JP2003023520A - Data distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data distribution system where Web information can be obtained easily by pursuing a linkage using facsimile equipment as user terminal equipment. SOLUTION: Image information of an input paper, on which request contents of a user are described, is sent as facsimile image information data to a data providing server 3 by using user facsimile equipment 2-1 to 2-n. In the data- providing server 3, the request contents included in facsimile image information are recognized by a recognition part 31, information on a Web which corresponds to the request contents is obtained, on the basis of the recognized result by using an information obtaining part 32, and the obtained Web information is converted to facsimile image data, by using an image conversion part 33 and sent to the facsimile equipment from 2-1 to 2-n.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data distribution system in which a user uses a facsimile machine as a terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the use of systems such as personal computers and mobile terminals for obtaining various types of information or data through a data network such as the Internet has become widespread. However, in the above-mentioned system in which the user directly accesses the data network and obtains the required data, devices such as a personal computer and a mobile terminal are required, and therefore the user must purchase these devices. There is a problem that the data cannot be easily obtained because the operation of these devices has to be newly learned while the financial burden is imposed.

Therefore, recently, the possession rate of the facsimile apparatus has been increasing year by year mainly in general households, and it has become a familiar information medium. Therefore, the facsimile apparatus is used as a user's input / output means to deliver data. The data distribution system that is designed to do so has been put to practical use. Compared to a personal computer, which requires complicated settings and takes time to get used to the operation, the facsimile device is easier to operate and can be easily used by anyone from children to the elderly.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of a conventional data distribution system using a facsimile machine. In the data distribution system 100 shown in FIG.
1 and the facsimile apparatus 102, a large number of image data 103 stored in the data providing server 103
-1, 103-2, ..., 103-N is configured so that desired image data can be delivered. First, the user sets the telephone 101 to the public network 104.
A line connection is made to the data providing server 103 via. Next, when the user inputs a data calling code of a desired image, for example, # 14 using the push button of the telephone 101 according to the voice guidance from the data providing server 103, the data providing server 103 which has received the data calling code In response to this, the image data 103-1 and 10-3 stored in the data providing server 103
Image data corresponding to the data calling code # 14 from among 3-2, ..., 103-N is transmitted to the user's facsimile apparatus 102 via the public line network 104. As a result, the user has the telephone 101 and the facsimile machine 10
The desired image data can be obtained as the facsimile image data by only the operation of 2.

[0005]

However, in the data distribution system using the conventional facsimile apparatus as described above, it is only necessary to selectively obtain the image data or the like previously stored in the data providing server. Because of this, the scale of the data link built there is unavoidable. Therefore, in the above-described conventional system, the user cannot freely obtain information equivalent to that obtained on the Internet using the personal computer. That is, it is difficult to search for a required image by following a link of an image called by using a mouse on a personal computer, that is, to perform so-called web surfing. Further, since the user selects the image data only by inputting the data call code, there is a problem in that it is inconvenient in terms of operability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data distribution system capable of solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses a facsimile machine as a user's terminal device and uses a facsimile machine to provide image data of a sheet in which the contents requested by the user are written by the facsimile machine. The data providing server obtains the information corresponding to the user's request content based on the image information on the data network or from the database of the data providing server, and the obtained information is sent to the user's facsimile device as facsimile image data. It was designed to be sent.

When using a personal computer to obtain information stored on a network (hereinafter referred to as Web information), the Web information is generally displayed on a display and the position of the displayed text or image is displayed. If there is information linked to a sentence or an image in advance by clicking the mouse, the information can be displayed. In addition, it is possible to input information by moving the cursor to the character input position on the display and inputting characters from the keyboard.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, instead of displaying the Web information on the display, the Web information is output as paper from the facsimile together with the address of the file of the Web information and linked to the text or image of the paper output from the facsimile. When extracting the information, instead of clicking, the symbol corresponding to the click is written on the text or image of the paper output of the facsimile device. Further, in order to input a character, instead of inputting it with the keyboard, the character is entered in the character entry frame on the paper of the facsimile apparatus. By sending back the sheet thus filled in to the data providing server by the facsimile device, the data providing server cuts out and recognizes only the file address information and the entered symbols / characters and recognizes the target Web information from the file address information. And recognizes which position in the Web information is clicked or where the character is input based on the position information of the symbol and the character, and the Web information desired by the user is recognized as facsimile data by the user. It is designed to be transmitted to the facsimile machine of.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data distribution system using a facsimile device as a user's terminal device, wherein the image information of an input sheet in which the contents requested by the user are written is transmitted by the user's facsimile device. To the providing server, the data providing server recognizes the request content included in the image information, obtains information corresponding to the request content based on the recognition result, and obtains the obtained information as facsimile image data by the user. A data distribution system is proposed which is characterized in that it is sent to

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is proposed a data distribution system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein information corresponding to the requested content is obtained from a database of the data providing server.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is proposed a data distribution system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein information corresponding to the request content is obtained from a data network.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, the input sheet is a printout sheet of Web information on the data network, and the user writes the request content on the printout sheet. A data distribution system is proposed in which the image information of the filled-out printout sheet is sent to the data providing server through a facsimile device.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 1, a data distribution system is proposed in which the input sheet is sent to the user in advance.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is proposed a data distribution system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the input sheet is sent to a user via a facsimile device.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 1, a data distribution system is proposed in which the content of the request is written on the input sheet by writing characters, symbols and the like.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, the entry position of characters, symbols, etc. entered on the basis of the image data of the input sheet after writing on the input sheet is performed. A data distribution system is proposed in which position detection and content recognition of entered contents are performed, and required information is obtained based on each result of the position detection and content recognition.

According to the invention of claim 9, in the invention of claim 4, there is proposed a data distribution system in which the requested content is written on the printout sheet by writing characters, symbols and the like.

According to the invention of claim 10, in the invention of claim 9, the characters, symbols, etc. entered based on the image data of the printout paper after the writing is performed on the printout paper. The position detection of the position and the content recognition of the entered content are performed, and the required Web on the data network is based on the results of the position detection and the content recognition.
A data distribution system for obtaining information is proposed.

According to the invention of claim 11, in the invention of claim 10, the same information as the click input is input to the corresponding position of the Web information based on each result of the position detection and the content recognition, and Alternatively, by inputting a character code in the corresponding position of the Web information, the required Web
A data distribution system for obtaining information is proposed.

According to the invention of claim 12, in the invention of claim 1, the obtained information is edited and then converted into image information, and at the same time, the data indicating the storage location of the Web is made a part of the image information. A data delivery system that inserts is proposed.

By simply filling in the form to specify the information requested by the user and transmitting it to the data providing server by the facsimile machine, the desired information, even if it is information on the data network, is transmitted as image information by facsimile. Can be obtained from the device.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a data distribution system according to the present invention. The data distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes facsimile machines (FAX) 2-1, 2-2, ... As user terminals.
.., 2-n are provided with a data providing server 3 connected via a public telephone line, and the data providing server 3 requires a required We via the internet NT which is a data network.
It is configured so that it can connect to the b server 4 and acquire Web information on the Internet NT. In Figure 1, one W
Only the eb server 4 is shown, but the Internet N
A large number of Web servers (not shown) are connected to T, and the data providing server 3 uses an appropriate Web server among these.
It is configured to be able to access the server.

The FAX 2-1 is a facsimile machine having a well-known structure, and the user fills in the request contents for his or her desired information using a predetermined input sheet, and the request contents of the user are thus entered. The image information of the paper is sent to the facsimile signal FS using the FAX 2-1.
It is converted to 1 and transmitted to the data providing server 3 via a wired or wireless telephone line. In the present embodiment, as the input sheet, a printout sheet of Web information is used, and characters and symbols are written in the necessary portions of the printout sheet of Web information that the user has in advance according to the content requested by the user. It is like this.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the input paper used here. In this example, the input paper is the web information printed out together with the address of the web information, and may be the fax output by the method described in the conventional example, or the printout may be distributed in advance as a printed matter. But it's okay.

The data providing server 3 obtains the information corresponding to the user's request content from the Internet NT on the basis of the image information indicating the request content sent from the user in the form of the facsimile signal in this way, and obtains the information. The information is converted into an image information signal in the form of a facsimile signal, and the image information signal is delivered as a facsimile signal FT1 to the FAX 2-1.

As described above, one user terminal, FAX2-
The case where there is a data distribution request from 1 has been described, but the same operation is performed when there is a data distribution request from any of the other faxes 2-2, ..., 2-n.

Next, the configuration of the data providing server 3 will be described. The data providing server 3 is configured as a computer system, receives image information of a sheet in which the content of a user's request is sent as a facsimile signal from any FAX, and the user included in this image information. The recognition unit 31 for recognizing the request content of

Characters and symbols are written in the required portions of the printout paper of the Web information which the user has in advance according to the contents requested by the user, and the recognition unit 31 receives the facsimile signal of the printout paper thus filled in. It is composed. The recognition unit 31 recognizes what information the user is requesting based on the received facsimile signal, so that the Web to be sent to the user.
Information can be specified.

The data providing server 3 includes an information acquisition unit 32 in order to acquire the Web information requested by the user and recognized by the recognition unit 31 from the Web server 4 or another appropriate Web server. . Then, the W acquired from the Internet NT by the information acquisition unit 32
The eb information is sent to the image conversion unit 33, where the Web information is converted into image information for sending to the user as a facsimile signal, and this Web information is sent as a facsimile signal to the user terminal that made the request.

The image conversion unit 33 edits the Web information acquired from the Web server so that it can be easily seen by the user and then converts it into image information, and the storage position of the Web information converted into image information on the Internet NT. The address can be added to the image information. Therefore, when the distribution system unit 3 transmits the image information of the Web information specified by the user, the image information of the Web information is added to the address of the Web information and is sent to the user.

Since the data distribution system 1 is configured as described above, each user can obtain the data on the Web server one after another simply by installing the facsimile device.

Referring to FIG. 3, a case where so-called net surfing is performed by the data distribution system 1 will be described.

First of all, the desired information on the print-out paper 41 of the Web information which the user has obtained in advance is printed with a circle 41A using an appropriate writing tool such as a ballpoint pen or a pencil.
Then, the data is sent to the data providing server 3 via the facsimile apparatus 2-1. The data providing server 3 detects that the circle mark 41A is attached to the printout sheet 41 by comparing it with the data of the blank printout sheet 41, and further detects the position of the circle mark 41A on the printout sheet 41. Recognize the information desired by the user. Since such recognition technology itself is known,
A detailed technical description of this point will be omitted.

When the information desired by the user is recognized in this way, the data providing server 3 obtains the desired Web information from the Web, converts the obtained Web information into image information, and converts it into a facsimile signal. Send to user. As a result, the user can obtain the printout paper 42 on which the desired Web information is displayed.

If the user wants to obtain more information on the printout sheet 42, similarly, the desired information in the printout sheet 42 is filled in by enclosing it with a circle 42A, and the information is sent via the facsimile apparatus 2-1. When it is sent to the data providing server 3, the desired We
It is possible to obtain the printout paper 44 on which the b information is displayed. If the printout paper 41 contains a plurality of pieces of information to be obtained, if the desired information in the printout paper 41 is filled in with circles 41A and 41B and sent to the data providing server 3, the desired Web information is obtained. It is possible to obtain the printout sheets 42 and 43 displayed. With regard to the printout paper 42, if there are a plurality of pieces of information to be obtained, by enclosing the desired information in the printout paper 42 with circles 42A and 42B, the printout paper on which the desired Web information is displayed is displayed. 44, 45 are available.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the processing function of the data providing server 3, and the data providing server 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In step S11, the input paper that the user has in advance is prepared. This input sheet has a predetermined format or format, and the user can use the facsimile machine 2-
1 may be obtained from the data providing server 3 and prepared. In step S12, the user manually writes a symbol such as a circle around an item for which information is desired to be obtained from the items printed on the prepared input paper, or a character or the like is written in a predetermined place, and the symbol or the character is written. The completed input form in which is written is transmitted to the data providing server 3 using a facsimile device.

In step S21, the data providing server 3 that has received the image information of the completed input form recognizes the recognition unit 31.
This image information is sent to, and the recognition unit 31 performs a process of confirming the address of the received image information. Step S2
2, the information acquisition unit 3 sets the address of the confirmed image information.
2 receives and receives the Web information DA corresponding to the received address from the Web server.

In step S23, the recognizing unit 31 cuts out the symbols, characters and the like written in the received image information from the image information, and recognizes their positions and types. In step S24, the recognition unit 31 receives the Web information DA acquired by the information acquisition unit 32 in step S22, and further, in step S23, the position information of the recognized symbols, characters, etc. is used to identify the symbols, characters, and the Web information DA. Corresponds to the character string and the character entry area.

In step S25, the recognition unit 31 associates the information corresponding to the symbols and characters positioned in step S24 with, for example, the mouse click information corresponding to the symbols and the character code information corresponding to the characters in the Web information DA. Perform the process of inputting the position. This means that the data providing server 3 can select the information desired by the user on the Web information DA. In step S26, step S25
Based on the information selected in step 3, the recognition unit 31 requests the information requested by the user, that is, We
b The information DB is specified.

In step S27, the information acquisition unit 32 acquires the Web information DB specified in Step S26 from the Web server, and in Step S28, the image conversion unit 33 receives the Web information DB and the received Web information DB.
To the image information format. Web information D received
By converting B into image information, the Web information DB can be transmitted to the user through the facsimile device.

In step S29, the image conversion section 33 converts the image information converted in step S28 into the original Web page.
Address information of the information DB is added. Step S30
Then, the image conversion unit 33 outputs the image information to which the address information is added to the facsimile apparatus of the user who requested the information.

Next, the operation on the user side is entered, and step S1
In No. 3, the user confirms the information written on the printout paper output from the facsimile machine, and if there is more information to be obtained, the printout paper is used as the input paper. In addition to enclosing the desired information in circles, by writing symbols or characters by hand, the completed input form is transmitted again to the data providing server 3 using the facsimile device.

After this, the process proceeds to step S21, the same process as described above is performed in the data providing server 3, and the process of outputting the information desired by the user this time to the facsimile machine is performed in step S30. Then, in step S13, the user can obtain the printout sheet on which the desired information is displayed again. Step S13 and Steps S21 to S
30 can be repeated as many times as necessary until the user has the desired information.

FIG. 5 shows a specific example of a series of input sheets used in the data distribution system 1. Data distribution in the data distribution system 1 using the input sheet shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

First, the user prepares the input paper 51.
An address symbol 61 indicating the address information of the Web information of the input sheet 51 is printed on the upper right portion of the input sheet 51. A plurality of options from which the user can obtain information are displayed on the input paper 51, and when there is information to be obtained among the options, a circle is handwritten on the desired information. For example, if you want information on "welfare for children," enter a circle above "welfare for children." Reference numeral 51A indicates a completed input sheet.

When the user sends the completed input sheet 51A to the data providing server 3 via the facsimile machine,
In the data providing server 3, the We based on the address symbol 61 of the image information of the completed input sheet 51A sent.
The original Web information of the completed input form 51A is called from the server 4. Then, the data providing server 3 recognizes that the symbol written on the completed input sheet 51A is a click mark, and associates the position of this symbol with the position of the original Web information. Here, the symbol is judged to have been entered above the character string "welfare for children", and the original W
Enter click information in the area corresponding to "welfare for children" in the eb information. By this processing, the data providing server 3 is linked to the area corresponding to “welfare for children” through the Internet NT to the second We.
The b information is taken out, converted into image information, and the converted image information added with the address information is output to the facsimile apparatus of the user who requested the information.

As a result, the printout paper 52 on which the information regarding "welfare for children" is displayed is output. An address symbol 62 indicating the address information of the Web information of the printout paper 52 is printed on the upper right portion of the printout paper 52. Printout paper 5
When there is information that the user wants to obtain further in the displayed options of 2, the printout paper 52 is used as the input paper, and the circle is handwritten again on the desired information and the state of the completed input paper 52A. And For example, if you would like information on "Child-rearing allowance," enter a circle above "Child-rearing allowance."

When the user again sends the completed input sheet 52A to the data providing server 3, the data providing server 3 outputs the printout sheet 53 on which the information desired by the user is displayed. Here, the printout paper 53 on which the information regarding the "child support allowance" is displayed is output. An address symbol 63 indicating the address information of the Web information of the printout paper 53 is printed on the upper right portion of the printout paper 53.

If there is information that the user wants to obtain in the display of the printout paper 53, the printout paper 53 is used as the input paper, and the circle is handwritten again on the desired information and the information is completed. When the input sheet is transmitted to the data providing server 3, the data providing server 3 similarly outputs a printout sheet on which the information desired by the user is displayed. In this way, the user can obtain desired information one after another by using the output printout sheet as the input sheet.

In the present embodiment, the case where the user writes a symbol on desired information displayed on the input sheet has been described, but similarly, the user writes characters such as an address and the like on the input sheet. The data providing server 3 may input characters in the Web information based on the written characters.
Further, when making various applications, other pre-registered information such as the telephone number and password used may be used instead of inputting the address and name of the user.

The image conversion means in the image conversion unit 33 may use a conversion or editing technique such as converting HTML to HTML for a facsimile machine. Regarding the correspondence of the positions of the symbols, the Web information may be stored in the system instead of being acquired through the Internet each time. Further, it goes without saying that the data distribution system 1 can be similarly used even if it is an intranet instead of the Internet NT.

Since the data distribution system 1 is configured as described above, the user can obtain the Web information from the Web server on the Internet NT by using the facsimile apparatus, and the available information is not limited. It is possible to freely obtain information equivalent to that obtained on the Internet NT using a personal computer. Further, it is possible to easily carry out so-called internet surfing by using a facsimile device to search for a required image by following a link of an image called by using a mouse in a personal computer. Furthermore, since the user selects desired information while checking the printed information on the input medium, which is a paper medium, it is extremely easy and convenient to use, and even people who are not accustomed to operating information equipment can easily use it. be able to. It should be noted that the filling sheet may have a structure in which a display indicating whether or not a link is attached is added to a character string or in the drawing. Further, in the image conversion unit 33, the layout may be changed by selecting still information such as a character string and an image. In this case, the Web information used for association in the recognition unit 31 may be the converted Web information.

In the present embodiment, the case where the method of enclosing the character string in a circle is adopted as the one corresponding to the click operation on the personal computer has been described. A method of attaching an appropriate code may be used. Also, the W displayed on the paper such as input paper
Web so that the address of eb information can be confirmed
Although the method of printing the above address as it is on the input paper has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the We
Any other method may be used as long as the position on b can be known. For example, you can enter a serial number
A table associated with the address of the information is prepared in advance, numbers such as serial numbers are displayed on the input paper, and the association table is referred when the image information of the input paper is received by the data providing server 3. Then, the system may be such that the Web information address is obtained from the serial number. Furthermore, in order to make it easy for the recognition unit 31 to cut out the characters, symbols, etc. written on the input paper, the characters, symbols, etc. are output to the printout paper as dot characters (characters that represent the characters as a set of independent dots). ,
Other printout formats may be used.

[0057]

According to the present invention, as described above, the image information of the input sheet in which the content requested by the user is entered is sent to the data providing server by the user's facsimile machine,
The data providing server recognizes the request content included in the image information, obtains information corresponding to the request content based on the recognition result, and sends the obtained information as facsimile image data to the user. Various information can be easily obtained by using. Further, since it can be configured so that various information on the data network can be obtained, the information that can be obtained is not limited, and information equivalent to obtaining information on the data network using a personal computer is available. Can be freely obtained. Further, it is possible to easily carry out so-called internet surfing by using a facsimile device to search for a required image by following a link of an image called by using a mouse in a personal computer. Furthermore, since the user selects desired information while checking the printed information on the input medium, which is a paper medium, it is extremely easy and convenient to use, and even people who are not accustomed to operating information equipment can easily use it. be able to. Furthermore, since the configuration is such that the paper is input to the facsimile device, the filled-in paper remains and you can check the history of input information.
Also, unlike the case of a personal computer, since several request symbols for Web information can be entered at one time, it is possible to perform input at one time, which is convenient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a data distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of input paper used in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for acquiring desired data from a Web server by a data distribution system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing function of the data providing server shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a series of input sheets for receiving desired information distribution using the data distribution system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional data distribution system using a facsimile device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Data distribution system 2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-n facsimile machine 3 Data providing server 4 Web server 31 recognition unit 32 Information acquisition section 33 Image converter NT Internet

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshio Maehana             4 of 7410 Izumi-cho, Izumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa F term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA25 AA29 AB08                       AC24 AC38 AC66 BA00                 5K030 GA20 HA05 HB04 HC01 JA03                       JA07 JT05 KA07 LA07 LB16                       LD17 MA04 MC07

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A data distribution system using a facsimile device as a user's terminal device, wherein image information of an input sheet on which user's request contents are written is sent to a data providing server by the user's facsimile device, and the data is sent. The providing server recognizes the request content included in the image information, obtains information corresponding to the request content based on the recognition result, and sends the obtained information as facsimile image data to the user. Characteristic data distribution system. 2. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein information corresponding to the requested content is obtained from a database of the data providing server. 3. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein information corresponding to the requested content is obtained from a data network. 4. The input sheet is a printout sheet of Web information on the data network, the user writes the request content on the printout sheet, and the image information of the printout sheet after the entry is sent through a facsimile machine. The data is sent to the data providing server.
The described data distribution system. 5. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the input sheet is sent to the user in advance. 6. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the input sheet is sent to a user via a facsimile device. 7. The entry of the request content on the input sheet is performed by writing characters, symbols, or the like.
The described data distribution system. 8. The position detection of a writing position of a character, a symbol, etc. written based on the image data of the input paper after the writing on the input paper and the content recognition of the entered contents, and the position detection 8. The data distribution system according to claim 7, wherein required information is obtained based on each result of content recognition. 9. The data distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the request content is written on the printout sheet by writing characters, symbols, or the like. 10. The position detection of the entry position of the entered characters, symbols, etc. based on the image data of the printout sheet after writing on the printout sheet and the content recognition of the entry content are performed, Required W on the data network based on each result of position detection and content recognition
The data distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the eb information is obtained. 11. The same information as the click input is input to a corresponding position of the Web information based on each result of the position detection and the content recognition, and / or a character code is input to a corresponding position of the Web information. The required We
The data distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the information b is obtained. 12. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the obtained information is edited and then converted into image information, and the data indicating the storage location of the Web is inserted into a part of the image information.