JP2003296231A - Service providing system, service-providing-side facility, bundle management terminal, service providing terminal, program for terminal and data structure of bundle, and service providing method and generating method for the bundle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service providing system which provide services corresponding to the function, kind, and other contents of a device. <P>SOLUTION: A bundle includes an information acquiring process of acquiring device information and an information notifying process of notifying a service providing server 100 of the obtained device information. A bundle management server 200 generates a bundle at a request from the service providing server 100 and sends the generated bundle to a gateway terminal 300. The gateway terminal 300 when receiving the bundle constitutes an information acquiring process and an information notifying process according to the received bundle. The service providing server 100 when receiving device information generates an electronic catalog having contents corresponding to the function, kind, and other contents of the device according to the received device information and sends the generated electronic catalog to the gateway terminal 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device function,
The present invention relates to systems, facilities, terminals, programs and data structures, and methods for providing services according to types and other contents to the device, and in particular, it becomes possible to provide services according to device functions, types, and other contents. The service providing system, the service providing side equipment, the bundle management terminal, the service providing terminal, the terminal program, and the bundle of terminals, which are advantageous in terms of labor and time and are suitable for preventing the provision of services with inappropriate contents, The present invention relates to a data structure, a service providing method, and a bundle generating method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a system for providing a user with a service according to a user's interest or preference, for example, a customized choice gift method (hereinafter referred to as a first method) disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-319146 is disclosed. It is called a conventional example.),
There is a market information transmission / collection method (hereinafter referred to as a second conventional example) disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-7658.

In the first conventional example, a purchase gift giving source designates a gift product candidate, creates individually selected gift catalog information, appropriately processes the individually selected gift catalog information, and prints it. Ship to the recipient. Then, the recipient of the information selects a desired gift item candidate from the above-mentioned gift item candidates based on the individually selected gift catalog information, and notifies the gift item order receiving center. Then, an optimal gift product matching the taste of the recipient is presented.

As a result, the time required from the receipt of the request from the purchase / donor to the delivery of the gift product to the recipient is shortened, the labor and cost of the work are reduced, and the recipient's preference is met. The optimal gift product can be given to the recipient. In the second conventional example, the interactive mail service system is caused to interact with the consumer via a mobile phone, the information of the product or service is included in the dialog, and the needs of the consumer regarding the product or service are extracted from the dialog. , To include information on products or services that meet their needs in the dialogue.

As a result, information that serves as a basis for efficiently collecting the needs and demand trends of consumers without giving any stress to consumers, always catching the latest demand trends, and determining unconscious needs of users. To collect.

[0006]

As described above, in the first conventional example and the second conventional example, the serviceability is improved by providing the user with a service according to the user's interests and preferences. However, from the perspective of improving serviceability, not only providing services according to the interests and preferences of users, but also providing services according to the functions, types, and other contents of devices owned by users. Can also be considered.

With the spread of the Internet technology, various devices such as printers, projectors, PCs or home electric appliances will be connected to the gateway terminal in the future, and the service information from the service provider will be received and received via the gateway terminal. It is assumed that a system will be constructed so as to receive dynamic service provision based on the service information. In such a case, it is very useful to provide a service according to the function, type, etc. of the device owned by the user.

As a configuration for realizing this, for example, for each device owned by the user, device information indicating the function, type, etc. of the device is registered in a predetermined database server, and the service provider Can generate service information based on the device information registered in the database server and transmit the generated service information to the corresponding device. However, since the user registers the device information for each device, if the number of devices is large, it will take time and effort to register them, and if the registered contents are incomplete, you may receive a service with appropriate contents. It may not be possible.

Therefore, the present invention has been made by paying attention to such unsolved problems of the conventional technique, and it becomes possible to provide a service according to the function, type and other contents of the device, and It is advantageous in terms of labor and time,
A service providing system, a service providing side equipment, a bundle management terminal, a service providing terminal, a terminal program and a data structure of a terminal, and a service providing method and a bundle, which are suitable for preventing a service having an inappropriate content from being provided. It is intended to provide a method of generating.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems] [Invention 1] In order to achieve the above object, the service providing system of the invention 1 is capable of communicating between a service providing terminal that provides a service and a device to which the service is provided. A system for providing a service to a device to be provided based on device information about the device to be provided, the device information obtaining unit obtaining the device information, A service providing unit that provides a service for the device to be provided based on the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit, and when the service providing terminal provides the service, the bundle including the device information acquiring unit is provided. To the target device, the gateway terminal, When receiving the bundle is characterized in that on the basis of the bundle received so as to constitute the device information acquisition unit.

With such a configuration, when the service providing terminal provides the service, the bundle including the device information acquisition means is transmitted to the gateway terminal.
When the gateway terminal receives the bundle, the device information acquisition means is configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information. Then, by the service providing means,
A service is provided for each device to be provided based on the acquired device information.

Here, the bundle may be transmitted from the service providing terminal, or may be transmitted from a terminal other than the service providing terminal, the gateway terminal and the device to be provided. In addition, providing a service for a device to be provided means providing a service related to the device provided to the device provided, and providing a service related to the device provided to a terminal other than the device provided. Is also included. Hereinafter, the service providing system of the inventions 2, 4 and 15, the service providing equipment of the inventions 18 and 19, the bundle management terminal of the inventions 20 and 21, and the inventions 22 and 2
The same applies to the service providing terminal of No. 3, the terminal program of inventions 24 to 27, the data structure of the bundles of inventions 28 and 29, the service providing method of inventions 30 and 31, and the method of generating bundles of inventions 32 and 33.

Further, the device information acquisition means may have any configuration as long as it can acquire the device information, and for example, the device information acquisition means may acquire the device information from the device to be provided. However, the device information registered in advance in the gateway terminal may be acquired. In the latter case, from the viewpoint of reducing the time and effort required to register the device information,
The gateway terminal preferably acquires device information from the device to be provided and registers the device before the bundle is applied. Hereinafter, the service providing system of the invention 4, the service providing side equipment of the invention 18, the bundle management terminal of the invention 20, the terminal program of the invention 24, the data structure of the bundle of the invention 28, the service providing method of the invention 30, and the invention 32. The same applies to the method of generating a bundle.

The service providing means may be provided in the service providing terminal, or may be provided in a terminal other than the service providing terminal, the gateway terminal and the device to be provided. The service providing terminal may be a communication facility connected to one end of a communication path with the gateway terminal and has at least a server function, and may be configured to have both a client function and a server function. it can. Hereinafter, the same applies to the service providing system of Invention 5, the bundle management terminal of Invention 20, the service providing terminal of Invention 22, and the terminal program of Invention 24. [Invention 2] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 2 is
A service providing terminal that provides a service and a target device to which the service is provided are communicatively connected,
A system for providing a service to a device to be provided based on device information about the device to be provided, the device information obtaining unit obtaining the device information from the device to be provided, and the device obtained by the device information obtaining unit. A service providing unit that provides a service to the device to be provided based on information, and when the service providing terminal provides the service, transmits a bundle including the device information acquisition unit to the device to be provided, and the providing When the target device receives the bundle, the target device configures the device information acquisition means based on the received bundle.

With such a configuration, when the service providing terminal provides the service, the bundle including the device information acquisition means is transmitted to the device to be provided.
When the device to be provided receives the bundle, the device information acquisition means is configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires device information from the device to be provided. Then, the service providing means provides the service to the device to be provided based on the acquired device information.

Here, the bundle may be transmitted from the service providing terminal, or may be transmitted from a terminal other than the service providing terminal and the device to be provided. The service providing means may be provided in the service providing terminal, or may be provided in a terminal other than the service providing terminal and the device to be provided. Further, the service providing terminal may be any communication facility connected to one end of the communication path with the device to be provided and has at least a server function, and configured to have both a client function and a server function. You can also Hereinafter, the service providing system of the invention 17, invention 21
The same applies to the bundle management terminal, the service providing terminal of aspect 23, and the terminal program of aspect 25. [Invention 3] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 3 is
In the service providing system according to any one of the inventions 1 and 2, the service providing means can provide a plurality of different services, and the service among the plurality of services can be provided based on the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means. It is characterized in that it provides a service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device to be provided.

With such a configuration, the service providing means provides the service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device to be provided among the plurality of services based on the acquired device information. [Invention 4] Further, the service providing system of Invention 4 is
A service providing side facility that provides a service and a gateway terminal that communicatively connects a target device to be provided with a service are communicatively connected to the gateway terminal when the service providing side facility provides a service. A system that applies a bundle, acquires device information about the device to be provided by the bundle, and provides a service to the device to be provided based on the acquired device information, wherein the bundle acquires the device information. Device information acquisition means, and device information notification means for notifying the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means to the service providing side equipment, the service providing side equipment, a bundle generating means for generating the bundle, Bands generated by the bundle generating means To the gateway terminal, and a service providing means for providing a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. Is received, the device information acquisition means and the device information notification means are configured based on the received bundle.

With such a configuration, in the service providing side equipment, when providing the service, the bundle generating means generates the bundle, and the bundle transmitting means transmits the generated bundle to the gateway terminal. When the gateway terminal receives the bundle, the device information acquisition means and the device information notification means are configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information, and the device information notification unit notifies the service providing side equipment of the acquired device information.

In the service providing side equipment, when the device information is notified, the service providing means provides the service for the device to be provided based on the notified device information. Here, the service providing side equipment may be any communication equipment that is connected to one end of the communication path with the gateway terminal and has at least a server function, and is configured to have both a client function and a server function. You can also The same applies to the service providing side equipment of the invention 18, the bundle data structure of the invention 28, the service providing method of the invention 30, and the bundle generating method of the invention 32. [Invention 5] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 5 is
In the service providing system of the invention 4, the service providing side equipment communicably connects a bundle management terminal having the bundle generating means and the bundle transmitting means, and a service providing terminal having the service providing means, The device information notifying unit is configured to notify the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit, and the bundle generating unit sends the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal. It is characterized by being generated.

With this configuration, the service providing terminal sends a request to apply the bundle to the bundle management terminal when providing the service. In the bundle management terminal, when the request from the service providing terminal is received, the bundle generating means generates a bundle according to the request, and the bundle transmitting means transmits the generated bundle to the gateway terminal. When the gateway terminal receives the bundle, the device information acquisition means and the device information notification means are configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information, and the device information notification unit notifies the service providing terminal of the acquired device information.

In the service providing terminal, when the device information is notified, the service providing means provides the service for the device to be provided based on the notified device information. Here, the bundle management terminal may be a communication facility connected to one end of a communication path with the service providing terminal and the gateway terminal and has at least a server function, and has both a client function and a server function. Can also be configured as. Hereinafter, the same applies to the bundle management terminal of the invention 20 and the service providing terminal of the invention 22. [Invention 6] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 6 is
In the service providing system of the fifth aspect, the service providing means can provide a plurality of different services,
Based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit, a service according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided is provided from among the plurality of services.

With such a configuration, the service providing means provides the service according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided among the plurality of services based on the acquired device information. [Invention 7] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 7 is
In the service providing system according to aspect 6, the bundle includes a bundle deleting unit that deletes the bundle,
The bundle deleting means is adapted to delete the bundle when the service provision is completed.

With this configuration, when the gateway terminal receives the bundle, the bundle deleting means is configured based on the received bundle. Therefore,
When the service is no longer provided, the bundle is deleted. [Invention 8] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 8 is
In the service providing system according to any one of inventions 6 and 7, the bundle includes service end notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal of the end of the service, and the service end notifying means is provided when the service is provided. It is characterized in that the service providing terminal is notified that the service has ended.

With such a configuration, when the gateway terminal receives the bundle, the service end notifying means is configured based on the received bundle. Therefore, when the service provision is completed, the service providing terminal is notified that the service is completed. [Invention 9] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 9 is
In the service providing system according to any one of the inventions 6 to 8, the service providing terminal has a content storage unit for storing, for each of a plurality of different target devices for providing, content related to goods or services related to the target device for providing. The service providing means, based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, reads the content according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided from the content storage means and reads the content. An electronic catalog is generated based on the content, and the generated electronic catalog is transmitted to the gateway terminal.

With such a configuration, the service providing means reads the content according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided from the content storage means based on the notified device information, An electronic catalog is generated based on the read content,
The generated electronic catalog is transmitted to the gateway terminal. Here, the content storage means stores the content by any means and at any time, and may store the content in advance, or the operation of the device without storing the content in advance. The content may be stored at times by external input or the like. [Invention 10] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 10 is the service providing system of Invention 9, wherein when the service providing means receives a request for providing a service, the service providing system selects a device to be provided according to the request. An application request to apply the bundle is transmitted to the bundle management terminal, the content is read and the electronic catalog is generated for the provision target device related to the provision request, and the generated electronic catalog is transmitted to the provision request. The electronic catalog is presented first, and the electronic catalog is transmitted after confirmation by the transmission source of the provision request.

With such a configuration, when the service providing terminal receives the providing request for providing the service,
The service providing unit sends an application request for applying the bundle to the device to be provided, which is related to the request, to the bundle management terminal. Then, the content is read and the electronic catalog is generated for the provision target device related to the provision request, the generated electronic catalog is presented to the source of the provision request, and the electronic catalog is waited for confirmation by the source of the provision request. Is transmitted. [Invention 11] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 11 is the service providing system of Invention 10, wherein the service providing unit receives an edit request for editing the electronic catalog in association with the presentation of the electronic catalog. Is characterized in that the request source of the editing request is allowed to edit the electronic catalog, and the electronic catalog is transmitted after waiting for the end of the editing.

With such a configuration, when an editing request for editing the electronic catalog is received along with the presentation of the electronic catalog, the service providing means permits the request source of the editing request to edit the electronic catalog. The electronic catalog is transmitted after the editing is completed. [Invention 12] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 12 is the service providing system according to any one of Inventions 6 to 11, wherein the service providing terminal stores user information for storing user information regarding a user of the device to be provided. Means, the service providing means, based on the device information notified from the device information notification means and the user information of the user information storage means,
Among the plurality of services, a service is provided according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided.

With such a configuration, the service providing unit determines, based on the device information and the user information in the user information storage unit notified by the service providing unit, the function, type, and other contents of the device to be provided among the plurality of services. Services are provided. Here, the user information storage means is
The user information may be stored by any means and at any time, and the user information may be stored in advance. Alternatively, without storing the user information in advance, input from the outside during operation of this device For example, the user information may be stored in the memory. Less than,
The same is true of the service providing system according to the fourteenth aspect. [Invention 13] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 13 is the service providing system according to any one of Inventions 6 to 11, wherein a plurality of said devices to be provided are communicably connected, and said service providing means is provided with a plurality of said providing devices. Based on the device information notified from the device information notification means of the bundle applied to the target device, to provide a service according to a combination of the functions, types, and other contents of the device to be provided among the plurality of services It is characterized by becoming.

With such a configuration, the service providing means selects one of the plurality of services from among the plurality of services based on the device information notified by the device information notifying means of the bundle applied to the plurality of provision target devices. Services are provided according to combinations of functions, types, and other contents. [Invention 14] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 14 is the service providing system of Invention 13, wherein the service providing terminal is a user for storing user information related to a user of the provision target device for each of the provision target devices. An information storage unit, wherein the service providing unit is based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit of the bundle applied to the plurality of provision target devices and the corresponding plurality of user information in the user information storing unit. Among the plurality of services, the service is provided according to the combination of the function, type, and other contents of the device to be provided.

With such a configuration, the service providing means is based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means of the bundle applied to the plurality of providing target devices and the corresponding plurality of user information in the user information storage means. Thus, among a plurality of services, services are provided according to the combination of the functions, types, and other contents of the devices to be provided. [Invention 15] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 15 communicatively connects a service providing side equipment for providing a service and a device to be provided for providing the service, and the service providing side equipment provides the service. A system that applies a bundle to the provision target device, acquires device information about the provision target device by the bundle, and provides a service to the provision target device based on the acquired device information. The service providing equipment, including device information obtaining means for obtaining the device information from the provision target device, and device information notifying means for notifying the service providing equipment of the device information obtained by the device information obtaining means. Is a bundle generator that generates the bundle A bundle transmitting means for transmitting the bundle generated by the bundle generating means to the provision target device; and a service providing means for providing a service for the provision target device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. When the bundle is received, the device to be provided is configured to configure the device information acquisition unit and the device information notification unit based on the received bundle.

With such a configuration, in the service providing side equipment, when providing the service, the bundle generating means generates the bundle, and the bundle transmitting means transmits the generated bundle to the device to be provided. . When the device to be provided receives the bundle, the device information acquisition unit and the device information notification unit are configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the provision target device, and the device information notification unit notifies the service providing side equipment of the acquired device information.

In the service providing side equipment, when the device information is notified, the service providing means provides the service for the device to be provided based on the notified device information. Here, the service providing side equipment may be any communication equipment that is connected to one end of the communication path with the device to be provided and has at least a server function, and is configured to have both a client function and a server function. You can also do it. The same applies to the service providing side equipment of the invention 19, the bundle data structure of the invention 29, the service providing method of the invention 31, and the bundle generating method of the invention 33. [Invention 16] Furthermore, the service providing system of Invention 16 is the service providing system of Invention 15, wherein the service providing side equipment includes a bundle management terminal having the bundle generating means and the bundle transmitting means, and the service providing means. The device information notifying means is configured to notify the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means, and the bundle generating means The bundle is generated in response to a request from the service providing terminal.

With this configuration, the service providing terminal sends a request to apply the bundle to the bundle managing terminal when providing the service. In the bundle management terminal, when the request from the service providing terminal is received, the bundle generating means generates a bundle according to the request, and the bundle transmitting means transmits the generated bundle to the device to be provided. When the device to be provided receives the bundle, the device information acquisition unit and the device information notification unit are configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the provision target device, and the device information notification unit notifies the service providing terminal of the acquired device information.

In the service providing terminal, when the device information is notified, the service providing means provides the service to the device to be provided based on the notified device information. Here, the bundle management terminal may be a communication facility connected to one end of a communication path with the service providing terminal and the device to be provided and has at least a server function, and has both a client function and a server function. It can also be configured as a thing. Less than,
The same applies to the bundle management terminal of the twenty-first invention and the service providing terminal of the twenty-third invention. [Invention 17] Further, in the service providing system of Invention 17, in the service providing system of Invention 16, the service providing unit can provide a plurality of different services, and the device information notified by the device information notifying unit is added. Based on the above, the service is provided according to the function, type, and other contents of the device to be provided based on the plurality of services.

With such a configuration, the service providing means provides the service according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided among the plurality of services, based on the acquired device information. [Invention 18] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 1
The service providing side equipment of No. 8 is equipment for communicatively connecting to the gateway terminal in the service providing system of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the bundle generating means for generating the bundle, and the bundle generated by the bundle generating means for the gateway terminal. And a service providing unit that provides a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit, and the bundle is device information for acquiring the device information. It is characterized by including an acquisition unit and a device information notification unit that notifies the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit.

With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the service providing side equipment in the service providing system of aspect 4 can be obtained. [Invention 19] Furthermore, the service providing side equipment of Invention 19 is equipment for communicatively connecting to a device to be provided in the service providing system of Invention 15, and includes a bundle generation means for generating the bundle and the bundle generation means. A bundle transmitting unit that transmits the bundle generated in 1. to the provision target device; and a service providing unit that provides a service for the provision target device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit. It is characterized by including a device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information from the provision target device and a device information notification unit that notifies the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit to the device information acquisition unit.

With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the service providing side facility in the service providing system of aspect 15 can be obtained. [Invention 20] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The bundle management terminal of No. 0 is a terminal communicatively connected to the service providing terminal and the gateway terminal in the service providing system of the invention 5, and a bundle generating means for generating the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal. A bundle transmitting unit that transmits the bundle generated by the bundle generating unit to the gateway terminal, the bundle including a device information acquiring unit that acquires the device information, and a device information acquiring unit that acquires the device information by the device information acquiring unit. Device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal.

With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the bundle management terminal in the service providing system of aspect 5 can be obtained. [Invention 21] Furthermore, the bundle management terminal of Invention 21 is
A terminal for communicatively connecting to a service providing terminal and a device to be provided in the service providing system according to the sixteenth aspect, the bundle creating means for creating the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal, and the bundle creating means. A bundle transmitting unit that transmits the generated bundle to the provision target device, wherein the bundle includes device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information from the provision target device, and device information that is acquired by the device information acquisition unit. Device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal.

With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the bundle management terminal in the service providing system of aspect 16 can be obtained. [Invention 22] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The service providing terminal of No. 2 is a terminal communicatively connected to the bundle management terminal and the gateway terminal in the service providing system of the fifth aspect of the present invention, and relates to the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit. It is characterized by comprising a service providing means for providing a service.

With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the service providing terminal in the service providing system of aspect 5 can be obtained. [Invention 23] Furthermore, the service providing terminal of Invention 23 is
A service providing system for providing a service for a device to be provided based on device information notified from the device information notifying means, the terminal being capable of communicating with a bundle management terminal and a device to be provided in the service providing system according to the sixteenth aspect. It is characterized by comprising means.

With such a configuration, an action equivalent to that of the service providing terminal in the service providing system of aspect 16 can be obtained. [Invention 24] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The terminal program of 4 is invention 2 which is a computer.
A program to be executed by the bundle management terminal of 0, which transmits the bundle generated by the bundle generation means to the gateway terminal in response to a request from the service providing terminal. The bundle is a program for executing a process realized as a bundle transmitting unit, and the bundle is
Device information acquisition means for acquiring the device information,
Device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means.

With this configuration, when the bundle management terminal reads the program and the bundle management terminal executes the process according to the read program,
An effect equivalent to that of the bundle management terminal of the invention 20 is obtained. [Invention 25] Furthermore, the terminal program of Invention 25 is
A program to be executed by the bundle management terminal of invention 21 comprising a computer, the bundle generation means for generating the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal, and the bundle generated by the bundle generation means. A program for executing a process realized as a bundle transmitting unit for transmitting to the target device, the bundle is a device information acquiring unit for acquiring the device information from the provision target device,
Device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means.

With this configuration, when the bundle management terminal reads the program and the bundle management terminal executes the process in accordance with the read program,
An effect equivalent to that of the bundle management terminal of aspect 21 is obtained. [Invention 26] Furthermore, the program for a terminal of Invention 26 is
A program to be executed by the service providing terminal according to invention 22, which comprises a computer, and is realized as service providing means for providing a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. It is a program for executing.

With such a configuration, when the program is read by the service providing terminal and the service providing terminal executes processing in accordance with the read program,
An effect equivalent to that of the service providing terminal of Aspect 22 is obtained. [Invention 27] Furthermore, the terminal program of Invention 27 is
A program to be executed by the service providing terminal of the invention 23 comprising a computer, which is realized as a service providing means for providing a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. It is a program for executing.

With such a configuration, when the program is read by the service providing terminal and the service providing terminal executes processing in accordance with the read program,
An effect equivalent to that of the service providing terminal of Invention 23 is obtained. [Invention 28] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The data structure of the bundle of No. 8 is applied to the gateway terminal in the service providing system of Invention 4,
Device information acquisition means for acquiring the device information,
The device information notifying unit for notifying the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit to the service providing side equipment.

With such a configuration, when the gateway terminal receives the bundle according to the present invention, the device information acquisition means and the device information notification means are configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information, and the device information notification unit notifies the service providing side equipment of the acquired device information. The operation of the service-providing side equipment is the same as that of the service-providing system of Invention 4. [Invention 29] Furthermore, the data structure of the bundle of Invention 29 is applied to a device to be provided in the service providing system of Invention 15, and a device information acquisition unit for acquiring the device information from the device to be provided, The device information notifying unit for notifying the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit to the service providing side equipment.

With such a configuration, when the device to be provided receives the bundle according to the present invention, the device information acquisition means and the device information notification means are configured based on the received bundle. As a result, the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the provision target device, and the device information notification unit notifies the service providing side equipment of the acquired device information. In addition,
The operation after the service providing side equipment is the same as that of the service providing system of aspect 15. [Invention 30] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 3
No. 0 service providing method communicatively connects a service providing side facility that provides a service and a gateway terminal that communicatively connects a target device to be provided with the service, and the service providing side device provides the service. A method of applying a bundle to the gateway terminal in providing, acquiring device information about the providing target device by the bundle, and providing a service to the providing target device based on the acquired device information, wherein the bundle is A device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information, and a device information notification unit that notifies the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit to the service providing side equipment, and for the service providing side equipment, A bundle generation step for generating the bundle; Bundle transmitting step of transmitting the bundle generated in the gateway generating step to the gateway terminal, and for the gateway terminal, when the bundle is received, the device information acquiring unit and the device information acquiring unit based on the received bundle. And a service providing step of providing a service to the provision target device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit, to the service providing side equipment. It is characterized by [Invention 31] Furthermore, the service providing method of Invention 31 is
A service providing side device that provides a service is communicatively connected to a service providing device that is a service providing target, and when the service providing side device provides a service, a bundle is applied to the service providing device, and the provision is performed. A method for acquiring device information about a target device by the bundle, and providing a service to the provision target device based on the acquired device information, wherein the bundle is device information for acquiring the device information from the provision target device. And a device information notifying unit for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information obtaining means, and a bundle generating step for generating the bundle for the service providing side equipment. , The band generated in the bundle generation step And a bundle transmission step for transmitting the device information to the provision target device. When the bundle is received, the device information acquisition unit and the device information notification unit are provided based on the received bundle. And a service providing step of providing a service to the service providing side device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, to the service providing side equipment. . [Invention 32] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 3
A second bundle generation method is a method of generating a bundle in the data structure of the bundle according to the twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, which includes a bundle generation step of generating the bundle, wherein the bundle obtains device information acquisition means. And device information notifying means for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means. [Invention 33] A method for generating a bundle according to Invention 33 is a method for generating a bundle in a data structure of a bundle according to Invention 29, including a bundle generation step for generating the bundle, wherein the bundle is the object to be provided. It is characterized by including a device information acquisition means for acquiring the device information from a device and a device information notification means for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means.

[0048]

[1. Configuration of the present embodiment]

[1-1. Overview of System Configuration] First, the configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

On the Internet 199, as shown in FIG. 1, the service providing server 10 that distributes an electronic catalog.
0, the presenter terminal 150 used by the presenter, the bundle management server 200 that manages the bundle, and the gateway terminal 300 that communicatively connects the plurality of different devices 310 to 320 are connected. Although only one service providing server 100 and one gateway terminal 300 are shown in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, in reality, a plurality of service providing servers 100 are provided.
And the gateway terminal 300 is the Internet 199.
It is connected to the.

The gateway terminal 300 includes a device 310 including a printer, a device 312 including a projector, and a device 314 including a sound system.
A device 316 including a PC, a device 318 including a microwave oven, and the other device 320 are connected to each other. These devices 310 to 320 are owned by one user, and are included in the gateway terminal 300.
Information is transmitted and received via.

[1-2-1. Configuration of Service Providing Server] Next, the configuration of the service providing server 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the service providing server 10.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 0. The service providing server 100 provides an electronic catalog delivery service by delivering an electronic catalog to the gateway terminal 300 in response to a service providing request from the presenter terminal 150. The specific configuration is as shown in FIG.
A CPU 30 that controls the calculation and the entire system based on a control program, and a CPU 30 that is preset in a predetermined area.
ROM 32 storing the control program of the
It is composed of a RAM 34 for storing data read from the M32 or the like and a calculation result necessary in the calculation process of the CPU 30, and an I / F 38 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device. Are connected to each other and the data can be exchanged by a bus 39 which is a signal line for transferring the data.

The I / F 38 is connected to a content registration database (hereinafter simply referred to as DB) 44 in which a plurality of service contents are registered, and a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199. There is. The CPU 30 is composed of a micro processing unit MPU or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 32, and executes an electronic catalog generation process and an electronic catalog edit process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 according to the program. Ready to run.

[1-2-2. Processing of service providing server 1]
First, the electronic catalog generation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an electronic catalog generation process executed by the service providing server 100. The electronic catalog generation process is a process of generating an electronic catalog in response to a service provision request from the presenter terminal 150, and when executed by the CPU 30, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S100. It has become.

In step S100, it is determined whether or not the service providing request is received from the presenter terminal 150. When it is determined that the service providing request is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102, but otherwise. When judged
(No) is step S1 until the service provision request is received.
Wait at 00. In step S102, the bundle management server 200 sends a bundle generation request for generating a bundle.
To step S104, the address of the gateway terminal 300 serving as the service providing destination is received from the presenter terminal 150, and the process proceeds to step S106, where the address of the service providing server 100 serving as the service providing source is presented. The address is received from the person terminal 150, the process proceeds to step S108, the received addresses are transmitted to the bundle management server 200, and the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, it is determined whether or not a bundle application notification indicating that the bundle has been applied to the gateway terminal 300 has been received from the bundle management server 200. When it is determined that the bundle application notification has been received (Ye
s) shifts to step S112, but when it is determined that it is not (No), the process waits in step S110 until the bundle application notification is received. In step S112, it is determined whether or not the device information indicating the function, type, and other details of the device has been received from the gateway terminal 300,
When it is determined that the device information is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S114, but when it is determined that it is not
(No) is step S112 until the device information is received.
Wait at.

In step S114, the service content corresponding to the function, type, and other details of the device is read from the content registration DB 44 based on the received device information. Then, the process proceeds to step S116, and based on the read service content. To generate an electronic catalog, and the process proceeds to step S118. Step S118
Then, it is determined whether or not a bundle disappearance notification indicating that the bundle has disappeared at the gateway terminal 300 is received, and when it is determined that the bundle disappearance notification is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S120. Then, a service completion notification indicating that the electronic catalog distribution service has been completed is transmitted to the presenter terminal 150, and a series of processes is terminated and the original process is resumed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S118 that the bundle disappearance notification is not received (No), the process waits in step S118 until the bundle disappearance notification is received. [1-2-3. Process 2 of Service Providing Server] Next, the electronic catalog editing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an electronic catalog editing process executed by the service providing server 100.

The electronic catalog editing process is a process of editing the electronic catalog generated by the electronic catalog generating process. When executed by the CPU 30, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the process proceeds to step S150. ing. In step S150, it is determined whether or not an electronic catalog has been generated by the electronic catalog generation process. If it is determined that the electronic catalog has been generated (Yes), step S15
If it is determined that it is not (No), the process proceeds to step S150 until an electronic catalog is generated.

In step S152, an electronic catalog generation notification indicating that the electronic catalog has been generated is transmitted to the presenter terminal 150, and the process proceeds to step S154 to issue a browse request for browsing the electronic catalog. 150
If it is determined that the browsing request is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S156, and the browsing process for permitting the presenter terminal 150 to browse the electronic catalog is executed. , And proceeds to step S158.

In step S158, it is determined whether or not an edit request for requesting edit of the electronic catalog is received from the presenter terminal 150, and when it is determined that the edit request is received (Y
es) moves to step S160 and the presenter terminal 15
An editing process for permitting editing of the electronic catalog to 0 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S162. Step S162
Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission request for requesting the transmission of the electronic catalog is received from the presenter terminal 150, and when it is determined that the transmission request is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S164, and the electronic catalog is stored. It is transmitted to the gateway terminal 300, and the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S162 that the transmission request is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S154. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S158 that the edit request is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S162. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S154 that the browsing request is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S158.

[1-3-1. Configuration of Bundle Management Server] Next, the configuration of the bundle management server 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the bundle management server 20.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 0. As shown in FIG. 5, the bundle management server 200 reads from the CPU 50 that controls the operation and the entire system based on the control program, the ROM 52 that stores the control program of the CPU 50 and the like in a predetermined area in advance, and the ROM 52 and the like. It is composed of a RAM 54 for storing data and a calculation result required in the calculation process of the CPU 50, and an I / F 58 which mediates input / output of data to / from an external device, and these are for transferring data. The buses 59, which are signal lines, are connected to each other and can exchange data.

The I / F 58 is connected to a user information registration DB 60 for registering user information about the user of the gateway terminal 300 and a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199 as external devices. CPU50
Is a microprocessing unit MPU or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes a user registration process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 according to the program,
The user management process and the bundle generation process are executed in a time-sharing manner.

[1-3-2. Bundle management server processing 1]
First, the user registration process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a user registration process executed by the bundle management server 200. The user registration process is a process of registering user information in response to a user registration request, and when executed in the CPU 50, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the process proceeds to step S200.

In step S200, it is determined whether or not a user registration request is received from the presenter terminal 150. When it is determined that the user registration request is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202, but otherwise. When judged (No)
Waits in step S200 until it receives a user registration request. The user registration request is transmitted, for example, by the user of the gateway terminal 300 at any terminal on the Internet 199.

In step S202, user information including, for example, a user name, password, name, address, sex, age, occupation, group to be provided, services permitted to be provided, and the address of the gateway terminal 300 is received, and the process proceeds to step S204. Then, the received user information is registered in the user information registration DB 60, and a series of processing is ended and the original processing is restored. [1-3-3. Process 2 of Bundle Management Server] Next, the user management process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Figure 7
6 is a flowchart showing a user management process executed by the bundle management server 200.

The user management process is a process of disclosing user information in response to a management request, and when it is executed by the CPU 50, as shown in FIG.
It is designed to shift to 250. The giver can obtain user information about an unknown user by making a management request to the bundle management server 200. However, since the user information can be set with an access right that allows access only to a specific service or a specific service provider, the service provider can obtain all registered user information. This is not possible, and only the user information that the user is permitted to access can be obtained.

In step S250, it is determined whether a management request is received from the service providing server 100 or the presenter terminal 150, and when it is determined that the management request is received.
If (Yes), the process proceeds to step S252, but if not (No), the process waits at step S250 until a management request is received. In step S252, the content of the request is determined, the process proceeds to step S254, and it is determined based on the determination result whether or not the management request is appropriate,
When it is determined that the management request is appropriate (Yes),
The process moves to step S256.

In step S256, user authentication processing is performed. Then, in step S258, it is determined whether user authentication has been obtained based on the authentication result. If it is determined that user authentication has been obtained (Yes), Then, the process proceeds to step S260, each process corresponding to the content of the management request is executed, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored. Specifically, in step S260, if the management request is a request to change / update the user information, the user information is changed / updated, and the management request is a request to change / update the presenter information. If there is, the donor information will be changed / updated. If the management request is a request to publish the user information, publish the user information to the request source,
When the management request is a request to publish the gateway terminal 300, the gateway terminal 300 is published to the request source.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S258 that user authentication cannot be obtained (No), the process proceeds to step S262, error processing is executed, and the process proceeds to step S250. [1-3-4. Processing 3 of Bundle Management Server] Next, the bundle generation processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Figure 8
6 is a flowchart showing a bundle generation process executed by the bundle management server 200.

The bundle generation process is a process for generating a bundle in response to a bundle generation request and applying it to the gateway terminal 300. When executed by the CPU 50,
As shown in FIG. 8, first, the process proceeds to step S300. In step S300, it is determined whether or not the bundle generation request is received from the service providing server 100, and when it is determined that the bundle generation request is received.
If (Yes), the process proceeds to step S302, but if not (No), the process waits at step S300 until a bundle generation request is received.

In step S302, the address of the service providing destination is received from the service providing server 100, the process proceeds to step S304, the address of the service providing source is received from the service providing server 100, and step S30
Moving to 6, the bundle is generated. The data structure of the bundle will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of a bundle.

As shown in FIG. 9, the bundle includes program data 602 for causing the gateway terminal 300 to execute the device information acquisition processing, program data 604 for causing the gateway terminal 300 to execute the device information notification processing, and a bundle. Program data 606 for causing the gateway terminal 300 to execute a deletion process
And program data 608 for causing the gateway terminal 300 to execute the service completion notification process. The device information acquisition process, device information notification process, bundle deletion process, and service completion notification process will be described in detail later.

Returning to FIG. 8, next, in step S308, the generated bundle is transmitted to the gateway terminal 300 serving as the service providing destination based on the received address of the service providing destination, and the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, it is determined whether or not the bundle application notification is received from the gateway terminal 300, and when it is determined that the bundle application notification is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S312, but when it is determined not (step S312). N
o) is step S31 until the bundle application notification is received.
Wait at 0.

In step S312, a bundle application notification is transmitted to the service providing server 100, which is the service providing source, based on the received address of the service providing source.
The series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored. [1-4-1. Configuration of Gateway Terminal] Next, the configuration of the gateway terminal 300 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gateway terminal 300.

As shown in FIG. 10, the gateway terminal 300 includes a CPU 70 for controlling arithmetic operations and the entire system based on a control program, and a CPU in a predetermined area in advance.
ROM 72 storing the control program of PU 70, etc.
And a RAM 74 for storing data read from the ROM 72 or the like and a calculation result required in the calculation process of the CPU 70.
And an I / F that mediates data input / output to / from an external device
78 and these are connected to each other and a data transfer via a bus 79 which is a signal line for transferring data.

The I / F 78 is connected to devices 310 to 320 as external devices and a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199. The CPU 70 includes a microprocessing unit MPU, etc., and a ROM
A predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of 72 is activated, and according to the program, the program shown in FIG.
The bundle construction process and the electronic catalog browsing process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[1-4-2. Process 1 of Gateway Terminal] First, the bundle configuration process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a bundle configuration process executed by the gateway terminal 300. The bundle configuration process is a process of receiving a bundle and executing various processes included in the received bundle in a time-division manner. When the bundle configuration process is executed by the CPU 70, as shown in FIG. It is supposed to do.

In step S400, it is determined whether or not the bundle management server 200 bundle has been received. If it is determined that the bundle has been received (Yes), step S402.
If it is determined that the bundle is not received (No), the process waits in step S400 until the bundle is received. In step S402, the device information acquisition process is executed based on the program data 602 included in the bundle, the process proceeds to step S404, the device information notification process is executed based on the program data 604 included in the bundle, and the process proceeds to step S406. Transition.

In step S406, the bundle deletion process is executed based on the program data 606 included in the bundle, the process proceeds to step S408, and the service completion notification process is executed based on the program data 608 included in the bundle. In step S410, the bundle application notification is transmitted to the bundle management server 200, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is resumed. [1-4-3. Process 2 of Gateway Terminal] Next, the electronic catalog browsing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an electronic catalog browsing process executed by the gateway terminal 300.

The electronic catalog browsing process, when the electronic catalog is received, is a process for displaying the received electronic catalog so that the received electronic catalog can be browsed in response to the browsing request. When executed by the CPU 70, as shown in FIG. First, the process proceeds to step S450. Step S4
At 50, it is determined whether or not the electronic catalog is received from the service providing server 100, and when it is determined that the electronic catalog is received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S452, but when it is determined not (No). Waits in step S450 until the electronic catalog is received.

In step S452, the user is notified that the electronic catalog has been received, the process proceeds to step S454, it is determined whether the electronic catalog browsing request is input, and the electronic catalog browsing request is input. When judged
In the case of (Yes), the process proceeds to step S456, the browsing process of browsing the electronic catalog through the communication with the service providing server 100 is executed, and the series of processes is ended and the original process is restored. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S454 that the browsing request is not input (No), the process waits in step S454 until the browsing request is input.

[1-4-4. Process 3 of Gateway Terminal] Next, the device information acquisition process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a device information acquisition process executed by the gateway terminal 300. The device information acquisition process is performed by the devices 310 to 320.
CPU 70 for obtaining device information from the CPU 70
When executed in step S1, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the process proceeds to step S500.

In step S500, the devices 310 to 310 are connected.
Connect to 320, move to step S502, send a device information acquisition request to devices 310-320,
The process proceeds to step S504, and the devices 310 to 320
The device information is acquired from the device, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored. [1-4-5. Process 4 of Gateway Terminal] Next, the device information notification process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the device information notification processing executed by the gateway terminal 300.

In the device information notification process, the device information acquired in the device information acquisition process is used as the service providing server 1
When the CPU 70 executes the process of notifying 00, as shown in FIG. 14, first, in step S55.
It is designed to shift to 0. In step S550, it is determined whether or not the device information is acquired in the device information acquisition process, and it is determined that the device information is acquired.
In the case of (Yes), the process proceeds to step S552, the acquired device information is transmitted to the service providing server 100, the series of processes is ended, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S550 that the device information is not acquired (No), the process waits in step S550 until the device information is acquired. [1-4-6. Process 5 of Gateway Terminal] Next, the bundle deleting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Figure 1
5 is a flowchart showing a bundle deletion process executed by the gateway terminal 300.

The bundle deleting process is a process of deleting a bundle, and when executed by the CPU 70, the process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, first, the process proceeds to step S600. In step S600, it is determined whether the browsing of the electronic catalog is completed in the gateway terminal 300, and when it is determined that the browsing of the electronic catalog is completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S602 to delete the bundle, The series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S600 that the browsing of the electronic catalog is not completed (No), the process waits in step S600 until the browsing of the electronic catalog is completed. [1-4-7. Process 6 of Gateway Terminal] Next, the service completion notification process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the service completion notification process executed by the gateway terminal 300.

The service completion notification process is a process of notifying the service providing server 100 of a service completion notification, and when executed by the CPU 70, as shown in FIG. 16, first, the process proceeds to step S650. There is. In step S650, the gateway terminal 300
When it is determined that the browsing of the electronic catalog is finished, and it is determined that the browsing of the electronic catalog is finished (Ye
In step s), the process proceeds to step S652, the bundle disappearance notification is transmitted to the service providing server 100, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S650 that the browsing of the electronic catalog is not completed (No), the process waits in step S650 until the browsing of the electronic catalog is completed. [2. Operation of this Embodiment] Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. A case where the giver delivers the electronic catalog to the user will be described. At the time of starting distribution of the electronic catalog, the giver uses the presenter terminal 150 to
First, the service providing request is transmitted to the service providing server 100, and the gateway terminal 300 that is the service providing destination is provided.
And the address of the service providing server 100 that is the service providing source. These addresses are input based on the user information and the presenter information registered in the bundle management server 200.

When the service providing server 100 receives the service providing request, the bundle creating request is transmitted to the bundle management server 200 through steps S100 to S108, and the service providing destination address and the service providing source address are received. The received address is transmitted to the bundle management server 200. Bundle management server 2
In 00, when the bundle generation request is received, step S
The address of the service providing destination and the address of the service providing source are received through 300 to S308, a bundle is generated, and the generated bundle is transmitted to the gateway terminal 300 based on the received address of the service providing destination.

Upon receiving the bundle, the gateway terminal 300 goes through steps S400 to S410, and based on the program data 602 to 608 included in the bundle, a device information acquisition process, a device information notification process,
Bundle deletion processing and service completion notification processing are respectively executed, and bundle application notification is sent to the bundle management server 2
00 is transmitted. When the bundle management server 200 receives the bundle application notification, steps S310 and S3.
After 12, the bundle application notification is transmitted to the service providing server 100 based on the received address of the service providing source.

On the other hand, in the gateway terminal 300, when each process is executed based on the bundle, step S50
0 to S504, the device 310 to 320 is connected, and the device information acquisition request is transmitted to the devices 310 to 320.
And the device information is acquired from the devices 310 to 320. Then, through steps S550 and S552, the device information acquired is the service providing server 1
00 is transmitted. When the service providing server 100 receives the bundle application notification and the device information, the service contents corresponding to the function, type, and other contents of the device are registered based on the received device information through steps S114 and S116. D
The electronic catalog is read out from B44, and an electronic catalog is generated based on the read service content. For example, since the device 310 is a printer, for the device 310, an electronic catalog listing service contents regarding digital cameras, scanners, printer consumables, or albums is generated based on the device information. Further, for example, since the device 314 is a sound system,
Based on the device information, an electronic catalog listing service contents related to streaming broadcasting or the latest CD is generated. When the electronic catalog is generated in this manner, a notification of generation of the electronic catalog is transmitted to the presenter terminal 150 via step S152.

The presenter terminal 150 can recognize that the electronic catalog has been generated by receiving the electronic catalog generation notification. Here, when the presenter desires to browse the generated electronic catalog, the presenter sends a browsing request to the service providing server 100. When the service providing server 100 receives the browsing request, step S
Through 154 and S156, the presenter terminal 150 is permitted to browse the electronic catalog. This allows the giver to browse the contents of the electronic catalog before sending it to the user.

When the presenter desires to edit the generated electronic catalog, the presenter sends an edit request to the service providing server 100. In the service providing server 100,
When the edit request is received, the presenter terminal 150 is allowed to edit the electronic catalog through steps S158 and S160. This allows the gift giver to edit the contents of the electronic catalog before sending it to the user.

When the presenter desires to send the generated electronic catalog, the presenter sends a sending request to the service providing server 100. In the service providing server 100,
When the transmission request is received, the electronic catalog is transmitted to the gateway terminal 300 through steps S162 and S164. When the gateway terminal 300 receives the electronic catalog, the user is notified that the electronic catalog has been received through steps S450 and S452. here,
When the user desires to browse the received electronic catalog, the user inputs a browsing request. When the browsing request is input, the electronic catalog is displayed so as to be browsed through steps S454 and S456. Thereby, the user selects a product or service from the displayed electronic catalog.
When the user finishes browsing the electronic catalog, the bundle is deleted and the bundle extinction notification is transmitted to the service providing server 100 through steps S600, S602, S650, and S652.

When the service providing server 100 receives the bundle disappearance notice, the service completion notice is transmitted to the presenter terminal 150 through steps S118 and S120. The donor terminal 150 can recognize that the user has finished browsing the electronic catalog by receiving the service completion notification. The gateway terminal 3
In order to receive the provision of the electronic catalog distribution service in cooperation with the bundle, the user of 00 is preferably registered in the bundle management server 200 in advance. Of course, since the bundle has a function of notifying device information, user registration is not always necessary.

When user registration is performed, the user of the gateway terminal 300 allows, for example, a user name, password, name, address, sex, age, occupation, affiliated group, and provision service at any terminal on the Internet 199. And user information including the address of the gateway terminal 300 is transmitted to the bundle management server 200 together with a user registration request. Upon receiving the user registration request, the bundle management server 200 proceeds to steps S200-
The user information is received through S204, and the received user information is registered in the user information registration DB 60. Registration of donor information can be performed in the same manner.

Further, the user information or the presenter information can be changed / updated, or the user information or the gateway terminal 300 can be disclosed. If you do these,
An arbitrary terminal on the Internet 199 sends a management request to the bundle management server 200. When the bundle management server 200 receives the management request, the contents of the request are determined through steps S250 to S256, and if the management request is appropriate, user authentication processing is performed. As a result, when user authentication is obtained, step S2
58 and S260, the respective processes according to the content of the management request are executed. That is, if it is a management request relating to the change / update of user information or presenter information, the user information or presenter information is changed / updated, and if it is a management request relating to the disclosure of user information or the gateway terminal 300, The user information or gateway terminal 300 is disclosed to the request source. [3. Effects of this Embodiment] [3-1. Effect 1] In this way, in the present embodiment,
The bundle includes a device information acquisition process for acquiring device information and a device information notification process for notifying the device information acquired in the device information acquisition process to the service providing server 100. In response to the request, the generated bundle is transmitted to the gateway terminal 300, and the service providing server 100
When the device information is received, an electronic catalog listing service contents according to the function, type, and other details of the device is generated based on the received device information, and the generated electronic catalog is transmitted to the gateway terminal 300. And the gateway terminal 300
When the bundle is received, the device information acquisition process and the device information notification process are configured based on the received bundle.

As a result, it is possible to provide the electronic catalog distribution service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device. Further, since the device information is acquired by the bundle, it is not necessary to register the device information, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the acquired information of the device information has a defect. Therefore, compared to the conventional
It is possible to provide an electronic catalog distribution service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device, and it is relatively advantageous in terms of labor and time, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of providing services with inappropriate contents. .

[3-2. [Effect 2] Further, in the present embodiment, the bundle includes a bundle deleting process for deleting the bundle, and the bundle deleting process deletes the bundle when the provision of the electronic catalog distribution service is finished. . As a result, the bundle is deleted when the provision of the electronic catalog delivery service ends, so that the device 31 is updated each time the electronic catalog delivery service is provided.
The latest bundle can be applied to 0 to 320.

[3-3. Effect 3] Further, in the present embodiment, the bundle includes service completion notification processing for notifying the service providing server 100 of the end of the electronic catalog distribution service, and the service completion notification processing has completed the provision of the electronic catalog distribution service. At this time, the service providing server 100 is notified that the electronic catalog distribution service has ended.

As a result, it can be understood that the service providing server 100 has finished providing the electronic catalog distribution service. [3-4. Effect 4] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the service providing server 100 receives the service providing request, the service providing server 100 transmits the bundle applying request to the bundle management server 200, and the devices 310 to 320 read out the service content and perform the electronic content. The catalog is generated, the generated electronic catalog is presented to the presenter terminal 150, and the electronic catalog is transmitted after waiting for confirmation by the presenter terminal 150.

As a result, the electronic catalog is transmitted after waiting for confirmation by the presenter terminal 150, so that the presenter can confirm the distribution contents before transmitting the electronic catalog. [3-5. Effect 5] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the service providing server 100 receives an edit request for editing the electronic catalog accompanying the presentation of the electronic catalog,
The presenter terminal 150 is allowed to edit the electronic catalog, and the electronic catalog is transmitted after the editing is completed.

As a result, the electronic catalog is transmitted after waiting for the end of editing by the presenter terminal 150, so that the presenter can edit the distribution contents before transmitting the electronic catalog. [3-6. [Effect 6] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the user information can be set with an access right that permits access only to a specific service or a specific service provider.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a service not desired by the user will be provided to the gateway terminal 300. [4. Correspondence with Claims] In the above embodiment, the service providing server 100 and the bundle management server 200 are the inventions 4, 5, 18, 28, 30 or 32.
Corresponding to the service providing side equipment of the service providing server 1
00 corresponds to the service providing terminal of Invention 1, 5, 8, 9, 20, 22, 24 or 26. Further, the presenter terminal 150 corresponds to the transmission source of the invention 10, and the bundle management server 200 is the invention 5, 10, 20, 22, or 2.
Devices 310 to 32 corresponding to the bundle management terminal of No. 4
0 is invention 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 18, 22, 2
It corresponds to 6 or 30 provision target devices.

Further, in the above embodiment, the content registration DB 44 corresponds to the content storage means of the invention 9, and steps S114, S116 and S164 are the inventions 1, 3 to 6, 9 to 11, 18, 22 and 2 respectively.
6 corresponds to the service providing means or the service providing step of invention 30. In addition, step S306,
Corresponding to the bundle generating means of the invention 4, 5, 18, 20 or 24, or the bundle generating step of the invention 30 or 32, step S308 is the invention 4, 5, 18,
20 or 24 bundle transmitting means, or invention 30
It corresponds to the bundle sending step of.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, steps S402 to S406 correspond to the steps of the invention 30, and the electronic catalog distribution service is inventions 1, 3, 4, and 6.
Through 10, 18, 22, 26 or 30 and the service content corresponds to the content of the invention 9 or 10. In addition, the device information acquisition process is performed by the inventions 1, 3 to 5, 18, 20, 24, 28, and 3.
Corresponding to the device information acquisition means of 0 or 32, the device information notification processing is performed by the inventions 4 to 6, 9, 18, 20,
It corresponds to 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 or 32 device information notifying means.

In the above embodiment, the bundle deleting process corresponds to the bundle deleting means of the invention 7, and the service completion notifying process corresponds to the service end notifying means of the invention 8. [5. Other Embodiments] [5-1. Mode 1] In the above embodiment, the service providing server 100 is configured to provide the electronic catalog distribution service in an environment in which the service providing server 100 can communicate with the devices 310 to 320 via the gateway terminal 300, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, as shown in FIG. 17, the service providing server 100 may be configured to provide the electronic catalog distribution service in an environment in which the service providing server 100 can directly communicate with the devices 310 to 320. In this case, the bundle applies to devices 310-320. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another network system to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 17, on the Internet 199, the service providing server 100 and the presenter terminal 150 are provided.
, Bundle management server 200, and devices 310-3
20 is connected. In this case, the service providing server 100 and the bundle management server 200 are
Corresponding to the equipment on the service providing side of the invention 15, 16, 19, 29, 31 or 33, the service providing server 100,
It corresponds to the service providing terminal of the invention 2, 16, 21, 23, 25 or 27. Also, the bundle management server 2
00 corresponds to the bundle management terminal of Invention 16, 21, 23 or 25, and corresponds to steps S114, S116 and S16.
4 corresponds to the service providing means of the invention 2, 3, 15 to 17, 19, 23 or 27 or the service providing step of the invention 31.

In addition, step S306 corresponds to inventions 15 and 1
It corresponds to the bundle generation means of 6, 19, 21 or 25, or the bundle generation step of invention 31 or 33, and step S308 corresponds to invention 15, 16, 19, 21.
Alternatively, it corresponds to 25 bundle transmitting means or the bundle transmitting step of the invention 31. Also, device 3
Inventions 10 to 320 are inventions 2, 3, 15, 17, 19, and 2.
1, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 or 33 corresponds to the device to be provided, and steps S402 to S406 are
Corresponding to the configuration step of the invention 31, the electronic catalog distribution service provides inventions 2, 3, 15, 17, 19, 23, 27.
Or it corresponds to 31 services.

In addition, the device information acquisition process is described in the second aspect of the invention.
3, 15, 16, 19, 21, 25, 29, 31 or 33 corresponds to the device information acquisition means, and the device information notification process is the invention 15 to 17, 19, 21, 23, 2
It corresponds to 5, 27, 29, 31 or 33 device information notifying means. [5-2. Mode 2] In the above embodiment, the service providing server 100 is configured to provide the electronic catalog distribution service in response to the request from the presenter terminal 150, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. In addition, the electronic catalog distribution service may be independently provided. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another network system to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 18, the service providing server 100, the bundle management server 200, and the gateway terminal 300 are connected to the Internet 199. The gateway terminal 300 includes devices 310 to 3
20 are connected. In this case, the user of the service providing server 100 becomes the presenter, and the service providing server 1
00 independently provides an electronic catalog distribution service in response to a request from the presenter.

[5-3. Mode 3] In the above embodiment, the service providing server 100 is configured to provide the electronic catalog distribution service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device based on the notified device information. The present invention is not limited to this, and includes a user information registration DB in which user information regarding users is registered, and electronic catalog distribution according to device functions, types, and other contents based on notified device information and user information in the user information registration DB. It may be configured to provide a service.

For example, if the user who owns the projector has the "movie watching" and "karate" preferences, an electronic catalog in which service contents related to action movies are posted is generated, and the generated electronic catalog is distributed. This service is a service that can be provided for the first time with a projector, and can be said to be a service that successfully combines taste information and device information. Also, similarly,
If the user who owns the projector has an "outdoor" taste, it can be provided as an online shopping service dealing with outdoor products. By introducing outdoor products in videos, it is possible to intuitively understand how to use the products and their usefulness.

As a result, it is possible to provide the electronic catalog distribution service according to the function, type and other contents of the device and the user. In this case, the service providing server 100 corresponds to the service providing terminal of the invention 12, the devices 310 to 320 correspond to the device to be provided of the invention 12, and the user information registration DB corresponds to the user information storage means of the invention 12. Correspondingly, steps S114, S1
16, S164 corresponds to the service providing means of the twelfth aspect. In addition, the electronic catalog distribution service is invention 1
The device information notifying process corresponds to the service No. 2 and corresponds to the device information notifying unit of the twelfth aspect.

[5-4. Mode 4] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the service providing server 100 includes the device 310.
To 320, it is configured to provide an electronic catalog distribution service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device based on the device information notified from the bundle applied to any of the above. Device 31
Based on the device information notified from the bundle applied to a plurality of 0 to 320, the electronic catalog distribution service may be provided according to the combination of the functions, types, and other contents of the devices. .

For example, it is possible to provide a service in which the functions of a plurality of devices 310 to 320 connected to the same gateway terminal 300 are combined. Also,
For example, it is possible to provide a service that combines the functions of a device connected to one gateway terminal 300 and a device connected to another gateway terminal 300. In the device cooperation service between the devices, the combination of the devices may be the same type (A) or different types (B). Of course, it is possible to provide services not only between two devices but also between three or more devices.

As a result, it is possible to provide an electronic catalog distribution service according to a combination of device functions, types, and other contents. In this case, the devices 310 to 320 correspond to the device to be provided of the invention 13, and steps S114, S116, and S164 are the invention 1
3 corresponds to the service providing means, the electronic catalog distribution service corresponds to the service of invention 13, and the device information notification processing corresponds to the device information notification means of invention 13.

[5-5. Mode 5] Further, in the above embodiment, the service providing server 100 includes the device 310.
To 320, it is configured to provide an electronic catalog distribution service according to the function, type, and other contents of the device based on the device information notified from the bundle applied to any of the above. A user information registration DB that registers user information about users is provided, and based on device information notified from a bundle applied to a plurality of devices 310 to 320 and corresponding user information in the user information registration DB, The electronic catalog distribution service may be provided according to the combination of device functions, types, and other contents.

As a result, it is possible to provide a combination of device functions, types, and other contents, and services according to users. In this case, the service providing server 100 corresponds to the service providing terminal of the invention 14, the devices 310 to 320 correspond to the device to be provided of the invention 14, and the user information registration DB corresponds to the user information storage means of the invention 14. Correspondingly, steps S114 and S11
6, S164 corresponds to the service providing unit of the fourteenth invention. In addition, the electronic catalog distribution service is the invention 14
The device information notification process corresponding to the service of
4 corresponds to the device information notifying means.

[5-6. Mode 6] In the above embodiment, a printer, a projector, a sound system, a PC and a microwave oven are adopted as devices, but the invention is not limited to this, and a digital camera, a digital video camera, a refrigerator, a television, a game machine and a mobile phone are adopted. Information terminal (including PDA (Personal Digital Assistant))
May be adopted as the device. In this case, the following can be proposed as the electronic catalog distribution service according to the device.

First, when the device specified by the device information is a projector, streaming movie distribution that can be enjoyed on a large screen, past popular TV program distribution,
Distribution of electronic manga, distribution of educational programs such as television communication courses (cram school / qualification acquisition course), or generation of electronic catalogs containing service contents related to DVD movies, and distribution of the generated electronic catalogs. Second, when the device specified by the device information is a scanner, a printer for printing out an image captured by the scanner, a display for displaying the image captured by the scanner, a projector or a personal digital assistant, or It creates an electronic catalog that lists service contents related to drawing software for editing images captured by a scanner, and distributes the created electronic catalog.

Thirdly, when the device specified by the device information is a digital camera, a printer for printing out an image taken by the digital camera, a display for displaying the image taken by the digital camera, and a projector. Alternatively, an electronic catalog listing service contents related to drawing software for editing an image taken by a mobile information terminal or a digital camera is generated, and the generated electronic catalog is distributed.

Fourth, when the device specified by the device information is a digital video camera, a display for reproducing a moving image taken by the digital video camera, a projector or a portable information terminal, and a digital video camera are taken. An electronic catalog listing service contents related to consumables for printers or digital video cameras for printing out still images is generated, and the generated electronic catalog is distributed.

Fifth, if the device specified by the device information is a PC, a peripheral device of the PC or P
An electronic catalog listing service contents related to application software that can be incorporated in C is generated, and the generated electronic catalog is distributed. Sixth, when the device specified by the device information is a microwave oven, an electronic catalog that publishes service contents related to dishes such as specialty products, organic vegetables, fresh fish, and cookbooks is generated, and the generated electronic catalog To deliver.

Seventh, when the device specified by the device information is a refrigerator, an electronic catalog in which service contents related to dishes such as local specialty products, organic vegetables, fresh fish, and cookbooks are posted, like a microwave oven. Is generated and the generated electronic catalog is delivered. Eighth, when the device specified by the device information is a television, like a projector, streaming movie distribution that can be enjoyed on a large screen, past popular TV program distribution, electronic manga distribution,
TV correspondence course (cram school, qualification acquisition course) which becomes educational program
An electronic catalog listing service contents related to distribution or DVD movies is created, and the created electronic catalog is distributed.

Ninth, when the device specified by the device information is a game machine, an electronic catalog listing service contents relating to game software is generated,
Distribute the generated electronic catalog. Tenth, when the device specified by the device information is a mobile information terminal, an electronic catalog listing service contents related to application software that can be incorporated in the mobile information terminal is generated, and the generated electronic catalog is distributed.

[5-7. Mode 7] In the above embodiment, the electronic catalog distribution service is provided via the Internet 199. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a FAX receiver connected via a public line is used as the devices 310 to 320. It is also possible to provide a FAX information distribution service for distributing an electronic catalog by FAX through a public line.

[5-8. Mode 8] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case of executing the control program stored in advance in the ROM 32 has been described in executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4, but the invention is not limited to this. The program is stored in the RAM 3 from a storage medium storing the program showing these procedures.
4 may be read and executed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the case of executing the control program stored in advance in the ROM 52 has been described. The program is not limited to this, and the program is stored in the RAM 54 from a storage medium that stores the program showing these procedures.
It may be read in and executed. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the ROM shown in FIG.
Although the case where the control program stored in advance in 72 is executed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read into the RAM 74 from the storage medium in which the program showing these procedures is stored and executed. Good.

Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD or DVD, or MO or the like. The magnetic storage type / optical reading type storage medium includes any storage medium as long as it is a computer-readable storage medium regardless of a reading method such as electronic, magnetic, or optical.
[5-9. Mode 9] In the above embodiment, the service providing system, the service providing side equipment, the bundle management terminal, the service providing terminal, the terminal program and the data structure of the bundle according to the present invention, and the service providing method and the generation of the bundle. How to Internet 1
Although the case where the present invention is applied to the network system including 99 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a so-called intranet that communicates by the same method as the Internet 199. Of course, the Internet 1
The present invention can be applied not only to a network that communicates by the same method as 99 but also to a normal network.

[5-10. Mode 10] In the above embodiment, the service providing system, the service providing side equipment, the bundle management terminal, the service providing terminal, the terminal program and the data structure of the bundle, and the service providing method and the bundle generation according to the present invention are also provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the presenter requests the service providing server 100 to distribute an electronic catalog that lists service contents related to products or services related to the devices 310 to 320 to the user of the gateway terminal 300. The present invention has been applied to the case where the user selects a product or service in the electronic catalog and receives the selected product or service. is there.

[0134]

As described above, according to the service providing system of claims 1 to 17 of the present invention,
It is possible to provide a service according to the device to be provided. Also, since the device information is acquired by the bundle, it is not necessary to register the device information, and
It is possible to reduce the possibility that the acquired information of the device information has a defect. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a service according to the device to be provided, which is relatively advantageous in terms of labor and time, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of providing a service having an inappropriate content, as compared with the related art. The effect is obtained.

Further, according to the service providing system of claim 3, 6 to 14 or 17 of the present invention,
Compared with the past, it is possible to provide services according to the function, type, etc. of the device to be provided, and it is relatively advantageous in terms of labor and time, and it is possible that services with inappropriate content may be provided. The effect that it can be reduced is also obtained. Further, according to the service providing system of claim 7 of the present invention, the bundle is deleted when the provision of the service ends, so that the latest bundle is applied to the device to be provided every time the service is provided. The effect that can be obtained is also obtained.

Further, according to the service providing system of the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that the service providing terminal can grasp that the service has been provided. Further, according to the service providing system of claims 9 to 11 according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an effect that an electronic catalog distribution service can be provided according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided.

Further, claim 10 or 1 according to the present invention.
According to the service providing system described in 1, the electronic catalog is transmitted after waiting for confirmation by the transmission source of the provision request, so that the service provider can confirm the delivery contents before transmitting the electronic catalog. Can also be obtained. Further, according to the service providing system of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the electronic catalog is transmitted after the completion of editing by the transmission source of the provision request. Therefore, the service provider can send the electronic catalog before transmitting the electronic catalog. The effect that the distribution contents can be edited is also obtained.

Further, according to the service providing system of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide the service according to the function, type and other contents of the device to be provided and the user. further,
According to the service providing system of the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an effect that the service can be provided according to the combination of the function, type, and other contents of the device to be provided.

Further, according to the service providing system of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an effect that it is possible to provide a service according to the combination of the function, type and other contents of the device to be provided and the user. . On the other hand, according to the service providing side equipment of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, an effect equivalent to that of the service providing system of the fourth aspect can be obtained. Further, according to the service providing side equipment of claim 19 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 15 can be obtained.

On the other hand, according to the bundle management terminal of claim 20 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 5 can be obtained. Further, according to the bundle management terminal of claim 21 of the present invention, claim 1
An effect equivalent to that of the service providing system described in 6 is obtained. On the other hand, according to the service providing terminal of claim 22 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 5 can be obtained.

Further, according to the service providing terminal of claim 23 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 16 can be obtained. On the other hand, according to the terminal program of claim 24 of the present invention, an effect equivalent to that of the bundle management terminal of claim 20 can be obtained.
Furthermore, according to the terminal program of the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, an effect equivalent to that of the bundle management terminal of the twenty-first aspect can be obtained.

Further, according to the terminal program of claim 26 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing terminal of claim 22 can be obtained. Further, according to the terminal program of claim 27 of the present invention,
An effect equivalent to that of the service providing terminal described in 3 is obtained. On the other hand, according to the data structure of the bundle of claim 28 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 4 can be obtained.

Further, according to the data structure of the bundle of claim 29 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 15 can be obtained. On the other hand, according to the service providing method of claim 30 of the present invention, the same effect as that of the service providing system of claim 4 can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the service providing method of the thirty-first aspect of the present invention, an effect equivalent to that of the service providing system of the fifteenth aspect can be obtained.

On the other hand, according to the bundle generating method of the thirty-second aspect of the present invention, an effect equivalent to that of the data structure of the bundle of the twenty-eighth aspect can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the bundle generation method of the 33rd aspect of the present invention, an effect equivalent to that of the data structure of the bundle of the 29th aspect can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a service providing server 100. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an electronic catalog generation process executed by the service providing server 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an electronic catalog editing process executed by the service providing server 100.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a bundle management server 200. FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a user registration process executed by the bundle management server 200. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a user management process executed by the bundle management server 200.

8 is a flowchart showing a bundle generation process executed by the bundle management server 200. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of a bundle.

10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gateway terminal 300. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing bundle configuration processing executed by the gateway terminal 300.

12 is a flowchart showing an electronic catalog browsing process executed by the gateway terminal 300. FIG.

13 is a flowchart showing a device information acquisition process executed by the gateway terminal 300. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a device information notification process executed by the gateway terminal 300.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing bundle deletion processing executed by the gateway terminal 300.

16 is a flowchart showing service completion notification processing executed by the gateway terminal 300. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another network system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another network system to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 service providing server 150 donor terminal 199 Internet 200 Bundle management server 300 gateway terminal 310-320 devices 600 bundles 602 Device information acquisition process 604 Device information notification process 606 Device deletion processing 608 Service completion notification processing 30, 50, 70 CPU 32, 52, 72 ROM 34, 54, 74 RAM 38,58,78 I / F 44 Content registration DB 60 user information registration DB

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Akito Fukao             Seiko, 3-3-3 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture             -In Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Mochiya             Seiko, 3-3-3 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture             -In Epson Corporation

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A service providing terminal that provides a service and a gateway terminal that communicatively connects a target device to be provided with the service are communicatively connected to each other based on device information related to the target device. A system for providing a service to a device to be provided, comprising a device information acquisition unit for acquiring the device information,
A service providing unit that provides a service for the device to be provided based on the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit, and when the service providing terminal provides a service, a bundle including the device information acquiring unit is provided. A service providing system, wherein the gateway terminal configures the device information acquisition means based on the received bundle when the gateway terminal receives the bundle. 2. A service providing terminal that provides a service and a service target device that is a service target are communicatively connected, and a service is provided to the service target device based on device information about the service target device. A system comprising: device information acquisition means for acquiring the device information from the provision target device; and service providing means for providing a service for the provision target device based on the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means. When the service providing terminal provides a service, it transmits a bundle including the device information acquisition means to the provision target device, and when the provision target device receives the bundle, based on the received bundle, To configure device information acquisition means A service providing system that is characterized by: 3. The service providing unit according to claim 1, wherein the service providing unit can provide a plurality of different services, and the plurality of services are provided based on the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit. Of these, a service providing system characterized by providing a service according to the function, type, and other details of the device to be provided. 4. A service providing side equipment for providing a service is communicatively connected to a gateway terminal for communicatively connecting a target device to be provided with the service, and the service providing side equipment provides the service. At the time of applying a bundle to the gateway terminal, acquiring device information about the device to be provided by the bundle, and providing a service to the device to be provided based on the acquired device information, the bundle, The device includes a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information, and a device information notification unit that notifies the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit to the service providing side equipment, and the service providing side equipment generates the bundle. The bundle generating means and the bundle generating means The gateway terminal includes a bundle transmitting unit that transmits the formed bundle to the gateway terminal, and a service providing unit that provides a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit. When receiving the bundle, the service providing system is characterized in that the device information acquisition unit and the device information notification unit are configured based on the received bundle. 5. The service providing side equipment according to claim 4, wherein the bundle management terminal having the bundle generating means and the bundle transmitting means and the service providing terminal having the service providing means are communicatively connected to each other. The device information notifying unit is configured to notify the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit, and the bundle generating unit is configured to transmit the device information in response to a request from the service providing terminal. A service providing system characterized by generating a bundle. 6. The service providing means according to claim 5, wherein the service providing means is capable of providing a plurality of different services, and the provision target among the plurality of services is based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. A service providing system characterized in that it provides services according to device functions, types, and other contents. 7. The bundle according to claim 6, wherein the bundle includes a bundle deleting unit that deletes the bundle, and the bundle deleting unit deletes the bundle when service provision is completed. A service providing system characterized by the following. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the bundle includes service end notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal of the end of the service, and the service end notifying means has finished providing the service. In this case, the service providing system is configured to notify the service providing terminal that the service has ended. 9. The content storage unit according to claim 6, wherein the service providing terminal stores, for each of a plurality of different target devices to be provided, content related to goods or services related to the target device. The service providing means, based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, reads the content according to the function, type and other contents of the device to be provided from the content storage means, A service providing system, characterized in that an electronic catalog is generated based on the read contents, and the generated electronic catalog is transmitted to the gateway terminal. 10. The service management unit according to claim 9, when the service providing unit receives a provision request to provide a service, the bundle management unit applies the application request to apply the bundle to a provision target device according to the provision request. By sending to the terminal, reading the content and generating the electronic catalog for the device to be provided according to the providing request, presenting the generated electronic catalog to the source of the providing request, and by the source of the providing request. A service providing system, characterized in that the electronic catalog is transmitted after confirmation. 11. The service providing means according to claim 10, when the edit request requesting the edit of the electronic catalog is received along with the presentation of the electronic catalog, the service providing means sends the edit request to the request source of the edit request. A service providing system, characterized in that editing of an electronic catalog is permitted, and the electronic catalog is transmitted after completion of the editing. 12. The service providing terminal according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the service providing terminal includes a user information storage unit for storing user information regarding a user of the device to be provided, and the service providing unit includes: Based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit and the user information in the user information storage unit, a service according to the function, type and other contents of the device to be provided is provided from among the plurality of services. A service providing system characterized by: 13. The device information notifying unit according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the provision target devices are communicably connected, and the service providing unit is a bundle applied to the plurality of provision target devices. A service providing system for providing a service according to a combination of functions, types, and other contents of a device to be provided among the plurality of services based on the device information notified from the device. 14. The service providing terminal according to claim 13, further comprising: user information storage means for storing, for each of the provision target devices, user information regarding a user of the provision target device. Of the plurality of services, based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit of the bundle applied to the plurality of provision target devices and the corresponding plurality of user information in the user information storage unit A service providing system characterized in that it provides a service according to a combination of the functions, types, and other contents. 15. A service providing side device for providing a service and a target device for providing the service are communicatively connected to each other, and a bundle is provided to the target device for providing the service by the service providing side device. A system that applies the device information about the provision target device by the bundle and provides a service to the provision target device based on the acquired device information, wherein the bundle is the device information from the provision target device. And device information notifying means for notifying the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means to the service providing side equipment, the service providing side equipment generating a bundle for generating the bundle. Means and the bundle generated by the bundle generating means. And a service providing unit that provides a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit. When receiving the bundle, the service providing system is characterized in that the device information acquisition unit and the device information notification unit are configured based on the received bundle. 16. The facility according to claim 15, wherein the service providing side equipment communicatively connects the bundle management terminal including the bundle generating unit and the bundle transmitting unit and the service providing terminal including the service providing unit. The device information notifying unit is configured to notify the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit, and the bundle generating unit is configured to transmit the device information in response to a request from the service providing terminal. A service providing system characterized by generating a bundle. 17. The service providing means according to claim 16, wherein the service providing means is capable of providing a plurality of different services, and the provision target among the plurality of services is based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. A service providing system characterized in that it provides services according to device functions, types, and other contents. 18. A facility for communicatively connecting to a gateway terminal in the service providing system according to claim 4, wherein bundle generation means for generating the bundle, and the bundle generated by the bundle generation means for the gateway terminal. The bundle transmission means for transmitting, and the service providing means for providing a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, wherein the bundle acquires device information for acquiring the device information. A service providing side equipment comprising: a means and a device information notifying means for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring means. 19. A facility for communicatively connecting to a provision target device in the service providing system according to claim 15, wherein the bundle generation means for generating the bundle, and the bundle generated by the bundle generation means for the provision target. A bundle transmission means for transmitting to the device, and a service providing means for providing a service for the provision target device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, wherein the bundle is from the provision target device to the device A service-providing-side facility comprising: a device-information obtaining unit that obtains information; and a device-information notifying unit that notifies the service-providing-side facility of the device information obtained by the device-information obtaining unit. 20. A terminal that communicatively connects to a service providing terminal and a gateway terminal in the service providing system according to claim 5, and a bundle creating unit that creates the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal. A bundle transmitting unit that transmits the bundle generated by the bundle generating unit to the gateway terminal, the bundle including a device information acquiring unit that acquires the device information and a device information that is acquired by the device information acquiring unit. A bundle management terminal, comprising: device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal. 21. A terminal for communicatively connecting to a service providing terminal and a device to be provided in the service providing system according to claim 16, wherein the bundle creating means creates the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal. And a bundle transmission unit that transmits the bundle generated by the bundle generation unit to the provision target device, the bundle including a device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information from the provision target device, and the device information acquisition unit. A bundle management terminal, comprising: device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the means. 22. A terminal communicatively connected to a bundle management terminal and a gateway terminal in the service providing system according to claim 5, wherein the device to be provided is based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit. A service providing terminal comprising a service providing means for providing a service. 23. A terminal for communicatively connecting to a bundle management terminal and a provision target device in the service providing system according to claim 16, wherein the provision target device is based on the device information notified from the device information notifying unit. A service providing terminal comprising a service providing means for providing a service. 24. A program to be executed by the bundle management terminal according to claim 20, which comprises a computer, the bundle generation means generating the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal, and the bundle generation means. Is a program for executing a process realized as a bundle transmitting unit that transmits the bundle generated in Step 1 to the gateway terminal, wherein the bundle is a device information acquiring unit that acquires the device information, and a device information acquiring unit. A terminal program, comprising: device information notifying means for notifying the service providing terminal of the acquired device information. 25. A program to be executed by the bundle management terminal according to claim 21, comprising a computer, the bundle generation means generating the bundle in response to a request from the service providing terminal, and the bundle generation means. Is a program for executing a process realized as a bundle transmitting means for transmitting the bundle generated in the provision target device, the bundle, a device information acquisition means for acquiring the device information from the provision target device, A device information notifying unit for notifying the service providing terminal of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit, the terminal program. 26. A program to be executed by the service providing terminal according to claim 22, which comprises a computer, the service providing a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. A terminal program, which is a program for executing a process realized as a providing unit. 27. A program to be executed by the service providing terminal according to claim 23, which comprises a computer, the service providing a service for the device to be provided based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means. A terminal program, which is a program for executing a process realized as a providing unit. 28. A data structure of a bundle applied to a gateway terminal in the service providing system according to claim 4, wherein the device information acquisition means acquires the device information,
And a device information notifying unit for notifying the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit to the service providing side equipment. 29. A data structure of a bundle applied to a provision target device in the service provision system according to claim 15, wherein the device information acquisition unit acquires the device information from the provision target device, and the device information acquisition unit. And a device information notifying unit for notifying the device information acquired in step 1 to the service providing side equipment. 30. A service providing side equipment for providing a service is communicatively connected to a gateway terminal for communicatively connecting a target device to be provided with the service, and the service providing side equipment provides the service. At the time of applying a bundle to the gateway terminal, acquiring device information related to the provision target device by the bundle, and providing a service to the provision target device based on the acquired device information, the bundle, The device information acquisition means for acquiring device information, and the device information notification means for notifying the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means to the service providing side equipment, the bundle for the service providing side equipment A bundle generation step for generating A bundle transmitting step of transmitting the bundle generated in the generating step to the gateway terminal, when the gateway terminal receives the bundle, the device information acquisition unit and the device based on the received bundle. And a service providing step of providing a service to the provision target device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, to the service providing side equipment. A service providing method characterized by: 31. A service providing-side facility that provides a service and a target device to which the service is provided are communicatively connected, and a bundle is provided to the target device when the service providing-side facility provides the service. A method of applying, acquiring device information about the provision target device by the bundle, and providing a service to the provision target device based on the acquired device information, wherein the bundle is the device information from the provision target device. And device information notifying means for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information obtaining means, and generating the bundle for the service providing side equipment. Creating a bundle, and the bundle creating step A bundle transmission step of transmitting the generated bundle to the provision target device, and for the provision target device, when the bundle is received, the device information acquisition unit and the device information based on the received bundle. And a service providing step of providing a service to the provision target device based on the device information notified from the device information notifying means, for the service providing side equipment. Characterized service provision method. 32. A method of generating a bundle in a data structure of a bundle according to claim 28, comprising a bundle generation step of generating the bundle, wherein the bundle includes a device information acquisition unit that acquires the device information. And a device information notifying unit for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information acquiring unit. 33. A method for generating a bundle in the data structure of a bundle according to claim 29, comprising a bundle generation step for generating the bundle, wherein the bundle acquires the device information from the provision target device. A method of generating a bundle, comprising: device information acquisition means; and device information notification means for notifying the service providing side equipment of the device information acquired by the device information acquisition means.