JP2012023682A - Bidirectional communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a person who is not good at operating electronic devices to easily receive desired service by a simple procedure using a bidirectional communication system.SOLUTION: A bidirectional communication system 1 comprises: a predetermined communication line network 100; communication terminals 3a,3b,3c,... with displays for system users capable of connecting with the communication line network 100; and a management computer 10A for a system manager capable of connecting with the communication line network 100. The bidirectional communication system 1 enables a system user to receive desired service by connecting with the management computer 10A via the communication line network 100 to input via an input means while using the communication terminals with displays. The input means is a touch panel formed together with an input image by image display means 25 which are the displays of the communication terminal 3a,3b,3c,..., the touch panel allowing the system user to perform input operation by touching thereon.

Description

  The present invention relates to a bidirectional communication system, and more particularly to a bidirectional communication system that can receive various services using a communication terminal with a display.

  In recent years, a bidirectional communication system using an Internet line network or a local cable TV line network has been rapidly spreading. For example, it is well known that a videophone system is built using a personal computer as a communication terminal with a live camera, a speaker, and a microphone and using an Internet line network. It is also possible for a person to have a conversation while looking at the other person's face, and to confirm the safety of an elderly person through a live video by continuous connection.

  Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-33845, such a system is further developed so that the elderly and the physically disabled can use a two-way videophone system for public service institutions and social welfare facilities. There is also known a system in which a desired service can be accurately received when necessary while in contact with the person in charge.

  Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-158987, there is also a two-way communication system in which a cable TV subscriber can make an order for a product by inputting while looking at an input screen displayed on the TV. Proposals have made it possible for people who are not good at using computers and cannot use online shopping to purchase necessary products while at home.

  However, when the system user selects and uses the desired service from various services, the former system is limited to the contents of the service via the other party of the videophone call, and all the other parties are called Since it is necessary to make a request through the service, it is easy for users to easily receive services.

  On the other hand, in the latter system, since the application for the service is performed while using the television as the input screen, it is possible to receive various services including purchase of goods without hesitation. However, when performing input operations on a TV input screen, it is not as easy as operating a personal computer, but it requires operation by input means such as a TV remote control with multiple buttons, so it is difficult to handle electronic devices. It is still difficult for those who use it. Therefore, a bidirectional communication system is desired in which even a person who is not good at operating electronic devices can easily receive a desired service in a simple procedure.

JP 2002-33845 A JP 2002-158987 A

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and even a person who is not good at operating an electronic device can easily receive a desired service using a bidirectional communication system in a simple procedure. The challenge is to make it possible.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a predetermined communication line network, a communication terminal with a display for a system user connectable to the communication line network, and a system administrator connectable to the communication line network. The system user is provided with a desired service by connecting to the management computer via a communication network and inputting with a predetermined input means while using a communication terminal with a display. In the bidirectional communication system, the input means is a touch panel formed together with the input image on the display screen of the display-equipped communication terminal, and the system user touches the touch panel to perform an input operation.

  As described above, the input means used by the system user for receiving services in the bidirectional communication system is a touch panel type using a display screen, so that even an elderly person or a housewife who is not good at operating electronic devices may desire. You will be able to apply for a service without hesitation in a simple procedure.

  In this interactive communication system, the communication terminal with a display and the management computer are respectively provided with a moving image acquisition means, a sound acquisition means, and a sound output means by a live camera, so that the system user can perform an input operation on the touch panel. If it is characterized by being able to communicate with the calling system administrator or other system users using the videophone function, the system can be used by talking while looking at the other party's face. In addition to making it easier for a person to request a desired service, it is easier to expand the circle of communication while at home.

  Further, in the above-described bidirectional communication system, the communication line network is an Internet line network or a cable TV line network, and a management computer and a system administrator are assigned to each area by setting a predetermined area as one unit area in the system. If it is characterized by being arranged, it is easy for a system user to enjoy a desired service through one system administrator.

  Furthermore, in the above-described interactive communication system, services available to the system users include video chat service between system users, safety confirmation service for elderly people living alone, product purchase / delivery service, housekeeping service, nursing care If one or more of the dispatching services are included, the advantages of the interactive communication system using images and sounds can be fully utilized, and the system user has a narrow range of action for the elderly and the disabled. In this case, it becomes particularly convenient and useful.

  According to the present invention in which the input means of the system user is a touch panel type with a display screen, even a person who is not good at operating electronic devices can easily use a two-way communication system to provide a desired service in a simple procedure. It can be received.

It is a system configuration figure of an embodiment in the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the management computer in the system of FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the communication terminal with a display in the system of FIG. 3 is an input screen for explaining an example of a service that can be used by a system user in the system of FIG. 1. It is the screen by the videophone function following the screen of FIG. 3 is an input screen for explaining an example of a service that can be used by a system user in the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an expanded screen for order confirmation following the screen of FIG. 6.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a bidirectional communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. This bidirectional communication system 1 is a communication line such as an Internet line, a cable TV line, or a smaller local area network. , A communication terminal with a display 3a, 3b, 3c,... For a system user connectable to the communication line network 100, and a management computer 10A for a system administrator connectable to the communication line network 100. The system user uses his or her own communication terminal 3a with display,..., Connects to the management computer 10A via the communication network 100, and performs input using predetermined input means. This is a two-way communication system that can receive services. It is intended.

  Conventionally, in order to receive a predetermined service via such a two-way communication system, it is necessary to operate electronic devices that require relatively complicated procedures, and users such as elderly people who are not good at these operations. It was difficult to use that service. Therefore, in the present invention, the input means used by the system user is the image display means 25 by the display of the communication terminal 3a with display,... And used for the touch panel type input screen displayed on the image display means 25. This makes it possible for a person who is not good at operating an electronic device to easily receive a desired service.

  In this embodiment, each display-equipped communication terminal 3a,..., And management computer 10A include moving image acquisition means 24, 14 using a live camera, sound acquisition means using a microphone (not shown), and sound output means using a speaker. Are attached to each. As a result, two-way communication by videophone can be performed between the system administrator who is called by the input operation of the touch panel by the system user and other system users.

  Further, the bidirectional communication system 1 can provide an accurate and detailed service by arranging a management computer 10A and a system administrator for each area, for example, with an area having a radius of about 800 m as one unit area in the system. It is supposed to do so.

  In the system configuration diagram of FIG. 1, the owner of the communication terminal with display 3f is a store owner in the area, and also serves as a store for products in the product purchase / delivery service described later. Further, in this interactive communication system 1, the business computers 4 a and 4 b can also be connected via the communication network 100, so that merchandise stores (shopping mall services) and nursing care dispatch in merchandise purchase / delivery services It constitutes a service providing facility.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the management computer 10A for the system administrator in the present embodiment. The management computer 10A can be connected to the communication line network 100 via the transmission / reception means 13, and the management / control section 11 has the image display means 25 of the communication terminal 3a with display of the system user. Screen forming / updating means 11a for forming / updating system screens to be displayed, chat composing means 11b for composing a video chat between system users, and registration / management of system users who are members Registration / management means 11c for this purpose.

The management computer 10A includes a member information file 12 that stores all information related to the system user, as well as a moving image acquisition means 14 (live camera), an image display means 15 (display), and an audio acquisition means 16 ( Microphone), audio output means 17 (speaker), and input operation means 18 (keyboard). The management computer 10A functions as a web server. However, a management server may be provided separately and a computer used by the system administrator for operation may be connected thereto.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the display-equipped communication terminal 3a in the present embodiment. This communication terminal with display 3a is also basically a simple personal computer provided with image acquisition means 24 (live camera), image display means 25 (display), sound acquisition means 26 (microphone), and sound output means 27 (speaker). The computer is connected to the communication line network 100 via the transmission / reception means 23, inputs data from the management computer 10A, and forms a system screen by the screen formation means 21a of the control unit 21. Is configured by forming a touch panel screen on the image display means (display) 25 by the touch panel input image forming means 21b of the control unit 21.

  Below, the detail of the function by the bidirectional | two-way communication system 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated. In this embodiment, users such as elderly people and full-time housewives who are not good at operating electronic devices can use the interactive communication function to easily exchange information via the display screen while at home. It is characterized by the fact that it can be enjoyed. To that end, it is necessary to register as a system member, and it is possible to receive services on the premise that a dedicated communication terminal with a display is purchased or rented. .

  In the interactive communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, examples of services that can utilize the features of the functions of the system include Internet services using a web browser function and various consultations held by users using a videophone function. Various consultation services that respond, chat video service between system users using two-way communication function, safety confirmation service for elderly people using live camera function, product purchase / delivery service using touch panel input function, housekeeping service, Nursing care services are assumed.

  FIG. 4 shows an input screen 70A for selecting and applying for an item desired by the user from various consultation items in the “anything consultation service” as an example of the consultation service described above. The input screen 70A is a touch panel type as described above, and is input and transmitted to the management computer 10A simply by touching a consultation service item desired by the system user with a finger.

  For example, when an item “listen to the story” is touched, the videophone function is activated and the system administrator can talk with the system user while being shown live on the screen 70B as shown in FIG. In this case, the system administrator uses the member information file to select an optimal person from the system users (members) to talk to the client, and operates the management computer 10A to select the person selected via the client chat video. Arrange for contact.

  On the other hand, when the system user selects the “housework agency” item, the system administrator listens to the details of the desired housework while talking to the system user using the videophone function, as in FIG. Then, an appropriate person is selected from members who have entered the job of acting as housework through another service of the system, “work introduction service”, and the client operates the management computer 10A in the same manner as described above. Arrange for contact with selected people via chat video.

  FIG. 6 shows the “simple shopping service” as an example of the above-described product purchase / delivery service, and purchases vegetables at 800 × in FIG. An input screen 80A for ordering is shown, and photographs of vegetables that can be purchased at the store are arranged in an icon form.

  When the system user touches and selects a picture of the vegetable to be purchased on this input screen 80A, the purchase list display screen 80B of FIG. 7 is displayed, and then the total calculated from the unit price and the number of each vegetable A screen 80C for displaying an amount (including a delivery fee) is displayed, and a screen 80E for confirming an order is displayed by touching an order “OK” button on the order screen 80D. The administrator (or its agent) receives the product at 800 × and delivers it to the home of the ordered system user.

  As described above, in the interactive communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, even a system user who is not good at operating electronic devices such as personal computers can feel comfortable with a simple procedure of touching the touch panel displayed on the display. You can receive various services. In addition, since it is possible to make a detailed request while talking directly with the system administrator using the videophone function, there is also an advantage that it is easy to convey the service desired by the user in detail and enjoy it accurately.

  As described above, even a user who is not good at operating electronic devices can easily receive a desired service using a bidirectional communication system according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Two-way communication system, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f Communication terminal with a display, 10A management computer, 14, 24 Movie acquisition means, 15, 25 Image display means, 70A, 80A input screen, 70B, 80B, 80C, 80D, 80E screen, 100 communication network

Claims (4)

  A system user comprising: a predetermined communication line network; a communication terminal with a display for a system user connectable to the communication line network; and a management computer for a system administrator connectable to the communication line network. In the bidirectional communication system capable of receiving provision of a desired service by connecting to the management computer via the communication line network and inputting with a predetermined input means while using the communication terminal with display, the input means Is a touch panel formed together with an image on the display screen of the communication terminal with display, and the system user touches the touch panel to perform an input operation.   The communication terminal with display and the management computer are each provided with moving image acquisition means, sound acquisition means, and sound output means by a live camera, and the system administrator called by the input operation of the touch panel or 2. The two-way communication system according to claim 1, wherein communication with a videophone function can be performed with other system users.   The communication line network is an Internet line network or a cable TV line network, and a predetermined area is set as one unit area in the system, and the management computer and the system administrator are arranged for each area. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 1 or 2. Services available to the system users include one or more of a video chat service between the system users, a safety confirmation service for the elderly living alone, a product purchase / delivery service, a housekeeping service, and a care dispatch service. The bidirectional communication system according to claim 1, 2, or 3.

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