JP2003108479A - Method and system for updating address notebook automatically - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically update an address by registering an address notebook onto a specified server when registered in the other party by the same manner. SOLUTION: In this automatic address notebook updating method and system, profiles and address notebook data of users provided from respective PCIs are stored in a profile DB 3 and an address notebook DB 4 in the server 2, correlation between the contacting addresses in the address notebook and the corresponding profiles is stored in a link information table 2a, and the server 2 updates an address notebook data of the other person to which the certain user is registered, with a content of the profile, referring to the link information table 2a, when the certain user changes the profile.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an address book update, and more particularly, to an address book automatic update which can automate the address update of the other party when the other party registered in the address book subscribes to the same service. A method and system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the widespread use of personal computers (PCs), address books are being digitized and managed in the PCs. In particular, the electronic address book on a PC is easy to add and modify data, and has a rich sort function and search function.

Further, the address book includes addresses of electronic mail used on the Internet. Then, the user of the PC registers unique address data in the address book and adds / corrects the data.

[0004]

However, in the conventional address book function described above, when the registered destination address is changed, the person using the address book needs to change the destination address. However, there was a problem that the change work was troublesome.

If the person does not even know the address change of the other party, for example, a situation may occur in which electronic mail cannot be sent to the other party.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and by registering an address book in a specific server, if the other party is also registered, the address book can be automatically updated thereafter. It is intended to provide an automatic update method and system.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in an address book automatic updating method and system, a server is
When a user's profile and user's address book data are registered, whether or not the other party in the address book data is another user who has already been registered is checked from the profiles of other users who have already been registered. If you check and if they match, the relationship between the two is remembered, and if the profile of another user changes,
The related address book data is updated according to the changed profile, and the user can update the related address book data by changing the profile.

According to the present invention, in the above address book automatic updating system, a telephone number is output by voice and a telephone connection is made in response to a user inquiry request to the address book data in the address book database by telephone. Even if there is no information processing device to access, it is possible to know the telephone number of the destination and connect to the telephone of the destination.

According to the present invention, in a directory providing method and system, a server stores a profile of a user and address book data including the user as a destination, and also stores a relationship between the profile and the address book data. , When the user's profile is changed, the related address book data is updated according to the changed profile. Even if the user's profile is changed, the address book data that is a collection of the user is changed. Can be updated easily.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the address book automatic update system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a user's profile and user's address book data are registered, the other party in the address book data is already registered. Whether or not it is checked from the profiles of other users already registered, if they match, the relationship between the two is stored, and if the profile of another user changes, the profile that changed the related address book data The address book data of the related party can be updated by the user changing the profile.

An address book automatic update system (present system) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an address book automatic update system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system, as shown in FIG. 1, is a personal computer (PC) 1a-1 connected to the Internet.
c, a mobile phone 1d connectable to the Internet,
A server 2 that manages registered user profiles and address book data, and a profile database (profile DB) 3 that stores user profiles.
And an address book database (address book DB) 4 that stores user's address book data. Here, profile DB3 and address book D
In B4, the input / output of data is managed by the server 2. In FIG. 1, only four PCs and mobile phones are drawn, but this system plans to connect more PCs and mobile phones.

The characteristic outline of this system is that the profile of the user and the address book data provided from each PC 1 in the server 2 are stored in the profile DB 3 and the address book DB 4, and the contact destination in the address book and the corresponding profile are stored. The association is stored, and when a user changes the profile, the server 2 updates the data of the address book of another person with which the user is registered with the content of the profile.

As a result, the address book data of each user managed by the server 2 is updated to the latest contents by changing the profile, and the updated address book is used by each user. The update of can be automated. This automatic update of the address book is called "address book automatic update service".

Next, each part of the present system will be specifically described. The PC 1 is a computer of a user who uses the address book, registers (uploads) its own profile in the server 2, and registers (uploads) the address book data held in the PC 1 in the server 2. Other PCs perform registration in the same manner. Further, the PC 1 downloads the address book updated by the server 2 and updates the address book in the PC to the latest one.

The operation of the PC 1 refers to the address book data of the user of the PC 1 registered in the server 2, updates the destination data in the address book, and the operation of the user of the PC 1 registered in the server 2. It updates the profile. Here, the other party who updates the data is the one that is registered in the address book but does not subscribe to the address book automatic update service of the present invention. If you subscribe to the same service,
When the other party changes his / her own profile, the user's address book is updated.

The update to the latest address book may be programmed so that the server 1 is regularly accessed from the PC 1 to obtain the latest address book, or the server 2 has the latest address for the corresponding PC. It is possible to distribute the book and rewrite it. Alternatively, the server 2 may send an email notifying the PC 1 of the update, and the PC 1 may perform the update in accordance with the email.

In the above example, the local address book (offline address book) in the PC 1 is updated. However, when the PC 1 always uses the address book (online address book) in the server 2, Server 2
Since the address is updated in real time,
There is no need to update the PC1.

The mobile phone 1d accesses the server 2 via the Internet, refers to the address book of the owner of the mobile phone 1d, changes the owner's profile, and updates the contact (contact). I do. This destination is also a destination registered in the address book but not subscribed to the address book automatic update service. The mobile phone 1d wirelessly connects to the base station and further connects to the Internet to access the server 2. Also, instead of a mobile phone connected to the Internet, a personal information terminal (PDA), a portable notebook PC
It doesn't matter.

When the server 2 subscribes to the address book automatic update service for the users of the PCs 1a to 1c or the mobile phone 1d, the server 2 acquires the profile of the user and stores it in the profile DB 3. The profile is
Name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc.

Further, the server 2 stores the address book data uploaded from the PCs 1a to 1c or the mobile phone 1d in the address book DB 4 and also stores the association with the profile.

Further, the server 2 checks whether or not the contact data in each address book in the address book DB 4 matches the profile data stored in the profile DB 3, and the data in the address book is the profile data. If there is a contact that matches with, contact the user of the address book with a link request on the web requesting permission to link, and if the response on the web gives permission, link the profile with the contact. , Link information is held in a table (link information table).

Further, even when there is no contact whose data in the address book matches the profile data,
If the data of the address book includes the contact e-mail address, the server 2 sends an e-mail inviting the user to subscribe to the address book automatic update service to the contact. If the contact accepts the solicitation e-mail and subscribes to the address book automatic update service, usability will be further improved.

When the user changes the profile, the server 2 updates the profile DB 3 with the changed profile, checks the contact information in the address book linked to the profile in the link information table, and checks all the linked information. An update process is performed to rewrite the contact data with the changed data. As a result, the user who subscribes to the service can easily update the address book data of other linked users. The specific processing in the server 2 will be described later.

The profile DB 3 stores profiles of a plurality of registered users. The address book DB 4 stores the address book held by the user who registers. The address book stores names, addresses, telephone numbers, electronic mail addresses, etc. for a plurality of contacts.

Next, the processing operation of the server 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing the update of the address book in the case of changing the profile, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the link processing in the case of the profile registration and the address book registration.

First, profile registration and address book registration in this system will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in the server 2, the profile provided from the PC 1 or the like is registered in the profile DB 3 (S1), and the address book of the user is registered in the address book DB 4 (S2).

Next, it is determined whether the contact destination of the address book in the address book DB4 matches the profile of the profile DB3 (S3). If they do not match (No), the contact destination of the address book is electronic. Send an email to the email address inviting you to subscribe to the address book automatic update service (S
8). Then, the status information of "not linked" is stored (S9).

In step S3, if they match (Yes), a link request is issued to the owner of the profile (S4). Then, there is a response to the link request, and it is determined whether the owner has accepted the link (S5).

In the process S5, if the link is accepted (Yes), the status information of "link established" is stored (S6). As a result, the link status is stored in the link information table. If the link is not understood (No), the status information of "link unestablished" is stored (S7).

Then, the process ends. The status information is stored in association with the contact destination in each address book of the address book DB 4, for example.

Further, in the above example, it is checked whether or not the contact destination in the newly registered address book data matches the already registered profile.
It is also possible to check whether or not there is a newly registered profile to other address book data that has already been registered using the newly registered profile, and link it.

Next, the updating process of the address book when the profile is changed will be described with reference to FIG.
The user can change the profile on the website of the server 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the profile DB 3 includes, for example, profile A, profile B, and profile C for users A, B, and C.
Is stored in the address book DB4.
Address book, B address book, and C address book are stored. Address data of other users is stored in each address book.

Here, if the profile C is changed, the server 2 first updates the profile C in the profile DB 3 and copies the updated profile C to the server 2 side. Specifically, the updated profile C is temporarily stored in the storage unit of the server 2.

Then, the link destination of the user C is referred to in the link information table 2a, and the updated profile C is copied to the address data portion of all linked address books. That is, the new address data is overwritten based on the updated profile C of the address data C, and the address book is updated.

According to the above system, when the contact information such as an address or a telephone number is changed and the person changes his / her profile on the website of the server 2, the linked address book of the partner is automatically changed. Since the information is updated, each user can save the time and effort of updating the data in the address book, and the address book will not become old and cannot be contacted.

Further, according to this system, in the case of relocation, guidance regarding address change is sent by e-mail, postcard, F
There is no need to take out a number of sheets with an AX or the like, which has the effect of improving convenience.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a voice access system in the address book automatic update system. As shown in FIG. 4, this voice access system includes a computer 10, an address book DB 15, and a telephone 20a connected to the computer 10 via a public network.
And a mobile phone 20b.
In the system of FIG. 4, the telephone 20a and the mobile telephone 2
0b can be connected to a plurality of computers 10.

The address book DB 15 of FIG. 4 is one in which personal address book data is automatically updated like the address book DB 4 of FIG. Therefore, based on FIG. 1, a configuration is conceivable in which the computer 10 is connected to the address book DB 4. Further, the server 2 of FIG. 1 may also have the function of the computer 10. And
The computer 10, which corresponds to a call center or a voice portal, includes an inquiry information input unit 11, a telephone number search unit 12, a telephone number output unit 13, and a telephone connection unit 14.

Each of the above means will be specifically described. The inquiry information input means 11 inputs inquiry information related to a contact person who makes an inquiry request by telephone from the user, converts it into digital data, and outputs it to the telephone number search means 12. here,
The inquiry information is information such as the name, address, and e-mail address of the other party required to acquire the telephone number of the other party.

The telephone number searching means 12 is based on the inquiry information inputted from the inquiry information inputting means 11 and is the address book D.
B15 is searched and the corresponding telephone number is acquired. The telephone number output means 13 outputs the telephone number retrieved by the telephone number retrieval means 12 to a person who has called.
The telephone connecting means 14 is means for making a telephone connection by calling the other party of the telephone number detected by the telephone number detecting means 12.

Next, the operation of the voice access system will be described. When the computer 10 is accessed from the telephone 20a or the mobile telephone 20b, the inquiry information input unit 11 outputs the guidance by voice, acquires the inquiry information input according to the guidance, and outputs necessary data to the telephone number search unit 12. To do.

The telephone number searching means 12 is an address book DB.
15 is searched and the corresponding telephone number is telephone number output means 1
Output to 3. The telephone number output means 13 outputs the inputted telephone number to the telephone 20 or the like by voice. Furthermore, the telephone is connected to the telephone number retrieved by the telephone connecting means 14. This telephone connection may be made by a request from the telephone 20 side.

According to the voice access system, it is possible to access the automatically updated personal address book by voice from a telephone such as a public telephone or a home telephone that does not support the Internet and obtain necessary contact information such as a telephone number by voice. Is.

Further, according to the voice access system, the computer 10 corresponding to a call center or a voice portal can be inquired by telephone of the contact point, so that the contact point can be directly connected to the contact point. Therefore, the hands cannot be released. You can contact us by phone for free, and you can improve convenience.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a corporate directory providing system to which the address book automatic updating system is applied. The system shown in FIG. 5 is based on the system shown in FIG. 2. The profile DB 3'stores employee profiles, and the address book DB 4'stores a company's employee list. And the server 2 '
The operation of is similar to that of the server 2 in FIG.

The corporate directory providing system of FIG. 5 links the profile of all employees stored in the profile DB 3'and the employee list in the address book DB 4 ',
The server 2 ′ manages the link information table 2a ′. And when a certain employee C is transferred within the company,
The server 2'uses the profile C of the profile DB 3 '.
Is updated, copied to the server 2 ', and linked with reference to the link information table 2a'.
To update.

Further, the server 2'can create and provide a specific directory based on the employee list. For example, search the entire employee list with the keyword "Sales Department 2nd Section" from the list of all employees, extract the corresponding data, and enter "Sales Department 2nd Section".
It is possible to create a directory of.

According to the directory providing system for enterprises, the person who changes due to the personnel change within the company changes the data related to the change as a profile, the change is reflected in the employee list, and the employee list can be updated. There is an effect that it becomes easy.

Further, according to the directory providing system for enterprises, the directory extracted by the specific keyword from the list of all the members can be easily created and provided, so that the directory management can be easily performed with the latest contents.

This directory providing system for enterprises is not limited to the employee list, but can always keep the directory required by enterprises such as customer management and supplier list up to date.

[0051]

According to the present invention, when the server registers the profile of the user and the address book data of the user, is the other party in the address book data already registered? Whether or not it is checked from the profile of another user who has already been registered, if they match, the relationship between the two is stored, and when the profile of another user changes, the related address book data is changed according to the changed profile. Since the method and system for automatically updating the address book are used, there is an effect that the user can update the address book data of the related party by changing the profile.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned address book automatic update system for outputting a telephone number voice and making a telephone connection in response to a user's inquiry request to the address book data in the address book database by telephone is provided. Even if there is no information processing device to access, there is an effect that the telephone number of the other party can be known and the telephone of the other party can be connected.

According to the present invention, the server stores the profile of the user and the address book data including the user as the other party, and the relationship between the profile and the address book data is stored, and the profile of the user is stored. When the user's profile is changed, the related address book data is updated according to the changed profile. Therefore, even if the user's profile is changed, the address book data, which is a collection of the user, will be updated. There is an effect that can be easily updated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an address book automatic update system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing updating of an address book when a profile is changed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing link processing in the case of profile registration and address book registration.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a voice access system in the address book automatic update system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a corporate directory providing system to which an address book automatic updating system is applied.

[Explanation of Codes] 1a to 1c ... PC, 1d ... Mobile phone, 2, 2 '...
Server, 2a, 2a '... Link information table, 3,
3 '... profile DB, 4, 4' ... address book D
B, 10 ... Computer, 11 ... Inquiry information input means, 12 ... Telephone number search means, 13 ... Telephone number output means, 14 ... Telephone connection means, 15 ... Address book D
B, 20a ... Phone, 20b ... Mobile phone

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. When a server registers a user's profile and the address book data of the user, it is already determined whether the destination in the address book data is another user already registered. The profile of another user registered is checked, and if they match, the relationship between the two is stored, and when the profile of the other user is changed, the related address book data is updated according to the changed profile. Address book automatic update method characterized by the following. 2. If the destination in the address book data is another user who has already been registered, the server notifies the other user of the request for link permission and links to the request. The address book automatic updating method according to claim 1, wherein the relationship between the two is stored only when there is a permission response. 3. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the server downloads the updated address book data of the user when there is a request to acquire the latest address book data from the device of the connecting user. Address book automatic update method. 4. A profile database for registering a user's profile, an address book database for registering user's address book data, and a user's profile for registering the user's address book data. It is registered in the address book database, and it is checked from the profile of the already registered other user whether or not the destination in the registered address book data is the other user already registered, and if they match, The relationship between the two is stored in the link information table, and when the profile of the other user is changed,
An address book automatic update system, comprising: a server that refers to the link information table and updates related address book data according to the changed profile. 5. If the server is another user whose destination in the address book data is already registered, the server notifies the other user of a request for link permission to the other user, The automatic address book updating system according to claim 4, wherein the link information table stores the relationship between the two requests only when there is a response of a link permission to the request. 6. When the server requests acquisition of the latest address book data from the information processing device of the computer, mobile terminal or mobile phone of the user to be connected, the updated address book data of the user is stored in the address book database. 6. The address book automatic update system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the address book automatic update system reads the information from the device and downloads it to the information processing device of the user. 7. An inquiry information input means for inputting inquiry information related to a contact to which a user makes an inquiry by telephone, and a telephone number in the address book of the user in the address book database based on the inquiry information. A telephone number searching means for searching the telephone number, a telephone number outputting means for outputting the searched telephone number by voice, and a telephone connecting means for making a telephone connection to the other party of the searched telephone number. The automatic address book update system according to claim 4. 8. The server stores a profile of the user and address book data including the user as a destination, and also stores the relationship between the profile and the address book data, and the profile of the user is changed. To become and,
A directory providing method, characterized in that the related address book data is updated according to the changed profile. 9. The directory providing method according to claim 8, wherein the server creates and provides a set of users extracted from the address book data with a specific keyword as a specific directory upon request. 10. A profile database for registering a profile of a user, an address book database for registering address book data including the user as a destination, and a relationship between the profile of the user and the address book data. When the profile of the user stored in the link information table is changed, the link information table is referred to, and the related address book data is updated according to the changed profile. Directory providing system. 11. The directory providing system according to claim 10, wherein the server creates and provides a set of users extracted by a specific keyword from the address book database by a request as a specific directory. 12. An address book automatic update system comprising a profile database for registering a user's profile, an address book database for registering a user's address book data, and a server for controlling input / output to and from each database. The program used in the server registers a user profile in the profile database, registers the user's address book data in the address book database, and the destination in the registered address book data is Whether or not the user is already registered is checked from the profiles of other users already registered, and if they match, the relationship between the two is stored in the link information table, and the profile of the other user is If there is a change, refer to the link information table and refer to the related address. Program and updates according to the profile becomes data to the change. 13. If the other party in the address book data is another user who is already registered, the other user is notified of a request for link permission, and a response of link permission is sent to the request. 13. The program according to claim 12, wherein if there is, the relationship between the two is stored in the link information table.