WO2009064008A1

WO2009064008A1 - Information providing device, information providing system, information providing method, and information providing program

Info

Publication number: WO2009064008A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/070965
Authority: WO
Inventors: Akira Uematsu; Shuntaro Yamazaki
Original assignee: Nec Corporation
Priority date: 2007-11-14
Filing date: 2008-11-12
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: JPWO2009064008A1

Abstract

An information providing device includes: control means which causes a display unit to display an image corresponding to a user or an object and receive an operation for the displayed image; and storage means which stores an image correlated to a user or an object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and information on the user or the object while correlating them to one another. Upon detection of an operation to superpose the displayed first image and the second image, the control means identifies an identifier of a user or an object corresponding to the first and the second image to be subjected to the superposition operation and performs a predetermined operation to cause a memory region which can be referenced by a user as an administrator of the first image, to hold information on the user or the object corresponding to the second image.

Description

Description Information providing apparatus, information providing system, information providing method and information providing program Technical Field:

The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, an information providing system, an information providing method, and an information providing program that provide information through displayed images. Background technology:

There is an information providing system that displays an image corresponding to a person or an object on a display device such as a display, and provides information according to an operation on the displayed image. For example, there is an information providing system in which an image representing a predetermined person called an avatar is displayed on a display device and used as a tool for supporting communication. Non-patent document 1 shows communication of users in the vicinity of a large shared display as an avatar, searches for common points from registered user profiles, and displays them to support communication between users. Support system is described.

In the information providing system disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, a user profile and information for recognizing the user are registered in advance. Then, based on the information, an example of identifying users corresponding to each silhouette in the video displayed on the shared display, and searching for common points among the identified users and displaying them together with the silhouette image. It is shown. With the information providing system described in Non-Patent Document 1, one user with a silhouette displayed can recognize a common profile with the other user with the silhouette displayed. Patent Document 1 describes an information processing apparatus that performs file transfer using a virtual space. In the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an operation of dragging and dropping a file on a user's avatar is performed on the display on which each user's avatar sharing the same space is displayed, the user is notified. Transfer the file to the destination. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-132618

Non-Patent Document 1: “Silhouettell: Awayness Support in Encounter in Real Space”, Multimedia 'Distributed' Emphasis and Morpiles Symposium (DiCoMo '98), 1 998, p. 701-708 Disclosure:

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the information providing system described in Non-Patent Document 1, the user can recognize a common point with the user of the other silhouette only while the silhouette is displayed in the vicinity of the display. Can not. When the user leaves the display, there is no display of the user's silhouette and the common points with other silhouettes. For example, if you want to return to your desk and know the information of the other party you talked about earlier, No means to know it is provided.

Note that the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is intended to reliably transfer a file to be transmitted, and is not intended to make more effective use of information about displayed images. Therefore, the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can transfer a file using the displayed image as destination information, but the user can send information related to the displayed image at a later date. It will not be able to be acquired in a referable manner.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a system that displays an image associated with a person or an object on a display device, a user can acquire information related to the displayed image so that it can be referred to even after the fact. The purpose is to be able to.

Means for solving the problem

The information providing apparatus according to the present invention displays an image associated with a user or an object, identifies a control unit that accepts an operation on the displayed image, an image associated with the user or the object, and the user or the object. Storage means for storing information relating to the user or the object in association with each other, and the control means has been operated to superimpose the displayed first image and second image When this is detected, the first image and the second image that are the targets of the overlay operation are not matched. The identifier of the associated user or object is specified, and the user who is associated with the second image is stored in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the manager of the first image. A predetermined process for holding information on an object is performed, and information on the user or the object can be provided to the administrator. In addition, the information providing system according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays a plurality of images associated with a user or an object, and an input for inputting information indicating an operation content from the user for the image displayed on the display unit. Means for displaying an image associated with the user or the object on the display means, receiving an operation for the image displayed via the input means, an image associated with the user or the object, and the user Storage means for associating and storing an identifier for identifying the user or the object and information relating to the user or the object, and the control means includes the displayed first image and second image. When it is detected that a superimposing operation has been performed, the user or object associated with the first image and the second image that are the target of the superimposing operation To identify the identifier of the first image and store information about the user or object associated with the second image in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the first image. Predetermined processing is performed, and information regarding a user or an object associated with the second image can be provided to the administrator.

In addition, the information providing method according to the present invention stores in advance an image associated with a user or an object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and information about the user or the object in association with each other. When it is detected that an operation for superimposing the first image and the second image displayed on the display means is performed, the first image and the second image that are the targets of the superposition operation are displayed. A user or object identifier associated with the second image is identified in a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is an administrator of the first image. Predetermined processing for holding information related to an object is performed, and information related to the user or the object can be provided to the administrator.

An information providing program according to the present invention includes an image associated with a user or an object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and the user or the object. If it is detected that an operation for superimposing the displayed first image and the second image has been performed on a computer equipped with a storage means for storing the information to be associated with each other, the target of the superimposition operation is determined. The identifier of the user or object associated with the first image and the second image is specified, and the memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the manager of the first image It is characterized by functioning as a control means for executing processing for holding information on a user or an object associated with the second image.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, in a system that displays an image corresponding to a person or an object on a display device, a user can obtain information related to the displayed image so that it can be referred to even after the fact. Brief description of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information providing system in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user information.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display area of the display means 10 4 that displays the object image.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which object images are overlaid in the display area of the display means 104.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example in which object images are overlaid on the display area of the display means 104.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing system in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the information providing system in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user information in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing system in the second embodiment. It ’s a single story.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user information when an operation of overlaying object images is performed.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display area of the display means 10 04 displaying the object image.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the fifth embodiment. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention:

First embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The information providing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an information providing apparatus that provides information about a user or an object via an image associated with the user or the object, and includes a control unit 1 0 1 and a storage unit 1 0 2. Is provided. '

The control means 1 0 1 displays an image associated with the user or the object, accepts an operation on the displayed image, and performs a process according to the operation. The storage means 102 stores an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and information regarding the user or the object in association with each other.

When the control means 101 detects that an operation to superimpose the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, the control means can be referred to by a user who is an administrator of the first image. Information is provided by performing a predetermined process for storing information on the user or the object associated with the second image in the memory area. Here, the user who is an image manager is an associated user when the image is an image associated with the user. Also, the image corresponds to the object. If the image is a created image, the user is registered as the administrator of the associated object.

For example, the control unit 10 1 is information on a user or an object associated with the superimposed image in the memory area of the storage unit 10 2 that can be referred to by a user who is a manager of the superimposed image. By performing a process for maintaining the image, information regarding the user or object associated with the superimposed image may be provided to the user who is the administrator of the superimposed image. . In addition, for example, by performing a process for holding information about a user or an object associated with the superimposed image in a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is a manager of the superimposed image. Information regarding the user or object associated with the superimposed image may be provided to the user who is the administrator of the combined image. Note that the memory area may be provided in the storage unit 1002, or may be provided in another storage unit, and any memory area that can be referred to by each user may be used.

Hereinafter, a description will be given using a more specific configuration example. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information providing system that is an application example of the information providing apparatus shown in FIG. The information providing system shown in FIG. 2 includes an input unit 10 3, a control unit 1 0 1, a storage unit 1 0 2, and a display unit 1 0 4.

The input means 1 0 3 inputs information in response to a user operation. The input means 10 3 is realized by an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel, for example.

The storage means 1 0 2 stores information related to users and objects related to communication. For example, the storage unit 10 2 may store the user information shown in FIG. 3 as information about the user. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user information. As shown in FIG. 3, the user information is information in which, for example, a user identifier for identifying a user, an object image of the user, profile information, and a mail address are associated with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 3, as user information of a certain user A, user identifier 1, object image 1, profile information 1, and mail address 1 are associated with each other and stored in storage means 102. There is also As user information of user B, user identifier 2, object image 2, profile information 2, and mail address 2 are associated with each other and stored in storage means 102. Further, as information regarding a certain user C, the user identifier 3, the object image 3, the profile information 3, and the mail address 3 are associated with each other and stored in the storage means 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the number of registered user information (that is, the number of registered users) is 3. However, the number of registered user information stored in the storage means 1 0 2 is not limited to this and is arbitrary. It is. The user identifier uniquely identifies the user of this system. The combination of the object image, profile information, and e-mail address associated with the user can be uniquely identified by the user identifier. The user object image is, for example, an image for displaying the user in the system, and is an image that visually represents the user's appearance characteristics, hobbies, and the like. Profile information is information that the user provides to other users, such as the name, affiliation, and position of the user. Note that the object image and profile information are not limited to the above example, and any information may be used as long as it is effective for communicating with the user. Also, instead of sending an e-mail address, an IP address or an AC address may be used instead of sending an e-mail, which will be described later, and image-related information (profile information, etc.) may be sent to that address.

In addition, the storage means 1 0 2 includes, as information about an object, for example, an object identifier that identifies an object, an object image of the object, profile information, and an e-mail address that is associated with a seller email address. Information may be stored. The object identifier uniquely identifies an object for which information is provided to the user in this system. The combination of the object image, profile information, and the seller's e-mail address associated with the object can be uniquely identified by the object identifier. An object image of an object is, for example, an image for displaying the object in the system, and is an image that visually represents an appearance feature or capability of the object. The profile information is information provided to other users regarding the object, such as the name, function, Information such as price. The storage means 102 is realized by a storage area such as a RAM or a storage device such as an HDD.

The display means 10 04 displays the object image associated with the user and the object image associated with the object according to the control from the control means 10 01. The display means 1 0 4 is realized by an output device such as a screen or a display device.

The control means 1 0 1 displays an object image associated with the user or an object image associated with a predetermined object for some or all of the users stored in the storage means 1 0 2. Means 1 0 4 is displayed. In addition, information input via the input unit 10 3 is accepted as an operation on the object image displayed on the display unit 10 4, and processing corresponding to the input is executed. For example, for the object image displayed in the display area of the display means 10 04, the control means 10 01 is information (coordinate information etc.) for identifying the object image in the display area and a user identifier ( Or an object identifier), the operation performed in a certain area is linked to the object image, and the user identifier (or object identifier) of the object image is assigned. You can get it. The control means 1 0 1 is realized by, for example, CPU that operates according to a program.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of the display area of the display means 10 4 displaying the object image. In FIG. 4, the control means 1 0 1 displays the object image 1 as the user A's avatar 3 OA on the display means 1 0 4 and the object image 2 as the user B's avatar 3 0 B. An example is shown. In order to simplify the explanation, FIG. 4 shows an example in which two images are displayed. However, the number of images that the control means 1 0 1 displays on the display means 1 0 4 is the storage means 1 0 2. Any number of images may be used as long as the number is less than the number of registered images (ie, registered users). Further, the positions of the avatar 3 O A and the avatar 3 0 B in the display area of the display means 10 4 are arbitrary, and are not limited to the arrangement shown in the example of FIG.

Next, the operation of the information providing system in this embodiment will be described. Here, the object image 2 is displayed in the display area of the display means 10 4. The operation of the information providing system when the operation of overlaying on image 1 is performed will be described. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are explanatory diagrams showing an example in which object images are overlaid in the display area of the display means 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the object image overlapping operation is performed by moving the object image 2 displayed as the avatar 30B and matching the object image 1 displayed as the avatar 3OA. This may be an operation (drag-and-drop operation) of overlapping parts or all. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, object image 2 displayed as avatar 30B retains its original position, makes a copy of object image 2, moves it, and moves the object image. This may be an operation of overlaying a part or all of the copy of 2 on the object image 1 displayed as the avatar 3 OA.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing system in the present embodiment. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation of the control means 1001 when an operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1 is performed in the display area of the display means 104. .

When the control means 1 0 1 detects that the operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1 is performed based on the information input from the input means 1 0 3 (step S 1 0 1), The profile information associated with the user identifier of the object image is read out from the storage means 10 02 (step S 1 0 2). Further, the mail address associated with the user identifier of the superimposed object image is read (step S 1 0 3). Then, the profile information read in step S 1 0 2 is transmitted to the mail address read in step S 1 0 3 (step S 1 0 4). It should be noted that the object image that is the object of the overlay operation and the user identifier thereof may be specified based on, for example, the coordinates of the mouse operation and the coordinate information of the displayed object image being held. .

For example, if the information shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage means 1 0 2, the control means 1 0 1 uses the user identifier 2 associated with the superimposed object image 2 in step S 1 0 2. And the profile information 2 of the user can be read using the user identifier 2 as a key. In step S 1 0 3, the user identifier 1 associated with the overlaid object image 1 is specified, and the user The mail address 1 of the user can be read using the identifier 1 as a key.

For example, if the superimposed object image 1 is an object image associated with an object, the object identifier associated with the superimposed object image 1 is specified, and The profile information can be read using the object identifier as a key.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another operation example of the information providing system in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, when the object image 2 is superimposed on the object image 1, the control means 1 0 1 associates the profile information associated with the object image 1 with the object image 2. You can send it to the email address of the other user.

That is, when the control means 1 0 1 detects that an operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1 is performed based on the information input from the input means 1 0 3 (step S 1 0 1). The profile information associated with the user identifier of the superimposed object image (here, object image 1) is read out from the storage means 102 (step S1 1 2). In addition, the mail address associated with the user identifier of the superimposed object image (here, object image 2) is read out (step S113). Then, the profile information read in step S 1 1 2 is transmitted to the mail address read in step S 1 1 3 (step S 1 0 4).

For example, if the superimposed object image 1 is an object image associated with an object, the object identifier associated with the superimposed object image 1 is specified, and The mail address of the seller can be read using the object identifier as a key.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, information (profile information) related to the displayed image is sent to the mail address registered in association with the related object image, and the mail is sent. It is stored in a memory area such as a server. Users can freely refer to it at any time simply by receiving the mail and checking the received mail. In other words, the information can be acquired as information that can be referred to at a later date for the user. Second embodiment

Next, an information providing system in the second embodiment will be described. The configuration example of the information providing system in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of user information stored in the storage unit 10 2 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the storage means 102 stores an access information list as user information in association with a user identifier instead of a mail address. In the case of object information, the access information list may be stored in association with the object identifier instead of the seller's e-mail address. The access information list is displayed when the object image associated with the user (or object) is overlaid or when the object image is overlaid using the object image. This is a list of information indicating the profile information associated with the object image on the side. That is, in this embodiment, information indicating the profile information notified by e-mail in the first embodiment is held in the information providing system and provided at an arbitrary timing such as when requested by the user. It is. As shown in FIG. 9, as the access information list, the profile information associated with the object image of the other party at the time of the overlay operation may be listed as it is, or depending on the capacity of the profile information. May list information for identifying the profile information (for example, user identifier or object identifier). In such a case, it should be provided by expanding the profile information when requested by the user.

Also, for example, information (phone number, e-mail address, etc.) indicating contact information to the user or the user who manages the object is registered as profile information, and information indicating the contact information is listed as the access information list. It is also possible to register it.

The access information list is not necessarily included in the user information. For example, the area may be secured in another storage area or another storage device in the same storage means. In such a case, a pointer for referring to the access information list may be included in the user information. Next, an operation example of the information providing system in the present embodiment will be described. Here, the operation of the information providing system when an operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1 in the display area of the display means 104 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the information providing system in the present embodiment. Note that operations similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers and description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the control means 1 0 1 has access information associated with the user identifier of the superimposed object image stored as user information in the storage means 1 0 2 after step S 1 0 2. The profile information read in step S 1 0 2 is additionally registered in the list (step S 2 0 3). For example, it is assumed that the user information stored in the storage unit 10 2 is the example shown in FIG. Fig. 11 shows an example of user information when an operation to superimpose object image 2 on object image 1 is performed in this state. As shown in Figure 11 1, profile information 2 associated with user identifier 2 of object image 2 is added to access information list 1 associated with user identifier 1 of object image 1. .

In this embodiment, the profile information corresponding to the object image 1 is added to the access information list corresponding to the object image 2 by the operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1. May be. As described above, according to the present embodiment, information related to the displayed image (profile information) force is stored in the access information list (predetermined memory area) registered in association with the related object image. Since it is additionally registered, users can refer to it anytime by simply accessing the system. In other words, the information can be obtained as information that can be referred to even after the fact.

Note that the providing method in the first embodiment and the providing method in the second embodiment can be implemented in combination. For example, the control means 10 1 1 immediately notifies the user or object profile information corresponding to the superimposed object image to the email address of the user corresponding to the superimposed object image, and In the access information list registered in association with the superimposed object image, the user profile corresponding to the superimposed object image is displayed. You may make it add field information. On the contrary, the control means 10 1 1 immediately notifies the user or object profile information corresponding to the superimposed object image to the user's e-mail address corresponding to the superimposed object image. Furthermore, the user profile information corresponding to the superimposed object image may be added to the access information list registered in association with the superimposed object image.

The control means 1 0 1 associates the user who is the manager of the superimposed image and the user who is the manager of the superimposed image with each other's object image. You may be able to provide information about the user or object associated with the superimposed image to the user. For example, the control means 1 0 1 immediately notifies the user or object profile information corresponding to the superimposed object image to the mail address of the user corresponding to the superimposed object image, The user's profile information corresponding to the superimposed object image may be added to the access information list registered in association with the superimposed object image. Third embodiment

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the information providing system in the present embodiment includes position management means 1 0 5 and wireless transmission means 1 0 6 as compared with the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, as an example of the wireless transmission means 10 06, the wireless transmission means 10 06-1 and the wireless transmission means 10 06-2 are illustrated. The number can be any number depending on the number of users or objects associated with the object image.

The location management means 10 5 receives the wireless signal including information (for example, user identifier or object identifier) for identifying the user or the object from the wireless transmission means 10 6, thereby receiving the wireless transmission means 10. Detects that the user or object wearing 6 is in the vicinity. The information for identifying the user or the object may be an identifier different from the user identifier identifier. In such a case, the received identifier is converted into a user identifier as an object identifier. Thus, it is only necessary to detect that a user or an object is nearby.

The wireless transmission means 106 is attached (or possessed) to each user or object, and transmits information for identifying the user or object by short-range wireless communication. As a short-range wireless communication method, for example, a method called an RFID tag that acquires electric power by the effect of electromagnetic induction of a radio wave received by an antenna and transmits a weak radio wave, or IEEE 80.1.15. A method such as B 1 uetooth (registered trademark) specified in 1 may be used within a range of several meters. Note that the communication method used in this information provision system is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the control means 10 0 1 causes the display means 1 0 4 to display an object image associated with the user or the object detected by the position management means 1 0 5. . For example, by installing the location management means 1 0 5 in the vicinity of the display means 1 0 4, the object image associated with the user in the vicinity of the display means 1 0 4 is displayed on the display means 1 0 4. You can do it. The input means 10 3 accepts an operation from the user as an operation on the object image displayed on the display image 10 4 in association with the user. For example, when accepting an operation from a user, the input means 103 may accept the user identifier after inputting the user identifier of the user. Further, for example, information corresponding to a user operation may be input in association with the user identifier most recently detected by the position management means 105.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display area of the display means 10 04 displaying the object image. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the location management means 1 0 5 receives the user identifier 1 from the wireless transmission means 1 0 6 _ 1 attached to the user A, and the wireless transmission means 1 0 6 attached to the user B — This is an example when user identifier 2 is received from 2. As shown in FIG. 13, when the location management means 1 0 5 detects the user A and the user B, the control means 1 0 1 is associated with the user A (specifically, the user identifier 1). The object image 1 of the user B is displayed on the display means 10 04 as the avatar 4 OA of the user A, and the object image 2 associated with the user B (specifically, the user identifier 2) Displayed on display means 1 0 4 as avatar 4 0 B. In the example shown in Fig. 1-3, the number of users detected for simplicity (specifically, The number of user identifiers) is 2, but the control means 1 0 1 displays corresponding object images for all user identifiers detected by the location management means 1 0 5. The position of the object image displayed on the display means 104 is arbitrary, and is not limited to the arrangement shown in the example of FIG.

The operation of the present embodiment after the object image is displayed on the display means 104 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 13, for example, when the user B detects that the operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1 is performed, the control unit 1 0 1 corresponds to the superimposed object image 2. The attached user B's profile information may be sent to the mail address of user A associated with the superimposed object image 1. Or conversely, user A's profile information associated with the overlaid object image 1 is sent to User B's email address associated with the overlaid object image 2. Anyway.

Further, it is also possible to apply changes from the first embodiment to the second embodiment to this embodiment. In such a case, the operation of this embodiment after displaying the object image on the display means 104 is the same as that of the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 13, for example, when the user B detects that the operation of superimposing the object image 2 on the object image 1 has been performed, the control unit 1 0 1 corresponds to the superimposed object image 2. The attached user B's profile information may be additionally registered in the access information list stored as the user A's user information associated with the superimposed object image 1. Or, conversely, the profile information of user A associated with the superimposed object image 1 is stored in the access information list stored as the user information of user B corresponding to the superimposed object image 2. Additional registration may be performed.

Fourth embodiment

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the information providing system in the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 in that it includes a position specifying means 1 07 instead of the wireless transmission means 1 0 6. Different. In FIG. 14, as an example of the wireless transmission means 1 0 6, Position specifying means 1 0 7— 1 and position g specifying means 1 0 7— 2 are illustrated, but the number of position specifying means 1 0 7 depends on the number of users or objects associated with the object image. It may be.

The position management means 1 0 5 a receives a radio signal including information for identifying the user or the object from the position specifying means 1 0 7 and information for specifying the position of the user or the object, Position identification means 1 0 Detects the position of the user or object that owns or wears the device.

The position specifying means 10 07 is attached to (or possessed by) each user or object, specifies the position of the user or object, and manages the position information together with information for identifying the user or object. Means 1 0 5 Send to a.

As a method of specifying the position of a user or an object, for example, latitude and longitude may be specified by GPS (Global Positioning System). In addition, for example, it may be possible to specify the position by the identifier of the position received from a transmitter fixed indoors. Note that the communication method used in the information providing system is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the control means 101 causes the display means 104 to display the object image based on the position of each user or object detected by the position management means 1005a. For example, the control means 10 0 1 may display an object image associated with a user or an object in the vicinity of the display means 10 4 on the display means 1 0 4.

The input means 10 3 accepts an operation from the user as an operation on the object image displayed on the display image 10 4 in association with the user. For example, when accepting an operation from a user, the input means 10 3 may accept the user identifier after inputting the user identifier. Further, for example, information corresponding to a user operation may be input in association with a user identifier detected by the position management means 1 005 a as closest to the input means 1 0 3.

The operation of this embodiment after the object image is displayed on the display means 104 is the same as that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

Fifth embodiment

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the information providing system in the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 in that the wireless transmission means 106 is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the position management means 10 5 b includes an imaging device (not shown) that captures the vicinity. Position management means 1 0 5 b detects the proximity of a user or object by photographing the vicinity using an imaging device and analyzing whether the registered user or object is reflected in the captured image. To do.

The location management means 1 0 5 b stores, for example, an image of a user or an object and information for identifying the user or the object in association with each other, and analyzes an image of the vicinity. When it is determined that the image that matches the image of the registered user or object is included in the captured image, the user or object is detected.

Further, the control means 10 01 causes the display means 10 4 to display an object image associated with the user or the object detected by the position management means 1 0 5 b. For example, by installing the position management means 1 0 5 b in the vicinity of the display means 1 0 4, the object image associated with the user in the vicinity of the display means 1 0 4 is displayed on the display means 1 0 4. You can make it display.

The input means 10 3 accepts an operation from the user as an operation on the object image displayed on the display image 10 4 in association with the user. For example, when accepting an operation from a user, the input means 10 3 may accept the user identifier after inputting the user identifier. In addition, for example, information corresponding to a user operation may be input in association with the user identifier detected as being closest to the input unit 10 3 by the position management unit 10 5 b.

Note that FIG. 15 shows an example in which two users are located in the vicinity of the position management means 10 05 b, but the number of users or objects located in the vicinity of the position management means 10 5 b Can be any number depending on the number of users or objects associated with the object image.

The operation of the present embodiment after the object image is displayed on the display means 104 is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the user or image is associated with the user or an object. Or an information providing device for providing information about an object, which displays an image corresponding to the user or the object and receives an operation on the displayed image (for example, the control means 1 0 1), and a user or Storage means (for example, storage means 10 2) that associates and stores an image associated with an object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and information related to the user or the object, and the control means includes a display When it is detected that an operation for superimposing the first image and the second image is performed, the menus associated with the first image and the second image that are the targets of the overlay operation are displayed. The information about the user or object associated with the second image is stored in the memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the first image. A configuration example of an information providing apparatus characterized in that information is provided by performing a predetermined process for generating information is shown.

In the above-described embodiment, the information providing means includes information on a user or an object associated with the superimposed image in a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is a manager of the superimposed image. An operation example of an information providing apparatus that provides information on a user or an object associated with a superimposed image to a user who is a manager of superimposed images by performing a process for holding the image. (See Figure 7, for example). Here, the information providing means is a collective expression of control means, display means, position management means, and the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the information providing means holds information on a user or an object associated with the superimposed image in a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is a manager of the superimposed image. An example of the operation of the information providing device that provides information about the user or object associated with the superimposed image to the user who is the manager of the superimposed image by performing processing (For example, see Figure 8.)

In the above embodiment, the storage means includes an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, information about the user or the object, and a user who is the image manager. The address information is stored in association with each other, and when the control means detects that the operation of superimposing the first image and the second image is performed, the control of the user who is the administrator of the first image is performed. Address information as the destination, the second image By sending information about the user or object associated with the image, information about the user or object associated with the second image is provided to the user who is the administrator of the first image. A configuration example of the information providing apparatus is shown (see the first embodiment).

In the above embodiment, the storage means provides an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, information about the user or the object, and a user who is an image manager. As the information to be provided, list information indicating information on users or objects associated with other images is stored in association with each other, and the control device performs an operation of superimposing the first image and the second image. When it is detected, the user or object associated with the second image is added to the list information stored in the storage means as information to be provided to the user who is the administrator of the first image. By registering information on the information providing device that provides information on the user or object associated with the second image to the user who is the administrator of the first image. Narurei is shown (see the second embodiment.).

Further, in the above embodiment, there is provided an information providing system for providing information related to a user or an object via an image associated with the user or the object, and a display means for displaying the image associated with the user or the object (for example, Display means 1 0 4), input means (for example, input means 1 0 3) for inputting information indicating the operation contents from the user to the surface image displayed on the display means, and the user or the object. A control means (for example, control means 1 0 1) for receiving an operation on the image displayed via the input means, an image associated with the user or the object, and the user or the object. Storage means (for example, storage means 1002) for storing an identifier for identification and information on the user or the object in association with each other, and the control means displays the first When it is detected that an operation for superimposing the image and the second image has been performed, the identifier of the user or object associated with the first image and the second image that are the targets of the superimposition operation is determined. Identify and perform a predetermined process to hold information about the user or object associated with the second image in a memory area that can be referenced by the user who is the administrator of the first image A configuration example of an information providing system that provides information is shown. In the above embodiment, at least position detecting means for detecting a user or an object located in the vicinity of the display means (for example, position management means 1 0 5, position management means 1 0 5 a, position management means 10 shows a configuration example of an information providing system provided with a display unit that displays an image associated with a user or an object detected by the position detection unit. As described above, according to the present invention, in a system that displays an image corresponding to a person or an object on a display device, a user can obtain information related to the displayed image so that it can be referred to even after the fact. . The information providing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by an information processing apparatus (computer, server) that realizes various means by using general software. Specifically, the control unit of the information providing device, the storage unit such as R0M and RAM, various input units, the output unit, the network interface unit, etc., and the information providing program developed and used in the storage unit, etc. Control means and storage means are realized based on various programs. Further, the information providing program causes the control unit to function as a location management means. Various table information (user information) used for various means is also stored in the storage unit and used for arithmetic processing of the control unit. The information providing program and various table information may be stored in an auxiliary storage device, a storage medium, or a network server (database) and used in the information processing device to realize the information providing device.

Various means may be realized using hardware, and if some or all of the functions realized by the information providing program are replaced with hardware, it is hoped that the processing capability will be improved. In addition, various means can be realized as a server if necessary. In this case, a control server (control means) that manages a plurality of images arranged in a virtual space that has been subjected to an operation of superimposing images sent via a network is controlled by a user information database (storage means) Acquire user information, etc. (images to be managed, identifiers, related information), and make contact with images of different users managed in the virtual space (overlapping or close to the distance to communicate). Upon detection, identifiers associated with multiple touched images are obtained, and information related to the touched images (profile information, address information, access information, etc.) The information is recorded in a storage means that can be referred to later by each other's users. By operating in this way, even after the contact of the image is released, the information of the contacted image can be acquired afterwards.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, the configuration and details of the present invention can be modified in various ways that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2 0 0 7 — 2 9 5 9 0 9 filed on Jan. 1st, 2004, and the entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. Capture here.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. a control means for displaying an image associated with a user or an object and receiving an operation on the displayed image;

An image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and storage means for storing information relating to the user or the object in association with each other.

When the control means detects that an operation to superimpose the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, the first image and the second image to be subjected to the superposition operation are detected. The user or object identifier associated with the second image is identified, and the user associated with the second image is stored in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the first image. Or, perform predetermined processing to retain information about the object,

An information providing apparatus that makes it possible to provide information related to the user or the object to the administrator.

2. The control means performs processing for holding information on a user or an object associated with the superimposed image in a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is a manager of the superimposed image. Providing information about the user or object associated with the superimposed image to the user who is the administrator of the superimposed image

The information providing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control means performs a process for holding information on a user or an object associated with the superimposed image in a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is a manager of the superimposed image. Information about the user or object associated with the superimposed image to the user who is the administrator of the superimposed image

The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The storage means includes an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, information about the user or the object, and address information of the user who is an administrator of the image. Are stored in association with each other,

When the control means detects that an operation of superimposing the first image and the second image is performed, the address information of the user who is the administrator of the first image is used as the destination, and By transmitting information about the user or object associated with the second image, the user or object associated with the second image is transmitted to the user who is the administrator of the first image. The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information providing apparatus provides information related to the information.

5. The storage means provides an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, information on the user or the object, and a user who is an administrator of the image. Information is stored in association with list information indicating information about users or objects associated with other images,

When the control unit detects that an operation of superimposing the first image and the second image has been performed, the control unit stores information in the storage unit as information to be provided to a user who is an administrator of the first image Registered in the list information, the information related to the user or the object associated with the second image is registered in the second image for the user who is the administrator of the first image. Providing information about associated users or objects

The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus is an information providing apparatus.

6. Display means for displaying a plurality of images associated with the user or the object, input means for inputting information indicating the operation contents from the user for the image displayed on the display means,

Control means for displaying an image associated with a user or an object on the display means, and accepting an operation on the image displayed via the input means;

An image associated with the user or the object and an identification for identifying the user or the object And a storage unit that stores the information relating to the user or the object in association with each other,

When the control means detects that an operation to superimpose the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, the first image and the second image to be subjected to the superposition operation are detected. The user or object identifier associated with the second image is identified, and the user associated with the second image is stored in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the first image. Or perform a predetermined process to hold information about objects,

An information providing system that makes it possible to provide information on a user or an object associated with the second image to the administrator.

7. The storage means includes an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, information about the user or the object, and address information of the user who is an administrator of the image Are stored in association with each other,

When the control unit detects that an operation of superimposing the first H-elephant and the second image is performed, the address information of the user who is the administrator of the first image is used as a destination. By transmitting information related to the user or object associated with the second image, the user associated with the second image or the user associated with the second image The information providing system according to claim 6, wherein the information providing system provides information related to an object.

8. The storage means provides an image associated with the user or the object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, information on the user or the object, and a user who is an administrator of the image. Information is stored in association with list information indicating information about users or objects associated with other images,

When the control unit detects that an operation of superimposing the first image and the second image is performed, the storage unit stores the information as information to be provided to a user who is an administrator of the first image. By registering information related to the user or the object associated with the second image in the list information stored in the means, the tube of the first image is registered. Providing information about the user or object associated with the second image to the user who is assumed to be an administrator

The information providing system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. It comprises at least position detecting means for detecting a user or an object located in the vicinity of the display means,

The control means causes the display means to display an image associated with the user or the object detected by the position detection means.

The information providing system according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

1 0. The image associated with the user or the object, the identifier for identifying the user or the object, and the information about the user or the object are stored in the storage device in association with each other,

When it is detected that an operation for superimposing the first image and the second image displayed on the display means has been performed, the first image and the second image that are the targets of the overlay operation are associated with each other. Information on the user or object associated with the second image is stored in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the first image. Perform predetermined processing to hold

An information providing method, characterized in that information about the user or the object can be provided to the administrator.

1 1. When it is detected that an operation to superimpose the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, a memory area that can be referred to by a user who is an administrator of the superimposed image is stored in the memory area. Performs processing to retain information about the user or object associated with the superimposed image

The information providing method according to claim 10.

1 2. The operation to superimpose the displayed first and second images is performed. When this is detected, a process for storing information about the user or object associated with the superimposed image in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the superimposed image I do

The information providing method according to claim 10 or claim 11.

1 3. A computer provided with storage means for storing an image associated with a user or an object, an identifier for identifying the user or the object, and information related to the user or the object;

When it is detected that an operation for superimposing the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, the first image and the second image that are the targets of the superimposition operation are associated with each other. The user or object identifier is identified, and information on the user or object associated with the second image is stored in a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the manager of the first image. Control means for executing the process to be held

An information providing program characterized by functioning as

1 4. The control means includes:

When it is detected that an operation to superimpose the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, the image is superimposed on a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the superimposed image. Execute processing to retain information about the user or object associated with the image

The information providing program according to claim 13, wherein:

1 5. The control means includes:

When it is detected that an operation to superimpose the displayed first image and the second image has been performed, it is superimposed on a memory area that can be referred to by the user who is the administrator of the superimposed image. Execute processing to retain information about the user or object associated with the image

The program for providing information according to claim 13 or claim 14 characterized by that.

1 6. Control means for managing a plurality of images arranged in the virtual space and receiving an operation on the arranged images;

Storage means for storing the image to be managed, an identifier associated with the image, and related information associated with the identifier;

When the control means detects contact with the first image and the second image that are images managed in a virtual space and are caused by different users,

An identifier associated with the first image and the second image is acquired, and information regarding the contacted image can be acquired later between users of the first image and / or the second image To record

An information providing system characterized by that.

1 7. Using an information processing apparatus, store the image to be managed, the identifier associated with the image, and the related information associated with the identifier, and manage a plurality of images arranged in the virtual space. ,

When contact with the first image and the second image that are managed in the virtual space and are caused by different users is detected,

An identifier associated with the first image and the second image is acquired, and information about the contacted image can be acquired later between users of the first image and Z or the second image. To record

An information providing method characterized by the above.