provided. Good.

In such a site guidance system, a site provider in which site information is stored in a site information storage means is provided with a point in accordance with the fact that the user's own site is viewed by a user. It is the person who pays at least the contract fee corresponding to the point given to the user by the means to the site guide system operator (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the operator). That is, The site of the person who passed the contract with the operator has the right to store the site information in the site information storage means.

By the way, there is already a site guidance system except that a point is given to a user according to the use of the site, and a point to be obtained is displayed on an image display device. Many of these site guide systems recruit advertisers instead of making the site proposal free to users and providers, display advertisements together with site information on an image display device, and generate advertising revenue. It is operated by Normally, this advertising fee is fixed at a fixed rate of one month. In this way, the provider will be able to access for free, but the advertiser will be charged the advertising fee regardless of whether the user has seen the advertisement. Nevertheless, there are many users of site guidance systems, and many companies want to become advertisers. However, the range in which an advertisement can be displayed on an image display device is limited, so that the PR effect is limited. The disadvantage is that the number of ads that can be issued is limited, so that later advertisers want to wait until they have the right to advertise.

Since the user is not given a point, the possibility that the site will be accessed is lower than that of the system of the present invention as described above. Also, since the right to be guided is free (or very cheap), there are extremely many sites to subscribe to, which further reduces the possibility of access.

In this regard, according to the above-described site guide system, the site provider operates the contract fee corresponding to the point set for the use at least when the site is used. You just have to pay the person. This is a drawback compared to the conventional site guide system where the guide fee is free, but has the advantage of increasing the possibility of receiving access instead.

And if you want to use your site as an ad, Since the contract fee may be paid in place of the advertising fee according to the payment, it is more reasonable than the case where the advertising fee is paid on a fixed fee system. Also, since the user is allowed to select which site is to be viewed (displayed on the image display device), the number of advertisements that can be issued is determined by the storage capacity of the site information storage means. This is an enormous number that can be said to be infinite compared to the number of advertisements that can be put on the conventional site guidance system. Therefore, there is no need for the provider to wait for the right to place advertisements (more precisely, the right to store site information in the site information storage means). In addition, since the entire area that can be normally used as a site can be used for company advertisements, effective PR can be performed by opening a site that is expressive. In addition, there is an advantage for the operator that it is not necessary to recruit advertisers (of course, it is possible to do so. If there is advertising fee revenue from the advertiser, the contract fee burden on the provider can be reduced) . And since there is a contract fee revenue according to the points given to the user, this can be used for the operating costs of the system and the price of benefits. Users also have the advantage that they can get points by browsing the site.

According to such a system, there are advantages to the provider (especially a company that wants to become an advertiser), the operator, and the user. Is referred to as “at least the operator”, but payees other than the operator include users, designers of the system, and investors of the system (hereinafter, represented by the operator). Of these, the manner in which the contract fee is paid to the user can be regarded as the manner in which the site gives the user a point.

However, if a point is given unconditionally every time you browse, the following problems will occur. In other words, if one user browses the same site many times, points will be given each time, and the provider will continue to pay the contract fee to the operator. This has the effect of advertising This may be the first one or two times, after which a contract fee may be collected without advertising effectiveness.

Therefore, in such a case, in the above-described site guidance system, the above-mentioned point providing means may cause the point to be displayed when the same site is displayed to the same user by the above-mentioned site browsing means. Preferably, it is not provided.

In this site guidance system, points are not given when the same site is viewed by the same user. In other words, the user can only get points the first time, and cannot get points after that.

Therefore, according to such a site guide system, it is possible to prevent the provider from being burdened by the excessive access. If you cannot get the points in this way even after browsing, when displaying the site information for that site, you will see the message "You have already viewed this site, You may also get a warning display to inform the user that points cannot be obtained. In addition, the state where this point cannot be obtained may be canceled after a predetermined period (for example, one week, one month, etc.) has elapsed, and the point may be obtained only once. If you are confident in the sustainability of the PR effect of the site, or if the provider has economical margins, you may receive points not only the first time but also three times, for example. It may be. It is desirable that the number of times can be set by the provider according to the provider's business policy and the advertising expenses that can be generated.

Even if the above-mentioned abuse is not performed, the burden on the provider may be excessive. For example, there are cases in which a large number of users browse the site because the value of the appreciation is so high that the PR effect of the site is too high. Correspondingly, the provider pays a maximum of the contract fee paid to the operator (for example, January Up to 200,000 yen). Also in this case, when displaying the site information of the site, it is difficult to obtain points even if you browse this site now because this site has a very large number of accesses. It is advisable to display a warning to inform the user that points cannot be obtained.

Further, in the site guide system, in the above-described site guide system, at least one of the plurality of sites is a shopping site where a product can be purchased through the network, and the point providing means includes: The point may be given when the user purchases a product at the above-mentioned shopping site.

In such a site guide system, at least one of the plurality of sites is a shopping site where products can be purchased through the network. Here, the shopping site is a site where the application for product purchase can be made on the network. Usually, purchases are made by selecting a product introduced on the site and entering the user's credit card number.

Then, the point giving means gives points when the user purchases a product at the shopping site.

Therefore, according to this system, points can be obtained by shopping at a shopping site. In addition, you may not be able to receive points unless you purchase it, or you may be able to get points only by browsing the shopping site, and if you make a purchase there, you may be able to get more points. In particular, points can be obtained only by browsing for the first time, but it is desirable to be able to always receive points when purchasing. Also, a point may be given a fixed value each time it is purchased, or a different value may be given for each purchase amount or purchased product.

Further, in the above-described site guidance system, the network is an Internet connection. It may be the Internet.

In this site guidance system, the network is the Internet. As mentioned above, on the Internet, access can be made by simply specifying a URL via the WWW, or hypertext can be used to move inside and outside the site with a single touch. Therefore, it is easy to receive access.

Note that, in this case, the site information storage means, the point providing means, and the special provision means may be configured in a server connected to the Internet. The site information display means and the designation means (and the site browsing means) are connected to the Internet by a user's terminal device (personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "NO"), PDA (Personal Digital). Assistant), mobile phone, etc. The image display device corresponds to the CRT display and the liquid crystal display of these terminal devices. In the above-mentioned site guide system, the site information includes at least the name of each site and each site. It includes the value of the point given to the user when using it, and link information to each site, and includes the site information table described above. Means for associating the name of each of the sites, a value of a point given to a user when using each of the sites, and link information to each of the sites with the image display device May be displayed.

In such a site guidance system, the site information includes link information to each site in addition to the information shown in the above-described system. Then, the site information display means displays an image by associating the name of each site, the value of the point given to the user when using each site, and the link information to each site. It is to be displayed on the device. As described above, hypertext can be used to move inside and outside the site with one touch on the Internet. Specifically, if you click on the link information column (usually a character string that is underlined or surrounded by a frame and shaped like a button) in the displayed screen, you The display switches to the homepage of the URL indicated by the link information. In this site guide system, when the link information of the site displayed by the site information display means is clicked, the site is displayed by the site browsing means.

Therefore, according to this site guide system, the site selected by the user can be easily browsed. As described above, if the site information storage means, the point providing means, and the privilege providing means are configured in a server connected to the Internet, the site guidance and the site browsing means are provided. Can be seen by If the terminal device is a personal computer, the site browsing means can be realized by a commercially available WWW browser.

The site information is stored in the site information storage means because of the convenience of the present invention (in particular, the convenience of obtaining the right to advertise just by signing the contract as described above). It is thought that the number of sites will be increased. Then, it becomes necessary for the site information display means to guide a large number of sites, and there is a possibility that the advantage of being easily accessed is reduced.

In response to this, the sites to be guided are categorized by field (for example, computer, sport, shopping, news), and the user is allowed to select which field of the site to guide and belong to that field. It is advisable to guide only the site. In addition, some sites that the user prefers to use are registered in advance, and only the site information of that site is guided, or some sites with higher points are ordered in descending order (for example, 10 , 20, '···), table May be shown. In this case, the number of sites to be guided is reduced, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in accessibility. For the user, only the site in the desired field or the site of interest is displayed, so that it is easy to make a selection.

Further, in the above-described site guidance system, a keyword input means for receiving an input of a keyword from the user, and a site suitable for the keyword input by the keyword input means are provided to the plurality of sites. Search means for searching from among the information, and the site information display means may display the site information of the sites extracted by the search by the search means.

In such a site guidance system, a search unit searches for a site that matches a keyword input by a user via a keypad input unit, and site information is stored in a site information storage unit. Search from the site <Then, the site information display unit displays the site information of the site extracted by the search by the search unit.

Therefore, according to this site guidance system, the number of sites on which site information is displayed can be appropriately narrowed, so that even if the number of sites becomes enormous, the accessibility is reduced. Can be prevented.

Further, in the above-described site guidance system, the site information display means may display the site information in a descending order of the points given to the user.

In such a site guidance system, the site information display means displays the site information in order from the highest point given to the user. In this way, the user can easily know the site that has the highest points among the sites being guided. This also makes it clear which sites have higher points and which do not. As a result, the competition between the sites described above intensifies.

Therefore, according to such a site guide system, a user can easily select a site. In addition, since the provider is likely to set points higher, the system has many advantages for users. Even if this system is applied to a site guidance system other than a system that narrows down the sites to be guided, it is considered that users will select only sites with high points, so increase the value of points. As long as it occurs, the accessibility of access can be maintained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of one embodiment to which a site guidance system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the Internet terminal 8 used by the user, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the search server 4 with points.

Figs. 4 (a) and () are explanatory diagrams showing data and retrieval performed between the user, the search site with points, and the shopping site. Figs. 5 (a) and (b) 1 is an example of a site guide screen displayed on a screen 12a of the Internet terminal 8. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of one embodiment to which the site guidance system of the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the Internet N, the search server 4 with a point connected to the Internet N, the shopping site 6, and the Internet terminal 8 and the search server 4 with a point are connected. The user database 10 is configured as a main part. FIG. 2 shows an example of the Internet terminal 8. The Internet terminal 8 is a personal computer equipped with a CRT display 画像 2 as an image display device, a main body unit 14 equipped with a CPU, a CD-R0M drive, a hard disk, etc., a keyboard 16, and a mouse 18. Is configured as At least a WWW browser is installed on the hard disk of the main unit 14 as application software. This WWW browser corresponds to the site browsing means of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic configuration of the search server 4 with points. The search server with points 4 includes a CPU 22 that executes various computer programs, a RAM 24 that functions as a work memory, a ROM 26 that stores a control program and data for comparison and determination, and an Internet N. A communication control unit 28 that controls the exchange of data with the external storage device that stores a large amount of information about sites that have contracted with the search server 4 with the points, including the shopping site 6. 30 and a bus 32 connecting these components are configured as main components. In addition, information on users (users) is stored in the user data base 10, and the contents can be referred to from the CPU 22.

An example of the stored contents of the user database 10 is shown in [Table 1].

【table 1 】

User name ID number Password point

Taro Yamada A00001 qwErty2 1 002

Suzuki Hanako A00002 aSdf gh3 71

Watanabe Saburo A00003 zxCvbn l 554

Kensaku Kato A00004 Ui opj kO 3240 As shown in [Table 1], the user-database 10 stores a user name, its ID number, a password, and the points to which the user has been assigned. In this site guidance system, points are given to users when browsing the site or purchasing goods at the shopping site 6. By accumulating these points, the purchase right that can be used as a price at shopping site 6 is granted. Purchasing rights are worth 500 yen if you save 100,000 points, 100,000 yen if you save 180,000 points, and 200,000 yen if you save 300,000 points. . In addition, in addition to the information shown in [Table 1], the user database 10 stores the site names and the like that the user frequently browses for each user.

[Table 2] shows a part of the storage contents of the external storage device 30.

[Table 2]

As shown in [Table 2], the external storage device 30 stores a site name, link information to the site, point 1 and point 2. Point〗 is the point given to the user who browsed the site, and point 2 is the point given to the user who ordered the purchase of the product at the site. However, the external storage device 30 stores not only the shopping site 6 but also a news site and a site related to a corporate advertisement in substantially the same manner. Sites where such purchases cannot be made have zero points. In the table, point 2 of “Iroha Shoten” is Γ * J Indicates that the value of Point 2 differs depending on the purchased product.

The values of point 1 and point 2 can be changed from the provider's terminal. This change may be based on market trends, user access, or the provider's marketing strategy. In addition, in addition to the information shown in [Table 2], the external storage device 30 also stores, for each site, a sales point of each site, a keyword used when searching for each server, and the like. . The external storage device 30 corresponds to the site information storage means of the present invention, and a part thereof shown in [Table 2] corresponds to the site information. Following this, the user database 10 that stores information as shown in [Table 1] can also be called user information storage means.

Next, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the main part of commands and data exchange between the Internet terminal 8 (user), the search server 4 with points, and the shopping site 6 in the present system will be described. I will explain the flow. The numbers (1), (2), (3), ... shown in Fig. 4 correspond to the numbers (1), (2), (3), ... shown in Fig. 1. ing. First, the user starts the WWW browser of the Internet terminal 8 and accesses the search server 4 with points via the Internet N. Then, an image for inputting the ID number and the password is output on the screen 12a of the CRT display 12 (not shown). The user enters his or her ID number and password. If you are not a member, follow the sign-up procedure enabled on the same screen. When a user name is entered in this procedure, an ID number and password are issued and registered in the user database 10.

After entering the ID number and password, the CPU 22 of the search server 4 with points (hereinafter, also simply referred to as search server 4 with points) is Based on the stored contents of the database 10, it is determined whether the correspondence between the ID number and the password is correct, and if it is correct, the image as shown in FIG. 5 (a) is transmitted to the Internet terminal 8.

When this image is displayed on the screen 12a, enter a keyword in the edit box 34, operate the mouse 18 as appropriate, position the pointer 34 on the button 36, and click it. Then, a site that matches the keyword is searched from the shopping site 6 stored in the external storage device 30 (this corresponds to the search means of the present invention), and the displayed category 3 By placing the pointer 34 on 8 and clicking on it, sites classified into that category can be extracted from the sites (not limited to the shopping site 6) stored in the external storage device 30. It is possible. In this figure, only four categories 38 are displayed, but by moving the scroll bar knob 40 down, the fifth and subsequent categories are also displayed. The third category 38, “Favorite”, is a member of the system (a user registered in the user database 10) that has been registered in the user database 10 in advance. It guides the site to be viewed. In addition, the fourth category, “Binto Best 20”, is to extract 20 sites with a high number of points 1 from sites stored in the external storage device 30 It is.

For example, when "shopping", which is the second category 38, is designated, the fact that "shopping" has been designated is transmitted to the search server 4 with points (1). The search server with points 4 transmits the search results (here, all the shopping sites 6 in which the site information is stored in the external storage device 30) to the Internet terminal 8 (2). Then, an image as shown in Fig. 5 (b) is displayed on the screen 12a. In this image, column 42 is the place where the name of the site is displayed. When the pointer 3 is positioned at this place and clicked, the site is displayed. In other words, the link information is included in 攔 42 (The mouse 18 at the time of performing this click corresponds to the designation means of the present invention).攔 The sales points shown in 4 are the sales points of each site not shown in [Table 2]. Point 1 is displayed in 表示 46, and point 2 is displayed in column 48. The process of displaying this image corresponds to the site information display means of the present invention.

Clicking on any part of the column 42 sends the link information to the search server 4 with a point (3). Upon receiving the link information, the search server with a point of connection 4 connects to the designated shopping site 6 based on the link information (4). Then, the contents (contents) of the site are transmitted to the Internet terminal 8 (5) and displayed on the screen 12a. Then, information (connection information) notifying that the user has browsed the shopping site 6 is transmitted from the shopping site 6 to the search server 4 with points (6). Further, the shopping site 6 pays the contract fee to the search server 4 with points (7). It is assumed that the contract fee is contracted for points,〗 points, and so on.

Upon receiving the connection information, the search server with point 4 refers to the external storage device 30, uses the point 1 set corresponding to the shopping site 6, and browses the shopping site 6. (8). This grant is made by adding the user's points in the user database 10. This processing corresponds to the point providing means of the present invention. Also, when this point reaches any of the 1000, 1800, and 30000 points, the search server with points 4 notifies the user to that effect. This notification is performed in the image shown in FIG. For example, the message "Point has reached 100000 points" is displayed in area 50 of the figure. Up to this point, the same processing is performed when browsing sites other than shopping site 6. When the point reaches the above value in this way, the purchase right generated in response to the point can be used for purchase at the shopping site 6 in accordance with an instruction from the user. If you exercise this purchase right, your points will be deducted from your accumulated points. The management of the grant of the purchase right and the subtraction accompanying the exercise thereof are performed by the search server 4 with a point, and this corresponds to the privilege grant means of the present invention.

After browsing the shopping site 6 and making further purchases, data is exchanged as shown in Fig. 4 (b). (9) to (14) are performed in substantially the same manner as (1) to (6), respectively. However, in (14), a contract fee will be paid for viewing the site. The user selects the desired product (or service) from the contents displayed in (13) (specifically, the products and services sold at the shopping site 6). Then, an order is placed by inputting the credit card number (15). The shopping site 6 that has received this order sends a notification to the Internet terminal 8 that the order has been received 6). In some cases, this may include an image for selecting the delivery method of the product or the payment method (for example, how many installments).

When the transaction procedure is completed, the order information is notified to the search server 4 with points (17). Then, the user pays the contract fee corresponding to the point 2 given to the user for the purchase from the shopping site 6 to the search server 4 with points (18). The search server 4 with points receiving the order information of (17) refers to the external storage device 30 and stores the point 2 set corresponding to the shopping site 6 into the shopping site 6. 6 is given to the user who browsed (1 9). This award is made by adding the user's points in the user database 10 as in the case of the point 1. For example, if the user browses the ABC instrument and makes a further purchase, 7 points, which is the total value of “2” as point と and “5” as point 2, are given to this user. When this point reaches a preset value, the user is informed similarly. In the shopping site 6, the ordered product is delivered to the user (if the service is provided, the service is performed) (20). The user pays for the product (or service) (21).

According to the site guidance system as described above, the user can obtain points by browsing the site guided by the screen shown in Fig. 5 (b) and the like and further purchasing the product. It is advantageous to use this system rather than using other systems (for example, a site called a search engine). Therefore, the provider of the site that wants to access can make a contract with the search server with points 4 and store the information of his or her own site in the external storage device 30. Is more likely to receive access.

In addition, in the image shown in FIG. 5 (b), the points の and 2 2 (when the site is a shoving site 6) obtained when browsing each site are displayed. Can be used as a source of judgment when selecting a site. Since the higher the value of the point is, the higher the possibility of access is considered, competition of points occurs between the sites, and the value of the point is set higher. Therefore, the system has many advantages for users.

The site provider also has the following advantages. That is, the user's own site is stored in the external storage device 30 or displayed in the image of FIG. 5 (b). It is not necessary to pay the contract fee just for the information that has been removed, but only to the search server 4 with points only when the purchase has been made (in the case of the job site 6) and the user has browsed it. . In other words, the contract fee only needs to be paid when the PR effect and operating profit of the site are obtained, which is more rational than the case where the advertising fee is collected by the fixed fee system.

In addition, advertisements displayed along with conventional sites have extremely limited display locations and display numbers. Therefore, in order to become an advertiser, it was necessary to wait for the display area to become empty or to pay a higher advertising fee than the current advertiser. Even if you became an advertiser, the display area was often very limited, so the PR effect was limited. In this regard, in this system, whether or not a contract can be made with the search server with points 4 is mainly determined by the storage capacity of the external storage device 30. No need to do. Moreover, as described above, there is an advantage that a site in which site information is stored in the external storage device 30 is highly likely to be viewed. In addition, since the entire site can be used as the display area for advertisements, opening a site with a high level of expressiveness will enable effective PR.

Also, for the side that operates the search server 4 with points, there is an advantage that there is no need to recruit advertisers since contract fee revenue can be obtained instead of advertising fee revenue.

The embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be implemented in various modes.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the privilege granted to the user is a purchase right, but may be changed to another privilege or may be selectable from a plurality of privileges. Also, the total value of the points required to receive the benefit may be changed to a value different from the above-mentioned values (100 points, 1800 points, 30000 points). No.

In the image of FIG. 5B, the sites are displayed in the same order as that stored in the external storage device 30, but may be displayed in any other order. Specifically, it is conceivable to display the site names in the order of the Japanese syllabary or in the order of the highest available point 1. In the latter case, the competition for points between sites will intensify, so that the points will be set higher and more advantageous for users. When guiding to the shopping site 6, the same effect can be obtained by displaying the points 2 in descending order (in this case, the site where point 2 is "*" It may be displayed, or the highest point 2 obtained at that site may be displayed in the order in which it was viewed as point 2 of that site).

Point 1 may be awarded only when one user browses the site for the first time. To achieve this, the site name (or URL, etc.) of the site viewed by each user is stored in the user database 10, and when that site is viewed again, It is good not to give point 1. In this way, even if the site is displayed (browsed), even though the site is not viewed at all, the site is displayed one after another, and users who earn points unreasonably or damage the provider economically are displayed. Can be prevented from appearing. Or (or in addition), if each site is not displayed for a certain period of time (for example, 15 seconds), you will not be able to get Point 1 or a site consisting of multiple images (called pages) You may not be able to get point 1 unless you watch a certain number of pages. The time and the number of pages may be stored in the external storage device 30 for each site.

In the case of a very popular site, even if the above measures are taken, the contract fee paid to the search server with points 4 may be enormous. In response, if the contract fee exceeds a certain amount, you may not be able to earn points even if you browse the site. In this case, it is desirable to output a warning display notifying the user that point 1 cannot be obtained to the image in Fig. 5 (b) or the like. In addition, the site may not be browsed through the present system by temporarily removing the site from the guidance target. If the user browses the site without going through this system, the provider of the site does not need to pay the contract fee to the search server 4 with a point, so the burden on the provider becomes excessive. Can be prevented.

At the beginning of the operation of this system, the number of sites whose site information is stored in the external storage device 30 may be small. In such a case, search by keyword or selection guidance by category may be cancelled, and all sites in which site information is stored in the external storage device 30 may be guided.

In the explanation related to Fig. 4, "(payment of contract fee)" is described in (7) and (18), but instead, only the credit information corresponding to the bill is transmitted, and the contract fee may be paid at a later date. Of course it is good. These payments and user payments may be made by electronic money. Further, the points given to the user may be changed to electronic money.

Further, in the above system, the site pays the contract fee to the search server 4 with points only when the site is browsed or purchased, but the site information is stored in the external storage device 30. At this time, or even when guided as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the fee may be paid to the search server 4 with a point. In this case, a fee is collected even from a site that is not browsed at all. Therefore, as a cost for storing the site information in the external storage device 30, the fee is used for the search server 4 with points. Can be used by operators. However, a contract fee is paid for browsing and purchasing. W

25 In order not to diminish the rationality of the payment, it is desirable that the fee be inexpensive.

Although the above system used each site using the Internet, other networks (for example, an i-mode network provided by N.T. In this case, not only sites on the Internet but also sites connected to the i-mode center are included in the above-mentioned sites), personal computer communication (in this case, the sites correspond to forums, etc.), intranets, etc. Net).

In the above embodiment, the information on the user is stored in the user database 10 in the form as shown in [Table 1], but may be only the user name and the point, or the ID number and the point. . In this case, the security is reduced because the password is not stored, and the `` favorite '' category cannot be selected because the frequently viewed site is not stored, but otherwise the same as above This has the effect of

Further, by changing the method of giving points, the user information storage means can be set to a mode in which no points are stored. In this case, the following embodiments can be exemplified. First, the address of each user is stored in the user database 10. Then, the search server with a point 4 that has received the connection information from the site mails a ticket corresponding to the point to be given to the user's address. The user who receives this ticket pastes the ticket on a predetermined sheet. The user who has reached the total score of 1000, 800, or 30000 points on the pasted ticket mails the form to the search server 4 with points. The search server with points 4 grants the purchase right to the user according to the total value of the tickets pasted on the paper. Even in this case, a system having the same effects as described above can be obtained. Industrial applicability

If the user uses the site via the site guide system of the present invention, the user can get points, so that the user can directly use the system without using another system or receiving guidance from the other system. There are advantages to using this system rather than visiting the site. For this reason, a provider who wants to receive an access stores his / her own site information in the site information storage unit of the present system, so that a site that is not stored in the site information storage unit can be accessed. In comparison, the possibility of access can be increased.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Site information storage means for storing a plurality of sites connected to a network and site information including points set at each site, and the site information stored in the site information storage means. Site information display means for displaying at least a part of the site information on the image display device;

Designating means for designating a site desired by the user from site information displayed by the site information display means;

Upon receiving the designation by the designation means, a point giving means for giving the user the point set for the designated site; and a point given by the point giving means. When the total of the points reaches a predetermined value, a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the user who has stored the point.

Site guidance system characterized by comprising:

2. In the site guidance system according to claim 1,

The site information is

At least the name of each site, the value of the point given to the user when using each site,

Wherein the site information display means comprises:

A site guide, wherein the name of each site and the value of a point given to a user when using each site are displayed on the image display device in association with each other. system.

3. In the site guidance system according to claim 1 or 2,

Displaying the site designated by the designation means on the image display device; Site browsing means

The point giving means,

Providing the point when a site is displayed on the image display device by the site browsing means.

A site guidance system characterized by:

4. In the site guidance system according to claim 3,

Site information on the plurality of sites stored in the site information storage means is:

In response to the site being browsed by the user, a contract fee corresponding to the point granted to the user by the point granting means is provided at least by the site guidance system. Site information provided by the person who pays the operator

A site guidance system characterized by the following.

5. In the site guidance system according to claim 4,

The point providing means,

When the same site is displayed to the same user by the site browsing means, the point is not given.

A site guidance system characterized by:

6. The site guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of sites is a shopping site where products can be purchased through the network.

The point providing means,

When the user purchases a product at the shopping site, What gives ints

A site guidance system characterized by:

7. The site guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the network is the Internet.

A site guidance system characterized by the following.

8. In the site guidance system according to claim 7,

The site information is

At least the name of each site, the value of points given to the user when using each site, the link information to each site,

Wherein the site information display means comprises:

What is displayed on the image display device by associating the name of each site, the value of a point given to a user when using each site, and the link information to each site.

A site guidance system characterized by:

9. In the site guidance system according to claim 1 or 8,

A key input means for receiving a key input from the user;

Search means for searching the plurality of sites for a site which matches the key inputted by the keyword input means;

Wherein the site information display means comprises:

Displaying the site information of the site extracted by the search by the search means.

A site guidance system characterized by:

10. The site guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the site information display means comprises:

Displaying the site information side by side in ascending order of the points given to the user

A site guidance system characterized by: